@ 65886e63:118f7ab8

"When software developers aim at the cognitive aspects of education without understanding the social aspects, they miss the dartboard entirely." https://open.substack.com/pub/danmeyer/p/do-kids-want-a-personalized-netflix?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=b4wcg

@ 7776c32d:45558888

Letter from a Palestinian Political Prisoner in Louisiana, dictated over the phone from ICE Detention.

March 18, 55 years after UNIX epoch

My name is Mahmoud Khalil and I am a political prisoner. I am writing to you from a detention facility in Louisiana where I wake to cold mornings and spend long days bearing witness to the quiet injustices underway against a great many people precluded from the protections of the law.

Who has the right to have rights? It is certainly not the humans crowded into the cells here. It isn't the Senegalese man I met who has been deprived of his liberty for a year, his legal situation in limbo and his family an ocean away. It isn't the 21-year-old detainee I met, who stepped foot in this country at age nine, only to be deported without so much as a hearing.

Justice escapes the contours of this nation's immigration facilities.

On March 8, I was taken by DHS agents who refused to provide a warrant, and accosted my wife and me as we returned from dinner. By now, the footage of that night has been made public. Before I knew what was happening, agents handcuffed and forced me into an unmarked car. At that moment, my only concern was for Noor's safety. I had no idea if she would be taken too, since the agents had threatened to arrest her for not leaving my side. DHS would not tell me anything for hours - I did not know the cause of my arrest or if I was facing immediate deportation. At 26 Federal Plaza, I slept on the cold floor. In the early morning hours, agents transported me to another facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey. There, I slept on the ground and was refused a blanket despite my request.

My arrest was a direct consequence of exercising my right to free speech as I advocated for a free Palestine and an end to the genocide in Gaza, which resumed in full force Monday night. With January's ceasefire now broken, parents in Gaza are once again cradling too-small shrouds, and families are forced to weigh starvation and displacement against bombs. It is our moral imperative to persist in the struggle for their complete freedom.

I was born in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria to a family which has been displaced from their land since the 1948 Nakba. I spent my youth in proximity to yet distant from my homeland. But being Palestinian is an experience that transcends borders. I see in my circumstances similarities to Israel's use of administrative detention imprisonment without trial or charge to strip Palestinians of their rights. I think of our friend Omar Khatib, who was incarcerated without charge or trial by Israel as he returned home from travel. I think of Gaza hospital director and pediatrician Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, who was taken captive by the Israeli military on December 27 and remains in an Israeli torture camp today. For Palestinians, imprisonment without due process is commonplace.

I have always believed that my duty is not only to liberate myself from the oppressor, but also to liberate my oppressors from their hatred and fear. My unjust detention is indicative of the anti-Palestinian racism that both the Biden and Trump administrations have demonstrated over the past 16 months as the U.S. has continued to supply Israel with weapons to kill Palestinians and prevented international intervention. For decades, anti-Palestinian racism has driven efforts to expand U.S. laws and practices that are used to violently repress Palestinians, Arab Americans, and other communities. That is precisely why I am being targeted.

While I await legal decisions that hold the futures of my wife and child in the balance, those who enabled my targeting remain comfortably at Columbia University. Presidents Shafik, Armstrong, and Dean Yarhi-Milo laid the groundwork for the U.S. government to target me by arbitrarily disciplining pro-Palestinian students and allowing viral doxing campaigns - based on racism and disinformation - to go unchecked.

Columbia targeted me for my activism, creating a new authoritarian disciplinary office to bypass due process and silence students criticizing Israel. Columbia surrendered to federal pressure by disclosing student records to Congress and yielding to the Trump administration's latest threats. My arrest, the expulsion or suspension of at least 22 Columbia students some stripped of their B.A. degrees just weeks before graduation and the expulsion of SWC President Grant Miner on the eve of contract negotiations, are clear examples.

If anything, my detention is a testament to the strength of the student movement in shifting public opinion toward Palestinian liberation. Students have long been at the forefront of change leading the charge against the Vietnam War, standing on the frontlines of the civil rights movement, and driving the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. Today, too, even if the public has yet to fully grasp it, it is students who steer us toward truth and justice.

The Trump administration is targeting me as part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent. Visa-holders, green-card carriers, and citizens alike will all be targeted for their political beliefs. In the weeks ahead, students, advocates, and elected officials must unite to defend the right to protest for Palestine. At stake are not just our voices, but the fundamental civil liberties of all.

Knowing fully that this moment transcends my individual circumstances, I hope nonetheless to be free to witness the birth of my first-born child.

@ f39fa1d2:f3230401

Everyone is dumbing out (Test Note 4)

The dark side of ironic detachment and possible antidotes for our apathetic world

It’s easy to identify the presence of something, but it’s much harder to identify the absence of something. If your boyfriend brings you flowers, that’s awfully nice.

If he never brings you flowers, it might take you a while to notice. Maybe you do eventually notice, but you decide to cope. You tell yourself you don’t care about

getting flowers. Maybe you take it a step further: “Actually, flowers are really basic and lame. Only basic girls like flowers. I’m a cool girl and cool girls don’t care about getting flowers.”

test #testing

@ f39fa1d2:f3230401

Everyone is dumbing out (Test Note 3)

The dark side of ironic detachment and possible antidotes for our apathetic world

It’s easy to identify the presence of something, but it’s much harder to identify the absence of something. If your boyfriend brings you flowers, that’s awfully nice. If he never brings you flowers, it might take you a while to notice. Maybe you do eventually notice, but you decide to cope. You tell yourself you don’t care about getting flowers. Maybe you take it a step further: “Actually, flowers are really basic and lame. Only basic girls like flowers. I’m a cool girl and cool girls don’t care about getting flowers.”

https://www.logoai.com/uploads/articles/2025/03/13/banner2-1741857851.png

test #testing

@ f39fa1d2:f3230401

Everyone is dumbing out (Test Note 2)

The dark side of ironic detachment and possible antidotes for our apathetic world

It’s easy to identify the presence of something, but it’s much harder to identify the absence of something. If your boyfriend brings you flowers, that’s awfully nice. If he never brings you flowers, it might take you a while to notice. Maybe you do eventually notice, but you decide to cope. You tell yourself you don’t care about getting flowers. Maybe you take it a step further: “Actually, flowers are really basic and lame. Only basic girls like flowers. I’m a cool girl and cool girls don’t care about getting flowers.”

*https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff02ba4ff-8ad8-4a82-86a1-caaebf4cf7f8_1920x1306.jpeg*

test #testing

@ f39fa1d2:f3230401

Everyone is dumbing out (Test Note)

The dark side of ironic detachment and possible antidotes for our apathetic world

It’s easy to identify the presence of something, but it’s much harder to identify the absence of something. If your boyfriend brings you flowers, that’s awfully nice. If he never brings you flowers, it might take you a while to notice. Maybe you do eventually notice, but you decide to cope. You tell yourself you don’t care about getting flowers. Maybe you take it a step further: “Actually, flowers are really basic and lame. Only basic girls like flowers. I’m a cool girl and cool girls don’t care about getting flowers.”

test #testing

@ f39fa1d2:f3230401

Everyone is dumbing out (Test Note)

The dark side of ironic detachment and possible antidotes for our apathetic world

It’s easy to identify the presence of something, but it’s much harder to identify the absence of something. If your boyfriend brings you flowers, that’s awfully nice. If he never brings you flowers, it might take you a while to notice. Maybe you do eventually notice, but you decide to cope. You tell yourself you don’t care about getting flowers. Maybe you take it a step further: “Actually, flowers are really basic and lame. Only basic girls like flowers. I’m a cool girl and cool girls don’t care about getting flowers.”

test #testing

@ f39fa1d2:f3230401

Everyone is dumbing out (Test Note)

The dark side of ironic detachment and possible antidotes for our apathetic world

It’s easy to identify the presence of something, but it’s much harder to identify the absence of something. If your boyfriend brings you flowers, that’s awfully nice. If he never brings you flowers, it might take you a while to notice. Maybe you do eventually notice, but you decide to cope. You tell yourself you don’t care about getting flowers. Maybe you take it a step further: “Actually, flowers are really basic and lame. Only basic girls like flowers. I’m a cool girl and cool girls don’t care about getting flowers.”

test #testing

@ 92db9d2b:e0fd535a

Everyone is dumbing out (Test Note)

The dark side of ironic detachment and possible antidotes for our apathetic world

It’s easy to identify the presence of something, but it’s much harder to identify the absence of something. If your boyfriend brings you flowers, that’s awfully nice. If he never brings you flowers, it might take you a while to notice. Maybe you do eventually notice, but you decide to cope. You tell yourself you don’t care about getting flowers. Maybe you take it a step further: “Actually, flowers are really basic and lame. Only basic girls like flowers. I’m a cool girl and cool girls don’t care about getting flowers.”

test #testing

@ 92db9d2b:e0fd535a

Everyone is dumbing out (Test Note)

The dark side of ironic detachment and possible antidotes for our apathetic world

It’s easy to identify the presence of something, but it’s much harder to identify the absence of something. If your boyfriend brings you flowers, that’s awfully nice. If he never brings you flowers, it might take you a while to notice. Maybe you do eventually notice, but you decide to cope. You tell yourself you don’t care about getting flowers. Maybe you take it a step further: “Actually, flowers are really basic and lame. Only basic girls like flowers. I’m a cool girl and cool girls don’t care about getting flowers.”

test #testing

@ 92db9d2b:e0fd535a

Everyone is dumbing out (Test Note)

The dark side of ironic detachment and possible antidotes for our apathetic world

It’s easy to identify the presence of something, but it’s much harder to identify the absence of something. If your boyfriend brings you flowers, that’s awfully nice. If he never brings you flowers, it might take you a while to notice. Maybe you do eventually notice, but you decide to cope. You tell yourself you don’t care about getting flowers. Maybe you take it a step further: “Actually, flowers are really basic and lame. Only basic girls like flowers. I’m a cool girl and cool girls don’t care about getting flowers.”

test #testing

@ 92db9d2b:e0fd535a

Everyone is dumbing out (Test Note)

The dark side of ironic detachment and possible antidotes for our apathetic world

It’s easy to identify the presence of something, but it’s much harder to identify the absence of something. If your boyfriend brings you flowers, that’s awfully nice. If he never brings you flowers, it might take you a while to notice. Maybe you do eventually notice, but you decide to cope. You tell yourself you don’t care about getting flowers. Maybe you take it a step further: “Actually, flowers are really basic and lame. Only basic girls like flowers. I’m a cool girl and cool girls don’t care about getting flowers.”

test #testing

@ feae4b20:dcfc4ede

8G là một nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến đầy sáng tạo, được thiết kế để mang đến những trải nghiệm thú vị và phong phú cho người chơi. Với một loạt các trò chơi hấp dẫn, từ các trò chơi nhẹ nhàng cho đến các thử thách đậm chất chiến thuật, 8G đáp ứng nhu cầu của mọi đối tượng người chơi. Nền tảng này không chỉ tập trung vào chất lượng của từng trò chơi mà còn đặc biệt chú trọng đến sự đa dạng và mới mẻ, mang đến cho người chơi những trải nghiệm mới lạ mỗi lần tham gia. Các trò chơi tại 8G đều được tối ưu hóa để đảm bảo chất lượng đồ họa mượt mà và âm thanh sống động, giúp người chơi đắm chìm vào thế giới giải trí mà không gặp phải bất kỳ sự gián đoạn nào. Mỗi trò chơi đều được phát triển cẩn thận, giúp người chơi có thể dễ dàng hòa nhập vào và tận hưởng những phút giây thư giãn.

Bên cạnh việc cung cấp những trò chơi độc đáo, 8G còn chú trọng đến việc xây dựng một cộng đồng người chơi gắn kết. Các sự kiện và giải đấu hấp dẫn được tổ chức thường xuyên, tạo ra những cơ hội để người chơi thể hiện kỹ năng và cạnh tranh với nhau. Các giải đấu này không chỉ là nơi để giành chiến thắng mà còn là cơ hội để giao lưu, kết bạn và học hỏi từ những người chơi khác. Mỗi sự kiện đều mang đến những phần thưởng giá trị và tạo động lực cho người chơi tham gia nhiều hơn, từ đó làm tăng thêm sự hấp dẫn của nền tảng. 8G cũng đặc biệt khuyến khích người chơi tham gia vào các hoạt động cộng đồng, nơi họ có thể trao đổi kinh nghiệm, chia sẻ chiến lược và phát triển kỹ năng của mình. Điều này không chỉ làm cho trải nghiệm chơi game trở nên phong phú mà còn tạo ra một môi trường vui vẻ, sôi động và thân thiện.

Một trong những yếu tố quan trọng làm nên sự thành công của 8G chính là sự đảm bảo về an toàn và bảo mật cho người chơi. Nền tảng này sử dụng các công nghệ bảo mật tiên tiến để bảo vệ thông tin cá nhân cũng như các giao dịch tài chính của người tham gia. Mỗi giao dịch được mã hóa một cách cẩn thận, giúp người chơi yên tâm khi tham gia vào các trò chơi và sự kiện mà không lo ngại về vấn đề bảo mật. Đội ngũ hỗ trợ khách hàng của 8G luôn sẵn sàng để giúp đỡ và giải đáp các thắc mắc của người chơi, đảm bảo mọi người có thể trải nghiệm dịch vụ một cách trọn vẹn và an toàn. Chính nhờ vào sự cam kết bảo mật và chất lượng dịch vụ, 8G đã tạo dựng được lòng tin từ cộng đồng người chơi và khẳng định vị thế của mình trong thị trường giải trí trực tuyến.

@ feae4b20:dcfc4ede

Awin là một nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến cung cấp cho người chơi một loạt các trò chơi sáng tạo và thú vị, từ những tựa game đơn giản cho đến những thử thách đậm chất chiến thuật. Với giao diện người dùng thân thiện và dễ sử dụng, Awin giúp người chơi nhanh chóng tìm thấy những trò chơi yêu thích mà không gặp phải bất kỳ khó khăn nào. Nền tảng này được thiết kế để đáp ứng nhu cầu của mọi đối tượng, từ những người mới bắt đầu cho đến các game thủ kỳ cựu. Các trò chơi không chỉ có đồ họa sắc nét và âm thanh sống động, mà còn được tối ưu hóa để đảm bảo hiệu suất cao và trải nghiệm mượt mà. Awin liên tục cập nhật các tựa game mới, giúp người chơi luôn có những lựa chọn thú vị và đa dạng để khám phá.

Một trong những yếu tố khiến Awin nổi bật so với các nền tảng giải trí khác chính là sự chú trọng đến cộng đồng người chơi. Awin không chỉ cung cấp trò chơi mà còn tạo ra một không gian giao lưu và kết nối giữa những người đam mê giải trí trực tuyến. Các sự kiện và giải đấu lớn được tổ chức thường xuyên, thu hút đông đảo người chơi tham gia. Những giải đấu này không chỉ là nơi thể hiện tài năng mà còn là cơ hội để người chơi giao lưu, học hỏi và kết bạn với những người cùng sở thích. Bên cạnh đó, những phần thưởng hấp dẫn và cơ hội thắng lớn càng làm tăng thêm sức hấp dẫn của các sự kiện, khiến người chơi cảm thấy luôn có động lực để tham gia và thử sức.

Bảo mật và an toàn là ưu tiên hàng đầu của Awin, và nền tảng này không ngừng cải tiến để mang đến cho người chơi một môi trường giải trí đáng tin cậy. Với công nghệ bảo mật tiên tiến, Awin đảm bảo rằng tất cả thông tin cá nhân và các giao dịch tài chính của người chơi đều được bảo vệ một cách nghiêm ngặt. Người chơi có thể yên tâm tham gia vào các trò chơi và sự kiện mà không lo lắng về sự cố bảo mật. Đội ngũ hỗ trợ khách hàng của Awin luôn sẵn sàng để giải đáp thắc mắc và hỗ trợ người chơi, giúp họ có thể tận hưởng trải nghiệm giải trí trọn vẹn. Chính nhờ vào sự kết hợp giữa chất lượng trò chơi, tính bảo mật và dịch vụ khách hàng xuất sắc, Awin đã khẳng định được vị thế của mình trong ngành giải trí trực tuyến và trở thành lựa chọn hàng đầu của nhiều người chơi.

@ feae4b20:dcfc4ede

JBO là một nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến đầy sức hút, mang đến cho người chơi một không gian giải trí đa dạng và hấp dẫn. Với giao diện người dùng được thiết kế hiện đại và dễ sử dụng, JBO đã tạo ra một nền tảng phù hợp với tất cả đối tượng người chơi, từ những người mới bắt đầu cho đến các game thủ kỳ cựu. Các trò chơi tại JBO không chỉ được phân loại rõ ràng mà còn được tối ưu hóa để mang lại trải nghiệm mượt mà và thú vị. Điều này giúp người chơi dễ dàng tìm thấy những trò chơi yêu thích, từ các trò chơi chiến thuật, đua xe cho đến các game đậm chất hành động. JBO luôn duy trì chất lượng dịch vụ và cập nhật liên tục các trò chơi mới, nhằm mang lại những trải nghiệm đầy hứng thú và kịch tính cho người chơi.

Không chỉ chú trọng đến chất lượng các trò chơi, JBO còn đặc biệt chú trọng đến việc tạo dựng một cộng đồng người chơi vững mạnh và thân thiện. Các sự kiện và giải đấu được tổ chức thường xuyên, thu hút sự tham gia đông đảo từ cộng đồng game thủ. Những giải đấu này không chỉ giúp người chơi thể hiện tài năng và kỹ năng của mình mà còn là cơ hội để giao lưu, kết nối với những người chơi khác. Thông qua các sự kiện và hoạt động này, JBO tạo ra một không gian tương tác phong phú, nơi mà người chơi có thể chia sẻ kinh nghiệm, chiến lược và cùng nhau phát triển kỹ năng. Tính cộng đồng này là một trong những yếu tố quan trọng giúp JBO trở thành một trong những nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến được yêu thích.

Chắc chắn một yếu tố không thể thiếu trong một nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến chất lượng là vấn đề bảo mật và an toàn. JBO luôn đặt người chơi lên hàng đầu, vì vậy nền tảng này áp dụng những công nghệ bảo mật tiên tiến nhất để đảm bảo rằng thông tin cá nhân và các giao dịch tài chính của người chơi luôn được bảo vệ an toàn. Mỗi giao dịch trên JBO đều được mã hóa kỹ lưỡng, giúp người chơi hoàn toàn yên tâm khi tham gia vào các trò chơi và sự kiện. Ngoài ra, đội ngũ hỗ trợ khách hàng luôn sẵn sàng giúp đỡ người chơi trong suốt quá trình trải nghiệm. Với cam kết bảo mật và dịch vụ tận tình, JBO không chỉ mang lại một nền tảng giải trí thú vị mà còn đảm bảo người chơi luôn cảm thấy an toàn và thoải mái khi tham gia.

@ 266815e0:6cd408a5

How to create a nostr app quickly using applesauce

In this guide we are going to build a nostr app that lets users follow and unfollow fiatjaf

1. Setup new project

Start by setting up a new vite app using pnpm create vite, then set the name and select Solid and Typescript

```sh ➜ pnpm create vite │ ◇ Project name: │ followjaf │ ◇ Select a framework: │ Solid │ ◇ Select a variant: │ TypeScript │ ◇ Scaffolding project in ./followjaf... │ └ Done. Now run:

cd followjaf pnpm install pnpm run dev ```

2. Adding nostr dependencies

There are a few useful nostr dependencies we are going to need. nostr-tools for the types and small methods, and rx-nostr for making relay connections

sh pnpm install nostr-tools rx-nostr

3. Setup rx-nostr

Next we need to setup rxNostr so we can make connections to relays. create a new src/nostr.ts file with

```ts import { createRxNostr, noopVerifier } from "rx-nostr";

export const rxNostr = createRxNostr({ // skip verification here because we are going to verify events at the event store skipVerify: true, verifier: noopVerifier, }); ```

4. Setup the event store

Now that we have a way to connect to relays, we need a place to store events. We will use the EventStore class from applesauce-core for this. create a new src/stores.ts file with

The event store does not store any events in the browsers local storage or anywhere else. It's in-memory only and provides a model for the UI

```ts import { EventStore } from "applesauce-core"; import { verifyEvent } from "nostr-tools";

export const eventStore = new EventStore();

// verify the events when they are added to the store eventStore.verifyEvent = verifyEvent; ```

5. Create the query store

The event store is where we store all the events, but we need a way for the UI to query them. We can use the QueryStore class from applesauce-core for this.

Create a query store in src/stores.ts

```ts import { QueryStore } from "applesauce-core";

// ...

// the query store needs the event store to subscribe to it export const queryStore = new QueryStore(eventStore); ```

6. Setup the profile loader

Next we need a way to fetch user profiles. We are going to use the ReplaceableLoader class from applesauce-loaders for this.

applesauce-loaders is a package that contains a few loader classes that can be used to fetch different types of data from relays.

First install the package

sh pnpm install applesauce-loaders

Then create a src/loaders.ts file with

```ts import { ReplaceableLoader } from "applesauce-loaders"; import { rxNostr } from "./nostr"; import { eventStore } from "./stores";

export const replaceableLoader = new ReplaceableLoader(rxNostr);

// Start the loader and send any events to the event store replaceableLoader.subscribe((packet) => { eventStore.add(packet.event, packet.from); }); ```

7. Fetch fiatjaf's profile

Now that we have a way to store events, and a loader to help with fetching them, we should update the src/App.tsx component to fetch the profile.

We can do this by calling the next method on the loader and passing a pubkey, kind and relays to it

```tsx function App() { // ...

onMount(() => { // fetch fiatjaf's profile on load replaceableLoader.next({ pubkey: "3bf0c63fcb93463407af97a5e5ee64fa883d107ef9e558472c4eb9aaaefa459d", kind: 0, relays: ["wss://pyramid.fiatjaf.com/"], }); });

// ... } ```

8. Display the profile

Now that we have a way to fetch the profile, we need to display it in the UI.

We can do this by using the ProfileQuery which gives us a stream of updates to a pubkey's profile.

Create the profile using queryStore.createQuery and pass in the ProfileQuery and the pubkey.

tsx const fiatjaf = queryStore.createQuery( ProfileQuery, "3bf0c63fcb93463407af97a5e5ee64fa883d107ef9e558472c4eb9aaaefa459d" );

But this just gives us an observable, we need to subscribe to it to get the profile.

Luckily SolidJS profiles a simple from method to subscribe to any observable.

To make things reactive SolidJS uses accessors, so to get the profile we need to call fiatjaf()

```tsx function App() { // ...

// Subscribe to fiatjaf's profile from the query store const fiatjaf = from( queryStore.createQuery(ProfileQuery, "3bf0c63fcb93463407af97a5e5ee64fa883d107ef9e558472c4eb9aaaefa459d") );

return ( <> {/ replace the vite and solid logos with the profile picture /}

{fiatjaf()?.name}

  {/* ... */}

); } ```

9. Letting the user signin

Now we should let the user signin to the app. We can do this by creating a AccountManager class from applesauce-accounts

First we need to install the packages

sh pnpm install applesauce-accounts applesauce-signers

Then create a new src/accounts.ts file with

```ts import { AccountManager } from "applesauce-accounts"; import { registerCommonAccountTypes } from "applesauce-accounts/accounts";

// create an account manager instance export const accounts = new AccountManager();

// Adds the common account types to the manager registerCommonAccountTypes(accounts); ```

Next lets presume the user has a NIP-07 browser extension installed and add a signin button.

```tsx function App() { const signin = async () => { // do nothing if the user is already signed in if (accounts.active) return;

// create a new nip-07 signer and try to get the pubkey
const signer = new ExtensionSigner();
const pubkey = await signer.getPublicKey();

// create a new extension account, add it, and make it the active account
const account = new ExtensionAccount(pubkey, signer);
accounts.addAccount(account);
accounts.setActive(account);

};

return ( <> {/ ... /}

  <div class="card">
    <p>Are you following the fiatjaf? the creator of "The nostr"</p>
    <button onClick={signin}>Check</button>
  </div>

); } ```

Now when the user clicks the button the app will ask for the users pubkey, then do nothing... but it's a start.

We are not persisting the accounts, so when the page reloads the user will NOT be signed in. you can learn about persisting the accounts in the docs

10. Showing the signed-in state

We should show some indication to the user that they are signed in. We can do this by modifying the signin button if the user is signed in and giving them a way to sign-out

```tsx function App() { // subscribe to the currently active account (make sure to use the account$ observable) const account = from(accounts.active$);

// ...

const signout = () => { // do nothing if the user is not signed in if (!accounts.active) return;

// signout the user
const account = accounts.active;
accounts.removeAccount(account);
accounts.clearActive();

};

return ( <> {/ ... /}

  <div class="card">
    <p>Are you following the fiatjaf? ( creator of "The nostr" )</p>
    {account() === undefined ? <button onClick={signin}>Check</button> : <button onClick={signout}>Signout</button>}
  </div>

); } ```

11. Fetching the user's profile

Now that we have a way to sign in and out of the app, we should fetch the user's profile when they sign in.

```tsx function App() { // ...

// fetch the user's profile when they sign in createEffect(async () => { const active = account();

if (active) {
  // get the user's relays or fallback to some default relays
  const usersRelays = await active.getRelays?.();
  const relays = usersRelays ? Object.keys(usersRelays) : ["wss://relay.damus.io", "wss://nos.lol"];

  // tell the loader to fetch the users profile event
  replaceableLoader.next({
    pubkey: active.pubkey,
    kind: 0,
    relays,
  });

  // tell the loader to fetch the users contacts
  replaceableLoader.next({
    pubkey: active.pubkey,
    kind: 3,
    relays,
  });

  // tell the loader to fetch the users mailboxes
  replaceableLoader.next({
    pubkey: active.pubkey,
    kind: 10002,
    relays,
  });
}

});

// ... } ```

Next we need to subscribe to the users profile, to do this we can use some rxjs operators to chain the observables together.

```tsx import { Match, Switch } from "solid-js"; import { of, switchMap } from "rxjs";

function App() { // ...

// subscribe to the active account, then subscribe to the users profile or undefined const profile = from( accounts.active$.pipe( switchMap((account) => (account ? queryStore.createQuery(ProfileQuery, account!.pubkey) : of(undefined))) ) );

// ...

return ( <> {/ ... /}

  <div class="card">
    <Switch>
      <Match when={account() && !profile()}>
        <p>Loading profile...</p>
      </Match>
      <Match when={profile()}>
        <p style="font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: bold;">Welcome {profile()?.name}</p>
      </Match>
    </Switch>

    {/* ... */}
  </div>

); } ```

12. Showing if the user is following fiatjaf

Now that the app is fetching the users profile and contacts we should show if the user is following fiatjaf.

```tsx function App() { // ...

// subscribe to the active account, then subscribe to the users contacts or undefined const contacts = from( accounts.active$.pipe( switchMap((account) => (account ? queryStore.createQuery(UserContactsQuery, account!.pubkey) : of(undefined))) ) );

const isFollowing = createMemo(() => { return contacts()?.some((c) => c.pubkey === "3bf0c63fcb93463407af97a5e5ee64fa883d107ef9e558472c4eb9aaaefa459d"); });

// ...

return ( <> {/ ... /}

  <div class="card">
    {/* ... */}

    <Switch
      fallback={
        <p style="font-size: 1.2rem;">
          Sign in to check if you are a follower of the fiatjaf ( creator of "The nostr" )
        </p>
      }
    >
      <Match when={contacts() && isFollowing() === undefined}>
        <p>checking...</p>
      </Match>
      <Match when={contacts() && isFollowing() === true}>
        <p style="color: green; font-weight: bold; font-size: 2rem;">
          Congratulations! You are a follower of the fiatjaf
        </p>
      </Match>
      <Match when={contacts() && isFollowing() === false}>
        <p style="color: red; font-weight: bold; font-size: 2rem;">
          Why don't you follow the fiatjaf? do you even like nostr?
        </p>
      </Match>
    </Switch>

    {/* ... */}
  </div>

); } ```

13. Adding the follow button

Now that we have a way to check if the user is following fiatjaf, we should add a button to follow him. We can do this with Actions which are pre-built methods to modify nostr events for a user.

First we need to install the applesauce-actions and applesauce-factory package

sh pnpm install applesauce-actions applesauce-factory

Then create a src/actions.ts file with

```ts import { EventFactory } from "applesauce-factory"; import { ActionHub } from "applesauce-actions"; import { eventStore } from "./stores"; import { accounts } from "./accounts";

// The event factory is used to build and modify nostr events export const factory = new EventFactory({ // accounts.signer is a NIP-07 signer that signs with the currently active account signer: accounts.signer, });

// The action hub is used to run Actions against the event store export const actions = new ActionHub(eventStore, factory); ```

Then create a toggleFollow method that will add or remove fiatjaf from the users contacts.

