The weather in boone north carolina

Hello all!
I’m currently on a plane waiting for everyone to finish boarding and about 3 drinks in from the lounge (lightweight). I figured now is a great time to update you all as we are at the 7 month mark in our trip. We started in September and made our way through the rest of autumn and winter in Europe. Please note, as mentioned in my previous post, that idgaf about technical gear, and would rather prioritize style and comfort.
London > Birmingham > Scotland > Barcelona > Madrid > Sevilla > Lisbon > Tirana > Tivat > Istanbul > (on our way to) Bucharest
Things I should have prioritized(hers): - A durable, fashionable winter coat (it gets COLD sometimes and people in Europe are way more fashionable than Americans! Get a nice, warm coat that can be incorporated into your capsule wardrobe) - Sweater! You only really need one or two, and you should make sure it can stand the test of travel/time (pilling from friction, laundry machines) - T-shirts: I brought 2 with me and a few long sleeves, but honestly with a well heated Airbnb, I’ve found myself most comfortable wearing tshirts around, and when I’m going outside I’ll layer the sweater and coat, we haven’t experienced anything below freezing) - Panties: I brought 7 pairs and honestly, I could’ve brought more. Europe mostly only has washers, so we’d have to hang dry our clothes all the time. With the exploring and working, we hardly had the motivation to hang up our wet laundry, and having 2-3 more pairs would’ve been nice to allow ourselves a longer grace period - Hat: just a simple winter beanie has helped a lot in windy conditions - Rain coat: I actually prepared this one correctly and it’s been great for those “rare” rainy days
Things i should've prioritized less: - Skincare: they sell this everywhere and every climate is different! I loaded on toner, oil, and moisturizer in colder weather and sunscreen in warmer weather. I was constantly running out and wanted to experiment with other product that might work better specific to the country I was in
Additional items (his): - Ultralight puffy and raincoat will get you a loooong ways - Socks (bring enough for a week and a half, merino is the best)
Hope this is helpful!

Sakura Wars is a series of stage shows that have their own video games to go with them. The series got started in 1996 with a game released for the Sega Saturn, then they started running stage shows.
The series takes place in steampunk 1920s Japan, and there's demons to fight. The way to fight them is having a bunch of actresses get into mechs and do battle, because in Japanese you can make "acting troupe" and "combat unit" sound the same. In-universe, the acting is a cover for the fighters and to keep the public's morale up. You play as the one dude who can fight demons, and he's the theater's usher.
Throughout the game, you get timed dialogue options to try and build a good working relationship with your battle buddies. This can turn romantic, but it doesn't have to. Combat in these games takes the form of a turn-based tactical system that's honestly kind of perfunctory because the real meat of the game is building relationships.
The first Sakura Wars game was more or less the blueprint for the later games, which added new characters and did variations on the first game's plot of "there's a bunch of bad guys who represent the sins of the past haunting the present, go kill them."
The first two games were on the Saturn, then there were another two on the Dreamcast, along with ports of the first two games. A fifth game came out on the PS2 and Wii. The fifth game was the first one to be released outside of Japan.
If you want to play the Japan-only games, the first one has a fan translation that came out in 2019, and there are fan translations in the works for the second and third games, but they haven't been finished yet. There are also two spin-off games for the Game Boy Color that have translations, and a Columns game spin-off that's been translated, but I don't recommend playing the spin-offs before playing the mainline games. For everything else, you'll have to go to Gamefaqs and use the twenty-year-old translation guides that aren't even complete because they were all written by one guy who only liked the series poster girl and so gave her all his translation attention.
Aside from the games, the big part of Sakura Wars is the stage shows. These got started not long after the first game came out and feature the voice actors from the games reprising their roles. The stage shows usually depict the characters actually doing their jobs as theater people and putting on shows that happen in-universe as well as IRL. They also get into wacky hijinks in their free time.
After several projects that didn't turn into finished products (among other things, there plans for an MMO that never became anything more than some promo pictures), the fifth game was the best hope for Sakura Wars to continue. Unfortunately, Japanese audiences were getting tired of the series, and Western audiences weren't receptive to a game as anime as Sakura Wars V in 2010. So things died down for a long time. Until...
After Sega management decided to let the series lie, one person who'd worked on it started pushing for a revival. For years. Eventually, he wore the suits down and got the greenlight, leading to Sakura Wars 2019. With this new mainline game came a mobile game spin-off made by Delightworks, the developers of the immensely successful Fate/Grand Order, and a new stage show. Things were looking up. Then all these things actually came out.
Sakura Wars 2019 was a game that made all the wrong decisions. The game marketed itself as an entry point for newcomers while having a story that's almost impossible to care about if you aren't already a fan, and the story also takes a massive shit on the characters those fans knew and loved. The game was released in North America despite only one other game in the series doing so before, so the only people in the region who'd be buying it were the thirty Western Sakura Wars fans and the occasional curious person. And the game completely retooled combat from turn-based tactics to a Dynasty Warriors-like system that didn't have anything to it but mashing the attack button. No decision about this game was going to make anyone happy.
The Sakura Wars mobile game was made by Delightworks... right as Covid was putting a massive strain on every company's ability to do anything. The game's content was severely lacking on launch, and it had an entirely new cast that nobody had built up an attachment to over the years. Nobody was going to whale for this game. And Delightworks was kind of imploding at the time anyway, so things were not in a position to improve. The game shut down after about a year or two. All its content has been archived by the three people who cared about it when it was active.
The stage show... actually did pretty well. Stage shows have always been a strength of this franchise, and they didn't really do anything to bungle this new one. They don't have the same actors in both the 2019 game and the 2019 stage show, but the stage cast was well-received, so it wasn't much of a misstep. And the stage shows have always had great musical numbers because the series has only ever had one music composer, Kohei Tanaka, a man with such a successful career he worked on Gunbuster and that's a footnote in his resume. So the 2019 stage show really just needed to avoid any obvious blunders to succeed, and it did.
Since the 2019 stage show ended, there hasn't been much news of future Sakura Wars media. It's hard to say if there'll be anything new, but it's not as impossible as it seemed just a few years ago. In the mean time, though, fans are slowly growing feral waiting for even a crumb of news. Here's hoping we get to eat soon.

