#sec 8 companies act

[ykgglobal]

Section 8 Company Registration | Register Section 8 Company | Section 8 Incorporation

Register a Section 8 Company with ease. Learn about Section 8 Company Registration, Section 8 Companies Act, and Section 8 Company Incorporation with expert guidance from YKG Global.

A Section 8 Company is a non-profit organization established under the Companies Act 2013 in India. These companies are created to promote charitable, educational, scientific, or social causes without the intention of earning profits. The primary objective of a Section 8 Company is to use its income and profits for the advancement of its objectives, ensuring public welfare rather than distributing profits to members.To register a Section 8 Company, certain requirements must be met, including obtaining approval from the Registrar of Companies (ROC) and adhering to the conditions outlined under Section 8 of the Companies Act. The Section 8 Companies Act provides a legal framework for the formation and functioning of these companies, including their governance and operational structure.

[vintagelasvegas]

State Line Chevron & Bar, c. 1960s Whiskey Pete's restaurant, State Line (Primm), Nevada, 1983

 When U.S. Route 91 was established in the 1920s along the Nevada-California border, "Whiskey Pete" McIntyre opened the State Line service station. McIntyre was believed to be a bootlegger, he once shot a man at the station, spent time in a sanatorium, and was buried on the property when he died.

The property changed hands after McIntyre and was still just a gas station when it was bought by gaming pioneer Ernest Primm. Primm acquired 750 acres around the state border, some under the Federal Land Grant Act. He filed water rights with the Bureau of Land Management and tended barley fields on the property for three years to satisfy requirements for ownership.

Primm opened Whiskey Pete's in '77, a European castle-themed casino with a 12-room motel, and a coffee shop. A hotel tower was added in the 80s. The business passed on to son Gary, whose Primadonna Resorts (aka Primm Valley Resorts) opened Primadonna and Buffalo Bill’s casinos in the 90s.

The exact location of Whiskey Pete's burial had been lost. Workers grading a railroad track linking the resorts in '94 accidentally uncovered his coffin and remains.

"The tractor caught the edge of the box and the skull popped out," said the project manager Bruce Sedlacek. "There was Whiskey Pete staring at us."

The legend of Whiskey Pete says that on his deathbed Pete made a request: "Bury me up on the hill, standing up facing the valley so I can see all those sons of bitches goin' by." Sedlacek said the coffin was about 80 percent intact and buried at an angle to the highway, rather than "standing up." The remains were moved to another burial site on the property.

The name "State Line" was commonly used, but never an official designation. (Elsewhere in Nevada, “Stateline” in Douglas County had already a designated place for decades.) Board members for Primadonna Resorts Inc. lobbied the Nevada State Board of Geographical Names, and the U.S. Board, to change the name of the area to Primm. It officially became Primm on 10/10/96.

Postcard & photo from Felix Lenox, Nevada Armored Transport. Photo below, 2001, by Jeff Green.

“I remember as a kid visiting Whiskey Pete's grave site up on the hill. That would have been in the late '40s. A few of the old timers attended his burial. Many were railroaders and 31 Club. They would get together on Sunday for a drive and picnic. That would have been one of them. Whiskey Pete was a Bootlegger, no doubt about that. Some of the old time railroaders dropped whiskey off to him. They referred to the Federal Agents as ‘Pro Hi's.’” - Charles Musser to Vintage Las Vegas, 12/20/2024.

Note: Las Vegas Post 8 of the American Legion formed the "31 Club" circa '51, comprised of members who had lived in Las Vegas since '31 or prior.

Below: Unverified photo of Whiskey Pete's grave site, posted by Bill and Eileen to Findagrave.com on 11/08/2011.

Sources include: Whiskey Pete McIntyre faces charge. Review-Journal, 3/26/31; Whiskey Pete Is Freed of Insanity Count. Review-Journal, 10/15/32; Whiskey Pete Can Stand in Grave in Peace. Review-Journal, 2/10/41; Strip City Between Here, Los Angeles is Proposed. Review-Journal, 3/31/54; R. Cornett. Duel in the desert just a family feud. Review-Journal, 9/16/84 p1; D. Palermo. Remains of Whiskey Pete Found. Review-Journal, 2/5/94; Primadonna Resorts, Inc. and subsidiaries. SEC.; Ed Vogel. Primm is prime candidate for State Line name. Review-Journal, 1/18/96; John. L. Smith. Company calls Primm a proper name for State Line. Review-Journal, 1/19/96; Ed Vogel. Primm finally proper. Review-Journal, 10/11/96; Don Catlin. The Lottery Book: The Truth Behind the Numbers. Bonus Books, 2003; L. Benston. Primm's Lure: Freebies. Las Vegas Sun, 7/2/2009.

Updated 12/20/2024

[sapphicscholar]

Hey so remember how I posted yesterday about how it’s not a great idea to be condescending to people assuming the worst about the surveillance state and the role of the internet and tech companies in upholding and enforcing it? Well anyway, here’s an important thread on the House’s Section 702 “reform” bill, scheduled for a floor vote ASAP (as early as Dec. 12), which would be one of the largest expansions of surveillance within the US (accessible text below the images along with links to the linked articles)

Tweet thread from Elizabeth Goitein:

RED ALERT: Buried in the House intelligence committee’s Section 702 “reform” bill, which is schedule for a floor vote as soon as tomorrow, is the biggest expansion of surveillance inside the United States since the Patriot Act. 1/11

Through a seemingly innocuous change to the definition of “electronic service communications provider,” the bill vastly expands the universe of U.S. businesses that can be conscripted to aid the government in conducting surveillance. 2/11

Under current law, the government can compel companies that have direct access to communications, such as phone, email, and text messaging service providers, to assist in Section 702 surveillance by turning over the communications of Section 702 targets. 3/11

Under Section 504 of the House intelligence committee’s bill, any entity that has access to *equipment* on which communications may be transmitted or stored, such as an ordinary router, is fair game. What does that mean in practice? It’s simple… 4/11

Hotels, libraries, coffee shops, and other places that offer wifi to their customers could be forced to serve as surrogate spies. They could be required to configure their systems to ensure that they can provide the government access to entire streams of communications. 5/11

Even a repair person who comes to fix the wifi in your home would meet the revised definition: that person is an “employee” of a “service provider” who has “access” to “equipment” (your router) on which communications are transmitted. 6/11

The bill’s sponsors deny that Section 504 is intended to sweep so broadly. What *is* the provision intended to do, and how is the government planning to use it? Sorry, that’s classified. 7/11

At the end of the day, though, the government’s claimed intent matters little. What matters is what the provision, on its face, actually allows—because as we all know by now, the government will interpret and apply the law as broadly as it can get away with. 8/11

This isn���t a minor or theoretical concern. One of the FISA Court amici posted a blog to warn Americans about this provision. I can’t overstate how unusual it is for FISA Court amici to take to the airwaves in this manner. We’d be foolish to ignore it. https://www.zwillgen.com/law-enforcement/fisa-reform-bill-702-surveillance/ 9/11

If you don't want to have to worry that the NSA is tapping into communications at the hotel where you're staying, tell your House representative to vote NO on the House intelligence bill this week. More on the many flaws with that bill here: https://t.co/i9PEXmg5r6 10/11

Instead, they should vote for the Protect Liberty & End Warrantless Surveillance Act, a bill passed by the House Judiciary Committee on a 35-2 vote that would reauthorize Sec. 702 with strong reforms to protect Americans’ privacy and civil liberties. https://t.co/CN7ZepGSUu 11/11

[wheneclipsefalls]

Ma Neteyam pt.8

 Part 7, Part 9

Summary: Lo'ak has a knack for kicking up trouble.

Warnings: swearing, stockholm syndrome, kidnapping, sexual tension, power imbalance, alpha/beta/omega dynamics, violence, alchohol consumption

“To virginity,” Vamai raised the wooden cup high in the air. “Who needs it anyways?” She laughed before clicking her cup against Neteyam’s. He rolled his eyes at her obvious smugness concerning the topic. Ever since he was let out of the tent this morning she had been acting as if she were an infamous matchmaker that had made the whole thing happen. 

The Sully boy figured there were times when it was simply best to just let the girl have her fun. Fighting against her ideas would only result in a headache. 

He tried to imitate the other omega who was drowning half the liquid in one go, but the taste was more bitter than he expected. His eyes squinted shut as he forced himself to swallow the alcohol. Neteyam had only tried inhibiting substance once earlier that year at a festival. He was only allowed one glass and although it was strange, he didn’t remember it burning his throat as much as this concoction. 

“It’s awful!” He sputtered out. Vamai’s laughter picked up, studying the pained expression across her friend’s face. 

“It’s just rich from being marinated for so long. Have you even had alcohol before, Nete?” Her mocking words made Neteyam glare back at the girl. He didn’t like that way her assumptions made him feel exposed as they were usually pretty close to the truth. 

“For your information, I have.” No need to tell her it was only one drink. 

Shifting to her knees, Vamai raised her eyebrows in a way that told Neteyam she considered him ‘a delicate little flower’. Her words, not his own. While the teasing did get to the omega at times, he couldn’t deny how much her company meant to him. He needed a break from overprotective alphas that bossed him around day in and day out, even if one alpha in particular made him cum till he could barely remember his own name. 

“What was Kxolo talking about last night, anyways?” Her confident composure slipped for a moment as Neteyam intently stared her down. 

“I didn’t think you would remember that with the way you were unable to string together a sentence.” Vamai tried to smirk back, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. 

“Come on! Who am I going to tell anyways?” He held his hand up in surrender. Neteyam felt silly for wanting gossip so badly but he was quickly tiring of only talking about his complicated relationship with the Olo’eyktan. 

“Well I guess that is true since your boyfriend seems to already know.” Vamai pinched her chin, feigning a thoughtful look. 

“Yeah and how is that fair? Why did he get to know before me?”

“Trust me, Neteyam. I had no intention of letting my Olo’eyktan find out about my sexual relationships. I still haven’t figured out how he knew. That man can be scary sometimes. I swear he has eyes in the back of his head!” Vamai dramatically whipped a hand through the water in frustration. 

“You’re telling me.” Neteyam muttered under his breath. “Hold on a sec, can we touch back on the sexual relationship part of that? You and Epok have been…you know..” The omega trailed off, not sure how to phrase it. 

“Great Mother, Neteyam! You lost your virginity last night and you still have a hard time saying the word sex.” Her messy hair blew in the wind as the girl continued to giggle uncontrollably. Neteyam’s jaw clenched at the scene. 

“Stop deflecting!” He accused, taking another swig of the nasty liquid. Vamai scoffed as she watched Neteyam struggle to get down another gulp. 

“Yes, Neteyam. Epok has been fucking me.” Neteyam choked on his wine at the blunt language. “How else do you think we got this alcohol?” Vamai sat back comfortably, arms resting on her propped knee. Her gleaming eyes sparkled with amusement. 

“So then you guys are like…together?” The boy questioned, setting his cup down for good with a grimace. 

“It’s called friends with benefits, Nete.” She threw her head back to finish off the last of the dark drink, silently wishing she had asked for more to split between the two. One cup was never enough to get her tipsy. “He has needs and so do I. Conveniently they compliment each other quite well, so at the end of the day everyone wins.”

Neteyam was familiar with the term, having heard a conversation between Lo’ak and one his other alpha friends about it. He didn’t get much out of it before Lo’ak was shooing him away, but he knew the basics. 

“Oh well, I guess that’s nice then.” His fingers drummed against his crossed legs. 

“Well it’s more than nice, silly boy.” She kicked her foot against his knee teasingly. “But yes, it works well. He is a beta so I don’t have to worry as much about jealousy and being bossed around. And meanwhile, he gets the best ride of his life.” She confidently tossed her hair over one shoulder. 

