#they elected a warthog

[usafphantom2]

1976: John told Paul that all he ever did was write silly love songs, so Paul wrote a song… Another great one to mention, “December ’63 (Oh, What a Night) by The Four Seasons… man that’s a great song. Sly came out with the classic Rocky, an instant success and The Enterprise, the first space shuttle, was unveiled. Gas was only fifty-nine cents a gallon.

I remember July 4th, 1976, thirteen days before this photo, vividly. I was a little kid, and we went to the racetrack in Riverhead Long Island to watch the modified race cars and the fireworks display for the 200th Anniversary of the United States of America.

Too bad we elected Jimmy Carter that year.

Meanwhile, at Edwards AFB, a Boom Operator was having a little bit of fun refueling the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II (named after the P-47 Thunderbolt), lovingly referred to as the Warthog. Not the fastest jets I’ve ever refueled, but damn they can take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’.

Edwards Air Force Base, June 23, 1976

@tcamp202 via X

[dukeoftheblackstar]

ѕαтυяиιиє || ρℓσ кσσи χ fєм!яєα∂єя

Dividers by Saradika

I was supposed to make something smutty, but then it didn't go so well and then it went okay and now it's out of the WIP furnace, I can sleep.

“Don’t..” 

It was all you needed to keep your eyes closed and the room vehemently dark. You didn’t particularly like it, but there you were, drawing your hand back over your chest before you could even reach for the lamp. You could tell it was one of those nights Plo wanted something he could never bring himself to ask nor speak of. Nights when he’d come from a grueling mission that left him doubtful even through numerous hours of meditation and decompression with the other Jedi Masters; nights when words fail even the most eloquent and wise Kel Dor that he’d come to you unannounced to be something that is not of a Jedi — himself.

Plo had already broken his vow of celibacy when he had met you and it had been even more of a constant struggle to manage a certain emotion that he knew well within himself should not be a difficult task. Plo never once was plagued with the need to temper insecurities or jealousy for that matter, they were insignificant negativities that hardly impacted his role as a Master Jedi.

It would not deter him from  being a remarkable pilot or an exemplary swordsman, nor will it tarnish the depth of connection he has to the force knowing he had, if not perfected, neutralized an unbreakable hold of his emotions to not let it cloud his judgment. Surely if he could have harnessed such power to procure control over his Electric Judgment, mere jealousy would be of no match… yes?

But he had seen you days before he had finally landed the interceptor a walk away from your humble abode. He had seen you so full of mirth and without a care in the world as you danced and twirled, and cheered, and sang, and laughed, and smiled with the locals celebrating some sort of festivities that he wasn’t even made aware of. He had seen you bask in the glory of peace and though his heart swells at the sight of you safe and sound, merry and perhaps having the time of your life, he couldn’t rid the darkness that pooled within him in the form of envy. 

Vicious, vicious envy caressing him like the mistress of hate that had taken form in that very man you had allowed to touch you so closely, so intimately. He had spent hours of meditation to rid the image of how he had held you in his arms as you danced and sang, and twirled, and laughed, and smiled. Hours indulging his fellow Jedi for a bout or two, had hovered over the designated docking area for the interceptor but opted to leave with an even heavier heart.

He couldn’t bring himself to speak to the Grand Master either for reasons he knew he should be able to handle this with the grace of a Master Jedi and one of his experiences. And so he did; he had kept himself away for days when he had been granted time to tend to ‘personal matters’ to retain a sound mind for when he would be called for business. He had also elected to keep your messages unread and your calls declined — all at the expense of satiating both conditions ; to be sound as a Master Jedi and to be sound as a beloved who would not be in any way unreasonable, confrontational, and untrusting. After all, it was just a dance … right?

A meager dance with his fingers laced between your delicate digits, your eyes sparkling with unabashed bliss as you laughed at everything he said, smiled at every turn and twirl with your forehead against his and your body so firmly in place against him.

An inconsequential matter that should not have his own fists balled up under his sleeves as he listened to his commander reprimand the chaos of Boost and Sinker arguing over proper bathing etiquette while Comet and Warthog heartily cheered ‘brawl’ repeatedly. A minute happenstance that should not even qualify as a problem but it has. 

And so it brings us to the current. 

“Plo, what’s wro —”

You drew breath from the deepest recesses of your lungs, pitched and rapt with unexpected pleasure as you felt a pair of talon-clad fingers press against the sweet bud nestled between your folds. Your voice shakes and you silently curse how wet he had made you with just a press as if you were some switch that activated a harem of whores begging for a fuck. He hadn’t even moved the slightest, but you could feel the rough hide of his fingers caress you in short, circular motions, parting to spread your folds not even by much to let his fingers slide down, but enough to make you whimper a little.

You knew something was wrong by how he had chosen to touch you but not dare look at you. He had always been one to tell you how beautiful you look, how your lips beckon him even in silence, and how your eyes illuminate the darkest of his nights when lost and uncertain. He had always kept the light on; always looked down at you when you writhe under his touch and begged him to fuck you as raw and unbridled as possible, knowing the next may never be certain.

He’d always trace the contours of your face from the bridge of your nose to the curves of your lips, from the arches of your brows to the spans of your jaw, and from the column of your throat to the dip between your clavicles before he’d ask — no, beg; beg so desperately to touch you as if you were some fragile little thing that would break under the size of his hands and the sharpness of his spurs.

You shudder under the cold, stannic mask grazing along your thigh and you could hear the slight whirr you’ve come to love, knowing it was how his breath had gone heavy as yours. You’ve memorized every ridge and texture, every camber and cavity, every point and tube that has roamed your body many times over your skin but never often there. 

Not because he didn’t want to, but because he couldn’t for reasons so valid you’ve forgotten it ever existed — it being the feel of his mouth or tongue that was hardly permitted to kiss you on the lips more so down south, it being how beyond comprehensible it felt when he’d go down you, and the fact that Plo Koon is indeed, a pussy-eating champ that would leave the both of you literally breathless. 

“Plo, are you al— Fuck.” 

He had descended to daub along the stripe of your cunt until you were fully glossed with arousal, bestowing upon him a web of intimacy between his fingers. You feel his touch briefly part and the whirring heightens as the mask, too, had abandoned your thigh. Plo Koon grunts as his talons bury onto your calf, complying with the unspoken request to spread yourself more for him. And so you do, you lift your knees and part to the stance that had made the mattress sink further to his comfort and his grip firm on each leg.

The spurs of his mask prod at your thigh for a moment as if to distract you from the cold, viscous, hardness of his rebreather smearing over your flesh until he had pressed his rebreather in between. Your legs closed abruptly and swift that even Plo didn’t anticipate the sudden clamp. But before you could mutter an apology, he had brought one leg down with his hand and blocked the other, hooking it slightly elevated over his shoulder.

He pressed his mask further into you, nuzzling and rubbing the metallic device all over, parting your folds and dragging every groove up and all over. You writhe and arch your body up, peaks attentive should they be given the attention they so desperately crave beneath your shirt. Hands balled on each side with blankets scrunched between your fingers, pulling one off by a corner. You moan and whimper, hips lifted swung left to right only to be stilled back down and be slipped two fingers in, ruthlessly pumping with abandon you swore it was laced with animosity. 

Plo had focused his rebreather between your folds and right over your clit, turning and tossing his head lightly as he fervently fucked you with his fingers, one curling after the other inside you. You propped yourself on your elbows as if it would do you any good, but all it did was reel you back into the bed and have you rake and pull your hair back as your hips sank onto the bed and your chest arch to the heavens. 

Your breath ragged and desperate, toes curling as you felt your walls constrict. You were so wet with shame that you’ve come apart so ungracefully onto him, so.. prematurely without even a fight.

He stopped when you did — fingers steady inside and his mask slowly pulled away. You can feel yourself drip from his mask and onto your leg. You can hear his mask whirr louder for a moment and feel the rustling of the blankets as he wiped his mask clean with it. Panting, you apologize and beg him to come up and hold you. You tried to ask what troubles him as his fingers slipped out gently and lathered the stripe of your pussy with your own slick before you sensed him dismount the bed quietly. 

You hear a loud whizz and locks unclipping. Then footsteps and the chime-like sound the antiox mask made when he’d hook it over a specialized stand when he would clean the filters or tweak the seals. You’d expect the room to pump Dorin gas any minute and you were ready to reach into your side of the bed and take out a smaller version of a mask you’ve made for yourself as a present so he could undo his mask when he’d have the time to visit. 

You turned to reach for the nightstand, but he had pulled you back to the center of the bed as he mounted your shared cot. Plo had pulled you by the hips high up over his lap and folded your legs until your knees touched the pillow underneath your head. 

“I saw you..” Came Plo’s sullen response, his voice soft and barely audible without the mask. It wasn’t velvet sweet or sultry deep, it was neither arousing nor hypnotic — rather it was as real as he could possibly make it so. He would have to scream for you to hear him and you heard him. You heard him scream how he had seen you and it didn’t take long for you to realize that it truly was him flying over during the festival. You felt it in you that day and instead of rushing home, you danced and sang, and cheered, and laughed, and smiled — you were so drawn by the crowd and the music that you turned not to meet him, but meet him.

“Happyier.”

It wasn’t an argument, let alone a conversation — mainly because he wouldn’t let you speak. Not when he had dragged his tongue from the very pinnacle of the back of your pussy to the very peak of your clit with the thickness of his tongue and the deliberate slowness of his stride without ever disconnecting the touch. He lugged his tongue back in the same fashion; slithering back all the way back ensuring no crevice nor flesh left untainted while you stammer and desperately explain yourself that it was harmless fun.

You were panting when he stopped. Chest heavy with confusion and unexpected guilt as if you’ve committed such a crime that you wonder if it is unlawful for a Kel Dor’s partner to be seen dancing or embracing another man — considering they have such a peculiar law against theft.