It was raining when she came. Dark skies had threatened a downpour all day, claps of thunder intermittent but the rain itself had held off until nightfall, until after we had gotten home, tucked into pj's and sheltered from the storm.
Hearing the door chime didn't surprise me, but it should have. My home is not central to anything. You need to travel dirt tracks and winding roads. Unless you know where you're going, I'm very hard to find. I wasn't expecting anyone, but still I rose from where I'd been sitting on the couch, trying to unwind after a long day. I wasn't psychic or anything, but I had a peculiar feeling all day that something wasn't right and hearing the knocking had cemented that for me.
She was dressed in a green sundress, sandals, a very strange sight considering the weather. And as the wind and rain danced violently around her, whipping her long, wet, dark hair around in every which direction, she simply looked possessed, like a crazy person. But still, I didn't flinch. Instead I opened the door, taking a step back to allow her inside. She glared at me as she stepped inside, dripping water onto the wooden floorboards, and making squelching noises with every step she took. "I'm not here to play games, Thomas. Where is he? Where is my son?"
For a moment, I'd had hope. Despite how she had arrived, despite the look in her eyes. I took a long breath, trying to compose myself, to keep my voice from breaking as I told her the news she had never been able to accept. "Ava, your son's gone, he's in heaven now. You.. You killed him."
The rage in her eyes broke me, sending shivers down my neck. She screamed like a wild animal caught in a trap, running to find the first thing she could grab hold of - my glass coffee table - and lift it and throw it as hard, and as far as she could against the wall. We were silent, breathless, as we listened to the glass shatter into a million pieces.
I'd never been close to my sister. She had been born years after me, after my mother had passed away and dad remarried, I was 15 when Ava came into the world. I remember holding her awkwardly, feeling something between love and contempt for this scrunched up, pink skinned and blue eyed little human.
I was moved out, living my own life by the time she learnt to ride a bike, by the time she started school. I saw them occasionally, holidays like Christmas and we would make awkward conversation over the phone on birthdays, but as time passed it was like they all were strangers to me, we had nothing in common, my dad and my step mum were busy with teenager Ava, and I was busy trying to start a family of my own. Life just got busy, I guess.
When I got the phone call saying dad and my step mum had been killed in a car crash, I was devastated. I kicked myself for not spending more time with them, and then my thoughts went to my sister, to Ava, 16 years old and now, all alone. I got on the phone and told her I was on my way to her, ready to help my little sister in any way I could. I realised I was about to become a guardian of a teenage girl who I basically knew nothing about, a teenage girl who was grieving the death of the only family she had ever known.
I needn't have been so rush in my decision to jump in the car, by the time I arrived it was clear that Ava was basically fine. It had been less than 24 hours since her parents death, but she was sipping on a daiquiri by the pool when I arrived. I cried to her and she held my hand in cold disdain. I never saw a tear.
It was only a mere few weeks later that I got another call, this time from a worried neighbor. The police tape cautioned off the childhood house I grew up in, a dozen or so officers roamed the yard and trailed in and out of the house, bringing out bags marked as 'Evidence'.
I wasn't sure what was going on. I knew dad and my step mum had been killed in a car accident, I wasn't sure if it was protocol to search the home of a deceased accident victim, I had no idea. So when I eventually saw little Ava sat in the back of one of the patrol cars, my heart dropped into my stomach.
I went over to the car to talk to her. To ask her what the heck was going on, but before I can get a word out, a beefy officer is standing between me and the car, his arm outstretched in a stop signal. "Sorry, I just wanted to talk to my sister. This is my parents house and -" The cop looked incredulous, shaking his head slowly then quicker with every word I spoke. He didn't respond to me in anyway once I finished talking, just started me in the eyes as he took his walkie talkie off his belt, and spoke into it. He asked for his boss, Stat.
I'm lead into a cop car myself. Although I'm not arrested, or cuffed, I still feel anxious getting inside. I wonder how scared Ava must be, and the thought makes me mad. Why the hell are they interviewing us in the back of a damn cop car? I fired my question at the Sargent and the cop in the front seat, and watched as they passed a look between themselves.
"I'm sorry no one's explained the situation to you, sir. Your sister isn't being interviewed. She has been arrested, and once the boys have finished up with the evidece bags, she'll be heading down to lock up. She is being charger with murder, so if you have a lawyer, how will probably be the time to get in contact." "Mm-murder? What are you talking about? I was told my parents had been killed in a car accident and now you're telling me my little sister had something to do with their death?"
"Sorry, sir. I should have been more clear. You're correct, your father and his wife were killed in a motor vichele aciident. This is relating to something... Ah, someone else, entirely. Now I need to ask you a few questions while we've got you here, if we aren't done by the time the others are ready to leave, we can continue this down at the station. That okay?" I nod numbly, not taking in what they're saying. The first question he asks me, is if I knew my 16 year old sister had been pregnant. I look out the window and catch Ava's eye. She smiles and waves at me, and even though I feel sick to the stomach, I plaster on a fake smile and wave back, as well.
Now, in this moment, I make Ava tea. She has showered, now warm and dressed in one of my old dressing towns. She cries as she sips the tea, saying she's sorry she's sorry she's sorry. She didn't do it. She didn't do it. She didn't do it. I give her a look of comfort and tell her it's okay, it's all going to be okay. She eats the lemon biscuit I brought out with the tea, between mouthfulls she tells me about living in the psychiatric ward, about how the people there scared her and the medicine she took made her feel sleepy and dull.
She asks me if she can stay here for a while, and I tell her of course she can. She's my little sister and I love her, no matter what. I tuck her into the spare bed, telling her things we be better in the morning, but she's already snoring by the time I finish my sentance. I close the door, sliding the lock behind me. As I prepare the evenings snack, I am feeling relived. I knew Ava wouldn't be having a great time in that place, but whenever I called up to see how she was going, she would only ever say things were fine, opting to always end our conversation before the allocated time was up.
I could hear the sadness in her voice, the desperation to get out, and it broke me. I would offer to come visit, bring her anything she felt like but she said with the contraband ban, there was no point. She never felt like having a visitor, refusing my requests and when I asked the nurses about it, they told me she spent most of her time staring off into space, they couldn't force her to accept visits, and that was that.
She would be out when she turned 23, after serving the 7 year sentence for the manslaughter of her newborn. Everyone said she was lucky to not get jail, but after hearing her voice in the psychiatric ward, I wasn't so sure I agreed.
Now she's here, out of that awful place. I'm going to really take care of her, something I should have done all those years ago. I'm her big brother after all, and it's up to me to make sure she's looked after. I go down stairs, this time carefully carrying a tray, with warm milk and few of the infamous lemon biscuits.
Karl is sitting up cross legged in his race car bed, concentration vivid on his little face as he plays a game on his Xbox. A moment later he let's out a little whoop, and I can't help but to smile at his excitement. "Kicking everyone's butts still, I see." Karl laughs at my comment, blushing but pleased. I can tell he's chuffed, and it makes me happy seeing his genuine joy.
I place the tray on his desk, and sit next to him to watch him play for a while. He offers me the controller and asks if I want to have a turn? I shake my head, and thank him, telling him its time for this old man to be getting to bed. He grins at me when I call myself an old man, and shakes his head laughing as he calls me silly.
"Milk and biscuits here when you're ready. Remember, lights out in an hour. I love you, son." "Okay, thanks dad. I love you, too."
As I walk out of his room, I ponder for a moment, wondering and hoping it wasnt, if it was possible he had heard any of that commotion upstairs, but eyes still glued to the screen, Karl seemed as happy as ever and basically impervious to anything apart from the car racing game he was playing.
It was me who'd asked her to babysit. Begged her, really. Told her how much Jennie and I had been fighting, how hard the baby was on our relationship. She said she really wanted to help her big brother out and she even said it would be a welcome distraction from the finals she was studying for. No mention of the parents she had recently lost.
She told me she felt a bit nervous about it all, but she felt it would be good for her, as well. I agreed. We organised a time for an evening a night away, and that was that, my plan was in motion. Done all over HiddentextApp of course, so there was no trace of our conversation.
It was all the rage with the kids these days, according to Google, so when I suggested it to my sister, she hadn't batted an eyelid. I knew she had been having trouble sleeping, and honestly, for the both of us, it seemed like the easiest way.
There would be no one to blame, it would be a simple, cruel act of nature that no one would even consider questioning. She could of said it was an accident, and everyone would have believed her. I didn't think she would do what she did. I asked her if she was still okay to babysit, feigning guilt and worry, and she had nodded. Our fathers and her mother's death had not seemed to greatly affect her. She seemed bored of talk of them. "A distraction would be great." I thanked her with a close, tight hug, and told her I'd brewed her some green tea and made a batch of an old recipe my mum used to make me while I was growing up, lemon biscuits.
Once Ava was settled on my couch, Netflix on the tv, with her snacks and mug of green tea. She had baby monitor on hand so she was ready to hear the cries that would never come. I expected silence when I got home. I expected Ava, sleeping peacefully, still on the couch where she had first sat down.
But she wasn't. And the house was not silent, instead the sound of an electric saw penetrated the halls. Maybe the shock of losing both parents, perhaps she felt bad for the fact they were out on the roads that night, they would have been safely tucked up in their bed if it had not been for their teenage daughter needing to be picked up. I don't know, seeing the baby like that.. Well, I guess that honestly would've broken anyone's soul.
At the start, I tried to explain to her, calmly and using soft voices, but she was beyond contemplating my words. It was as if what I was saying to her, she just simply could not comprehend. I tried to stop her, honestly I did, but she was a force that could not be reckoned with and truly, Ava had basically already finished when I arrived home.
The walls were painted red. My hacksaw now lay disgauardrd to one side of Ava, who was just as red as the walls. I didn't notice the noise had ceased. All I could hear was the hammering of my own heart in my chest. She cradled something white and rubbery to her chest, blood making it slippery to keep hold of, and once I realised what it was, I'm throwing up and crying and screaming as well.
When I catch my breath I ask what the fuck she has done and she tells me it's her son, her son, her son. She loves him. She loves him to pieces and she's never going to leave him. She was fixing him. Fixing him. Fixing him. She laughs and smiles. I take her home, with what's left of the baby wrapped up in a towel. She holds the towel as we drive, singing to it, cooing.
The scene is stuck in my memory, a picture I have tried hard to forget, but it greets me every time I close my eyes. I sit in the car and watch as she cradles the bundle in one arm, still singing softly to it, and let's her self inside my empty, parentless childhood home.
Now she is back, and this time she is a threat to my family. To my son, who can never ever know what this woman has done. She's still sleeping when I go back into the spare bedroom.
I am not surprised, because I did give her enough sleeping pills in her green tea to knock out a grown man. But, I had no choice really. If only she stayed away..I sigh to myself as I place the pillow over the top of her head. She could have started her life all over again. But no, she couldn't. As a good big brother, it was my responsibility to help her, in whatever way that meant.
I knew she would never accept that her son was dead or that she had been the one to kill and dismember him. I knew her life would be a constant battle of heart break and pain. I was doing her a favor. And keeping my family safe, as well.
It's almost daylight when I return home. I am straight into the shower, dressing quickly for my day before I head into the kitchen and get started on Karl's favorite breakfast - banana pancakes with maple bacon on the side.
He beams as I pass him his plate and thanks me for being the best daddy in the whole world. It's always the moments like this that I feel a pang of guilt. I wonder if his brother would have the same opinion, had he still been around. In my mind I picture the two of them, identical twins, sat side by side with me at the table.
Would Rory had liked maple bacon? I ruffle Karl's hair as he finishes eating, telling him he better get a move on if he doesnt want to miss his bus again, and he laughs and goes to get dressed for school. Before he left, he flashed me a grin and crinkled his green eyes with happiness. I think of last night, of Ava, those same green eyes staring up at me in panic when she woke up, managing to push the pillow off her.
She glared at me, opening her mouth to scream, or maybe ask me why, but I placed the pillow back in place and leaned down before she could speak. Her eyes were open when I eventually took the pillow off again, this time the green eyes were bloodshot and vacant,staring at nothing. The exact same eyes I had seen on Rory when I walked into the twins bedroom to check on him. He was blue, his eyes that blazed green were open, unblinking. I stared at him for a long time, until Karl's crys woke me up, brought me back to reality. I took Karl down for his bottle, placing a blanket on his brother, who was cold to the touch. I knew it was too late. I knew it didn't matter anymore. But to me, it would always matter.
I was a good dad, really I was. I had wanted to be a dad for so long, that when I heard my baby sister was pregnant at 15 years old, I felt sick with anger and disappointed. But my dad and step mum had pleaded for me to take the babies, to raise them. Ava didn't want them, she wanted to get rid of them, but it was too late in the pregnancy.
They told me Ava had her whole life ahead of her. They told me I could have what I had always wanted, to be a dad. We didn't have to tell anyone. It would be a family secret. Just better for everyone that way, my dad had said. So I agreed.
I had never wanted to hurt Ava. I had given her sleeping pills so she wouldn't go searching for her son. So she could simply fall asleep, and I'd come home later that evening, and together we would discover the absolute heart breaking news that baby Rory had passed away in his sleep. Which is what had happened, just a few hours before.
She had questioned why their would only be one baby to look after, but when I explained that Karl had been a bit under the weather and we wanted to keep a close eye on him, she didn't give it another thought. She never even asked why Jennie wasn't around, given we were supposedly heading off for a mini getaway sans one child.
I hadn't told anyone we'd separated, after she decided having kids just wasn't for her. I felt guilty, but not too guilty. Ava had given the babies away without another thought, not even bothering to check in on them or ask how they were growing. I didn't think it would truly affect her so much. And so.. Badly.
But in a fucked up way, it all worked out in the end, I guess.
Karl was safe then, because the girl that was his mother had truly lost her mind and she was kept away in a place she couldn't reach him, even thought it seemed as if she had completely forgotten of his existence, I always had the idea in my head that she would one day remember there had been two bright green eyed boys, not just the one.
And what if she wanted her other son back, as well? I've kept him safe, unlike I was able to do for his brother. And I wasn't about to start letting someone mess with the sweet natured and gentle boy I'd raised.
I saw things in Ava that made me realise I had never known her, only knew what I thought she was, what I wanted to her to be, the sweet, sweet little sister. Instead, my sibling had been a devil in disguise. As we leave the house, ready to make our trekk to the school bus stop, I glance at the window at the fresh mound of dirt thats waiting to be spread when I get back.
Karl notices it, and asks if he can plant some roses there when he gets home. I tell him that's a wonderful idea, wondering if and how he could possibly know that flowers were Ava's favorite flower.
I shake the idea from my head, and together we walk down the dirt roads, hand in hand.

Let's all take a moment to appreciate the majesty of the Vietnamese spoon. Coming from north America I thought they looked funny.
But damn can they hold some serious volume and don't spill shit everywhere.
I've even used it to grind blueberries etc. in a bowl like a mortar and pestle.
Amazing. And they stack so nicely!

During the snowstorm, these non-tippers still don't tip. During the thunderstorm, they still don't. During the outpouring rain, they still don't. During the icestorm, they still don't. During sandstorm, they still don't. During the hailstorm, they still don't. At freezing temperature, they still don't. Even when tornados and powerful gusts threaten the lives of delivery drivers, they still don't. To non-tippers or people who understand non-tipper's school of thought, under what kind of weather condition would a non-tipper tip? Would non-tipper take pleasure in other people's pain and suffering? Why wouldn't non tipper tip, although they understand that if they were those delivery drivers, they wouldn't accept their own orders? Delivery drivers survive on the tips, not the base fee, which can't even cover their gas, mileage, and car maintenance expenses. I bet a lot of non-tippers know that without the tip, their orders would receive delay or poor services as great dashers with great handling service are less likely to accept their orders requests (This means those non -tippers' orders will be liable to be handled by unprofessional dashers and might not be delivered at all in the worst-case scenario.)