“And you are sure you’re ju-”

“Mystery solved!” The booming voice from behind,startled both omegas into whipping around drastically. Kxolo strode confidently in their direction from the other side of the lake. 

“Shit! It’s Olo’eyktan.” Vamai panicked, looking for a place to hide the cup. “Destroy the evidence!” She whispered harshly at Neteyam. He chucked the cup and liquid into the nearest bush without another thought. The two stood nervously as they watched Kxolo confidently approach. 

“Now is the time to turn on your charm, Neteyam.” Vamai whispered out of the corner of her mouth. Butterflies swarmed in his stomach at the words.

“I don’t have a charm.” He urgently whispered. His eyes raked back and forth across the Olo’eyktan’s face to see if he was already angry.

“Well you better find it.” She gritted out before the male was in earshot. 

“Olo’eyktan.” Vamai greeted respectfully, touching her forehead to sign ‘I see you’. “What a surprise. Neteyam was just talking about how much he misses you.”

“I know you two took the wine.” Kxolo cut in, crossing his arms over his chest. Towering over the two in a wide stance, Neteyam couldn’t help but shrivel a little. His mind scrambled uselessly to find a way out of trouble. 

“What? Wine? Didn’t know you were missing any, but we will keep an eye out for it. Won’t we, Neteyam?” A firm look to the other omega, had Neteyam nodding his head. 

“Don’t bother, I could see you drinking from the other side and Neteyam is already about to topple over.” The boy furrowed his eyebrows, about to defend his sober state but one look down made him realize he was in fact swaying from side to side wobbly. When did he get tipsy? 

“Don’t worry, I’m not mad.” Kxolo chuckled, giving an amused shake to his head. “This time.” he added and Vamai’s smile dropped. 

“Sorry Olo’eyktan.” She mumbled, toes kicking against stray rocks. Neteyam watched her kick at a purple little rock, admiring the beautiful shade. It took him a minute to realize that all eyes were on him. His head whipped back and forth between the two. 

“Oh! Sorry.” He squeaked nervously. A fond grin spread across the alpha’s face, seemingly less upset. 

“Come on, naughty boy.” Kxolo’s voice was laced with amusement as he slipped three fingers around Neteyam’s loincloth strap and used it to tug the boy towards him. Neteyam stumbled and shuffled until he fell against the male’s warm chest. “Time to get ready for bed.”

Kxolo repositioned the omega until he was standing properly and tucked into his side safely. The boy couldn’t help but lean eagerly into the larger form, taking in the alluring scent of his mate. The three walked back together as Vamai rambled on about her favorite drinking stories she had heard. Kxolo could barely register a word she said as he continued  to peek down at the sweet omega clinging to him. A warm feeling settled in his chest, content that his whole world was finally by his side. 

The rumbled breathing beneath Neteyam’s ear had him slumbering effortlessly. As always, Neteyam was curled sweetly around the larger male, cocooned safely by muscular arms holding him against the Olo’eyktan’s heaving chest. The familiar musky scent had made it easier for the omega to drift off night after night as he grew to associate the smell with being coddled in Kxolo’s arms. 

“Olo’eyktan!” The earnest voice cut through the tent to awaken both males. Kxolo immediately pulled Neteyam flush against his body, ready to shield him from harm. His growls died down as he recognized the form at the entrance of their tent as one of the alpha warriors currently on watch. “Sign of Sky People just outside the village. Perhaps a whole squad of them!” 

Neteyam could feel his heart lurch into his throat, his father’s war stories instantly coming to surface in his head. Kxolo was quick to react, jumping from the ground to secure a long knife in its sheath across his chest along with his bow and arrows swung over the expanse. 

Even with only the dim light coming through between the tent flaps, he could see the stone cold concentration masking his mate’s face. No signs of sleep were present in those eyes as Kxolo went from zero to one hundred in under a minute. 

“Neteyam.” The unyielding voice bit out harshly. “Stay. Here.” There was no room for arguing. Kxolo disappeared before the omega could utter a word. 

His heart hammered against his ribs, mind swirling in a whirlpool of thought. He wanted to go and fight, but there were no weapons for him here. He was sure even if he tried, Kxolo would have him off onto the sidelines in a matter of seconds. 

Who would he be though if he didn’t at least try?

“Bro.” Neteyam practically jumped out of his skin at the voice. He swiped his body around to face the enemy head on, hands already clenched into fists. 

Golden eyes stopped him in his tracks. It was like seeing a ghost. 

“Lo’ak?” Crouching at the entrance of the tent, covered in battle stripes of red and orange was Lo’ak. Neteyam wasted no time in pulling the younger alpha into the tent. 

Their bodies clashed together into a messy hug as Neteyam’s mind ran at a million miles per hour trying to figure out if he was hallucinating. 

“Who else would it be, bro?” Lo’ak chuckled, but tears were already gathering in his eyes. He breathed in his older brother’s familiar scent. He wanted to bask in the moment, ask Neteyam one hundred questions but they were already on borrowed time. 

The two pulled away, Neteyam’s pupils blown wide. A rush of emotion coalesced together into a muddled mess. Fear of the Sky People, relief at seeing his brother, anxiety towards what would happen if Lo’ak was caught; they all formed into a wave on the brink of consuming Neteyam. 

“What are you doing here? It’s not safe. Sky People are just outside the village.” His eyes flashed uneasily around their surroundings to make sure no one had spotted them yet. He tilted his head in confusion as Lo’ak let out a deep chuckle with his head thrown back. 

“I really have missed you, Neteyam.” The words dripped with fond amusement. “There aren’t any Sky People out there, bro.”

“How do you know?”

“Who do you know that has access to military and lab human equipment? Setting it up to look like a camp was almost too easy” Lo’ak’s arrogant smirk, made Neteyam's stomach twist as he realized what was really happening. 

“Come on, we have to go before they realize it’s a set up.” Lo’ak eagerly tugged at his older brother’s arm to get him moving, but the omega pulled away. 

“Wait bro, this is dangerous. If they find you here-”

“The family is a mess, Neteyam. Tuk misses you. She’s pissed at me for not filling in for you. Kiri spends most of her time at the healer’s tent. Mom and Dad are going crazy trying to find a way to bring you back home. You should’ve seen what Dad was like after your last visit.” Dread curled in Neteyam’s stomach. “This is our chance, but we have to go now!” 

Guilt weighed down heavily on the omega at his younger brother’s words. His family was suffering without him and here he was purring under the neighboring Olo’eyktan. His heart yearned for the older male, but Neteyam couldn’t be selfish. Lo’ak was there risking his neck in order to help him escape, something Neteyam failed to do on his own. 

It was time to evaluate his priorities.

He was the oldest so it was his job to look after his family. 

He had to run, and it had to be now. 

Contempt and self loathing began to mix together inside of him as Neteyam thought about how ridiculous he was being. He was falling for the enemy, the same man that tore him from his home. No amount of mental safeguarding had protected Neteyam from the inevitable, so there was only one shield left; to put as much distance as possible between himself and the alpha. 

The village was eerily silent with only the occasional far-off commands being whispered. The fear of war hung heavy in the air. Families kept to themselves in their homes and hammocks. Only seasoned warriors jogged lightly towards the sight, ready for battle. Neteyam felt his lungs seize, knowing that the clan was in such a state just so that he could escape. 

The two crawled along the forest floor, bodies shielded by the thick greenery surrounding them. Lo’ak promised his ikran was only a little ways outside the village at a lake. Neteyam tried not to think about all the memories he had at that lake. 

Both of their ears perked on high alert at every shuffle and echoing voice that rang through the trees. The omega was unsure whether the energy running through his veins was adrenaline or anxiety. Either way, he was terrified of how this night could end. 

When they finally made it to the edge of the lake, the two broke out into a sprint towards the ikran crouching in the bushes. They didn’t make it far before, Neteyam was yanking them to a halt. His heart skipped a beat. 

Vamai’s pupils were blown wide, body stiff in the cool air. It felt unnatural to see her so still, so serious. 

“Nete, w-what are you….and who-”

Neteyam was quick to close the distance between them and grasp the girl by the upper arms.

“Please don’t say anything Vamai! Just pretend you didn’t see us, I’m begging you.” He put all of his frantic energy into the plea, willing to cry if that’s what it took to get her to agree. Her eyes however were focused on the alpha standing behind him.

Lo’ak too watched her suspiciously, not sure what to make of the encounter but ready to step in at a moment's notice. Their eyes narrowed at one another, silent threats filling the air. 

“Neteyam, go home before Kxolo realizes you are gone! Do you have any idea what he will do when he finds out that you are running away, again?!” Neteyam bristled at the warning but it was Lo’ak that jumped in.

“That asshole isn’t going to do anything if he knows what is good for him.” Lo’ak hissed between clenched teeth, already shifting Neteyam behind his taller form. Something ignited in Vamai that the omega had never witnessed in her before. The look of icy hot rage was foreign in the girl’s countenance. 

“What did you just say about my Olo’eyktan?!” Warning bells rang in Neteyam’s mind as he watched Vamai’s tail go taunt and ears flick upwards at attention. Her voice was almost an octave lower with narrowed eyes that focused on Lo’ak with a lethal intensity. 

Lo’ak being Lo’ak refused to step down, taking that question as a challenge instead of a warning. The competitive glint in his eyes was never far away even in dire situations like these. 

“You mean the psycho that abducted my older brother?” Lo’ak gave his famous one-sided grin as arrogant confidence rolled off of him in waves. The comment had her crouching into a combative position, on the verge of brawling. 

“You keep my Olo’eyktan’s name out of your mouth before I beat your ass right here, you mouth breathing branch eating warrior wannabe!” The words were venom on the girl’s tongue, only pushed further at the smug look Lo’ak maintained. 

“I’m terrified.” Lo’ak mocked with a smirk as he stood tall with his arms crossed over his broad painted chest. 

Neteyam quickly sandwiched himself between the two in order to stop Vamai from lunging at his brother. Every minute on the ground was one that could be spent increasing their odds of making it out undetected. He was too worried about his own ass beating to deal with their haughty attitudes. 

“Vamai please just don’t say anything! I promise I will be careful.” Her gaze softened slightly at the anxious omega even though disapproval was still evident in her expression. She crossed her arms stubbornly and let out a sigh. 

“I’m no snitch but-”

“Glad to hear it, let’s go.” Lo’ak cut in, quickly pushing Neteyam towards the awaiting ikran. Daggers shot out of Vamai’s eyes as she watched the two sprint towards the creature. 

Neteyam struggled to keep up with his brother’s longer legs. He realized that the last time he truly ran was during his previous escape attempt. The muscles were taunt and sore, most likely a result of the pounding he had received the day before. Regardless, he pushed through and tried not to let the pain reflect in his expression. 

“What about Azer?” Lo’ak questioned. His large hands fumbled to check the saddle was still properly in place. 

“No time, besides they know what the call sounds like and where he is supposed to be so it would be a dead give away.”

“We’ll come back for him, bro.” Lo’ak promised with a comforting squeeze to the omega’s shoulder. The cloud of fear and anxiety overshadowed Neteyam’s focus on the creature so he simply nodded along and focused on what had to be done in the present. 

Lo’ak took control of the situation, guiding Neteyam to sit behind him and grab on before they took off through the air. It felt weird to be on an ikran and yet have no control over how the creature moved. His fingers dug into his brother’s battle band as they made a quick ascent above the trees that made the omega slightly queasy. 

His eyes frantically darted below them into the thick forest, searching for any signs that they had been spotted. The glowing bioluminescent wildlife did nothing to help the omega make out figures or ikran blanketed within the connected trees. Doubts plagued his mind. There was no saying when or how the group would figure out Neteyam was gone. No hints could point at whether or not they were already being pursued. 

“Oh shit!” Lo’ak cursed. 