You force your quivering voice to make your point, explaining how it meant nothing and it was truly, truly, just happenstance that the man was there for the dance. But you couldn’t, not when he had lapped at your pussy with such vigor and quickened flicks while both his hands took purchase of your breasts with such roughness and aggression you were starting to believe that it had truly, truly upset him — no, infuriated him.

“Betrayal” was all you heard, but you can feel how loud he had shouted — how loud he wanted to be for you to hear him. 

You feel him hover more as his hands grip at your hip, allowing one leg to fall before shoving himself head to hilt without warning. He pulls you steady, anchoring himself with every thrust that deliberately disentangles himself from you only to plunge himself all the way back to the hilt. 

You groan in pain, not so much the pleasure. He bottoms you out rough enough to make you cry and reach out to push him, but only for a while. Plo had rarely been anything but kind and sweet that it was starting to feel like a well-deserved punishment. You sniffle and grunt in agony until you finally manage to speak. 

“Plo, it hurts…” You’d say softly that it sounded more like an apology. Not because you should, but because he couldn’t. He couldn’t apologize for something he is yet to understand. And it wasn’t that he couldn’t comprehend the concept of envy, but because he couldn’t calibrate himself to a level of understanding said emotion as a Jedi should — not one to suppress or indulge, but one to manage and neutralize. 

Plo Koon pulled away and once more dismounted the bed. You hear him pace in the dark and reattach his mask with a loud hiss and a few clicks. A sigh soon followed — resigned and troubled; followed by a shift of weight on the mattress as he sits by the edge of the bed.

“I am.. old.” He would say with an equally pliant huff.

“You are.” You’d smile. Biting the urge to laugh as you test the waters of his mood.

“Obstinate.”

“Mhm.”

“Disconsolate.” 

“I don’t know what that means, my love, but yes.” Came your response that merited a small chuckle from your beloved, currently sullen and stressed Kel Dor lover.

“Captious, perhaps?” Replied a much calmer Plo Koon. The warmth of his hand over your calf meriting another smile and ease in your chest.

“Sure, my love.” You giggle, clearing your throat in mock remorse. His hand moving further up the back of your knee.

“Saturnine.” Came another as he positioned himself knelt between legs he’d lift by the back of your knee and part very gently. 

“Oh, so we’re just making up words now?” You teased, propped on your elbow and slightly sat up.

“Old and cranky.” You hear him chuckle, followed by the cold touch of his mask on your forehead, then at the tip of your nose, your chin, the column of your neck, and down to your shoulder, pushing you back onto the bed.

“Sounds about ri—(ght).” You groan, feeling him hard between your thighs with one hand by the side of your head and the other wrapped around his cock. You hear him grunt at the slightest contact of his engorged head slip between your folds with each stroke. 

“Mine?” Plo would ask, once more barely above a whisper — that of a plea to hear no other word than ‘yes’.

“N.. Not… Not yet…” Your voice trembles, reaching to place upon fingers on each shoulder as if to brace yourself knowing fully what was about to come. And ‘come’ it came.

Plo slid himself slowly inside, only to pull and angle himself so the engorged head of his cock would dip and slip out with a wet pop a few times, knowing how flustered it makes you to hear yourself so damn wet for him. You whine in complaint as he purposely timed himself to move away when you tried to sink down on him. You harrumphed and he’d titter, reaching to flick the lights on. 

You wince and blink, trying to acclimate your sight from the darkness that surrounded you hours ago.

“Beautiful.” He’d say. “And now?” 

“Spirits, yes!”

Whether it was your answer to his question or the fact that had just plunged himself all the way to the very hilt, lifted your leg up over his shoulder, angled himself to strike that deliciously sweet spot of yours that made you moan like a proper bitch in heat than the elegant lover of this seasoned, saturnine Master Jedi, we may never know.

We do, but you know — cue dramatic effects.

[richarddoi]

Fan Fiction:

Halo: The Ride That Follows

In the cramped quarters of their shared bunk, Jim Carrey sat cross-legged on his bed, tapping his fingers against the metal frame. Across the room, Master Chief sat on his own bunk, still as a statue, calmly observing the small datapad in his hand. It was election day, and the local UNSC voting center was a short walk away. Marines, pilots, and technicians had been filing in and out all morning.

Jim glanced up. "You ready to vote, Chief?" he asked, a half-grin on his face. He was wearing his standard fatigues, but he'd accessorized with a pin supporting his candidate of choice.

Master Chief nodded once. "Let's get it done."

They made their way through the gray hallways of the barracks, passing by groups of marines who gave the Chief a respectful nod. At the voting center, there was a line, but it moved quickly. Jim cracked jokes, trying to lighten the tension he felt. Master Chief said nothing, simply nodding to the UNSC personnel as they handed over their ID tags.

Jim voted first, punching his selection into the terminal with a satisfied flourish. The Chief followed, methodically making his choice before stepping aside. They exchanged a brief look, Jim's full of confidence, the Chief's as unreadable as ever.

After voting, they walked to the mess hall. Dinner was a simple affair: protein bars, mashed potatoes, and the usual synthetic meat. They ate quietly, Jim lost in thought while Master Chief worked through his meal with his typical efficiency.

As they were finishing up, the results were announced over the PA system: a new candidate had won—someone neither of them had voted for. The mess hall buzzed with reactions; some marines cheered, others groaned. Jim slammed his fork down, muttering under his breath.

"Are you kidding me?" he huffed. "I mean, what were they thinking? The guy's got no experience!"

Master Chief finished his meal without a word. He stood up and disposed of his tray, glancing back at Jim, who was now pacing in a tight circle, grumbling to himself.

For nearly an hour, Jim continued his tirade, moving from frustration to resignation and back again. The Chief waited, occasionally glancing at him but mostly letting him vent.

Finally, when there was a lull in Jim's complaints, Master Chief spoke.

"Want to go for a ride?" he asked, his voice calm and level.

Jim stopped pacing, looking up. "What, like right now?"

Master Chief nodded. "Warthog's fueled and ready."

Jim hesitated, then shrugged. "Yeah, why not? Better than sitting here stewing in my own misery."

They made their way to the motor pool. The Warthog sat there, gleaming under the fluorescent lights. Jim climbed into the passenger seat, while the Chief took the wheel. With a low growl of the engine, they peeled out, heading toward the dirt paths outside the base.

The cool night air rushed past them as they drove, the silence punctuated only by the rumble of the engine. Jim let out a long sigh, the tension starting to ease from his shoulders.

"Guess it doesn't matter who wins, huh?" Jim said, leaning back in his seat. "Not like it's gonna change the missions we get."

Master Chief glanced over, his expression hidden behind his visor. "The missions stay the same. We adapt."

Jim chuckled. "You always know the right thing to say, Chief."

The Chief said nothing, just pressed the accelerator a little harder, sending the Warthog speeding off into the darkness.

[why-bless-your-heart]

“Back in 1805, Danville actually elected a warthog as mayor. The public was fed up with the previous administration and thought, "Hey, what's the worst that could happen?" Nepotism, that's what.”

[frostedlemonwriter]

Excerpt from The Voice in the Wires

“Come on,” Alice said, her tone pleaded for some information. “I know you think Samara, that girl from Neo Egypt, is hot.”

As if it was glaringly apparent, Danika retorted with a hint of sarcasm. Her voice carried a tinge of irritation. “Well, no shit,” she stated, her eyebrows furrowed slightly. “Who doesn’t?”

“If that’s the case, why isn’t she dating anyone?”

“Not everyone has to have a girlfriend or boyfriend.”

“True, but maybe you should talk to her? At least send her a message through the net.”

Danika’s pale, freckled cheeks glowed with a crimson hue at just the mere suggestion. “W-what would I even say to her? I know we share a cybernetics course, but could just be for-”

“It’s not something anyone needs to do to graduate. It’s an elective. So she is into it, as are you. Maybe start there? Perhaps you need help with your homework?”

“As if I ever need help with homework, chomba.”

There came a sound like that of a warthog and a laugh. “Not for real, dumbass,” Alice said as she shook her head. “Just a way to break the ice. Well, do it or not. Up to you, but a little birdy told me she’s into dorky ass punks like you.”

Taglist peeps: @cljordan-imperium @ashirisu

[mnoonthego]

New Year’s Eve- and now for something totally different!

We were up early for our final morning in Nairobi. We sadly said good bye to all of the dogs which we will all really miss! Listened to the monkeys on the roof and then looked for the warthogs in the garden but they weren’t there this morning.

Wilfred picked us up first thing to head for the airport. Although it was a Saturday, I was concerned about the amount of traffic and the process for being able to get through security. Minding the queue doesn’t seem to be strictly adhered to here and the lack of signage has been an issue on a number of cases. We arrived early however, by the time we made it through the various security checks and check in, we didn’t have long to wait. Mark could tell you exactly what type of plane it was but I can just tell you that it was fairly small and packed! Relative to what we normally experience, the airplane food was a good deal and so we had a great lunch for $12 for all of us.

The plane stopped in Mombasa and then carried on to Manda Island across from Lamu Island which is where we were headed. We got in a wooden boat to come to Shela Beach one of the two towns on the island. First impression- blue, blue water, white sandy beaches, the rustle of palm trees, numerous beach front restaurants, mosques and a festive albeit relaxed atmosphere- it is New Year’s Eve! Oh and the heat! Also, it doesn’t feel a thing like what we have experienced so far in Kenya, it feels like we are in an eastern country.

Nyama was at the beach to show us to our accommodation as were four others that quickly picked up our bags and headed to the house. Just a couple of buildings off the beach, we have a great homebase for the next few days. We were instantly excited about this chapter of the trip. (check out the petals on our beds!)

We arranged for Nyama to show us around the town which included a trip to the liquor store as Mark wanted to buy some wine in this mostly Muslim community. Shela is very Islamic which is of course reflected in the white buildings. It was built with narrow street ways so you walk everywhere so instead of vehicle noise you hear people chatting as they go about their business and the boys playing soccer on the beach.