What if X-Men Movie Franchise was made 30 Years Earlier?
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X-Men (1970):
Alec Guinness as Charles XavieProfessor X
Harrison Ford as James "Logan" Howlett/Wolverine
Vincent Price as Erik LehnsherMagneto
Diahann Carroll as Ororo Monroe/Storm
Julie Newmar as Dr. Jean Grey
Michael Douglas as Scott Summers/Cyclops
Kirk Douglas as Senator Robert Kelly
Ann-Margret as Raven Darkhölme/Mystique
Dustin Hoffman as Mortimer Toynbee/Toad
David Prowse as Victor Creed/Sabretooth
Sissy Spacek as Anna Marie D'Ancanto/Rogue
Director: Franklin J. Schaffner
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X2 (1973):
Alec Guinness as Charles XavieProfessor X
Harrison Ford as James "Logan" Howlett/Wolverine
Vincent Price as Erik LehnsherMagneto
Diahann Carroll as Ororo Monroe/Storm
Julie Newmar as Jean Grey
Michael Douglas as Scott Summers/Cyclops
Ann-Margret as Raven Darkhölme/Mystique
Orson Welles as Colonel William Stryker
Michael Caine as Kurt WagneNightcrawler
Jeff Bridges as Bobby Drake/Iceman
Kirk Douglas as Senator Robert Kelly
Jeff Bridges as Bobby Drake/Iceman
Gary Busey as St. John Allerdyce/Pyro
France Nuyen as Yuriko Oyama/Lady Deathstrike
Maureen McCormick as Kitty Pryde/Shadowcat
Maria Yi as Jubilation Lee/Jubilee
Sissy Spacek as Anna Marie D'Ancanto/Rogue
Director: Franklin J. Schaffner
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X-Men: The Last Stand (1976):
Harrison Ford as James "Logan" Howlett/Wolverine
Diahann Carroll as Ororo Monroe/Storm
Vincent Price as Erik LehnsherMagneto
Julie Newmar as Jean Grey/Phoenix
Sissy Spacek as Anna Marie D'Ancanto/Rogue
Dick Van Dyke as Dr. Henry" Hank" McCoy/Beast
Michael Douglas as Scott Summers/Cyclops
Jeff Bridges as Bobby Drake/Iceman
Gary Busey as St. John Allerdyce/Pyro
Richard Kiel as Cain Marko/Juggernaut
Maureen McCormick as Kitty Pryde/Shadowcat
William Katt as Warren Worthington III/Angel
Rosanna DeSoto as Callisto
Burt Lancaster as Warren Worthington II
Lauren Bacall as Dr. Kavita Rao
Henry Fonda as the President of the United States
Woody Strode as Bolivar Trask
Arnold Schwarzenegger as Piotr Rasputin/Colossus
Christopher Walken as Jamie Madrox/Multiple Man
Alec Guinness as Charles XavieProfessor X
Director: Franklin J. Schaffner
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X-Men Origins: Wolverine (1979):
Harrison Ford as James "Logan" Howlett/Wolverine
Donald Sutherland as Victor Creed/Sabretooth
Peter O'Toole as William Stryker
Ernie Hudson as John Wraith/Kestrel
Anne Archer as Kayla Silverfox
"Superstar" Billy Graham as Fred Dukes/Blob
James Woods as Chris Bradley/Bolt
Patrick Swayze as Remy LeBeau/Gambit
Sammo Hung as David North/Agent Zero
Sylvester Stallone as Wade Wilson/Weapon XI
Director: Richard Donner
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X-Men: First Class (1981):
Gabriel Byrne as Charles XavieProfessor X
Jeremy Irons as Erik LehnsherMagneto
Karen Allen as Moira MacTaggert
Michelle Pfeiffer as Raven Darkhölme/Mystique
Jessica Lange as Emma Frost
Maxwell Caulfield as Hank McCoy/Beast
William Shatner as Man In Black Suit
Michael Caine as Azazel
Kevin Bacon as Alex Summers/Havok
Carl Weathers as Armando Muñoz/Darwin
Eric Stoltz as Sean Cassidy/Banshee
Rae Dawn Chong as Angel Salvadore
George C. Scott as CIA Director McCone
Steven Bauer as Janos Quested/Riptide
Harry Morgan as Russian General
Max von Sydow as Colonel Hendry
Sean Connery as Sebastian Shaw/Dr. Klaus Schmidt
Director: Ridley Scott
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The Wolverine (1983):
Harrison Ford as James "Logan" Howlett/Wolverine
Tomoko Ai as Mariko Yashida
Akiko Wada as as Yukio
Sho Kosugi as Shingen Yashida
Irina Alfyorova as Ophelia Sarkissian/Viper
Katsuhiko Sasaki as Noburo
Minoru Chiaki as Ichirō Yashida/Silver Samurai
-Kazuya Aoyama as Young Ichirō Yashida/Silver Samurai
Sonny Chiba as Kenuichio Harada
Julie Newmar as Jean Grey
Director: Richard Donner
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X-Men: Days of Future Past (1984):
Harrison Ford as James "Logan" Howlett/Wolverine
Gabriel Byrne as Charles XavieProfessor X
-Alec Guinness as Older Charles XavieProfessor X
Jeremy Irons as Erik LehnsherMagneto
-Vincent Price as as Older Erik LehnsherMagneto
Michelle Pfeiffer as Raven Darkhölme/Mystique
Diahann Carroll as Ororo Munroe/Storm
Maxwell Caulfield as Hank McCoy/Beast
Sissy Spacek as Anna Marie D'Ancanto/Rogue
Maureen McCormick as Kitty Pryde/Shadowcat
Bob Hoskins as Dr. Bolivar Trask
Jeff Bridges as Bobby Drake/Iceman
Danny Glover as Lucas Bishop/Bishop
Val Kilmer as Pietro Maximoff/Quicksilver
Michael Biehn as Major William Stryker
Arnold Schwarzenegger as Piotr Rasputin/Colossus
Nora Miao as Clarice Ferguson/Blink
Erik Estrada as Roberto da Costa/Sunspot
Lou Diamond Phillips as James ProudstaWarpath
Director: Ridley Scott
​
​
Deadpool (1986):
Sylvester Stallone as Wade Wilson/Deadpool
Sônia Braga as Vanessa Carlysle/Copycat
Mickey Rourke as Francis Freeman/Ajax
Michael Keaton as Jack HammeWeasel
Lynda Carter as Angel Dust
Rosetta LeNoire as Althea/Blind Al
Mary Stuart Masterson as Ellie PhimisteNegasonic Teenage Warhead
Anil Kapoor as Dopinder
Rene Auberjonois as Recuiter
Dennis Burkley as Buck
Fred Williamson as Boothe
Arnold Schwarzenegger as Piotr Rasputin/Colossus
Director: Tony Scott
​
​
X-Men: Apocalypse (1986):
Gabriel Byrne as Charles XavieProfessor X
Jeremy Irons as Erik LehnsherMagneto
Michelle Pfeiffer as Raven Darkhölme/Mystique
David Strathairn as En Sabah NuApocalypse
Maxwell Caulfield as Hank McCoy/Beast
Karen Allen as Moira MacTaggert
Michelle Pfeiffer as Raven Darkhölme/Mystique
Val Kilmer as Pietro Maximoff/Quicksilver
John Cusack as Scott Summers/Cyclops
Robin Wright as Jean Grey
Sylvia Chang as Betsy Braddock/Psylocke
Alan Cumming as Kurt WagneNightcrawler
Vanessa L. Williams as Ororo Munroe/Storm
Kevin Bacon as Alex Summers/Havok
Michael Biehn as Colonel William Stryker
Cary Elwes as Warren Worthington III/Angel
Tia Carrere as Jubilation Lee/Jubilee
Roger Moore as Pentagon Scientist
Sean Bean as Sam
Director: Ridley Scott
​
​
Logan (2017):
Harrison Ford as James "Logan" Howlett/Wolverine
Alec Guinness as Older Charles XavieProfessor X
Gordon "Sting" Sumner as Donald Pierce
Ian McShane as Caliban
Roddy McDowall as Dr. Zander Rice
Melvin Van Peebles as Will Munson
Madge Sinclair as Kathryn Munson
Soleil Moon Frye as Laura Kinney/X-23
Director: Richard Donner
​
​
Deadpool 2 (1988):
Sylvester Stallone as Wade Wilson/Deadpool
Brian Dennehy as Nathan Summers/Cable
Sônia Braga as Vanessa Carlysle/Copycat
Neil Patrick Harris as Russell Collins/Firefist
Jasmine Guy as Neena Thurman/Domino
Michael Keaton as Jack HammeWeasel
Rosetta LeNoire as Althea/Blind Al
Anil Kapoor as Dopinder
Mary Stuart Masterson as Ellie PhimisteNegasonic Teenage Warhead
Ron Silver as Black Tom Cassidy
Scott Glenn as The Headmaster
Tamlyn Tomita as Yukio
Arnold Schwarzenegger as Piotr Rasputin/Colossus
Dennis Burkley as Buck
Director: Tony Scott
​
​
Dark Phoenix (1989):
Gabriel Byrne as Charles XavieProfessor X
Jeremy Irons as Erik LehnsherMagneto
Michelle Pfeiffer as Raven Darkhölme/Mystique
Maxwell Caulfield as Hank McCoy/Beast
Robin Wright as Jean Grey/Phoenix
John Cusack as Scott Summers/Cyclops
Vanessa L. Williams as Ororo Munroe/Storm
Val Kilmer as Pietro Maximoff/Quicksilver
Alan Cumming as Kurt WagneNightcrawler
Susan Sarandon as D'Bari/Vuk
Robert Redford as John Grey
Georg Stanford Brown as Jones
Ronny Cox as the President of the United States
Bridget Fonda as Alison Blaire/Dazzler
Miguel A. Núñez Jr. as Ben Hammil/Match
Director: Ridley Scott
​
​
The New Mutants (1990):
Miranda Otto as Rahne SinclaiWolfsbane
Nicole Kidman as Illyana Rasputin/Magik
Keanu Reeves as Samuel "Sam" Guthrie/Cannonball
María Conchita Alonso as Dr. Cecilia Reyes
Cree Summer as Danielle "Dani" MoonstaMirage
John Leguizamo as Roberto "Bobby" da Costa/Sunspot
Wes Studi as William Lonestar
Director: Joe Johnston

I see the sub has taken on a bit of a west Brit theme today and that’s lovely and all but it’s looking towards the past. I think we need to look towards the future. Instead of going back to the old empire we should look to take our rightful place in the new empire. Here’s some of the reasons I think this would work

• We already have a bunch of Trump supporters here
• The current president of the USA is already Irish and we need a new one soon
• Imagine the craic with the likes of Lauren Boebert and the Healy-Rea brothers in the same house
• It would totally solve the Brexit problems with the north. Sure half of the abandoned Brits up there might be for joining the states

What do you say ireland should we get the campaign started today?

