#seneca guns

[inthewitchesstew]

My book recs

☆Mostly classics but a few more modern ones in there too!! Make sure to check warnings for any books you read ☆

1. The Virgin Suicides - Jeffrey Eugenides

2. 1984 - George Orwell

3. If We Were Villains - M.L Rio

4. Animal farm - George Orwell

5. Dracula - Bram Stoker

6. Frankenstein - Mary Shelley

7. Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoevsky

8. Notes From the Underground - Fyodor Dostoevsky

9. Dante's Divine Comedy - Dante Alighieri

10. The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

11. Ariel - Sylvia Plath

12. The Collected Poems of Sylvia Plath - Sylvia Plath

13. The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath - Sylvia Plath

14. Moby Dick - Herman Melville

15. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper lee

16. Hamlet - William Shakespeare

17. Macbeth - William Shakespeare

18. The Brothers Karamazov - Fyodor Dostoevsky

19. The Devils - Fyodor Dostoevsky

20. The Idiot - Fyodor Dostoevsky

21. A Nervous Breakdown - Anton Chekhov

22. Nausea - Jean-Paul Sartre

23. The Wind in The Willows - Kenneth Grahame

24. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Brontë

25. Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy

26. The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood

27. Metamorphosis - Franz Kafka

28. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austin

29. Great Expectations - Charles Dickens

30. Emma - Jane Austen

31. The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald

32. One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

33. The Odyssey - Homer

34. To The Lighthouse - Virginia Woolf

35. The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas

36. Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen

37. A Little Life - Hanya Yanagihara

38. The Trial - Franz kafka

39. My Year of Rest and Relaxation - Ottessa Moshfegh

40. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert

41. The Goldfinch - Donna Tartt

42. Romeo and Juliet - William Shakespeare

43. Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury

44. Selected Stories - Alice Munro

45. American Psycho - Bret Easton Ellis

46. Normal People - Sally Rooney

47. Existentialism is a Humanism - Jean-Paul Sartre

48. Brave New World - Aldous Huxley

49. Persuasion - Jane Austen

50. Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

51. The Death of The Heart - Elizabeth Bowen

52. The Iliad - Homer

53. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest - Ken Kesey

54. The Catcher in the Rye - J.D Salinger

55. The Outsiders - S.E Hinton

56. The Chrysalids - John Wyndham

57. Catch 22 - Joseph Heller

58. Middlemarch - George Eliot

59. Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy

60. Meditations - Marcus Aurelius

61. Beyond Good and Evil - Friedrich Nietzsche

62. The Stranger - Albert Camus

63. The Republic - Plato

64. Letters From a Stoic - Seneca

65. Man’s Search For Meaning - Viktor E. Frankl

66. The Myth of Sisyphus - Albert Camus

67. Bunny - Mona Awad

68. Belladonna - Anbara Salam

69. The Yellow Wallpaper - Charlotte Perkins Gilman

70. My Life Had Stood a Loaded Gun - Emily Dickinson

71. How We Weep and Laugh at the Same Thing - Michel de Montaigne

72. The Telltale Heart - Edgar Allen Poe

73. The Death of Ivan Ilych - Leo Tolstoy

74. Come Close - Sappho

75. The Fall of Icarus - Ovid

76. Tender Is the Flesh - Agustina Bazterrica

77. Cassandra - Christa Wolf

78. Forbidden Notebook - Alba de Céspedes

79. Girl, Interrupted - Susanna Kaysen

80. Carrie - Stephen King

81. Mrs. S - K Patrick

82. Sunburn - Chloe Michelle Howarth

83. Perfume - Patrick Suskind

84. After Dark - Haruki Murakami

85. Kafka on the Shore - Haruki Murakami

86. No Longer Human - Osamu Dazai

87. Wednesday's Child - Yiyun Li

88. My Husband - Maud Ventura

89. All Down Darkness Wide - Sean Hewitt

90. Norwegian Wood - Haruki Murakami

91. The Waves - Virginia Woolf

92. The Talented Mr Ripley - Patricia Highsmith

93. We Have Always Lived in the Castle - Shirley Jackson

94. For Whom the Bell Tolls - Ernest Hemingway

95. Journey Into the Past - Stefan Zweig

96. Outline - Rachel Cusk

97. Chess Story - Stephen Zweig

98. Diary of a Madman - Nikolai Gogol

99. A Very Easy Death - Simone De Beauvoir

100. A Writer's Diary - Virginia Woolf

Enjoy!!

[plaguedocboi]

hey how do skyquakes rate in spooky water fact rankings for you. they all happen over fresh water so i am categorizing them as a water event and not aerial. i'm from seneca lake in ny and that bad buoy sure did be exploding every month or two. i am completely desensitized and curious what everyone else thinks of our exploding lakes

This is the first time I’ve ever heard of that and when I looked into it it turns out I’ve heard them too but I always assumed it was guns or fireworks so thanks that explains a lot I guess

[alphaman99]

FORGOTTEN HISTORY

A Daily Dose of History

Suggested for you  · 1d  ·

In 1920 the yacht building business that Bill McCoy operated with his brother Ben was struggling. So, Bill assessed the situation. He knew that he was a good sailor who knew how to make fast boats. And he knew that Prohibition had created a huge demand for liquor in the American northeast. Recognizing the business opportunity that presented itself, Bill McCoy seized it, becoming the king of the rumrunners, one of America’s most celebrated and notorious bootleggers.

McCoy bought a 127-foot fishing schooner capable of carrying 6,000 cases of alcohol and retrofitted it to make it one of the fastest commercial sailing vessels on the Atlantic coast. He registered his ship in Great Britain and renamed it “Tomoka.” He was in business.

He would load his cargo of spirits in Nassau in the Bahamas, then sail to the Jersey shore, anchoring between Sandy Hook and Atlantic City, just outside the three-mile boundary of international waters. Customers would come out to him in small boats that could evade the Coast Guard, and McCoy would sell them the booze in sacks that held nine bottles each. Ben McCoy would bring out supplies to the Tomoka, so that she never had to port.

McCoy made no effort to hide what he was doing. In fact, he welcomed the publicity. He boasted that he never diluted his product (as many bootleggers did), and that he never paid a dime to organized crime or to bribe law enforcement. And no law prohibited him from selling liquor in international waters. His enterprise was so successful that he soon added four more boats. In a little more than two years he sold an estimated two million bottles.

McCoy’s brazenness and his celebrity status infuriated government authorities, however, and they were determined to shut him down. In 1923, after first getting the tacit consent of British authorities, the Coast Guard was ordered to arrest McCoy, and to sink the Tomoka if he resisted.

On November 25 the Coast Guard cutter Senaca steamed out to the Tomoka and sent over a 15-man boarding party. When they were aboard, the commanding officer ordered McCoy to bring his ship into port. Instead, he set sail and raced away, with the boarding party still on board. The Seneca opened fire with her four-inch deck guns and the Tomoka’s crew answered with a machine gun set up on her forward deck. But as the shells from the Seneca started dropping closer to his ship, McCoy realized the game was up. He lowered his jib and surrendered. On board the Coast Guard found $60,000 in cash (about a million dollars in today’s money) and only 400 cases of the original 4,200 case cargo.

Once brought ashore reporters asked McCoy how he intended to defend himself against the charges. He answered with a smile, “I was outside the three-mile limit, selling whisky, and good whisky, to anyone and everyone who wanted to buy.”

But after two years of legal wrangling, McCoy ultimately decided to accept a plea bargain. He pled guilty to violating the Volstead Act and was sentenced to nine months in jail.

After serving his time, McCoy retired from rumrunning, returning instead to the boat building business. He also became a successful real estate investor and when Prohibition ended he cashed in on his notoriety by putting out his own brand of whisky, called “The Real McCoy” and featuring the Tomoka on the label.

William Frederick “Bill” McCoy, the King of the Rumrunners, died in Florida at age 71 on December 30, 1948, seventy-five years ago today.

[dirtytransmasc]

I promise the fluff is coming, but I can't decide on what fluff to give. On a separate note, the recoms are getting to meet a friend of Rhea's.

_

"Where is she?"

There's a lapse of silence as the squad look around and find them short one hostage, and it isn't the one with the tracker. They were on their second day of the three-day hike to the Banshee rockery, taking a short break, when Quaritch noticed that Rhea had been oddly quiet.

The girl had been antagonistic most of the first day, clearly testing just how far she could push them before she'd get a reaction, but by this morning Rhea had been subdued, still poking at them, but it wasn't as antagonistic.

"Fuck."

Spider hissed under his breath, catching the attention of Quaritch who spun on him with a hard clench to his jaw, restraining the instinct to snarl, and his eyes bore down on his son hostage.

"I know where Rhea went," Spider quickly said, surprising the recombinant with his honesty, "it's not far, just....don't react."

React?

_

Spider hadn't lied, Rhea was right where he said she would be, and it wasn't far from where they had stopped, but his request for them to not react was becoming harder to keep to.

Caught up in the twisted roots of a large tree was the wreckage of a SAMSON half brunt and missing its tail and left rotor wing. The cockpit was also partially caved in.

Rhea was crouched in the cargo doorway, seemingly unaware of her surroundings, as she delicately picked away the beginnings of overgrowth on the skeleton that was still strapped into the rear gunner seat.

"She...takes care of them," Spider whispers hesitantly, fidgeting where he stood beside Quaritch but not looking away from Rhea's quietly working figure once, "they are friends to her, don't..."

Quaritch just stares down at Spider, looking at the twisted look on the boy's face, before look back at Rhea. She was talking softly, none of them could make out what she was saying, but her tone was gentle, and if Quaritch didn't know better - didn't see the skeleton - he would think she was talking to a friend.

"You aren't as quiet as you think."

The gentleness is gone, replaced by a cold accusatory tone that cuts through the forest like a knife.

.

.

.

"Who's your friend?"

It's Prager that speaks first, slowly edging around his Colonel and taking careful steps toward Rhea like he was approaching a spooked animal; hands open at his sides, gun hanging on his back, and the curl of his shoulders were an obvious attempt to appear smaller.

Quaritch can see the surprise in Rhea's face. He hadn't known the girl long, but it was clear, despite her attempts, Rhea wore her heart on her sleeve. No amount of destructive anger or venomous vitriol could cover up the hurting, damaged girl that Rhea so desperately tried to keep buried.

"Scott Delancey. Seneca Obaro is in the cockpit."

Quaritch doesn't recognize either name, there is a sense of familiarity, like he's heard them before, but no faces come to mind. The sharp flick of Prager's tail and the stiffness in his back tells a different story; he knew the skeletons that Rhea called 'friends'.

"Spider says you take care of them, that's nice of you to do."

Rhea's mouth drops into a little 'o' as she stares at Prager with wide eyes, and Quaritch can practically see her walls drop, just a little, as she lets Prager walk up to her.

"They just left them here, like they didn't matter, like they were nothing."

'I'm nothing'

None of them hear the rest of the conversation as Prager kneels down beside Rhea but after five minutes of soft whispers, Rhea is taking Prager's hand as he stands up.

_

No one talks about it afterwards, there aren't really any words for what they saw or the revelations that they had in those moments, but Quaritch knows that like him, his squad is looking at her differently.

Rhea sticks close to Prager after that.

Months later, but weeks before the SeaDragon, Rhea calls him her friend.

my fucking heart. she deserve's a friend. please let them be happy.

he's so sweet to her, he had no reason to be, had every reason to be put off or weirded out, but he wasn't. he listens, asks questions, makes a connection with her and makes a friend out of it. he might be the first person she has ever truly mattered to, she was something to him, and you better give him a chance to tell her that, that she is more than just something to him.

and the fluff thing? in my fucked up head, this is qualified as fluff (I know that can't mean good things for me) keep sending it my way.

[bittybug-sunflower-blog]

Chapter summary: The teams have their biggest battle on Tantiss

Warning: imprisonment/death/blood/amputation

Word count: 9525

Rating: 18+

Extra: alternate universe story

…..