As we wandered through the warren of streets, we saw a ton of little shops from quaint boutiques to those selling the necessities, buildings in various states of construction or lack of, huge bougainvillea bushes and donkeys and cats everywhere. As we were walking through the streets we met many veiled Muslim women, a few Maasai in traditional dress and kids around every corner everyone smiling with a friendly “jambo” greeting and welcome.

The further we got from the beach, the fewer roads were paved and by the time we got to “the village” building were now mostly mud huts with thatched roofs and a few small “dukas” (shops) that might have plaster or tin walls. Here, Nyama introduced us to a local favourite, coconut wine. I am not sure that I would recommend this locally made wine but it was an interesting experience. Many of the locals wandered by and I think by their expressions they were surprised to see us there. I don’t think the typical tourist makes it here. We eventually made it to the liquor store where the employee seemed a bit overwhelmed by our arrival and so called the owner who quickly came to help us.  

A couple of particularly interesting things- the majority of buildings are made with coral blocks. The coral is harvested, cut into the size of a cinder block and then using concrete mud, put into place before the final plaster layer is applied. Also, they post their voters lists on the walls for all to see! The election is happening soon and there are campaign posters all over the place. Working in local government, I had to ask what the issues were- affordable housing, jobs, environmental issues and corruption.

Heading back, I challenged myself to find our way, knowing Nyama was there to bail us out, and almost made it- turn when you see the green store, turn left where we saw the baby donkey, don’t go as far as the 3rd mosque etc. – there are no street signs! Prior to arriving and in celebration of new years, we had arranged for Nyama to buy the ingredients and cook dinner.

We enjoyed a lovely white snapper, veggies and rice dinner on our top deck. At 11 pm, Mark and I couldn’t stay up any longer, we gathered our petals and threw them off the deck and wished everyone a happy new year!

[enig-og-tro]

Yea if the US intervenes, Venezuelans won't have any agency or say in the future of their country. That is pretty obvious when you look at all other cases of American intervention. Which is why American intervention would be bad for Venezuela and why it's stupid to support it.

The Russians and the Cubans are supporting the Venezuelan government, which isn't an intervention. It would be equally dumb to support Russian intervention as it is to support American intervention. And the China link just sends me to an article about Xi Jinping congratulating Maduro on his election victory? Which isn't intervention or bad, so idk why that's there lol. My enlightened solution is to let Venezuelans sort their shit out instead of strafing them with A-10 Warthogs and creating another unstable failed state ruled by a US backed junta

Really is mind boggling how people can all agree that US intervention is absolutely terrible, but of course they'll support intervening in whichever place they're talking about rn because this time it's different for sure guys!

[kiwikipedia]

anyways, ive elected to give Din and Warthog a good friendship because they deserve it

[ythankucaptainmccoy]

Teasing and Consequences: Commander Wolffe x Grey Jedi reader x wolfpack

While on a mission with the wolfpack the reader decides to do a little teasing with the men, and her secret boyfriend Wolffe believes it to be unfair. Having Master Jedi Plo Koon close she has to be as discrete, but when he is called away and leaves her in charge her playing can begin. WARNING: Smut ahead like serious smutty smut

This was started by an imagine I had of Wolffe “sharing” with the wolfpack, but I twisted it some. I don’t own Star Wars or any characters. I am so sorry that this was super long and took me two and a half hours to write. Happy Valentines Day Yall!

 The wolfpack had been deployed to Kashyyyk to bring supplies and help set up communications there. Among the 104th was Master Jedi Plo Koon and (Y/N). (Y/N) had once been Plo Koons padawan, but had left the order after she became a Jedi Knight to then become a Grey Jedi. Once the war started he had called upon her to help with the war effort and to fight by his side as an ally. She graciously accepted fitting right in with the wolfpack. Plo Koon often thought she fit in too well with the pack.

(Y/N) sat on a stack of supply crates in the middle of the camp. Commander Wolffe watched as she used the force to put another log onto the fire. The shadows of the troops dancing on the LAAT behind them. Wolffe noticed that Plo was meditating peacefully until his comm chirped to life. He watched Plo nod along to whatever was being said to him. Master Plo Koon stood to then explain that the Jedi Council needed him back on Coruscant. “(Y/N) will be in charge of the rest of this mission, I will be taking some of you back with me”, Plo told the group. He called several of the “pups” or shinnies to go with him, and a pilot for the second LAAT.

After making sure that they would be okay to carry out the rest of the mission he climbed aboard the LAAT. A rush of wind Master Plo Koon and most of the shinnies were gone. That left Wolffe, Sinker, Boost, Comet, Warthog and Wildfire with General (Y/N). Wolffe placed Boost on watch as everyone turned into their cots. That’s how it started with Boost standing at the edge of camp when he straightened to his full height and shivered. He turned slowly sure to see someone standing behind him, but when he turned there was no one. He could have swore he felt something or someone draw a straight line down his back. 

It was a fairly pleasantly warm feeling that he had, and there it was again but this time on the side of his neck. This time it felt like fingers being lightly drawn across his skin and he shuddered. This went on until the sensation felt like a hand being drawn down his chest, down his abdomen and right to where his pants met his top. He was a panting mess by this point and groaned in annoyance when it stopped right before it touched his slowly hardening cock. Boost felt like he was going mad. Then it started again but now felt like two fingers each tracing the V in his hips, and once again stopping before touching the spot he wanted it most. 

Boost had to do something and he quickly checked to make sure everyone was asleep. He slowly crept to the other side of the LAAT, and took care of his needs. Once he was finished pants still around his thighs Sinker walked around the corner. Boost yelped as Sinker cursed and turned around. “Kriffin’ really Boost of all the times to do this you picked now!”, he shreaked. “Look I couldn’t help it somethin’ was messing with me. Like I could feel someones fingers and hands on me, but no one was there”, Boost tried to convince him. Sinker elected to disregard the incident and relieved his brother from watch to take over. Boost walked to his cot and plopped down to sleep. It didn’t take long for sleep to find him.

The next incident was that morning as they were getting some crates loaded back onto the transport with Sinker. He was walking with a crate when something felt like it was cupping him and slowly started to almost massage him. He instantly dropped the crate and had to grab hold of Boost’s shoulder to keep from doubling over. “Vod are you alright?”, Boost urged. “I’m fine”, he grunted out. He was hard as a rock right now, and what the hell is that. Then as quickly as it had seemed to start it ended leaving poor Sinker to carry on as if nothing happened. 

After a day of unloading most of the supplies to the villages they were offered to stay in one of the guest huts for the night. Wolffe had noticed that (Y/N) had been quiet which was strangely out of character for her, but wrote it off as her being tired. That night Wolffe noticed Wildfire thrashing some as he slept, but ignored him, and tried to get to sleep. Wildfire knew this was a dream, but it felt so real. He was dreaming of General (Y/N) taking off his armor, and the teasing that she was giving him was torture. Once all the armor was off she dropped to her knees slowly tugging his blacks and grays down. Then she did something he never thought would happen. She pulled the tip of his member into her mouth. Wolffe by this time had noticed that the noises coming from Wildfire were that of pleasure, and he looked over to see him buck his hips slightly.

“You have to be kidding me”, Wolffe grumbled as he rolled over to sleep. Wildfire was so close and right before he came she stopped, and she just grinned up at him. He sat bolt upright, wide awake and looked down to see that yes it had affected him. He calmed himself then after waiting for thirty minutes he was able to sleep. That same night Warthog had woken up, but couldn’t get back to sleep. He closed his eyes when he heard (Y/N)’s soft voice in his ear requesting him to pull her hair and spank her. His eyes shot open, and looked at (Y/N)’s cot to see her sleeping peacefully. He closed his eyes again and this time he heard her moan lewdly. At first he tried to ignore it, but it didn’t help. “Mmmmm harder please harder”, he heard her voice. 

He once again looked around to see if anyone was awake. Then once confirming that everyone was asleep he began listening to that voice. “That’s it  just like that! Please faster! Ooooooh please don’t stop!”, her voice sounded again. “Cum for me. Yeah Cum inside me”, her voice panted. He ended up finishing into his hand, and quietly got up and found something to clean off with. He was able to get back to sleep quickly after that. The next morning Wolffe noticed that (Y/N) was still asleep, but that wasn’t unusual for her. He let her sleep in for ten more minutes then woke her. She looked utterly exhausted and he grabbed some stim packs for her to take.

“Are you alright you look sickly”, he told her. “I’m fine I guess I’m not getting enough sleep”, she explained. Wolffe took her word for it but would keep an eye on her. They had made two more stops and delivered the last of the supplies, but an intense storm had grounded them for the rest of that day and night. Comet didn’t like storms even when he was on Kamino he had hated them. He usually sought the comfort of one of his brothers especially at night. “Comet are you alright?”, the General had questioned. “I just don’t like storms”, he murmured trying not to wake anyone. “Here you can share my cot”, she told him. He hesitated for a moment before another roll of thunder sounded over head. 

(Y/N) opened the blanket and he slid in careful not to get to close. “Its okay to get closer Comet I don’t bite unless you ask me too”, she giggled. His eyes widened slightly and she rolled her eyes. “I was joking now get some sleep”, she said pulling him a little closer. He eventually fell into a comfortable sleep. He had to be dreaming or was he. He couldn’t tell all he knew was that General (Y/N) had her top off and was giving him a tit job and every time she would slide down she would lick the top of his head. It was wonderful and he was getting close to finishing when the dream stopped, and he woke up slowly to some of his vodes snickering. He opened his eyes to realize his head was right on (Y/N) breasts. Then he realized that not only was he laying on her, but when he moved he could tell that he had a problem down south. 