Let me say now; if you disagree with my proposal, YOU'RE NOT A TRUE FAN!
Lisa Loud is such a BORING character; she has no personality, suspends my disbelief like crazy, and is too perfect. She made a weather machine, and it was BORING! She befriended a schoolgirl, and it SUCKED! And farts engaged me more than those STUPID "jump the shark" time-travel storylines; I'M DEAD SERIOUS! All in all, no matter the episode, she's BLOODY BORING! But it's not too late to redeem her character; she has the potential to be meaningful, so how could she be FIXED? Nickelodeon, if you're reading this, I have a proposal, a challenge, if you will.
In Season 7, create a storyline in which Lisa gets a brain tumour; IMAGINE THE DRAMA of a vulnerable Lisa Loud continuously persisting in her scientific studies despite her illness; it needs thinking through, no pun intended, but I guarantee the animation world will be SHOCKED, STUNNED, and MOVED at the effort to make Lisa's character more meaningful; I love Lisa, but it's about time the industry had a BIG SHOCK for a change.
It's no shock that Lisa is an EXCELLENT character; everyone should love her, PERIOD; the end.
And by the way, if Nickelodeon doesn't change Lily's character design in Season 7, I'm committing suicide; I HATE MANLY EYEBROWS!

Expedition report from RG-5
Area of recon: Shore of Meilume due east of Galdush
Report carried out by Lieutenant Eric Ross
Report states: RG-5 has encountered an elven outpost on its way to the shore. The purpose of these outposts is to act as checkpoints for the Imperial army as well as to maintain surveillance within an area. The outpost encountered by RG-5 had thirty soldiers guarding it. RG-5 attempted peaceful contact, however, the elves engaged and RG-5 retaliated. All enemies have been neutralized and RG-5 has suffered no casualties and the outpost has been searched. Upon reaching the shore, RG-5 made peaceful contact with a local fishing village. They helped in local affairs, such as hunting down several feral welfen and repairing their equipment. In return, the locals gave them information on the coast south of the North Alston river. There are seven villages between the river and the Alston kingdom border and three more north of the river, which make up the fishing community of the southeast coast of the empire. The southeast coast and shore are patrolled by the Imperial third fleet with its center in the port city of Cheemo. Further information is required.
Other news: The airstrip has been finalized and drones have been sent to various locations. New findings include the official location of the river city Kuruk to the north and Imperial fort Mundus to the west. A large cluster of Imperial soldiers has been seen gathering on the opposite side of the North Alston river. Numbers count between one hundred and one hundred and fifty thousand, including auxiliary troops. No signs of any movement south of the river. Will continue to observe. The CIA has been able to establish a network in the Meilume capital and the leading agent, Edward Garcia, has confirmed that the nobility is attempting to flee the area. RG-3 is advised to speed up. As for the city itself, the population is estimated to be roughly six hundred thousand with fortifications and a force of ten thousand soldiers. No elements of any Imperial spy network have been discovered.
28th day of late yellow season, 3000th cycle
Meilume capital, Empire of light
General Laeroth's words reached the nobility of Meilume and they heed its instructions. Lord Bellon Belus rushed his family and the guard commander followed. Servants carried bags and soldiers formed a formation to escort them to Una, where they will meet with the army that will bring them to the other side of the river and then to the city of Imslone. Bellon was always a father and husband first, and lord second. Nearly two hundred thousand soldiers were slaughtered in less than a moon cycle. That was proof enough that he needed to leave the capital and save his family. Abandoning his city in the face of the enemy was an act of cowardice, often severely punished, but he would take any punishment for those he loved. He would not be like his father.
Bellon walked through the halls and double-checked every room. "Hurry up! Leave anything not of use! Leave the valuables, they are only dead weight!"
"Bellon!", a woman called him.
"Nimriel.", he said.
"Must we leave? This has been our home for cycles. And our family's home for far longer. Leaving it is-"
"It is the only way. The only way for us to live. We must, Nimriel. If we do not, the enemy will take us."
"But Bellon-"
"Think of our daughter, Nimriel. Think of Taria. What if those barbarians breach the walls? After they're done with the peasants, do you believe they will spare us? I will not allow such a thing to happen."
And speaking of the devil, Taria appeared from the corner, wearing a battle uniform with a sword sheathed on her left hip and holding a helmet in her right hand. "I am ready father."
Bellon couldn't say he was shocked too much. Since she was little she used to sneak into the courtyard and train with the guard commander. He knew and let her do what she wanted. It made her happy. But this was uncalled for.
"Stop fooling around Taria.", Bellon said, "This is a serious matter."
"Then take me seriously!", Taria responded, "The enemy is coming and I must be ready."
"You are not staying. You are coming with us to Imslone."
"I am not. I will not commit an act of cowardice and leave my post."
"Your post is beside me. I am your father!"
"I am not a little girl anymore! I have trained with Aego for over a hundred cycles! I am ready!"
"This enemy destroyed two armies and bested two generals! We stand no chance! Our only choice is to flee as far as we can and let the armies deal with them. The best we can hope to do is slow them down."
"You dare doubt our guard like that, father! These soldiers are just as strong as those of the Imperial army and our walls have held off the Rosians and ferals! We can-"
"Do you not hear me you stupid girl!", Bellon's voice boomed through the walls and made the servants and guards stop in their tracks, "I do not care for your illusions! The enemy is real! Wars are bloody and repulsive and not a place for you! You are the daughter of a lord! You are the heir to Meilume and a member of the Belus family! You will cease this foolishness at once and act accordingly!"
This was the loudest Bellon ever had to shout. He could feel his throat hurting. Taria could only feel tears falling down her cheeks as she lowered her head in shame. In truth, she just wanted to prove she was as capable as she claimed. That despite being a girl she could live in the world of men. But her dreams would have to wait. Bellon groaned and shook his head as he kept walking down the hall. Nimriel hugged her daughter and tried to reassure her everything will be alright, but her words fell on deaf ears.
As Nimriel left, someone else walked over to Taria from behind. As he placed his hand on her shoulder, Taria turned around and saw a man she thought of as her second father. "Aego.", she said through tears.
"Do not be saddened, my lady.", he said as he wiped her tears, "Your father said what he said because he cares. You are his only daughter, more valuable to him than this entire world. He only wants what is best for you. And right now, the best for you is to go to Imslone."
"B-But the enemy. What will you do?"
"I am coming with you, my lady. I left my first captain in charge. He will make sure these otherworlders bleed for this city."
Taria hugged him, still shedding tears, "Thank you Aego. Thank you."
Aego hugged her back.
---
29th of June, 2070
Since the Rift Groups programs have been initiated, soldiers all around have been eager to join. Some more than others, some less. But none were as stocked as sergeant Emma Davis. The second youngest member of RG-1, she was nicknamed 'Trigger-finger' for a reason. Great results in the shooting range, but not much else. Still, when she heard the 'Prodigy' was joining she couldn't control herself. Ever since they left for Alston, she's been clinging to Logan like a leach.
"Sir, how many people have you killed?", she asked.
"I lost count.", Logan answered.
"Sir, why have you joined the army?"
"It's a family tradition."
"Sir, have you been shot?"
"Yes."
"Sir, may I see it?"
"No."
"Sir, why did you leave the special forces?"
Logan didn't answer that one.
"Sir-"
"Emma shut up already.", Jacob said.
"Yeah, I think you're getting on the captain's nerves.", Michael said.
Staff sergeant Jacob Brown and corporal Michael Hoilman, Emma's friends since high school and pretty much the only reason she's not in jail. They've stuck by her side, being her big brothers for years, and kind of grown attached to her. It was like having a little sister.
"No I'm not.", Emma said.
"Yes you are.", Jacob said.
"You hold your captain in quite a high regard.", said Krolm, the leanoid, "Why?"
"Are you kidding me?", Emma said, "He's Logan Connors. All of Fort Bragg and the rangers know about him."
"Are rangers perhaps elites in your army?", asked Kai, the welfen.
"We're rangers.", said veteran sniper sergeant Nick Harper aka 'Bullseye', "We're a strike fast group made for quick attacks and quick action. We're not like the rest of the army that fights on the front lines. We fight in forests, towns, cities, forts, you name it. We hit fast, hard, and take care of our mission."
"Hell yeah we do!", shouted corporal Lamar Jones, the 'Heavy gunner'.
"Interesting.", said Clara, the lepian, "So that's why you have us with you. It makes sense, you don't really need us on the front lines when you got your large cannons and these armored carriages."
RG-1 wasn't just a normal group. It was the only group with sixty-six soldiers, a captain, and twice as many vehicles. This made them quite a force and that was necessary since they were being deployed to the border of Alston. After prince Bodin agreed to assist REC he chose three people who would aid him. Gregor Bachwich, son of Herwin Bachwich, the baron of the border town of Afa. He will be important in establishing first contact with the Rosians. Lieutenant Pallius Blazewing, son of Lor Blazewing, a great military figure in the Opherin army. The Opherin kingdom prides itself on great military history, having fought more battles than any Rosian kingdom or duchy in history. And finally, a youngster named Matheo Calo. There was nothing special about him besides being prince Bodin's personal squire. He's been with Bodin for years and the two became more than just prince and servant. Furthermore, Bodin promised Matheo he would bring him back to his mother in Olinor. Prince Bodin himself didn't choose to come along. His reasoning was that he wants to present himself in front of all the kings and dukes when they all gathered together. One more person did come with them. Ambassador Eugene Anderson. Together, they will establish peace. Or war.
Right now they were on their way to Afa, only several more minutes. In the LAV where the tribals were, private first-class Ethan Williams sat, writing in his journal. He was the youngest and newest addition to the group. Fresh off the academy, he graduated to be a sniper and was eager to learn from both Logan and Nick. But something kept him from them. Next to him sat Carla, who kept eyeballing him and his weapon. Ethan was nervous, he wasn't used to girls sitting near him, or even looking at him, and Carla seemed interested.
"What is this weapon?", she asked.
"O-Oh Ummm, this?", he stuttered, "This is a modified and modernized Mk22 ASR sniper rifle. I know there are older models but my granddad taught me how to use this one. It can hit a target from about twenty-two hundred yards away. In your measurements, that's four leagues."
Carla's ears went up, "Amazing! I bet I could hunt a lot of meat with it."
"Well, um. It takes a lot of skill to use it. I could show you, sometime."
"Oh?", Carla raised an eyebrow and moved closer smiling, "I think I would like that.". She purred a little which made Ethan stutter and sweat. Across from them, Lin watched with her arms crossed.
"What?", Carla asked, "Envious?"
"Not at all.", Lin said as she grabbed Lamar's arm, "I prefer strong males.". Lamar opened his mouth but couldn't say anything. He and Ethan just stared at each other.
"Before your boners brake your belts and that LAV becomes hotter than a pizza oven at Papa John's, I wanna let you know we're almost there.", said lieutenant James Wilson over the comms from the leading JLTV3, the most veteran among them, chosen to uphold discipline.
"Thank you.", said Logan.
"They seem to be getting along.", said ambassador Anderson.
"Indeed.", said Gregor, "I must say, you humans are more strange than you are frightening. The way you use words with one meaning for another. And your expressions as well. Definitely not the savages Canus described."
"I'm glad we could prove that to you. And it appears we are about to prove it to the rest of your kingdom.". They were nearly at Afa. This town serves as a fortified stronghold against the empire should they attack. Its walls were tall and thick, with bastion towers and a single entry gate. It would be difficult for the elves to take it.
"The town currently has a thousand soldiers protecting it. It's usually three thousand, but two thousand went with me through the rift. Most likely on the orders of the elves, my father would never allow it."
"Only three thousand?", James asked.
"Three thousand official soldiers, but should the need arise we can recruit militia fighters from the residents. The town itself has a population of eighty thousand."
"That's a lot of people.", Eugene said.
"Yes. Luckily, it is able to support them, even if barely. The elves aren't exactly sharing people."
"That will all change soon."
As the convoy approached the gate, a ballista javelin hit the road in front of them. The city defenders had assembled on the wall and aimed their weapons at them. While the vehicles are armored, the JLTVs have weak spots a javelin can pierce.
"Hold it!", shouted a man on the wall, presumably the commander, "Present yourselves immediately."
"I'll take care of this.", Logan said as he exited the JLTV with his hands raised, "I am Captain Logan Connors of the Rift Expeditionary Corps! We are from Galdush and have come to make peaceful relations with the kingdom of Alston!"
"Why should we listen to you!?"
"If not me, then how about someone more familiar!".
At that moment, Gregor stepped out of the JLTV3 and, to put it mildly, made the defenders' hearts skip a beat. "Commander Barion! It is good to see you!"