Chapter 19

Arriving in the orbit of Tantiss, the team faced immediate peril as enemy fire gunned down their ship. Forced into a harrowing escape, they relied on propelling down with lines to reach the planet's surface. Seneca's steady hands at the controls were crucial, ensuring the ship remained stable long enough for the team to execute their escape.

Seneca's voice rose above the din, strained with urgency. "I can't keep her steady!" She shouted over the cacophony of blaster fire and alarms.

Wrecker's authoritative tone cut through the tension. "Get ready to jump!" he commanded.

Rampart's dissent echoed in the cramped confines of the ship. "Absolutely not!" he protested, his defiance tinged with apprehension.

But Beka's response brooked no argument, her voice firm and unwavering. "You either jump down or die here!" she snapped, her resolve unyielding in the face of danger.

As they all leaped with their lines attached, Tech encountered a sudden malfunction with his, causing it to snag and unravel with alarming speed. With a yelp of surprise, he found himself hurtling towards the ground below, his descent far more perilous than anticipated. Jetto propelled himself forward with his jetpack, swiftly maneuvering towards Tech's plummeting form. But just as he reached out to grab his friend, the telltale sputter of his jetpack's fuel supply running low filled the air. Their collision was inevitable, and the two tumbled uncontrollably down the steep incline of a nearby hill, their bodies battered and bruised by the rough terrain.

"Ah, my ankle!" Tech cried out in pain as they finally came to a stop at the bottom of the hill, his voice filled with anguish.

Concern etched on his face, Jetto quickly assessed the situation. "Is it broken?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.

Tech grimaced, trying to assess the damage. "Yes, probably by one point six" he began, his words trailing off as he winced in pain.

"A simple 'yes' will do, come on," Jetto interrupted gently, moving to help his friend up and offering support as Tech leaned heavily on him, his arm slung around Jetto's neck for stability.

"We must have gotten separated when we fell," Tech deduced, his mind already working to piece together their next steps amidst the chaos of their crash landing.

"I know, we better start finding them," Jetto suggested, his gaze scanning their surroundings for any signs of their comrades amidst the chaos.

Tech nodded, his expression grim. "They might find us," he pointed out, the weight of the situation settling heavily upon him as he considered the possibility of encountering enemy forces while they searched for their missing teammates.

Meanwhile, Jazzori, Wrecker, and Gruno fell near one another, their descent interrupted by the tumultuous chaos of their crash landing. As they plummeted towards the unforgiving terrain below, Jazzori's eyes widened in alarm, her heart racing with fear. A sudden jolt rocked their bodies as they made impact with the ground, the force of the landing knocking the wind out of them. Jazzori's vision blurred as she struggled to regain her bearings, the world spinning around her in disorienting swirls. With a groan of pain, she attempted to push herself up, only to collapse back onto the ground, her limbs heavy and unresponsive. Wrecker and Gruno rushed to her side, their voices a distant murmur in her ears as they called out to her, their concern evident in their frantic gestures. But try as she might, Jazzori could not muster the strength to respond, her body succumbing to the darkness as unconsciousness claimed her.

"Jazzori?" Gruno panicked as he scooped up the unconscious Jazzori, his hands trembling with concern.

"Is she okay?" Wrecker inquired, his voice laced with worry as he hovered nearby, his gaze fixed on Jazzori's still form.

With a relieved sigh, Gruno checked for signs of life, his hand gently resting on Jazzori's chest. "She's breathing," he reassured, his voice steady despite the tension in the air.

Inside the base, Echo, now disguised as a trooper, moved stealthily through the corridors, his senses on high alert. Suddenly, he heard footsteps approaching and tensed, ready for confrontation. To his surprise, it was Dr. Karr who stood before him.

"Echo?" Dr. Karr's voice was filled with uncertainty.

Echo's hand instinctively went to his blaster, but he hesitated. "How do you know who I am?"

"Omega speaks highly of you," Dr. Karr replied, her tone earnest. "And I want to help."

"Why?" Echo's suspicion lingered, his grip tightening on his weapon.

"Because I realized I was wrong," Dr. Karr admitted, her gaze sincere. "The Empire's true intentions... they're not what I thought they were. I can't stand by and let them continue."

Only a few distances away, Seneca's urgent voice pierced through the haze of Crosshair's confusion, jolting him awake from his dazed state. "Crosshair... Crosshair!" Seneca shook him gently but firmly, her eyes wide with concern as she tried to rouse him from his slumber.

Blinking groggily, Crosshair struggled to make sense of his surroundings. "Uh, what happened?" he mumbled, his head pounding with each word.

"We got separated. Come on, we better start walking before we are found," Seneca said, her tone brisk and determined as she helped Crosshair to his feet, her strong grip offering support.

Leaned on Seneca for stability, Crosshair's mind raced with questions, but for now, all that mattered was following Seneca's lead as they navigated the treacherous terrain, their survival dependent on their ability to stay one step ahead of their pursuers.

Meanwhile, amidst the frustration, Rampart's voice rang out in a crescendo of anger, his words laced with frustration and fear. "I could have died!" Rampart's yell echoed through the tumult, his frustration boiling over as he grappled with the gravity of their situation

"Unfortunately, you didn't," Hunter groaned inwardly, his voice tinged with weariness as he struggled to keep his emotions in check. His ears caught the faint sounds of distress, and his gaze snapped towards Beka, who was struggling to rise from the ground. "Beka!" Hunter's voice cut through the din, filled with concern as he raced to her side, his heart pounding with a mixture of fear and relief at the sight of her.

"I'm fine," Beka assured, her voice steady despite the pain that etched her features, her determination unwavering even in the face of adversity.

With a sense of urgency, Hunter reached out to help her stand, his hands gentle yet firm as he offered his support, his concern evident in the furrow of his brow and the tightness of his grip.

Sudden rustling in the underbrush nearby sent a jolt of adrenaline coursing through Hunter's veins, his instincts snapping into action. With practiced precision, he swiftly drew his blasters, his hands steady. Beside him, Beka mirrored his movements, her weapons gleaming in the light. Twin blue lightsabers hummed to life in her grasp, casting an ethereal glow. As the rustling grew closer, Hunter and Beka stood side by side, their weapons at the ready, their senses alert for any sign of danger.

As tension hung heavy in the air, Wrecker's voice broke through the stillness like a beacon of hope. "It's us," he declared, his hands raised in surrender as he emerged, his expression a mixture of relief and concern.

Upon hearing Wrecker's voice, Beka's heart leaped in her chest, her panic momentarily quelled by the sight of Jazzori. With a sense of urgency, she rushed towards Gruno, her eyes scanning his form for any signs of injury. "Jazzori," Beka's voice trembled with emotion as she reached Gruno's side, her concern evident in every line of her face.

Gruno's response was swift and reassuring, his voice steady. "She's breathing but unconscious," he explained, his words a balm to Beka's frayed nerves.

Relief flooded through Beka as she took in Gruno's words, her attention shifting to the others who had gathered nearby. "Anyone else hurt?" she inquired, her gaze sweeping over the group, her concern extending to each member of their ragtag team.

As if summoned by her words, Tech and Jetto appeared, their presence a welcoming sight. "Uh, I am," Tech admitted, his voice tinged with pain as he gingerly tested his injured ankle, Jetto helping him stand.

With the group now reunited, Crosshair and Seneca emerged, their arrival marking the final piece of the puzzle. "Well, we're a few men down," Crosshair remarked, his tone grim as he surveyed the group, his gaze lingering on those who bore the scars of their harrowing ordeal.

Then a deafening roar of a Dryax pierced the air, panic erupted from Rampart. With wide-eyed stares, the team watched as the monstrous creature lumbered into view. Without a moment to spare, legs started pumping, they fled from the creature's path. Wrecker's instincts kicked in, with a fierce determination burning in his eyes, he charged forward, his muscles coiled with pent-up energy as he prepared to confront the monstrous creature head-on. He launched himself at the towering beast. But as he collided with the creature, a sickening crunch filled the air, followed by the sound of tearing metal as Wrecker's armor bore the brunt of the impact. As Wrecker stumbled backed into a tree, his body battered and bruised from the encounter. His comrades rushed to his side, with concern as they assessed the extent of his injuries.

Meanwhile, as Valree relentlessly searched for the missing children, her senses heightened to their fullest extent, she stumbled upon a startling discovery—the Zillo beast clone. "What... How is this possible?" Valree gasped, her disbelief palpable as she confronted the unbelievable sight before her. With the increased number of troopers and blaring alarms signaling the presence of intruders, Valree steeled herself for the impending battle ahead.

With the dryax hot on their heels, there was no time for hesitation. Frantically searching for cover, they dove behind rocks and trees, seeking refuge from the relentless pursuit of their monstrous adversary. As they huddled together in their makeshift hiding spot, fear and uncertainty hung thick in the air. With their weapons rendered useless for fear of attracting the attention of nearby troopers, they were left defenseless against the looming threat that lurked just beyond their hiding place. The tense silence, they knew that they needed to come up with a new strategy—and fast. With a thunderous roar, the dryax turned its attention to the nearby stormtroopers, who were searching for the intruders. This gave the team a moment to regroup. As they quickly collected their bearings, they scanned their surroundings for their comrades and plotting their next move. Determination burned bright within the team as they prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

"Hunter, what's the plan?" Jetto's voice was tinged with uncertainty as he turned to their leader, seeking guidance in the midst of uncertainty.

Hunter's admission of uncertainty sent a ripple of unease through the group, his usual confidence momentarily faltering. "I... I don't know," Hunter admitted.

"Great, just great!" Rampart's frustration boiled over, his words dripping with bitterness as he struggled to come to terms with their predicament.

Seneca's sneer only added fuel to the fire, her skepticism clear as she cast a critical eye. "Like you have a plan," Seneca sneered.

"Well, if you didn't take stupid measures, we wouldn't be in this predicament," Rampart argued.

But it was Crosshair's cutting remark that struck a nerve, "Hunter should have left you in that crash instead then," his words a sharp reminder of the stakes they faced.

Beka's voice rose above the fray, her tone firm and commanding as she laid out a plan of action. "Enough, everyone," she said angrily. "You see that smoke? That's where we need to go," Beka declared, her eyes fixed on the distant horizon. "I sensed life over there. If we're lucky, we'll find Echo, Sprig, and Valree."

Hunter's smirk through his helmet spoke volumes. In that moment, he knew that whatever plan she laid out. "What's the plan, General?" He asked saluting.

Deep within the confines of the Tantiss vault, Omega huddled together with her fellow prisoners, their faces etched with a mixture of fear and determination as they discussed their daring escape plan.

"Are you sure?" one of the children ventured cautiously, their voice tinged with doubt.

"Yes, I'm sure," Omega replied, her tone unwavering despite the uncertainty that lingered in the air. "I've been trained for this, and now we need to get into position."

They set their plan into motion. Lon stepped forward, engaging a nearby Tantiss medical droid in conversation. "It's broken," Lon announced, feigning frustration as he gestured towards the malfunctioning device.

The droid responded in its monotone voice, "That is not in my programming to repair it."

Seizing the opportunity, Omega sprang into action, moving stealthily behind the distracted droid. With a swift and precise motion, she plunged a screwdriver into its processor, effectively immobilizing it. As the droid faltered and sputtered to a halt, Omega and her comrades swiftly moved it out of sight, their hearts racing with the thrill of their daring escape plan unfolding before their eyes.

Another doctor, Dr. Scalder, noticed the absence of the medical droid from her observation station above. Concern etched across her face, she swiftly descended from the observation deck, determined to uncover the source of the disturbance. Inside her alcove, Omega worked quickly to reprogram the droid, her fingers flying over the controls with practiced precision. Just as Scalder arrived, she turned to one of the children and inquired, "Where are the other children?"

Omega, Isaac, and two other children emerged with the medical droid in tow, their expressions carefully neutral as they faced Scalder. "We were with the droid," one of the children claimed, their voice tinged with fearfulness.