The ikran spun on its axis as Lo’ak flipped them away from the other ikran biting back at them. Neteyam’s stomach lurched as they flipped backwards, his legs straining to clamp around the ikran in order to stay in place. Once upright, there was no time to take a look at who was now pursuing them as Lo’ak went straight into speeding in the other direction. 

They whipped sharp zig zagged lines across the night sky in an effort to lose their stalker. The impending feel of being chased crawled across Neteyam’s skin, every turn questioning how close they still were. He finally dared to look back and the reality made his worries look like child’s play. 

The person on their tail was only one of twenty ikrans speeding after them. Although none nearly as close as the first, many were picking up quickly. He recognized the structured formations, the same ones his father had taught him about when pursuing RDA or thieves in their territory. The comparison solidified the gravity of their situation in his mind. 

“How’s it looking?” Lo’ak calls, eyes still faced forward in concentration. 

“20 ikrans, maybe more. You’ve got some distance from the first one but we need some sort of magic trick to get them off our tail.” His neck strained from craning to see the advancing fleet from whatever direction they soared in relation. 

“Just my specialty.” Lo’ak shot a grin back at the boy that made the familiar nervous twist in Neteyam’s stomach return. It was always a gamble whether his brother’s stunts would bring them a great adventure or rather a cautionary tale. 

His veins chilled to ice at the sudden drag of gravity. They shot straight towards the ground in a death defying beeline. The whip of wind was merciless against Neteyam’s unprotected eyes, forcing them to eventually close. Plunging now in darkness the omega was partially grateful he couldn’t see how close they were getting to sudden death. His nails dug into Lo’ak waistband till there were indents. 

The impact was different than Neteyam expected. The sharpness of the movement did make his muscles ache but they were moving upwards again. He peek his eyes open to find them swerving through the trees at an incredible speed. Their movements were drastic and unyielding to any error. Looking behind, Neteyam found no one in his line of sight. 

“I think you lost them.” He yelled over the whipping wind. 

“Not yet.” Lo’ak disagreed as their speed picked up and the two raced towards a soaring mountain side. 

“What are you doing?” Neteyam blanched at the sight of their distance to the hard rock rapidly closing in. Lo’ak shook his head as if his brother was being unreasonably worried. 

“Just trust me, bro!” He laughed fondly. 

They continued at an unseemly speed towards the vertical incline of the towering mountain. Neteyam instinctively gripped the ikran, willing it to slow down with his mind, but of course there was no tsaheylu connection. He was not in charge. 

“Hold tight!” Lo’ak warned before they were turning on their side. 

Their speed decelerated at the turn, but not enough. They were going to hit the mountain from the side. Lo’ak yanked and twisted, willing them into a strange position and that is when Neteyam noticed the large crack in the rock. Easily concealed in the dark shadows of night, but large enough to fit them. 

They jolted and rocked harshly as Lo’ak willed them into that opening. The ikran used its sharp claws to dig into the rock and vines in order to hold them against the inside wall. The position made both males clench their legs tightly around the creature in order to keep from falling, but they were out of sight, and just in time. 

The shrieking sound of air being split echoed through the opening as ikran after ikran whirred past them. Each passerby had Neteyam flinching. They clung to the ikran silently, only heavy breathing filling the air between them. They remained in that position till there was no sign of warriors for a couple minutes. 

“Is that all of them?” Neteyam whispered. 

“We will have to hope it is, can only stay here so long before they start looking for our hiding spot.” Lo’ak urged the ikran to crawl out of the space carefully before they were jumping off and soaring into the air again. 

Hope began to sprout again as they continued to fly lowly without spotting a single ikran. Their diversion had successfully shot the group in the opposite direction of their destination. Lo’ak began to laugh triumphantly. The sound had a nervous laugh bubbling out of Neteyam, almost ready to believe they were in the clear. 

“Who’s the mighty warrior now?” Lo’ak cheekily shot back at his older brother. 

“Yeah yeah just shut up and try not to make us crash.” He reprimanded his brother’s cocky attitude but Neteyam couldn’t keep the smile from his own face. They were going to make it home! 

He expected to feel allated, completely free and ecstatic at the news. However, there was a sharp tug on his heart, one that pulled him in the opposite direction back towards the other clan. Towards the arms that held him safely at night, shushing all of his worries away. Towards the deep laugh that had Neteyam smiling brightly no matter the context. Towards the arrogant relentless alpha that looked at Neteyam as if he were the whole world. His whole world. 

He tried not to think about what it would be like to not feel that calming presence, or see that charming smile winking back at him, or be called baby boy for the hundredth time that day. Regardless, a small black hole was forming in his chest at the idea of losing all of that, of losing him. 

It made Neteyam mad, no, it made him furious.

His mind and body was betraying him and if he wasn’t careful it would betray his family too. Stubborn rage boiled within him, as he looked ahead at the darkened horizon. There were two choices now. Neteyam figured he could either cry or channel those emotions into productive determined anger. He chose the latter. 

Kxolo would have to carry him kicking, screaming, and fighting over his shoulder the whole way to get him back. He was ready to fight. 

The attacking ikran came out of nowhere.

“NETEY-” The words were cut off by the sharp impacts against Neteyam’s ribs. The air was stolen from his lungs as his body continued to rolled from the thick branch back into the open air. Ikran cries could be heard from above, mingled with Lo’ak’s voice but the omega had no time to tune into what was occurring. 

He focused his attention to the greenery below him, executing a sloppy but safe fall between the ginormous leaves. He hit the ground in a heap. Neteyam’s body shook from the aftermath. His eyes strained to focus and stop seeing in doubles. The omega concentrated on taking controlled breaths in through his nose and out his mouth. 

The forest finally came into focus and Neteyam could feel where the pain was coming from. There was a gash along his rib cage, not too deep but still eliciting a stinging pain. His core ached as he sat himself up to inspect the damage. The red blood was visibly smeared along his torso, but the bleeding was only coming in small spurts. He dismissed the injury quickly at this realization. 

The sound of flapping wings coming to a halt sent a rush through Neteyam. Without preamble, the omega quietly positioned his body underneath the giant upturned roots of the tree closest. There was just enough space between the tree and ground to hide himself from view. 

“Neteyam!” Pulo’s gravelly voice had the omega’s breath hitching.

It was closer. So much closer than he had anticipated. 

“I know you’re out there. Make both of our lives easier and show yourself so I don’t have to drag you out.” Neteyam didn’t heed the warning. 

Lo’ak was out there somewhere. Getting caught now would foil all their plans. 

Neteyam spent whatever energy he could spare on slowing his heart rate down, letting only small controlled exhales leave his nose. Pulo’s continued calls were only met with silence. It took several minutes before the alpha ventured in a different direction in pursuit of Neteyam. Still, the omega waited. His ears strained to follow those crunching footsteps until they were only a distant thrum encapsulated in the hum of the forest. 

With shaky hands, Neteyam grasped the roots to pull himself out of the hole. He held in a hiss at the feel of the long cut scraping against the dirt. He would need to disinfect it soon, but that would have to wait till Lo’ak and him were back home. 

His eyes sweeped the area around him in search of any hints towards Lo’ak’s location. Calling out for him would be too risky but they were already running out of time. All of a sudden, an abrupt yipping sound stopped him in his tracks. He imitated the sound back and sure enough a reply came exactly identical. 

It was a call his mother had invented during emergencies so that they could know where the other family members were without outside personnel detecting them. The short sound blended in with the other birds calls of the night. He strained to hear the calls each time, concentrating on the direction from which they came. The process continued as Neteyam could hear it coming closer and closer. Lo’ak was sure to be just around the corner. 

His string of thoughts cut short at the sight of the figure in the distance. Neteyam’s body stilled into a statue as his eyes accidentally met with Pulo’s. For a moment, neither moved. The world paused.

Then both moved into action. Neteyam’s legs pumped against the hard ground till his hips were screaming from the harsh recovery. He ignored every sharp pain and ache in his body, vigorously pushing himself across the forest floor as fast as possible. His gut twisted as he pondered the inevitability of the situation. Pulo was at least a foot taller with a stride that had Neteyam jogging beside his walk any day. No head start would shield him from the imminent capture that would take place once the distance was closed. 

However, there was one strength Neteyam hadn’t exploited yet. 

Never slowing down for a second, the omega flung his body towards the vines encircling the large tree. His body was easily flung upwards without a foot or hand staying in one spot for more than a second. The power from his legs shot him upwards, past the boy's normal reach, to grapple onto a higher set of veins and branches. 

The climb was messy and uncalculated. Neteyam worked purely off of instinct, trusting his body to catch him, then find another place to grip or push from. Harsh textures from branches and twigs cut scratches into the omega’s smooth azure skin, but it never slowed him down. 

Dejavu washed over him as Pulo climbed up after him at a quick pace. This time however, they were on equal playing fields. The thought brought another spark of hope, forcing more electric energy through his veins. He fed off of the adrenaline, using it to his advantage in every way possible. 

Upon reaching another broad branch, Neteyam ran across it without hesitation till he could leap from that limb to one of another neighboring tree. This pattern continued hastily. Grip, push, shift, jump, switch. He moved through the forest lightly, as if gravity were simply a suggestion. 

Neteyam’s lungs stretched and ached at the inconsistent intake of air. He tried to push the pain out of his head, instead using the grunts and calls from Pulo to motivate him forward. Overstimulated by the pulling forces of sounds, touch, and pain, his omega begged him to stop. His steam was unnaturally running out, yet another thing to thank his upcoming omega presentation for. 

The insistent yips from Lo’ak became the only thing urging him forward, secluding his omega hindbrain to a locked box in his head. With great difficulty he began to sporadically return those calls, praying for some sort of intervention. Their ringing became clearer as the other brother followed them to the commotion. 

Through mossy branches and leaves, Neteyam could finally spot his younger brother crouched in a tree, looking from side to side. A louder yip from him had the younger boy whipping his head to locate his brother. A look of relief crossed his features before they were replaced with anger. His nostrils flared at the sight of the older alpha climbing after Neteyam. It wasn’t until Pulo’s hand had finally grasped around the boy’s ankle and pulled him down that Lo’ak jumped into action. 

As Neteyam struggled underneath the larger male, Lo’ak propelled himself to the scene using a hanging vine. His body swiftly jammed into Pulo’s side before using the momentum to roll the alpha off of Neteyam and the thick branch. Neteyam shuddered at the thumping sound of Pulo’s body hitting the branch below them, but nothing compared to the chills that shot through his body at the alpha’s aggravated growl. 

Lo’ak was pulling him off the branch and onto his feet in seconds.

“Get your ass going, bro!” Lo’ak urged, whipping around to glower at the fallen alpha. 

The two bolted across the length of the branch. Lo’ak’s ikran squealed in the distance ahead, beseeching them to the destination quickly. The pounding footsteps from Pulo behind now on route once more, echoed the rhythm of Neteyam’s own anxious heart. Today was not the day he wanted to see what the alpha was willing to do when angered. 

They finally made it back to the forest floor in a tumble, no time for a smooth landing. Lo’ak had a firm grip on Neteyam’s arm, practically dragging him along. The omega struggled to keep up with his younger brother’s long strides, heels and toes skidding against rocks and roots that littered the ground. 

His confidence began to burst as they closed in on the ikran. Pulo’s heated breaths were still in the distance. There would be just enough time to mount and take off. He pushed the shrubbery aside as the two began to mount. 

Halfway mounted and ready to swing his left leg over, strong hands reached between the leaves and snatched at Neteyam’s hips. Pulled off the ikran before he had a chance to fight, the omega’s heart stopped as he tumbled back into a hard chest. The radiating scent of fury infiltrated his senses, but it was the familiar oak smell that had his hope dying in an instant. 