When he looked up Warthog and Boosts where grinning from ear to ear. “Sleep well vod”, Warthog questioned. “Oh shut up” he seethed. He didn’t even have the chance to get up when Wolffes booming voice made him shoot up to his feet. “What the Kriff were you doing with the General?!” he yelled. (Y/N) by this time had shot up as well trying to figure out what was happening then she realized. Wolffe had Comet by his blacks and had pinned him to the wall of the LAAT. “Wolffe calm down”, (Y/N) told him putting her hand on his shoulder. “No I want an answer Comet”, Wolffe growled. The others were tense waiting to see how this was going to play out. “I don’t like storms and (Y/N) had offered to share a cot, but I swear I didn’t do anything to her”, Comet pleaded his case. “Bantha shit!”, Wolffe snarled. “Wolffe its true I offered to share a cot with him, and he didn’t do anything”, (Y/N) admitted. 

Wolffe released Comet and they prepared to head out. Once they got back to the flag ship they headed for Coruscant. Once back Wolffe overheard the troops talking about the wierd touches and dreams they had and that’s when he realized that you had been using the force to tease the men. He was a little angry at first, but then he decided that you should be punished for your teasing. He gathered Boost, Sinker, Warthog, Wildfire and Comet and told them that the touches and weird dreams were all your doing. “Commander Wolffe how do you know that she can do those things”, Boost asked and the Commander smirked. “No way”, Warthog snorted, but he believed him. “I believe she needs to have a punishment and I think I know the way to do that”, Wolffe told them as he elaborated his plan.

It was quiet today in the 104th racks and as you made your way into the common room the boys were lounging about. Wollfe wasn’t among them and you looked to Sinker and asked where you could find him. After all the teasing you wanted a couple of hours with your loved Commander. At the mention of his name Wolffe came into the room. “Commander Wolffe I was wondering if I may have some words with you”, you smiled. “Its okay (Y/N) they know about us you can drop the formalities”, he nodded to his vode. “You told them”, you said baffled. “Well after all they would have found out eventually and if you are up for it I think you need to be punished for teasing them while we were on Kashyyyk, but only if you are okay with it”, Wolffe looked at you waiting for conformation. You bit your lip and nodded to his relief. The others took that as their go ahead and slowly surrounded you.

Wolffe had already started to kiss you and Boost bold as ever took position behind you and started to run his hands up and down your sides. You moaned into Wolffe’s kisses and gasped when Boost rutted against you. Wolffe pulled away for a moment to be replaced by Warthog as he grasped your top and pulled it up over you head, then unclasped your bra and tossing it to another side of the room. Warthog dipped down to kiss you and continued downwards until he got to your breast and took a nipple into his mouth. Throwing you head back onto Boost’s shoulder he began to nibble at you ear. You quickly looked at the others and they were slowly starting to rub their hardening cocks. You motioned for Wildfire and Comet to come to either side of you. Once they were on either side you palmed them. “Go ahead and shed those blacks boys you won’t need them”, you told them. All of them quickly shedding their blacks and coming right back to you.

Warthog had now moved onto your other nipple and bit down gently. The cry you let out made boost groan, and rut against your backside again. “I love the noises you make. “Was it you that was “touching” me that night at the camp hmmm”, Boost asked. “Yes” you moan out. Slowly you had started to pump Comet and Wildfire at a steady rhythm. Warthog had stopped to pull you pants and lace panties down, and helped you step out of them. You squealed and let go of Comet and Wildfire as Boost picked you up and sat down on the table. He hooked his arms under you knees and spread you legs apart. Warthog got down and swiped his finger over your exposed slit. “Your so wet for us”, he said, but before you could utter a response Boost lifted you slightly and lined his cock up with your other entrance. He lubed his cock with some of your juices and slowly slid you down onto himself. You cried out and dug your nails into his shoulders. “I know sweetheart, it will feel better soon. Once he was fully sheathed Warthog inserted his fingers and started to pump them slowly .He then started to circle your clit with his thumb. 

Once Warthog was satisfied he nodded to Boost who pulled out of you. They took you to the couch where Warthog lay down and motioned for you to get over him. You straddled him and once his cock was lined up you sank down on it. He grabbed your hips not ready for that action, and he spanked you. You cried out and he pulled you forward over him and Wildfire had taken the spot that Boost had previously been. Wildfire slowly entered you from behind and they both waited for you signal. Once you told them it was okay they both started thrusting into you. Wildfire was rough with his thrusting. The moans, gasps and screams that left your lips spurring them on. Noticing Comet you motioned him to you and took him into your mouth. Bobbing your head slowly over him you looked up to see him in complete awe so you took him down your throat and swallowed. “Kriff do that again”, he said although it was strangled and sounded like a question more than a command. Wildfire was close you could tell by how he was twitching inside you, and you were sure Warthog wasn’t going to last much longer either. 

Comet pulled out of your mouth and you knew what he wanted, and he was willing to wait patiently. Warthog snaked a hand down to your clit and circled it at a fast pace. You inched closer and closer until it all became to much and came. Wildfire moaned behind you as he came. Once he finished he pulled out and Warthog pulled out and you quickly backed down the couch to catch him with your mouth. Going all the way down your throat and holding there. You hummed and that’s all it took for Warthog to come down your throat. Wolffe knew you would need a moment, but you had already pulled Comet to sit down where you started to tit fuck his cock like you had in the dream you had given him. He was a panting mess, you looked up to him as you took the tip into your mouth swirling the head. Rubbing your tongue on the underside of his head he came with violent little thrusts and chants of you name. 

He moved off the couch when his legs started working again Boost had lay back on the couch and pulled you down with you back facing him. He lined up with your second hole and quickly filled you. “Kriff Boost easy”, you told him. Wolffe was now kneeling on the couch ready to claim you and you were ready. He slid into like he was made for you. “Easy cyare I have you now”, he told you. He started slow shallow thrust. Looking to Sinker crooking your finger at him he came to the head of the couch. You leaned your head all the way back to take him in your mouth. Sinker slowly started to move in and out of your mouth adding a little more of his cock each time. Wolffe snapped his hips flush with yours and Boost thrusting had started to turn longer and faster. Relaxing you throat Sinker was able to push his cock all the way in. He noticed the way your throat bulged and about came right there from the sight. Boost was so close and you were right on the edge of another orgasm. Wolffe started to rub you clit with his thumb at a maddening pace. It took you a swipe up the center of your clit and you came harder than you had the first time. “Kri-i-i-i-iff!”, Boost exclaimed as he came. Sinker was thrusting a little faster and when you came you screamed sending intense vibrations along his shaft. Reaching up and cupping his balls he came immediately in short violent spurts. Groaning each time a spurt came out.

Once Sinker pulled away Wolffe pulled you up to him to allow Boost to pull out of you. Wolffe pulled out of you to push you face first into the couch only to take your pussy once again. He was snapping his hips into you at a bruising pace. “Teasing my men”, he said between gritted teeth. “Thinking no one would know what you did”, He grunted. “Going to show you who’s boss and who this pussy truly belongs to”, He growled. “Yes yes yes yes yes”, you chanted. “Gonna cum deep inside you and mark you”, he hissed. “Wolffe please I need you”, you pleaded. He started to rub your clit again. “Come for me cayre, come on my cock”, he bellowed. “I can’t”, you sobbed. “You can and will cayre, now come”, with that command he pinched you clit and you came with a wailing cry soaking his cock with you cum, and he thrust three more times and came with a growl of your name. 

After coming down from your high Comet suggested a shower was in order. They cleaned you well and you cleaned them well in return. Tired and wobbling Wolffe helped you dress and carried you to his room to sleep. You said your goodnight’s to the wolfpack as they made their way to the racks. Once inside Wolffes quarters he lay you on the bed and climbed in himself. Instantly snuggling into his side you yawned. “I love you”, you said as you fell asleep. “I love you too cayre”, he replied also falling into a deep sleep.

[allfathertoday]

We became bat shit crazy when you dumb fucks voted in the Tangerine Warthog with the Road Killed Hair as President. None of you cared enough to find out that he is a racist, con artist, and cheated people out of money when he filed bankruptcy 6 times! He even set up a phony University and stole money from prospective students. He's been caught in so many lies and you dumb fucks believe it all! He told people this virus was just the flu but now he says he knew it was a pandemic all along. BS!

You're right. You did become batshit crazy when he was elected. He was elected over a traitor to the US and its people. Someone that committed crimes in office and left our own people to die in a foreign country. Someone that supported a treasonous government that stole from its own people then turned around and found ways to funnel those funds into her own foundation to make her rich. Someone that conveniently has anyone that's going to testify against her or her family die in mysterious ways.

I'll take the boogeyman over a Clinton anyday. Especially since he constantly puts America first. He takes shit daily from people like you and the press and still donates his salary to worthy charities every quarter. His family takes a beating in the press continuously and still they hold their heads up because they are doing what's right for this country for a change. They aren't stealing from the taxpayers like the last several administrations to line their own pockets.

I'm going to stick with the president.

[thecomicsnexus]

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ADVENTURES MINI-SERIES #1-3 AUGUST - DECEMBER 1988 BY MICHAEL DOONEY, DAVE GARCÍA AND BARRY GROSSMAN. BASED ON THE TV SCREENPLAYS BY DAVID WISE AND PATTI HOWETH

SYNOPSIS (FROM TURTLEPEDIA)

April O'Neil, Channel 6 News, is reporting on the seemingly low-tech robberies of three high-tech companies. All signs point to ninjas, and April and her news crew are reporting from Technologies Central in the hopes that they will be robbed next and therefore caught on camera by Channel 6. The news crew doesn't want to stick around to see if April's hunch is correct, and their instincts are on the money. A group of punks led by a pre-mutation Rocksteady approach the news crew threateningly with a message: "...stick to reportin' fashion shows!"

April runs from the punks, ducking into the sewers. As the punks follow her, April is distracted and runs into a wall. The punks catch up to her, and her future seems bleak when four shadows step in to disarm and thrash the punks. April turns to thank her saviors and sees four man-size turtles! Unable to believe her eyes, April faints.