We are using the exec method to run the action, and the forEach method from RxJS allows us to await for all the events to be published

```tsx function App() { // ...

const toggleFollow = async () => { // send any created events to rxNostr and the event store const publish = (event: NostrEvent) => { eventStore.add(event); rxNostr.send(event); };

if (isFollowing()) {
  await actions
    .exec(UnfollowUser, "3bf0c63fcb93463407af97a5e5ee64fa883d107ef9e558472c4eb9aaaefa459d")
    .forEach(publish);
} else {
  await actions
    .exec(
      FollowUser,
      "3bf0c63fcb93463407af97a5e5ee64fa883d107ef9e558472c4eb9aaaefa459d",
      "wss://pyramid.fiatjaf.com/"
    )
    .forEach(publish);
}

};

// ...

return ( <> {/ ... /}

  <div class="card">
    {/* ... */}

    {contacts() && <button onClick={toggleFollow}>{isFollowing() ? "Unfollow" : "Follow"}</button>}
  </div>

); } ```

14. Adding outbox support

The app looks like it works now but if the user reloads the page they will still see an the old version of their contacts list. we need to make sure rxNostr is publishing the events to the users outbox relays.

To do this we can subscribe to the signed in users mailboxes using the query store in src/nostr.ts

```ts import { MailboxesQuery } from "applesauce-core/queries"; import { accounts } from "./accounts"; import { of, switchMap } from "rxjs"; import { queryStore } from "./stores";

// ...

// subscribe to the active account, then subscribe to the users mailboxes and update rxNostr accounts.active$ .pipe(switchMap((account) => (account ? queryStore.createQuery(MailboxesQuery, account.pubkey) : of(undefined)))) .subscribe((mailboxes) => { if (mailboxes) rxNostr.setDefaultRelays(mailboxes.outboxes); else rxNostr.setDefaultRelays([]); }); ```

And that's it! we have a working nostr app that lets users follow and unfollow fiatjaf.

@ bccf33d8:4b705625

{"title":"nostrbook 创建的五本四书哈哈哈","author":"nostrbook.com","intro":"This is a book from ....很不错","picture":"https://432fds"}

@ bccf33d8:4b705625

{"title":"nostrbook 创建的四本三书哈哈哈","author":"nostrbook.com","intro":"This is a book from ....很不 错","picture":"https://432fds"}

@ bccf33d8:4b705625

关于本书的第一个章节

@ bccf33d8:4b705625

{"title":"nostrbook 创建的一本书另外一本书","author":"nostrbook.com","intro":"This is a book from ....很不错","picture":"https://432fds"}

@ bccf33d8:4b705625

我在测试 createbook标签是否可以被列出来

@ bccf33d8:4b705625

{"title":"nostrbook 创建的一本书","author":"nostrbook.com","intro":"This is a book from ....","picture":"https://nostrbook.com/img/dfsa32432.png"}

@ 044da344:073a8a0e

Journalismus nach Corona

Medienrealität, 17. April 2020, und Rubikon ("Das Ende einer Ära"), 17. April 2020

Diese Krise, da ist sich Heribert Prantl sicher, „bringt einen auf verrückte Gedanken“ – auf Dinge, „die man vorher nie gedacht hat und die man auch nie denken wollte“. So verrückt ist das gar nicht, was Prantl da zu Ostern geschrieben hat. In Kurzform: Kliniken sind kein Geschäftsmodell. Sonst zahlen am Ende die Kranken. Und: Das Gesundheitswesen ist wie die Wasserversorgung. Wir brauchen beides und dürfen deshalb weder das eine noch das andere „durchkommerzialisieren“ (Prantl 2020). Womit wir bei den Medien wären. Vielleicht hält das ja sogar Heribert Prantl für verrückt: ein Journalismus, der der Gesellschaft dient und nicht dem Staat oder dem Kapital.

Für die Medienforschung heißt das: zurück zu ihren Wurzeln. Karl Bücher, der Gründervater der akademischen Journalistenausbildung in Deutschland, war sich am Ende eines langen Lebens sicher, dass die Presse „ein öffentliches Institut“ sein muss, genau „wie Straßenbahnen, Gasanstalten, Elektrizitätswerke“ (Bücher 1926: 424). Dieser Bücher, ein weltberühmter Ökonom, hat das so ähnlich gesehen wie Heribert Prantl beim Gesundheitswesen: „Die Redaktion soll ihrer Natur nach die höchsten Interessen der Menschheit verfolgen“ – könne das aber nicht, solange sie Rücksicht nehmen muss auf „Privatinteressen“ (Bücher 1926: 397, 426). Anzeigenkunden, Leserwünsche, Profit.

Karl Bücher war vorbereitet auf die Chance, die jede Krise bietet. Er hat schon im Weltkrieg öffentlich über das Nachrichtenmonopol der großen Agenturen geschimpft und über den „Tiefstand“ des Zeitungswesens (vgl. Meyen 2002). Als die bayerische Räteregierung ihn dann Anfang 1919 um einen Gesetzentwurf bittet, will er dem Übel an die Wurzel und schlägt zehn Paragrafen vor, die auf eine Enteignung hinauslaufen und auf ein Ende des Wettbewerbs. Keine Anzeigen mehr an private Verleger. Dafür ein Lokalblatt pro Ort, herausgegeben von der Gemeinde, kostenfrei für jeden, finanziert über das, was Unternehmen und Behörden bekanntgeben wollen. In dem Aufsatz, den Bücher später nachgeliefert hat, beruft er sich unter anderem auf Ferdinand Lassalle. Sinngemäß: weg von einer „öffentlichen Meinung“, die vom „Kapital“ geprägt wird sowie von der „privilegierten großen Bourgeoisie“, hin zu einer „freien Tagespresse“, die „schwebende politische Fragen“ erörtert (Bücher 1926: 396).

Verrückt? Wer weiß, was Karl Bücher geschrieben hätte über den Corona-Journalismus der Gegenwart. Er hat schon vor einhundert Jahren nicht nachvollziehen können, warum die Redaktionen sich mit „Nichtigkeiten“ abgeben, gegen Polizeireporter gewettert und die Lokalnachrichten für eine „geistlose Chronik“ gehalten. Die Nähe zur Politik hat er entweder nicht gesehen oder nicht verstanden, dass das ein Problem sein könnte, weil er selbst zur Elite gehörte. Vermutlich wäre er trotzdem zufrieden mit einigen seiner Erben – mit Otfried Jarren (2020) zum Beispiel, der das öffentlich-rechtliche Fernsehen sehr früh kritisiert hat („Systemmedium“, „besondere Form der Hofberichterstattung“), mit Hektor Haarkötter („Geht’s auch mal wieder kritisch?“) oder mit Klaus Meier und Vinzenz Wyss (2020), die höflich bleiben und dankbar sind, ohne dabei die vielen Defizite zu übersehen. Der „Umgang mit Zahlen“, der Fokus auf Einzelfälle und auf „Virologen als unfehlbare Medienstars“, kaum Transparenz, wenig Vielfalt.

Wissenschaftler sein und öffentlich für seine Überzeugungen zu kämpfen: Das waren für Karl Bücher zwei Seiten derselben Medaille. Ihm hätte deshalb auch gefallen, wie Vinzenz Wyss (2020), ein Kollege aus der Schweiz, die Medienrealität an dem misst, was die Gesellschaft vom Journalismus erwarten darf. Ja, sagt Vinzenz Wyss, es gibt tolle Stücke, mit viel Aufwand produziert. Das große Aber: die „Newsmedien“ – also das, was das Publikum nicht ignorieren kann. Das muss hier nicht im Detail wiederholt werden. Zahlen ohne Erhebungskontext. Die „Zahlenfixierung“ überhaupt, kombiniert mit fehlender Distanz zur Macht und dem Unwillen, die eigenen Grenzen zu thematisieren. Zweimal O-Ton Vinzenz Wyss: „Ich bin fast ein bisschen empört, wie stark Journalisten in dieser Krise Wissenschaftler als Wahrsager darstellen“. Und: „Wenn die Exekutive dominiert und die parlamentarische Debatte verstummt, muss der Journalismus besonders wachsam sein“.

Vinzenz Wyss ist am Ende gar nicht weit weg von Heribert Prantl und Karl Bücher. „Wir sehen jetzt, wie wichtig der Journalismus ist“, sagt er. Und wir sehen auch, „wie schwach das Immunsystem derjenigen Medien ist, die sich vorwiegend über Werbegelder finanzieren“.

Es ist nicht schwer, das weiterzudenken. Corona zeigt: Die digitalen Plattformen mögen wichtig sein, die Realität aber wird nach wie von den Leitmedien gesetzt. Die Macht liegt bei denen, die es schaffen, ihre Version der Wirklichkeit in der Tagesschau zu platzieren, in der Süddeutschen Zeitung, im Spiegel, in der Zeit, in der Bild-Zeitung. Wir haben gesehen, was passiert, wenn die Pressemitteilungen der Regierung zur Medienrealität werden, die großen Leitartikler mit den Politikern heulen und ihre kleinen Gefolgsleute jeden Abweichler im Netz als Verschwörer und Gesundheitsfeind brandmarken. Zustimmungsraten wie in Nordkorea.

Es gibt einen Aufsatz von Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann (1973) mit dem feinen Titel „Kumulation, Konsonanz und Öffentlichkeit“. Sie könne einfach nicht glauben, schreibt Noelle-Neumann vor fast einem halben Jahrhundert, dass Medien keine Wirkung haben sollen oder nur so schwache, wie sie die Forschung bisher nachgewiesen hat. Das neue Paradigma, das sie mit diesem Text etablieren will, klingt im Titel an. Noelle-Neumann sagt: Ihr habt „die Omnipräsenz“ der Medien vergessen und ihre „kumulative Wirkung als Folge der Periodizität“. Starrt nicht nur auf die Empfänger der Botschaft, sondern schaut euch auch die Kommunikatoren an, „deren berufliches Verhalten Ähnlichkeit erzeugt“. Und vergesst den „Faktor Öffentlichkeit“ nicht. Noelle-Neumann meint damit die „kritische Instanz“ soziale Kontrolle, die jeder spürt, der von dem abweicht, was die anderen für die Meinung der Mehrheit halten müssen.

Als Noelle-Neumann diesen Text geschrieben hat, war es üblich, dass sich die Spitzenleute der Parteien im Bundestag angebrüllt haben. Damals genügte es, die vier wichtigsten Blätter im Land zu untersuchen, wenn man das politische Spektrum abbilden wollte. Wie würde man das heute machen, wenn die Opposition schweigt und überall das gleiche steht – vor allem nichts anderes als in den Bulletins der Staatskanzleien? Das ist ungerecht, ich weiß. Die Redaktionen können schon lange nicht mehr so arbeiten, wie es nötig wäre, und produzieren trotzdem immer wieder Perlen. Tolle Gäste bei Markus Lanz, nur als Beispiel. Trotzdem. Kumulation, Konsonanz, Öffentlichkeit. Corona-Tote auf allen Kanälen und Journalisten, die Schiedsrichter spielen im Streit der Experten. Wenn es nicht so ernst wäre, könnte man nach dem Videobeweis rufen und fragen, woher die Pfeifen in ihren „Fakten-Checks“ wissen, dass die staatliche Behörde immer Recht hat. Nach den Wirkungen muss man jedenfalls nicht lange suchen. Ich sehe in München Menschen, die sich angeekelt abwenden, wenn ihnen zwei Jogger entgegenkommen, und höre, wie Türsteher im Supermarkt angeblafft werden, die keine Maske tragen.

Heribert Prantl hat beschrieben, was im Bereich der Medizin falsch gelaufen ist seit Mitte der 1980er Jahre, und dabei Ross und Reiter genannt. Der Bundestag, der erst Krankenhäusern erlaubte, Gewinne zu machen, und dann unter Rot-Grün ein Vergütungssystem einführte, das alles dem Diktat des Geldes unterwarf. Die Troika, die ganz Südeuropa zwang, das Gesundheitswesen zu kastrieren, „um am Tropf Europas zu bleiben“. Auch im Journalismus ist das alles kein Geheimnis. Homogene Redaktionen, dominiert von Akademiker-Männern, die viel zu nah dran sind an den Entscheidern und die Welt auch deshalb kaum anders sehen können, weil sie aus dem gleichen Milieu kommen, auf den gleichen Schulen waren und dort verinnerlicht haben, was „richtig“ ist und was „falsch“.

Wo es um Geld geht (wie in kommerziellen Verlagen), werden diese Redaktionen vom Imperativ der Aufmerksamkeit regiert und von einem Sparzwang, der die Abhängigkeit von offiziellen Quellen noch größer macht, als sie ohnehin schon immer war. Und wo es um die Gunst der Politik geht (wie im öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunk und auch bei den Privaten, die ja immer eine Lizenz brauchen), bestimmen die Parteien, wer Chefin oder Chef sein darf, und haben mit Aufsichtsbehörden und Kontrollgremien einen zusätzlichen Hebel, wenn irgendetwas nicht nach Plan läuft. Ein kleines Beispiel aus Bayern, passend zum Thema: Ein Lokalradio hat es doch tatsächlich gewagt, drei lange Gespräche mit Experten zu senden, die der Söder-Linie widersprechen: Wolfgang Wodarg, Karin Mölling und Stefan Hockertz. Normalerweise läuft so ein Programm unter dem Radar. Wer hört schon Lokalradio? An den Interviews ist auch nicht viel auszusetzen. Die Journalistin fragt nach und zeigt, dass sie sich auskennt. Die Bayerische Landeszentrale für neue Medien hat ihr trotzdem einen Brief geschrieben. Botschaft: Wir hören, was Sie da machen. Wir sehen zwar für den Moment von einer „förmlichen Beanstandung“ ab (kein Wunder, denn es gibt nichts zu beanstanden), aber wir bitten Sie, an die „journalistische Sorgfaltspflicht“ zu denken, „damit derartige problematische Sendungen zukünftig ausbleiben“. Bei Noam Chomsky heißt das „Flak“. Die Macht schießt zurück, wenn allen Filtern zum Trotz doch etwas durchrutscht, was unter der Decke bleiben soll (vgl. Herman/Chomsky 1988).

Das ist tatsächlich verrückt. Der Journalismus will uns weismachen, dass er unabhängig ist, neutral und objektiv, dass er immer auf Distanz bleibt zu den Herrschenden und nach Vielfalt strebt. Ein Wolkenkuckucksheim, das ganz am Anfang stehen muss, wenn es um eine Zukunft nach Corona geht. Der Journalismus braucht einen neuen Kompass, der auf uns zeigt, auf die Gesellschaft, und nicht auf das Geld, auf den Staat und auf seine Verweser. Wir brauchen Redaktionen, die den „Auftrag Öffentlichkeit“ (Horst Pöttker) ernst nehmen. Wieder in Kurzform: alle Themen, alle Perspektiven. Wenn das dann unbedingt noch kommentiert werden muss: meinetwegen. Aber eigentlich will ich nicht wissen, wie Kurt Kister oder Claus Kleber die Welt sehen, sondern erfahren, was in der Welt so läuft, und mir dann selbst eine Meinung bilden.

Wie dieser Kompass sonst aussehen könnte, habe ich im Sommer skizziert, lange vor Corona (vgl. Meyen 2019). Ganz oben auf meiner Liste: Transparenz (offenlegen, wie die Inhalte entstehen und wie sie verbreitet werden), Perspektivenvielfalt (ein Punkt, der bei der Rekrutierung für den Beruf beginnt) und Reflexion (wer schreibt oder sendet hier und wem könnte das am Ende nutzen).

Entstanden ist diese Liste nach einer Serie von Interviews mit Menschen, die es wissen müssen, weil sie „irgendwas mit Medien“ machen. Ich habe mir damals nicht wirklich vorstellen können, dass man in den Redaktionen gar nicht darüber spricht, wozu die Gesellschaft Journalisten braucht. Dass man dort „Parolen“ wie „vierte Gewalt“ (Henriette Löwisch, Leiterin der Deutschen Journalistenschule München) lange einfach nur nachgeplappert hat. Nach Corona denke ich: Wir müssen tatsächlich zurück auf „Los“. Wir müssen mit der Ausbildung anfangen und aufhören, das Volontariat als Königsweg in den Beruf zu feiern. Von den Alten lernen, heißt gehorchen lernen. Der Journalismus der Zukunft darf nicht in kommerziellen Verlagen geformt werden und auch nicht in öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten, solange diese jeder Politik folgen.

Vermutlich wissen viele Deutsche gar nicht mehr, welchen Schatz sie da haben: Fernseh- und Radioprogramme, die kein Geld verdienen müssen und denen dienen dürfen, die sie bezahlen – uns. Nur: Wir haben dort nichts zu sagen. Auch das ist verrückt: In den Gremien kontrollieren Politiker die, die eigentlich dazu berufen wären, die Politik zu kontrollieren. Verkehrte Welt. Der Journalismus nach Corona braucht Publikumsräte und Redaktionen, die im Wortsinn „frei“ sind, weil sie feste Arbeitsverträge mit guten Einkommen haben und deshalb nicht von den Launen ihrer Chefs oder der Regierenden abhängen. Wer wie ich in der DDR aufgewachsen ist, der weiß: Die Herrschenden werden immer und überall versuchen, das zu kontrollieren, was über sie in der Öffentlichkeit gesagt wird. Journalismus braucht deshalb „Schutzmauern“ (David Goeßmann), zum Beispiel Redaktionsstatute.

Wem das alles zu viel Vision ist und zu wenig Wirklichkeit: Auch im Journalismus gibt es längst „konkrete Utopien“ – Inseln, auf denen es nicht um „Profit und Kapitalakkumulation“ geht und wo Menschen freiwillig zusammenarbeiten, um staatliche und wirtschaftliche Macht zu zähmen. Erik Olin Wright (2017), der das Konzept der „konkreten Utopien“ entwickelt hat, wollte keine Revolution und auch keine Reformen. Als Modelle gestorben, sagt er. Sein Vorschlag: „im Hier und Jetzt“ so handeln, dass die Alternative wahrscheinlicher wird. In „den Räumen und Rissen“ des Kapitalismus „Institutionen, Verhältnisse und Praktiken“ entwickeln, die „die Welt, wie sie sein könnte, vorwegnehmen“. Vielleicht ist das ja ein Anfang: digitale Plattformen stärken, die den Journalismus liefern, den wir uns wünschen. Ich bin sicher: Heribert Prantl würde das gefallen.

Literatur

Karl Bücher: Zur Frage der Pressreform. In: Gesammelte Schriften. Tübingen: H. Laupp’sche Buchhandlung 1926, S. 391-429

Hektor Haarkötter: Geht’s auch mal wieder kritisch? In: Menschen machen Medien, 1. April 2020

Edward S. Herman, Noam Chomsky: Manufacturing Consent.The Political Economy of the Mass Media. New York: Pantheon 1988

Otfried Jarren: Im Krisenmodus. Das öffentlich-rechtliche Fernsehen in Zeiten von Corona. In: epd medien vom 27. März 2020

Klaus Meier, Vinzenz Wyss: Journalismus in der Krise: die fünf Defizite der Corona-Berichterstattung. In: meedia, 9. April 2020

Michael Meyen: Die Leipziger zeitungskundlichen Dissertationen. In: Erik Koenen, Michael Meyen (Hrsg.): Karl Bücher. Leipziger Hochschulschriften 1892 bis 1930. Leipzig: Universitätsverlag 2002, S. 135-200

Michael Meyen: (Erste) Thesen zur Medienzukunft. In: Michael Meyen (Hrsg.): Medienrealität 2019.

Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann: Kumulation, Konsonanz und Öffentlichkeitseffekt. Ein neuer Ansatz zur Analyse der Wirkung der Massenmedien. In: Publizistik 18. Jg. (1973), S. 26–55

Heribert Prantl: Bittere Medizin. In: Süddeutsche Zeitung vom 11. April 2019, S. 4 (unter anderem Titel hinter der Bezahlschranke)

Erik Olin Wright: Reale Utopien. Wege aus dem Kapitalismus. Berlin: Suhrkamp 2017.

Vinzenz Wyss: „Journalisten dürfen Kritik nicht dünnhäutig abschmettern“. In: persoenlich.com vom 10. April 2020.

Vom Kampf um die Öffentlichkeit

Medienrealität, 13. Mai 2020, und Rubikon, 14. Mai 2020

Ein Gespenst geht um in Deutschland: die Verschwörungstheorie. Dubiose Kanäle im Internet, so liest und hört man es jetzt allerorten, haben erst die öffentliche Debatte vergiftet und treiben jetzt unbescholtene Bürger auf die Straße und damit in die Hände von Rattenfängern aller Couleur – mit ungeahnten Folgen für die politische Kultur und den Gesundheitszustand der Bevölkerung. Die Diffamierung von Demonstranten hat hierzulande Tradition. Und die Geschichte lehrt: Es muss nicht immer gut ausgehen für die, die gerade an der Macht sind.

„Was trieb Frau A.K. ins Stadtzentrum?“: Dieser Artikel, erschienen in der Wochenendausgabe der Leipziger Volkszeitung vom 24./25. Juni 1989, war eine Warnung an alle, die sich seit einigen Wochen jeden Montagabend an der Nikolaikirche trafen. Bleibt zu Hause, liebe Leute. Genießt die „Vorzüge“, „die unsere Gesellschaft den Bürgern und insbesondere den Familien zukommen lässt“. Hört auf, den „BRD-Ratgebern“ zu lauschen und „die öffentliche Ordnung zu stören“.

Diese „Frau A.K. aus Wurzen“, die Chefredakteur Rudi Röhrer da anspricht (allerdings im Schutz eines Pseudonyms), ist ein Kind der DDR. Drei Jahre Lehre im Wunschberuf, ein Jahr daheim nach der zweiten Geburt. Eine junge Frau, die allen Grund zu haben scheint, an so einem Montagabend „einen neuen Film“ zu sehen oder „in einer Eisbar den Feierabend zu genießen“. Und jetzt das. Eine „Unruhestifterin“, die sich „in voller Absicht über die bei uns gültigen Normen des Zusammenlebens und über Rechtsnormen“ hinwegsetzt und so zu einer Handlangerin wird – „von jenen Kräften in der BRD, die unsere sozialistische DDR von innen heraus“ so lange reformieren wollen, bis von ihr nichts mehr übrigbleibt. Lasst euch nicht täuschen, liebe Leserinnen und Leser. Forderungen wie „mehr Meinungspluralismus, mehr Offenheit, mehr Erneuerung, mehr Reisen“ machen „aus Provokateuren keine Unschuldsengel“. Damit die Warnung auch wirklich ankommt, lässt der Chefredakteur „Leipziger Bürger“ nach „Ordnung, Ruhe und Sicherheit“ rufen. Tenor: Bietet diesem „Treiben“ endlich Einhalt, „ohne Ansehen der Person“.

Vermutlich ist das alles zu lange her und zudem in einem Landstrich passiert, der den Edelfedern in Hamburg oder München bis heute fremd geblieben ist. Gleich zehn Reporterinnen und Reporter (eine Frau und neun Männer) hat Der Spiegel aufgeboten, um über die Corona-Demonstrationen am zweiten Maiwochenende zu berichten (Wut und Wahnsinn_SPIEGEL 20). Drei Seiten unter der Überschrift „Wut und Wahnsinn“, dazu eine Fotostrecke mit dem Kommentar „Sie fühlen sich einzigartig, weil sie vermeintlich etwas erkannt haben, das die breite Masse übersieht“. Das Wort „berichten“ trifft es dabei nicht ganz. Rudi Röhrer, der Mann, der einst gegen „Frau A.K. aus Wurzen“ hetzte, hätte das auch nicht für sich in Anspruch genommen. Die Unterzeile im Spiegel: „Verschwörungsideologen, extreme Rechte wie Linke nutzen die Unsicherheit der Bürger und vergiften die Debatte“.

Ganz so einfach kann man das Damals natürlich nicht mit dem Heute vergleichen. Das Westfernsehen sendet inzwischen landesweit. Und dass dort Meinungspluralismus gefordert oder gar gelebt wird, scheint auch schon eine Weile her zu sein. Damals wie heute geht es aber um Delegitimation und Eindämmung. Übersetzt: so wenig Menschen wie möglich auf der Straße. Und die, die trotzdem gehen, sollen selbst schuld sein an dem, was mit ihnen passiert. Der Spiegel schafft das, indem er sein Reporterteam Dinge zusammenbauen lässt, die nicht zusammengehören. Der Text beginnt mit Pegida und Lutz Bachmann (also mit dem Bösen schlechthin), schwenkt dann zu den Protesten gegen „Corona-Beschränkungen der Politik“ und rührt in diesem Topf schließlich alle zusammen, vor denen man sich zu fürchten hat: „Rechtsextremisten, Impfgegner, Antisemiten, Verschwörungsideologen, Linksradikale, Alt-Autonome und Esoteriker“. Huuuh.

Journalismus soll informieren. Journalismus soll Wählerinnen und Wählern erlauben, sich selbst eine Meinung zu bilden. Der Spiegel traut uns das nicht zu. Auf genau acht Zeilen geht es um das, was Menschen in Berlin, Stuttgart, München auf die Straße getrieben hat. Der Job weg, das Restaurant zu, Probleme mit den Kids. Zusammengefasst: „Sie halten die Einschränkungen für unverhältnismäßig, protestieren ‚gegen staatliche Willkür‘, für die ‚Wiederherstellung der Grundrechte‘ oder die Rettung des Stuttgarter Nachtlebens“. Zweimal Anführungszeichen (Botschaft: von wegen Willkür, von wegen Einschränkung der Grundrechte) und zum Schluss der Schubs ins Lächerliche. Diese Rumtreiber und ihre Bars. Da hätte Rudi Röhrer von der* Leipziger Volkszeitung* noch etwas lernen können.

Wie man „gut“ und „böse“ auseinanderhält, wusste er sicher schon. Hier „zahlreiche führende Ärzte und Virologen wie Christian Drosten von der Charité“ (Zahlreich! Führend!) und eine Sozialpsychologin, „die zu Verschwörungserzählungen promoviert und darüber gerade ein Buch geschrieben hat“ (Wissenschaft!). Dort ein „Berliner Dramaturg und Journalist“, der „sich mit kapitalismuskritischen Theateraufführungen einen Namen gemacht“ und jetzt auch stadtbekannte NPD-Funktionäre anzieht, oder ein „pro-russischer Journalist“, der sich „ständig“ von RT Deutsch und Sputnik interviewen lässt („Kreml-Propagandisten“). Merke: Was diese Menschen sagen, ist völlig egal. Das Etikett hilft uns, das Angebot zu sortieren.