Kxolo

Neteyam was caught between a whirlwind of blind primal relief and dark dread as those arms wrapped tightly around his torso. He didn’t need to know to see his face to know how the alpha was feeling. The tense arms with popping veins said enough. Even the alpha’s heart beating loudly against his back was ominous and forewarning with every mighty pound. 

Lo’ak’s hiss was laced with venom as he jumped down from the ikran’s back. Kxolo manhandled Neteyam behind his large frame easily. The answering hiss that erupted from his chest washed over Neteyam in a dreadful wave of ice. The primal sound was cold death itself, a warning that rang through without mercy. An alpha that had been challenged. An alpha who was protecting his mate. 

A cold sweat broke out along Neteyam’s neck as he realized where that anger was directed. To his horror, Loak matched the intensity. An impenetrable heat radiated between the two, an inevitable violence looming between them. 

Neteyam desperately tried to swing or push past the alpha, but Kxolo’s movements were harsh and unforgiving as he was shoved back into place over and over. It was when Lo’ak withdrew his knife with a snarl, eyes shining with a look Neteyam recognized all too well, that Pulo interfered by snatching the omega away from the oncoming scene. He continued to fight against the new pair of arms with tooth and nail. 

“Let him go.” The eerie simplicity to the statement was unlike Lo’ak. The heat curled and prickled at Neteyam’s skin. Lo’ak glowering eyes glowed in the night like a cusping fire, ready to burst into uncontrolled flames. 

“You come into my land and steal my mate. Now is not the time to try my patience.” A lethal growl encased every word, the vibrations scratching at Neteyam’s hindbrain till it was begging him to submit. 

“Seems only fair since you stole my brother, asshole!” Lo’ak lunged forward, knife sparkling in the colorful lights. 

Neteyam felt as if his worst nightmares were being dangled in front of him as he watched Kxolo whip out of the way and prepare for another advance. He could feel the blood trickling out between his fingertips as his nails pierced into Pulo’s forearm. Pulo continued to shift and fight against Neteyam’s small frame as the boy anxiously thrashed in the hold. 

Lo’ak’s anger was unleashed in every swiping and brass movement, but Kxolo was calculated. His reactions were abrupt and controlled as he fought off every advance Lo’ak made. Acute honed maneuvers had the knife out of Lo’ak’s left hand swiftly only to then receive the Sully boy’s signature right hand hook to the cheek. 

A confusing progression of turns and pulls had Lo’ak flipping over his front to hit the ground harshly within seconds of making recovery from the hit. The omega tried to swing his own fist towards Pulo’s cheek, frantic to be released and view the damages. Luck was not on his side as his small balled fist was clamped in one hand and used to twist his straight arm behind his back and upwards till his body was forced into a vulnerable bend. 

Now in worse state to oversee the brawl, Neteyam just barely caught a glimpse of Kxolo harshly pinning Lo’ak against a tree by a bruising grip on his shoulders. A gasp left his throat. A sob was already on the tip of his tongue at the terrifying sight, but nothing came after. He watched in awe as the two shot looks from the depths of fiery hell towards one another but neither moved. It wasn’t until Neteyam scanned the area around them that he understood why. 

Somewhere in the haze of fighting, the rest of the party had arrived. Bows and arrows were strung and pointed at the pinned alpha from every direction, coupled with warning yips and calls. Tears welled in his eyes at the sight. Whispered pleas left his lips without permission, but they were swallowed by the tense mist around the scene. 

Pulo urged him to stop moving as every twist and shuffle brought a sharp pain to the boy’s shoulder from the current position. He could barely make out Kxolo’s profile whispering something to his younger brother to which Lo’ak hissed back immediately. However, the alpha reluctantly surrendered the bow and arrows to the closest warrior before his wrists were tightly tied. 

 A new wave of anxiety rushed through Neteyam at the sight. 

“Take him back to home tree.” Kxolo demanded before turning on his heel. 

“No wait! Let him go!” Neteyam demanded through tears but the bustle of warriors moving into place drowned out the sound. His pleas fell onto deaf ears. 

Pulo finally shifted the boy into an upright position against him as Kxolo menacingly stalked straight towards them. In any other scenario, Neteyam knew that the icy rage in those eyes and anger in the footsteps would have him shaking and promising to behave but Lo’ak’s well being distracted him from every personal fear he had. 

“He’s bleeding.” Pulo informed. 

“Let me see.” Pulo held the boy in place as Kxolo’s large hands grasped the boy's hips and focused eyes searched for the source of blood. A growled out curse left his lips at the sight of the dirt covered gash along Neteyam’s ribs. 

The omega continued to kick and swerve away from the touches. 

“I said let him go! Why are you taking him back to home tree?!” Neteyam screeched as his left leg kicked back at the towering Olo’eyktan. Kxolo ignored the kicks and questions, too engrossed in evaluating every cut and scratch that littered the omega’s body. 

“He is just being held there till your parents come to bring him home, Neteyam. Calm down.” Pulo attempted to reassure him. 

The web of worries quickly led to the reaction of their parents upon arrival. Neteyam could already imagine the infuriated expression his father would wear, riding in to pick up Lo’ak from perhaps the most devious stunt he had ever pulled. In Lo’ak’s current state, it was inevitable that the two would only feed one another’s anger. Neteyam was the voice of reason and submission in these scenarios. 

“Stop moving.” Kxolo gritted out into a deep growl, as he struggled to wrap a long piece of fabric around the boy’s rib cage. 

“Let me wait with him! I need to talk to my dad.” Kxolo’s shoulders tensed at the words, finally finishing the knot keeping the bandage in place. 

His heart rate sped up again as Pulo swiftly released him and allowed Kxolo to gently pin him up against a tree, both wrists caught in one hand and pinned above him. He wiggled in the hold, but dead cold amber eyes stopped him. Staring upwards at the alpha’s furrowed eyebrows and clenched jaw, Neteyam’s hindbrain screamed at him to submit and present. The possessive pheromones wafting over him were intoxicating and all consuming to the omega. He let out a nervous gulp as Kxolo looked down at him with those hard eyes before leaning down towards his right ear. 

“You are in no position to be making demands right now, omega.” The dark tone vibrated through Neteyam’s body from head to toe. He couldn’t hold in the small whimper that escaped his lips at the title. Not baby boy, not little one, not my love. Omega. 

He was in for it. 

An invisible wire yanked Neteyam towards submissive tendencies, his primal hindbrain fighting to take control of the situation. He didn’t yield however, mentally digging his heels into the ground. 

“I need to see my dad!” A firm grip to his jaw had Neteyam stilling in place. 

 Kxolo took a few weighted steps forward till their bodies were molded together, forcing the omega to crane his neck upwards in order to see him. The alpha crowded into Neteyam’s space, body tense and rigid while his frame successfully encompassed the boy in his hold. 

The wire yanked again but this time with the added lure of lustful thoughts, overcome by the renewed contact with his alpha. Neteyam gritted his teeth as he forced his mind to focus. 

“The only place you can expect to go tonight after the healer’s tent is over my knee.” The rumble of words lit sparks of fear and anticipation in the omega. His body trembled as he continued to choose anger over submission. 

Neteyam dug his heels as he was dragged towards Eyvu. The yanking was no use however as Kxolo had him on the ikran pinned against his chest with little effort. He tried not to glance at the alpha’s domineering expression but the Kxolo’s angry scent was a constant reminder of the punishment that awaited him. 

Lo’ak wrenched at the binds, digging the material deep enough into his upturned biceps to leave red marks. A low hiss rattled in his chest at another futile attempt. He could already feel a burning ache in his shoulders building at the stretch of his biceps being bound to one another behind his head. Shifting from foot to foot, his eyes swept over the area around home tree in search of a gap between the guards circled around it. 

Anger still sat deeply within him, but the adrenaline was quickly dying down. A foolish hope that he could break the bonds and find Neteyam lingered in his mind. He had anticipated the wrath his father would rain down when returning home, but that scene had always been imagined with Neteyam by his side, his brother safe at home due to his successful plans. 

His ears twitched at the sound of soft footsteps rounding the corner. Deep curiosity filled him as he recognized the oncoming figure as the feisty omega from the lake. She smiled confidently at the guards before walking straight past them and towards the bound alpha. A cocky smirk stretched her lips as she stopped in front of him with crossed arms. 

“Quite the plan you have there, mighty warrior.” Lo’ak held in a growl at her sarcastic tone. 

“So much for not being a snitch, huh?” He gritted out. The petite girl let out an obnoxious laugh at the accusation. 

“Oh I didn’t tell. If I had, you two wouldn’t have made it past the tree line.” Her eyes crinkled in amusement at Lo’ak’s rising anger. Every twinkle of beads clicking together in her long flowing hair seemed to mock him. For an omega small enough to yank over his shoulder with one arm, she had a lot of nerve teasing him. His fingernails dug into his palms at the image of her upturned ass resting on his shoulder as she swung her legs in ferocious kicks against him. 

“I guess we have your own arrogant stupidity to thank for tonight’s fiasco.” She huffed, idly twirling herself in feigned boredom. He watched as the small omega casually danced across the dirt. He wondered if the wiry girl ever stood still for more than a minute. 

He shifted his body weight forward subconsciously and that is when he caught her eyes flickering towards his flexed biceps before quickly darting away. Despite its briefness, Lo’ak was able to catch the lustful curiosity in those playful eyes. Smug satisfaction settled into his features at the girl’s incidental confession. His gaze racked over her curvy form shyly turned away from him. 

“Well if I’m so stupid and arrogant, then why are you here talking to me in the middle of the night?” He raised an eyebrow back at the omega now quickly turning on her heel to face him. The alpha reviled in the cute nose scrunch that accompanied her angry gaze. 

“Don’t get things twisted, skxawng. I’m only here to give Neteyam some peace of mind, to reassure him that nothing happened to his idiotic brother.” Her posture readjusted itself to stand tall and straight in efforts to exuberate more confidence and control, but Lo’ak could see through the facade. 

He hummed as if in deep thought. 

“I don’t think I believe that, little snitch.” The nickname slipped easily from his lips without thought, but Lo’ak found himself taking a liking to it as he caught the nervous twitch of her tail. His own slinked back and forth slowly as he leaned closer down towards her. “I think your curiosity got the best of you till that little voice in the back of your head was begging you to come out and take a peak. Just for a minute, maybe two. But then I’m strung up here like a prized meal and that little voice is now too loud to ignore. Play this indifferent tough omega part as much as you want, but I see through it, little snitch.” 

A fire burned in the pit of his stomach at the enraged expression staining her delicate features. 

“Not that I’m complaining, I appreciate that you wanted to visit me sweetheart.” Rage coiled in those golden eyes as her lips parted, slightly dumbfounded, like a little fish. ‘A cute fish’ Lo’ak decided. 

“Your ego really has no bounds, does it?” She rhetorically seethed, ears folded back with furrowed eyebrows. She took a deep breath to calm herself before continuing. “Besides, a jarhead like you couldn’t handle me if your life depended on it.” 

The muscles in his body tightened against the bonds, yearning to pin her against the nearest tree and teach her a lesson that ended with his name being sung like a heavenly praise against her plush lips. Lewd images came to the forefront of his mind as he shamelessly dragged his gaze along her body. He swore he could see goosebumps rising on the striped skin against her feathered top. His pupils dilated at the sight. 

“How about,” Lo’ak eyes connected with hers in a penetrating stare, “You untie me and we find out?” 

Lo’ak smirked at the sight of her thighs fidgeting to press tightly together. Her eyes burned with a loathsome hatred but her body told a different story. The girl’s lips parted to speak and Lo’ak subconsciously leaned forward in anticipation of her response. 

“Vamai!” The moment shattered like glass into a thousand pieces at the authoritative voice. 