Scalder's suspicion only deepened at the unscheduled scan, her gaze piercing as she demanded answers, "Where were you really?"

When Omega stepped forward to support the child's claim, stating firmly, "We were with the droid," Scalder's frustration boiled over.

"Dr. Karr has been too lenient with you inmates," she chided, her voice laced with authority. "Return to your alcoves." Intent on delivering punishment, she moved forward, only to be swiftly incapacitated by the very droid she sought to control, injected with a sedative that sent her into unconsciousness.

With Scalder subdued, Omega wasted no time in taking charge, her voice ringing out with authority as she issued orders to the reprogrammed medical droid. "Guard the door to the vault," she commanded, her eyes darting to the youngest child in their midst. "Prepare a sling for the youngest."

As the children sprang into action, climbing through the dumbwaiter system behind Omega's cell that she carved out a passage way, a sense of determination settled over them. Omega led the way through the shaft, her movements purposeful as she navigated the maze-like passages. Emerging into a large enclosure housing the Zillo beast clone. Omega approached the controls with a steely resolve. However, the tension was palpable as the youngest child began to cry, their fear threatening to betray their presence.

The cries of the youngest child pierced the air, catching the attention of the medical assistant and nearby stormtroopers. Sensing the urgency of the situation, Omega sprang into action, swiftly pulling a lever to initiate the draining of the water in the tank below. As the water level receded, chaos erupted within the facility. Meanwhile, stormtroopers discovered the escaped children behind the wall, moving in to detain them. However, their efforts were abruptly halted by the sudden emergence of the Zillo beast. Despite the activation of containment protocols, the creature's relentless onslaught overwhelmed the facility's defenses, rendering even the powerful sonic generator ineffective against its might. Two troopers still tried to grab the children, only to be swiftly incapacitated by a sudden surge of electricity. Valree, armed with her trusty daggers, appeared just in time to turn the tide of battle in favor of the children.

"Valree!" Omega exclaimed, relief flooding her features as she embraced her rescuer.

"Hey, kid, been trying to get you out for a while," Valree grinned, returning the hug. Her gaze shifted to the other children, recognizing their shared plight.

"They announced that intruders were here," Omega inquired anxiously, her concern for her brothers evident, "Are they, my brothers?"

"I think it's everyone. Come on, kids," Valree replied, her voice firm with determination as she led them towards freedom. With urgency pulsing through their veins, Valree led the children through the shaft, their steps quick and determined.

Inside the vault, Karr and Echo discovered an injured Dr. Scalder being escorted out by Clone commandos and stormtroopers. A tremor shook the vault, signaling the Zillo beast's rampage in the containment level.

"Prepare the shutdown procedures for the generator," Hemlock commanded, her tone firm and authoritative. "And deploy a division to secure the transport hangar immediately. We cannot afford any lapses in security."

"Zillo beast is out," Dr. Karr informed Echo urgently.

"The what?" Echo's confusion was evident.

"A clone of the Zillo beast, and it's been released."

Echo's keen insight led him to deduce Omega's involvement in releasing the Zillo beast. "Omega's handiwork," he remarked, recognizing her strategic cunning in splitting the enemy forces.

"How do you know?" Dr. Karr inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"Because it's something I would do," Echo replied confidently, as Sprig beeping nervously.

Echo, Dr. Karr, and Sprig hurriedly made their way to rendezvous with the children, their minds focused on the task ahead.

Outside, the team observed the monstrous creature making its escape.

"That's either Echo's or Omega's doing," Hunter speculated.

"My bet is on Omega," Crosshair added with a hint of certainty.

"I don't even want to know who," Gruno remarked, his tone laced with apprehension.

As the Dryax relentlessly pursued the team, chaos ensued when Rampart found himself separated from the group. Desperately trying to evade the creature, he was suddenly caught in a crossfire as troopers opened fire on the monstrous beast. In a moment of vulnerability, Rampart was apprehended by a squad of troopers, their blasters trained on him as he stood surrounded. Despite his bravado, Rampart realized he was at the mercy of the empire.

"Rampart got captured," Beka relayed with a tone of urgency.

"And we're out of med patches," Crosshair groaned, voicing their dwindling resources.

"Okay, we have three men down..." Beka began to assess the situation.

"No, I can still fight!" Wrecker insisted, his determination shining through despite his injuries.

"Wrecker," Hunter interjected, attempting to reason with him.

"No, I need to help Omega," Wrecker protested loudly, his loyalty to their cause unwavering.

"Wrecker, Hunter, Crosshair, Seneca, and I will be on the frontlines. Gruno and Jetto once we get on base, see if you can find a ship for Jazzori and Tech," Beka outlined their strategy with decisive authority, assigning roles to each member of the team in their desperate bid for survival.

The team raced towards Tantiss base, their hearts pounding with a mixture of anticipation and dread. As they approached the imposing structure, a deafening explosion ripped through the air, sending shockwaves reverberating through the ground beneath their feet. The force of the blast knocked them off their feet, scattering them in all directions amidst billowing clouds of smoke and debris. Dazed and disoriented, they struggled to regain their bearings. Hunter quickly rose to his feet, his senses on high alert as he scanned the surroundings for any sign of danger. Beka and the others soon followed suit, their training kicking in as they assessed the situation and prepared to regroup.

"Is everyone okay?" Seneca asked, her voice strained as she coughed, struggling to catch her breath amidst the smoke and debris.

"Far from it," Crosshair replied grimly, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed their surroundings.

The team found themselves confronted by a group of armed troopers, their armor marked with the distinctive insignia of Clone X troopers TK stormtroopers, and Inquisitors. The ruined science hangar, once a hub of innovation and discovery, was now a scene of devastation, littered with burning wreckage and twisted metal.

Outnumbered and outgunned, Beka wasted no time in issuing orders. "Gruno, Jetto, take Jazzoir and Tech and find a ship now!" she commanded, her voice cutting through the chaos with authority.

Gruno and Jetto nodded in acknowledgment, immediately springing into action to assist their injured comrades. With Jazzoir and Tech in tow, they quickly retreated from the battle.

"Beka..." Hunter started, his voice heavy with emotion as he pulled off his helmet. "Just know if we... if I don't make it out alive, I want you to know that I love..."

Before Hunter could finish, Beka silenced him by pressing her lips against his, the brief but passionate kiss conveying more than words ever could. As they parted, she looked into his eyes with determination, her resolve unwavering.

"I love you too, and we'll make it" she whispered softly, her voice filled with reassurance. With a determined nod, she ignited her two lightsabers, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Hunter smiled as he placed his helmet back on his head.

As the troopers and the inquisitors advanced, Beka and Seneca sprang into action, their lightsabers igniting with a vibrant hum. The air crackled with energy as they met the enemy head-on, their movements fluid and precise.

Beka, with her blue lightsabers blazing, spun and twirled through the fray, deflecting blaster bolts with expert precision. With each swing of her sabers, she struck down troopers with calculated strikes, never faltering in her resolve. Beside her, Seneca moved as her emerald lightsaber danced through the air, carving through the enemy ranks with ease. With each swing, she dispatched troopers with a lethal efficiency, her movements a blur of speed and skill. The Bad Batch fought alongside them, their unique talents adding an extra layer of chaos to the battle. Hunter, Crosshair, and Wrecker moved as one, their teamwork seamless and precise.

The team found themselves overpowered and overwhelmed by the sheer force of the enemy onslaught.

"Fall back!" Crosshair shouted over the din of blaster fire, his voice tinged with urgency as he signaled for his team to retreat.

Amidst the chaos, Crosshair managed to take down an Imperial pilot with a well-aimed shot, causing his vehicle to crash and adding to the chaos of the battlefield. But as the team attempted to regroup, disaster struck.

"You two, go find Omega. I'll hold them off," Crosshair ordered, his voice resolute despite the chaos surrounding them.

Hunter shook his head, determination etched into every line of his face. "You're not doing Plan 99," he insisted firmly, refusing to leave his comrade behind.

With a silent nod of understanding, the two warriors exchanged a brief glance before turning back to face their enemies, their blasters blazing as they fought tooth and nail to push back the encroaching tide of adversaries.

But amidst the chaos of the firefight, explosions rocked the hangar, sending debris flying in all directions. Caught in the midst of the blast, Hunter was thrown under rubble.

"Hunter!" Wrecker bellowed in alarm as he and Crosshair were ambushed by two of the Clone X troopers, their blaster fire raining down upon them with deadly accuracy. Hunter, trapped beneath loose wreckage.

Meanwhile, Seneca and Beka found themselves facing off against two formidable opponents - Inquisitors, their crimson lightsabers a stark contrast to the chaos around them. Despite their valiant efforts, the overwhelming barrage of blaster fire and the relentless assault of the Inquisitors proved too much to handle. They valiantly battled against their adversaries, their lightsabers clashed against the crimson blades of the Inquisitors. Despite their skill and determination, they found themselves outnumbered and outmatched. With a swift motion, the Inquisitors disarmed them, their lightsabers taken away by their now captors.

Desperation filled the air as Crosshair was thrown back against a pillar. He struggled against the grip of a Clone X trooper, his fingers straining to reach for his blaster. But before he could make a move, he was held down by the trooper's food, holding vibroblade, a sinister smile curling his lips. "You should be more careful with your shooting hand," the trooper taunted, his voice laced with malice as he pressed the blade closer.

As the rain cascaded down over Tantiss Base, Tech, Jetto, and Gruno navigated the corridors with cautious determination, seeking both refuge and a means of escape from the relentless storm and the looming threat of Imperial forces. With each step, the echoes of blaster fire and distant explosions grew louder. Tech's broken ankle slowed their progress, his grimace hidden behind his visor as he gritted his teeth against the pain. Pausing at the entrance to the hangar bay, Tech scanned the area with a practiced eye, assessing the situation and weighing their options. The hangar lay before them, a maze of shadows and looming starships, with the distant sound of patrols echoing through the cavernous space. With a nod of determination, Tech pointed towards a row of shuttles, his voice hushed but urgent. "We need to get to one of those ships," he whispered, his gaze flickering between his companions.

Jetto nodded in silent agreement, his blaster rifle held at the ready as he scanned their surroundings for any signs of danger. Gruno adjusted his hold on Jazzori, his expression a mixture of concern and resolve as he kept a protective watch over their unconscious ally. With careful steps, they ventured into the hangar, their movements deliberate as they sought to avoid detection. As they neared their target, their progress was suddenly interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps, prompting Tech to gesture for them to take cover behind a stack of cargo crates. Holding their breath, they watched as a pair of stormtroopers passed by, their attention elsewhere as they patrolled the perimeter. With the coast clear, Tech quickly accessed the control panel of the nearest shuttle, his fingers flying across the interface with practiced efficiency. The ship hummed to life, its engines thrumming with newfound energy as Gruno gently laid Jazzori inside, his movements careful yet swift. With the shuttle prepared for departure, Tech and Jetto readied themselves to board, their eyes scanning the hangar for any sign of trouble. Gruno cast a protective glance at Jazzori, silently urging her to awaken and join them in their escape. As the ramp closed behind them, sealing them inside the relative safety of the shuttle, their journey was far from over. With their comrades still unaccounted for and the dangers of Tantiss Base looming large, they knew that their mission was far from over. With determination burning bright in their hearts, they set their sights on finding their allies and emerging victorious against the forces of darkness that threatened them at every turn.

As Valree and the kids found themselves cornered by three stormtroopers, she swiftly drew her daggers, ready to fend off any threat. Her stance was firm, and her eyes glinted with determination as she prepared to protect the children at any cost. But before the troopers could make a move, Echo, concealed among them, swiftly took action, eliminating the threat with precision.

With the immediate danger averted, Omega rushed forward, her relief palpable as she embraced Echo. "Echo!" she beamed, her eyes sparkling with gratitude.

"Hey kiddo," Echo greeted Omega with a warm hug. "Dr. Karr, where's the nearest transport?"