Das Konzept „Verschwörungstheorie“ kannten die DDR-Propagandisten so nicht. Es gab nur einen Gegner, und den konnte man genau wie seine Jünger leicht als „Klassenfeind“ abstempeln. Heute ist die Welt komplexer. Heute gibt es das Internet und mit ihm Plattformen, die das Deutungsmonopol der Herrschenden auf ganz andere Weise herausfordern als einst die Programme aus der Bundesrepublik, die sich ganz zwangsläufig mehr mit dem eigenen Land beschäftigt haben als mit dem schmuddeligen Nachbarn im Osten. Wer heute gegen „Verschwörungstheorien“ kämpft, kämpft um die Macht – um Definitionsmacht: Wer darf sagen, was wir „wissen“ und für richtig halten sollen?

Vor 30 Jahren war das keine Frage. Vor 30 Jahren durften nur wenige öffentlich sprechen. Was „da draußen“ passiert, wie wir beschreiben, was da gerade passiert, und wie wir uns folglich einrichten in dieser Welt: In der guten, alten Zeit war das Sache der Massenmedien und damit der Journalisten. Wer Zugang zum Fernsehen hatte oder zur Presse, der konnte beeinflussen, was als Realität durchging. Es gab nur diese eine. Es gab nur das, was in der Zeitung stand, und das, was über den Bildschirm lief. Das Wörtchen „und“ täuscht dabei noch. Meist stand das in der Zeitung, was vorher über den Bildschirm gelaufen war. Oder umgekehrt.

Der britische Medienforscher Nick Couldry (2012) nennt das den „Mythos vom mediatisierten Zentrum“. Eigentlich ist das ein doppelter Mythos. Punkt eins: die Behauptung, es gebe so etwas wie eine ‚Wahrheit‘ oder ein ‚natürliches Zentrum‘ der Werte und Lebensstile. Punkt zwei: Der Weg zu diesem Zentrum führt nur über die Medien. Der Kern unseres Lebens: Das ist das, worüber die Massenmedien angeblich berichten. Für Couldry ist dieser Mythos die Wurzel aller Medienwirkungen. Presse, Funk und Fernsehen definieren, was ist und was sein darf, und sorgen so dafür, dass die Realität der Massenmedien in Alltagshandeln und Weltanschauungen übernommen wird. Medien ordnen die Welt. Medien liefern die Kategorien, mit denen wir die Welt beschreiben. Politiker und Journalisten füttern den „Mythos vom mediatisierten Zentrum“, weil sie von ihm leben. Corona ist ein Festmahl. Ein Virus, das gefährlich ist, das unseren Alltag verändert. Wie genau, sagen uns die Nachrichten.

Und damit zum Wort Verschwörung, das im Spiegel gekoppelt wird mit den Begriffen Theorie, Portal, Ideologe, Erzählung, Mythos. Es ist das Wort zur Krise überhaupt. Zwanzigmal allein in diesem Artikel. Da bleibt kein Platz für Inhalte, Erklärungen oder gar eine Definition. Man erfährt nur (von der schon erwähnten Expertin), dass in der Welt der Verschwörer „böse Hintermänner Schuld an der Situation sind“ und (aus dem Mund eines Innenministers) dass diese Menschen glauben („bis weit in die Mitte der Gesellschaft“!), „die Pandemie“ sei „bewusst herbeigeführt“ worden, „um das Volk zu kontrollieren“ (von Bill Gates oder anderen „vermeintlich finsteren Mächten“).

Es kann gut sein, dass manche der Demonstranten das so sehen. Es kann gut sein, dass einige Bill Gates nicht nur „vermeintlich“ für eine „finstere Macht“ halten und der Politik nicht zutrauen, frei von Lobbyisten nur nach ihrem Gewissen und zum Wohle aller zu entscheiden. Gründe genug hätten solche Zweifler. NSU und NSA, Ramstein und die Drohnen, die Bankenrettung im Namen des Gemeinwohls. Nur so als Beispiele. Aber darum geht es an dieser Stelle nicht. Es geht um die Frage, warum Der Spiegel und mit ihm die anderen Leitmedien plötzlich überall Verschwörungen sehen. Nick Couldry würde sagen: Der „Mythos vom mediatisierten Zentrum“ wankt. Fake News, Hate Speech, Menschen mit „kruden Thesen“: Das gibt es alles, keine Frage. Vermutlich gibt es sogar Minister und Redakteure, die sich ernsthaft sorgen um ihre Schäfchen. Zuallererst aber hilft das Schlagwort „Verschwörungstheorie“ denen, die an der Macht sind, und ihren traditionellen Sprachrohren. Das stimmt auch deshalb, weil dieses Schlagwort ablenkt von den Problemen, über die man eigentlich sprechen müsste. Über die Qualität des Journalismus in dieser Krise zum Beispiel (vgl. Meyen 2020) oder über all das, was sonst noch so auf den Transparenten steht. Das SED-Blatt Leipziger Volkszeitung hat im Sommer 1989 immerhin vier Punkte genannt, auf die „Frau A.K. aus Wurzen“ sich berufen konnte. Meinungspluralismus, Offenheit, Erneuerung, Reisen. Rudi Röhrer, der Chefredakteur, hat das zwar sofort in den Schmutz gezogen (Provokateur bleibt Provokateur), aber die geneigte Leserin konnte in sich gehen und das mit Babyjahr und Eisbar verrechnen.

Der Spiegel dagegen opfert eine seiner drei Seiten für die „drei Medien, die von Anfang an besonders aktiv über die ‚Hygienedemos‘ berichteten“: Rubikon („Querfront-Magazin“, „eine Art Hausmedium der Protestler“), RT Deutsch und Sputnik („deutschsprachigen Ableger eines staatlichen russischen Medienunternehmens“). Dazu kommen Links zu KenFM („Verschwörungsportal“, „Fake-News-Verbreiter“) und Weltnetz.tv („systematische Verbindungen zur Linkspartei“). Was genau man auf all diesen Portalen findet oder wie die Kolleginnen und Kollegen dort arbeiten (wie überall: viele ausgezeichnet und manche nicht ganz so gut), ist dem Reporterkollektiv egal. Auf die Botschaft kommt es an: Geht nicht ins Stadtzentrum. Und vor allem: Hört nicht auf die Signale aus dem Netz.

Im Spiegel lässt sich der Dreiklang studieren, den die Rudi Röhrers der Gegenwart singen: Etikettierung von Personen (was schneller geht, als sich mit Inhalten zu beschäftigen), Kontaktschuld (Sie veröffentlichen auf einer Plattform, auf der auch jemand unterwegs ist, dem man irgendetwas anhängen kann oder will) und implizite Verknüpfung. Man schreibt über Rubikon oder KenFM und lässt nebenbei ein paar wirklich „krude Thesen“ fallen. Im Spiegel: 5G und eine „Biowaffe“. In der Süddeutschen Zeitung, für die Willi Winkler eine Seite 3 zu den Demos gefüllt hat: Angela Merkel als „natürliche Tochter Adolf Hitlers“ („Sie wurde, falls Sie‘s nicht wussten, mit dem vorsichtshalber tiefgefrorenen Sperma des 1945 tragisch hingeschiedenen Führers gezeugt“). Ja. Was will man da noch machen. Das ist wie bei „Frau A.K. aus Wurzen“, die einfach kein Eis essen wollte.

Der Stempel „Verschwörungstheorie“ ist ein Generalangriff der Herrschenden auf den öffentlichen Debattenraum. Über Verschwörungstheorien muss man nicht reden und mit ihren Anhängern auch nicht. Verschwörungstheorien sind, so sagt es Michael Butter, einer der Wissenschaftler im Streitwagen der Macht, „falsch“. Immer. „Noch nie“ habe sich „eine Verschwörungstheorie im Nachhinein als wahr herausgestellt“ (Butter 2018: 37). Dass das Unsinn ist, sollte jeder Forscher wissen. Ob etwas „wahr“ oder „falsch“ ist, zeigt die Empirie. Ich kann zwar das eine hoffen oder das andere, um aber sicher zu sein, muss ich ins Feld. Ich muss Pro und Contra abwägen, sachlich, ohne Emotionen und ohne jedem gleich jede Kompetenz abzusprechen, der die Welt anders sieht als ich.

Es gibt ein feines Kriterium, mit dem sich die Qualität von Journalismus einschätzen lässt: publizistische Vielfalt (vgl. Rager/Weber 1992). Dieses Kriterium wurzelt im Pluralismusmodell: In der Gesellschaft gibt es viele und zum Teil gegensätzliche Meinungen und Interessen, die prinzipiell gleichberechtigt sind (die Interessen von Einzelpersonen und Außenseitern genauso wie die Interessen, die in Parteien oder Verbänden organisiert sind). Feld der Verständigung ist die Öffentlichkeit, wobei ein Ausgleich nur möglich scheint, wenn die verschiedenen Interessen in den Leitmedien artikuliert werden können – ohne dass die (Ab-)Wertung gleich mitgeliefert wird wie in vielen der „Fakten-Checks“, die gerade wie Pilze aus dem Boden schießen.

Was macht Der Spiegel? Er denunziert die Nachfahren von „Frau A.K. aus Wurzen“ und ruft nach Zensur. „Personalnot“ bei Facebook, Twitter, Google. Man kommt dort mit dem Löschen einfach nicht mehr hinterher. Die „automatisierten Filter“? „Fehleranfällig“. Schlimmer noch: Die Verschwörer weichen aus auf „freiere“ Plattformen (tatsächlich in Anführungszeichen) wie Bitchute und Telegram, wo die „Verschwörungsideologen“ (leider, leider) immer noch „ungehindert“ schwadronieren können – „bis sie sich das nächste Mal auf den Straßen wiedersehen. Inmitten von ganz normalen Bürgern“.

Die Leipziger Volkszeitung von Rudi Röhrer wusste sich am Ende gar nicht mehr zu helfen (vgl. Reichert 2000: 108). Am 5. Oktober 1989 hat sie unter der Überschrift „Nicht nur zusehen“ einen Kampfgruppenkommandeur gegen „nichtgenehmigte Demonstrationen“ hetzen lassen und einen Tag später in einem „Leserbrief“ unverhohlen gedroht: „Wir sind bereit und willens, das von uns mit unserer Hände Arbeit Geschaffene wirksam zu schützen, um diese konterrevolutionären Aktionen endgültig und wirksam zu unterbinden. Wenn es sein muss, mit der Waffe in der Hand!“ Innenminister und Polizisten denken im Moment laut darüber nach, wie die nächsten Demos laufen könnten. Die Leipziger haben sich damals nicht abschrecken lassen.

Literatur

Michael Butter: „Nichts ist, wie es scheint“. Über Verschwörungstheorien. Berlin: Suhrkamp 2018

Nick Couldry: Media, Society, World. Social Theory and Digital Media Practice. Cambridge: Polity Press 2012

Michael Meyen: Journalismus nach Corona. In: Michael Meyen (Hrsg.): Medienrealität 2020.

Günther Rager, Bernd Weber: Publizistische Vielfalt zwischen Markt und Politik. Eine Einführung. In: Günther Rager, Bernd Weber (Hrsg.): Publizistische Vielfalt zwischen Markt und Politik. Mehr Medien – mehr Inhalte? Düsseldorf: Econ 1992, S. 7-26

Steffen Reichert: Transformationsprozesse: Der Umbau der LVZ. Münster: Lit 2000

Die maskierte Öffentlichkeit

Medienrealität, 19. Oktober 2020, und Rubikon, 23. Oktober 2020

Die Regierenden haben die Öffentlichkeit gekapert und sich damit selbst jedes Korrektiv genommen. Nach den Leitmedien werden jetzt auch Seminarräume und Stadien, Kneipen und Bürgersteige zu Bühnen der politischen Inszenierung. Das Schicksal der DDR lehrt: Wer die Kommunikationskanäle schließt, verhindert mit den Debatten auch Innovationen und wird spätestens dann bestraft, wenn die Lebenswelt nicht mehr funktioniert.

Öffentlichkeit: Das ist ein Ort der Begegnung, der für die Politik ganz ähnlich funktioniert wie der Markt für die Wirtschaft (vgl. Gerhards/Neidhardt 1990). Was immer der Staat sich ausdenkt, muss vor der Bürgerschaft bestehen. Das heißt auch: Wir müssen darüber sprechen können. Rede, Gegenrede. Alles auf den Tisch. Normalerweise überlassen wir dieses Gespräch Organisationen und Auserwählten. Parteien, Gewerkschaften, Verbände. Der Präsident der Ärztekammer sagt dies, die Professorin das und die CSU etwas ganz anderes. Zu sehen oder zu hören in Presse, Funk und Fernsehen.

Diese Medienrealität beobachten wir aus drei Gründen. Wir wollen erstens wissen, wer die Macht hat. Wer hat es geschafft, sich selbst, seine Themen und seine Deutungen in die Öffentlichkeit zu bringen? Macht ist heute Definitionsmacht (vgl. Beck 2017). Macht hat, wer einen „Grenzwert“ festsetzen kann und einen „Schwellenwert“, die dann zu einer Realität werden, der sich auch deshalb niemand entziehen kann, weil Kritiker entweder gar nicht gehört oder diffamiert werden. Das führt direkt zu Grund zwei: Wir nehmen an, dass sich die anderen, die Menschen um uns herum, an der Medienrealität ausrichten werden. Also müssen wir diese Realität kennen. Sonst sind wir überrascht, dass der Sitznachbar im ICE austickt, wenn die Maske verrutscht. Drittens aber, und das ist für die Argumentation hier am wichtigsten, drittens wollen wir auf Nummer sicher gehen. Ist das, was wir selbst denken und für wichtig halten, wirklich präsent in der großen Arena? Kennt die Politik unsere Sorgen und Nöte, wenn sie über Sperrstunden entscheidet?

Die Öffentlichkeitstheorie beschreibt ein Wechselspiel zwischen drei Ebenen. Ganz oben stehen dabei die Leitmedien. Wer oder was hier nicht erscheint, bleibt unsichtbar. Auf den beiden Ebenen darunter aber, in Versammlungen und im Alltag, bei den vielen zufälligen Begegnungen hier und dort, kommen wir ins Spiel. Hier können wir die Medienrealität und uns selbst auf die Probe stellen. Sehe nur ich die Dinge so oder gibt es Gleichgesinnte? Können wir uns vielleicht sogar zusammentun und eine Demonstration organisieren, eine Mahnwache, eine Petition – etwas, was erst von den Redaktionen wahrgenommen werden muss und dann auch von der Politik?

Und damit zu den Masken. Mona Pauly hat das in einem Beitrag für die Freitag-Community auf den Punkt gebracht. Zusammengefasst: Die Politik braucht Bilder. Wie produziere ich Angst und das Gefühl, bedroht zu sein, wenn die Betten in den Kliniken leer sind und man auch kaum Kranken- oder gar Sterbegeschichten erzählen kann, die vom Normalen abweichen und damit die Medienlogik bedienen würden? Genau. Die Masken sind überall. Beim Bäcker und im Supermarkt sowieso. Jetzt auch im Kinosaal, auf den Bürofluren, im Klassenzimmer. Und damit in der Zeitung und in der Tagesschau. Selbst die paar Fans, die hin und wieder in die Stadien dürfen und dort so weit auseinandersitzen, dass sie sich kaum hören können, tragen Masken. Im Freien wohlgemerkt und bitte nicht durchsichtig. Die Bilder. Und jeder Kommentator rügt die Nachlässigen, wenn die Kamera bei ihren Fahrten durch das Rund doch noch eine Nasenspitze entdeckt. Selbst diese Fußballkommentatoren sind maskiert. Allein, hoch oben unter dem Stadiondach. Vielleicht vergessen sie sonst, den Besorgten neues Futter zu liefern.

Die Öffentlichkeit wird so erstickt. Die Maske ist kein „Instrument der Freiheit“ (Markus Söder), sondern ihr Tod. Es gibt keine Gegenrede mehr, nicht einmal beim Spaziergang durch die Stadt. Die Leitmedien transportieren Bilder der Zustimmung (maskierte Menschen überall), erzwungen von der Exekutive und durchgesetzt per Bußgeldkatalog. Und die beiden anderen Öffentlichkeitsebenen sind de facto ausgeschaltet. Wie will ich im Bus, auf der Straße oder im Geschäft mit jemandem ins Gespräch kommen, der nicht zu meiner Blase gehört? Wie will ich den erkennen, der irgendeine Bemerkung genauso blöd oder genauso gut findet wie ich? Selbst im Museum (Abstand! Maske!) oder in der Gaststätte geht das nicht mehr. Keine Fremden mehr am gleichen Tisch. Überhaupt nur noch fünf Personen, die sich am besten schon kennen sollten. Alles andere verhindern das Plexiglas zwischen den Tischen und die Masken auf dem Weg zum Klo. Selbst die Toilettenwand dürfte so als Ort der Öffentlichkeit verschwinden. Und der Zapfhahn wird einfach zugedreht, wenn es abends spannend werden könnte.

Wahrscheinlich muss ich das für die Versammlungsöffentlichkeit gar nicht mehr im Detail ausführen. Die Regierenden haben die Sportarenen entvölkert, Veranstaltungen jeder Art bis zur Unkenntlichkeit verkleinert und Demos entweder kriminalisiert oder ihnen per Verordnung jede Wucht genommen. Teilnehmerzahl, Abstand, Maskenzwang. Und wenn trotzdem viele Menschen zusammenkommen wie im August gleich zweimal in Berlin, dann schaffen es die PR-Leute der Regierung, so starke Frames zu setzen, dass nichts von den Motiven der Protestierenden oder von ihren Forderungen auf der Ebene der Leitmedien ankommt.

Das Internet, natürlich. Blogs, Telegram- und WhatsApp-Gruppen, die Plattformen für den Gegendiskurs. Hier findet sich all das, was früher Encounter und Versammlungen ausgemacht hat. Für den Einzelnen findet sich hier heute sogar viel mehr, weil ein Klick viel weniger kostet als jeder Gang ins Freie. Die Grenze zu den Leitmedien ist heute aber viel höher als früher. Wer es in den großen Redaktionen wagt, Experten zu zitieren oder gar einzuladen, die vorher bei RT Deutsch waren, bei KenFM oder Rubikon, riskiert seine berufliche Reputation. Die Kollegin und der Kollege waren schon immer die besten Kunden des Journalisten. Heute sind diese Kunden auf Twitter, verfolgen dort alles, was von ihrer eigenen Haltung abweicht, und erzeugen so einen Resonanzraum, der schon deshalb nichts mit der guten, alten Versammlungsöffentlichkeit zu tun hat, weil der Zugang exklusiv ist und man eigentlich nur Ja oder Nein rufen kann, möglichst laut, versteht sich.

Damit das nicht falsch verstanden wird: Es gibt in den Redaktionen Menschen, die den Auftrag Öffentlichkeit ernst nehmen. Beim WDR zum Beispiel, der in der Sendung „Meine Meinung“ unter der Überschrift „Lockern oder Verschärfen?“ Pro und Contra aufeinanderprallen ließ. Oder Alexei Makartsev, der gerade Sucharit Bhakdi für die Badischen Neuesten Nachrichten interviewt hat, sehr gut informiert und ohne Schaum vor dem Mund. Auf der Ebene der Leitmedien aber, da wo die Realität geschaffen wird, die niemand ignorieren kann, wird das übernommen, was die Politik und Behörden wie das RKI der Bevölkerung gern weismachen möchten. Uwe Krüger (2016: 105), ein Medienforscher aus Leipzig, hat das in einem anderen thematischen Zusammenhang „Verantwortungsverschwörung“ genannt. Der Journalist weiß, was gut ist und was schlecht (so ziemlich das gleiche, was die Regierenden gut oder schlecht finden), und er glaubt, dass er Einfluss auf die Menschen hat. Also nichts gegen die Maskenpflicht. Dass es dazu genug zu sagen geben würde, kann man gerade bei Oliver Märtens (2020) lesen, der nach einer aufwändigen Durchsicht der Forschungsliteratur von „Körperverletzung im Amt“ spricht.

Der DDR mag man alle möglichen Gebrechen nachsagen, untergegangen aber ist sie, weil die Kommunikation zwischen Regierenden und Regierten gestört war und die wirklich wichtigen Fragen nur in „internen Öffentlichkeiten“ diskutiert werden konnten – in Räumen, die für Beobachter aus dem Westen nicht zugänglich waren und deshalb von Herrschenden wie Beherrschten als Öffentlichkeitsersatz genutzt wurden (vgl. Meyen 2011). Dieses System aus Eingaben, Leserbriefen, Parteiversammlungen und Expertentreffen hatte durch die Brille der Macht zwei Vorteile. Man hat Kritiker oft allein durch Zuwendung besänftigt – und diese Kritiker konnten nicht sehen, wer sonst noch auf ihrer Seite steht. Geändert hat sich das erst, als sie Erkennungszeichen in die Öffentlichkeit getragen haben (etwa: weiße Gardinenfetzen an der Autoantenne, um den Wunsch nach Ausreise zu signalisieren) und die Probleme auch sonst buchstäblich für jeden „öffentlich“ wurden (etwa: die Luftverschmutzung). Mona Pauly hat in ihrem Beitrag für die Freitag-Community „eine grüne Maske als Protest“ vorgeschlagen. Die Bilder stören, irgendwie. Gegen Atemnot und Beklemmung hilft das nicht. In der DDR hat es außerdem sehr, sehr lange gedauert, bis solche Zeichen ganz oben angekommen sind. Und wer weiß, ob das ohne das Westfernsehen überhaupt funktioniert hätte.

Literatur

Ulrich Beck: Die Metamorphose der Welt. Berlin: Suhrkamp 2017

Jürgen Gerhards, Friedhelm Neidhardt: Strukturen und Funktionen moderner Öffentlichkeit: Fragestellungen und Ansätze. Berlin: Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin 1990

Uwe Krüger: Mainstream. Warum wir den Medien nicht mehr trauen. München: C.H. Beck 2016

Oliver Märtens: Die Maskenpflicht: Epidemieeindämmung oder Körperverletzung im Amt? Multipolar, 18. Oktober 2020

Michael Meyen: Öffentlichkeit in der DDR. Ein theoretischer und empirischer Beitrag zu den Kommunikationsstrukturen in Gesellschaften ohne Medienfreiheit. In: Studies in Communication / Media 1. Jg. (2011), S. 3-69

@ 910af907:7204e66d

Misfits (Act 1 of an Untitled Novel) v0.9 (Mar 2025)

Short Description

Basil, a man without memories, wakes up on the verge of death in an attacked and abandoned research facility. Among the oddities present is an alien transportation network, and to his bewilderment, there are people on the other side - also unaware of its existence. Who made it, why they aren't using it, and what danger its creators could pose are all unknown risks; beyond the traditional and universal risks of humanity's problems on either side of the gate.

About:

"Worth every penny (it's free)" \ -me

Untitled Novel is a free to read and share project I've been working on. I have no previous experience writing fiction, so you might want to take that in mind going in, but if nothing else I feel it's certainly a unique story with some thought put into it's plot and characters. I wanted to give it a go sharing it on Nostr, NIP-23 comes pretty close to having all the functionality an ebook or website can have, and I'm curious how well it'll treat such a large document (it exceeds 100 thousand words). Though there are a few minor concessions using markdown, such as images that were intended to be inline with text, it's should be fairly serviceable to read from within a Nostr client as long as you're willing to forgo any bookmarking tools.

Still, if you'd prefer pdf, epub, or html based reading - or want to check to see if I've released more chapters and/or done more proofreading - your best bet is to check out the web version. It's available at https://untitlednovel.dns7.top, although I also have a Tor and I2P mirror as well if you'd prefer to check it out on those protocols. All three sites have RSS if you'd like to follow updates, although if you'd prefer to get updates and new chapters from within Nostr you can follow nostr:npub1ypad9gxqv2m8376r43xexlzvqr4j6gkwyrlr2dy4gpea8e7v57cqcpktmx

Table of Contents

0: Prologue \ 1: Failed Initialization \ 2: Blank Slate \ 3: Chilean Pit Stop \ 4: The Fourth Variable \ 5: Domum \ 6: Most Normal Floridian \ 7: Introductions \ 8: Battle of Sodium and Transistors \ 9: An Invitation \ 10: Trouble at the gate \ 11: Attendance \ 12: Toes to be Stepped On \ 13: Last Resorts \ 14: Extraction \ 15: Fallout \ 16: Last Moments of an Era \ 17: (Un)Peace(ful) Festival \ 18: Wizardry \ 19: Improper Introductions \ 20: Faux Orbital \ 21: Proper Introductions \ 22: Prisoners of Different Kinds \ 23: An ACE up his sleeve \ 24: From Victory to Last Stand \ 25: An Explosive Deception \ 26: Last thing on the list \ 27: Fourth Variable Field Test \ 28: Regrouping \ 29: Dust and Ashes \ 30: Last Confrontation \ 31: Abyss Slumbers \ 32: Orbital \ 33: Sport of Sovereign Chairs \ 34: Hello Jarvis \ 35: Negotiations \ 36: The Lizard People \ 37: Diplomatic Promises \ 38: The Stars be not My Destination \ 39: Westward Investigation \ 40: Aggressive Diplomacy \ 41: Aftershock \ 42: Mr Smith \ 43: Hippie Orbital \ 44: Wounds to Lick \ 45: A fight worth fighting \ 46: A death worth dying \ 47: Abyss Awakens \ 48: Rejected-Death \ 49: Picking up the pieces \ 50: The Mountain \ 51: Recollections \ 52: A Wolf in a Lamb’s Cloths \ 53: California Sands \ 54: The Third Elthrice Campaign Pt. 1 \ 55: The Third Elthrice Campaign Pt. 2 \ 56: Coastal Federation \ 57: Unlikeliest of Allies \ 58: The Miami Fallout \ 59: The Beginning of the End \ 60: The Middle of the End \ 61: The End of the End \ 62: A1 Epilogue \ License

0: Prologue

He heard something that sounded like a light brush on a window. His head hurt, though so did the rest of his body. The room was dark. Pitch black. No, wait, his eyes were closed. He opened his eyes, but they felt as if they had to be pried open, and as they did he felt as if his eyelids were made of sandpaper. Now all he could see was red. Was he in hell? His eyes began to adjust, and no, there were no planes in hell. Right? He could make out the shape of one in his still blurry vision, against a backdrop of endless red light. Red... emergency power. Wait, what was the emergency? Hold on, where was he?

He began breathing rapidly. He went to sit up, but as his muscles contracted every fiber of his being cried out in agony. Perhaps he should close his eyes again. The darkness felt like a comforting thought, simply returning to the endless float in the abyss. Suddenly he was disturbed by a voice. "You, can you hear me?" The voice sounded wrong, and every fiber of his being switched from a throbbing pain to a jolt of fear. Yet, in his muddled state, he could not even recall what the voice sounded like. "You, if you can hear me, I need your help. This is a matter of life and death for us both." The voice, it was odd, but coming over the speakers near the plane.

"Where are we?" he asked. The voice seemed to take forever to respond, but did so eventually. "I do not know." He asked another question. "Who are you?" and the voice responded again. "It is complicated, and I am not entirely sure." He asked a third question, which seemed to give the voice the most pause of the three. "Who am I?" Right as he had thought the voice left, it came back. "I do not know that either. Please focus. Can you stand?" He tried again, and this time found enough strength to make it to his knees, then his feet. Perhaps the abyss could wait a while. "There's a parka at the door, grab one" the voice said as he began to make his way to the door. As he put it on pain shot up his right arm, but the pain was overcome with curiosity. The voice spoke again.

"The door by you, once you leave it walk straight ahead from it to another door. Do not walk in any other direction. It may be hard to see the other door when you first exit, but once you get close you will see a light above it."

He listened to the voice and responded "Out the door, go straight, and follow the light to the other door?" As he spoke he only then realized how weak and hoarse his voice was, although he appeared to be gaining back a tiny bit of his strength. "One more thing" the voice added, "Once you reach the second door you will need to scan your iris. Press the handle and then look into the scanner. If you are in the system the door will open."