Barion couldn't even speak for moments. His young baron was alive. Against all odds, he made it back. "Y-Young baron!", he finally spoke, "You... You live! How!? And what are you doing with the enemy?!"
"I assure you, they are not the enemy! I will explain everything, but first, I need to ask you to open this gate and let these soldiers in!"
Barion hesitated for a moment, "B-But young ba-"
"Commander, do not make me order you!"
He immediately understood, "Open this gate immediately! Let them in! Someone inform the baron!"
The gate opened and the convoy made it in. Luckily, there was enough room to fit all of them in. Barion and his men, as well as the people, could only stare in awe at what was before them. Truly, people from another world. The commander stepped down and greeted them as well as Gregor.
"Young baron, you have a lot of explaining to do.", Barion said.
"All will be explained soon.", Gregor said.
"Gregor!", shouted a little girl as she ran towards him.
"Elora.", Gregor said as he hugged her, "My little sister. It is good to see you.". Behind her came his mother and father, who at first walked slowly with tears in their eyes, not believing it was him.
"My son.", Herwin said as he hugged Gregor, "By the heavens. You live."
"Mother. Father. I have returned. Let me introduce you to someone. This is Lord Ambassador Eugene Anderson from the land of America on the other side of the rift. He is here to represent his country and the humans."
Herwin immediately walked to him and bowed, "I am Baron Herwin Bachwich. Thank you for sparing my son's life. It is an honor to have you here, Lord Anderson."
"The honor is mine baron.", Eugene said, "I hope we will be able to discuss peace with you and your kingdom."
This confused Herwin, "Peace?"
"I have much to tell you father.", Gregor said, "The prince lives."
Completely frozen, Herwin took a few moments to process that before replying, "He lives?"
"Enemies!", shouted a soldier from the wall. Commander Barion and Logan rushed up the wall. Logan grabbed his binoculars and observed the enemy from a distance. They came from a treeline, their camp was behind it, otherwise, RG-1 would have spotted them.
"I count five hundred.", Logan said, "Various races. Elves, Rosians, ferals."
"How?", Barion asked.
"These are binoculars. They allow me to see things from a distance. Try it."
Logan handed the binoculars to Barion, who observed them for a few moments before putting them on his eyes and facing the enemy. "Incredible."
Barion handed them back but Logan refused, "Keep it, I have a spare. I get the elves, but why are your people attacking you?"
"Those bastards aren't our people. They are traitors and thieves who think the kingdom is done for. So they run to the empire and beg them for forgiveness.". He spat in disgust.
"And the elves. They don't look like the army."
"They most likely were. They call themselves rogues, those who stray from their so-called 'Path of light'. Both of these traitors sicken me."
"Then let us help you."
"Why would you help us?"
"If we're gonna be at peace with one another, we have to establish a certain level of trust, don't we?"
Barion pondered for a bit before answering, "Very well. I am eager to see the army that defeated the elves."
Nodding Logan walked to the edge of the wall and faced his men. "Jones, take your men and mount the machine guns! Davis, bring the ammo! Williams, Harper, get to higher ground and shoot anyone that looks important or a large threat! Wilson, take Green and set up the mortar! Move it, they'll be here in minutes!"
RG-1 immediately went to work. Jones and his men carried the machine guns from the trucks and mounted them on the walls, Williams and Harper climbed up the tallest tower they could find and got into position. Wilson set up the 60mm mortar in the town square.
"I think we should get to safety.", Eugene said.
"You are right.", Herwin said, "Follow me."
Logan got into position with his Mk4 SCAR chambered in 7.62mm. "Commander, I need a favor."
"What is it, captain?", Barion asked.
"If these guys fire arrows, we don't have shields to defend ourselves. You think your men can take of that?"
"Certainly. Get the shields ready! Protect their soldiers!". In moments, each ranger had a Rosian soldier behind him or her with a shield ready. It was time to fight.
The horde moved closer and closer. First, they walked and then picked up the pace as they put shields above their heads. Naturally, the ferals ran towards the wall like rabid animals. "Hold!", Logan said as he gripped his gun, "Wait for them to get closer!". There was one elf on a horse swinging his sword and giving commands. Not for long.
"It's all you kid.", Harper said as he watched Williams aim his shot.
Letting out a breath, Williams pulled the trigger and splattered the elf's brain all over the field. "Boom boom motherfucker."
"Weapons free! Light them up!", Logan shouted as the rangers opened fire on the ferals. The freaks fell by the dozens as bullets pierced their chest, heads, legs, and arms and turned them into cold, dead corpses. The mortar fired at the enemies behind them, who stopped in their tracks, clearly confused and terrified. The rangers aimed their weapons at them and started cutting them down.
"Get some, blueberries!", Davis shouted, "Come closer! I dare ya!"
The few dozen that survived retreated back to the trees. The rangers cheered, but the Rosians didn't cheer as much as they stared in awe. Now they see why the elves lost, these people are powerful.
Commander Barion walked to Logan, "Thank you for the assistance. But I doubt this is the last we have seen of them."
"I know.", Logan said, "That's why I'll have one of my guys scout those trees with a drone along with Lin and Clara.". Logan walked down to the two of them, "Scot! Get over here!"
"Coming!", Scot answered. Scot Green aka 'Mechanic', was the group's engineer. He was also their drone pilot. "Yes sir?"
"I need you to pilot the Fly into those tree lines and scout for the enemy.". The SPFD Fly was a small recon drone invented by DARPA to save both room and energy. Solar-powered and long-lasting battery, coupled with its long-range and small size made it a very useful tool to have in recon missions. "Lin, Carla, you two are also going. I need good eyes and ears over there."
"Sure thing, sir.", Lin said saluting the best she could.
"You two do know how to use a radio, right?"
"Of course we do.", Clara said, "We're not idiots."
"Good. Go.". Lin and Carla ran to the trees as Scott maneuvered the Fly.
The baron and his family, along with Ambassador Eugene walked over to the soldiers. The baron was first to speak, "That was... most impressive. But I must ask. Why peace? Surely you seem powerful enough to take the kingdoms by force."
"Because my people aren't barbarians, baron.", Anderson said, "If peace can be made, then we will do anything to make it a reality."
"I see. And the prince? What does he say about this?"
"You can ask him yourself.", Anderson said as he nodded to Logan who signaled his men to set up a desk and a large screen. "With this device, we can talk to the prince and even see him."
"Amazing.", said Herwin as he eagerly awaited to see his prince. After some preparations, the screen was ready and it turned on. The lights slightly startled the Rosians before the screen was clear and on it was prince Bodin himself. "My... My prince.", Herwin said as he knelt, "It is a miracle. You truly live."
"Baron Bachwich.", Bodin spoke, "Please, rise. I am not before you just yet. This is strange for me as well. Am I correct to assume the human soldiers have arrived?"
"Yes, my prince. They recently just helped us crush an attack from a bandit horde."
"Do you then see why I have chosen to make peace with these people?"
After a momentary pause, Herwin nodded, "I do, my prince. It is incredible to see that a nation so powerful is willing to make peace with its enemy and not subdue it."
"We are not their enemy, baron. The elves and their empire are. This is why they chose to make peace with us. They understand we are just vassals forced to fight. I suggest you hear Lord Anderson out."
As they were talking, Scot called for Logan, "Sir. I have a visual."
Logan nodded, "Alright. Commander Barion, would you like to see the enemy?"
"Yes.", Barion answered, "Show me."
Scot pulled up the video feed on his screen, "This is their camp. I count roughly three thousand. Lin and Carla confirm."
"Where are those two?", Logan asked.
"In the trees."
"Call them back and give me the radio.", Logan took the radio, "Galdush base. Come in Galdush base. This is Captain Logan Connors of Rift Group 1. Do you copy? Over."
After a few moments, the radio spoke, "Copy Rift Group 1. Sitrep. Over."
"Galdush, we have made contact with border town Afa. Upon entry, we engaged a third party, designated rogue elves, and bandit Rosians. Half a battalion attacked us but we drove them off. We confirm the enemy numbers in three thousand, various races. What's the status of our air forces? Over."
"Three air squadrons of Invictus ACs and a Boeing Stratofortress is currently being fueled and should be ready in half an hour."
"Galdush I request a tactical bombing run. The area will be marked via drone. How copy?"
The radio went silent for a few moments before speaking again, "Affirmative RG-1. Stratofortress will be up in the air as soon as possible. Make sure to mark the area. Galdush out."
"Copy that Galdush. RG-1 out."
"What was that?", Barion asked.
"You're gonna get another demonstration."
"Captain!", Carla shouted as she ran towards him. "I have eliminated an enemy scout.", she said as she extended a severed head toward Logan.
Logan smacked his lips before replying, "I see. Get rid of it."
"Yes sir.", Carla said as she tossed the head into a nearby pile of trash.
'At least she's helping', Logan thought.
---
(Two hours later)
The bandits and rogues were sitting in their tents, trying to plan an attack. The otherworlders were an unexpected problem, but hopefully a problem they could be dealt with.
"Alright, listen.", said an elf, "We'll strike at night. It didn't work last time because there were too many of them, but I reckon there can't be more than a few dozen of them."
"That doesn't matter.", said a Rosian, "I've seen what that few can do."
"You attacked with five hundred to scout their defenses. You were never supposed to win. Besides, we can use the tribals to deal with them. As we are attacking the front, they will go to the sides and strike."
"Are you sure this will work?"
"Yes. Soon, Afa will be ours."
At that moment, an elf rushed into the tent, "Sir, you must come and see this!"
They left the tent and came to the center of the tent. The one who called them pointed upwards into the sky. There they saw something flying. A wyvern? No, it was too big. Its wings didn't flap. What could it be? As it flew over them, something fell from it. Many egg-like things started falling and as they fell to the ground, they engulfed the camp in fire and shook the earth. In moments, the whole camp was on fire and everyone was either dead or dying. The ground was turned into a burning pile of scorched bodies.
If there were any doubts about the power of the otherwolders left, they were long gone now.
---
(Meanwhile)
Road to Una
The Belus family along with commander Aego and two hundred soldiers were on their way to Una. Taria did not wish to ride with her father and so she rode on a horse alongside Aego. Their hopes were that they would reach Una in several days and then cross the river.
"My lady.", Aego spoke, "Are you certain you should be riding alongside me and not in the carriage?"
"I do not wish to speak to my father.", Taria said, "At least not now."
"I assumed we cleared this matter."
"We have but... I still need time."
Aego sighed, "I understand. Still, you should not hate him for-", he stopped and halted the soldiers.
"What?"
"Something is not as it should be. This outpost is quiet.". The soldiers tensed up. They could also feel that something wasn't right. In a split second, Aego was shot by an arrow in the side.
"Ambush!", Taria yelled out. Suddenly, elves, welfen, and leanoids ran from the sides and the outpost. The soldiers prepared but found themselves overwhelmed by the enemies' numbers. Rogue elves fired arrows at them while welfen and leanoids exploited weaknesses and struck. Still, the soldiers fought hard, making sure the traitors and savages suffer. The enemy numbers were dropping, but not quickly enough. Taria used her training and cut down several rogues before crouching down to help Aego.
"Aego!", she yelled, "Aego hold on! You will live! Please!". She cried as he struggled to breathe. He grabbed her arm and pushed her to the side, just in time for her to dodge a spear from a leanoid. She watched as Aego spat blood before dying, his life leaving his body. In pure rage, she screamed and struck the leanoid in the side. Pulling out her sword she blocked a strike from a rogue, stepped closer, and headbutted him before slitting his throat.
Turning to her left she saw the rogues and tribals dragging her family. "Father!", she yelled, but couldn't help as a rogue hit her in the back of the head, knocking her down on the ground. Her blurred vision faded away as the rogue smiled down at her.
"Sweet dreams, little girl.", was what he said before she passed out completely.
End of chapter 9
​
---
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For context, I’m a community psychiatric nurse for the NHS. I work with vulnerable people in the north east with varying amounts of income, some students, people unable to work and professionals.
Every time I go to council blocks it’s bleak. The buzzer is broken, lifts break regularly, there’s often a smell of weed, the communal areas are dirty, the flats are cold as fuck. The buildings themselves are brutal with damage around the sills, doors etc. Small stuff that gets broken can be fixed by the one or two allocated handymen, the ones I’ve met have all been sound, doing their best and even will check on anyone they’re worried about. Bigger stuff will get fixed but takes ages, which is an issue if the lift breaks as they only go to alternate floors, so if you struggle to walk good luck.
To completely nerd out, all I can think of is the broken windows theory. Basically if small things aren’t looked after then people will give even less of a shit than before leading to graffiti etc. you will always get people who take the piss eg with the weed, but the one of two handymen can only do so much to help keep it spic and span. Basically with the housing crisis I find it sad that what we have can’t be better looked after. It genuinely feels like because they don’t make much money no one gives a fuck, the majority of residents do their best but get annoyed by how unkempt it is.