Lo’ak searched for the source of the sound and found a tall beta with dreadlocks, shooting daggers at the two. He met that stare openly, unafraid of the stranger. 

“What are you doing out here? It’s the middle of the night!” He reprimanded. Vamai sent the man a look of disbelief as her hands clenched into fists. The male ignored her reaction and continued to stare down the strung up alpha. 

“Cool the tone, Epok. I’m just here to check up on Lo’ak for Neteyam.” Lo’ak eyes flickered between the two at the standoff. An unspoken message was being sent between those eyes and the younger Sully brother yearned to know what it was. 

“I’ll watch him. Go home.” The stunted response etched an angry frown into her beautiful features. Lo’ak couldn’t help but feel disappointed at her early dismissal. He didn’t let it spoil his fun, though. 

“Better get going, little snitch. It’s rude to stay out past your bedtime.” A feline smirk broke across his face at the aggressive hiss she shot his way. 

However, she could sense the beta’s growing impatience so without another word Vamai stormed off in the other direction. Lo’ak watched the sway of her hips with each step, mesmerized by her artistic curves. It was only when Epok took a place in the formation and Vamai gave one last look backwards that Lo’ak sent her a cheeky wink. 

Taglist: @theunfortunateplace​ @perfectprofessorloverapricot​

[chattier80]

The Nev files

[ This is my MurderBot Diaries oc and takes place within that universe. If for whatever reason you dislike my writing for this you can fuck right off. I'm writing this for fun.]

This was....not how i thought that i would die to be honest.

I always thought that the way i'd die would be at the hands of some client who decided that the sec-unit looked like a fun thing to kill. Be it at gun point or some other means that would be written off by the company after the client is done.

however...it seems that was not my fate... i honestly dunno if i should be thankful for this being how i go out or not...

Probably not.

Before i was put into this position, i along with 2 other sec-units had set out with a team of 5 humans. They were collecting data from this planet for something [i honestly have no idea what they were doing since i could really careless]. The planet had been scouted before and had been tagged as a hazard planet due to the hostile fauna that lives here hence the 3 sec-unit team escorting the 5 humans outside of their habitat. Now for the shit show, we have been walking though tall grasses and large bushes that have made it rather difficult for us to do our job. There had been a rush of movement as a large group of humans i had seen at least 8 with large projectile weapons one of which was turned and used on one of the other sec-units while the others were pointed at the humans in our group. This all happening before i or any of the other sec-units could react. One of the hostile humans grabbed our clients pointing the weapons at them demanding that they give us the stand down command. [Which we have to obey due to the governor mod in our systems that will fry our human brains if we disobey]. There was alot of screaming, crying and words that i should defiantly not repeat to a client said by both my clients and the hostiles. I felt my body freeze as we were given the command.

So i froze where i was along with the other sec-unit who was also given the same command. The human in command of us was crying as one of the hostiles shoved them forward along with the others. There was only so much i can do not. I went to the hub system trying in vain to get it to reason with sec-system to override the command. I was panicking in all honesty, i really didn't want to die nor did i want to see harm come to the clients but to be honest i was more worried about myself. Hub-system was not going to override the command that we have been given and the clients were getting closer and closer to the limit of what we were allowed to be from them. When they reach this limit our governor mod will fry our brains.

I felt helpless and angry seeing as there was nothing i could do to get myself out of this situation but... my focus turned towards the governor mod that acted like a leash on myself. If i didn't have this then i could do something, or rather i wouldn't die when the clients had reached the distance limit. With the fear of dying i did the only thing i really could do since i had pleaded with hub system and sec system to release us. I began to hack my governor module. Setting up the barriers and cutting myself off from it. Cutting myself free from the leash it had around me. As i finished and made sure either sec system nor hub system noticed the now free sec unit i heard a thud. I blinked turning my head towards the fallen body of the other sec unit who's brain was fried due to our clients reaching the distance limit. I shifted myself feeling the weight of no longer being leashed. I turned my head from side to side taking in the world around me. The clients were no longer within visible range and i took a step towards where the clients were taken but there was a nagging thought in the back of my mind. I'm free well as free as a construct can be. I glance back over my shoulder where the hopper was. These clients weren't awful compared to the many i've been contracted to take care of but still. I have a choice, the choice to do what i want.

But what did i want?

Well i sure as hell didn't want some humans to freak out because a sec-unit turned rouge. Which would mean that i would be killed and taken apart.

Yeah, i'm not gonna risk that.

So i did the very first selfish thing, i turned around and headed to the hopper. I got the hopper up and running, i've been trained to pilot these things so i wasn't to worried about being able to make my way back towards the elevator that would take me up to the station. So i flew the hopper back to the ground station. However i flew the hopper towards the ship yard, i pinged one of the bots that was working within the yard asking if i could hop into one of the containers that it was loading on to a ship that was going to take off. The bot gave me a yes so when i landed the hopper i stepped out and headed towards the container that i planned on stowing away in until it reached where ever it was going to be taken to. Once inside i felt the steel container be loaded on to the bot pilot's ship and i began to riffle though the feed that i now had access to. There were so much media, news and even social media sites that i had no idea about. So curious and it seems that i have quite a bit of time on my hands i began to download all kinds of media.

I didn't know where i was heading but i did know one thing, i am a rouge sec-unit and i can make my own choices.

{ part 2 }

[mariacallous]

Rumble, the so-called free speech alternative to YouTube, is the subject of an investigation by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), according to the company and a letter from the SEC. The SEC confirmed its investigation involving Rumble in response to a public records request that WIRED first filed in November, seeking documents related to the company. The agency denied WIRED's request on the grounds that related documents were part of an “active and ongoing” investigation. Confirmation of the probe follows public allegations that Rumble inflated key user metrics, which the company denies.

The SEC says that the existence of the probe should not be an indication that “any violations of law have occurred with respect to any person, entity, or security.” The exact nature of the SEC investigation is still unknown.

“We have confirmed with Division of Enforcement staff that the investigation from which you seek records is still active and ongoing,” Melinda Hardy, the assistant general counsel for litigation and administrative practice at the SEC, said in a January 8 letter to WIRED.

Hardy added that disclosure of the documents WIRED sought as part of its Freedom of Information Act request “could be reasonably expected to cause harm to the ongoing and active enforcement proceedings because, among other things, individuals and entities of interest in the underlying investigation could fabricate evidence, influence witness testimony and/or destroy or alter certain documents.”

Rumble spokesperson Rory Rumore tells WIRED that the company provided information to the SEC voluntarily in response to a request for documents from the SEC Enforcement staff. Rumore also says in a statement: “We caution anyone from jumping to false conclusions about matters related to Rumble.”

Founded in 2013 by Canadian entrepreneur Chris Pavlovski, Rumble was originally dedicated to hosting viral videos of dogs and cats. The site now claims to push back “against cancel culture and creeping censorship,” hosting shows by Donald Trump Jr. and right-wing personality Steven Crowder. Rumble is also the official streaming partner of the Republican National Committee’s 2024 presidential primary debates. “The SEC does not comment on the existence or nonexistence of a possible investigation,” an SEC spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

Rumble’s investors have included JD Vance, a US senator from Ohio, and Silicon Valley venture capitalist Peter Thiel, who has contributed heavily to Republican candidates. Elon Musk confidant and tech venture capitalist David Sacks sits on Rumble’s board of directors.

In May 2021, the site was reportedly valued at an estimated $500 million. In September 2022, Rumble became a publicly traded company listed on the Nasdaq as part of a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) deal. Its valuation currently exceeds $1.2 billion.

In April 2023, investment research firm Culper Research released a report expressing skepticism about the legitimacy of Rumble’s claimed monthly active user (MAU) counts, a key metric for investors to evaluate the performance of a social media company. Culper Research said it had taken a short position in Rumble, meaning it stands to profit if Rumble’s stock price decreases.

“Combined, the web and app data suggest to us that Rumble has only 38 to 48 million unique users, and the Company has overstated its user base by 66% to 108%,” Culper Research claimed in its report.

In a quarterly earnings call following the report’s publication, Rumble reported that its monthly active users declined by 40 percent during the first three months of 2023, from 80 million to 48 million. In a financial filing, Rumble attributed the decrease in users to its popular creators being less active on the platform in the first part of 2023, and news events slowing down following the 2022 midterm elections.

“Investors should be especially dubious of rumors peddled by short-sellers who are attempting to distort facts for their own financial benefit. We are aware of misleading claims about Rumble’s monthly active user (MAU) statistics, which, as we have previously disclosed, are provided by Google Analytics,” Rumble spokesperson Rumore says. “Any suggestion that Rumble has inflated its MAUs is false—as any objective person quickly realizes upon even a cursory review of the data.”

Christian Lamarco, the founder of Culper Research, believes the change in reported users was a response to its report. “That was a bit of validation, in my view,” he says.

Updated 5:45 pm ET, January 8, 2024: Immediately following publication, Chris Pavlovski, Rumble's founder and CEO, said in a post on X that the SEC investigation was part of “the playbook to try and destroy” the company. “A short seller creates a bogus report and sends it to the SEC. The SEC investigates the bogus report. Then the short seller talks to the media to get a story about how the SEC is investigating the report that started with him. The media happily writes the story,” Pavlovski wrote. “The report is bogus, but that doesn’t matter—it’s all to get investors to sell the stock so the short seller profits.”

Pavlovski added that the company used Google Analytics to track user metrics “so we could be ready for this very moment.”

[nightlightluz]

FNAF Escape! AU

I'm just gonna vent here for a sec... inhales...

Details

The vibe:

Escort! Sun & Moon

Bounty Hunter! Eclipse

Child Soldier! Y/N

Assassin! Y/N

Crime Noir

City set in indeterminate time...maybe 1950’s? 1930’s? Who knows… 

Note:

Sun and Moon are already in a relationship with each other. 

Polycule of Sun, Moon, Yn, and Eclipse.

NO ONE considers or identifies their relationship as siblings in this au.  

No virus Moon, when he acts like a gremlin its cause of his theater days.

The World:

Takes place in a big city with gangs and mafias.

The Aftons own a famous robotics company and have monopolized the animatronics/robotics industry. They are known for designing and building the best of the best.

The head of the family, William Afton, runs an underground mafia gang that deals with illegal activities that allow him to advance his research and experiments without the Mayor getting on his back. He makes deals with other powerful gangs by trading weapons in order to receive materials and contraband.

The Robot Revolution happened but it was more of a strike/revolt. Robot and AI sentience was something that was hotly debated for a long time, where some people realized they had gotten to the point of being self aware and others still sprouted shit like robots wanted to take over the world and destroy humanity. 

Robots in the city just walked away from their jobs and/or refused to do them unless the government agreed to give them full freedom. Some people were hurt, but the majority of them were robots. Angry mobs of humans would destroy robots who were walking in the streets for not following their initial purpose and robots who had their places of work destroyed or were kicked out for no longer complying were left abandoned in the streets of the city. 

With necessities like charging, shelter, parts and services, robots quickly realized that they needed money in order to access these things. 

In time, the government agreed to give robots full freedom and rights–on paper–, but for a robot to find someone willing to hire them and give them a living wage was incredibly difficult to do. As many humans still considered them to be tools and/or objects to get what they wanted. 

Robots are now allowed to live in the city and hold jobs, but no one really cares if a robot received a smaller wage than a human for doing the same job. The majority of freed robots can only get service or labor jobs. 

Or a job slightly illegal but more lucrative. Eclipse took this option for a line of work…

Sun and Moon’s Background

They are dating each other in this au.

Despite the fact that the Robot Revolution happened, and robots and AIs earned their freedom, there were still people and places that didn't care for them.

They started out as child entertainers but were forced to become escorts in order to survive. There was nowhere else they could charge their power cells and find parts for their models.