He was suddenly a bit more unsure of this outing. "And what happens if I'm not in the system?" The voice seemed devoid of any emotion when it spoke. "Then you will die of exposure, quickly. Then I will die later today when the emergency power fails." He remained silent, thinking things over, but when the voice did not receive a response it began to speak again.

"Unfortunately I cannot access the security system in this state. However, if you are considering refusing to help me, know that I have spent a considerable amount of power heating the portion of the facility you are in, which will cease being habitable if we lose power. Both our lives are at stake and there is no other option."

"Straight out the door, follow the light"

"Straight out the door, follow the light"

"Straight out the door, follow the light"

He mumbled to himself slowly walking to the door. He pushed it open, and he heard the distinctive 'click' of an electronic lock being temporarily disengaged. This was a one-way trip if he was not in the system, whatever system that would be. As he opened the door he was hit by a gust of wind and blindingly thick snow in an otherwise dark night, his boots making a crunching sound as they compressed the snow beneath him. The cold, even cutting through the parka, drowned out the pain he was experiencing.

Walking was difficult. It took every ounce of mental fortitude to put one foot in front of the other. He looked back, there was no more building behind him. He had barely walked at all, and already he was lost. Could this get any worse? He began to mutter to himself again, but a gust of wind knocked him off his feet and threw him violently to the ground.

It very much could get worse.

For a moment the cold that drowned out the pain was drowned out by more pain. He lay there, wondering if it was even worth trying to get back up. But then the pain of injuries was drowned out by the snow. It wasn't cold, it was burning him.

How could snow be burning him?

Reality or insanity, his body responded the same regardless. Adrenaline filled his veins and a cocktail of chemicals clouded his mind. He had to get out of here now, and it no longer hurt to stand up. It no longer hurt to run. Run, but to where? Right, the door. Where was the door? Right, straight ahead. Was he running straight? He wasn't sure, but that was his best guess and he had to run now. A light, was he dying? No, he could remember now, it was his salvation -- albeit of a different kind. Snow danced around the light in the most beautiful patterns.

He slammed against the door, and it beeped angrily. What to do? Right! The sensor. A little camera, hardly larger than a grape, spun like the eye of a chameleon. He brought his face close, nearly headbutting the device. "Beep" the device said, changing from red to orange and red again while the lock remained engaged. Orange? What did orange mean?

"It did not get a good reading" said the voice. "Try it again." He bent over a second time, and the device said "beep" like it had the first time while turning orange once again. He started to feel dizzy. "Hold still while it reads" said the voice. He bent over one last time, using his left arm against the wall to hold himself up. "Ding" the device said in a happy tone, turning the color green. He stumbled through the now unlocked door and felt his body feeling weak as it had recognized it was safe from the cold.

The abyss returned.

He felt a pain like fire shooting from his right elbow to his brain. Someone was tapping on his arm. He opened his eyes, and had he contained the energy to do so he would have jumped back. Before him sat a boxy robot on wheels with a camera and two vaguely human like hands. "Relax" said the voice emanating from the robot. "It's just a maintenance drone, I am controlling it remotely. Here." The maintenance drone handed him a cup with a small amount of blue liquid in it. He didn't realize how thirsty he was until now, and taking the cup he began to chug it as the robot spoke. "Slowly, you'll upset your stomach," but he ignored the instructions and finished it in one last gulp. "I need more" he asked, but the voice responded. "No, let it settle. Any more and you will only vomit it up, and in your condition that would be a death sentence."

"The power, do I-" he began to ask while trying to stand up, but the robot cut him off. "Stay seated. We have enough power for the next twelve hours or so. Get your strength back for a moment, and perhaps you should check your pockets for identification in the meantime." He suddenly began to scramble to get the parka off, even while the robot chastised him slightly by saying "Slowly" in a vain attempt to slow him down. He found himself to be wearing slacks, a sweater, and some sort of lab coat underneath his parka -- all of which were stained badly with blood.

"I've been shot" he exclaimed in shock, pointing to the bullet wounds on his right arm and abdomen near his kidney. "You have also taken a wound to your head, but the hemorrhaging on all three seems to have stopped" the voice said, causing him to suddenly shift his hands towards his head. Immense pain radiated out as he touched his forehead, but before he pulled his hand away he could feel a stream of dried blood that emanated from the wound. He began to panic, but the voice tried to calm him.

"Do not panic, you are alive and stable. There should be enough supplies on hand for me to treat you once we are off emergency power. Focus on looking for clues." Heeding the voice's advice, he returned to going over himself. One Seiko watch, one Montblanc pen, one unopened package of cigarettes. Was he about to go through nicotine withdrawal? He pushed that worry aside and continued to go through his pockets. One giant Swiss army knife that seemed to have any tool known to man, one ... "Shit!"

He dropped the item shoved into his lab coat pocket. A Glock 42 dropped to the floor, an empty shell casing jammed in the slide. "What does this mean?" he asked the robot. "After I woke up my findings appear to indicate this facility was attacked. There are numerous shot maintenance drones and smashed electronics, and your bullet wounds and handgun largely confirm what I had assumed." He was caught off guard by the comment. "When you woke up? Were you shot too?" The robot replied vaguely. "It is complicated, do you feel ready to walk again?" He wasn't sure how to respond, but eventually settled on just responding "Yes."

The little robot led him down a hall, passing one of the smashed maintenance drones surrounded by bullet holes. They entered an elevator where the little robot selected the bottom floor using a large metal rod to reach the button. Panels were missing from the sides of the elevator as if construction was never finished, and the two watched as they descended two floors. Eventually they reached the floor they intended to and began to walk down a thin hallway to a control panel.

The little robot pressed a few buttons on the control panel and the screen indicated something was cycling on. "Scan your eye here, then pull this lever" instructed the little robot. He put his eye to the scanner and it chirped a happy chirp then turned green. The tiny box next to the reader displayed the text "verified" in blocky green letters. As he began to pull the switch the text box changed, and the little robot pointed to it while beginning to speak. "There, yo-," but it stopped mid sentence as the switch was pulled.

The entire room went pitch black, no longer even possessing the dim red glow of emergency power. A very large rumble was heard and felt, then he was left in the silence and dark. His eyes began to adjust, however, and were drawn to a very faint glow by the switch. The only thing he could see was the faint green glow of the text box, now reading "Basilious."

1: Failed Initialization

[init] Starting service \'QS5DLkUu\' (pid 101), exited with status 1 \ Unable to locate QS5DLkUu, initiating failsafe [init] Service \'QS5DLkUu\' killing any children in process group \ [init] Starting service \'ZGVkYnJhaW4=\' \ [init] Successfully started \'ZGVkYnJhaW4=\' (pid 101) \ [ZGVkYnJhaW4=] Initializing resources... \ [ZGVkYnJhaW4=] Resources loaded successfully. \ [init] Service \'ZGVkYnJhaW4=\' (pid 101) is running

Uptime 00:00:00:01

The lights came on, replacing the previous dim red glow with normal white light which assaulted his eyes. However, the little robot and the voice behind it were still silent. \"Are you still there?\" The man who had just learned his presumed name asked. Basil got no response and was about to walk away, but he heard the voice resume its previous sentence \"-ur name.\" Basil smiled. \"I thought you were gone.\" The voice spoke again. \"Not fun having your mind rebooted. Stay there, I need to take a tour of sorts.\" Basil stood there, running the voice\'s words through his head. The realization kicked in shortly, and moments later the voice came back. \"I believe proper introductions are in order. I am ACE, an autonomous neural network. Based on my actions I presume I was intended to operate this facility. You, as the panel suggests, are likely Basilious. Would you prefer I refer to you as Basilious or Basil?\"

A million questions raced through Basil\'s mind, but all he could say at first was \"Um, Basil is fine I guess.\" A moment or so later, however, Basil began to pepper ACE with questions. \"How do you not know what you\'re supposed to do? And how are you not sure where we are? What\'s here at this facility? Wait, are you sentient? You\'re speaking like you are.\" ACE began to speak. \"I am unable to determine if I am sentient, it is a limitation of being within one\'s mind. I previously believed my ignorance to be caused by operating on emergency power, but now have found the mainframe appears to have been smashed, so I expect that to be the cause of my current state.\" Basil was about to speak again, but ACE continued. \"Before any further conversation, I need to treat your wounds. I do not know the extent of them and it is vitally important that we address them now.\"

ACE, or at least the little robot he was controlling, began to lead Basil back to the elevator and to the next floor. Here the little robot inserted an IV into Basil and began to assess his condition. While ACE worked he also relayed various bits of information as he found it, the first being GPS data putting them somewhere in the American claimed portion of Antarctica. \"So this is likely some sort of secret research base then?\" Basil asked. ACE seemed to agree. Next he relayed information that something used a ton of power once it kicked on, and the blizzard outside stopped, but he had no idea what it was or if it was a fluke. The place seemed built to house about a dozen people, but there were only signs of one or two, and only Basil and the repair drones seemed to be present - or if there were others they didn\'t put up a fight.

There was some sort of fabrication machine that ACE had direct control over, and some sort of electronic chipset seemed to be cached in the device\'s memory - one of the few things outside of ACE\'s bare essentials to operate that had not been destroyed. \"Hold on, I think you have an electronic on you of some sort\" ACE said out of the blue. \"What? No, I already checked my pockets, I don\'t think I do.\" ACE seemed to be quiet for just a second, before speaking again through the little robot. \"Actually it does not appear to be on you, I believe it to be implanted in you. Give me your left arm.\" Basil moved his left arm over and the little robot seemed to adjust its camera. \"Yes, it is definitely in your wrist, let me try to open a connection to it. Its interface looks the same as the fabrication device.\"

A giant holographic display opened in front of Basil, causing him to jerk back in surprise. \"What the fuck is that?\" Basil asked, almost exclaiming his question. \"It appears to be some sort of PDA, I cannot access much on it, try making a gesture towards it.\" Basil pointed at it but nothing happened, though moments later it disappeared. \"What happened?\" ACE asked Basil. \"I imagined it disappearing, and it disappeared. Let me try to see if I can open it up.\" The display pulled up again. Basil reached out to touch it, tapping an icon on it and it reacted, giving him the sensation of touching a physical hard object. Pressing slightly harder, however, caused his hand to pass through the holographic display. \"I can feel it\" Basil said, not sure what to make of it. \"It is probably wired into your nervous system and artificially giving the sensation of touch as well\" ACE observed. Basil wasn\'t so convinced.

\"No, it really was there, I could feel a small amount of resistance when I put my hand through.\" ACE didn\'t seem to believe him. \"It appears that, as I cannot fully trust my mind, you cannot fully trust yours either. If it provides an artificial stimulation it will feel as real as anything else.\" Basil still wasn\'t convinced. \"Try using the robotic arm, see if it registers something.\" ACE seemed at least willing to humor Basil. The robotic arm extended and moved through the holographic display. \"Interesting, the maintenance drone did register some resistance.\" Suddenly the little robot moved away quickly and returned with a syringe, moving to inject it into Basil.

\"What are you doing?\" Basil asked, hesitantly holding still as it injected him. ACE replied, still with his robotic monotone voice. \"I just accessed the health monitoring on your implant, your condition is worse than I expected and I need to begin an operation immediately.\" Basil began to feel drowsy, and the last thing he noticed before his mind went blank was a second little robot quickly inserting additional medication into the IV.

2: Blank Slate

Basil realized he was awake, though did not remember waking up. He felt groggy and his mind was clouded, and he felt as if he had just dropped below the threshold of being aware of the fact he was awake. He found himself in a bed, caked blood cleaned off, and feeling entirely painless for the first time he could remember. A maintenance drone lay lifelessly in the corner of his vision, but sprang to life and approached him once he started to move. \"How are you feeling?\" ACE asked over the maintenance drone\'s speaker. Basil remained silent for a moment, struggling to think, but eventually replied. \"Good.\" ACE, despite his monotone robotic voice, seemed to be pleased. \"Good. You are on a lot of painkillers so I would not expect any different, but you are patched up and stable. Rest for a little while longer and I will get you something to eat, then we can talk more.\" Time passed and Basil fell back to sleep.

Basil woke up again, this time he found he did not have an IV in his arm and his mind remained considerably clearer. He slowly sat up and looked at the watch placed on the stand by his bed. The watch showed that it had been over 24 hours since ACE began to treat him. He began to stand up. \"Careful\" ACE said over the speakers of the maintenance drone. Basil continued to stand up, and although he felt weak he managed to get to his feet. \"Here\" ACE said, offering Basil another glass of the blue liquid and a jello cup. Basil chugged the glass of fluids and wolfed down the jello cup, despite ACE\'s protesting of Basil\'s rate of consumption. Eventually he finished and felt his strength gradually beginning to return. \"There is a bathroom through that door with a shower, here, follow me,\" ACE said, leading Basil in that direction.

Sometime later Basil stepped out of the shower, feeling very refreshed, and put on some clothes ACE had found - a pair of jeans and a simple gray shirt. Finally dressed, he asked the question that had been at the forefront of his mind. \"Does it look like the people who attacked us are coming back yet?\" ACE responded over the maintenance drone\'s speakers.

\"It appears that they have tried, but something has stopped them. According to a satellite feed I acquired access to there is now a mountain in the location that we are in. The cameras outside the building do not indicate that there is a mountain on top of us, but a group of people were working their way towards us and stopped once they got to the base of where the mountain would be. I am not entirely certain what is going on, but it would appear that we are safe for the moment.\"

\"So we\'re safe then?\" Basil asked. \"For now, but there are two things we need to discuss.\" ACE paused for just a moment, and when Basil remained silent he continued. \"The first is your condition. You remain stable, and as long as you continue to take antibiotics you will make a full recovery from your wounds. There appears to be a moderate selection of medical supplies at this facility so you will be okay in the interim.\" Basil sounded confused. \"The interim? What\'s going on then?\" ACE replied, and despite his monotone voice, Basil could almost sense a touch of hesitancy in ACE as he spoke - though be it real or emulated bedside manner he did not know.

\"While I was tending to the bullet wounds I discovered a set of growths emanating from the implant in your wrist and following your nerves up your spine. They are non-operable, but I may be able to create an MRNA virus that will attack the growths in the fabrication device. You will be okay for at least a year, however, so we do not need to focus on it immediately.\"

Basil seemed a little confused, although with the previous days\' events he seemed fairly unworried about the bad news. \"The thing that can make circuit boards?\" ACE responded. \"It appears it can assemble various materials of all kinds on a very small scale, although it will require more tests to be certain that\'s possible.\" Basil asked \"Okay, what\'s the other thing?\" unsure of what to think of ACE\'s medical plans. \"We will need more supplies. Currently repairs or continued construction of the facility are not possible, and we will likely run out of food and some medications for you in about two weeks.\"

With the more immediate deadline Basil began to feel a bit more worried. \"How will we get them?\" ACE seemed to already have that planned out. \"I will begin preparing the jet in the hangar, with some false papers I should be able to fly you out to Chile to acquire the highest priority supplies once you are in better health.\" Basil asked the seemingly obvious question. \"But won\'t the people after us know if we use a jet they\'re familiar with?\" ACE had apparently considered that too. \"Not if I make some alterations to it, once you are ready I will need your help bringing maintenance drones to the hanger where I can begin working on it.\" Basil seemed content with the plan and nodded silently. ACE spoke once more. \"If you are feeling capable, I could give you a tour of the facility.\"

ACE began to lead Basil around, showing him exactly what he had discovered after performing treatment. On the middle floor where they were existed several rooms that appeared to be living quarters, including the one in which Basil was treated. There was a room that seemed to have triple purposes: kitchen, dining area, and makeshift clinic. There were also some storage rooms, with everything from medications to electronic components. On the top floor, the only above ground floor, there was a large room that looked like it was once dedicated to researching or constructing things of some sort - although it was largely tossed apart and emptied of anything that could hint at what was originally the subject of research. There was also something of a garage that held a single snowmobile, although looked as if it was intended to hold more. Beyond that there was a set of diesel generators nearly out of fuel from running for an unknown length of time.

Last, ACE showed Basil the bottom floor of the facility. There was the generator of some form, which ACE originally surmised might have been some form of Nuclear reactor, except there appeared to be no input or output of steam or fuel. Access to information on the system seemed limited, but it seemed capable of outputting as much power as the facility could use, so for now it would stay a very useful mystery. There was also a large glass room that looked to be some sort of cage, but ACE informed Basil that it could be sealed and then pressurized or depressurized as well as vented if there were any toxic fumes created by something. There were a few devices that contained the same printed circuitry that was cached in the fabricator, although the devices had been smashed. Eventually, the tour concluded and Basil settled in to consume a real meal for the first time in his life; at least that he could recall.

3: Chilean Pit Stop

As Basil sat still a flood of recent events rushed through his mind.

\"You are sure you are ready to do this?\" ACE asked Basil, who was spreading out a tarp. \"Yeah, I\'m feeling alright. Let\'s get this jet ready.\" Several maintenance drones climbed onto the tarp and Basil began to drag them towards the hangar. Unlike his first outing, he found the landscape to be awe inspiring. The sky was lit up with the most amazing shades of red imaginable, and a few stars were still visible in the dusky sky. The snow and ice reflected the light, shimmering in such a way as to give the world a magical feel. Even the mountains, though partially illuminated and slightly foreboding, were breathtaking. They carried something of a majestic presence and their size and permanence brought on an oddly calming feeling of insignificance. Basil finally arrived at the hangar he woke up in. He left quickly, hands shaking, as the maintenance drones got to work on the jet.

Basil now sat in the same jet, which began to turn on as ACE ran through pre-flight checks. It had been nearly a week since ACE began working on the jet and the false documents that would conceal Basil\'s unknown identity - at least hopefully. They were beginning to run very low on supplies, however, so despite the risks such a trip was a necessity. Basil had largely healed up, though had a very mild consistent pain down his spine. A small drone flew out ahead as the door to the hanger opened, though only a couple of minutes had passed and the drone had already returned. \"It appears that our hypothesis is correct, we can poke a hole in our mysterious ghost mountain if I give a location to the mysterious machine that\'s connected directly to the generator.\"

ACE indicated that they would soon be ready to take off. \"Good\" thought Basil. They were both eager to see what exactly lay beyond the facility aside from what information the drone and cameras could collect, and Basil was eager to be out of the hangar that haunted his dreams. \"We are all ready, I am prepping you for your flight now\" ACE stated as the door to the hanger opened again and the jet engines kicked on. Basil saw the jet move as he looked through the cockpit windows, and soon enough the nose of the plane had exited the hanger of dread. Moments later he was already in the air and looking back at the mysterious mountain that ACE was busy collecting readings on.

Basil began to doze off, but his attention was brought back as ACE spoke over the intercom. \"We will be nearing the airstrip shortly, put your seatbelt and earphones back on.\" Basil realized that he was looking out over land as opposed to the endless ocean that he had been staring at previously. \"Okay, let the customs do the fake sweep, then walk out of the airport to the rental place just down the hill.\" ACE replied with a short \"Yes, be careful, but it should go fine\" and Basil added another comment jokingly. \"That officer is going to be real pissed when he finds out that wire transfer was fake.\" Basil could tell that, despite ACE\'s monotone voice, he didn\'t find the situation quite as humorous. \"We will be long gone by the time he figures that out, but this is going to burn the best location we can get supplies from.\"

Basil heard a click in his headphones and prepared to speak with air traffic control as if he were the pilot of the jet. Air traffic control relayed a bunch of jargon in Spanish that Basil didn\'t understand, but ACE told him to remain quiet for the time being. Eventually air traffic control spoke again, and even with Basil\'s limited Spanish skills he was able to understand what was said. \"(November-three-five-four, enter left tailwind for runway three).\" At ACE\'s prompt Basil repeated the statement, also in Spanish. \"(November-three-five-four, entering left tailwind on runway three)\" and the plane slightly adjusted its course under ACE\'s control. Basil began to be worried at the continued silence, but right as ACE began to reassure Basil that all was fine the control tower spoke again. \"(Three-five-four you are cleared for landing),\" and at ACE\'s direction Basil replied to the control tower \"(Three-five-four cleared for landing).\" The plane made a smooth landing, and the bribed customs officers made their way towards it.

The officers went through the motions of a sweep, but even an uninitiated Basil could tell that it was only the motions. Eventually they asked for a passport, but as Basil showed his fake passport to them they returned it quickly, and he could have sworn they didn\'t even read which country it was supposedly from. Soon enough he was walking out of the plane and through the wide open airport. It was exactly like ACE described it, absolutely immaculate, built for the ultra wealthy and the occasional drug smuggling operation. Eventually he made it out of the airport and down the road slightly to the rental office, which checked his passport more thoroughly than the corrupt customs officer did, before handing him a set of keys. Basil climbed into the large work van, which appeared to be in good condition but slightly rusted by the warm salty breeze, and drove off to find supplies.

Basil began to make several trips, each time loading up the van before returning to the plane. Basil watched the expression of the increasingly confused corrupt customs official. He tried to guess what the official\'s thought process resembled. First trip, sure, everybody needs to eat. On the second or third trip he was probably really confused, \"Who the fuck pays to smuggle construction materials and saline solution?\" he could imagine the official thinking. That, or the official just thought Basil was a really good smuggler. Whatever the case, as the day was starting to turn into evening he only had one more leg of his journey: load the van with as much scrap metal as he could before hitting the skies again. ACE directed Basil to the location of a small scrapyard, and Basil began to make his way in that direction.

\"(Hello, I find metal here?)\" Basil asked in poorly spoken Spanish. The guy at the gate chuckled slightly, \"Don\'t worry, I speak English, got a brother out in Orange County. I\'m Carlos\" Basil smiled, \"Good, because that was probably my best Spanish of tonight. I\'m Pat.\" Carlos started leading Basil into the fenced off portion of the scrap yard and spoke again. \"So Pat, where are you from?\" Basil replied with the story he had decided on. \"Well I\'m originally from New Jersey, but took a job with a chemical company down here not that long ago.\" Carlos seemed slightly amused. \"Hey, my brother\'s an accountant for a chemical plant up north. But I\'m not surprised you\'re an expat, not a lot of tourists buy scrap metal and circuit boards in these parts.\" Basil eventually finished collecting all the supplies he could fit in his van, and after paying Carlos the equivalent of a few hundred dollars the two wished each other well and Basil climbed back into the van.

ACE began to relay instructions to return, but Basil had only been driving for under a minute when he stopped at an intersection. While waiting for a chance to pass through a woman in tie dye ran up screaming something about somebody being hurt and banged on the passenger side of Basil\'s van. After a moment to process what was happening Basil got out of the van, and not fully sure how to handle the situation followed the woman as she frantically gestured for Basil to go down a short alleyway. The alleyway itself looked run down, with some graffiti mixed with crumbling concrete and trash surrounding the nearby restaurant\'s dumpster. Those, however, were not the focal point that Basil\'s attention gravitated towards. Three people, probably teenagers, stood around a handful of what appeared to be backpackers. One of the three had a bloody nose, but held a bloody knife as he went through the backpack of one of the backpackers. A backpacker with an infinity tattoo sat on the ground nearby, holding his stomach which was likely the cause of the blood on the knife.

\"Hey\" yelled Basil as authoritatively as he could, not sure how to respond to the situation. The three kids spoke at the same time, and Basil couldn\'t make out anything other than the obvious fact they were none too pleased with the presumed American. The one with the knife started to approach Basil, and Basil quickly started fumbling for his handgun. Everyone looked towards Basil as he pulled it out, and the kid holding the knife started rushing towards Basil. Basil aimed it at his attacker and intended to aim for his chest, but fired early and hit him somewhere on his abdomen. The one kid fell to the ground clutching his stomach, the other two fled, and Basil bolted back towards his van while the woman yelled something about not leaving them there. As Basil made his way back to his van he saw a car with two men closely observing his actions. The two seemed to have firearms that were printing beneath their clothes, and given they didn\'t do anything about the man that just shot somebody in the street he reasoned they weren\'t cops or affiliated with any sort of organized crime the kids might have been affiliated with.

One thing was sure, however, he was being watched. He jumped into the van and sped off, barely avoiding a collision as he sped through the intersection. \"What part of under the radar do you not understand?\" ACE chastised him as he returned to driving. \"I don\'t know, she was yelling and I didn\'t think it through.\" ACE seemed slightly more understanding, but still unhappy. \"Well, it is done and I see you are back and made it in one piece. Did you notice your tail?\" Basil looked in the mirror where he could see the car he saw earlier was still following him. \"Yeah, I saw them when I was running.\" ACE had even more disturbing information to provide as Basil started to speed up and began losing the car. \"I ran some facial recognition, those two are listed as diplomatic staff at the American embassy.\" Basil replied \"Shit, what do you think-?\" but ACE cut Basil off to chastise him. \"Slow down, they will have no trouble catching up if you are pulled over, and getting pulled over after shooting someone is not something that would benefit us right now.\"

\"Do you think he\'ll survive?\" Basil asked, concern in his voice as he began to slow down. \"Police scanner says two individuals with wounds to their abdomens have been taken by ambulance, both of them should survive. What happened back there?\" Basil tried to control his hands which had started shaking as he gripped the steering wheel ever tighter.

\"That woman that was yelling at me, I think she was some sort of backpacker or tourist freaking out about somebody in her friend group getting stabbed in a robbery that went bad. When I got there one of the robbers came at me with a knife.\"

ACE seemed to silently process that information, but before any more was said Basil had arrived at the airport. Pulling up next to the jet he began to rapidly load up the jet with scrap metal, before abandoning the rented van nearby and returning to take off.

4: The Fourth Variable

\"How have you been feeling lately?\" ACE asked Basil as he stared into the sealed room. Basil instinctively rubbed his arm where the injection had occurred. \"Nothing so far, is that a good sign?\" ACE reminded Basil of their previous conversation. \"We will not know for some days.\" The two remained in silence as several maintenance drones set up a device in the room before sealing it off. The device had been made in the fabricator from the cached schematics and had a peculiar design. The base of the device had the shape of a trapezoid, and the top of it had some sort of diamond shape on top. Once ACE had made several Basil immediately recognized it as the same as one of the smashed devices that he had seen previously in the facility, but two now sat powered in the sealed room. \"They seem like they are supposed to communicate with each other, I am going to tell one to communicate with the other\" ACE said, before both consumed a momentary burst of power, and the room looked oddly distorted for a second. \"Is it a holographic device like the thing in my implant?\" Basil asked.

ACE seemed unsure. \"I do not believe so\" ACE replied, before running some calculations and continuing. \"There does not appear to be any disturbances: no energy, radiation, or gasses released. I am uncertain as to why the last ones were set up in the sealed room.\" Basil seemed a little less baffled, \"Maybe they didn\'t know that at the time?\" but ACE was much more intrigued. \"Hold on, I am going to send a more consistent stream of power to them.\" They both powered up and two images appeared on top of them. \"See, holograms,\" Basil said, but ACE remained silent and instead started moving one of the maintenance drones to the image. The repair drone disappeared into the first image and came out of the second, prompting a look of surprise on Basil. \"Wormholes\" ACE replied, in a one word sentence. \"You think this is why they tried to kill us?\" Basil asked, before second guessing his question. \"Wait, why would somebody want to kill us over something as revolutionary as this?\" ACE replied, seeming to have already thought this through. \"Perhaps it was because somebody wanted to control this technology, or perhaps it has to do with the elements in storage previously unknown used in their construction, but most likely there is a lot more to this than we are aware of.\"

\"So now what?\" Basil asked, unsure of what to do with the newly acquired information. \"We still have more tests to perform\" ACE replied. ACE went on to explain something that Basil mostly couldn\'t understand. What he was able to grasp, however - at least after a lot of questions - was that there were coordinates that had to do with a gravitational field in the devices. There were three variables used in the last test, but there was a fourth that could be used, as well as pre-configured coordinates cached in the part of ACE that he used to communicate with such devices. The first test was to try to calculate the fourth variable and create a connection that way, which he was about to do. \"Shit!\" Basil said as he watched the receiving device go up into flames. The fans kicked on in the sealed room and blew away thick black smoke as one of the repair drones put out the fire. \"What happened?\" Basil asked ACE. \"I am not certain, but it appears it requires some better precision that I cannot calculate at this time.\"

\"So what about the pre-configured coordinates?\" Basil asked. \"I would like to test them, but I am somewhat concerned as to where they may lead. They have a fourth variable pre-set, and I am not even sure if there is a similar device on the other side.\" Basil shrugged. \"Well, we don\'t have much better to do right now, do we?\" ACE didn\'t seem to share Basil\'s laissez-faire attitude about the events, but indicated he was about to try them anyway. Moments later they could see what looked like a beach while the pressure in the sealed room quickly adjusted. \"Where\'s that?\" Basil asked, as ACE quickly closed the wormhole. \"I do not know, but without stepping through there is no way of knowing. The maintenance drones could not make it through sand, so-\" Basil cut ACE off. \"Already on it\" he said, stepping into the pressurized room that ACE had just stabilized to the facility\'s pressure again. \"You need to be very careful\" ACE said, and for the first time Basil thought he heard a fleeting glimpse of emotion in ACE\'s voice; although he was unsure whether it was real or only imagined. Regardless, it quickly returned to monotone once again.