Meanwhile a shadowy figure, later revealed to be the Shredder, watches a monitor revealing the Turtles taking April back to their lair.

Later, deeper in the sewers, April awakes and is offered some tea from a man-sized rat. Bewildered by seeing the four turtles chowing down on some oddly-topped pizza and a giant rat in a kimono, she demands to know who they are.

The rat begins to explain by telling the tale of Hamoto Yoshi, a teacher in the ninja Foot Clan in Japan. Framed by rival Oroku Saki, Yoshi is banished to the New York sewers for attempting to assassinate a master sensei. There, he befriends rats and, eventually, four baby turtles. One day, Yoshi finds the baby turtles covered in a glowing ooze. The turtles mutate before his eyes becoming man-sized and intelligent. Yoshi himself mutates into a man-sized rat.

April realizes that the rat speaking is Hamato Yoshi, now going by the name Splinter, and the four turtles are his ninja students: Donatello armed with a wodden Bo-staff, Raphael master of the Sai, Leonardo wielding dual Katanas, and Mihaelangelo master of the whirling Nunchakus!

They ask April what she thinks, but she's decided that these freaks have committed the ninja robberies. She tries to escape, but the turtles block her way and decide to keep her there until they can find the true culprits and clear their names.

Rocksteady and the punks report back to The Shredder that four weirdos beat the pants off them. Shredder's only concern is that the four giant reptiles may have been turtles.

Returning to the scene of the fight, the Turtles and April discover a matchbook from an establishment called Ninja Pizza. The group decides to check it out, but April is afraid the Turtles may draw too much attention. She obtains some trenchcoats and fedoras from a men's clothing store, and suddenly the Turtles are incognito!

They find Ninja Pizza on a street with a number of other ninja themed places of business. While the Turtles take a pizza break, April snoops around the surrounding area and discovers Manhattan Security Services, a shady security company that is actually cleaning out their clients! April races to a phone to call in a news crew, but is abducted by ninja-garbed assailants similar to the faux-guards she spotted in the Security building.

The Turtles become concerned by April's absence and discover her wallet by the payphone where she was abducted. Following a string of April's personal items to a nearby rooftop, they discover a tied up April and a trap! April's assailants, who turnout to be androids, attack the Turtles but are driven off to a nearby rooftop. April and the Turtles give chase, and discover a communications setup with The Shredder's face! The evil mastermind calls for a general retreat of the foot-bots to something called the Technodrome.

Reasoning that the Technodrome must be downstairs somewhere, the Turtles advance down the floors until they encounter some Foot messing with some plumbing. The building begins to flood, so the Turtles grab April and escape back out of the roof the way they came in the nick of time as the building succumbs to the massive amounts of water!

Later, Splinter examines uniform pieces from the robot assailants and deduces that the Foot, under the command of Oroku Saki are nearby and the cause of all the trouble. The Turtles aren't worried about the Shredder's plans, and April begins to wonder if her newfound friends take anything seriously, but she realizes there is one thing they never joke about: Pizza!

The following morning, April and the Turtles are searching for the Technodrome under the location of the flooded out building and find only a giant empty cavern with a pair of giant tread marks.

Meanwhile, in the Technodrome, The Shredder is summoned by Krang, who wants to know why Saki hasn't completed his new body as per their agreement. The Shredder laments that he has bigger problems now thanks to the appearance of the Turtles. Krang reminds Shredder that it's his own fault the Mutagen affected the Turtles so, and muses what would happen if more powerful animals were used in the mutation process. The Shredder dashes off to test this hypothesis.

Elsewhere, the Turtles and April have decided to check back in with Splinter. April points out that there may be some pertinent information back at the news room while Splinter elects to lead the Turtles in following the Technodrome through the vast tunnels.

At the Zoo, a pair of robots burst out of the ground and abscond with a warthog and a rhinoceros.

Back in the sewer, the Turtles and Splinter are blocked in their pursuit of the Technodrome by a cave-in. Splinter sends the Turtles to the surface to find a way around while he attempts to burrow through.

Inside the Technodrome, The Shredder approaches the punks for volunteers. When the punks decline, Shredder appeals to their sense of revenge by saying they'll be able to, "...get even with the Turtles who so recently humiliated [them]!" The Shredder selects Rocksteady and Bebop from the group of punks and straps them to a pair of tables. When the punks realize they don't know what they've actually volunteered for, The Shredder merely tells them to relax as he approaches them in a bio-hazard proof suit with a canister of mutagen and the pair of animals from the park.

The Turtles, meanwhile, have made their way to the surface, and after dodging a few vans, sneak their way into Channel 6. April tells the Turtles she's learned of the animals stolen from the Zoo, and the Turtles decide to check it out.

About this time, Splinter breaks through the debris into a cavern holding the massive Technodrome. Splinter approaches cautiously, but is still nabbed by one of the abducting robots.

At the Zoo, the Turtles leave April at the surface and descend through the hole left by the robots into the same cavern with the Technodrome. The Turtles discover their master's walking stick and deduce that Splinter has been captured by the Technodrome's inhabitants. They steal their way inside until they are confronted by a number of industrial robots.

The Turtles, having infiltrated the Technodrome to rescue Master Splinter, encounter a group of industrial automatons intent on discouraging the heroes from finding their wayward master. The Turtles make quick work of the robots and return to their search, but not before Donatello spots a power pack and elects to bring it along.

In the next hallway, the doors at both ends slam shut and a rolling log with spikes flies down the corridor towards them. Donatello attaches the power pack to a door at the opposite end of the hall and has Leonardo destroy it with a throwing star, causing a small explosion. The Turtles duck through the resulting hole and escape the rolling log.

The Turtles now find themselves in a large chamber with Master Splinter hanging from the ceiling. The Shredder appears and offers the heroes a place in the Foot Clan. The Turtles decline and are attacked by Bebop and Rocksteady. The bumblers are forced to slam into one another, forcing the Shredder in turn to unloose his Foot-bots on the heroes. The Turtles make short work of them and retrieve Splinter, spiriting him to the surface.

Bebop and Rocksteady pursue the Turtles into the Zoo and are quickly trapped in an empty cage. April arrives in time to catch the mutant punks on camera and agrees to shuttle Splinter home in her Channel 6 news van. An abductor robot emerges as the van speeds away and frees the punk mutants who are not sure they wish to return to face Shredder's wrath.

A short while later, April decrees that Splinter will be fine after he gets some rest. The Turtles elect to go after the Technodrome on their own.

Elsewhere, in an abandoned mansion, The Shredder observes inventor Baxter Stockman attempting to sell his rat-chasing Mousers to a pest control company owner, with little success. The Shredder decides these Mousers would be perfect for dealing with Splinter and the Turtles. The Shredder appears before a dejected Stockman and offers to produce his Mousers on a large scale. Stockman, of course, accepts.

The Turtles continue the search for the Technodrome with limited success.

At the abandoned mansion, The Shredder orders Stockman to create a master control for the Mousers and immediately begins producing more of the small robots using the facilities in the Technodrome. Krang demands to know why The Shredder hasn't completed his new body yet, but the villain shrugs his concerns off and programs a dozen Mousers to find Splinter.

April tells a reawakened Splinter that she is returning to her apartment for a few hours, and Splinter tells her that he is feeling much better. After April leaves, the dozen Mousers smash into the underground lair and attack Splinter. Splinter tries to fend them off, but there are too many. The Turtles arrive in the nick of time and rescue Splinter, destroying the Mousers in short order.

Discovering Baxter Stockman's name on the remains of a destroyed Mouser, Splinter and the Turtles go to seek April's help with this new tidbit of information. The Shredder is upset that the heroes were so easily able to destroy the little robots, but he knows that even the Turtles won't be able to stand up to a staggering twelve hundred of the little critters.

At April's apartment, the Turtles and Splinter invade her sanctum seeking her assistance. Showing her the name on the inoperative Mouser, April decides a search of the news computer may yield some results. Unfortunately, all the computer has to offer is his home address. The Turtles elect to run down this lead leaving Splinter with April.

Meanwhile, Stockman has completed his work on the Master Control and heads home for some much deserved sleep. The Shredder sends some Foot-bots after him to "put him out of the way" since he knows too much. He then uses the Master Control to program the Mousers to destroy Splinter, the Turtles, and April O'Neil.

At Stockman's house, the Turtles foil the Foot-bots assassination attempt and interrogate the inventor, quickly learning The Shredder's plan and location. The heroes requisition the inventor's green van, and, learning that Michaelangelo can drive, make haste back to April's apartment.

They find Splinter and April making a last stand against a horde of Mousers, rescuing them in the nick of time, although her apartment building is destroyed.

Later, outside the mansion, Michaelangelo volunteers to infiltrate the building to find and destroy the Master Control. He is, unfortunately, captured by The Shredder during his attempt. Shredder sends his hordes of Mousers after the heroes outside while Krang frees Michaelangelo in a bid to force the Shredder to build the warlord a body due to his inability to destroy his enemies. Michaelangelo uses his new-found freedom to force The Shredder into destroying the Master Control.

As the Mousers are disabled, The Shredder flees the abandoned mansion, causing it to collapse on Michaelangelo. The other heroes quickly search the fallen structure for some sign of their missing comrade, but soon find him unharmed. He tells the others of Shredder's escape and a new menace in the form of Krang, but the others have a hard time believing a disembodied brain can be much of a threat.

The Turtles return Stockman's van to his house to find the inventor a fugitive. They decide, at Donatello's urging, to move the van into Stockman's apartment so he can modify it with tracking equipment, weapons, and anything else he can fit in there to help them in their search for the Technodrome.

Krang once again berates The Shredder for his inability to defeat his enemies, and demands he build the warlord a new body. He reminds The Shredder that a legion of Stone Warriors await his command in Dimension X. Shredder decides to attempt to plumb the depths of Dimension X for a weapon instead. Krang warns Saki that anything could exit the portal from the alien dimension, but his warnings fall on deaf ears.