"In bay four," Dr. Karr replied promptly.

Echo nodded, maintaining his calm demeanor. "Sprig, go with Dr. Karr to get the kids to safety," he instructed, his voice steady and reassuring.

Omega's curiosity was piqued by Echo's use of the unfamiliar alias. "Whose Sprig?" she inquired, her brow furrowing as she glanced between Echo and Valree for an explanation.

Valree exchanged a knowing glance with Echo before turning her attention to the small droid that had emerged behind Echo's leg. "So, that's his name," Valree remarked, acknowledging the droid with a nod.

"But where is everyone else?" Omega inquired anxiously, her concern for her brothers evident.

"They're probably still in their cells," Dr. Karr interjected, her voice calm but urgent.

Valree, her gaze steady and determined, addressed the group. "Get the kids to safety," she ordered, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Omega hesitated, torn between her desire to find her brothers and the need to ensure the safety of the younger children. Valree exchanged a meaningful glance with Echo, silently communicating their shared understanding of Omega's dilemma. With a decisive nod from Valree, Omega made her decision, her determination resolute as she prepared to follow Echo and Valree's lead. As they head back into Tantiss Base, Echo asks Omega if she is ready.

As Beka and Seneca were held down by the cold grip of force cuffs and chains, their hearts sank as they watched their teammates endure unspeakable torture at the hands of their captors.

Unable to intervene, Beka and Seneca felt a sense of helplessness wash over them, their minds racing with thoughts of escape and rescue. Every scream of pain, every anguished cry only fueled their determination to break free from their bonds and put an end to the Empire's reign of terror.

Despite the odds stacked against them, Beka's eyes blazed with a fierce determination, her jaw set in a steely resolve. Seneca's gaze burned with a fiery intensity as she silently vowed to stand strong against their oppressors, refusing to let fear or despair weaken their spirits.

As they endured the harrowing ordeal of watching their comrades suffer, Beka and Seneca found strength in each other's unwavering courage, knowing that as long as they stood together, there was hope for a brighter future beyond the shadows of Tantiss Base.

"Your resistance is futile," one of the Inquisitors sneered, his voice dripping with malice as he held Beka's lightsaber aloft. "You cannot hope to stand against the might of the Empire."

As Seneca's jaw clenched with determination, she locked eyes with her captor, her defiance unyielding in the face of oppression. "We will never bow to the likes of you," she declared boldly, her voice resonating with unwavering resolve. But before she could finish her sentence, a sudden jolt of agony surged through her body as a taser stick made contact, sending searing pain coursing through her veins. Beka, chained beside her, let out a pained scream as the electric shock wracked their bodies, causing smoke to rise from their singed flesh. Despite the excruciating pain, Seneca gritted her teeth, refusing to give her captors the satisfaction of seeing her broken.

Across from them, Wrecker found himself subjected to brutal torture at the hands of his captors. Bound and helpless, he gritted his teeth against the pain of electroshock containment device, as he endured the torment inflicted upon him. Dr. Hemlock oversaw the interrogation of Hunter, subjecting him to electroshock torture as well. As the currents surged through his body, Hunter remained defiant, his gaze unwavering despite the agony he endured.

"You won't break up," Hunter spat, his voice filled with defiance as he stared down his tormentor.

Hemlock's lips curled into a sinister smile as she surveyed her captive. "You underestimate the power of the Empire," he taunted, his voice cold and calculating. "You will be reprogrammed into loyal servants of the Emperor, whether you like it or not." Crosshair lay fastened to an operating table, his body restrained as Hemlock prepared to subject him to her twisted experiments. With a menacing glint in her eye, she explained her plans to reprogram them into Clone X operatives, his words dripping with cruelty and malice.

"You may resist now, but soon you will see the truth of our cause," one of the Inquisitors declared, his voice laced with arrogance as he gazed down at Beka and Seneca. "The Emperor's will cannot be denied."

Seneca's eyes blazed with defiance as she met the Inquisitor's gaze. "We will never submit to tyranny," she repeated her vow, her voice ringing out with unwavering determination.

Beka's jaw clenched with resolve as she echoed her comrade's sentiment. "Never," she said, her voice filled with defiance as she stared down her captors.

As the operation on of the ongoing torture to commence, an Imperial officer informs Hemlock that he has received a transmission. "Commander, we've received a transmission from Governor Tarkin," he announced, his voice tinged with urgency.

Hemlock's eyes narrowed with interest as he listened to the officer's report. "What does Tarkin want?" he demanded, his tone betraying a hint of irritation at the interruption.

Entering the detention block, Echo, Valree, and Omega take out the stormtrooper sentries in a gunfight. Omega uses the datapad to free all of the prisoners including Clone troopers, Nala Se, and Rampart. They hand the prisoners guns. Omega deftly manipulated the datapad, her fingers flying across the interface as she bypassed security protocols and unlocked the cell doors. With a hiss of releasing locks, the prisoners emerged, their expressions a mix of relief and determination. "Take these," Omega urged, handing out blasters to the newly liberated prisoners. Omega is delighted to see Nala Se.

As Nala Se stepped forward, her gaze met Omega's with a mix of gratitude and determination. "Thank you," she said, her voice filled with emotion as she accepted the offered weapon.

Meanwhile, Echo engaged in conversation with one of the clones, his brow furrowed with concern as he listened intently to the clone's report. Omega approached him, her expression grim as she delivered her own update. "Echo, the Bad Batch aren't here," she informed him, her tone urgent as she conveyed the gravity of the situation.

The clone nodded in understanding, his eyes narrowing with determination. "Hemlock probably took them to the training room for reconditioning," he speculated, his voice grim as he considered the fate that awaited their comrades.

"Forget them we need to run." Rampart proposes escaping.

Echo turned to face the assembled clone prisoners, his expression resolute as he addressed them. "We need your help to find our friends," he stated, his voice carrying a sense of urgency. "Together, we stand a better chance of rescuing them and putting an end to Hemlock's tyranny."

The clones exchanged determined glances, a silent understanding passing between them. One of them stepped forward, nodding in agreement. "We're with you," he declared, his tone firm with conviction.

Echo offered a grateful nod, his resolve strengthened by their willingness to join the fight. "Thank you," he said, his voice tinged with appreciation. "Let's move quickly. Time is of the essence." They set out to locate and rescue their captured comrades,

"They might be in the training room." One of the clone prisoners explained.

Omega stepped forward, her eyes ablaze with determination. "I know where the training room is," she announced, her voice filled with resolve. "Follow me." With a determined nod, she led the way, her steps purposeful as she guided the group towards their next destination.

"Two of you, help evacuate the wounded prisoners," Echo commanded, his voice steady and authoritative. "The rest of you, follow me. We're triggering an alert in another wing to divide the Imperial forces." With swift efficiency, the clones sprang into action, carrying out Echo's orders as they worked together to disrupt the enemy's plans.

Valree flashed a confident smirk as she twirled her daggers with practiced precision. "Strap in, boys," she remarked.

Omega approached Nala Se, her expression filled with concern and determination. "Nala Se?" she inquired, her voice tinged with urgency.

Nala Se met Omega's gaze with a determined look of her own. "I'm going to destroy the data in my lab," she explained firmly. "We can't let the Empire get their hands on my research."

Omega nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Here," she said, handing Nala Se a detonator bomb.

Nala Se turned to carry out her plan, her steps purposeful as she made her way towards her lab. Rampart, noticing her determination, stepped aside from the main body of clones and followed her, his expression resolute.

Inside the confines of the shuttle, Tech, Gruno, and Jetto were locked in a tense silence as they hurtled through the atmosphere, the roar of Imperial gunships still ringing in their ears. As the shuttle rattled from the impact of enemy fire, Jazzori's eyes snapped open, her senses suddenly alert as adrenaline surged through her veins, propelling her into action alongside her companions.

"What did I miss?" Jazzori inquired, blinking as she tried to make sense of her surroundings.

"Quite a bit," Jetto replied with a wry grin, his eyes reflecting the intensity of the ongoing battle outside the shuttle's viewport.

"You were out for a bit," Gruno replied, concern etched on his face as he glanced over at Jazzori.

Tech's fingers danced across the control panel, his expertise evident as he navigated the vessel through the chaotic airspace. Gruno kept a watchful eye on their surroundings, using the ship's blaster rifle to fire at the enemy. Jetto manned the turret, scanning the skies for any signs of pursuing enemy ships.

Suddenly, alarms blared throughout the cockpit, signaling an incoming threat. Tech's hands flew across the controls as he evaded a barrage of enemy fire, the shuttle rocking violently from the impact.

"We've got incoming!" Jetto shouted from the turret, his voice tense with urgency.

"I see them!" Tech exclaimed, his eyes fixed on the approaching Imperial gunships. With a steely resolve, Tech skillfully maneuvered the shuttle through a series of evasive maneuvers, deftly dodging enemy fire. The team held on tightly, bracing themselves against the turbulence.

Rampart trailed Nala Se as she made her way to her former laboratory, his steps silent as he picked up a fallen soldier's blaster. Entering the laboratory, Nala Se swiftly installed her datapad, activating the lab's systems. As she consulted the computer, Rampart confronted her, his blaster raised, demanding to know about Project Necromancer and its significance to the Emperor.

"What secrets are you hiding, Doctor?" Rampart's voice was laced with urgency and suspicion.

Nala Se remained composed, her expression unreadable as she replied, "You wouldn't understand its implications."

Rampart's grip tightened on his blaster, his tone growing more insistent. "I demand answers, Doctor. What are you hiding?"

Nala Se's fingers hovered over her detonator, a flicker of determination in her eyes as she prepared to act. "Some secrets are best left buried," she responded cryptically, her thumb pressing down on the detonator's trigger in secret.

Using the pneumatic system, Omega quickly relayed the situation to Echo and Valree via comlink. "Hunter, Wrecker, Crosshair, Beka, and Seneca are in the training room," she informed them urgently, her voice tinged with determination. Spotting a lone sentry ahead, Omega assessed the situation. "I can free them if we create a big distraction," she suggested, her mind already formulating a plan.

Echo nodded in agreement, his voice steady as he addressed the group. "Let's move," he commanded, leading the way as they advanced towards the vault's entrance.

As they reached the part of the vault housing the Clone X assassins, Echo and the liberated clones found themselves engaged in a fierce firefight with the troopers guarding the area. Blaster bolts flew in every direction, the chaos of battle engulfing them. Meanwhile, Omega and Valree seized the opportunity to slip past the distracted guard and infiltrate the training room. Accessing a nearby computer terminal, she swiftly began the process of freeing her brothers from captivity.

"Get your brothers, I'll get Seneca and Beka free," Valree whispered to Omega, her tone filled with determination.

Omega nodded in agreement, a silent acknowledgment of their shared mission. With a resolute nod, they split up, each focused on their respective tasks as they worked to free their allies from captivity. As the chaos erupted below, the inquisitors turned their attention toward the commotion, momentarily distracted by the sounds of battle echoing through the corridors. Taking advantage of the diversion, Valree swiftly moved to Beka and Seneca's side, her daggers at the ready. With deft precision, she sliced through the force cuffs binding them, freeing them from their chains. With their hands now liberated, Beka and Seneca called upon the Force, summoning their lightsabers back to their grasp from the hands of the inquisitors.

"Valree, help the clones below," Beka instructed, her voice firm with determination as she prepared to join the fray.

With a nod, Valree leaped into action, her daggers gleaming in the dim light of the chamber. With lightning speed, she hurled her daggers at the approaching enemies, each strike finding its mark with deadly accuracy. With every throw, the daggers returned to her hands as if guided by an unseen force, allowing her to unleash a relentless assault on their adversaries.

In a tense standoff, Beka and Seneca stood poised, their lightsabers ignited in a brilliant display of power. Across from them, the inquisitors mirrored their stance, their own crimson blades casting an ominous glow in the dimly lit chamber.