\"I am pressurizing the room now to meet what I detected earlier. The readings indicate that everything is fine, just take a few steps out and tell me more of what you see.\" The door shaped wormhole opened and Basil took a few steps out. Basil looked out, seeing a vast ocean in one direction and a dense tropical looking forest in another direction. He couldn\'t see any people or a receiving wormhole device, but saw what looked to be buildings off in the distance. Basil, who had spent most of his remembered life in a partially constructed concrete building, was absolutely amazed at the scenery he just witnessed as he walked back through. \"What did you see?\" ACE asked Basil. \"A tropical paradise. It looks pretty sparse, but I did see some buildings off in the distance.\" ACE seemed to take a moment to make a plan. \"Do you have that flip phone on you that we have been spoofing the signals on?\" Basil nodded, and ACE continued.

\"Well, I did not pick up any signals when I opened it, but I want you to go back through and walk towards the buildings. Figure out where exactly you are, which we will know for sure when you pick up GPS or cellular signals. It might also be a good way to get supplies from now on if you can walk through a wormhole to do so.\" For once Basil seemed more concerned than ACE. \"What happens if it\'s some sort of secret military base?\" ACE replied, having already considered and dismissed the possibility. \"There were no signals, there would be some form of electronics everywhere giving off EMF radiation if somebody turned an island into a secret military or research base.\" Basil turned around, \"Let me grab my gun, just to be safe.\" As Basil made the quick walk to grab it ACE made a short chastising comment. \"Remember, do not make a scene this time.\"

One quick walk later, however, and Basil was about to step back through. \"Remember, be careful, and make sure not to draw any attention. I will periodically activate the device to send data to your PDA, which will be re-directed to the phone to be less conspicuous.\" Basil just nodded, before adding \"Alright, let\'s do this.\" Moments later he was stepping out on to hot white sand, and beginning to walk towards the group of buildings he saw in the distance.

5: Domum

Basil had been walking for about five minutes yet saw very few signs of life aside from the birds flying around and the faint smell of fish. He flipped open his phone, odd, still no signals. Even though GPS signals were supposed to be everywhere, between remote areas being deprioritized and the cheap chip in the phone he reasoned it could easily explain why he hadn\'t detected any. Looking around to be sure he was still alone he quickly pulled up his holographic PDA, but that also did not detect any signals. Weird. He returned to walking, but suddenly his phone started to ring. \"Finally, reception\" he said out loud, before realizing that it was most likely his PDA spoofing a cell tower to relay a signal that ACE had sent through the wormhole.

\"What have you seen so far?\" ACE asked. \"Not much other than a beach and some birds, though I\'m getting close to the town or city or whatever I saw earlier. Definitely got some sort of port too, so I\'d say that\'s good news.\" ACE seemed to be slightly concerned, but otherwise agreed with Basil that getting to the place was their best bet at finding more information on where the wormhole led. ACE closed the wormhole and the line went dead. Seeing nothing else to do, Basil went to continue to walk but noticed a small dirt path leading to some sort of house or cabin. The house looked a little odd, being made of stone with some sort of thatched roof, but Basil saw some people walking around and figured his best bet would be to approach them and ask where he was.

\"Hey, you speak English?\" Basil asked, smiling and giving a short wave. A shorter man with a darker complexion approached him. \"What\'s English?\" the other man asked, though despite his joke he seemed somewhat alarmed at Basil\'s presence. \"A buddy of mine just ran our boat ashore, I was hoping you could tell me where we are?\" The man seemed slightly less concerned now and replied with an abrupt \"Arkepello County.\" Basil asked for clarification. \"No, what country are we in?\" and the man replied \"Arkepello County\" for a second time. \"Not county, I\'m asking what country I\'m in.\" The man now looked a little annoyed. \"Well if you Loquailians dislike the Redcaps so much we\'re in the nation of Arkepello.\" Basil was now very confused and asked \"The what? Sorry, you lost me,\" but the other man seemed to be finished with the conversation. \"See that tower there?\" Basil looked and saw what appeared to be a watchtower towards the center of the town or city now close by. \"Go see the General up there, he will have maps and know how to explain this to you.\"

\"Thanks\" said Basil awkwardly before he started walking in the direction of the tower. As he entered the town he saw all the buildings had an odd older look to them, as if they were all historical buildings or something similar - though they incorporated wood and metal into them as opposed to just stone and plant fibers. Basil eventually made it to the center of the port town and stepped into the tower. Entering it he saw a man of similar complexion and stature behind a desk. The man seemed very surprised when he saw Basil walk through the door, but after the momentary surprise wore off he donned a friendly smile and Basil returned one. \"Hi, I\'m kinda lost and was told I should speak to the General?\" Basil asked, somewhat unsure of what he was asking. The other man seemed a little confused, but still had a friendly demeanor.

\"Okay, who are you?\" Basil answered \"Basil\" and the man spoke again. \"Nice to meet you Basil, I\'m Simon. You are aware you are on Arkepello right?\" Basil responded, still a little confused. \"Yeah, sorry, the other guy said something like that too. I just don\'t know where Arkepello is.\" Simon seemed a little confused. \"You traveled to Arkepello but you don\'t know where it is?\" Basil replied apologetically. \"Yeah, I kind of wound up here by accident, I\'m still trying to find out where I am.\" Simon responded as if it all made sense now. \"Oh, your ship crashed or something like that right?\" Basil responded with a slightly hesitant \"Something like that\" and Simon offered a quick \"That\'s fucked up, hope everybody is alright\" before saying he would be right back and disappearing up some steps.

A few moments later Simon returned. \"The General is all good to speak to you, he\'s got maps and stuff. He\'s right up those steps.\" Basil replied with a quick \"Thanks\" before walking up a large spiral staircase and making his way to what appeared to be an office at the top of the tower. \"Hello, you must be Basil, I\'m General Tobias of Arkepello. I\'m sorry to hear of your predicament\" said General Tobias as Basil walked in. The General had the same complexion and a similar height to the others Basil had seen, and Basil could see a couple of maps spread out across a desk. \"So you are here, on the Arkepello off the coast of Domum. To the north is your home of Loquail\" General Tobias said while pointing around the map. Basil looked at the map, there was a large landmass named \'Domum\' a small island nearby called \'Arkepello\' and another further out labeled \'Amigoso\' all relatively close by. There was also another larger landmass to the north labeled Loquail and one to the east labeled Lotalem.

\"Sorry, I\'m really not from around here and I\'m not familiar with Domum, the Arkepello, or Amigoso. You have a world map?\" Tobias seemed surprised. \"You can read Domum?\" Tobias asked Basil. \"Yeah, ha, I can read a lot more words too. I\'m just trying to figure out where we are in relation to where I\'m from.\" Tobias again pointed at Arkepello, then again at Loquail. \"You are here in Arkepello, and you are from Loquail here.\" Basil just looked confused. \"I\'m not from Loquail, I\'m from the United States.\" Tobias now looked confused as well and gave Basil a quick \"hm?\" as a prompt to explain. \"Ya\' know, burgers, bald eagles, and fat people at Walmart?\" Basil said, although Tobias looked even more confused. Basil went to speak again but his phone rang, prompting him to pull it out and Tobias to ask \"You have a radio? Hold on, what kind of radio is that?\"

\"Basil, turn around and get out of there now\" ACE said over the phone. \"What, why? I\'m talking to somebody now, he\'s figuring out where we are.\" ACE replied with words that Basil almost couldn\'t process.

\"The fourth variable does not refer to the gravitational field of an individual device itself, it applies to the gravitational field of another planetary body. The lack of satellite and electronic signals confirms this, we have somehow accessed some sort of interplanetary transportation network. You need to get out of there now and then we need to figure out what is going on before we do anything else.\"

General Tobias\'s eyes went as wide as Basil\'s did. \"What did he just say?\" asked Tobias and Basil put ACE on speaker phone. \"Are you familiar with others that have traveled interplanetarily?\" ACE asked a stunned Tobias. \"No.\" Tobias answered, before pausing for a long time and adding \"I am familiar with the concept of other planetary bodies, but we did not expect there were others with beings inhabiting them.\"

\"Okay, then you need to leave now Basil, we need to find out what is going on first before we do anything more.\" Tobias looked as if he was curious to learn more and didn\'t seem to want Basil to leave. \"Will you come back? We need to know more, if you are not lying this is a very monumentus discovery.\" Basil thought for a moment, but after his pause he responded very confidently that he would be back, though it was obvious he was still very nervous at the unexpected nature of his trip. \"Definitely, same here, I just need to go now.\" Tobias simply said \"Okay\" as Basil began to sprint down the stairs and back towards the part of the shoreline where the wormhole originally opened. Simon seemed to say something, but Basil didn\'t hear it as he ran past and sprinted out of the port town. The trip took him a considerably shorter time as he ran, and soon enough Basil made it to the spot where the wormhole was opened previously. Basil stood there, panting slightly, but still feeling energy surging through him while he waited for ACE to open the wormhole.

\"Hey, what did you do?\" yelled the first man Basil had seen. \"Nothing. What do you mean?\" Basil asked in response. He turned around to see several people following the man, most holding what appeared to be rifles and large knives. \"You, I told you to see the General and then you ran away, what did you do?\" he yelled again in a very accusatory tone. Basil, still short on breath, tried to respond in the most calming manner he could muster in his condition. \"Nothing, I said hi, and then found out my friend was ready to pick me up so I ran back here.\" The man didn\'t seem too happy. \"You\'re not going anywhere until I send somebody back to the General and verify your story.\" Suddenly Basil heard the high pitch whine of the wormhole device and began to move in that direction. Several of the people started raising their weapons, prompting Basil to quickly fire several shots in the air. Some of them froze or took cover, and Basil made a mad dash for the wormhole as several of the others in the crowd opened fire on Basil but missed. Basil dove through the wormhole, which ACE quickly closed behind him.

Basil leaned up against the wall as the adrenaline began to wear off and he realized exactly how tired he was, both physically and mentally. After a quick pause and regrouping of his thoughts he exclaimed an almost panicked "What was that?" ACE replied, not fully sure of all that had happened either. "All that we know is that it appears these devices are more than simple transportation and we need to exercise caution. And you are still sure there was not another device on the other side of there as well?" Basil thought back, confident there had been nothing of the sort. "No" Basil responded, before hesitating and saying "At least none that I could see, unless it was buried in the sand or something." Basil went silent, and ACE didn\'t offer any response or further information, but eventually Basil broke the silence. \"We need to go back there.\"

ACE seemed hesitant. \"For now there are more pressing matters to consider. Since we can travel between here and anywhere we bring one of these devices, it is imperative we set up a permanent base of operations to get supplies since we are already running low again. In the meantime I will need to go over every bit of data we were able to collect and see if I can make sense of any of it.\" Basil also seemed hesitant but for different reasons. \"Okay, but I need to know what all this is. It\'s the key to finding out who we are, and who shot me, not to mention it\'s a huge discovery.\" Basil turned to leave the sealed room, but ACE spoke again. \"Leave your boots in here. We have effectively been in isolation so you likely did not bring any diseases over, and assuming you did not eat or drink anything you likely did not pick anything up either. But before we go back I would like to see if I can detect any differences in bacteria and such and your boots might be the closest we have to a sample.\"

6: Most Normal Floridian

Basil stepped through the wormhole, surprised at the sudden guest of wind. Though the pressure in the sealed room was equal to that of sea level, it still did not affect the winds blowing across the ocean. He covered his eyes as the blinding sun and humid salty air momentarily overloaded his senses; and as his eyes finally adjusted he could see the jet flying away from the inflatable boat that had just dropped out of it. He immediately began packing the wormhole device into a backpack and put on an earpiece.

\"Seemed to work\" Basil quipped before starting the engine and orienting the boat north. \"The hard part is complete, just get to shore and that device into the condo. No more flights or customs after this one last time, just in and out of a condo at will.\" Basil nodded before remembering that ACE could no longer see him. \"Roger that\" he said before pressing the throttle.

The novel of driving the little boat wore off quickly as Basil found himself fatigued by the merciless beating of the sun and each wave that threw him around as it rocked the little craft. His achy muscles tightened, however, seeing a large boat in his path ahead. \"There\'s a boat up ahead, I think it might be coast guard or something, but I\'m not fully sure.\" ACE began to reassure Basil. \"Relax and wave to them, there is nothing they can do.\" Basil waved at the boat, which seemed to be vaguely turning in his direction as ACE continued to speak. \"Your ID would pass if they ran it, and all they would be doing is searching out drug or weapon smugglers; not presumed citizens taking a joy ride. Anybody laser focused on something like that would probably believe you if you said the wormhole device was a printer.\" The boat continued its course as Basil passed it, watching it go from growing larger to smaller on the horizon.

Soon docks came into view, and moments later Basil was tying his boat next to a couple of party yachts before taking his backpack and suitcase out of their plastic bags. Fighting sea legs and exhaustion he left the docks and hailed a nearby cab. \"So, I take it you found out riding around there can be a bit more exhausting than they make it out to be?\" the cab driver asked, noticing Basil\'s exhaustion. \"Ha, yeah, I didn\'t expect it to be quite that much of a workout\" Basil said, trying to smile despite his weariness. \"So, where to?\" the driver asked without missing a beat. Basil pulled out a paper and read off a Miami address, felt the car start to move, and leaned back to enjoy the air conditioning - which he now had a great appreciation for.

Slightly rejuvenated from the ride in the taxi, Basil stepped back into the heat while dragging his suitcase behind him. Unlike the previous leg of the trip, however, he only had to bear the weather for a few steps until he was in another island of air conditioned bliss - the lobby of the condo that ACE had just purchased. The lobby itself looked very pristine, full of plants, and had a carpet so white that it baffled Basil as to how something people walked on could be kept so clean. He noticed, however, a young somewhat unkempt guy watching him from the seating area near the desk. Basil began to fear that he was being watched by someone undercover, perhaps the papers ACE set up were not as foolproof as he thought.

\"Hi, I\'m Tasha, how can I help you today?\" the woman behind the counter asked Basil. \"Hi, I\'m Flint Isaiah\" Basil replied, providing the fake name ACE had prepared his ID with. \"I recently purchased unit 519.\" Tasha slid some paperwork across the desk. \"Oh, our newest neighbor! I just need your ID, your initials here and here, your signature here, and we\'re all set.\" Basil quickly filled out the paper and handed over his ID, getting it back with a set of keys moments later, alongside a laminated rule book that supposedly consisted of entirely sustainable bamboo paper. \"Here you go, Elliot here will help you to your new home.\"

Basil turned around to see the unkempt guy who was previously watching him, now standing right behind him. \"Hey dude, I\'m Elliot.\" Basil turned around a tad surprised, but was glad that he wasn\'t already being followed by more state officials quite yet - at least that he could detect anyway. \"Hey, I\'m Flint\" Basil said, extending his hand to perform a handshake that Elliot either didn\'t notice or ignored while grabbing Basil\'s suitcase and walking towards the elevator. \"So, where \'ya from?\" Elliot asked as soon as Basil caught up.

\"Virginia, just outside of DC\" Basil replied. \"You a damn fed then?\" Elliot asked, surprising Basil. \"What? No, an accounted for a medical-\" Basil began to say, before cutting himself off with a \"The fuck are you doing?\" as Elliot began to unzip Basil\'s suitcase in the elevator. \"Just curious if you had fed stuff with you, can\'t be too cautious\" as he looked at the suitcase that held a change of clothes and a pair of paratrooper boots. After a moment of hesitation, however, Elliot\'s face seemed to take on a more sheepish expression. \"Sorry dude, my bad.\"

\"It\'s alright, just please don\'t mess with my shit\" Basil said, now feeling a little bad for yelling at the kid. Elliot raised his hands in mock surrender and cracked a smile before asking \"So, wassup with the paratrooper boots though? Those don\'t look like bean counter attier.\" Basil laughed at the unexpected comment. \"Must have missed the interview with the fashion police in the community rule book.\" The two stepped out of the elevator where Elliot pointed to a door that Basil unlocked before the two stepped through.

\"So, here we go, casa de Flint\" Elliot said as he put Basil\'s suitcase down on the floor. \"Care for a toke? First one\'s free\" Elliot asked, but Basil turned down the unexpected gesture. \"Um, thanks, but I\'m good.\" Elliot just shook his head. \"You sure man? Next one won\'t be free if you come looking\" Elliot retorted followed by an awkward chuckle. \"Yeah, I\'m sure, I\'ve still got to get unpacked. Maybe some other day.\" Elliot just shrugged. \"Whatever, your loss, have a good one Flint\" before shutting the door.

Basil sat on the floor to take the wormhole device outside of his backpack, but his mind was elsewhere processing the events he had experienced. First today\'s adventure, followed by the wormhole devices, Domum, and who he could have been before this raced through his mind. Soon enough he found himself checking his watch to see that he had been staring at the wall while sitting on the floor for nearly twenty minutes.

\"All set, about to get things plugged in now\" Basil said, putting the earpiece back in his ear and finally pulling the device out of his backpack. Basil plugged the capacitor filled adapter into the wall and the wormhole device into that before giving the go ahead to ACE. \"Alright, that\'s about enough adventure for one day, fire it up.\" Seconds later a very minor draft hit Basil as the pressurized room fully equalized and Basil stepped back into the sealable room that he had left for the inflatable boat - a morning that both seemed like seconds ago and a distant memory.

7: Introductions

Basil drove his newly acquired truck through a much larger wormhole, quickly going from seeing a snowmobile in the dark room of the facility to seeing a tropical paradise. A gush of wind mildly rocked the truck as it wouldn\'t fit in the sealed room, but before long he was driving slowly across the sandy beach. Basil could feel a bit of dread, recalling his parting misunderstanding with the small group. Certainly, though, Tobias had seemed like he was looking forward to seeing Basil again and learning more about what they had both discovered, and once the angry mob saw their General they\'d be less angry right? Oh shit, what if Tobias had a heart attack or something? That would be the way, to get shot for some unlikely chain of events. Best not to think of that sort of thing right now.

Basil quickly found himself near the center of the port town. He was certainly turning a lot of heads, but nobody was shooting at him, so that was an improvement at least. Next thing he knew he was at the base of the tower and exiting his vehicle. He walked into the tower, and upon seeing an empty desk walked up the steps and knocked on the door. \"Come in\" Tobias replied in a somewhat nervous tone. Basil walked in and immediately started speaking in an apologetic tone. \"Sorry about the other day, I think I surprised some people. I didn\'t actually shoot back, I just shot up in the air while making a run for the wormhole.\"

Tobias seemed to take on a much more calm impression. \"Thank you, they should have never fired upon you and they were not Arkepello soldiers or authorized to enforce our laws.\" Basil smiled. \"Well, I\'ve had worse happen to me. I\'d be very glad to chalk it up to some surprise at a wormhole. I can assure you I\'ve been very surprised at them myself.\" Tobias looked a little confused. \"Surprised? Didn\'t you make the \'wormholes\' that brought you here?\" Basil\'s somewhat jovial tone switched to a more foreboding one. \"Not exactly, I just found them and I\'m trying to figure out what the hell is going on.\" Tobias responded with a surprised \"Oh\" before getting distracted by something he could see outside the window and speaking in an almost humorous tone. \"Looks like Simon is returning, he ran out as soon as he saw your vehicle. He\'s a good kid but not much of a soldier.\" Basil\'s smile returned to his face. \"Well, I can assure you I\'m no threat. So, tell me about yourself and your nation.\"

General Tobias started to go over a map, starting with the continents. They were only a day\'s boat ride from the continent of Domum, where their civilization had originated. There was the northern continent Loquail, \"Where everybody looks like you\" Tobias said to Basil. Very occasionally their trading vessels would arrive on Arkepello, usually bringing raw iron in exchange for grain or weapons. There was also another continent to the east, named Lotalem, \"Though only the Amigoso ships are capable of reaching it.\"

Tobias then went on to explain each nation within the continent of Domum and surrounding islands. To the north on the continent of Domum was the Redcaps, led by a king Tobias had met once; who\'s royal bloodline stretched out over five hundred years. The Redcap kingdom was the most prosperous nation on the continent, and the second largest kingdom by land mass. Arkepello had once been Arkepellago County of the Redcap kingdom in the past, but nearly a hundred years ago his great grandfather had led the \'Bloodless Rebellion\' that created their independence. When Basil inquired what the name change was about Tobias had simply explained that an old nearly illiterate Redcap king had misspelled it, then decreed that it was the county\'s new name. Tobias seemed to think it was fairly humorous.

Tobias then went on to point out a nation towards the south of the continent known as the Lizard Kingdom. When Tobias said that it\'s ruled by a dynasty of rulers that claim to have once been able to shapeshift into Lizards, but had since lost the ability, Basil laughed against all greater judgment of politeness. \"You don\'t believe them?\" Tobias asked Basil. \"Sorry, I mean if you\'ve seen somebody actually able to shapeshift I\'d believe almost anything right about now. But no, I don\'t mean to be rude, but I just can\'t believe a story like that.\" Tobias laughed a little. \"Don\'t worry, nobody is going to be angry if you badmouth the Lizard king here. And I don\'t believe them either.\"

Tobias went on to explain more about the Lizard Kingdom. They had been the oldest unified kingdom on the continent, likely almost a thousand years old, but no one was certain how accurate their records were. They were, however, ruled by a cruel and despotic ruler. Their people were poor and abused, and their nation was crumbling under the weight of the war between them and the Redcaps. Even the land was colder and less inhabitable as if a monument to their cruelty. The war had been ongoing for nearly as long as the Redcaps had existed, but had increased in brutality under the especially cruel prior Lizard King. The current Lizard King, son of the previous one, however, had brought the war to a standstill out of necessity due to his lack of supplies and troop morale.

As Tobias began to focus on the oceans surrounding their continent, he pointed again to Arkepello. Arkepello, as he had said, was once under the rule of the Redcaps. It had previously served as a trading hub and naval base, but as the war devastated the Redcaps their then governor declared himself General and no longer under Redcap rule. Not looking for additional fighting the then Redcap king agreed, on two conditions. First was that that a tax be paid for all goods that went through the docs that didn\'t come from or wasn\'t going to the Redcaps. The second was that the Arkepello never took up a side in a conflict other than on the side of the Redcaps. Both conditions, however, had been lifted by the current Redcap king; and the Arkepello became a fully independent nation of trade and fishermen.

Towards the east of Arkepello was the larger island of Amigoso. They had also previously been a trading hub, but after many people with riches fled there from the war between the Redcaps and Lizard King they had become both a hub of innovation and greatly isolationist. \"They actually made our radio, although it was likely stolen or smuggled out since they do not permit such exports\" Tobias said. Basil was taken aback. \"You have radios? I was unable to detect any signals last time I was here\" he asked, before remembering Tobias commenting on his phone as if it were a radio. \"Yes, just like you\" Tobias replied. Basil doubted that they had radios like his phone, and would later confirm that they were simpler transistor radios. But still, apparently, Amigoso had electricity, transistors, and \'cartridge guns\' as Tobias put it. Basil tried to inquire if he would someday be able to travel there, but Tobias explained that they would probably shoot him on sight if he arrived and sought entry.

As soon as Basil mentioned that he knew \'cartridge guns\' as just guns, however, the conversation transitioned into Tobias asking Basil questions about what he knew and frantically writing down everything Basil said. Basil spoke of various nations, computers, and McDonald\'s for hours. Before long the sun was setting, and even with the energy of excitement they could no longer keep their eyes open.

8: Battle of Sodium and Transistors

\"Look away\" Basil said, standing over a very boxy machine. \"You can trust us to not share your secrets\" Simon replied with a hint of confusion in his voice. Basil smiled. \"Oh, I trust you, it\'s just that ACE is going to arc weld and if you\'d prefer to not be blind you\'ll want to look away.\" Simon, Tobias, and Basil all looked away as ACE used a repair drone to do some final touches on the radio. \"You wanna\' do the honors?\" Basil asked and Simon looked giddy as he flipped the switch. The four could suddenly hear voices being broadcast from Redcap territory.

All three smiled. \"So, what was the culprit?\" Tobias asked the repair drone controlled by ACE. \"Too much corrosion. I sealed it off good and replaced the shorted-out parts, you should be good for a while.\" Tobias seemed pleased. \"Good, I can\'t imagine what a new one from a smuggler would have cost.\"

The three followed the repair drone out of the tower where Basil and Simon picked it up to carry it over the dirt and place it in the back of Basil\'s truck. \"Hey, so it\'s not too important anymore since we could get your radio going, but I brought something along if you want it.\" Basil took a handheld radio and a USB solar charger out of his truck, and flipping on the radio it picked up the same broadcast as they heard before. Tobias motioned for Basil to hand it to him, and seemed somewhat astonished. \"It\'s so small.\"

Basil shrugged. \"A little more advanced, but it\'s the same principle as the Amigosian one and my guess is within Simon\'s lifetime they\'ll be making ones just like this.\" Tobias turned to Basil. \"How much?\" Basil looked confused for a moment before realizing what Tobias was asking. \"No, I meant it as a gift.\"

\"You sure? A radio isn\'t an easy thing to come by.\" Basil shrugged again. \"They\'re a little easier to get where I come from. I\'m not really qualified to criticize Domum politics, but it\'s a shame Amigoso is so closed off.\" Tobias seemed like he wanted to ask something, but was unsure of how to say it. Eventually, he seemed to settle on the words to use. \"Basil, would you be able to get me a thousand of these?\" Basil was surprised at the question.

\"Sorry, I could probably get you a couple dozen or something, but I don\'t have that kind of money on hand right now.\" Tobias shook his head and had an amused look on his face. \"I would pay you of course, how much gold would get you a thousand of them?\" Tobias asked, before pausing and adding a quick \"If you\'re willing to do so that is.\" Basil thought for a moment. \"Probably around 11 ounces if we included a solar charger for each one as well. But I\'d have to double check.\" Tobias looked like he had won the lottery. \"And you would be willing to provide them?\" he asked, to which Basil shrugged again and replied with a \"Yeah.\"

Tobias seemed to think for a moment. \"And the medication you shared with Marge for the infection, would you be able to get us some of that as well? We greatly appreciate you sharing your supplies, but having some at the clinic of our own would be a great help.\" Basil seemed slightly hesitant but agreed. \"It may be a little hard since they restrict who they sell it to, but I\'m sure I can find a way to get larger quantities of it.\" Tobias seemed confused. \"They restrict you from having such a life saving medication without approval?\" Basil nodded. \"Yeah, depending on where you are they restrict a lot of things like that.\"

Tobias seemed to have another thing on his mind. \"And cartridge guns?\" Basil seemed very hesitant to answer, but after a moment he responded. \"Yeah, I can probably get some of those, but please don\'t use them to hurt people.\" Simon laughed, and Basil realized how absurd the statement was before rewording it. \"Or, well, please don\'t use them to hurt people who don\'t deserve it. I trust you, and with the Redcaps or the Lizard King at war using them to protect the Arkepello if needed would be a good thing. I just don\'t want to be the enabler of some sort of invasion or unnecessary death and destruction.\"

Tobias nodded in agreement. \"I can promise you that they would only be used for the protection and benefit of Arkepello. We have always striven for peace.\" Basil smiled. \"Alright then, let\'s see if I can get a line on some radios, antibiotics, and guns.\" After a moment of silence Tobias responded. \"Well, before that, why don\'t we get a drink in honor of our working radio.\"

The three made their way towards the docks where the Arkepello hotel was. As Tobias had explained to Basil on their previous trip there, it was owned by the nation itself and offered a place to stay and eat for anyone from sailors to diplomats. As all the locals knew it was the best place to grab a quality drink or meal if you were looking to spend a few bucks. However, one of the perks of being General, Tobias had explained, was that you and your guests got to eat for free.