At Stockman's, Donatello unveils the Turtle Van, armed with every gadget he could think of to help them find the Shredder. They quickly take the Van on its Maiden voyage.

Meanwhile, Shredder opens the gateway between Earth and Dimension X, gleeful that he will soon have the tools he needs to destroy the Turtles and their master. The first thing to fly through the portal is not quite what he's seeking, though. A pair of flying Hot Rods carrying the fun-loving Neutrinos blasts through first the portal, and then the Technodrome altogether. Hot in pursuit of the troublesome youths is General Traag, and who knows what dangers he may cause the Turtles and their friends.

The Shredder and Krang meet up with two of Krang's loyal Rock Soldiers, General Traag and Morph. Krang and the Rock Soldiers tell Shredder about the Neutrinos and how they should be stopped, saying that they hate war and encourage the other inhabitants of Dimension X to have fun.

The Turtles, meanwhile, have some difficulty with the Neutrinos, but manage to convince the teen trio that they are on the same side. After getting exposure to some of Earth's cultures and pastimes, the Neutrinos agree to help the Turtles take on Shredder and Krang, while General Traag leaves a weather device to leave New York in chaos.

The Turtles and the Neutrinos have a battle with Krang and his Rock Soldiers as they try to open another portal to Dimension X and summon more warriors. Instead, Donatello uses the portal to send Krang's two Rock Soldiers back to Dimension X and the Neutrinos go as well saying they have to help their people fight back against Krang's forces. The Turtles make a quick retreat to destroy the weather bomb Traag activated earlier.

The Shredder finally gives in to Krang's demands and agrees to build him a new android body.

The Shredder appears to the Turtles on their television set informing them that he has a Retromutagen Ray Generator, a device that can undo mutations. He demonstrates the ray's effects by de-mutating the punk Scrag, who had been mutated into a bat. Shredder proceeds to challenge the Turtles to fight him for it.

The Turtles are eager to get the retromutagen ray, knowing that they can use it to change Splinter back to his human form of Hamato Yoshi. Splinter, however, insists that he must get it himself, pointing out that while the ray would make him human again, it would turn the Turtles back into ordinary turtles. April O'Neil uses the Turtle Van to get back to the Channel 6 building while the Turtles take a car left behind by the Neutrinos. After the car breaks down, Donatello goes off to Baxter Stockman's workshop to make a new vehicle for the Turtles.

To keep the Turtles from getting to him, Shredder sends Bebop and Rocksteady after them. After fighting the two mutant punks and trapping them in concrete, the Turtles go to the Technodrome.

Krang points out the dire of the situation to Shredder, who reveals Krang's finished android body and goes on to install a molecular amplification unit at Krang's request and then put Krang into his new body.

As Krang awakens in his new body, he signals General Traag to ready his army and help him conquer Earth. The Turtles find him, but Krang then starts to use his new body to grow to a colossal size. Splinter meanwhile finds the retromutagen ray, only to find himself baited into a trap by Shredder. He proceeds to fight him.

The Turtles try to fight the now gigantic Krang, but are no match for him. Help arrives when Donatello comes back with the Turtle Blimp, and April also catches what's happening and starts recording it on her camera.

Donatello destroys the circuit enabling Krang to change his size, causing Krang to shrink back to his normal size. Krang calls Shredder for help, and Shredder promptly stuns Splinter and rushes to Krang's aid.

The Shredder tries to use the retromutagen ray to de-mutate the Turtles, but Splinter destroys it. Shredder and Krang retreat back to the Technodrome, where they summon General Traag and the Rock Soldiers. Donatello tampers with the portal to send the stone army back to Dimension X along with the Technodrome.

April reports the Turtles' victory on Channel 6 and the Turtles enjoy their victory, but Splinter warns them that Shredder and Krang may return.

REVIEW

As an adaptation of the TV show, there are very few differences (done mostly to save panels). The script feels right for a comic-book (or perhaps the original 5 episodes of the TV show were closer to a comic-book format than the rest of the series). Maybe this is why Archie decided to create new stories based on the show than just adapting them.

The art looks similar to the TV show as well, Splinter in particular. I am yet to watch the “Rise of” TV show, but a good thing about the TMNT on tv is that they usually feel the same as in the comic-books. Sometimes in some movies as well, though not the latest ones, that seem to imitate this version of the TV show more than the comic.

There are some coloring mistakes. Usually you can let these errors go, but here they changed the colors on some bandanas, the whole point of giving them colors was to make the characters easier to recognize.

I give the arc a score of 6

[audio-sexual]

Let me tell y’all about the weirdest fucking semester of my college life.

I was back here at home & attending one of the local universities here as a transfer, so I was 23. My high school best friend (mother to Baby D & Princess G) was back in school for her nursing degree at the same school & we were both working for my god sister for extra money. Basically the band was back together.

We were also hungover almost every day that semester & drunk every night (I praise my tolerance that I got in the house without getting busted)...& when I say hungover, I mean we often had to climb stairs on our hands & fell asleep in class hungover. Anyway...

I was taking a mid level bio class & an elective in drama that semester...Bio was taught by a man, drama by a woman. I don’t remember the names b/c my memory is weird. I wasn’t exactly stellar in bio...which is why it became weird as fuck when the teacher (idr if he had a doctorate) started openly referring to me as “my wife”. I had never talked to this man outside of my class. Never had a conversation inside the class. I was a student that occasionally answered a question. That’s it but this dude who was like in his 40s was openly calling me his wife & calling me pretty in class.

I was not thrilled. But I said nothing.

At the same time, I enjoyed the theatre course. I met my college best friend in that class & I used to still be able to be creative then. I even directed a mini stage play with music & running the lighting board. Fun, right?

Well, I wanna preface this with I am not always sure of my ability to read people. Especially in things like attraction to me: But I noticed the drama teacher started offering me opportunities that I was utterly unqualified for & I wound up at her house/alone with her a bit more than I was comfortable. It wasn’t overt but she eventually gave me a farting warthog doll from The Lion King & I...was weirded out. Like this is a weird ass gift you’d give to essentially a stranger who hadn’t expressed a love for Puumba (Which I do not have).

Oh fuck she gave me earrings too. I...was so glad when the semester ended & after that I wouldn’t even go check out the student plays. It felt like I was 2 seconds from her showing up to my parents’ house with a U-Haul.

—————————————-

I got As in both those classes but goddamnit I earned the theatre one & you can’t convince me otherwise. I used Sade in a play for ambience & people wept...ok, two people sniffled. Whatever.

But yeah, the Bio A was 10000% an offer of dick. (But I had a 3.5 GPA overall so suck it)

I...also had a flirtation with a married white boy who I met when I busted my ass on black ice & broke my coccyx. But that’s another non-story.

Whatever mojo I had for those 6 months never returned. Never.

[why-bless-your-heart]

I just have to accept that nothing I ever come up with will be as funny as “Back in 1805, Danville actually elected a warthog as mayor. The public was fed up with the previous administration and thought, “Hey, what’s the worst that could happen?” Nepotism, that’s what.”

[matronofthevoid]

they’re actually SHOCKED that... these people in their lives don’t want shit to do with them anymore lmao

like honestly and truly they’re shook from finding out people are cutting them off.

“I elected a baby eating warthog into office and! all my friends with babies stopped speaking to me!!! can you believe how cruel they’re being!!”

this thread is the absolute holy grail of repeated self owns

[forkanna]

[AO3 LINK] [EF LINK]

NOTE: NaNoWriMo is in full swing! I told you I would try my best to update while it's going on and I will, even though it's obviously not as frequent as other months. Enjoy!

Yeah, I have no idea what went on over at the Chau residence. They took a few pictures of me on their phones to at least have examples ready, but it would have been pretty annoying to stick me in the back of the car — and besides, Stephen made a really good point that I might shatter if they dropped me, so after that nobody much wanted to take responsibility for schlepping the stone girl around.

But I got the general synopsis of what I missed from listening to their chatter. And thank GOD I finally had some entertainment, because lying around in an empty house all by yourself when you can't move is just about the most boring fucking thing ever.

Knives had her mom translate for her, since she can't speak Chinese, and asked her father if he knew any way to undo a spell, or curse, or mutation, or whatever the fuck this was that made people turn into rock-people. At first he said something a teensy bit racist that nobody would repeat, and then he asked for how the symptoms started. When they explained that it started from a feeling, and showed him the pic of my stomach, he kind of figured out what she would need.

Apparently, the house was quiet for so long because they had to go back to that place where Scott got the Soft and head to "Giant World", whatever that means. When they came back, they had another potion that was supposed to do something else. All I got was its name, not what it was supposed to do.

"So once Knives takes the Micron, we'll all stand watch," Steph was saying. Being a little older than everybody but Wallace — when did he show up? — she had kind of elected herself in charge. Also, nobody else wanted to be in charge, anyway. "Take turns. Like, I'm not sure what we can do, but we have to be ready just in case…"

"How long do we think this is gonna take?" Wallace asked, glancing at his trendy chronometer. "I'm supposed to meet up with Mobile at the new club where the Rockit used to be. Supposed to be a lot more catered toward our particular tastes now."

Knives's bottom lip quivered. "You don't care what happens to Kim, do you?"

"In an overall sense? Sure I do… but you guys didn't even remember my birthday. Tit for tat, you know."

"Hopeless," Stephen sighed. "No wonder Joseph hates you."

His trim eyebrow went up very slightly. "That catty bitch hates everyone. Can we get down to business? Kim's life hangs in the balance, just like my punctuality. They're both pretty important. Besides, I'm the only one here who can feed Knives any chi once she's through the gates; you need me as an E Tank."

"Fine!" Huffing, Knives grabbed the potion and downed it in one gulp. There were a few gasps, and Steph said something about "but we weren't through planning!" but it was too late; she had taken the plunge. And I was kinda glad, because at least now I would get to find out what the hell they were talking about, since they were leaving out so many details due to not bothering to include me in their conversation.