Omega worked feverishly to free her brothers from their confined prisons. With each tap on the keypad, she could feel time slipping away. Suddenly, Wrecker stirred from his loosened restraints, his muscles flexing as he attempted to break free. But before Omega could celebrate their small victory, her movements caught the attention of a nearby clone sentry. Reacting swiftly, Omega fired her blaster, the stun rounds ricocheting off the trooper's armor with little effect. In an instant, the Clone X trooper had her in his sights, his grip tightening around his blaster as he moved to capture her.

Dr. Hemlock and CX-2 trooper also known as Scorch entered the room, "Ah, Omega, always the spirited one," Dr. Hemlock remarked with a cold smile, his voice laced with malice as he surveyed the chaos around him. "But you see, resistance is futile. Your loyalty to your brothers only serves to hasten your demise." Hemlock's voice cut through the tension, his words a chilling reminder of their dire situation. "Ah, Omega, always the spirited one," Dr. Hemlock remarked with a cold smile, his voice laced with malice as he surveyed the chaos around him. "But you see, resistance is futile. Your loyalty to your brothers only serves to hasten your demise." With a flick of his wrist, Hemlock unleashed a gas into the vault, its noxious fumes enveloping the room and incapacitating several of the liberated clones. As Omega struggled against her captor, she knew their chances of escape were dwindling with each passing moment.

Back in the laboratory, Rampart reveals his plans to use the secrets of Project Necromancer as a bargaining chip to regain favor with the Empire. Rampart smirked triumphantly, his gaze fixed on Nala Se. "You see, Doctor, your precious research will serve a greater purpose under my command," he declared, his voice dripping with arrogance.

Nala Se met his gaze with defiance, her tone resolute. "My research does not belong to you or the Empire," she retorted firmly. With a swift motion, Rampart raised his blaster and fired, the shot striking Nala Se and sending her collapsing to the ground. As she fell, Nala Se's hand released the activated detonator, which clattered to the floor at Rampart's feet. His moment of shock was short-lived as the detonator exploded, engulfing him in a fiery blast and obliterating the databanks, ensuring that Se's research would die with h Nala Se counters that her research does not belong to him nor the Empire. Rampart states that it is no longer hers and shoots her. As Nala Se collapses, she drops the activated detonator, which lands at Rampart's feet. His brief surprise is cut short when the detonator explodes, killing him and destroying the databanks, allowing Nala Se's research to die with her.

As the chaos erupted around them, Echo and Valree found themselves locked in a fierce battle with the blade-wielding CX trooper. Despite their skill and determination, they were soon overpowered by the relentless assault of their adversary. Valree's daggers clashed against the trooper's vibroblade, the sound of metal meeting metal echoing through the vault. With a swift and precise strike, the trooper managed to disarm Valree, leaving her vulnerable to his next attack. Echo, seeing his ally in danger, leapt forward to intervene, but before he could reach her, he was caught off guard by a sudden strike from the trooper. The trooper's vibroblade pierced through Echo's defenses, sending him staggering backward, wounded and vulnerable. As Echo and Valree fought desperately to fend off their assailant, their injuries began to take their toll. Blood seeped from their wounds, staining the floor of the vault as they struggled to maintain their footing.

In the training room, Hemlock's confidence swelled as he surveyed the battered and bruised rogue clones, his triumph seeming assured. However, Scorch's report shattered his illusion of victory, casting uncertainty over their plans.

"You've failed, Hemlock. Your precious data is gone," Omega countered defiantly, her words striking a chord of doubt in Hemlock's mind.

Unfazed, Hemlock asserted his control, stating, "I still have you," to which Omega retorted, "And I still have my brothers."

With a roar, Wrecker broke free of his restraints, unleashing chaos as he hurled a chunk of machinery at their adversaries. As the chaos unfolded, Hunter and Crosshair stirred, their restraints loosening as the gas dispersed. Meanwhile, Echo and Valree rallied their comrades, preparing for the impending confrontation.

As the inquisitors charged at Seneca and Beka, the two Jedi unleashed the power of the Force, driving their adversaries down into the depths of the training room below. Hemlock, desperate to maintain control, tightened his grip on Omega, ensuring her captivity. With a swift and decisive move, Wrecker charged at the trooper, his powerful onslaught creating a distraction that allowed Echo, Valree, and their allies to engage the enemy in a fierce battle.

Hunter, still reeling from his torture, was jolted back to awareness by Crosshair's urgent warning about the impending threat of the CX-2 trooper preparing to shoot. Reacting with lightning reflexes, Hunter kicked his assailant's blaster, causing the shot to miss its mark. With adrenaline coursing through his veins, he seized a nearby taser spear, driving it with precision into CX-2 and effectively neutralizing the threat. Meanwhile, despite his injuries and only having one hand, Crosshair gritted his teeth against the pain and determination surged through him as he staggered to his feet, reaching for the nearest weapon within his grasp.

As the inquisitors rose to their feet, their crimson blades casting glowed in the dimly lit chamber, Seneca and Beka stood ready for the impending battle. Despite the daunting odds, their resolve remained unshaken, their determination burning bright.

"Inquistor come!" Hemlock with a commanding tone, who promptly fell into step behind him, ready to carry out their orders without question.

"Go save Omega, I got this guy," Seneca declared, her voice steady and determined as she locked eyes with her second adversary.

Beka nodded, a confident smirk playing across her lips, "Seneca... Play dirty." As she joined forces with Crosshair and Hunter, their combined strength bolstering their chances against the enemy.

With a nod of acknowledgment, Seneca braced herself for the coming clash, her lightsaber ignited and poised for combat. As the inquisitor advanced, she prepared to unleash her full arsenal of skills. The inquisitor advanced with lethal intent, Seneca stood her ground, her lightsaber poised for battle. With each clash of their sabers, the air crackled with the intensity of their confrontation. Seneca fought with skill and determination, her movements fluid and precise as she countered every strike. With a swift and calculated maneuver, Seneca disarmed her adversary, sending their lightsaber clattering to the ground. Seizing the opportunity, she pressed her advantage, driving her own blade forward with unyielding force. The inquisitor stumbled backward, their defenses faltering under Seneca's relentless assault. In a final, decisive blow, Seneca delivered the finishing strike, her lightsaber piercing through the inquisitor's defenses and extinguishing their life force. As the inquisitor fell, defeated, Seneca stood tall, her gaze unwavering as she declared, "Don't kriff with me or my sons."

As Beka, Crosshair, and Hunter made their way closer to Omega, they were suddenly face to face with their formidable foes.

"Kill them," Hemlock ordered, his voice echoing through the chamber, spurring the inquisitor into action.

The inquisitor, his red lightsaber ignited, stood before them, a formidable obstacle in their path. Beka stepped forward, her determination unwavering as she ignited her two blue blades, ready to face the inquisitor head-on.

"Go get Omega, this one is mine," Beka hissed, her voice edged with determination.

"Beka," began Hunter, his concern evident.

"Hunter, don't argue with me," Beka snapped, her eyes flashing with resolve. She locked gazes with Hunter, conveying her determination. "Go!"

Hunter nodded, understanding the urgency of the situation. With a determined stride, he and Crosshair rushed after Omega, leaving Beka to face the inquisitor alone.

As Hunter and Crosshair emerged into the pouring rain, their eyes locked onto Omega, handcuffed to her assailant, being forced across a long walkway by Hemlock. With determination etched on their faces, they ascended the steps of Tantiss Base, each step bringing them closer to their comrade in need. Meanwhile, inside the base, Echo and Valree grappled with the vibro-blade wielding CX trooper, a fierce struggle unfolding between them. Wrecker, ever the stalwart ally, intervened with a well-aimed shot, bringing down their adversary.

With the threat neutralized, Echo turned to Wrecker, concern etched on his features. "Where's Omega?" he asked, his voice heavy with worry.

Exhausted from the intense combat and his own wounds, Wrecker slumped to the ground, catching his breath. "I... I don't know," he admitted, his voice strained.

As Echo tended to Wrecker, Valree swiftly moved to their side, her daggers at the ready. "We need to find her," she declared, her tone firm and resolute.

"Hunter, Beka, and Crosshair are already after her," Seneca said as she joined the three from her recent fight.

"Echo, Valree, Wrecker, anyone?" Tech's voice crackled through the comms, breaking the tense silence.

"Tech?" Echo responded, relief evident in his tone.

"We have a ship meet us at these coordinates," Tech ordered, his voice steady and determined.

Outside, Hemlock's plan unfolded as he uses a comlink to summon the operative's starship. The ship descended ominously from the rainy skies, a symbol of their impending escape. However, Hunter and Crosshair were quick to react, their blasters aimed at the ship's engines. With precision and determination, they fired, sending the ship hurtling into the jungle below. But their victory was short-lived as Scorch, the last remaining threat, turned to stall them. Before he could make a move, his blaster was shot out of his hands. Panic flashed across his face as he realized he was outmatched. In a swift moment, he was dispatched, his form disappearing over the railing.

"Don't come any closer or we will go over." Hemlock held Omega at gunpoint, threatening to go over the edge of the bridge with her.

Hunter, noticing Omega's surgical tool, instructed Crosshair, "Shoot the magnetic binders," Hunter commanded Crosshair.

"I... I can't, they're too close to..." Crosshair began.

"Just wait, trust Omega, she knows what she's doing," Hunter reassured.

With a quick jab, Omega stabbed Hemlock's thigh, causing him to recoil in pain and raise his arm along with the binders. Seizing the opportunity, Crosshair shot the binders, freeing Omega. As she fled, Hunter and Crosshair unleashed a barrage of blaster fire on Hemlock, sending him plummeting into the jungle below.

Before Omega could reach her brothers, the door burst open, and they watched in horror as Beka was sent flying through the air. She landed near the railing of the bridge, clutching her side in pain. The inquisitor swiftly positioned themselves between Omega and Beka, a formidable barrier standing in their way. In the chaos, Beka dropped one of her lightsabers, which the inquisitor promptly kicked out of her reach.

"This is where you die, Jedi," the inquisitor sneered, dropping a detonator onto the bridge with a cruel laugh.

"Omega, run!" Beka's voice echoed with urgency as she charged at the inquisitor. Just as the detonator exploded, the bridge began to shatter, sending debris cascading into the abyss below. Omega found herself, but in a moment of desperation, Beka summoned the Force, guiding her for Hunter and Crosshair to catch her just in time, preventing her from plummeting into the void.

As the rain poured down in torrents, Beka engaged in a fierce duel with the inquisitor with her remaining lightsaber, their lightsabers clashing in a dazzling display of skill and determination. With each strike and parry, Beka fought with all her might, her resolve unwavering even in the face of overwhelming odds. However, despite her best efforts, she soon found herself outmatched, her defenses faltering under the relentless assault of her adversary. With a swift and decisive move, the inquisitor delivered a powerful blow that sent Beka crashing to the ground, her lightsaber tumbling from her grasp. As she struggled to regain her footing, the inquisitor loomed over her, pressing one foot down on her chest with an iron grip while the other on her hand that was gripping her lightsaber. Beka now pinned on the rain-soaked pavement below.

With a swift and cruel motion, the inquisitor drove their lightsaber into Beka's left shoulder, eliciting a sharp cry of agony from her lips. Gripped by searing pain, Beka clenched her teeth, her face contorted in anguish as she struggled against the excruciating torment coursing through her body.

The inquisitor loomed over her, their gaze cold and indifferent as they taunted her with cruel words. "You are the weakest Jedi I have ever defeated," they sneered, their voice dripping with disdain and contempt.

"Beka!" Hunter's voice rang out, filled with concern and urgency as he and Crosshair unleashed a barrage of blaster fire at the inquisitor. However, their efforts seemed futile as the inquisitor skillfully deflected the shots with their lightsaber, their movements calculated and precise. Despite their relentless assault, the inquisitor remained unfazed, their focus unwavering as they continued to press their advantage against the injured Jedi.