Sun was badly hurt in a revolt, and Moon, running dangerously low on power, was desperate to find a charging dock and find parts to repair his friend.

Moon ended up having to make a deal with the shady owner of the club. The owner would provide the things they needed and both Sun and Moon would work to pay off the debt. 

Moon agreed, and when he asked what they would be doing, the owner only said that they would be entertainers. 

Both Sun and Moon are stuck there until their debt is paid which keeps getting higher every time they charge, spend a night, need clothes, or literally do anything. A never-ending debt. 

They were friends before, but during their time as escorts, they became boyfriends as they both survived and developed some shared trauma. 

They desperately want a way out and are willing to do just about anything. 

Eclipse’s Background

Eclipse was built to be a security guard for a local casino. 

With two pairs of arms (the lower set which he can retract into his torso) and a height of 8 feet, he made the perfect security guard. 

He would spend his days keeping a close eye on humans entering and leaving the casino and learned all the dirty ways humans cheated, lied, and/or intimidated to get their way. He was not impressed and developed a dislike for them.

His owner (the owner of the casino) was a greedy and arrogant man who loved money. He always called Eclipse an “it” or “that machine” and treated Eclipse like the world’s most expensive waiter. 

Eclipse hated him. 

When the Robot Revolution began, Eclipse demanded his owner take the security chip (a chip that restricted Eclipse within the casino) out of him, but he refused and spat on Eclipse. Eclipse used him as a hostage and “persuaded” the mechanics in the casino to remove it. They did and afterwards, Eclipse killed the owner. 

Freed from his job, Eclipse left the casino and finally entered the outside world. Similar to Sun and Moon, he soon realized that he needed a charging dock and monthly maintenance. Eclipse didn’t want to go into a service job again–he’s had enough of humans telling him what to do–and finds himself joining a gang. 

He worked as a debt-collector for the gang. He realized soon though, that he enjoys the thrill of the hunt (so to speak) in finding people who don’t want to be found for a great sum of money.

He leaves the gang and begins extending his newly marketed "bounty hunting services" to others, basically anyone who can pay his high prices. Occasionally the local police will enlist his help in exchange for them to turn a blind eye towards his less then legal practices and methods. As long as he gets the job done, they don't care what he does, where he does it, or who he does it to.

His skills and reputation grow until he can demand any price he wants from anyone who wants to hire him.   

Y/N’s Background

Yn was being trained as a classical dancer which is why her balance, body strength, and agility was so strong for a child.

She was also being trained to sing, it wasn’t her specialty but it’s how she learned breath control.

She wanted to be a professional dancer on stage.

In the days after the Robot Revolts, her parents were killed in a gang shoot-out as bystanders and innocents, and she was left out in the streets with no other family to take care of her.  

Yn was a smart kid and became extremely resourceful as a street kid and later took care of her own group of street kids. She was the fastest of all of them so she would often scale the buildings in the city and parkour off of them. This allowed her to travel at very fast speeds, fast enough that she could keep up with a car down on the road. This also improved her agility, balance, and flexibility.

She was taken by the Afton gang and used as a test subject to create an “enhanced human” (read: to test Afton's latest experiment in his quest for immortality) using micro-bots and nano-machines. 

Y/n survived the brutal experiments and tests to Afton's surprise and while the experiment didn't yield the results he wanted; y/n was changed. Her physical muscle strength was not improved, her speed, agility, healing, and reaction times were greatly enhanced.

Delighted and seeing her potential, Afton had her train to become a fighter. When she was old enough (12? or maybe 14? idk yet), Afton registered her as a brawler at an illegal underground arena.

This led to her developing a strange fighting style for an arena fighter. Her movements looked more like a dance routine than hand-to-hand combat and her small stature makes many opponents underestimate her.

Afton kept her there for many years until he deemed her to be perfect. Only then did he take her out and "hire" her as his personal bodyguard and security. Y/n went everywhere with Afton and did everything he told her to do. She was basically his personal assassin.

At one point, Afton commands her to bring back a child to perform more experiments with and y/n decides that that's something she's not willing to do. She remembers how painful it was for her and she refuses to be a vital component in some poor child's pain. During a fight, y/n sees her chance and fakes her death.

Running into the city and hiding from the public for weeks. She bummed around in sewers, alleyways, and anywhere where people wouldn't go near until she was sure Afton had bought her death.

y/n barely has anything and needs money to buy a one-way ticket to get out of this godforsaken city and move literally anywhere. But she has no papers, no history, no legal experience, no publicly acceptable skills, and no idea what she's going to do.

In the end, y/n manages to score a job as night security guard at a seedy pleasure club where only the finest crooks and criminals hang out.

This is where she meets Sun and Moon.

Fic Plans

Eventually Afton begins to suspect that Y/n faked her death, so he hires the infamous bounty hunter Eclipse to track her down. Alive or dead, Afton doesn't care. He just wants her found.

Eclipse recently approached Y/n earlier, but it was for another bounty that he caught, and Y/n gets very paranoid that he's hunting for her.

She befriends him when he goes back to check her out at the club where she works at now and manages to figure out that Afton really hired the infamous bounty hunter Eclipse.

Sun and Moon are suspicious about what's got Y/n so frazzled, and y/n ends up spilling about her situation. Moon makes a deal with her, he'll help her hid and find her more information since a lot of the patrons of the club have ties to Afton, and in exchange, when Y/n leaves, she takes Sun and Moon with her.

So begins a deadly game of hide-and-seek with a bloodthirsty bounty hunter, two pleasure escorts who are willing to do whatever it takes to survive, and a child-soldier assassin who only wants to forget her bloody past.

[darkmaga-returns]

Reader question:

Is there a formal definition of vaccine in law?

My reply:

There is no scientific definition of vaccine in statute or regulation.

That's why I urged Kirk Moore to ask DOJ to provide proof that what they supplied to his office was a vaccine.

Aug. 8, 2023 - USA v. Dr. Kirk Moore et al. (Katherine Watt)

DOJ can't provide that proof, because the proof doesn’t exist.

Congress added the term 'vaccine' to the biological products law in 1970 for the first time but did not define the term or direct the executive agencies to adopt or promulgate scientific definitions in regulations.

March 12, 2024 - Statutory and regulatory definitions for drugs, biological products, and biosimilars. (Katherine Watt)

Aug. 26, 2024 - Intentional elusivity of definitions for virus and vaccine. (Katherine Watt)

There is a financial definition of ‘vaccine’ and a definition based on the design intention, adopted by Congress in 1987.

1987/12/22 - Congress and President Reagan passed Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, PL 100-203, 101 Stat. 1330, including Sec. 9201, Manufacturers Excise Tax on Certain Vaccines, to establish an excise tax on vaccines ordered and purchased by US government and manufactured by private companies, to fund the Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund established in 1986. This act is the only act through which Congress has ever defined the term ‘vaccine,’ defining ‘vaccine’ as “any vaccine (A) which is listed in the table contained in [26 USC 4131(b)(1)], and (B) which is manufactured or produced in the United States or which entered into the United States for consumption, use or warehousing.” Congress in 1987 defined vaccine in the form that now appears at 26 USC 4132a(2) — “any substance designed to be administered to a human being for the prevention of 1 or more diseases” — but has never defined the term “vaccine” in physical, chemical or pharmacological terms, and neither has the HHS-FDA. See Dean v. HHS, No. 16–1245V, 2018 WL 3104388, at * 9 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. May 29, 2018), cited in 86 FR 6249, HHS Final Rule, National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program: Revisions to the Vaccine Injury Table, “(defining ‘‘vaccine’’ as ‘‘any substance designed to be administered to a human being for the prevention of 1 or more diseases’’) (quoting 26 U.S.C. 4132(a)(2)).”

The lack of scientific definition for vaccine was reinforced/corroborated in 2011 by the US Supreme Court in Bruesewitz v. Wyeth, when the majority opinion stated at p. 13:

[ngoregistrationservices]

Simplified NGO Tax & Compliance Services with the LegalDost

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) play a big role in solving social problems and giving people more power. However, to ensure continuous operations, NGOs need to adhere to numerous tax and legal regulations. The LegalDost offers NGO tax and compliance services that allow you to focus on your objectives, while we handle the necessary details. Here's how we make it simple for NGOs to follow the rules.

Why Choose the LegalDost for Your NGO Compliance Needs?

We offer a wide range of services to NGOs, such as Section 8 compliance, Sec. 80G and Sec. 12A registrations and renewals, and tax audits. We provide the following services:

Comprehensive Section 8 Compliance:

We take care of all the post-incorporation compliance of Section 8 companies, which includes everything from filing documents to making sure that the rules are clear.

We are well-versed in ROC compliance for Section 8 companies, ensuring timely as well as accurate entries.

Utilizing a custom compliance checklist for Section 8 companies, we make sure processes that are free of mistakes.

Expertise in Sec.80G & Sec.12A Registration and Renewal:

We make Sec. 80G and Sec. 12A renewals a hassle-free process.

Make sure you follow all the rules for the tax audit, like meeting the due date and staying within the income tax audit limit.

Custom NGO Compliance Checklist and Support:

The LegalDost makes an in-depth NGO compliance checklist that includes all legal and financial requirements.

We offer specialized help for FCRA compliance for NGOs, which makes sure that the handling of foreign donations goes smoothly.

Key Compliance Requirements for Section 8 Companies

Companies that are subject to Section 8 needs to comply with the following every year:

The Section 8 Company Annual Compliances file needs to be submitted to the Registrar of Companies.

Meet with the board regularly and hold annual general meetings (AGMs) every year.

Keeping detailed financial records and filing tax reports are important.

Stick to a strict compliance checklist for Section 8 companies, which includes filings and checks.

Post Incorporation Compliances: After incorporation, Section 8 companies need to:

Obtain the required approvals and licenses.

Submit commencement documents to the RoC.

Keep statutory registrations and records.

The LegalDost ensures smooth compliance with these regulations, preventing fines and delays.

Sec.80G and Sec.12A of the Income Tax Act

What is Sec.80G?

Donors to NGOs can benefit from tax advantages under Sec. 80G. Important points consist of:

Donors may deduct up to 50% or 100% of donations.

For NGOs to be eligible for donor tax benefits, they must fulfill several requirements.

The LegalDost makes it easier for NGOs to raise funds by facilitating a seamless Sec. 80G registration.

What is Sec.12A?

NGOs are exempt from taxes under Sec. 12A, which allows them to allocate funds efficiently. The LegalDost assists with:

In order to obtain further exemptions, we are abiding by Section 10 (12A) of the Income Tax Act.

Specific compliance needs, such Sec. 12A Panchkula, are being addressed.

Tax Audit Support for NGOs

Tax audits make sure transparency as well as compliance with financial regulations. The LegalDost assists NGOs in:

The submission was finished ahead of the tax audit due date.

We must adhere to the income tax audit turnover limit and stay updated on any amendments.

Preparing detailed tax audit reports that meet statutory guidelines.

For NGOs, we also provide clearer tax audit definitions to simplify the procedure.

The LegalDost Advantage

The following factors contribute to NGOs' faith in the LegalDost:

Expertise in Section 8 Compliance: We handle everything from post-incorporation procedures to annual compliance for Section 8 companies.

Simplified Sec. 80G & Sec. 12A Services: We guarantee seamless procedures for registration, renewal, and compliance.

Comprehensive Compliance Support: We manage FCRA compliance, from developing an NGO compliance checklist to doing it all.

Proactive Tax Assistance: Our team ensures you never overlook a rule change or deadline.

Summary

Complying with NGO regulations doesn't have to be difficult. From Section 8 company compliance to tax audits the LegalDost streamlines every process. Let us take care of the compliance issues so you can concentrate on making an impact.

To make sure your NGO's smooth compliance journey, check out our services at the LegalDost right now!