Not that I could talk back, anyway. But I could hear.

At first, we thought nothing had happened. Then I could tell something was weird. Everybody in the room was getting taller! Wait, that wasn't it… Knives was getting shorter. And shorter… she was shrinking right in front of my eyes.

"Hurry!" Stephen hissed, and Steph picked her up and sat her on my stomach once she was about toddler-sized. She kept going, slipping down my stomach when she was about the size of a Lego figurine, and then I couldn't see her anymore on the other side of my boobs.

At first, I thought that was it; that she had disappeared, and I felt a panic that I couldn't properly express while held suspended in this pavemential state of being. What the fuck had they done to my girlfriend?! But then I saw Steph bend down and do something else, holding her hand against my stomach.

"Hurry up… oh God, I hope Wallace knows how to use that thing."

WHAT thing?

"Me, too," he sighed as he pulled on the red fingerless glove. "Seems simple enough."

Shit. That thing. And I couldn't even scream as he slapped me in the forehead.

                                                          ~ o ~

When I woke up, I didn't know where I was. I mean, I was definitely nowhere I had ever been before, and I kind of accepted that much… but still, why was the sky all pink? Why was the ground day-glow blue? Why was the path leading into the far distance so gold and shiny? Why was everything moving a little, like I was actually living inside a heat haze? Just freaking psycho crap.

And there she was.

"Knives!" At first she didn't turn around, but when I shouted again, she finally did — and took a huge leap backward.

"AAAAHHH! A GHOST!"

"A what?" Looking down, I saw that I was half-invisible, and my legs disappeared into a wispy thingy. Reminded me of an actual cartoon ghost, but the tops of my legs were still pretty distinct. "Oh. Well, that's annoying."

Her hand reached out, drew back again, and then reached forward to touch my legs… and she passed right through. She shivered as she whispered, "Whoa."

"Yeah, um, don't do that again."

"Okay. Oh, Kim! I'm so glad you're okay! Kind of!" She moved to hug me, then remembered and drew back again. "Oh, oops. Sorry."

"It's okay. God… I'm such a mess, I didn't mean to make everybody… well, anyway, it's too late now. What are we doing here?"

"Huh? Oh, right! You know, that whole thing you told me about? We have to fix that or we can't reverse this, since we didn't get to it in time. So I took the Micron because I'm the one with the most training, and my dad has this thing in Brazil he has to take care of so he can't."

"What? I mean… damn, how long do you think we might be in here?"

Looking apologetic, she whispered, "He said… maybe a couple years?"

"YEARS?!"

"Or not! It could only take a few hours, if we don't get hung up on the Rubik's Cube."

"Rubik's-" Only then did I catch on. My eyes narrowed in utter disbelief, waiting for her to yell "PSYCH" or something, but she didn't. "Wait. You're talking about all that bullshit I spewed at you when we first started hanging out again, aren't you?"

"Yeah! I mean, I'm ready for the rhino and the warthog, I'm pretty sure, but the rest I'll… have to… what is it, Kim?" she asked when she could tell I was even paler than a spirit already would be.

"It was all a lie. I mean… a joke, but I didn't expect you to actually believe me, and I never got the chance to tell you any differently because you ran off." Sighing, I turned away slightly, not wanting to look at her right then. "If this isn't some kind of crazy fever dream, or rock-dream or ghost-dream or whatever, and you're actually trying to fight your way through my body… then I think you're wasting your time. I have no idea what's about to happen to you in here."

"Well, that's okay," she said instantly. "We'll just figure out what the challenges are if they're different. I'm even stronger than I was before, you know; I kept up my training since all that happened at the Chaos Theater. Knives Chau is buff and knows her stuff!"

Gritting my ghostly teeth, I hissed, "Don't you get it? I want you to leave. Stop trying to help me, I'm obviously more trouble than I'm worth. Just… just go."

For a few seconds, everything was quiet. Then I saw her walking down the road into the distance. I was relieved for just a second; relieved and sad. At least Knives would be okay.

Then she called back to me, "You coming, or are you just gonna hang around here in the middle of your stomach?"

Once I caught up, trying not to let my pleased smile be seen by anyone, I asked her, "Stomach?"

"Sure. The portal is in your belly button; the only way in past the stone. Well, we could have tried your ears or nose, but the journey to your heart would have been a little longer, and we couldn't be sure of the path. This seems like a straight shot."

"Oh. Well… I mean, um… I don't really get this. Why are you trying so hard for me? I suck as a girlfriend, and I suck as a friend. All I did was kind of… hang around you and be grumpy all the time. Then statue-ified myself. "

That got her to stop walking and blink at me a few times. "You really think that's all you gave me, Kim?"

"Well… yeah."

"Don't be dumb. You were so sweet."

"ME?!"

"Yes, you," she giggled as she resumed, setting a swift pace. Not that I minded, since floating alongside her didn't seem to make me any more or less tired. "Sure, you tried to bury it under like, your whole 'cool' attitude, but I've… never had anybody make me dinner before besides my mom. And you were always there to talk to and you really listened to my babble, and we could always play games or watch TV, and you were so awesome about not rushing me with sex stuff… held my hand. Kissed my cheeks. Made me feel important to you, even though I could tell it was really hard for you to do that. Gosh, Kim, who wouldn't love you?"

For a few minutes, all I could do was float alongside her. Something about this inner-spirit state I was in prevented me from crying, but I definitely wanted to be. Was kind of frustrating, actually, needing that emotional release and being unable to have it. But I certainly had no words to follow up hers with.

When we got to the outer gates, it looked like a giant walled city, and the multiple colours of the doorframe reminded me of Fruit Stripe gum for some reason. Anyway, as I had been worrying about… there were the guards. Giant mutant animals that just barely weren't copies of villains from an old cartoon I loved when I was little.

"Oh wow, okay," she breathed, whipping out a couple of her huge daggers. "Do you know their weaknesses? Because like, if I can stand on that piece of wall and stab down with my weapon continually-"

"Did you say… you love me?"

"What? Oh, um… yeah, I think I did? Is that okay?"

My noncorporeal eyes nearly bugged out of their invisible sockets. She started to look even less sure of herself, glancing back and forth between me and the enemies. So I quickly said, "Yeah, yeah. It's great. I mean, uh… sorry. Just never had anyone… say that to me before. Damn."

"Hmmm. Didn't know a ghost could blush."

"What?!"

"Kidding," she giggled just as my hands went up toward my face. "Come on, let's get this done. I want to help you."

Humming to myself, I tilted my head up in their direction. "No idea. But I have this vague feeling that if we kick one of their asses, they'll both go down. Well, if you do. Not sure I'll be much help like this."

"Might as well try it!" Then she started sprinting for them. "HEY YOU GUYS!"

That… was not how I would have handled it.

                                                          To Be Continued…

[bigtinyworldtravel]

After six days in Etosha National Park, we failed to spot any big cats – and this was what I had dreamt about when envisioning an African safari!  Therefore, we took matters into our own hands and went to the one place we could guarantee a sighting of these magnificent creatures: Okonjima Nature Reserve.

The Dilemma

For years, I’ve always wanted to go to Africa.  I’d seen pictures of magical sunsets, vast open plains, and some of the most unique wildlife on the planet.  Above all, I wanted to see the big cats.  Lions, cheetahs, leopards.  And not just in a zoo.  I wanted to see them in the wild – soaking in the desert sun, hunting, playing.  I’d seen videos and pictures where a couple of cheetahs jumped on top of the hoods of safari vehicles and took a nap.  I wanted to be in one of those vehicles!

So I was naturally ecstatic to finally have an opportunity to travel to Namibia, where we would spend three entire weeks – one of which in a wildlife-dense national park – and have ample opportunity to finally observe these beautiful predators.

Etosha National Park

After a few days in Etosha National Park, we still hadn’t seen any cats, but I wasn’t too dismayed; we’d seen so much other wildlife, and we still had time.  Then we learned when best to find them (at sunrise or sunset) and where best to find them (on the west end of the park).  And it worked!  We saw our first cats!

See the lions? They blend in so well…

…but they were waaaaaaaaayy in the distance.  These lions were wonderful to watch through our binoculars, but they weren’t anywhere near close enough to get decent photographs (and that’s torture for a photographer such as myself).  However, now that we knew the secret, I trusted we’d get another chance.

But we didn’t.

Another three days of busting down the gates at sunrise and 10 hours of driving and parking at watering holes yielded us everything but cats.  We saw nary a whisker for the rest of our time there.

I was so disappointed.

Along the road

But there was still a modicum of hope.  We might yet see one along our many other drives throughout the country (though the highest concentration – thus the greatest chances – were back in the park).

After another few days of camping feline-free, we were scheduled to keep driving yet farther away from any potential sightings.  So I turned to good ‘ole Google, and I discovered the Okonjima Nature Reserve.

We made a quick decision to backtrack four hours to visit the reserve, nixing a few of our other plans.  I was going to see African cats, darn it!

About Okonjima

The Okonjima Nature Reserve is a 200 square kilometer haven for predators, originally established in 1986 as a guest farm.

Much of Namibian land is actually used for cattle farming, and farmers don’t much enjoy having their livestock hunted by local felines.  Therefore, these amazing animals are often shot to preserve their livelihood.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t actually address the underlying problem.  Cats are territorial, and when one leaves an area, another is quick to take its place.  Killing one of these felines only encourages another to come instead.

AfriCat

The AfriCat Foundation was created in 1993 to address this growing issue, originally serving simply as a reserve for leopards and cheetahs rescued from farmlands.  The foundation’s mission now is to educate local farmers on alternate means to protecting their herds (like fences and grazing schedules), and it has since expanded to accommodate leopard, cheetah, hyena, jackal, and other large carnivore populations.