"Foolish clones!" The inquisitor sneered, their attention momentarily diverted by Hunter and Crosshair's futile attempts to harm them. Seizing the opportunity, Beka summoned her lightsaber back to her hand with a twitch and a swift motion.

With a surge of determination, Beka used her free hand to push the inquisitor off of her with the force, summoning all her strength. With both of her blue lightsabers now ignited, she lunged forward, her movements swift and precise. As she clashed blades with the inquisitor, determination burned in her eyes. "You think I'm weak?" Beka's voice rang out, filled with conviction. "I've been holding back because I sensed your pain, but now I see it's nothing but hatred." With each strike, she pushed harder, her resolve unwavering as she continued her relentless barrage. With a swift movement, Beka cut off the inquisitor's hand that held their red lightsaber, her blue blades slicing through with precision.

"This... This is not the Jedi way!" the inquisitor exclaimed in anguish, their voice filled with disbelief.

"The Jedi way is to defend the innocent and stand against tyranny. Sometimes, that means making tough decisions to protect others." Beka declared firmly. All eyes watched as a blue lightsaber pierced through of the inquisitor's neck, causing them to stumble back. "Don't ever come near me or my family ever again," she gritted her teeth, her determination unwavering. With a final decisive move, Beka swiftly sliced off the inquisitor's head. Their body stumbled, then fell off the bridge, disappearing into the darkness below.

As Beka panted, her shoulder throbbing with pain, she summoned her strength for one final leap over the gap on the bridge. Landing on the other side, she looked at Omega and then at the two clones before her. With a weary sigh, she collapsed to her knees from exhaustion. Hunter, Crosshair, and Omega rushed to Beka's side, concern etched on their faces. Omega hugged Beka tightly, gratitude and relief evident in her embrace. Beka returned the hug with equal warmth, tears of relief streaming down her face at the reunion with the young girl she had come to care for deeply. Hunter gently lifted Beka into his arms. As a shuttle approached, Tech and Seneca guided it towards them.

Sometime later, as Tarkin's Star Destroyer looms over the planet, Tarkin himself leads an Imperial detachment, flanked by his loyal shock troopers, towards the battered remains of Tantiss Base. Captain Bragg delivers a report to Tarkin, detailing the extensive damage inflicted upon the base and the loss of life, including that of Hemlock and many troopers.

"Is there any trace of the project data?" Tarkin's voice cut through the tense air, his gaze fixed on Captain Bragg.

Bragg's response was solemn, "No, sir. The databanks were completely destroyed."

Tarkin's frustration was palpable as he processed the news. "Hemlock's incompetence has cost us dearly," he muttered, his tone laced with disappointment. "Shut down the facility immediately. We'll redirect our efforts to Project Stardust

[0and0its0doctor0]

Sometimes even to live is an act of courage

So this is sad. and triggering. if you get triggered by Mental health, suicide, self-harm please do not read. Be safe my friends. This is also my first fanfic on tumblr and in this fandom so be nice.

“Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.” ― Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Spencer sighed as he stared at the stupid sobriety coin he was fidgeting with. He didn’t know why he carried it, he had only been sober for a couple months but apparently that was a big achievement. He didn’t feel like he had achieved much. He still felt the pull in his flesh, his veins were begging for it and thanks to his perfect memory he couldn’t forget what it felt like to jam that needle into his antecubital vein and press the plunger down releasing the Dilaudid into his bloodstream. So he replaced it with another addiction. He looked at the cuts decorating his forearms and frowned. One addiction. Another addiction. That was all he was good for, addictions. He knew the risks, just like he knew the risks when he was shooting up. There was a possibility he could die then and there was a possibility he could die now. It would be so easy to slip and sever an artery and just bleed out on the floor of the small jet bathroom. But he couldn’t do that to his team, who would be the one to find him? Would that even affect anyone on his team to find him like that? Surely they were all tired of him by now. Tired of his change in attitude. He saw the pitying looks. They would be glad to be rid of him. He gasped softly as the blade in his hand bit into the soft white flesh of his wrist crossing over another recent flesh wound. A knock on the door made him jump causing the blade to knick his skin a little deeper than he was going for. “Yeah?” He said quickly, grabbing a paper towel and pressing it to the bleeding flesh. “You okay pretty boy?” Derek said worried that Spencer had been in the airplane bathroom for a while now. “Yeah.” He said quickly tossing the tissues in the toilet and flushing it so no one would see his blood trail. He tugged his sleeves down and stepped out of the bathroom.

The plane ride was quiet and he was playing chess with Gideon when Aaron looked over and noticed red staining the edge of the sleeve of Spencer’s sweater. He didn’t want to bring it up and draw attention to it in front of his teammates so he waited till the plane landed and once everyone had stepped off the jet he grabbed Reid by the collar of his shirt and directed him into one of the SUV’s to take them both back to Quantico. The rest of the team piled into the other SUV. “You have blood on your sleeve.” Aaron said once the vehicle had pulled out of the parking lot. Spencer looked down at his sleeve and noticed the red spreading where he nicked himself. “Bloody nose.” Spencer lied and it caused Aaron to sigh. “Wanna try a different lie?” He asked looking over at Spencer who felt the tips of his ears blush. “Why does it matter?” He asked defensively. “Spencer, I need to know that you are okay. Are you okay?” He asked, focusing on the road as he drove and Spencer looked out the window watching the scenery pass by. He didn’t answer Aaron and stayed quiet all the way back to Quantico which thankfully was a short ride.

Once back inside Aaron walked into his office and shut the door leaving the rest of the team to settle back into their desks to do paperwork. It wasn’t a particularly hard or long case but there was still work that needed to be done to finish out the case. About an hour passed before Aaron stepped out and dismissed everyone. “Reid, I would like to see you in my office before you go.” He said, waiting for the man to walk into his office. He shut the door behind Spencer and sat at his desk looking up at the man who began to pace. “I need you to turn in your gun.” Aaron said formally. Spencer paused and turned to look at him. “Are you firing me? What did I do wrong? I didn’t break any rules!” Spencer said beginning to feel himself start to hyperventilate. He was losing his job. He was losing the only thing he had that was holding his fractured mental health together. “I’m not asking for your badge. Just your gun. I don’t trust you with a firearm at the moment.” Aaron pulled out a sheet of paper and read over it quickly before handing it to Spencer. “A psych eval? I’m on suspension pending a psych eval? This is ridiculous and you know it, Hotch.” Spencer snapped. He pulled his firearm out of the holster on his hip and slammed it on the counter before storming out of his office. Aaron felt bad but he felt like it was the right choice. He was a step away from having the kid committed. If he thought that was the best course of action to keep him safe he would take it.

Spencer didn’t show up for work the following day, Aaron told the team he was sick. Derek joked that the boy always looked sick with how pale he was. Aaron wasn’t amused. Spencer didn’t answer his phone. The first, second, fifth, eleventh time Aaron called. He didn’t answer when Derek called, he didn’t answer when Garcia called. It started going straight to voicemail around 3pm the following day and Aaron started getting concerned. Even though Spencer wasn’t allowed in the field he was still allowed in the office and it was not like him to not show up or respond at all. Last time he did this he was heavy into his dilaudid use. Aaron made his way to Spencer’s apartment and pounded on the door. “Spencer if you don’t answer I am going to kick this door in.” Aaron threatened. There was the sound of shuffling on the other side of the door but eventually Spencer answered it. He was still in his clothes from when they got back from the case. He hadn’t changed at all except removing his tie and he looked disheveled. “What do you want?” He asked folding his arms, hugging them tight to his body. “To know that you are still alive.” Aaron said, looking over the genius standing in front of him. “You missed your psych evaluation.” Aaron said looking at his watch and Spencer simply shrugged. He stepped away from the door and back inside his apartment, Aaron followed. The place looked like a tornado had happened. There were books scattered everywhere and piles of clothes, blankets, trash. “Do you have a point?” Spencer sounded so tired, exhausted, just done with life. “I can’t clear you until they do. You know that.” Aaron said. Spencer sat on the couch pulling his knees to his chest.

“Come on Reid. Tell me what’s going on.” Aaron sat down next to him and Spencer tried to scoot as far away as possible to avoid physical contact. “I missed it because I know they won’t clear me. They won’t let me keep my gun. What is an FBI agent without a gun?” Spencer said quietly. They sat in silence for a little while and Spencer picked at his sleeves. “Can I see?” Aaron asked and Spencer hesitated but nodded and tugged his sleeves up. “Oh Spencer.” Aaron said, looking at his arms. He had added to the wounds since the plane ride. They were deep and getting closer together. “Please leave.” He said, tugging his sleeves back down. “Spencer, I'm not going to leave you.” Aaron said sternly. “I said get out!” Spencer yelled, standing up and stomping into his bathroom slamming the door shut behind him. Aaron sat there for several minutes but wound up sighing “Spencer please show up for a second evaluation tomorrow.” He said through the bathroom door before leaving even though he didn’t want to. He was worried about Spencer but there wasn’t much that he could do.

The following day Aaron waited nervously with the psychiatrist in his office waiting for Spencer to show up. As time ticked on he started to realize Spencer wasn’t going to show up. His heart broke even more, he didn’t know what else to do. As the day ended he made his way back to Spencer’s apartment and felt something sink in his stomach. Something wasn’t right. There was no noise on the other side of the door as he knocked. “Spencer?” He called out knocking turning to pounding. He took a step back and it took two kicks to bust in the door. He cleared the living room and the bedroom and made his way to the bathroom. He wound up having to kick that door open too and the sight he saw when he did ripped his heart to pieces. The porcelain white bathtub was stained red, his arms were laying limp at his sides, slit from wrist to elbow. He was pale white and ice cold. He had been dead for a while. Aaron took a step back and punched the wall. He shouldn’t have let him go home by himself. He shouldn’t have left him alone. He knew he was struggling. Aaron felt a sob rip through his chest as he pulled out his phone and called it in.

The sound of Amazing Grace being played on bagpipes drilled into his soul, what was left of it anyways, as he looked at the flag placed over the coffin. Aaron insisted that Spencer get the full funeral of a fallen officer. He deserved it. And now he had to deliver a flag to Las Vegas where Spencer’s mother was. How was he going to tell her that her son took his own life. He watched as the flag was folded and handed to him and he hugged it to his chest. This felt like his fault. Maybe it was.

“There comes a time when you look into the mirror and you realize that what you see is all that you will ever be. And then you accept it. Or you kill yourself. Or you stop looking in mirrors.” ― J. Michael Straczynski, Babylon 5: The Scripts of J. Michael Straczynski, Vol. 2

[miss-story]

Radio Static

A little field radio hissed and popped over the dead air, emptying into the otherwise silent ruin. A young man in a faded gray suit breathed slowly as he listened to it, meditating on the radio station that had vacated the current frequency.

He sat staring, elbows propped on a rotten table, raw fingers tracing over each other. They were irritated by Abraxo. The cleaner could be caustic, and he had used it on his bare hands multiple times. Scrubbing the blood from his uniform and his skin had been rough work. The cleaner burned, but he couldn't get that feeling of blood out from under his fingernails or the sensation of dust in his hair. Now that it was gone, the pink skin served as a reminder of who the blood belonged to. Of what he'd done. He paused his fidgeting and stared at the bottle of wine on the table before him. The label was generic and peeling, the cork half opened and crumbling. The contents turned to vinegar in centuries past. It didn't matter that it had soured. He hated the taste of alcohol, the woozy way it made his stomach turn at parties, the way it made his friends whirl around him. Worst was the violent pounding headache that he had to hide during morning exercise the next day.

Still, it could have been a momentary escape from reality. He mourned the chance to escape the feeling of despair that was swallowing him up. A moment of reprieve was all he needed. He could forget for a moment all he'd lost. In a matter of hours, an ugly coup, electronic malfunction and sabotage had overwhelmed the only piece of this world he had cared about.