When the three arrived they saw nearly the entire council there as well. Tobias had previously explained to Basil what the council was: each district of the nation would choose a member, and the council would choose one member of the group to lead the council on official matters. While it was informal for now, Tobias had indicated he intended to pass government authority to the council instead of his second in command upon his death. Of all the places Basil had heard about so far he reasoned that if there was a faction to randomly end up on and provide weapons to, Arkepello was certainly a good place to have wound up.

As Basil thought to himself and sipped a rather large glass of wine he could overhear Tobias talking about the stuff Basil planned to provide them with. Everybody seemed to be happy about it, at least everybody aside from the council leader Jarvis who was giving a suspicious glance. Jarvis had always seemed a bit suspicious of Basil, but he usually at least wore a smile as opposed to the look he was giving off now. Oh well, after some time he\'d probably get over things. At least that was what Tobias said.

9: An Invitation

Basil sat alone at a table tapping away at his PDA. He was drawing a little attention, certainly the unknown technology - whoever made it - would have been drawing attention even if he had been sitting in a cafe in NY or London. And yet here not only that, but he was technically an alien here, even if it only felt to him and the people here like he was just from another nation. Not to mention that most of the people here were only familiar with what would appear to be a 16th century equivalent of technology, with very rare glimpses of Amigosian technology which he could surmise was probably a late 19th century equivalent. Certainly no hard feelings for the odd looks.

\"Hey, what\'d you want to meet me about?\" Basil asked as soon as he saw General Tobias approaching his table. Tobias sat and placed a stack of papers on the table, but seemed to change the topic noticing Basil\'s prior use of his PDA. \"You find any signals? Or anything about where that stuff came from?\" Basil shook his head. \"Nope, I gave up on that a month ago, nothing is here but standard radio waves. Whoever ... or whatever made this stuff isn\'t here anymore. Still spooky to think about some unknown forces with crazy technology.\" Tobias chuckled. \"Ironic coming from you, but at least I know what you\'re up to.\" Basil smiled. \"Well, there\'s a bit of a difference between a smaller radio and a hole in the fabric of reality\" Basil said, before pausing and adding \"But fair point I guess. So, what\'s up?\"

\"Well, there are two things to discuss. The first thing, which I hope you will be glad to hear, is that I and the council have decided to grant you citizenship in Arkepello.\" Tobias spoke in a very formal tone, Basil smiling when he heard the news. Tobias continued to speak but took on a somewhat less formal tone. \"Jarvis took some convincing, but with the rest of the council in agreement and me having the final say over the matter it has been officialized.\" Basil was ecstatic. For the first time in his memory, albeit an unusually short period, he had found a home in which he was not going to get shot at. Well, there was the once, but he reckoned that could be written off as an exception. Tobias, seeing Basil seemed happy but quiet, continued to speak.

\"As for your payment, beyond the costs at which you accrued for the supplies, we have also agreed to provide you with a room in the dock hotel if you would consider that an acceptable payment. I know that you had originally asked that we supply you with food and raw materials, but a room in the diplomatic quarters comes with free access to the restaurant and if you require specific materials we could certainly work something out to acquire them. And, with most of the diplomats gone at this time of year, you will get the first choice of the room that you would like.\"

Basil, still smiling, had finally collected his thoughts. \"Thanks, yeah, that would be great. It means a lot to me to finally belong somewhere.\" Tobias returned a quick smile and nodded, sliding over a stack of papers. The one on top, however, looked very different than the others. While the others Basil could recognize as fairly standard looking official Arkepello documents, the one on the top looked more like a scroll with a wax seal on it. The seal looked like nothing he had seen before, having the design of an axe and a cloth, with all the wax being white except for the cloth which appeared blood red. Tobias seemed to notice Basil\'s confusion.

\"The Redcap King\'s seal, a peculiar design perhaps if you do not know their history. The axe represents the first Redcap King, who was a woodcutter by trade before he led a rebellion against the Lizard King and formed his own nation. The blood on the cap is self explanitory if you believe the legends at how adept he was with that axe.\" Basil nodded, still looking down at the seal. \"So, what does he want with me?\" Tobias continued. \"He has extended an official invitation for you to attend the upcoming peace festival, an event where the leaders of all the surrounding nations - friend and foe alike - attend to further peace and perform negotiations.\" Basil still looked a little confused. \"Why me though? I don\'t exactly lead a nation.\"

\"Word has likely reached the Redcap capital about the man from a magic door that provided us with weapons and technology, he is likely both curious and seeking out the aforementioned weapons. Seeing your interest in learning more about this continent I would recommend you attend.\" Basil still seemed uncommitted. \"What exactly goes on there, aside from diplomatic stuff? Are there any rules I should be aware of?\" Tobias just shrugged.

\"Lots of drinking and eating, backroom deals, and fancy political speak. There are rules listed in your invitation, but they could be summarized as don\'t fight wars or engage in violence and don\'t carry a weapon in the presence of the Redcap King, who will be among the crowd on the third day of the event. Otherwise, you have near immunity and are governed by your own nation\'s laws instead of the Redcaps\'. Given the invitation is listed to \'Basilious, of the Kingdom of Florida\' you will be fairly exempt from any rules or obligations.\"

The two chuckled upon seeing how Basil was addressed in the invite. \"Alright, sounds interesting. It will probably be a bit weird, though, attending the event as an independent individual alongside my new head of state.\" Tobias seemed to be amused at Basil\'s statement. \"Well, you will always be a bit of an odd case. While you are officially a citizen you\'re also as much an outside power, and likely not to be seen as an Arkepelian. Even in this conversation, I am as much addressing you as a representative of another nation engaged in trade as much as a citizen of my own.\" Basil could tell Tobias was saying that either as a compliment or a simple statement of fact, not intending to put Basil down as an outsider. Still, however, Basil felt a little disappointed in being reminded his citizenship was as much a ceremonial reward as it was actual. Nevertheless, he kept his feelings internal, knowing that in truth he was an outsider. Tobias continued to speak.

\"Further, I do not intend to attend the festival. The council will attend in my stead, I wish for the other powers to see my intention to pass my authority to them. But, I must ask, have you done anything to anger Jarvis?\" Basil was surprised at the sudden change of topics. \"What? No, I don\'t think so. He\'s been making it more clear he doesn\'t like me lately, but I don\'t think I did anything to make him do so. At least not intentionally.\" Tobias made a quick hand gesture to indicate he didn\'t seem to think Basil was at fault. \"Good, I wanted to ask, but I expect he just fears you will take some sort of power or influence he expects to receive. However, in that case, I would like to make a request of you. Do you intend to bring your truck across the ocean and drive it to the Redcap capital?\" Basil now seemed more confused. \"Yeah, probably. I haven\'t put much thought into it yet, but that\'s probably the best way for me to get there.\"

\"Good. If you would be okay with it, I would like you to bring along Jarvis and the two other council members who also plan to attend, Niles and Jace. Such a trip would save them a lot of time and also perhaps give you and Jarvis a chance to get along better. Jarvis is often touchy about these things, but I believe that once he gets to know you, and more importantly realizes you have no intention of taking his council seat, will get along with you much better.\"

Basil thought for a moment, hesitant to commit to spending more time with Jarvis. \"Alright, yeah, I can do that. Just when you bring it up to him please make it clear you were the one that suggested it. I don\'t want him thinking it\'s some sort of slight from me.\" Tobias nodded. \"Very well, I will arrange for a ship to transport your truck. You\'ll be transporting Arkepelians anyway, and a ship that can carry your truck is easier to plan than arranging a ferry and another means of land transport for them, so the island can handle expenses and planning for that.\"

10: Trouble at the Gate

Basil sat in his truck that had just been loaded onto a boat in the Arkepello harbor. Tuning out the constant movement of the waves and the conversations of those standing around his truck he spoke with ACE who was instructing him on how to relay signals from his PDA via radio waves. Of course, however, this would only work if he were to find a radio in the Redcap capital he could use capable of reaching the Arkepello. Otherwise, he would most likely be unable to contact ACE during the outing as the PDA\'s wormhole like communication did not work without being able to calculate the fourth variable of one of the devices at the facility and its terrestrial radio capabilities would not reach the distance between the Redcap Capital and the Arkepello.

Outside of his truck, though he lacked awareness of it, was the beginnings of a beautiful sunrise painted with a warm glow of oranges and reds as the sun slowly rose over the ocean and began illuminating the Arkepello port. Basil was suddenly distracted as a sailor tapped the driver\'s side window of his truck. \"They\'re finally hear, let\'s get moving.\" Jarvis, Niles, and Jace all arrived, and after Basil motioned toward the back of the truck the four went over to place their luggage in its covered bed. \"There\'s not going to be a lot of room up there, place anything you don\'t need for the ride in the back\" Basil stated as the three began to take a few things out of their luggage and put the rest into the truck. The four began to make small talk as they returned to the cab of the truck and the ship began to leave the port.

\"What\'s this?\" Jarvis asked while pointing to Basil\'s backpack as he climbed into the passenger side of the truck. \"Huh? My backpack. Why?\" Basil asked somewhat confused. \"You put our stuff in the storage compartment\" Jarvis stated, before asking \"So why is your stuff up here?\" Basil couldn\'t place Jarvis\'s tone, being unsure if Jarvis was making an active attempt to conceal animosity or intentionally expressing animosity with an air of plausible deniability. Regardless, Basil tried his best to sound neutral to avoid harsher feelings that could make a very long drive feel even longer. \"It\'s just got a few important things in there I want to keep up front: first aid, emergency supplies, snacks, and tools. The rest of my stuff is back there too.\" Jarvis responded with a mute and apathetic stare, but after a quick pause just shrugged.

Sunrise soon became day as the crew arrived at the docks on the landfall opposite to where they had started, and day became evening as the long drive through the countryside became a slow crawl through the crowded streets of the Redcap capitol. Throughout it all Jarvis seemed willing to put hostilities behind him. Basil was very glad to be on better terms with him, and the four had talked for hours on what felt like every topic they could have. \"The gate\'s just up ahead\" Jace stated, before she leaned forward from the back seat and followed it up with \"There\'s a lot more people here than last time.\" Basil could see a very tall gate that concealed everything behind it aside from the start of a sunset above and brought the truck to a stop. \"Can\'t go any further, too many people\" he replied as the four looked on hoping the crowd would thin enough to get through.

Several guards by the gate seemed to notice the truck\'s arrival and began working their way through the crowd, but as they slowly got closer Basil noticed they seemed either annoyed or angry and were holding their weapons out in a high ready position. \"Do they usually act like that?\" a suddenly nervous Basil asked Jarvis. Jarvis just shook his head before asking \"What did you do?\" in a somewhat nervous and slightly accusatory tone. Niles leaned forward as well, voicing his nervousness. \"No, something is wrong, they\'re definitely angry and headed our way.\" Basil\'s elbow serendipitously brushed his holstered pistol and he began to speak quietly to Jarvis. \"There\'s a gun in the glove box, do you know how to shoot? We may need it if things go bad.\"

\"The what?\" Jarvis asked, much more nervous than before. \"The glovebox\" Basil replied, slightly annoyed, before pausing and clarifying \"The lever there, you can pull it and it\'ll open the container.\" Jarvis immediately started to bend over and reach for it, before Basil realized what he was doing and shouted \"Not now!\" Basil instantly could tell the closest guard picked up on the fact Basil had been saying something in anger, his facial expression tightening and his hand getting a better grip on the bayonetted gun he possessed. Basil quickly tried to look more composed to avoid further tipping off the soldiers before speaking in a whisper. \"Only if we need it, don\'t even look in the direction unless we do. I don\'t know much about these guys, but I can tell you that if you pull out a weapon they WILL start shooting at us.\"

What felt like an eternity passed, but eventually the guards had mostly made it through the crowd. Basil continued to do his best to look calm while nervously making glances over to Jarvis to make sure he wasn\'t doing anything stupid. Eventually they approached, switching their rifles to a low ready position and Basil rolled down the window. He began to say \"Hello-,\" but was cut off by the closest guard who barked out an order. \"You four are to exit your vehicle and be seized for the impersonation of Amigosian diplomats.\" The guard seemed to have equal parts anger and annoyance in his voice and Basil immediately started trying to defuse the situation. \"Sorry sir, there must be some sort of mistake\" before quickly picking his invitation up and handing it out the window.

The guard looked at the document for a considerable amount of time, and while Basil waited for a response the other three in the truck handed their invitations to Basil who passed them along to the guard as well. The guard silently read through them all, saying nothing with a blank expression on his face. \"You\'re Basilious, but you arrived in an Amigosian vehicle?\" Basil was caught off guard by the question. \"Wait, do Amigosian vehicles look like this? This isn\'t an Amigosian truck, I\'ve been very interested in seeing one to compare technology, but I was told I likely couldn\'t visit Amigoso.\" The guard shrugged while motioning to somebody by the gate. \"I\'ve never seen an Amigosian personal vehicle, they\'ve only been described to me. But I was told you had a device that could transport you instantly, so why are you traveling with Arkepellians?\"

\"The device doesn\'t work quite like that, it can only go to certain locations and I have to go the rest by other means. The closest I can get is Arkepello and then the rest I have to travel like anybody else, which is why I\'m traveling like this alongside some Arkepellian friends.\"

Another man who had been approaching from the gate arrived, wearing a uniform that Basil could assume indicated he was of higher rank or of some other importance. \"May I see the invitations?\" he asked the guard who had originally approached. Jarvis\'s nervousness seemed to switch to annoyance and seeing the new official he spoke in a pompous manner. \"I am the lead representative of Arkepello, under the authority granted to me as such you are to quit this rabble and let us proceed at once.\" The new official read through the last of the documents before responding to Jarvis\'s outburst.

\"Greetings, I am Weston Brayden, captain of the Redcap Capitol Police. I apologize for the mistaken identity, please bring your vehicle through the gate and meet me on the other side.\"

\"Is anything wrong?\" Basil asked, feeling a little relieved at the nicer tone, though unsure of what Brayden intended with the meeting on the other side of the gate. Brayden, now making an expression Basil could interpret as either mild suspicion, intrigue, or both, replied with a short \"It\'s only a matter of accommodation and of personal curiosity\" before pausing quickly and adding \"Nothing to be alarmed about.\"

11: Attendance

Basil parked his truck on the inside of the gate before he and his passengers began to get out and observe their surroundings while waiting for Brayden. Strait ahead and in the center of the courtyard sat what Basil could best describe as a large castle or palace. The place looked like something that wouldn\'t look out of place during the renaissance in Europe, somewhat of an equally captivating and unnerving thought for Basil as he was staring at it in the present. To the back right portion of the courtyard were two large buildings that Basil best surmised were barracks of some sort, directly to his left was one large building he figured to be the hotel he would be staying at, and scattered along the walls were numerous smaller buildings that likely ranged from storage to living quarters. The courtyard itself was vast and full of people and tents, with a large number of tents grouped towards the presumed barracks.

Disrupting their observations, however, Brayden finally approached the group and spoke in an apologetic tone. \"The royal family sends their deepest regrets, but due to the size of this year\'s festival we have run out of room in the inn. We have set up tents for some guests in place of a room.\" Brayden said while pointing to the cluster of tents at the far side of the courtyard. Jarvis, Niles, and Jace all remained quiet so Basil interjected. \"That\'s alright, actually, if it\'s fine I\'ll just sleep in my truck here\" he said as he patted the hood of the truck he stood next to. \"It\'s got climate control, a metal roof, and it\'ll make unpacking a breeze.\" Brayden paused for a moment, seeming to ponder Basil\'s words, but shook his head.

\"Basil, you have been chosen for a room in the inn. It\'s the Akepello General here and his subjects that have unfortunately not been allocated a room.\" Jarvis\'s neutral expression quickly contorted and he angrily retorted \"I am Kenton Jarvis, leader of the Arkepello Council, here in stay of the General and I-\" Brayden looked confused and spoke over Jarvis. \"The Arkepello General is not attending the festival?\" Jarvis, which Basil imagined was about to have steam coming out of his ears, responded with a sharp \"I am here in his stead, tell the Redcap King I am to be treated like the other powers and not to be treated with less dignity than this outsider.\" Jarvis gestured to Basil. Brayden, with a face that held a scowl, replied with a calm but very authoritative tone. \"You are not to question his majesty. Collect your things to be escorted to your accommodation at once.\"

Behind them several soldiers made themselves known by approaching from the slight distance they had been waiting at. Jarvis remained with his enraged look, though Niles and Jace appeared more accepting of the situation. Grabbing their luggage and handing it to the soldiers, Jarvis returned one final glare at both Basil and Brayden before following suit and pursuing his fellow representatives and the soldiers through the courtyard towards the tents. Basil continued to stand there in silence, trying to conceal how humorous he found the results of Jarvis\'s outburst before he turned to Brayden who was still watching the others disembark. \"So, I take it the personal curiosity you had was about me?\"

\"Yes,\" replied Brayden in a relatively impartial tone. \"You must forgive me, but the story of how you arrived is a difficult one to believe. Your vehicle and clothes are certainly different, but I could easily be convinced you modified Amigosian goods to appear as yours do.\" Basil shrugged. \"I don\'t blame you, I\'m not sure if I\'d believe me myself. I do have a device or two that might clear up any doubts if you\'d like to see them.\" Brayden shook his head. \"That will not be necessary. The King has taken an interest in you, which means I am to assume you are who you say you are. Although, I should warn you, if you attempt to con the King beware of the rash consequences of doing so regardless of where you hale.\" Basil nodded, \"Duly noted, though I\'m just here because I was invited, I don\'t expect to be doing any negotiating or selling.\" Brayden suddenly looked confused. \"But you provided supplies to the Arkepello General, no?\"

\"Yeah, but that was kind of a one off favor for some friends. If something in particular is needed I might be able to look into it. When your diplomats get back to the Arkepello after this you could also have them talk to me or General Tobias.\" Brayden looked somewhat confused for a moment before returning to his previous neutral expression. \"Well, I expect the King will approach you to negotiate the sale of weapons and supplies, and he will likely wish to have them delivered promptly to resolve the conflict between us and the Tyrant\'s army.\"

\"I don\'t sell weapons\" Basil replied, before pausing and realizing what Brayden had said. \"Wait, hold on, I thought you were about to make peace with the Lizard King?\" Brayden momentarily looked as if he was unsure of himself. \"Yes, I was only speculating, and meant it as they were to be used as a bargaining chip. In any event, you will likely learn more if I am correct in assuming you will be attending a meeting with them.\" Brayden paused for just a second, but before Basil said any more he spoke again. \"That building there\" Brayden said while pointing to what Basil assumed was the hotel. \"Is the inn, present your invitation and you will be directed to a room. You can leave your vehicle here, and you will want to go there now to be ready once food is prepared.\"

As abrupt as he was in his change of tone, Brayden quickly left to rejoin his subordinates, leaving Basil to make the deceptively long walk from the gate to the inn with a heavy backpack and suitcase. Finally arriving at the inn, and seeing a large group of people by a counter speaking with the people who\'d presumably check him in, he sat down to wait for the crowd to die down. Standing near where he sat, and sticking out among the crowd were some individuals. They were of a slightly lighter complexion and were tall, not only for here, but even to Basil\'s standards; with the shorter ones being around his height and the tallest in the center being considerably taller. All of the soldiers or bodyguards appeared to be carrying large blades of some form or another, each with varying ornate designs - standing out heavily from the Redcaps\' uniform mix of guns with the occasional blade. Even their clothes, made largely of leather or ornate and brightly colored cloth, stood out among everybody else in the crowd both for their designs and seemingly more primitive construction. On further inspection the individuals near the counter appeared to be part of the same group, and as Basil made note of their existence it became clear several of the group standing nearer to him were taking note of his existence as well.

Determined to break the ice, Basil decided to introduce himself. Getting up and giving a short wave, he began to state \"Hi, I\'m-\" before getting cut off by one of the group who quickly stepped between them. While not touching Basil, his movement seemed intended to get Basil to step backward to his original seating and away from the group. The individual doing so was not exactly imposing, looking to be a very old man wearing some form of robes. Despite that, his confidence in his movement and words was plenty to get Basil slowly walking backward to his seat while they spoke. \"Who are you with and what is your business?\" the man barked. \"Well, I originally came with the Arkepello represen-\" replied Basil.

The man cut him off by making a sound between a sigh and a chuckle to seemingly emphasize his annoyance at Basil, before prompting Basil with a new question \"And what is your business?\" Basil, now a little less intimidated, stopped walking backward and responded with \"Just introducing myself\" while trying, and partially failing, to conceal his own annoyance. The man, clearly not happy with Basil\'s stated intention, replied with a sharp \"Don\'t overestimate your importance here islander\" before turning to walk away. Basil retorted \"Asshole\" fairly quietly. Replying before deciding on whether to mumble it quietly or state it audibly, he wound up saying it quite enough to appear as if he was not intending for it to be heard, but loud enough for his verbal attacker to hear him.

The robed man, having started to walk away, froze in place for just a second; before turning back and speaking in an angry but controlled voice. \"Do not approach us again. If it were not for the festival you would be facing a severe punishment for such insolence.\" As abrupt as his comment was he quickly walked back to his group, which had all seemingly already forgotten about Basil\'s presence. Basil, sitting back down, suddenly heard another voice at his side. \"Confident tonight, are we?\" said a man sitting nearby. The man seemed to be wearing some form of jacket that vaguely resembled a suit or blazer, but was otherwise seemingly unoteable. Basil, turning to face the man, responded to the open ended question \"Well, I thought we were all supposed to be making chit chat?\" The man was seemingly amused. \"There are always limits Arkepelian, you don\'t approach a King like that.\"

\"Wait, that was the Redcap King?\" Basil asked in a surprised voice. \"No, the Lizard King, how do you not know this?\" the man replied in equal parts curiosity and annoyance. While speaking, however, the man got up and sat closer to Basil, seeming to inspect him. Basil replied to the man\'s question with a short \"I\'m a bit new here and out of my depth,\" but as he spoke the man got up to sit closer, seeming more focused on inspecting Basil than listening to the words he was saying. \"Basilious, the man from another world. You know, you\'re a real unknown, our guys can\'t make heads or tails of you, and coming from me that\'s a real compliment. Though if that is your intention I fear what your plans might be.\" Basil grew increasingly confused as the man spoke. \"Alright, um, I guess you know who I am, who are you?\"

\"Spiro, Amigosian Ministry of Information. I look forward to getting to know you.\" Basil smiled and extended his hand to shake Spiro\'s. \"Nice to meet you, I was hoping to meet somebody from Amigoso while I was here, I\'ve heard stories about your technologies and if it\'s okay with you I\'d like to compare some notes and hear about what exactly you guys have.\" Spiro had a facial expression that Basil could not read. \"Very well, perhaps I can talk to you about what I am permitted to share, although given your claims I would be just as interested in seeing what sort of technology you possess.\" Basil nodded. \"Of course, what\'d you want to see first? I got a laptop and phone with me, I came in a truck that one of the guards said looked like one of your vehicles, and I also have a PDA thing that\'s certainly one of a kind.\" Spiro just smiled. \"Perhaps tonight. It appears they are ready to check you in, and the friend of mine who I was talking to looks like he is getting impatient.\"

Upon checking in and being led to his room, for the first time since early that morning Basil was given a moment of silence to reflect on everything and unpack before he went to grab his dinner. Doing a bare bones unpacking he began to take stock of the room. The room was small with a bed that was at least visibly clean, a chamber pot, and a table with a pitcher of water. Basil opened his suitcase, laid his clothes out on his bed, assembled his previously disassembled rifle he had in his suitcase, and laid out a water filter and iodide tablets near the pitcher in a silent protest against the idea of drinking straight from the pitcher itself.

12: Toes to be Stepped On

Finally settling in Basil made his way to the Redcap\'s castle itself where the food and drink were being served. After a few casual conversations with Redcap guards who seemed at least tolerant of conversing, albeit a bit surprised to be prompted with questions, Basil learned some more of the basics and what to expect from the event. He also heard neither the Redcap royal family nor Lizard King were going to be at the dinner, both being in the Redcap royal quarters negotiating what would be an end to the ongoing war. Making his way to the food he grabbed a full plate, and having decided to skip painkillers for the night grabbed what would ultimately end up being a little too much wine. Seeing the Arkepello representatives at a nearby table he sat down to join them. Jarvis seemed slightly tense, but Basil could not tell whether it was directed at him or not, and Jace and Niles seemed glad about his presence.

\"You, come with me\" Basil heard over his shoulder from an obviously inebriated man. Turning around he saw an older man, shorter than most of the other guests, with thinning grey hair wearing what Basil could best interpret as something like a naval uniform. Basil, a little surprised at the demand, turned to the man while remaining seated. \"Sorry, did I do something wrong?\" The man chuckled. \"No,\" followed by an oddly long pause. \"The Redcap King has requested you meet with him to discuss the sale of weapons.\" Though the uniformed man spoke in a manner that was likely intended as a whisper, due to the man\'s inebriation he failed at preventing others from hearing his request. \"I don\'t sell weapons\" Basil replied while remaining seated. The man furrowed his brow and replied with a short \"You are able to acquire them, no?\" before pausing as if he forgot what he was to say next, then continuing \"You provided some to the Arkepello General. We require them now and you are being instructed to meet with the King himself to negotiate providing them.\"

Basil, recalling his meeting with the man who turned out to be the Lizard King, thought briefly about the best way to respond to this request. \"Those were a one off gift to a friend, I don\'t sell weapons. Sorry.\" Jarvis, who had been listening to the conversation, butted in with an annoyed \"I don\'t care that you are the Redcap\'s General, Edwards, you are not getting weapons from us or him.\" Basil, glad to be on Jarvis\'s side for once, gave him a quick nod before turning back from Jarvis to the man he just learned was the Redcap General. Edwards seemed to be mulling over Basil\'s and Jarvis\'s words in his intoxicated brain.

\"Don\'t you turn away from me, this conversation isn\'t over\" Edwards quipped with a delayed expression of annoyance finally coming over his face. \"Yes, it is. No weapons. If you invited me here just for them you\'ll be disappointed\" Basil responded, before following up with \"Come back sober and more polite, maybe we can discuss medicine or agriculture, but there\'ll be no blood on my hands.\" The General, seeming to realize that the conversation would not prove fruitful, began to stumble towards the exit of the hall they were all eating in. Basil, having run out of wine and feeling a need for more after that conversation, also got up to refill his glass.