Expedition report from RG-5
Area of recon: Shore of Meilume due east of Galdush
Report carried out by Lieutenant Eric Ross
Report states: RG-5 has encountered an elven outpost on its way to the shore. The purpose of these outposts is to act as checkpoints for the Imperial army as well as to maintain surveillance within an area. The outpost encountered by RG-5 had thirty soldiers guarding it. RG-5 attempted peaceful contact, however, the elves engaged and RG-5 retaliated. All enemies have been neutralized and RG-5 has suffered no casualties and the outpost has been searched. Upon reaching the shore, RG-5 made peaceful contact with a local fishing village. They helped in local affairs, such as hunting down several feral welfen and repairing their equipment. In return, the locals gave them information on the coast south of the North Alston river. There are seven villages between the river and the Alston kingdom border and three more north of the river, which make up the fishing community of the southeast coast of the empire. The southeast coast and shore are patrolled by the Imperial third fleet with its center in the port city of Cheemo. Further information is required.
Other news: The airstrip has been finalized and drones have been sent to various locations. New findings include the official location of the river city Kuruk to the north and Imperial fort Mundus to the west. A large cluster of Imperial soldiers has been seen gathering on the opposite side of the North Alston river. Numbers count between one hundred and one hundred and fifty thousand, including auxiliary troops. No signs of any movement south of the river. Will continue to observe. The CIA has been able to establish a network in the Meilume capital and the leading agent, Edward Garcia, has confirmed that the nobility is attempting to flee the area. RG-3 is advised to speed up. As for the city itself, the population is estimated to be roughly six hundred thousand with fortifications and a force of ten thousand soldiers. No elements of any Imperial spy network have been discovered.
28th day of late yellow season, 3000th cycle
Meilume capital, Empire of light
General Laeroth's words reached the nobility of Meilume and they heed its instructions. Lord Bellon Belus rushed his family and the guard commander followed. Servants carried bags and soldiers formed a formation to escort them to Una, where they will meet with the army that will bring them to the other side of the river and then to the city of Imslone. Bellon was always a father and husband first, and lord second. Nearly two hundred thousand soldiers were slaughtered in less than a moon cycle. That was proof enough that he needed to leave the capital and save his family. Abandoning his city in the face of the enemy was an act of cowardice, often severely punished, but he would take any punishment for those he loved. He would not be like his father.
Bellon walked through the halls and double-checked every room. "Hurry up! Leave anything not of use! Leave the valuables, they are only dead weight!"
"Bellon!", a woman called him.
"Nimriel.", he said.
"Must we leave? This has been our home for cycles. And our family's home for far longer. Leaving it is-"
"It is the only way. The only way for us to live. We must, Nimriel. If we do not, the enemy will take us."
"But Bellon-"
"Think of our daughter, Nimriel. Think of Taria. What if those barbarians breach the walls? After they're done with the peasants, do you believe they will spare us? I will not allow such a thing to happen."
And speaking of the devil, Taria appeared from the corner, wearing a battle uniform with a sword sheathed on her left hip and holding a helmet in her right hand. "I am ready father."
Bellon couldn't say he was shocked too much. Since she was little she used to sneak into the courtyard and train with the guard commander. He knew and let her do what she wanted. It made her happy. But this was uncalled for.
"Stop fooling around Taria.", Bellon said, "This is a serious matter."
"Then take me seriously!", Taria responded, "The enemy is coming and I must be ready."
"You are not staying. You are coming with us to Imslone."
"I am not. I will not commit an act of cowardice and leave my post."
"Your post is beside me. I am your father!"
"I am not a little girl anymore! I have trained with Aego for over a hundred cycles! I am ready!"
"This enemy destroyed two armies and bested two generals! We stand no chance! Our only choice is to flee as far as we can and let the armies deal with them. The best we can hope to do is slow them down."
"You dare doubt our guard like that, father! These soldiers are just as strong as those of the Imperial army and our walls have held off the Rosians and ferals! We can-"
"Do you not hear me you stupid girl!", Bellon's voice boomed through the walls and made the servants and guards stop in their tracks, "I do not care for your illusions! The enemy is real! Wars are bloody and repulsive and not a place for you! You are the daughter of a lord! You are the heir to Meilume and a member of the Belus family! You will cease this foolishness at once and act accordingly!"
This was the loudest Bellon ever had to shout. He could feel his throat hurting. Taria could only feel tears falling down her cheeks as she lowered her head in shame. In truth, she just wanted to prove she was as capable as she claimed. That despite being a girl she could live in the world of men. But her dreams would have to wait. Bellon groaned and shook his head as he kept walking down the hall. Nimriel hugged her daughter and tried to reassure her everything will be alright, but her words fell on deaf ears.
As Nimriel left, someone else walked over to Taria from behind. As he placed his hand on her shoulder, Taria turned around and saw a man she thought of as her second father. "Aego.", she said through tears.
"Do not be saddened, my lady.", he said as he wiped her tears, "Your father said what he said because he cares. You are his only daughter, more valuable to him than this entire world. He only wants what is best for you. And right now, the best for you is to go to Imslone."
"B-But the enemy. What will you do?"
"I am coming with you, my lady. I left my first captain in charge. He will make sure these otherworlders bleed for this city."
Taria hugged him, still shedding tears, "Thank you Aego. Thank you."
Aego hugged her back.
---
29th of June, 2070
Since the Rift Groups programs have been initiated, soldiers all around have been eager to join. Some more than others, some less. But none were as stocked as sergeant Emma Davis. The second youngest member of RG-1, she was nicknamed 'Trigger-finger' for a reason. Great results in the shooting range, but not much else. Still, when she heard the 'Prodigy' was joining she couldn't control herself. Ever since they left for Alston, she's been clinging to Logan like a leach.
"Sir, how many people have you killed?", she asked.
"I lost count.", Logan answered.
"Sir, why have you joined the army?"
"It's a family tradition."
"Sir, have you been shot?"
"Yes."
"Sir, may I see it?"
"No."
"Sir, why did you leave the special forces?"
Logan didn't answer that one.
"Sir-"
"Emma shut up already.", Jacob said.
"Yeah, I think you're getting on the captain's nerves.", Michael said.
Staff sergeant Jacob Brown and corporal Michael Hoilman, Emma's friends since high school and pretty much the only reason she's not in jail. They've stuck by her side, being her big brothers for years, and kind of grown attached to her. It was like having a little sister.
"No I'm not.", Emma said.
"Yes you are.", Jacob said.
"You hold your captain in quite a high regard.", said Krolm, the leanoid, "Why?"
"Are you kidding me?", Emma said, "He's Logan Connors. All of Fort Bragg and the rangers know about him."
"Are rangers perhaps elites in your army?", asked Kai, the welfen.
"We're rangers.", said veteran sniper sergeant Nick Harper aka 'Bullseye', "We're a strike fast group made for quick attacks and quick action. We're not like the rest of the army that fights on the front lines. We fight in forests, towns, cities, forts, you name it. We hit fast, hard, and take care of our mission."
"Hell yeah we do!", shouted corporal Lamar Jones, the 'Heavy gunner'.
"Interesting.", said Clara, the lepian, "So that's why you have us with you. It makes sense, you don't really need us on the front lines when you got your large cannons and these armored carriages."
RG-1 wasn't just a normal group. It was the only group with sixty-six soldiers, a captain, and twice as many vehicles. This made them quite a force and that was necessary since they were being deployed to the border of Alston. After prince Bodin agreed to assist REC he chose three people who would aid him. Gregor Bachwich, son of Herwin Bachwich, the baron of the border town of Afa. He will be important in establishing first contact with the Rosians. Lieutenant Pallius Blazewing, son of Lor Blazewing, a great military figure in the Opherin army. The Opherin kingdom prides itself on great military history, having fought more battles than any Rosian kingdom or duchy in history. And finally, a youngster named Matheo Calo. There was nothing special about him besides being prince Bodin's personal squire. He's been with Bodin for years and the two became more than just prince and servant. Furthermore, Bodin promised Matheo he would bring him back to his mother in Olinor. Prince Bodin himself didn't choose to come along. His reasoning was that he wants to present himself in front of all the kings and dukes when they all gathered together. One more person did come with them. Ambassador Eugene Anderson. Together, they will establish peace. Or war.
Right now they were on their way to Afa, only several more minutes. In the LAV where the tribals were, private first-class Ethan Williams sat, writing in his journal. He was the youngest and newest addition to the group. Fresh off the academy, he graduated to be a sniper and was eager to learn from both Logan and Nick. But something kept him from them. Next to him sat Carla, who kept eyeballing him and his weapon. Ethan was nervous, he wasn't used to girls sitting near him, or even looking at him, and Carla seemed interested.
"What is this weapon?", she asked.
"O-Oh Ummm, this?", he stuttered, "This is a modified and modernized Mk22 ASR sniper rifle. I know there are older models but my granddad taught me how to use this one. It can hit a target from about twenty-two hundred yards away. In your measurements, that's four leagues."
Carla's ears went up, "Amazing! I bet I could hunt a lot of meat with it."
"Well, um. It takes a lot of skill to use it. I could show you, sometime."
"Oh?", Carla raised an eyebrow and moved closer smiling, "I think I would like that.". She purred a little which made Ethan stutter and sweat. Across from them, Lin watched with her arms crossed.
"What?", Carla asked, "Envious?"
"Not at all.", Lin said as she grabbed Lamar's arm, "I prefer strong males.". Lamar opened his mouth but couldn't say anything. He and Ethan just stared at each other.
"Before your boners brake your belts and that LAV becomes hotter than a pizza oven at Papa John's, I wanna let you know we're almost there.", said lieutenant James Wilson over the comms from the leading JLTV3, the most veteran among them, chosen to uphold discipline.
"Thank you.", said Logan.
"They seem to be getting along.", said ambassador Anderson.
"Indeed.", said Gregor, "I must say, you humans are more strange than you are frightening. The way you use words with one meaning for another. And your expressions as well. Definitely not the savages Canus described."
"I'm glad we could prove that to you. And it appears we are about to prove it to the rest of your kingdom.". They were nearly at Afa. This town serves as a fortified stronghold against the empire should they attack. Its walls were tall and thick, with bastion towers and a single entry gate. It would be difficult for the elves to take it.
"The town currently has a thousand soldiers protecting it. It's usually three thousand, but two thousand went with me through the rift. Most likely on the orders of the elves, my father would never allow it."
"Only three thousand?", James asked.
"Three thousand official soldiers, but should the need arise we can recruit militia fighters from the residents. The town itself has a population of eighty thousand."
"That's a lot of people.", Eugene said.
"Yes. Luckily, it is able to support them, even if barely. The elves aren't exactly sharing people."
"That will all change soon."
As the convoy approached the gate, a ballista javelin hit the road in front of them. The city defenders had assembled on the wall and aimed their weapons at them. While the vehicles are armored, the JLTVs have weak spots a javelin can pierce.
"Hold it!", shouted a man on the wall, presumably the commander, "Present yourselves immediately."
"I'll take care of this.", Logan said as he exited the JLTV with his hands raised, "I am Captain Logan Connors of the Rift Expeditionary Corps! We are from Galdush and have come to make peaceful relations with the kingdom of Alston!"
"Why should we listen to you!?"
"If not me, then how about someone more familiar!".
At that moment, Gregor stepped out of the JLTV3 and, to put it mildly, made the defenders' hearts skip a beat. "Commander Barion! It is good to see you!"
Barion couldn't even speak for moments. His young baron was alive. Against all odds, he made it back. "Y-Young baron!", he finally spoke, "You... You live! How!? And what are you doing with the enemy?!"
"I assure you, they are not the enemy! I will explain everything, but first, I need to ask you to open this gate and let these soldiers in!"