Christopher didn't know how many of the Enclave were left. Hell, perhaps his father was still alive. They had to be out there, with the way that the brotherhood was scouring the wastes. They wouldn't stop until they were all dead. The radio had gone dead. He had checked for it after he sprinted down the north hillside of Raven Rock. He had holed up in an old cafe for the first day. It was just off North Seneca station, boarded up and abandoned. It smelled of rot, but he was covered in radioactive mud from the Potomac and viscera, so he didn't smell much better. He was barely able to manage any sleep at all. Every sound made him jump from his rest, knuckles gone white with panic.

That next evening, despite being dead tired, he crossed the river to the south bank under the cover of night. He walked until the sky had gone orange on the horizon.  He could disappear here for a while and then join the others once he had a better understanding of… well, he just needed some time to figure things out.

He let out a long sigh and twisted the knob shifting through the possible frequencies hoping to intercept something other than the damned GNR. He wouldn't mind shutting up that irreverent, self-important DJ for good. He spun the dial until he hit the stopping point for one final time. He'd settle for something encrypted at this point.

Irritated, Chris flicked off the power and drummed his nails on the table. After a few more seconds, he pushed himself away in disgust. His leather boots kicked through the pile of ash on the floor with a brisk motion.

It was all that remained of a previous occupant of this apartment dispatched in the small hours of yesterday morning. He'd like to say he felt guilty about it, but it was necessary. No one could know he was hiding here, and this man had seen him in his uniform, soaked in blood, limping through the door, undeniably out of place and completely alone. They had looked at each other with those angry-frightened eyes strangers shared with each other these days and reached for their guns. Christopher was a faster draw than they were.

There was something clean about how an overcharged laser shot could vaporize flesh and bone into a fine powder. It happened rarely enough that the split second between life and dust surprised him and his target simultaneously. It was the most civilized way to kill your enemy and, in some cases, your friend... But something about it, ever since Raven Rock, that rare vaporization brought a spark of spear up his spine. A wave of nausea accompanied the fresh memory that hit him again. His fingers curled into his palms, relaxing and tightening as he breathed in the ashen air. Panic began to well up in his chest. It felt like drowning.

Christopher grasped the neck of the bottle of vinegar that had once been wine and gritted his teeth. Seconds later, it exploded against the delicate drywall. Part of it impaled the soft wall, bleeding its goopy red innards down the antiquated wallpaper. "Fuck!" He picked up the chair he had been sitting on and tossed it into a shelf of damaged books. The sad little chair clattered onto its side. A mote of dust rose from the shelf, thick like fog. Christopher snatched his crumpled pack of cigarettes off the table and stormed outside to sit on the crumbled concrete steps of the apartment. They overlooked one of the few mostly intact arch bridges that crossed the Potomac.

Chris stared out at the stagnant water as he sat with boiling emotions. He fiddled with the lighter, trying to get it to strike up the squashed roll of calm... His last one. Calm down... calm down, everything is going to be okay. They'll reach out once things cool down. We'll move somewhere far from here and try again. Eke out a small safe place in this shithole to bring back government and law. It's going to be okay.”

"No, no, no, the damn thing won't light." He clenched his teeth and took one deep breath and then another.

On the morning breeze, something caught him by surprise. Something smelled amazing. Christopher slid his lighter back into his pocket and pushed himself to his feet. He descended the steps and shielded his eyes from the sun. Further up the river, a small shack sat dockside. He was unsure why but wanted to find out what smelled so good. He needed a hell of a distraction.

[giacosketch]

Hello! I Graduated!!

Hey, hi again. It's been a bit since my last update, but I wanted to share what I've been up to since you last saw me.

So, let's rewind to a few months ago for my last post. That was a school project I had to do, but I want to take this blogging thing kinda seriously to keep track of my work and career progress. So, jumping to now, I finally decided to get off my ass and make a new post! Anyway, let's talk about the meat and potatoes of the post: my graduation from the Seneca College (or Polytechnic) Diploma of Illustration program!

I've been in school for a LONG time now. I started in Art Fundamentals (or 'fundies' as I'll refer to it) at Sheridan College back in 2016. Then, after some hiccups and a few failed classes here and there, I took a year off. I then reapplied to Fundamentals and redid that so I could get the credits needed to get into Sheridan's famous Animation program! After two attempts (one during my first round of Fundamentals, and the other during the second), I finally got into the Animation program! But after some more failed classes and hiccups, paired with being held back a year and the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic, I just ended up dropping out of the course, cursing the name of Sheridan College, and taking yet another year off to ride out the pandemic and see where things would take me. This takes us to 2022 when I applied to Seneca College for their animation program and their illustration program. Now, you may be asking, "But if you're gunning for animation, why did you switch to Illustration???" and to that, I say 'I needed something to change'.

I initially went to art school to pursue comics and MAYBE storyboarding because I thought it was cool. It wasn't until some chats with tutors and classmates that I switched to animation. I was hesitant at first, and the more I look back, the more I think I just wasn't ready for that kind of work. But I did it anyway, and turns out, while I do like animating, I don't like animation school (at least not yet).

So, after a few weeks of waiting, I got an update from Seneca! I did not get into the animation program, BUT I was accepted into the illustration program. I took this as a sign to pivot and try something I wanted to do from the start. Who knows, I might like it! So, I accepted my offer and again, after SOME hiccups and a few failed classes, I… I graduated… I actually did it, I graduated college, and it DIDN'T suck!

I won't bore you with the full details, but my experience at Seneca was really good! With my past knowledge of art school and generally knowing the structure of assignments and the deadlines, I was able to manage my time and my work while also experimenting with new mediums and techniques I was too scared to try before. I went in with the mindset of 'Well, I paid for it, might as well try'.

I kid you not, that carried me through this program, even when I didn't want to do the work.

So, after an amazing 5 semesters (I was held back one) and the amazing crit and help I got from my professors, I got to the end game of making a four-image set piece for the Illustration Grad show. This is the program's thesis project, which basically everything you learn leads up to. The show went amazing, my family and friends all came out to cheer me on. My classmates won awards for their beautiful artwork, and after an amazing week of the show and a great reception night, it was all over. The college ride came to an end, and I can now hold my head up high and say…

"I graduated college."

TLDR: I went to Sheridan College for some time, messed around and failed. Then I applied to Seneca College for their animation or illustration program. Got into illustration and had a great time, then I graduated!

Full visual Timeline*:

*This timeline is leaving out some important things that happened but for the sake or simplicity and privacy, I left that stuff out.

OK so that was A LOT to take in and read, how about we talk about some art!

So I said I got my work into the Illustration Grad show and I bet you're wondering 'What was the work you did?'

this is it!

INVISABLE

11 x 17 cream text paper

Risograph Print

(and here is my artist statement I wrote to accompany the piece:)

Change is a force all around us. We see it in our everyday lives and experience it within our minds. Both the invisible and visible change controls us. I’ve experienced it a lot during my time in school, both artistically and emotionally, and I've seen my family and friends change from once familiar nostalgic forms, into mature and responsible beings. 

INVISIBLE brings creatures from our deep past,(Microraptor, Tiktaalik, Smilodon, and Australopithecus) and inserts them into our modern era in familiar settings. We think of these animals as things from a time long forgotten, or as museum specimens, but without the past, the present just wouldn’t come to be. Their lives, and struggles shaped us and molded the very ground beneath us. We are our past, just as much as we are our future.

Pretty fancy, eh? I wanted to really put on my artist cap for this one, and I honestly had a blast making it.

Each of the skeletons shown is drawn as ACCURATELY as I can make them. I referenced skeletal diagrams, research papers, and I reached out to some paleo mutuals and Discord servers for some critique. Oh, and you may be wondering why Risograph. To be honest, it's really just because of the aged look of the ink. I wanted a semi-museum quality to the final product, and Risograph just felt right to me. Shout out to the amazing Colour Code Printing for the excellent work they did. Lastly, the name "INVISABLE" is in reference to how these animals and the change they caused are NOW invisible to us, and it's also a reference to the Duran Duran song of the same name. I liked the vibes a lot, and there was a meme circulating around with the song at the time, so it was in my head a lot. The feeling I got from the vocals and the instrumentals was something I wanted to recapture in my work, albeit to varying success. I'm extremely proud of this work, and the reaction from everyone at the reception was awesome!

I do hope to maybe one day do another gallery in the future, but I'm also not really about that kind of stuff. But the last few years have taught me a lot about myself and that I have to be open to change and reinventing who I am. I can't stay stagnant, or I'll just sink, and I've seen it happen to many, many people not only in school but at work and just out and about. Keep an open mind and try new things; that's the lesson I learned throughout all of this.

If you're reading this and you don't know how to feel about growing up or if you should go to school, all I say is this: Try new things and don't be afraid to mess up. Fail faster, and you'll learn faster.

[brewyork]

New ways to get your cask fix without a trip across the pond

If you’re looking to drink cask ales without a flight to London, there’s good news for you in New York City.

First up, a brewery that’s already made a name for itself with English-style beers is finally serving them the traditional way. Wild East Brewing in Brooklyn now has a cask engine installed at their bar. It’s got a nice story behind it, too — it came from Seneca Lake Brewing in the Finger Lakes, probably the state’s most cask-centric brewery. But before that, it poured beer at a now-closed pub called The Thurlow Arms in West Sussex in England where Seneca Lake owner Bradley Gillett worked until he was 18. It’s made a long journey and will start pouring real ale at Wild East this week, making it one of just a small handful of breweries and bars with cask engines in the five boroughs.

Meanwhile, if you’re in the mood for more than one cask beer, Fifth Hammer Brewing in Long Island City is the place to be this Friday afternoon as they kick off Cask-a-Lot, a celebration of local cask ales. Enjoy beers on cask from Singlecut, Interboro, Greenpoint, Strong Rope, Gun Hill, Wild East, Transmitter, and the host brewery. It’s a pay-as-you-go event with no admission. The fun starts at 3pm Friday at Fifth Hammer’s taproom and runs all night. The leftover casks will be on at noon on Saturday, if you’re not a fan of Friday nights.

[surrealisthells]

We've been hearing repetitive, distant booming noises for days. And yes, we are familiar with the entire litany of military related booms, and yes we are familiar with space craft reentry booms. This is something different. Googling tells me that this phenomenon is called "Seneca guns," that it is common on the East Coast particularly the Carolinas to Northern Florida, AND THERE IS NO DEFINITIVE SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATION FOR IT. Cannot express to you how much I hate this. I hate it. I do not like it at all.

[yatescountyhistorycenter]

The early history of the Penn Yan Fire Department

By Jonathan Monfiletto

Penn Yan has had some sort of organized fire protection since shortly after its incorporation as a village in 1833. In fact, the Penn Yan Fire Department of today can trace its origins to an organization established in 1835.

That fall, after a fire destroyed an early Yates County courthouse building, a meeting took place at the American Hotel (the modern-day site of Long’s Cards & Books) in which Thomas Locke called for volunteers to join what was then called Fire Engine Company No. 1. With a certificate signed by Village President Abraham Wagener – the man considered the founding father of Penn Yan – the company purchased a brake and suction engine called the Neptune. The engine, stored in a building on Elm Street (coincidentally, likely near the site of the present firehouse), joined a hand engine called the Cataract, which was kept in a shack on North Avenue.

That Cataract was part of the village’s earliest firefighting efforts, which involved the mythical but real bucket brigade. During the earliest days of the settlement that became Penn Yan, the residents of the time sought a form of fire protection and organized themselves into a bucket brigade. Leather buckets were distributed to the 300 or so homeowners who lived in the Penn Yan area at the time, and when a fire erupted in the village they were expected to seize their buckets, head to the scene of the fire, and form a bucket brigade.

It was not just a sense of duty but a local ordinance that called upon residents to keep their buckets at the ready in their homes and respond to fires with their buckets, ready to take their places in the line and hand the bucket to fight the fire. Supporting these efforts, with the rapid growth in population and constant increase in buildings, was the purchase of the Cataract. However, the Cataract complemented rather than replaced the efforts of the bucket brigade, as Lewis Cass Aldrich describes the Cataract as “but little greater power than a large ‘squirt-gun’” in his 1892 History of Yates County. Nevertheless, the Cataract was the first piece of firefighting equipment in Penn Yan and was used for 20 or so years.