Okonjima is home to the AfriCat Foundation, and every day, they strive to stop the hunting of these animals, relocate those in danger, and research and track populations to better understand their behaviors.  At the reserve, they also welcome guests to experience safaris to see these gorgeous predators, spread awareness of the project, and raise funds for the research and care.

About the cats

Cats on the reserve come from several kinds of situations.  Some were relocated from farms where they might have otherwise been killed by frustrated farmers.  Some were rejects after someone’s “pet” grew too large for the care they could provide.  And some were cubs orphaned when their mother hunted too close to a homestead.

Now, Okonjima is home to around 35 leopards and at least a dozen cheetahs.  Though both once shared the reserve, they have since been separated.  Being larger, leopards can easily injure or kill any cheetahs they encounter, and being territorial, they all too often did.  The cheetahs at Okonjima haven’t grown up in the wild, so they’ve never learned how to kill quickly or when to run from other predators.  For their own safety, they are now relegated to their own segment of the reserve.  They will sadly never survive in the wild.

Sustainable travel

This display was in the main lodge. It features carnivores from all around the world and is accompanied by the statement, “In the year 2050, most carnivores will survive only where people choose to tolerate them.”

There are many animal encounters around the world geared toward tourists with only one goal in mind: profits.  Want to ride an elephant?  Want to pet a lion?  Want to pose for a photograph with a cheetah?  You can find establishments that will provide these, but we elect to not support them (and encourage others to do the same).  While they claim the money goes toward caring for and maybe even rehabilitating the animals, they are motivated to retain (or gather more) animals to continue to provide this service.  And training an animal to interact with humans is taming it; it will be unable to return to the wild.

Okonjima has a strict no-interaction policy.  Cats won’t look up at you as you approach, because vehicles don’t mean mealtime.  You can’t pet these felines; they are very much wild animals.  They have been conditioned to not view safari trucks as a threat (though they’ll run from any white vans, as those contain veterinarians!), but they still hunt on their own and could potentially be released into safer lands.

The education they provide is a sustainable approach to an ongoing problem, and we hope to see these carnivores no longer threatened by humans in the future.  If you like the sound of their mission as much as we do, you can donate to their cause here.

The lodge

As this was an unplanned detour, we didn’t have many options as far as where we slept.  Okonjima does have a few campsites, but these were full when we arrived.  That meant we had to pay for a (rather expensive) room.  We still got the least expensive room available (a Garden Room in the Plains Camp), but it blew the budget for that day, for sure.

We also considered staying at a campsite just outside the park.  However, safaris are only available to those who stay on the reserve.  I was there for cats, so we bit the bullet.

With the steep price tag comes a luxurious accommodation.  For the first time in weeks, we had our own private bathroom with hot running water and fresh towels, and we had a real bed.  Note that we had been camping on top of our truck until this point.  Even our room key was in the shape of a sprinting cheetah!

The night’s stay also came with a three-course dinner and a fully-equipped breakfast the next morning.  For dinner, we were treated to a carpaccio atop fresh greens, an oryx steak with rice (tasted very much like a top-quality beef steak), and a fried pudding for dessert.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it!  In the morning, we each ordered custom omelettes in addition to our buffet of fruits and cold cuts.

We barely spent any time in our room, but it was a great relief to have that place to truly freshen up.  And the meals were heavenly – far better than the cans of Koo Chakalaka over rice that we’d been consuming every day thus far.

The cats

But I was there for the CATS!  I could have slept on rocks and I’d still be happy if I got to see some big cats!

Excursions are an additional cost beyond the rooms.  Each would run us about $100 for the two of us, but we knew that going in, and we weren’t about to turn back now!  Not knowing whether we’d have better luck at sightings in the evening or morning, we weren’t sure which to choose.  We finally elected to go on a leopard safari (“nature game drive, looking for leopard”) that evening, with an option to see the cheetahs (“AfriCat Carnivore Care and Information Center”) the next morning.

The leopards

We set out with our guide, Gideon, where we would track Lila.  Each of the resident leopards have radio collars.  This allows the researchers with AfriCat to monitor the cats and their movements, behaviors, and established territories.  Unfortunately, these only have a range of 2km.

When we first set out, we couldn’t get a signal on Lila.  She holds a vast territory in the park, so we had some searching to do.  We drove over the rugged terrain, and Gideon stopped periodically to hold up the ancient receiver, hoping for a faint blip.  Nothing.

Vamos

Gideon changed frequencies to check for one of her (older) cubs: Vamos.  Still nothing.

We wandered the area for a while without luck (though we saw other animals – like jackals and warthogs), and I was beginning to fear we’d strike out.  Gideon kept trying for both leopards to see if we could catch a trace of either one.

Finally, we got something – Vamos.  Driving through the thick brush, we found her hiding spot.  One of our safarimates exclaimed, “there she is!” but I couldn’t see her.  Aaron spotted a paw, and I saw a hint of movement – no clear sighting.  Gideon moved the truck around for a better view, but by then she was moving away and out of our reach.

Rats.

Lila

So we resumed our pursuit of Lila.  Just as we were about to give up on her, we finally got a signal – on the far edge of her territory.  Following the beeps, we pulled up alongside her… at least where we assumed she was.  No roads led toward the signal, and no matter how we positioned the vehicle, we just couldn’t see Lila anywhere.  She could see us, I’m sure.  And I have no doubt she was laughing at us.  But we wouldn’t see her that day; she made sure of it.

Strike two.

The evening was getting late, and we were nearing the end of our allotted time.  Even after so many days of trying, after going to a dedicated cat reserve and paying for a safari.. I still wouldn’t see a cat??

Amali

Gideon could hear the chatter of the other trucks out that night, and one of the others had located the leopard they were tracking: Amali.  So as a last-ditch effort, we’d go to their location to see if we could see her.

Please let me see a leopard.  Please let me see a leopard…

And then there she was.  Just sitting right in the middle of the road!  No more tracking, no brief half-glimpses through the vegetation, no fleeting tail tip.

There she was.  Amali.  In all her splendor.

I had my camera on her immediately.  The other truck was still there, watching her from the side as we approached.  They soon left, leaving us alone with this beautiful, beautiful creature.

I couldn’t get enough of her.  And she couldn’t care less about us.

She walked right next to our truck.  She scratched at some bushes and marked her territory.  She pooped in the middle of the road.  She lounged on the side and silently regarded us.

All the while, my shutter clicked.  I took well over 200 photos of her.

I finally got my African cat.  I was on cloud nine.  It was exactly what I wanted, and I couldn’t be happier.  I was sad to leave her.

Sundowner

Though we were late in leaving Amali, we still stopped for our “sundowner” – cocktails meant to be enjoyed while watching the sunset (we missed it – for a very good reason!).  We watched the stars start to come out in the darkness left behind the one that had just departed while we got to know each other a little bit.

The desert gets chilly really quickly, but Gideon had some blankets on-hand for the dark and rough drive back.  Though he searched the brush with a red light for more wildlife, we didn’t see anything more.  I didn’t need to.

I learned later that two of the eight vehicles that went out that night didn’t see anything.  One other was with us with Amali, but I’m not sure how much the other four saw.  I think we lucked out with the best encounter.  I was (and still am) very grateful for how things worked out.

AfriCat

The next morning, we regrouped with our same companions and guide to visit AfriCat, learn more about their mission, and see the cheetahs.  We had kept the cheetahs as a backup option in case we didn’t see any leopards, as this was (pretty much) a guarantee.  For their protection, the cheetahs are kept in captivity, so there was no need to track them this time.  Though we were successful in spotting leopards (see what I did there?) the night before, I wasn’t going to refuse an opportunity for more big cats.

I’d heard of AfriCat before, it was interesting to hear about their history and work.  We saw the facilities they use for veterinary work (there’s a full-time vet on-site) and full-sized models of the most common African animals (used in their education programs).  We learned they use trap boxes and tranquilizer darts to check up on and collar the cats, and that they use radio collars because GPS is simply too expensive.  It was all quite informative.

Then we got to see the cheetahs!

The cheetahs

Their enclosure is still large enough to drive into, so we weren’t just browsing cages, as I had initially feared.  We were able to get close to them, admire them, and laugh at their antics.

Sam, a young male cheetah, was playing with a phantom when we first arrived.  Pouncing and dashing in crazy circles, he looked just like a house cat.  Imagine a big wild cat acting just like a kitten!  In fact, he was so focused on something no one else could see that we inadvertently spooked him when we drove closer.  He dashed right up a tree!

When we were done laughing at Sam, we admired a few of the others lounging about.  In particular, I took a fancy to Tuck.  I couldn’t get over the fact that he had his paws crossed, a position our kitty Mochi particularly loves!

Was it worth it?

So we drove 8 hours out of our way to get to Okonjima, and we spent five times our daily budget for less than 24 hours there.  Was it worth it?

YES!

I finally saw my cats!  Granted, we had some luck on our side.  We could have been one of those two trucks who struck out, and perhaps I’d be singing a different tune now.  But given our experience – the room; the food; the enlightening visit to AfriCat; and above all, the cats – it’s sitting right up there among my favorite experiences from Namibia.

I only wish we had looked into it sooner so we didn’t have to backtrack quite so much, and if only we could have afforded to stay longer.

Do you have aspirations of visiting Africa?  Have you already been?  What’s the one African animal you’d most want to see?

Note: We were not sponsored in any way by either Okonjima or AfriCat.  We legitimately had an amazing experience, believe in their mission, and encourage others to support them by visiting or donating to their cause.

If you like this post, please help us grow by liking it and sharing it on social media.  We also welcome your comments below – we would love to hear from you!

Don’t miss out on new posts!  Follow our blog for new posts every week.

In search of big cats in #Africa, we made our way to the #OkonjimaNatureReserve. Read all about our experience here! #bigcats #africansafari #travel After six days in Etosha National Park, we failed to spot any big cats - and this was what I had dreamt about when envisioning an African safari!