Barion hesitated for a moment, "B-But young ba-"
"Commander, do not make me order you!"
He immediately understood, "Open this gate immediately! Let them in! Someone inform the baron!"
The gate opened and the convoy made it in. Luckily, there was enough room to fit all of them in. Barion and his men, as well as the people, could only stare in awe at what was before them. Truly, people from another world. The commander stepped down and greeted them as well as Gregor.
"Young baron, you have a lot of explaining to do.", Barion said.
"All will be explained soon.", Gregor said.
"Gregor!", shouted a little girl as she ran towards him.
"Elora.", Gregor said as he hugged her, "My little sister. It is good to see you.". Behind her came his mother and father, who at first walked slowly with tears in their eyes, not believing it was him.
"My son.", Herwin said as he hugged Gregor, "By the heavens. You live."
"Mother. Father. I have returned. Let me introduce you to someone. This is Lord Ambassador Eugene Anderson from the land of America on the other side of the rift. He is here to represent his country and the humans."
Herwin immediately walked to him and bowed, "I am Baron Herwin Bachwich. Thank you for sparing my son's life. It is an honor to have you here, Lord Anderson."
"The honor is mine baron.", Eugene said, "I hope we will be able to discuss peace with you and your kingdom."
This confused Herwin, "Peace?"
"I have much to tell you father.", Gregor said, "The prince lives."
Completely frozen, Herwin took a few moments to process that before replying, "He lives?"
"Enemies!", shouted a soldier from the wall. Commander Barion and Logan rushed up the wall. Logan grabbed his binoculars and observed the enemy from a distance. They came from a treeline, their camp was behind it, otherwise, RG-1 would have spotted them.
"I count five hundred.", Logan said, "Various races. Elves, Rosians, ferals."
"How?", Barion asked.
"These are binoculars. They allow me to see things from a distance. Try it."
Logan handed the binoculars to Barion, who observed them for a few moments before putting them on his eyes and facing the enemy. "Incredible."
Barion handed them back but Logan refused, "Keep it, I have a spare. I get the elves, but why are your people attacking you?"
"Those bastards aren't our people. They are traitors and thieves who think the kingdom is done for. So they run to the empire and beg them for forgiveness.". He spat in disgust.
"And the elves. They don't look like the army."
"They most likely were. They call themselves rogues, those who stray from their so-called 'Path of light'. Both of these traitors sicken me."
"Then let us help you."
"Why would you help us?"
"If we're gonna be at peace with one another, we have to establish a certain level of trust, don't we?"
Barion pondered for a bit before answering, "Very well. I am eager to see the army that defeated the elves."
Nodding Logan walked to the edge of the wall and faced his men. "Jones, take your men and mount the machine guns! Davis, bring the ammo! Williams, Harper, get to higher ground and shoot anyone that looks important or a large threat! Wilson, take Green and set up the mortar! Move it, they'll be here in minutes!"
RG-1 immediately went to work. Jones and his men carried the machine guns from the trucks and mounted them on the walls, Williams and Harper climbed up the tallest tower they could find and got into position. Wilson set up the 60mm mortar in the town square.
"I think we should get to safety.", Eugene said.
"You are right.", Herwin said, "Follow me."
Logan got into position with his Mk4 SCAR chambered in 7.62mm. "Commander, I need a favor."
"What is it, captain?", Barion asked.
"If these guys fire arrows, we don't have shields to defend ourselves. You think your men can take of that?"
"Certainly. Get the shields ready! Protect their soldiers!". In moments, each ranger had a Rosian soldier behind him or her with a shield ready. It was time to fight.
The horde moved closer and closer. First, they walked and then picked up the pace as they put shields above their heads. Naturally, the ferals ran towards the wall like rabid animals. "Hold!", Logan said as he gripped his gun, "Wait for them to get closer!". There was one elf on a horse swinging his sword and giving commands. Not for long.
"It's all you kid.", Harper said as he watched Williams aim his shot.
Letting out a breath, Williams pulled the trigger and splattered the elf's brain all over the field. "Boom boom motherfucker."
"Weapons free! Light them up!", Logan shouted as the rangers opened fire on the ferals. The freaks fell by the dozens as bullets pierced their chest, heads, legs, and arms and turned them into cold, dead corpses. The mortar fired at the enemies behind them, who stopped in their tracks, clearly confused and terrified. The rangers aimed their weapons at them and started cutting them down.
"Get some, blueberries!", Davis shouted, "Come closer! I dare ya!"
The few dozen that survived retreated back to the trees. The rangers cheered, but the Rosians didn't cheer as much as they stared in awe. Now they see why the elves lost, these people are powerful.
Commander Barion walked to Logan, "Thank you for the assistance. But I doubt this is the last we have seen of them."
"I know.", Logan said, "That's why I'll have one of my guys scout those trees with a drone along with Lin and Clara.". Logan walked down to the two of them, "Scot! Get over here!"
"Coming!", Scot answered. Scot Green aka 'Mechanic', was the group's engineer. He was also their drone pilot. "Yes sir?"
"I need you to pilot the Fly into those tree lines and scout for the enemy.". The SPFD Fly was a small recon drone invented by DARPA to save both room and energy. Solar-powered and long-lasting battery, coupled with its long-range and small size made it a very useful tool to have in recon missions. "Lin, Carla, you two are also going. I need good eyes and ears over there."
"Sure thing, sir.", Lin said saluting the best she could.
"You two do know how to use a radio, right?"
"Of course we do.", Clara said, "We're not idiots."
"Good. Go.". Lin and Carla ran to the trees as Scott maneuvered the Fly.
The baron and his family, along with Ambassador Eugene walked over to the soldiers. The baron was first to speak, "That was... most impressive. But I must ask. Why peace? Surely you seem powerful enough to take the kingdoms by force."
"Because my people aren't barbarians, baron.", Anderson said, "If peace can be made, then we will do anything to make it a reality."
"I see. And the prince? What does he say about this?"
"You can ask him yourself.", Anderson said as he nodded to Logan who signaled his men to set up a desk and a large screen. "With this device, we can talk to the prince and even see him."
"Amazing.", said Herwin as he eagerly awaited to see his prince. After some preparations, the screen was ready and it turned on. The lights slightly startled the Rosians before the screen was clear and on it was prince Bodin himself. "My... My prince.", Herwin said as he knelt, "It is a miracle. You truly live."
"Baron Bachwich.", Bodin spoke, "Please, rise. I am not before you just yet. This is strange for me as well. Am I correct to assume the human soldiers have arrived?"
"Yes, my prince. They recently just helped us crush an attack from a bandit horde."
"Do you then see why I have chosen to make peace with these people?"
After a momentary pause, Herwin nodded, "I do, my prince. It is incredible to see that a nation so powerful is willing to make peace with its enemy and not subdue it."
"We are not their enemy, baron. The elves and their empire are. This is why they chose to make peace with us. They understand we are just vassals forced to fight. I suggest you hear Lord Anderson out."
As they were talking, Scot called for Logan, "Sir. I have a visual."
Logan nodded, "Alright. Commander Barion, would you like to see the enemy?"
"Yes.", Barion answered, "Show me."
Scot pulled up the video feed on his screen, "This is their camp. I count roughly three thousand. Lin and Carla confirm."
"Where are those two?", Logan asked.
"In the trees."
"Call them back and give me the radio.", Logan took the radio, "Galdush base. Come in Galdush base. This is Captain Logan Connors of Rift Group 1. Do you copy? Over."
After a few moments, the radio spoke, "Copy Rift Group 1. Sitrep. Over."
"Galdush, we have made contact with border town Afa. Upon entry, we engaged a third party, designated rogue elves, and bandit Rosians. Half a battalion attacked us but we drove them off. We confirm the enemy numbers in three thousand, various races. What's the status of our air forces? Over."
"Three air squadrons of Invictus ACs and a Boeing Stratofortress is currently being fueled and should be ready in half an hour."
"Galdush I request a tactical bombing run. The area will be marked via drone. How copy?"
The radio went silent for a few moments before speaking again, "Affirmative RG-1. Stratofortress will be up in the air as soon as possible. Make sure to mark the area. Galdush out."
"Copy that Galdush. RG-1 out."
"What was that?", Barion asked.
"You're gonna get another demonstration."
"Captain!", Carla shouted as she ran towards him. "I have eliminated an enemy scout.", she said as she extended a severed head toward Logan.
Logan smacked his lips before replying, "I see. Get rid of it."
"Yes sir.", Carla said as she tossed the head into a nearby pile of trash.
'At least she's helping', Logan thought.
---
(Two hours later)
The bandits and rogues were sitting in their tents, trying to plan an attack. The otherworlders were an unexpected problem, but hopefully a problem they could be dealt with.
"Alright, listen.", said an elf, "We'll strike at night. It didn't work last time because there were too many of them, but I reckon there can't be more than a few dozen of them."
"That doesn't matter.", said a Rosian, "I've seen what that few can do."
"You attacked with five hundred to scout their defenses. You were never supposed to win. Besides, we can use the tribals to deal with them. As we are attacking the front, they will go to the sides and strike."
"Are you sure this will work?"
"Yes. Soon, Afa will be ours."
At that moment, an elf rushed into the tent, "Sir, you must come and see this!"
They left the tent and came to the center of the tent. The one who called them pointed upwards into the sky. There they saw something flying. A wyvern? No, it was too big. Its wings didn't flap. What could it be? As it flew over them, something fell from it. Many egg-like things started falling and as they fell to the ground, they engulfed the camp in fire and shook the earth. In moments, the whole camp was on fire and everyone was either dead or dying. The ground was turned into a burning pile of scorched bodies.
If there were any doubts about the power of the otherwolders left, they were long gone now.
---
(Meanwhile)
Road to Una
The Belus family along with commander Aego and two hundred soldiers were on their way to Una. Taria did not wish to ride with her father and so she rode on a horse alongside Aego. Their hopes were that they would reach Una in several days and then cross the river.
"My lady.", Aego spoke, "Are you certain you should be riding alongside me and not in the carriage?"
"I do not wish to speak to my father.", Taria said, "At least not now."
"I assumed we cleared this matter."
"We have but... I still need time."
Aego sighed, "I understand. Still, you should not hate him for-", he stopped and halted the soldiers.
"What?"
"Something is not as it should be. This outpost is quiet.". The soldiers tensed up. They could also feel that something wasn't right. In a split second, Aego was shot by an arrow in the side.
"Ambush!", Taria yelled out. Suddenly, elves, welfen, and leanoids ran from the sides and the outpost. The soldiers prepared but found themselves overwhelmed by the enemies' numbers. Rogue elves fired arrows at them while welfen and leanoids exploited weaknesses and struck. Still, the soldiers fought hard, making sure the traitors and savages suffer. The enemy numbers were dropping, but not quickly enough. Taria used her training and cut down several rogues before crouching down to help Aego.
"Aego!", she yelled, "Aego hold on! You will live! Please!". She cried as he struggled to breathe. He grabbed her arm and pushed her to the side, just in time for her to dodge a spear from a leanoid. She watched as Aego spat blood before dying, his life leaving his body. In pure rage, she screamed and struck the leanoid in the side. Pulling out her sword she blocked a strike from a rogue, stepped closer, and headbutted him before slitting his throat.
Turning to her left she saw the rogues and tribals dragging her family. "Father!", she yelled, but couldn't help as a rogue hit her in the back of the head, knocking her down on the ground. Her blurred vision faded away as the rogue smiled down at her.
"Sweet dreams, little girl.", was what he said before she passed out completely.
End of chapter 9
​
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Thank you very much for reading
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We All Bought Furniture's From Scrooge McDucks Shop And Use Them As Decoration around the biomes but it's get "kinda boring" that ur just looking at it, but not Using them! and i wish that it was functionable so make it more useable without it just being there being pretty just to look at it.
Here Are 6 Things I Want In Disney Dreamlight Valley that The Furniture's To Be Functionable, i wish that the disney dreamlight Valley Team Well See This And Hope It Will Get Added In The Future Updates if possible if it's up to them to make it happen or not that i want it to be use.
​