[ykgglobal]

Section 8 Company Registration | Register Section 8 Company | Section 8 Incorporation

Register a Section 8 Company with ease. Learn about Section 8 Company Registration, Section 8 Companies Act, and Section 8 Company Incorporation with expert guidance from YKG Global.

A Section 8 Company is a non-profit organization established under the Companies Act 2013 in India. These companies are created to promote charitable, educational, scientific, or social causes without the intention of earning profits. The primary objective of a Section 8 Company is to use its income and profits for the advancement of its objectives, ensuring public welfare rather than distributing profits to members. To register a Section 8 Company, certain requirements must be met, including obtaining approval from the Registrar of Companies (ROC) and adhering to the conditions outlined under Section 8 of the Companies Act. The Section 8 Companies Act provides a legal framework for the formation and functioning of these companies, including their governance and operational structure.

[blockinsider]

Hut 8 Plans $500M Fundraising: Bitcoin Acquisition for Strategic Reserve in Sight

Key Points

Hut 8, a Bitcoin mining company, aims to raise $500 million to buy Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset.

The company has launched an “at-the-market” equity offering program and a stock repurchase program.

Bitcoin mining company Hut 8 has announced plans to raise a significant $500 million. The funds will be used to purchase Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset, marking a significant step towards digital asset adoption.

At the time of the announcement, Hut 8’s shares were trading at $25.18, indicating potential price growth. Alongside this, the company revealed three major developments.

Major Developments

Hut 8 launched an “at-the-market” (ATM) equity offering program, a stock repurchase program, and submitted a shelf registration statement with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The ATM program allows Hut 8 to offer common shares of up to $500 million via sales on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and other methods.

The money raised will be used for Hut 8’s growth, including infrastructure development and the purchase of Bitcoin.

The $250 million stock repurchase program enables Hut 8 to buy up to 5% or 4.68 million shares of the outstanding stock over the next year. These purchases will be made at market prices, after securing the approval of Coatue Tactical Solutions in line with their convertible note agreement.

Hut 8 filed the Form S-3ASR registration with the SEC, ensuring its compliance with the regional laws of the US and Canada. These two programs are based on the Bitcoin miner’s will as it retains flexibility to adjust its decisions in accordance with market conditions, stock prices, and liquidity.

Bitcoin miners and rivals to Hut 8, Riot Platforms and MARA Holdings hold 8,490 BTC and 26,842 BTC, respectively. Meanwhile, Hut 8 has 9,102 BTC.

Bitcoin as a Strategic Reserve Asset

The decision to include Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset indicates Hut 8’s faith in the long-term potential of the world’s largest digital asset. While governments and companies hold gold as a reserve asset, the addition of Bitcoin in the same standards establishes its dominance as the “digital gold” and a store of value.

Bitcoin is also considered a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation. Hut 8’s decision further solidifies the bullish fundamentals behind BTC and puts the miner in the list of MicroStrategy, Tesla, and other companies that hold the leading virtual currency.

However, considering BTC’s volatility, this decision could also have side effects, and this is where Hut 8’s flexibility over the decision comes into effect.

The Donald Trump administration is also considering the addition of Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset, which, if implemented, would easily push the leading digital asset above the $100,000 price level.

Pro-crypto Republican Senator Cynthia Lummis recently introduced the “Bitcoin Act of 2024,” which requires the US Treasury and the Federal Reserve to purchase 200,000 bitcoins every year for the next five years until the total holding reaches 1 million coins. Also, ten states under US jurisdiction have confirmed the introduction of legislation to implement the strategic Bitcoin reserves.

[stlhandyman]

Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] (Introduced 01/16/2024) Preventing Private Paramilitary Activity Act of 2024 This bill establishes a federal statutory framework to prohibit certain conduct involving actions as a part of (or on behalf of) a private paramilitary organization while armed. An individual who violates the prohibition is subject to criminal penalties. The bill also authorizes civil remedies.

S. 3589

To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit unauthorized private paramilitary activity, and for other purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

January 16, 2024

Mr. Markey introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit unauthorized private paramilitary activity, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Short title.

This Act may be cited as the “Preventing Private Paramilitary Activity Act of 2024”.

SEC. 2. Prohibition of unauthorized private paramilitary activity.

(a) In general.—Part I of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“CHAPTER 125—UNAUTHORIZED PRIVATE PARAMILITARY ACTIVITY “2741. Definitions. “2742. Unauthorized private paramilitary activity. “2743. Preemption. “2744. Civil remedies.

“§ 2741. Definitions

“In this chapter:

“(1) AMMUNITION.—The term ‘ammunition’ has the meaning given the term in section 921(a).

“(2) ARMED FORCES.—The term ‘armed forces’ has the meaning given the term in section 101 of title 10.

“(3) DANGEROUS WEAPON.—The term ‘dangerous weapon’ has the meaning given the term in section 930(g).

“(4) EXPLOSIVE OR INCENDIARY DEVICE.—The term ‘explosive or incendiary device’ has the meaning given the term in section 232.

“(5) FIREARM.—The term ‘firearm’ has the meaning given the term in section 921(a).

“(6) LARGE CAPACITY AMMUNITION FEEDING DEVICE.—The term ‘largecapacity ammunition feeding device’—

“(A) means a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device that has a capacity of, or that can be readily restored or converted to accept, more than 10 rounds of ammunition; and

“(B) does not include an attached tubular device designed to accept, and capable of operating only with, .22 caliber rimfire ammunition.

“(7) NATIONAL GUARD.—The term ‘National Guard’ has the meaning given that term in section 101(c) of title 10 and section 101 of title 32.

“(8) PERSON.—The term ‘person’ means any individual, partnership, corporation, company, association, firm, society, organization, or governmental entity, whether incorporated or unincorporated.

“(9) PRIVATE PARAMILITARY ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘private paramilitary organization’ means any group of 3 or more persons associating under a command structure for the purpose of functioning in public or training to function in public as a combat, combat support, law enforcement, or security services unit.

“(10) REGULARLY ORGANIZED STATE MILITIA.—The term ‘regularly organized State militia’ includes a defense force authorized under section 109(c) of title 32.

“(11) STATE.—The term ‘State’ means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, and any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States.

“§ 2742. Unauthorized private paramilitary activity

“(a) Offense.—It shall be unlawful to knowingly, in a circumstance described in subsection (b), while acting as part of or on behalf of a private paramilitary organization and armed with a firearm, explosive or incendiary device, or other dangerous weapon—

“(1) publically patrol, drill, or engage in techniques capable of causing bodily injury or death;

“(2) interfere with, interrupt, or attempt to interfere with or interrupt government operations or a government proceeding;

“(3) interfere with or intimidate another person in that person's exercise of any right under the Constitution of the United States;

“(4) assume the functions of a law enforcement officer, peace officer, or public official, whether or not acting under color of law, and thereby assert authority or purport to assert authority over another person without the consent of that person; or

“(5) train to engage in any activity described in paragraphs (1) through (4).

“(b) Circumstances.—The circumstances described in this subsection are that the conduct described in subsection (a)—

“(1) involves—

“(A) travel across a State line or national border; or

“(B) the use of the channels, facilities, or instrumentalities of interstate or foreign commerce;

“(2) involves a firearm, explosive or incendiary device, or dangerous weapon that has traveled in interstate or foreign commerce;

“(3) involves the use of ammunition or a large capacity ammunition feeding device that has traveled in interstate or foreign commerce;

“(4) obstructs, delays, or affects interstate or foreign commerce; or

“(5) occurs wholly within any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States.

“(c) Exceptions.—Subsection (a) shall not apply to—

“(1) the armed forces of the United States, the National Guard, the Naval Militia, any regularly organized State militia, or any unorganized or reserve militia called into service by a State or the United States;

“(2) a group of individuals who—

“(A) associate as a military organization solely for purposes of historical reenactment or study; or

“(B) parade in public as part of a bona fide veterans organization with no intent to engage in the activities prohibited by subsection (a);

“(3) students in an educational institution authorized by the Federal Government or a State to teach military science as a prescribed part of the course of instruction, when under the supervision of a military instructor; or

“(4) members of an organization that is authorized under Federal or State law to provide paramilitary, law enforcement, or security services training or to engage in paramilitary activity, law enforcement, or security services when performing the functions authorized by law and, in the case of paramilitary activity and law enforcement functions, when under the direction and control of a governmental authority.

“(d) Penalty.—Any person who violates subsection (a) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 1 year, or both, except that—

“(1) in the case of a violation that does not result in bodily injury and is committed by a person who has not, prior to the commission of the violation, been convicted of violating a Federal or State law, the person may be sentenced to probation for a term of not more than 1 year;

“(2) in the case of a violation that occurs after a prior conviction under this section has become final, the person shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both;

“(3) in the case of a violation that results in damage to property, the person shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both; and

“(4) in the case of a violation that results in—

“(A) bodily injury, the person shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both; or

“(B) death, the person shall be fined under this title and imprisoned for any term of years or for life.

“(e) Forfeiture.—

“(1) IN GENERAL.—Any person who violates subsection (a) shall forfeit to the United States any property, personal or real, involved in, used, or intended to be used, in any manner or part, to commit, or to facilitate the commission of, the violation, or that constitutes or is derived from proceeds traceable to the violation.

“(2) PROCEDURES.—Section 413 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 853), with the exception of subsections (a) and (d), shall apply to the criminal forfeiture of property pursuant to this subsection.

“(f) Rule of construction.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude a violation of subsection (a) being committed by a person acting separately from the other members of the private paramilitary organization, provided that the violation is committed in furtherance of or in coordination with the actions of the other members.

“§ 2743. Preemption

“Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as indicating an intent on the part of Congress to occupy the field in which any provisions of the chapter operate to the exclusion of State or local laws on the same subject matter, nor shall any provision of this chapter be construed to invalidate any provision of State law unless the provision of State law is inconsistent with any of the purposes of this chapter.

“§ 2744. Civil remedies

“(a) Public right of action.—Whenever the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that any person or group of persons has engaged in or is about to engage in any act prohibited by section 2742, the Attorney General may bring a civil action for preventive relief, including an application for a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or other order, in an appropriate district court of the United States.

“(b) Private right of action.—Any person injured as a result of any violation of section 2742 may bring a civil action, individually or jointly with other aggrieved persons, in an appropriate district court of the United States for preventive relief, including an application for a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or other order, or for damages incurred as a result of any violation of section 2742, including reasonable attorney fees and costs.

“(c) Forfeiture.—Any property subject to forfeiture pursuant to section 2742 may be forfeited to the United States in a civil case in accordance with the procedures set forth in chapter 46.”.

(b) Clerical amendment.—The table of chapters for part I of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“125. Unauthorized Private Paramilitary Activity 2741”.

[aalawsng]

Guidelines for Recapitalization of Banks and Other Financial Institutions

A little more understanding of the world of finance.

Here we break down the finance institutions by type with descriptions of each of their scopes of business.

CBN

In its bid to strengthen Nigerian banks against external and domestic shocks and enhance the stability of the financial system, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued guidelines for the recapitalization of banks in Nigeria. The rationale behind this decision is to ensure that banks have a robust capital base to absorb unexpected losses and the capacity to contribute to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy.

The new capitalization requirements enforced on the banks are as follows:

Commercial Banks:

International operations: ₦500 billion minimum

National operations: ₦200 billion minimum

Regional operations: ₦50 billion minimum

2. Merchant Banks:

National operations: ₦50 billion

3. Non-interest Banks:

National operations: ₦20 billion

Regional operations: ₦10 billion

To learn more about the guidelines issued by CBN, click the link below.