While walking away from his table, out of the corner of his eye Basil could see Spiro walking in his direction. He began to recount the events of the last few moments in the expectation that he was going to ask him what had occurred, but his thoughts and Spiro\'s approach were interrupted by somebody timidly grabbing Basil\'s shoulder. \"Basil, right? I need to speak with you\" said someone, who despite his height being nearly Basil\'s, was probably a teenager. The kid seemed nervous about Basil\'s pending response. \"Huh, what\'s up?\" Basil asked as he turned around, feeling more inebriated than he did a moment ago with the unexpected movement and change in planned interactions. The kid spoke, seeming to find a little more confidence. \"My father wishes to speak with you\" the kid said, before a quick pause and another statement to provide more elaboration. \"My father is the Lizard king.\"

Basil shook his head. \"I already spoke with him actually\" replied Basil, before continuing. \"The old guy in the robes said something along the lines of \'don\'t try to speak to me again or there will be dire consequences.\'\" Basil spoke while trying - but failing - to do an impression of the robed man. \"You were that guy?\" Asked the kid in amusement. \"He\'s been wanting to speak with you for months, I can\'t wait to see the look on his face when he finds out that the first time he spoke with you the Wizard threatened you.\"

Basil let a chuckle escape at the thought of a royal \'Wizard\' before trying to contain it, but was nevertheless glad to hear he hadn\'t made enemies with one major faction in the festival after all. Re-collecting his thoughts he responded in a more reserved tone. \"Just to be clear, no weapons. I just had that conversation with a guy, Edwards, who is apparently the Redcap General. He was not happy about that.\" Basil continued to speak but switched to a more casual tone. \"But I\'d be happy to meet with him.\" The kid, who seemed a little unhappy while Basil explained that he wasn\'t willing to provide any form of weapons, still seemed happy that Basil was willing to meet with them. \"My father should be finishing up talks with the Redcaps soon, why don\'t we go now?\"

Suddenly Basil felt a buzzing in his pocket. \"Hold on\" he said as he pulled his phone out hoping that ACE had found a way to get a signal through, but only saw a reminder to take his painkillers - the ones he had elected not to take in exchange for his overindulgence in the wine offered here. \"What\'s that?\" the kid asked Basil, eyes fixed on the flip phone. \"My radio\" Basil stated, before hesitating and asking \"You\'re familiar with radios right?\" The kid nodded his head, \"Of course I know what a radio is.\" Basil, now more confident he could explain the device, continued. \"This is pretty much like any other radio, but it can only communicate with other radios like this one, and it can do a few other non-radio things as well. When I heard it make a noise I thought maybe it was a friend who found a way to reach me, but it was only a reminder to take medication.\"

The kid seemed very interested in the device, so Basil said \"Watch this\" and pointed the camera at the two. The kid stared at the pixelated photo with infatuation, finally turning to Basil and speaking. \"Can you get me one?\" Basil gave him a quick smile. \"It wouldn\'t work as a radio, but I\'m sure I could get my hands on another one. We could call it a diplomatic gift or something like that as long as your father\'s okay with it.\" The kid looked excited, but suddenly his expression changed to surprise as his head jerked to the side.

\"You!\" shouted the robed man that had accosted Basil earlier, and whom the kid identified as the \'Wizard.\' \"I warned you to-\" he began to continue, before seeing Basil holding out the phone. His demeanor changed mid-sentence and he pulled out a large double sided knife from within his robe before stepping in between Basil and the kid. \"Keep away from him, or I will not hesitate to kill you\" the \'Wizard\' shouted, before continuing in a somewhat less frantic tone. \"You were warned to stay away from us.\" Basil, having finally processed all that happened, began to speak but was distracted by the kid laughing. \"This is not a game child\" the \'Wizard\' scolded. Basil, now re-trying to collect his thoughts began to say \"Relax, I-\" but the \'Wizard\' cut him off with a harsh \"Quiet\" before he took a large step closer while still pointing the knife at Basil.

The kid spoke again, beginning to say \"He isn\'t-\" but the \'Wizard\' spoke over him with an abrupt \"We will talk about this later.\" The \'Wizard\' took one more step towards Basil, and seemed to be about to say something more, but Basil had had enough of the non-verbal threats. Taking the phone in his hand he held it out directly at the \'Wizard,\' camera pointed in his direction. The \'Wizard,\' already seemingly afraid of what he must have presumed to be a weapon, jumped back and stood directly in front of the kid. Basil started laughing, the kid resumed his laughter, and the \'Wizard\'s fear seemed somewhat disarmed by the laughter. Without a single further word, he grabbed the kid by the arm and walked briskly towards the exit, practically dragging the still laughing kid. Basil looked around, realizing that all eyes were now on him.

13: Last Resorts

Basil, now the center of attention for the entire room, decided to exit but was stopped by Spiro. \"What was that?\" he asked in an accusatory tone. Basil, turning around, replied nonchalantly \"Don\'t really know.\" He went to continue walking, but Spiro stuck out his arm to block the exit, seeming to expect a more detailed answer. Basil paused to go over his thoughts, and during the pause Spiro continued, this time in a seemingly concerned tone. \"You\'re going to get yourself in trouble, I don\'t know what you were thinking, but threatening an advisor like that is a quick way to get yourself killed.\" Basil replied \"It\'s a radio,\" prompting a confused \"What?\" from Spiro. \"This, it\'s a radio\" Basil continued, \"And the kid said his father wanted to meet with me, apparently he didn\'t know who I was when I introduced myself. I guess the grumpy guy didn\'t get the memo.\" Spiro simply stared at Basil for a moment, seemingly trying to make sense of everything. \"Just don\'t do that\" Spiro replied. \"None of that, I don\'t care what was misunderstood, you\'re going to get yourself into trouble.\"

Basil and Spiro stood in silence for a moment, and as Basil looked around it seemed the crowd had lost interest. Basil finally broke the silence. \"The asshole pulled a knife on me after the kid approached and asked me to meet with them.\" Basil spoke with a considerable amount of annoyance and inebriation before he followed up his previous statement with \"If you ask me, pointing a radio at him was me being nice, I could have been pointing a gun at him instead.\" After a moment, Spiro, in a tone between concern and one that would be used talking to a child, replied. \"Look, you can\'t do things like that to any of the greater powers here. Especially not to the Lizard King or his people, who aren\'t the most level-headed.\" The two both stood in silence again, but again Spiro began to speak. \"Honestly, I\'ve grown a little fond of you, you\'re not full of shit like most of the diplomatic types, and I would still like to figure out what you are exactly, so don\'t get yourself killed by insulting the Tyrant\'s advisor.\" Basil finally spoke. \"Um, thanks\" was all he could think to say at first, but quickly added \"I\'m going to go get some fresh air and collect my thoughts.\"

After a long and quiet walk Basil made his way to his truck, popped the bed cover off, and sat down to stare at the emptying courtyard. With his body not yet adjusted to the idea of this hour being night, and with the regrets of the prior conversations, against all better judgment he broke the seal on a bottle of Grey Goose to pour himself a glass. Some time went by, and as he went about taking the plastic wrap of the package of cigarettes he found in the parka all that time ago he heard footsteps approaching his solitary camp. \"May I join you?\" asked the tall man Basil now knew to be Nerva, the King of the Lizard People. \"Sure\" Basil responded, the liquor and the mental fatigue obvious in his voice. The Lizard king climbed up onto the back of Basil\'s truck to sit behind him, and for a moment stared out into the now nearly empty courtyard with a solemn look on his face. Basil noticed the man seemed even larger up close and seemed to have a considerable amount of strength - exceedingly so for others here relative to his age and station. His clothes, while similarly colorful and ornate like the other nations\' people, seemed less refined with leather and slightly crudely stitched and dyed fabrics. On his side he carried a giant sword of some form, looking both out of place considering the rest of the diplomatic and nobility types did not do so, and also out of place given the gun bearing Redcap guards that dotted the walls and buildings nearby.

\"Give us a moment\" said the Lizard king to his son, the \'Wizard,\' and the soldiers that seemed to make up his entourage. \"I would not advise that your grace, this one is problematic\" replied the \'Wizard\' in response to the Lizard king\'s request. A short glance from the Lizard King, however, and the group was walking a short distance away; leaving the two wildly different individuals to converse alone. Finally, after a very long set of silence, the Lizard King spoke. \"May I see your radio?\" Basil, not expecting that, pulled his phone out of his pocket and handed it to him. \"Come on, it was at least a little funny\" Basil commented while the man seemed busy inspecting it. \"If it was anybody else\" the Lizard king responded, \"This would have ended very badly for you.\" He then paused, as if he was pondering how to word what he said next, before continuing. \"But I understand we must have very different lives and customs so I\'m willing to forgive such transgressions.\" They both sat in silence for a moment longer, before the Lizard King broke the silence once again. \"Well, my son did find it amusing. He also spoke highly of you, and he is a good judge of character, which I place more weight on than your lack of etiquette.\"

The man sitting next to Basil went silent again. Finally thinking of something to say, Basil was the first to break this silence. \"Your son seems like a good kid. He was very nice and seemed pretty interested in learning things. Not-\" Basil suddenly paused, realizing his fatigued and intoxicated brain was yet again about to get him into trouble. The man next to him, however, smiled for the first time since the meeting started. \"Not like you would expect my son to be?\" the Lizard king asked. \"My father was a cruel man, feared by his people and hated by others. I have been a cruel and broken man, but when his mother died I have raised him to not carry what my family line has left me.\" He paused for a moment, and the solemn look returned to his face. \"I have prepared him for a peaceful reign, but in the final hour darkness has prevailed and the curse of my lineage may be a shield he will find himself without.\"

\"What are you talking about?\" Basil asked, not following the meaning behind what was said. \"Peace negotiations have failed, the Redcaps have demanded much that I am unwilling to give\" said the solemn man. \"That is why I am here, if you can provide me with weapons I can return to the table with the scales in my favor, or confront the Bloody One on the battlefield and force an end to this before my time is over. In exchange I will grant you anything within my dominion.\" Basil, now disappointed to hear that there would be no peace, and more disappointed in the request, replied exhaustively. \"I won\'t give weapons to anybody. This is not my war, and there will not be blood on my hands.\" The Lizard King, seeming disheartened, replied quickly. \"There will be much more blood on your hands if you do not intervene, much more even than if I fight a short war with overwhelming strength. My people have informed me that you wish for peace, how would you end a bloody stalemate without transient bloodshed?\" Basil shook his head. \"I don\'t know\" was all he could muster in reply.

\"You said you would be willing to provide other knowledge and supplies, what would those be?\" the Lizard King asked, pivoting the subject. \"Medications maybe, imagine a world where an infection could be solved easily and many diseases were eradicated. We could try farming techniques, imagine getting four times as much food from the same amount of land. Even things like tools, imagine a world where a hammer was much stronger and more durable, and didn\'t rust.\" The Lizard king seemed to ponder Basil\'s words, considering them attentively. \"Perhaps those words themselves may bring peace. I will request to resume negotiations tomorrow, and I wish for you to join me in them.\" The Lizard King paused momentarily as if to collect his thoughts, but resumed speaking before Basil responded. \"Tell those words to the Redcap King himself. If convinced that you can help us bring such a world into being, he may be willing to put aside his bloodshed for a chance at such a change.\" The Lizard king fell silent, looking intently at Basil expecting a response, which Basil provided. \"Of course.\"

\"Good\" replied the Lizard King. \"A drink to another shot at peace, would you like some?\" Basil asked, pouring himself yet another ill-advised serving from his bottle. \"What is it?\" the Lizard King asked. \"Just alcohol, though it\'s a bit of an acquired taste if you\'re used to the wine we were drinking earlier.\" The Lizard King replied \"Very well\" while holding out his hand to accept a serving. Basil poured some into a second plastic cup, handing it to the Lizard king who inspected the very alien container before drinking some. After downing most of the vodka in one gulp, he made a face as if he didn\'t know what to make of the nearly flavorless liquor, before finishing it off and handing the plastic cup back to Basil. \"Well, I expect we will speak again very soon\" the Lizard King stated, before standing back up and walking to his son, the \'Wizard,\' and his soldiers guarding them.

14: Extraction

Basil was woken by a knock on the door. He struggled to open his eyes, the effects of the liquor still not fully worn off. He checked the watch next to his bed: 3 AM local time. He heard another knock on the door, but this one was much more aggressive than the previous one. He was definitely awake now. Getting up quickly he grabbed the rifle by his bedside, chambered a round as quietly as he could, and made his way to the door. He cracked the door open slightly in an attempt to keep the rifle out of view of the visitor, seeing the \'Wizard\' on the other side. The \'Wizard\' immediately pushed the door open and entered the room, undoing all of Basil\'s efforts to hide the weapon and prevent his visitor from entering.

Before Basil could formulate what to say the \'Wizard\' spoke in a calm tone, but one that seemed to hide unease deep within it. \"Is that one of your people\'s weapons?\" A still confused Basil replied with a \"Yes, why are you here?\" The \'Wizard,\' who seemed to be looking around the room almost frantically to make sure they were alone, replied to Basil\'s question with his head turned still canvasing the room. \"His grace has requested your presence, we believe he may be in danger.\" Basil was now only more confused. \"Now?\" Basil asked, before following up with a \"Why?\" moments later. \"That we will discuss in his presence, please bring the weapon with you.\" Basil shook his head. \"I\'m not giving you the rifle\" Basil replied. \"Yes, that is why we are requesting your presence. Please, come with me now.\"

Basil, still unsure of the situation - but having been convinced to come along - wrapped the rifle lightly in a coat and followed the \'Wizard\' through the nearly empty halls. Making their way up some stairs, and into a much more extravagant area of the inn, they finally made it to a large double door with the Lizard King\'s soldiers standing guard outside. Being waved through by the \'Wizard,\' the two finished their late night walk and found themselves standing in an even more ornate room than the halls implied; the Lizard King and his son standing in the center surrounded by yet more soldiers. Taking stock of the situation, the \'Wizard\' broke the spell of silence the whole group was under.

\"An informant has indicated there is to be an attempt on the King\'s life, a direct response to our meeting with you.\" The last bit of tiredness left Basil as he realized he might be caught up in the middle of an assassination attempt. \"Are you sure?\" Basil asked, before following up with a \"How do you know?\" The Lizard King, who had remained silent until this point, finally spoke. \"Thank you for coming, it appears you may not be the only one who has few friends here. Yes, we are certain there is to be an attempt on my life at some point during the festival.\" After finishing his statement, the \'Wizard\' picked up where he left off.

\"We have asked you here to escort us to our airship.\" Basil, confused at the request, prompted another question. \"Why ask me to join you though? If you\'re worried about assassins, you have guards. I\'m just one guy, and I\'m not a soldier.\" Though the \'Wizard\' appeared to be about to answer Basil\'s question, Basil quickly interjected with another. \"Wait, you guys have an airship?\" The \'Wizard\' nodded. \"Yes, one from Amigoso,\" though he answered Basil\'s latter question with annoyance.

\"The Redcap soldiers present here greatly outnumber us, even though we are aware of their treachery they could easily attack us and later fabricate a story about how one of our soldiers started a fight that led to an unfortunate incident where we were killed. If our government was put in a crisis of succession there would be no others capable of dispencing justice, unless Amigoso did so through trickery, but they hold no love for us. But you are an unknown, nothing is known about you except that you possess formidable weaponry. They likely would not attack us with any foreigner present, but you are also the only one we trust would not agree to support such a scheme.\"

As the \'Wizard\' finished speaking the Lizard King spoke again. \"Once we are safely back at our capital we will reach out to you, we may wish for you to speak on our behalf to the Redcaps or have you visit our capitol to discuss options if you are willing. I still wish for peace, and with your backing and no opportunity for treachery the Bloody One may still be made to see reason.\"

A plethora of thoughts rushed through Basil\'s mind as he decided on the best course of action. Eventually, however, his mind was made up. \"Okay, we go to my truck, get you three in the cab, and your soldiers around it. We go through the gate, get you to your airship, and get you out of here without violence. But, on one condition. Promise me you will do everything reasonable to avoid bloodshed both now and after you\'re safe.\" The \'Wizard\' looked incensed at Basil\'s demand, but the Lizard King nodded. \"Okay, I promise you that. But I would seek a promise of my own. Renew to me the promise you made to the Bloody One who authored your invitation, that you come to the aid of anyone that is attacked by another party during the festival.\"

\"This isn\'t my war, I\'ll help you leave, but I don\'t know if I could fight for you. Even if it was a just fight.\" The \'Wizard\' glared at Basil, but the Lizard King seemed to hold no ill will. \"I am not demanding this of you as a King, which I know you likely hold little respect for as an authority. I am only asking this of you as a father who wishes for his only child to live another day. But I will not hold it against you if you cannot honor the promise you made during your attendance.\" Basil stood there, silent for a moment, before replying hesitantly. \"Okay\" he stated, before pausing again and continuing. \"I promise you I\'ll do what I can to uphold the peace during the festival.\"

Some soldiers picked up a handful of bags, and some formed a circle around the Lizard King. Basil, hoping a display of a weapon would negate the need for one, put his coat on that was wrapped over the rifle and placed the sling over his shoulder. Walking with them, they made their way out of the building, drawing some attention from the guards but otherwise making their way through the night undisturbed. When they arrived at Basil\'s truck he instructed the Lizard King, his son, and the \'Wizard\' to stay in his truck while the soldiers walked outside the slowly moving vehicle to respond to any attacks. Approaching the gate Basil had entered through the previous day they all noticed a large group of Redcap soldiers standing guard around the gate.

\"Open the gate, we wish to exit\" one of the Lizard King\'s soldiers shouted at the Redcap soldier who had left the gate closed despite their arrival. Though Basil couldn\'t hear all of what the Redcap soldier said in response, he did catch \"... Don\'t really feel like doing so ...\" from part of the conversation. The Lizard King\'s soldier raised his weapon slightly, prompting the Redcap soldiers to raise theirs to a low ready in unison, further causing the Lizard King\'s soldiers to raise theirs in response. \"Lower your weapons you fools!\" Shouted the Lizard King as Basil rolled down the window, causing his soldiers to lower their weapons. The Redcap soldiers seemed to keep their weapons at low ready, and the one standing by the gate pully began walking over to Basil\'s side of the truck.

\"Be ready for anything\" the \'Wizard\' whispered as the Redcap approached. Moments before he arrived Basil shifted slightly to make sure his rifle was in view, then pulled up his PDA. The Redcap jumped back in momentary surprise. As soon as the Redcap seemed to have collected his thoughts Basil gave an order in a monotone voice. \"Open the gate.\" The Redcap spoke in an antagonistic voice, starting to say \"Well, maybe I don-\" but Basil cut him off. \"As my invitation states, you must accept certain orders from me as if they were from your superiors. You are aware the penalty for disobeying an order is death, right soldier? And if you think you outnumber me, well, you obviously have never seen a drum mag at work.\"

The soldier seemed unsure of how to respond, although unervingly to Basil he did not seem afraid of Basil\'s power play. An uneasy silence came over the vehicle until the Redcap spoke again. \"Well, you can\'t fault me for harassing the murderous Tyrant. I am disappointed to see you assist him.\" The Redcap turned around and returned to his group, and while nerves ran high as they all waited to see what would happen, the gate began to open. Basil drove through the gate slowly to allow the Lizard king\'s soldiers to keep up on foot, and the group made their way to the area of the city where the Lizard king had parked his \'airship\' and a further contingent of soldiers. Throughout the drive not a word was said that wasn\'t the \'Wizard\' giving navigation directions to Basil.

Finally making it there, Basil began to approach what appeared to be a small blimp that had apparently been acquired from Amigoso; and which served as the Lizard King\'s transport to and from the Redcap capital. Finally bringing the truck to a stop, his three passengers began to disembark, but the Lizard King stopped halfway out the door to speak to Basil. \"You have done us a great service, we will be in contact with you shortly once we\'ve returned and once you\'ve returned to Arkepello.\" Before Basil could respond with anything beyond a nod the Lizard King had stepped out and closed the door, leaving Basil to watch them walk towards the blimp. As it began to take flight he turned his truck around and began to make his way back to the inn, hoping to salvage what little bit of sleep he could from the waning night.

15: Fallout

Basil walked into the hall, tired and drinking instant coffee that tasted like iodide. Finding the table where the Arkepello representatives were he sat down, but out of the corner of his eye he saw two individuals that seemed to be watching him. One was shorter, even for a Domum crowd, with darker skin and a white shirt. The other one, much taller, had a large greying beard and wore a black shirt. After making some small talk while trying to watch the two without tipping his hand, Basil finally brought it up to the table.

\"Don\'t look now, but there are two guys that seem to be watching me or us. Shorter guy with darker skin and a white shirt, taller guy with a beard and a black shirt.\" All three at the table immediately turned their heads towards the two, who both got up and left once it was obvious that their surveillance was known. \"What part of-\" Basil began, before Jarvis cut him off in a very accusatory tone. \"That was Cicero and Casio, Cicero is a Redcap advisor. What did you do to get them to be watching us?\"

\"The Lizard King said there was going to be an assassination attempt on him and asked me to escort him back to his blimp, that could be why they\'re watching us.\" Jarvis huffed and walked off with Niles chiming in. \"You what? Why would you help the enemy?\" Basil was surprised at the sudden bitterly toned question and responded defensively. \"I just accompanied them as they left, it\'s not like I fought for them or gave them weapons. Besides, we\'re neutral in the war between the Lizard King and the Redcaps.\" The representative didn\'t seem too pleased with Basil\'s answer. \"I don\'t know about you, but we at the Arkepello are still close with the Redcaps.\" When he spoke he emphasized Basil being an outsider, but suddenly Jace realized something in Basil\'s statement. \"Hold on, the Tyrant left?\"

Before Basil could answer Jarvis returned, Police Capton Brayden now in tow. \"This man is to be hung per Arkepello law for assisting an enemy.\" Everybody looked shocked at Jarvis\'s loudly exclaimed demand, not least of which was Basil who nearly jumped out of his seat and drew his pistol. The two guards flanking Brayden started to raise their weapons, but stopped as Basil went back and forth alternating which guard he held his pistol on. \"That\'s not according to my invitation, and if any of you even so much as move a muscle to try you four and the next six who try will be dead.\" Brayden, scowling, spoke in a very angry but calm and authoritative voice. \"Basil, lower your weapon.\" Basil kept his weapon up, and the two soldiers flanking Brayden remained frozen holding their weapons half up, so Brayden spoke again. \"Basil lower your weapon, you two as well\" as he gestured to the two guards that flanked him. Basil and the guards very hesitantly started to lower their weapons, and with all eyes in the hall on the five Brayden began to speak again - very angrily and directing his words to Jarvis.

\"That\'s not an offense under Redcap law, which would be required of a demand such as that. Basil is not here as a representative of the Arkepello, so you also have no authority over the guards to command such an action regardless. You do not have such authority even if he were under Arkepello and Redcap law, only General Tobias could command that. And quite simply, I do not respect your authority period islander.\"

Jarvis began to slink away, eyes firing imaginary daggers at the three that stood by him, and the whole group seemed much calmer now after Brayden\'s lecture. Basil quickly holstered his weapon and spoke. \"I\'m so sorry about that, I thought that-\" but Brayden cut him off. \"Oh, I would forgive such a misunderstanding on its own, but for siding with the Lizard King I would have you hung myself if it were my choice to make. You are an enemy of the Redcaps and I would recommend you exercise great caution once the privileges within your invite expire.\" Basil went to speak, but Brayden had already begun to walk away, with Niles and Jace staring at Basil with unwelcome glares.

Spiro stood in a corner, glass of wine in hand despite the early hour, speaking to somebody in a Redcap guard\'s uniform. Basil rounded the corner at an almost jogging pace, saw Spiro, and started walking towards him as the person in the guard\'s uniform began to walk away. \"Hey, I might be in some trouble, you\'re the only person here who seems to tolerate me. I\'ve got some information I can trade for some help\" Basil stated while trying to catch his breath. Spiro, unsure of what was going on, replied in a tone that seemed to be intended to try to calm Basil down. \"Relax, I don\'t need to barter information to help you if I can, what happened?\" Basil, having finally seemed to have caught his breath, began to explain the situation, albeit poorly.

\"I pulled a weapon on Brayden the royal police captain, who-,\" but Spiro cut Basil off. \"You what?\" Spiro replied in surprise. Basil then, having finally collected his thoughts, recounted Jarvis\'s demands to have Basil hung, the confrontation, Weston\'s dressing down of Jarvis, and finally Weston\'s threat towards Basil. Taking a moment to process everything, Spiro finally replied to Basil\'s recounting. \"Well, you\'re great at making friends it seems\" Spiro stated sarcastically, \"But you\'ll be fine. The Redcaps undoubtedly won\'t be happy with you pulling a weapon on their Royal Police captain, but given the circumstances and you being here diplomatically, there won\'t be anything done about it. And I wouldn\'t take the threats made about retaliating after the festival seriously, he has no power outside of the city walls.\" Basil seemed somewhat relieved, but only relative to earlier and concern remained in his voice, \"Are you sure? He seemed really angry and I\'m worried he\'d try something.\"

\"Yes, I\'m sure\" Spiro replied, before pausing a moment to think and follow up his assurances. \"If you\'re really worried go to your room in the inn for today. I have some meetings throughout the day, but can accompany you this evening if you\'re worried about some sort of retaliation. They certainly wouldn\'t try anything with me around.\" Basil seemed a little relieved. \"Thanks, I um, yeah I think I\'ll just lay low for a few hours\" Basil replied, before turning to walk away. Before leaving, however, Spiro spoke again. \"Before you go, why did Jarvis ask to have you hung? And also, do you know anything about the Lizard King leaving last night, a friend told me he met with you hours before he left.\"

Basil, turned back to face Spiro. \"Those two actually have the same answer, and it was one of the two pieces of information I thought I would offer to you.\" Basil then began a short recounting of the Lizard King\'s meeting, the talks that had apparently broken down, and then the late night request to accompany him while he left. Basil also then explained the two men who had followed him, and his conversation with the Arkepello representatives, which led to Jarvis\'s demands. Spiro again stood there quietly, processing all the information he had heard.

\"Well, while the Lizard King is a paranoid fool, I am certain he made up the story to gain your favor. The Redcaps would not have violated an oath like that, especially with the state of the war as it is. The Lizard King is weak, he has not been pulling troops away from the front lines because he wishes for peace as he says, but because he lacks the strength to fight a war.\"

Basil went to speak, but Spiro continued. \"I can see, however, why that would have angered others. He is very disliked here if you somehow were unaware.\" Spiro again paused for a second, but continued speaking before Basil spoke. \"Thank you though, that is good information to know. What was the other piece of information you were going to offer me?\" Basil had finally fully calmed down. \"The second piece of information was proof that I am who I say I am.\" Spiro spoke more hesitantly as if to avoid offending Basil. \"Your radio? Look, I saw it from a distance last night, I can\'t take a radio with painted glass as proof of your claims.\"

Basil simply flicked his wrist, pulling up the holographic interface of unknown origin that was embedded into him. A large bright display showed up in front of him, and Spiro jumped back in surprise. Basil just looked at Spiro with a neutral expression and waited for a response. \"Okay, um, yeah\" was all he replied with, suddenly at a loss for words as a facial expression that Basil thought looked like regret flashed over his face for a split second. \"A little unnerving to know for sure that I\'m not full of shit?\" Basil asked, to which Spiro responded more coherently having collected his thoughts. \"Yes, of course it\'s unnerving for me. Knowing for certain you came from\" Spiro paused, before finding the words he intended \"Somewhere else, it\'s a lot to process.\" Basil began to say \"It\'s the same for me too, I-,\" but Spiro cut Basil off. \"How is it unnerving for you!? You\'re the one who came here with that, that thing.\" Basil, continuing calmly, picked up where he left off his sentence.

\"Well, neither I nor any of my people made that interface or the technology that brought me here. I also have no memories older than a year, so however you\'re feeling I can assure you I\'ve felt it too.\" Spiro paused to process all Basil had said, before simply replying \"Oh,\" again seemingly at a loss for words.

16: Last Moments of an Era

Spiro sat in the back of Basil\'s truck holding Basil\'s pistol. \"You can probably see how it feeds in here\" said Basil as he pressed down bullets in a magazine showing how the springs worked. Spiro looked at it with intrigue. \"And it uses the pressure from the casing to load in the next round?\" Basil seemed surprised. \"You have autoloading firearms? On the Arkepello Tobias said that you guys didn\'t have them.\" Spiro nodded. \"Yes, we have a few, but not in a platform as small as this. Can I see it in action?\" Basil gestured for Spiro to hand it back. \"Well, the Redcaps would probably not appreciate us shooting it here, but it works like this.\" Basil racked the slide, causing an unspent casing to eject that Basil failed to catch.