1. I Wish That The Bath/Tub and Would Be Functionable Would Make Our Characters Be Clean After A Hard Work From The Outside Just To Relax In The bath/Tub And It Well Help Our Energy Fill All The Way Up To The Yellow bar so it can be cool to see it work so anyone from the village can use it if they want to get clean or just to relax in it or have fun in it.
2. i Wish That The Sink Would Be Functionable So Our Characters Or The Villager's Can Wash Their Hands In The Sinks whatever task they do so there hands can be clean and also it can help with the energy fill all up to the full blue bar.
3. I Would Like To See The Swimming Pool And The watering hole Be Functionable So Our Characters Or Villagers Can Use It To Have Like Fun In It To Relax Or Swim and maybe both of them can help with the energy bar that be kinda nice
4. book case would be cool to see it functionable so our character and villager's can sit down and read the book.
5. i like to see the Tv Or The Computer would be functionable it can work to look up weather channel to see if it going to rain or be sunny or foggy or whatever and have cooking channel to get recipes that u can unlock and or just watch tv or play games on the computer.
6. And Wish that ur character can relax in the bed or sleep in the bed or talk on the bed with villager's or watch tv from the bed or read a book on or in the bed would be nice and cool addition to make it functionable.

there are the things i wish to see be functionable and would be nice to have it so our characters or villager's can use it more i know it probably would take lot of animations to make it work but be nice to have more things to have fun to do in Dreamlight valley.
now on for the bugs fixes i wish the disney dream light valley team can fix that i'm having issue with

1. Some Reason Prince Eric won't follow u anymore everytime u ask him he said sure but doesn't follow u so please fix this disney dreamlight valley team
2. 2. Stitch Tv is invisible it won't show up at all i have it in my furniture's inventory but i can't use it for Decoration so i don't know why it doing that but it needs to be fix please
3. 3. When u order things to scrooge there are items u can't get it since it doesn't have the names on them like what the character use during there side quest it show up in scrooge shop but u can't buy it at all and it's very strange because there really good items want to use it for Decoration but u can't :{ ?
4. Slow Loading Screen issue when in loading screen keeps freezing and moving and freezing and moving and the music keeps playing overlapping each other like 3 or 4 times or more until u can get in the game? and this is happening on Ps4
5. Everytime u play the game the game keep have error code every time and u had to close it down and restart to play it so very annoying?. This Is Happening On Ps4
6. And one more thing when u receiving items or critters sometimes the game won't click when u accept them u have to close the game and restart it but even tho u get the critters or items u have to restart to make sure u got them, so very annoying can u please fix this please i would be so greatful? This Is Happening On Ps4
   
7. so anyway that all the bugs and glitches and i have problem with And things i want to be functionable on the furniture's list and TBH this is my first time post on this reddit but thanks for hearing me out and God bless u all Disney Dreamlight Valley Fans and have great day love ya'll.
   

Brisbanites who don't have a car - how do you find getting around with just public transport and uber etc? I've never thought Brisbane was very friendly to people without a car, but I'm considering selling mine, and wanted to hear what it would be like before I do.
I don't really use my car a lot (it's only done 35,000 km since 2015), but I do get some comfort from knowing it's there and that I can get wherever I want to go.
Edit: I live in the North West, and usually stay around this area, but also travel into the city for work, and to South Bank for events. I'm just far enough from the Ferny Grove train line for it to be annoying to walk to the nearest station.

Honest can't believe this juicy insider story has taken so long to surface.
The real reason behind Trevor Linden wasn't that Mark had demanded a trade, like so many people believe. There was a lot of tension between these two great leaders, that much is known. The issue is that it was sexual tension, a detail people are far too quick to leave out.
Trevor was a young, absolutely shredded monster of a player, and of course Mark was the greatest leader of all time. Obviously the two saw a little of themselves in each other, and the chemistry was immediate and magnetic.
Unfortunately this was the 90s - well before things like Pride Night or You Can Play. Their love was forbidden, and management set out to drive a wedge the size of North America between them.
It was easy to choose between the two, Mark had won six Stanley Cups and Trevor had none. Sure Trevor was well liked by small subset of casual fans, but history looks back with the eyes of truth and it's clear management made the correct decision.
Thanks to my brave, reputable source for this breaking discovery - baldlaysfan69 on HFboards

I am 29f and have long standing issues with my mother in which she won't take accountability for the fact she has a big part to play as to why my sister ditched us for another fake family over 3.5 years ago now!!
I moved up North here with her over 1 year ago and she's recently FINALLY moved out of this farm house we have been staying in which is her partners but he doesn't live here.
The thing is, She owns 4 cats, one goat and a bunch of chooks 🐔 that she hasn't taken yet!!
Instead of doing the responsible thing and taking her pet goat and cats, she decided to be extremely immature and purchase a puppy in which she has replaced the goat for her puppy which she takes everywhere with her.
She knows I am over looking after ALL the animals om this farm as their are 8 cats, 7 chickens, 4 goats and my reptiles!!
We are splitting the cats and I am keeping 3 goats even though I'd rather only have 2
I gave her an ultimatum and she agreed she'll take the animals on the 31st of March which is now GONE!!
I re blocked her number again 10 days ago as she was ringing me to b**ch about me texting my sisters fake family ( which is NONE of my mother's business)!!!
I sent her a blunt text relaying how she is NOT going to ring and crucify me and to hell with her etc and she hasn't even bothered showing up to take her pet??
Do I sell them?