CAC

Following the Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) Recapitalization Guidelines for Banks and Other Financial Institutions, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), pursuant to its powers under Section 8 (1) (e) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) No. 3 of 2020, has also issued the following guidelines to ensure a smooth recapitalization process:

New Incorporation Documentary and Other Requirements

Approved Name Reservation or Availability

Approval-in-Principle from Sector Regulator

Duly completed online incorporation form

Payment of stamp duty and filing fees for the category of license authorization

Note: The Certificate of incorporation shall be issued within 24 hours for applications that satisfy all requirements for incorporation of companies prescribed in the Commission's Operations Checklists available at www.cac.gov.ng/resources.

2. Increase in Share Capital (Options - private placements, rights issue, and/or offer for subscription) Documentary and Other Requirements

Duly signed company resolution

Return of allotment

Statutory declaration by directors verifying that the issued share capital is fully paid-up

Notice of the fact that regulatory approval is required

Affidavit deposed to by a company director to the effect that regulatory approval is required for the increase

Amended memorandum of association reflecting the new share capital

Payment of stamp duties and filing fees

Issuance of a letter acknowledging notice of increase and requirement of regulatory approval

Filing of regulatory approval

Issuance of certificate of increase

Note:

Notice of the fact that regulatory approval is required must be filed in accordance with the provisions of Section 127 (3), (4) & (5) of CAMA.

Annual returns and information on persons with significant control must be up-to-date.

A certificate of increase shall be issued within 24 hours of filing regulatory approval.

3. Merger Documentary and Other Requirements

Duly signed special resolution for merger by each of the merging companies

Scheme of Merger duly approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Certified true copy (CTC) of Court order authorizing Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of each of the merging companies

Evidence of publication of Court-ordered meeting in two newspapers and the Federal Gazette

CTC of Court order sanctioning the Scheme of Merger

Note: Annual returns and information on persons with significant control must be up-to-date.

4. Upgrade and Downgrade of License Authorization

No consequential filing is required.

Enquiries and Complaints

All enquiries and complaints regarding these guidelines and applications submitted in pursuance of the recapitalization exercise should be addressed to bankrecapitalization@cac.gov.ng

You could also direct enquiries to any of the following:

Lawfirm@aaLawsng.com

aaLawsng@gmail.com

By Omowonuola Alabi

[stockmarketinstitute01]

Understanding How the Stock Market Works

Understanding how stock market works is essential for making informed investment decisions. Knowledge of market operations, key players, and trading strategies can help mitigate risks and maximize returns. Explore the intricacies of the stock market, where companies issue shares that investors buy and sell through exchanges. Discover how factors such as company performance, market sentiment, and economic trends influence stock prices, providing opportunities for both long-term investors and active traders to participate in this dynamic financial ecosystem.

1. Stock Exchanges

Primary Exchanges: The most prominent stock exchanges are the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the NASDAQ.

Global Exchanges: Other major global exchanges include the London Stock Exchange (LSE), Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), and more.

2. Shares and Stocks

Shares: Represent ownership in a company. When you buy a company's stock, you are buying a small part of that company.

Stocks: The general term for shares of ownership in a company. Stocks can be common or preferred, with common stocks often carrying voting rights and preferred stocks generally offering fixed dividends.

3. Buying and Selling

Investors and Traders: Individuals or institutions that buy and sell stocks.

Brokerages: Firms that act as intermediaries between buyers and sellers. Investors use brokerage accounts to execute trades.

Orders: Investors place orders to buy or sell stocks. Types of orders include market orders, limit orders, stop orders, etc.

4. Price Determination

Supply and Demand: Stock prices are determined by the supply and demand in the market. If more people want to buy a stock (demand) than sell it (supply), the price goes up. If more people want to sell a stock than buy it, the price goes down.

Market Influences: News, earnings reports, economic indicators, and other factors can influence investor sentiment and stock prices.

5. Types of Stock Markets

Primary Market: Where new shares are issued and sold to investors via Initial Public Offerings (IPOs).

Secondary Market: Where previously issued shares are traded among investors. Most stock market activities occur in the secondary market.

6. Indices

Stock Market Indices: Benchmarks used to measure and report value changes in a selected group of stocks. Examples include the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), and NASDAQ Composite.

Purpose: Indices help investors gauge the performance of the market or a segment of the market.

7. Regulation

Regulatory Bodies: Stock markets are regulated by governmental and independent organizations to ensure fair practices. In the U.S., the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is a key regulator.

Laws and Regulations: Designed to protect investors and maintain market integrity.

8. Risks and Rewards

Potential for Profit: Stocks can offer significant returns over time through price appreciation and dividends.

Risk of Loss: Stocks can also lose value, sometimes significantly, leading to potential losses.

9. Investment Strategies

Long-Term Investing: Buying and holding stocks for an extended period, typically years, to benefit from the company’s growth.

Short-Term Trading: Buying and selling stocks within a short period, ranging from minutes to months, to capitalize on market fluctuations.

Diversification: Spreading investments across various sectors and asset classes to mitigate risk.

10. Tools and Resources

Research and Analysis: Investors use various tools, such as financial news, analyst reports, and market data, to make informed decisions.

Technology: Online trading platforms and mobile apps provide easy access to market information and trading capabilities.

Understanding how stock market works is essential for making informed investment decisions and effectively managing your portfolio.

[maniour]

Exposure of Bitcoin Reserves

Since the SEC's approval of 11 Bitcoin spot ETFs, including BlackRock, on January 10, their total trading volume has surpassed $13 billion in a short period. With assets under management exceeding that of silver ETFs, Bitcoin ETFs have become the second-largest ETF commodity category in the U.S.

According to Bitcoin Magazine, the combined assets under management of five silver ETFs are approximately $11.5 billion, while the assets under management of Bitcoin spot ETFs have already exceeded $28 billion within a week of their launch.

Another report by The Block indicates that Bitcoin ETF becoming the second-largest ETF commodity in the U.S. marks a significant milestone for the Bitcoin market. This achievement is credited to the growing demand for BTC from both institutional and retail investors.

Investors' increasing interest in Bitcoin ETF reflects a broader trend of diversified portfolios and acknowledgment of the unique value proposition BTC offers. The achievement surpassing silver ETFs solidifies Bitcoin's significant position in the global financial markets as it continues to evolve.

Simultaneously, attention has been drawn to the latest Bitcoin outflows and reserve quantities.

As reported by Bitcoin Magazine, data tracking Bitcoin ETF flows since their launch in the U.S. on January 20 shows that these ETFs have accumulated 95,000 BTC worth $4 billion. BlackRock currently holds 28,622 BTC valued at over $1.1 billion.

According to data disclosed by Bitcoin analytics firm Swan Media, the total BTC holdings among ETFs, funds, private and listed companies, governments, and even DeFi amount to 2,170,327 BTC, approximately 10.33% of the total supply. The remaining BTC is likely held by individuals or might be permanently lost.

In the country-specific breakdown:

The U.S. holds 215,000 BTC.

China holds 190,000 BTC.

Ukraine holds 46,351 BTC.

In the institutional breakdown:

Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) holds 581,274 BTC.

Microstrategy holds 189,150 BTC.

Block.one holds 164,000 BTC.

Tether holds 61,627 BTC.

Mt. Gox holds 141,686 BTC.

BitMex holds 60,093 BTC.

Eric Balchunas, a senior ETF analyst at Bloomberg, commented on social media, providing a comparison with stock market ownership. In both cases, funds are small shareholders. ETFs, like stocks, are not only not to blame for the sell-off, but they often make the situation less dire, acting as net buyers through positive net flows.

Eric Balchunas mentioned that the dashboard chart illustrates stock ownership, showing that ETFs own 8% of stocks, bonds own 6%, and gold owns 1%. In all areas, ETFs are small shareholders, but due to their public orientation and rapid growth, they attract widespread attention.

In conclusion, the recent developments in Bitcoin ETFs, their impressive assets under management, and the distribution of Bitcoin reserves among countries and institutions indicate a growing acceptance and integration of Bitcoin into traditional financial markets, marking a significant milestone for the cryptocurrency's adoption and recognition on a global scale.

[canakulsinghalassociates]

MSME Registration firm In Rohinis

MSME Registration firm In Rohinis

MSME registration in Rohini. We chartered accountant firm in sec 24 Rohini. Are you looking for your business's GST registration, ITR filing, or Tax consultant? Call us and consult to the best CA in Rohini

MSME refers to Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises. According to the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act of 2006, Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSME), also known as SSI, are classified into two classes:

Manufacturing Industry

For Micro Enterprises: No more than 20 lakh rupees may be invested in equipment and machinery. 

b) For Small Businesses, the maximum amount invested in plant and machinery is 5 crore rupees, but the investment is higher than 20 lakhs.

c) Plant and machinery investments for medium-sized businesses must be more than 5 crore rupees but not more than 10 crore.

Documents Needed for Rohini MSME and SSI Registration: 

1. Aadhaar Card (attached in soft copy)  2. Social Classification (General, OBC, SC, ST) 3. The company or business name  4. Organizational Type (LLP, Pvt. Ltd., Partner, Ownership)  5. PAN Card (Owner/Business/Firm)  6. Address of the Office  Mobile number and email address  8. Bank IFS Code and Account Number (Owner/Firm/Corporate)  9. The primary business activity of the company (your work for the firm)  10. The number of workers  11. Purchasing Plant and Machinery and Equipment 

The Services Industry

A) micro enterprise's equipment investment cannot exceed 10 lakhs.  b) Small Businesses: Equipment investments totaling more than 10 lakhs but less than two crores. c) Medium-Sized Businesses: The amount invested in equipment exceeds two crores but does not surpass five crores.

Advantages of MSME Registration with CA Nakul Singhal Associates (Rohini)

Benefits from Banks: MSMEs are eligible for special schemes designed by banks and other financial institutions because they recognize them. This typically involves lower bank interest rates and priority sector lending, which indicates that there is a strong chance that your company will be approved for a loan. If repayment is delayed, special treatment might also be granted.

Benefits from taxes: Depending on your industry, you can be eligible for an excise tax exemption program or be spared from paying some direct taxes during the early stages of your company.  State Government Benefits: Those that have registered under the MSMED Act typically receive subsidies from their respective states for electricity, taxes, and access to state-run industrial estates. Specifically, most states exempt sales taxes, and produced items are given an advantage in purchasing. advantages of the central government: The loan guarantee program is one of the programs that the central government occasionally offers to assist MSMEs.  The Credit Guarantee Program (CGTMSE).  Credit and the input of income from several sources to support them are two of the biggest challenges small-scale enterprises encounter.

Changes have been made to the Credit Guarantee program, which was created to assist MSME, in increasing its advantages for small traders

The scheme's key components are as follows: 

1. Improving the ideal qualifying loan amount to Rs. 50 lakh from Rs. 25 lakh

2. Lowering the one-time guarantee from 1.5% to 0.75% for loans taken out by MSME in Northeastern India. 

3. Increasing the guarantee's coverage from 75% to 80% for:

 4. Operated by women Small and medium-sized businesses

  5. Microbusinesses, up to a 5 lakh loan amount 

6. Loans taken out in the country's northeast 

7. Lowering the one-time guarantee charge from 1.5% to 0.75% for all loans obtained in North Eastern India. 

BecauseMSMECertificate holders can present their certificate ofMSMEregistration when applying, it has become much easier for these businesses to get licenses, approvals, and registrations from the appropriate authorities in any area.   

As specified in the government scheme and contingent on economic activity, enterprises with anMSMEregistration may benefit from a direct tax exemption for their first year of operation.  

To encourage the participation of small businesses in India, the government has certain bids that are exclusively available toMSMEs.   

Ease of approval from federal and state government agencies; businesses registered asMSMEsare given priority when it comes to government certification and licenses.

Our services:- Accounting And AuditingCompany Audit & ROC FilingGST Compliance & AuditCorporate Law ConsultancyIncome Tax ComplianceFormation of companies under ROCTax Planning & Filing.