While Company No. 1, with Locke as the chief engineer, continued operating the Neptune, another group of volunteers formed Cataract Company No. 2 in 1838 to take charge of that engine. In the 1840s, a wooden building went up on the north side of Chapel Street to store the engine along with a homemade hook-and-ladder truck. In those days, firefighters drew water from the Keuka Lake Outlet with leather firehoses and had just enough hose to blast a stream of water 330 feet in any direction from the corner of Main and Elm streets.

Starting in the 1850s, and into the 1860s and 1870s, the village began installing underground pipes and reservoirs to improve the water supply. However, it wasn’t until 1894 – when the system was completed – that firefighters had ample access to this water supply. In the meantime, a group of citizens formed Keuka No. 1 in 1851 and Excelsior No. 2 in 1855. While Excelsior No. 2 was situated in an engine house at the corner of Main Street and North Avenue, Keuka No. 1 was located on Main Street at the firehouse that eventually burned in 1967. During this time, the fire department purchased its third brake engine – from Wright and Company, of Rochester – in 1856 and a Button and Blake machine from Waterford in 1858.

With the purchase of Penn Yan’s first steam engine in 1871, 83 members organized Keuka Engine Company that October. The steam engine was purchased from Silsby Manufacturing Company, of Seneca Falls, a renowned manufacturer of firefighting equipment of the time. The Keuka Engine members sought permission to take charge of Keuka No. 1 and Excelsior No. 2, and later they formed themselves into a hose company called Ellsworth Hose Company. Gen. S.S. Ellsworth, the namesake, was a Civil War hero from Penn Yan.

Meanwhile, the Hydraulic Hose Company – later and still called Hydrant Hose Company – began in 1866, initially using a force pump installed in the building that became The Birkett Mills to fight fires. A hose was attached to the force pump until hydrants were placed along downtown Main Street. Early on, fire hydrants were installed only on Main Street, so Hydrant Hose responded only to fires on Main Street while Ellsworth operated the steam engine throughout the rest of the village.

The Hunter Hook and Ladder Company – named after Yates County Treasurer Charles Hunter – started in 1880 with the purchase of the fire department’s first truck. The company also took charge of the department’s ladders and other equipment. While this company and Ellsworth met in separate rooms of the Main Street firehouse, Hydrant Hose had headquarters that opened in 1886 in Struble’s Arcade. Meanwhile, the Sheldon Hose Company – named after William Sheldon – formed in 1895 and occupied the engine house on Main Street and North Avenue.

In 1905, Hydrant Hose moved its offices from the Arcade to the municipal building on Maiden Lane. About a decade later, in 1916, the company bought the department’s first motorized equipment, a Brockway hose truck with attached chemical tanks.

These four companies – Hydrant Hose, Ellsworth Hose, Hunter Hook and Ladder, and Sheldon Hose, listed in order of establishment – still make up the modern-day Penn Yan Fire Department, with the main firehouse located on Elm Street that opened in June 1969. In 1914, Penn Yan historian Walter Wolcott noted the “(Penn Yan) department of today is an active, alert organization,” with a steam fire engine, a chemical engine, a hook and ladder truck, and three hose companies. With 60 hydrants and several outlying hose houses throughout the village, as well as the water supply from Keuka Lake, “the village is capable of successfully coping with the more serious fires.”

[the-firebird69]

On the evening of July 28th, 300 Seneca Indians and 100 British soldiers arrived and attacked the 80 settlers at Fort Freeland. It's reported that out of the 80 living there, only about 20 were capable of using a gun to defend themselves. The settlers fought valiantly, until their ammunition ran out. and it is tommy f and called it free land and took it free. and was ousted. this is important. the psueido empire now trump and as indians and ther fem moveement. and a concerto....and they shrink badly and she says it in the video. we are in the prjects. and july 11th they took newport ri and it is near fortfreeland and they try to take it from him. and make war on him and the psuedo forgieners are in and it is tommy f. and prior to around july 5th spain declred war on the uk and it is a limited area bu tvs the isle as tumspters run it. tons die now there as others invade.

this is important as trum is losing there too. and provolked it. tommy f is taking his places in nyc and jersey. and the sopranos shows it. tons say it we heard denzel was trump well no. but he looks it nope. this a mystery no the politics are glaring. it is pelham and an investment co of our sons and has hisi money and yeh is trump in someone. and they are grossed out. and he shows him it is ime an no shit. so he is sought after and they see it. he had the money and earmarkd it had a gun planted and did the job. lost hte dough noope shall the say and a war after it. and it is about the pa hiest and battle when it leaves. and goes to nyc. and yeh september 11th particular money and brandywine a certain type of brandy not wine and umass ok and it was where dave broake his hand on his fathers car. this is significant and yu shall see why. trump provolks him in moon raker and he loses. dies forever. yes. is out. burned to a crisp. but was out first and someone took it...and tons saw no but he had trauma. tons of it. oved the skeleton too to thailand and tons happens due to trump in nyc as empire

Thor Freya a few more battles and money will flow and to the populace nd for resons ok

Thor Freya

pelham 123 a big one. it is about a grant. and the money moving means grant is in and will grant you money. free yes. and for a certin purpose. and wont say it. a biz and good and he wants to try things and we see

Olympus

[ao3feed-destiel-02]

Wild Blue Iris

read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/oLXpwyt by Sunkenfox Five years after the Winchester Gang went their separate ways, Dean Winchester retuned home to Seneca with the hopes of seeking revenge for his father’s death. Setting his sights on the vicious leader of the rival gang, the Leviathans, Dean sets off on a journey to bring his family back together for one last ride. But the handsome bartender that joins makes Dean reevaluate nope only the vengeance that fuels him but his own self. Battling his own inner demons, and the truth of what happened to his mother, love beings to grow on the trail, and a mysterious illness that is slowly beginning to plague him. Words: 38818, Chapters: 8/8, Language: English Fandoms: Supernatural (TV 2005) Rating: Explicit Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death Categories: M/M Characters: Dean Winchester, Castiel (Supernatural), Sam Winchester, Rowena MacLeod, Ellen Harvelle, Jo Harvelle, Benny, Cassie Robinson, Dick Roman (Supernatural), Edgar (Supernatural), Crowley (Supernatural), Meg Masters, Jessica Moore (Supernatural), Bobby Singer (Supernatural) Relationships: Castiel/Dean Winchester Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Western, Outlaws, Eventual Smut, slow burn of sorts, Benny Lafitte/Cassie Robinson - Freeform, Minor Jessica Moore/Sam Winchester, Minor Charlie Bradbury/Meg, Sheriff Sam Winchester, Gunslinger Dean Winchester, Bartender Castiel (Supernatural), Period-Typical Racism, Period Typical Bigotry, Canon-Typical Violence, tuberculosis, John Winchester’s A+ parenting, Found Family, Top Castiel/Bottom Dean Winchester, Implied/Referenced Abuse, Bandits & Outlaws, Revenge, Dean Winchester is Claire Novak's Parent, Past Castiel/Mick Davies, Murder, Gun Violence, Bisexual Dean Winchester, Friends to Lovers, Falling In Love, Slow Build, Angst, Bittersweet Ending, Mutual Pining, Baby is a horse, Stubborn Dean Winchester, Oral Sex, Anal Sex, Anal Fingering, Rimming, Minor Character Death, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Emotionally Repressed Dean Winchester read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/oLXpwyt

[notxjustxstories]

I absolutely have to thank @come-along-pond and @ginger-grimm for this idea after I saw Anna’s edit of Poppy’s Elara Admiral. The edit and character were just so good it gave me the inspiration for my first ever Hunger Games oc.

Tarpan Sable of District 10 was eighteen and a mere week from escaping the reapings unscathed when she was chosen for the 72nd Hunger Games. On her nineteenth birthday, she entered the area as the oldest tribute in the games’ history.

Seneca Crane, desperate to prove his ability as head Gamemaker, designed a particularly brutal and unique Game in a building from before the war, the Bella Io. Set up with lights and sounds to distract the players and for the first time, the players arrived far from the cornucopia and each other. Games of chance littered the arena, offering the players food and unique prizes for winning. However, many of the tributes initially refused these in favor of finding the cornucopia. This would prove deadly for four tributes, who arrived at the cornucopia to find the area surrounded by an electric fence, outside of the play area, meant only to taunt the tributes.

One of the weapons won in the chance games was a bolt gun, but the tribute from district one who found it didn’t know how to use it and tossed it away into Tarpan’s waiting hands. Using an ice pick, she modified the bolt gun to be lethal and took out eight other tributes by sneaking up on them from behind and using the gun at the base of their skulls.

After her victory, the Capitol was quick to spread gossip about Tarpan’s “unfair advantage” of being nineteen, sparking animosity amongst the other districts for District 10. The following year, both of the district’s tributes were targeted and slaughtered in the bloodbath.

Tarpan had just settled into her role as a cattle driver back home when the announcement of the third quarter quell came, and in a fit of rage, she knocked over the bowl containing what should have been her and other living female victor’s names. For the cameras, it appeared that she was made the tribute as retribution for her actions, but Tarpan saw the truth. In the chaos after her upending of the bowl, she saw both slips of paper. Both with her name on them.

[dertaglichedan]

Black activist ditches his progressive, defund the police beliefs after being arrested for defending himself against homeless knifeman in his Oakland garden with his legally-owned gun - and says he's now 'anti-woke left'

Seneca Scott was a self-proclaimed leftie who supported calls to defund the police but now says he no longer believes in 'left-right' politics 

Instead he has set out to help his crime-ridden home city, Oakland, after his own run-in with the police

Crime rates are spiraling in the city after local officials took $18million from the police budget

A black activist has renounced his beliefs about defunding the police and set out to save his crime-ridden home city, Oakland, from what he calls 'phony progressives'. 

Seneca Scott, 44, used to be a self-proclaimed 'leftie'. In 2020 he ran for elected office in Oakland, calling for 'shifting budgets away from the police' and a 'complete overhaul of how we want our communities to interact with law enforcement.'

But now he is vehemently anti what he terms the 'woke left' and 'phony "progressives"' who he says are 'dismissive towards black and brown people'.

Scott told The Free Press that he changed his views when he realized 'how deep the damage was' and how 'the people we had put in place were just complete frauds'. 

He decided to run for mayor last year after his own run-in with police, when he was arrested for defending himself against a knife-wielding thief in his own garden. 

[kevinjmann]

UKI - Episode 308

UKI: Episode 308 is now here on Mixcloud

This episode is featuring:

1. A Beacon School - KITM

2. Lina Saint - Space Storm

3. ALIAS - Together

4. FR3SH TrX - Baby

5. gavanwaldby - Distance

6. Ronan Furlong Music - Seneca Said

7. Ifrom Ramona - Clays

8. Whynotfrank - The Wrong Side

9. Sea Driver - Slow Panic

10. Mandy Takes A Gun - Come Back To Me

11. Morgan - Fine

12. Bachot Muna - Loh Yonme

13. Happy Curmudgeons - All On You

14. Swamp Music Players - Under New MGT

15. Diving At Dawn - Livin' On A Prayer

Broadcast on

Sword Radio UK - www.swordradiouk.com - Thursday 9pm

KrystalRadio Station - www.krystalradio.net - Friday 7pm

Pop Radio UK - www.popradiouk.co.uk - Monday 8pm , Tuesday 8pm and Wednesday 8pm

Bunka Radio (Columbia) - https://www.bunkaradio.com/ - Monday 1am

Charlie Mason Radio (USA) - www.charliemasonradio.com - Tuesday 10pm

YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT AND UNSIGNED MUSICIANS - PLEASE BUY THEIR MUSIC - KEEP THE SCENE ALIVE!