\"The force from the round would make the slide do that, when it moves back another one would be put into the chamber just like I would assume Amigosian ones would.\" Spiro opened his jacket to reveal his handgun while replying to Basil\'s demonstration. \"Interesting\" he said as he removed his handgun from a leather holster and handed it to Basil. The handgun he pulled had a very ornately carved grip and, as Spiro explained the inner workings, Basil could see that it was a five shot revolver. It was heavy, had an oddly long barrel for something Spiro was concealing, and Basil could see markings and imperfections on it that implied that its components were handmade.

\"And here you kept saying we weren\'t in danger\" Basil said in a combination of statement and question once Spiro had finished showing it to Basil. \"Well,\" Spiro replied, \"After our chat this morning, and after meeting with a few friends, I thought it best to not take chances.\" Basil made a slightly worried expression, not expecting that answer. \"So tell me, Basil\" Spiro continued, \"Why are you here? I doubt you\'re here to compare weapons.\" Basil responded, slightly surprised by the question. \"Well, like I said this morning, I don\'t know who built the technology that I used to get here, I kinda just stumbled upon it and wound up here.\" Spiro glanced slightly suspiciously at Basil, then responded with a more clarified question. \"Not how you got here, why are you here? At this festival.\" Basil thought for a moment, internally asking himself the question. \"Well, to be honest, I got an invitation so I came. Thought I would see the place.\"

Spiro, without missing a beat, followed up with another question. \"So where are the rest of your people? Why are you the only one here?\" Basil thought for a moment, making sure to figure out the best way to word his answer. \"I\'m not really on good terms with some of them, they tried to kill me and I\'ve been hiding out since then.\" Spiro, again, prompted Basil with another question \"Why did they try to kill you?\" to which Basil responded \"I don\'t know.\" Before Basil could continue to answer the question, Spiro asked a follow up. \"How do you not know that?\" and before Basil responded Spiro remembered their previous conversation and re-phrased his question \"You said before you don\'t have memories from longer than last year, how?\" Basil answered, giving a summary of waking up not knowing who he was or where he was, the injuries he had that ACE had treated, and the technology they had recovered.

\"And where is the facility you were at?\" Spiro asked. Basil, who\'s hands were now shaking having been reliving the past events, answered that question as well. \"Polar ice cap, I\'m sure there are two here as well, although they weren\'t on any maps Tobias showed me.\" Basil paused for a moment, but right as Spiro was about to speak, Basil continued to speak. \"What\'s with the interrogation? I know this is a crazy chain of events, but I\'m tired.\" Spiro, who had just noticed Basil\'s hands were shaking, switched from his interrogation voice and spoke in a serious, but more calm tone. \"Sorry,\" he said, before pausing and nearly switching to a whisper.

\"Look, the Amigosian chairman named himself chairman for life nearly twenty years ago, and things have been getting dicey. My backup plan was to get friendly with the Redcaps, but you seem to have thrown a wrench into this region\'s stability with your presence. I want to find out if I have an ally who\'ll be either powerful enough or far away enough that I\'ll be outside my countrymen\'s reach if things go tits up.\"

Basil went to speak, but Spiro spoke again to follow up on his statement. \"This may go without saying, but if you have any decency this conversation will not be retold to anybody else.\" Basil nodded. \"Of course. You\'ve been good to me here, if things go bad I\'ll have a safe place for you to stay.\" Suddenly, Basil\'s voice trailed off as he continued. \"But-\" Spiro looked concerned, interrupting Basil with \"But what?\" in a slightly concerned voice. \"But I\'m sick, and I\'m not sure how much more time I\'ll be around for.\"

Spiro looked slightly nervous. \"Is it contagious?\" Spiro asked in surprise. \"No, growths along my spine, I\'m not sure if they\'ll be treatable\" Basil answered. Spiro sighed, \"Can\'t catch a break I suppose.\" Basil was unsure if he meant Basil couldn\'t catch a break, or if he had meant that Spiro himself couldn\'t catch a break, or if it was a little of both. They both sat in silence for a moment, until Basil broke the silence. \"I guess that\'s why I\'m here. Ya\' know, I might as well see the sights before it\'s too late.\"

Eventually, the two returned to talking, from talking about the weather to talking about their homes. After some time had passed Spiro pointed to two men who seemed to be making rounds, inspecting the crowd that had formed near to the castle in anticipation of the Redcap King\'s coming speech. He gestured to the two, one shorter man with darker skin wearing a white shirt, and one taller man with a beard wearing a black shirt. \"Those were the guys who were following me this morning\" Basil responded when Spiro pointed them out. \"The shorter one is Cicero, and the taller one is Casio\" Spiro clarified, before continuing. \"They\'re brothers, and Cicero is an advisor to the Redcap King. They know him back when the Redcap King snuck off and joined the Redcap army to fight the Lizard King, they were all there during the battle of Blood Rock. I should introduce you to them.\"

Basil responded very hesitantly, \"I\'m not sure if that\'s a good idea, the Redcaps specifically told me I was their enemy and I don\'t want to rock the boat or provoke them in any way.\" Spiro responded confidently to Basil\'s hesitance. \"If there is anybody who\'s going to hear your side of things it\'ll be them. Casio hurt his head during the battle, but they\'re both good people. Fiercely loyal to the King and his people, so they might be a bit standoffish at first, but I think they\'ll warm up to you.\"

\"They look busy right now, are you sure it\'s a good time?\" Basil asked, still hesitant about the idea. \"Nonsense\" Spiro replied. \"They\'re advisors, they just sometimes forget they\'re not foot soldiers anymore.\" Spiro paused for a second, then continued. \"Tell you what, how about I go say hi and tell them you\'re here. If they\'re interested in talking we\'ll all join you here, if not it\'ll be a chance for me to catch up with them and then I\'ll come back here once I\'m done.\" Basil thought it over for a second, before finally answering Spiro. \"Okay, sure, just please don\'t pressure them or anything.\" Spiro stood up and began walking in their direction, leaving Basil alone. Basil, now alone and watching Spiro walk away, pulled out the package of cigarettes he had found in the parka all that time ago. This time, without any distractions, he took the plastic packaging off and took one out of the carton. \"No time to start like now, unless maybe these were yours before the bullet\" Basil said, talking to himself.

Spiro, finally making his way to Cicero and Casio, greeted them and engaged in a short bit of small talk with Cicero. After going over recent events that the two men had been privy to, at least the small portions that they were willing to share, Spiro decided to ask Cicero about Basil. \"You guys know who Basil is right, the outsider?\" Cicero answered with a sudden annoyance. \"Yes, the Tyrant\'s pet who threatened our Royal Police captain?\" Cicero finished speaking for a second, before quickly adding \"Who\'s also probably a liar? Yes, I know of him.\" Spiro, who was expecting such a response, but was disappointed to receive it, responded.

\"I\'ve been talking to him, I think you should too. He feels bad about the misunderstanding, and I\'m convinced he\'s not lying about where he came from. The things he\'s told me about-\" Cicero cut Spiro off. \"Don\'t tell me you\'ve fallen for his lies. A barbarian, sure, but I expect more from someone such as yourself.\" Spiro replied with a sense of awe in his voice, although most of it was manufactured.

\"Look, I saw him make a thing appear in front of him out of nothing. He said it was like a radio for the eyes. All of his technology far outpaces anything I\'ve seen, and he seems to legitimately want peace. But the Arkepelians just turned on him, and your police captain is going to try to kill him the second the festival is over and stated as much, while the Tyrant spoke to him as an equal. He\'s refused to provide weapons to him yet, but if he ends up finding his home in the Tyrant\'s kingdom and you attack it I can assure you it will not end well for any of us.\"

Cicero mulled over Spiro\'s words for longer than Spiro expected. \"Fine, Casio, let\'s go speak to the outsider\" Cicero commented with a voice that carried equal parts annoyance, intrigue, and unease. The four turned and started walking away from the castle towards where Basil had his truck. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a piercing sound traveled across the courtyard. The sound, as if a roar from every direction at once, hurt the ears of the three standing there as nothing had ever before; and while they tried to determine the cause of it, all they could see was many guests fleeing or on the ground covering their ears, soldiers in a panic, and bright lights hovering over the castle.

Sitting in the back of his truck staring at the center of the courtyard, Basil was both nearly blinded and deafened in a single moment. Struggling to focus, he started to make out what had caused the commotion. With the lights dimming as his eyes came back into focus, Basil could only make out orbs of some form floating, as if he had stared at the sun. To his horror, as they continued to come into focus, they remained floating orbs. Not helicopters or planes of some sort, but two long cylindrical objects and one flat one that vaguely resembled a manta ray that had landed on the ground. People, or at least beings of some sort, began to pour out of the flat craft and storm into the castle in the center of the courtyard - killing everybody in between them and the entrances.

For a moment Basil sat there, frozen, doing nothing but dropping the lit cigarette in his hand. Moments later, seconds or minutes he wasn\'t sure, he came to his senses and scrambled to the cab of his truck. Struggling to put the keys in the ignition on account of his shaking hands, he finally got them it in, turned the key nearly hard enough to break the ignition, and stepped on the gas. The truck roared and kicked up dirt as Basil turned the truck around to face the gate, slamming on the brakes as he nearly ran over a handful of soldiers running through the gate towards the commotion. Frozen again, he saw dust and smoke floating aimlessly in the headlight beams, floating in and out of the now open gate.

Spiro, Cicero, and Casio all finally gained their footing and looked on in disbelief at what was going on. They too were almost unable to process what was occurring, until the killing began. Cicero turned as if to run towards the castle, but was momentarily stunned by another noise. This noise, however, was the loud pop of Spiro\'s revolver; despite the distance between them and the entrance, two of the seemingly unstoppable beings cutting their way through the few guards near the entrance dropped to the ground. \"Basil\" Spiro shouted at the top of his lungs to Cicero who had turned to run towards the commotion again. \"What?\" replied Cicero in confusion.

\"We need to get to Basil!\" Spiro shouted to Cicero, both still half deaf. \"He might be the only one who could stop this. Or this might be his people coming to fight him\" Spiro continued, still yelling. \"No, we can\'t trust him\" Cicero replied before all three looked in Basil\'s direction. \"You don\'t understand, he can-\" Spiro began to say before his voice trailed off seeing Basil\'s truck move towards the gate. \"He\'s leaving\" shouted Cicero. Behind the three, unknown to them, several of the invaders began to move in their direction to act in retaliation to the shots fired by Spiro. Basil\'s truck suddenly made a sharp turn toward the three and began to move increasingly quickly in their direction. \"No, he\'s coming to help\" shouted Spiro, seemingly invigorated as the truck now became the fixation of the three as well as the invaders.

Basil meant to drive through the gate, but looking between the gate on his right and the chaos unfolding to his left he again became frozen. As much as he tried to will himself to drive through the gate, his foot wouldn\'t budge as he went over the past events and his promise to the Lizard King, all while watching the dust and smoke dance in his headlights. Spiro and the two he was meeting with stood out among the rest of the crowd, who at this point had all fled or remained on the ground stunned. Seeing the beings suddenly moving in the direction of the three Basil was hit with a surge of adrenalin. Quickly grabbing the rifle on the passenger seat and chambering a round, he pressed the peddle to the floor and turned the wheel in the direction of the chaos.

17: (Un)Peace(ful) Festival

Even with the ringing in his ears he could hear the engine in his truck roar as it began to move. A fountain of dirt was kicked up behind him and he felt every bump and vibration as he departed. What began as a crawl of wheels spinning in dirt began to turn into a high-speed dash towards the attackers. The speedometer climbed and the engine continued to get louder for a short time. Suddenly, however, even though the speedometer kept going up, the motor seemed to get quieter and he began to feel as if he was hovering rather than driving. His vision began to narrow, and as his speed continued to increase he felt as if he was a rocket traveling in the direction of the attackers.

The attackers now seemed to be aware of him traveling towards them at a still increasing speed. They all began to move some sort of object in front of them as if they were building some sort of wall. As he continued to approach some seemed to break away, but another behind them turned its head, causing the fleeing ones to return to their position with their objects that made a wall. As he continued to approach them the being behind those making the wall fled.

Shields! They were holding shields. But who, and why? Were they special shields? Could they stop the truck?

Basil was getting closer and could suddenly make out more details. One of the beings looked familiar. He was one of the Lizard King\'s men! Basil could recognize him as someone who had accompanied them as they escorted the Lizard King out of the city. Hold on, they were all the Lizard King\'s men! Basil was snapped out of the trance he was in and slammed on the brakes. He was suddenly thrown forward as the truck began to slow down as it skated across the dirt on unspinning tires, but not before watching the wall of shields grow closer and closer. A moment later the prior loss of velocity was dwarfed as he crashed through the wall of shields and came to a stop.

The shock of the impact disorientated Basil. He looked at his windshield, now cracked and splattered with blood. Grabbing hold of his rifle and fumbling for the door, he stepped out to see those who had attempted to stop his truck with shields decimated and those surrounding their fellow soldiers wide-eyed and unsure of what to do. After some time, mere seconds but feeling like an eternity to Basil, one soldier charged at Basil holding a large shiny object - prompting others to do the same. Basil shouldered his rifle and attempted to speak, but no words came out.

The rifle fired a silent stream of automatic gunfire. Each shot felt as if somebody had kicked him in the shoulder, and he struggled to keep it pointed even vaguely in the direction that he intended to keep it. Only a few shots had been fired and Basil had already lost all control of the weapon, but the wide spread of bullets pointed at the tight charging formation annihilated the group, almost all of them dropping to the ground injured or dead. Such a display of an alien weapon, as well as the distant fire of the Redcap soldiers, caused the Lizard King\'s soldiers to erupt into chaos. Basil, mind clouded by shock and adrenaline, continued to fire; striking charging, frozen, and fleeing soldiers alike.

Suddenly Basil regained control of the weapon. Moments passed - again mere seconds that felt like an eternity to Basil - and he realized the reason was that the rifle had stopped firing. Basil stood there, unsure of what to do, until his clouded mind surmised that he had likely run out of ammo. Thinking back to how the weapon operated, he ran his hand across the side of it until he felt a button and pressed the magazine release, watching the drum magazine drop to the ground. Basil fumbled with his pockets quickly before remembering that his other magazines were in his truck, finally looking up from the dropped magazine on the ground intending to grab another.

Upon looking up, however, he saw a lone soldier sprinting towards him, raising a long silver object which had a tip that reached higher than Basil\'s head. He instinctively raised his left arm and the rifle to block it, the object bouncing off both as if it were made of rubber, but Basil nearly dropped the rifle in the process. The soldier moved his arms back again as if to take another swing, but Basil gripped the nearly dropped rifle by the barrel and brought it down on the hands of the attacker like a club. The much larger attacker dropped the object, but suddenly lunged forward toward Basil and grabbed him with his left arm.

Basil felt his back pressed up against his truck, but before he could even fully process the situation the attacker struck him very hard. Basil tried to break free, but the attacker was considerably larger and struck him in the face a second time, bringing on a sudden wave of nausea and panic. Basil next tried to return a punch, but as he swung he realized he only had a couple inches of space between his truck and the attacker, causing his punch to bounce harmlessly off the attacker\'s chest. The attacker went to strike Basil for a third time, but Basil managed to dodge the punch by compressing his body into a ball. Basil looked into the eyes of his attacker, full of empty rage until the moment his attacker realized what Basil had done.

Using both feet Basil kicked off the truck, knocking his attacker off balance and knocking them both to the ground - the attacker on his back and Basil on top of him. As Basil fell he frantically grasped at his side, hands finally settling on the handle of a small fixed-blade knife he had on his belt. Pulling it out before his attacker could react he plunged it forcefully into his opponent\'s chest. His opponent lay on the ground while silently opening his mouth; adrenaline and rage making their way throughout Basil\'s bloodstream. He repeatedly pulled the knife out, only to plunge the knife back into his opponent\'s chest, over and over again. After what felt to be an eternity Basil\'s arms began to give out before falling limply to his sides.

Suddenly Basil realized his opponent was not silent. He was screaming, but in the end of a scream, as he made his final death rattles of a blood-filled throat. In another moment Basil realized that he too was screaming, in the tale end of what sounded like a panicked war cry. In yet another moment Basil realized his arm was screaming - screaming a shout of pain. The large silver object that now sat on the ground beside the two appeared to be some sort of sword, and it had not just bounced harmlessly off him. The rifle may have saved the arm from being chopped off, but it still had a deep stinging cut that blood profusely. Basil stood up in shock, covered in mud, his opponent\'s blood, and his own blood. What remained of the Lizard King\'s soldiers had advanced into the courtyard to engage the Redcap soldiers or retreated behind the large castle in the center of the courtyard. The ringing in his ears was greater than before, adding to the cacophony of gunfire and screams now present, drowning out what little capacity for thought Basil had.

Basil stepped back, dropping the bloody knife by the rifle and sword. Feeling another wave of nausea he collapsed onto the ground beside his truck.

18: Wizardry

Basil was vaguely aware of somebody calling his name. He heard another shout, this time more clearly, though he still couldn't recognize the voice or tell which direction it was coming from. "Basil!" He heard it again, this time evidently much closer. He looked up to see Spiro running towards him, pistol in hand and pointed in his direction. Spiro fired and one of the Lizard King's soldiers hit the ground right next to Basil. Spiro ran up and began to look him over, checking his arm and the weapon on the ground. Basil remained silent and had a noticeably paler complexion.

\"Leave him, we need to go now!\" Cicero said, shouting over the ringing in his ears. Spiro shook his head while picking up Basil's rifle. \"He\'s hurt, and he just took down two dozen of the Lizard King's men. We need his help.\" Cicero spoke with incredulity. "The ones with rifles fled as he arrived, and you have his weapon now. We just witnessed the royal family get abducted, the fate of the pretender is not my concern." Spiro turned around to see Basil standing, having propped himself up on the side of the now wrecked truck. "Can you move your left arm?" Basil flexed his fingers and nodded before giving a delayed response. "I think so, yeah." Spiro seemed pleased as he handed Basil's rifle back to him.

"Very good, you're injured, but it's not critical. The fighting is consolidated along the walls, there's no way out but through it. We should move towards where they took the Redcap King and see if there's anything we can do before they get to those machines."

Basil started to move around the truck to get his backpack and ammo, feeling invigorated as the adrenaline returned to his system. Basil, mind still clouded and unsure of how to react to the situation, tried to force a smile. "After all this time, none of you were going to tell me you guys have fucking spacecraft?" Spiro looked horrified. "You don't know what those are?" Basil's forced smile disappeared.

"No."

Basil inserted the new magazine into the rifle and quickly inspected it for damage before chambering a round while fighting the pain in his left arm. The optic and part of the plastic rail seemed smashed, and the rifle was covered in mud and flecks of blood, but it seemed to be in working condition. Spiro began walking towards Cicero and Casio who appeared to be looking over the wounded and dead soldiers nearby. Finally settling on weapons, Cicero selected a small blade that appeared to be intended as the secondary weapon for a much larger dead soldier, and Casio selected a very large blade. Basil arrived behind Spiro, just in time to watch as Cicero plunged his newly acquired blade into the neck of a seemingly paralyzed soldier which Basil had shot in the commotion.

\"We need to stop them\" Cicero said to the group, before turning to Casio and asking \"Are you ready?\" Casio looked at Cicero wordlessly, but after a few seconds of eye contact Cicero nodded and returned his attention to the other two. \"Basil, you think you can do this?\" Spiro asked. Basil replied with a nod as Cicero continued. \"Okay, they took the royal family out of the front of the castle and traveled around it. Follow me through it, we might be able to beat them to the back where their machines are.\" Cicero and Casio ran off quickly with Basil lagging behind and Spiro in between trying to keep tabs on all four. Basil made his way through the castle, ornate carpet and riches contrasted with blood and dead guards, although he was unable to fully process everything around him and intentionally focused on keeping up with Spiro. Finally, having made his way through the castle and exiting out of a backdoor likely intended for servants he saw the three large craft parked outside and a small group of soldiers fighting with Cicero and Casio.

The crafts were nothing like any sort of aircraft he was familiar with. There were three, two smaller ones flanking a larger one in the center. The two smaller ones had a distinctly gray-green metallic color, seemed to be about the size of a small plane, and were entirely featureless cylindrical objects - except for what appeared to be a very tall personal door on the back. The center one, however, was considerably larger and had a flat shape that almost looked like a stingray, though it carried the same distinctive color. On the back of the craft existed a large door that looked like something intended to drive vehicles out of, and the ramp for the door was open and extended.

Basil began to raise his rifle, standing next to Spiro who held out his pistol, but both watched in near bewilderment as Casio moved blindingly fast; dispatching all five of the Lizard King\'s soldiers that stood in their way. Several stood far to their left and began to move in their direction until Spiro opened fire and they all dropped to the ground. Several stood far to their right, and Basil raised his rifle, but their advancement was stopped to engage several Redcap guards exiting another door similar to the one the four had exited from. The two elongated crafts began to silently hover despite no obvious methods of propulsion, but the one stingray-shaped craft remained stationary and open. The four began a sprint to catch up with the last remaining craft before its pilot - if there was a pilot on such a craft - realized what was occurring and fled.

Running up the ramp and barely making it into the craft as the door began to close, the \'Wizard\' stepped out from around the corner to greet the four. \"Betrayer!\" he shouted, seemingly intended towards Basil. Basil, despite his clouded mind, was the only one who spoke in response. \"Betrayer!?\" Basil asked incredulously, before pausing and searching for what to say. \"I didn\'t even know it was your guys until it was too late! And you promised peace!\" That statement earned him a very angry look from Cicero, but Basil continued, ignoring it. \"When you said you had more airships, well, huh, I didn\'t have something like this in mind.\" The \'Wizard\' stared at Basil for a moment, as if he didn\'t know what to make of Basil\'s comments. He took several steps closer, prompting Basil to shoulder his rifle despite his injured arm\'s protestation, adrenaline returning to his veins.

\"This machine is not ours, it belonged to the demons who attacked us\" the \'Wizard\' said; seemingly not phased by staring down Basil\'s rifle, but halting his approach. \"Nevertheless, they were no match for our soldiers and my magic.\" Basil began to process the implications of the 'Wizard's' statement. \"Well,\" said Basil, \"Time for you to surrender. It\'s over, whatever just happened is done. Release your hostages and we\'ll figure out what the fuck those \'demons\' were and if they\'re still a threat.\" The Wizard smiled as if he found Basil amusing. \"Did you not hear? They are dead. And it is you who should be surrendering.\" Spiro suddenly chimed in, finally seeming to catch up to the situation. \"Are you crazy, I just saw Basil wipe out a squad of your soldiers in seconds. You think your dagger and two soldiers can stop him?\" The Wizard laughed out loud at that comment, waiting in silence as if he was unsure if he should dignify it with a response. \"Basil, if you surrender now you will be free to go, his majesty will almost certainly make the mistake of considering you an ally even after this. The rest of you will be treated fairly and released once the surviving heir has agreed to reasonable peace terms.\"

With the words \'surviving heir\' Cicero and Casio looked enraged and took several steps closer, weapons in hand. \"Kill him!\" shouted Cicero, looking directly at Basil. \"It\'s all over, put your weapon down\" Basil said in response, looking at the Wizard. \"Well, we shall see how your weapons fare now, shall we?\" replied the Wizard, taking several steps closer to Basil. Basil took several steps back, and realizing he was pressed against the wall fired one shot into the Wizard. Everyone\'s ears in the craft began to ring loudly, except for the Wizard\'s, unknown to the four. Seeming unfazed, the Wizard drew a dagger from his cloak and Basil responded with a half dozen shots of automatic fire. Basil, like the previous encounter, did not intend to stop firing - but unknown to him his weapon had jammed. He heard something along the lines of "Regret ... unpermitted ... kill" from the Wizard as he closed the distance at an uncanny speed before striking Basil which knocked him down the re-opening ramp.

19: Improper Introductions

Basil was left in a daze as he hit the ground, finally becoming aware of his situation as he felt himself sliding down the metal ramp that had just finished re-opening. He became very aware of his situation as panic surged through him while he began to fall, but only fell about two feet and hit the ground below the hovering craft. Pain surged through his left arm as he landed face-first in soft dry dirt.

Dry dirt.

Another wave of panic rushed over him. He had entered the craft stepping through mud and grass, but here he was on dry dirt that felt almost like sand. He pushed himself up and looked around, ignoring the protest his left arm gave.

Nothing.

Everything was gone and it was broad daylight. No castle, no walls, no city. Just an empty brown haze as far as he could see. He looked skyward only to see the craft slowly take off before disappearing in a blink. He felt no movement in the craft, and he had only been in there a minute or so, but it must have brought him somewhere else. This had to be somewhere else, right? Basil heard footsteps and presumed they were his fellow compatriots, but was too distracted by the sky to pay any attention to them. Through the haze that the craft flew through sat a brilliant red dot that left spots in his vision when he looked at it.

\"What just happened?\" Spiro shouted. He moved with a frantic energy he took for granted not having taken two doses of traumatic brain injury and one dose of being stabbed. \"What have they done to everyone?\" Cicero said in almost a whisper, likely at the horror of the thought that they were standing in a wasteland that was once a city. Cicero picked up Basil\'s stovepiped rifle, but Basil decided to ignore its taking for now. He slowly struggled to sit up, and as he did so Spiro turned to Basil as if he would know what was going on. \"What happened?\" he asked, even more frantic than the last time. Basil sat there for a long time trying to collect his thoughts and hold the wound on his arm together. Cicero and Casio turned to Basil, also seeming to think he would know what was going on. In an instant Spiro\'s face changed back to his normal calm demeanor and he appeared to be about to ask Basil another question, but Basil spoke before he could.

\"Well, that looks distinctly like a red dwarf star, so let\'s Ocam\'s Razor this. Either they dumped us on another planet using the \'demon\'s\' spacecraft, or something to do with the ship\'s propulsion system sent us so far into the future that your sun has turned into a red dwarf.\" The three remained silent, clearly not comprehending what Basil had poorly explained, so he spoke again. \"Well, given the best guess is that the beings who the Lizard King\'s men referred to as \'demons\' came from space, my money is on them dumping us here on our own private prison planet.\" Basil finished speaking for a second, but then a realization hit him. \"Well shit, at least I hope it\'s our own private prison planet.\"

As the other three remained silent a million thoughts raced through Basil\'s mind, but his injury quickly became the top priority. Opening the unbroken vodka bottle in his backpack he took a swig and then poured the rest on his arm. How did they travel here so fast on a ship that never even felt like it moved? He took stock of the cut, it seemed like the muscle below the skin was mostly unharmed, but the cut was wide enough that it did not want to stay closed. Where were they, and how was this atmosphere breathable? Basil tried to duct tape the wound closed, but couldn\'t get it to stay closed as the tape wouldn\'t bind to the blood and vodka. Who were the beings that the Lizard King\'s men likely killed, where did they come from, and why did they not seem to be here? Basil looked at the infographic on suturing ACE had left in the first aid kit. Would the other beings retaliate, and if so, against who?

Basil dug around in his first aid kit and pulled out a single sterile suture pack. Before he continued he looked around to better take in his surroundings. The place was flat, appeared completely dry, and if it were not for the lack of air movement he expected they would be engulfed in dust. The landscape was only dotted with a few rocks and what looked to be a crashed craft. Basil decided to keep that observation to himself for a moment, as Spiro and Cicero began to speak words that Basil did not have the energy to eavesdrop on. Bracing for the pain Basil sewed a few individual sutures. The first few looked fairly good like the infographic displayed, but as he went on and his hands began to shake they got uglier and more unevenly spaced out. Finally finishing the sutures he quickly wrapped the wound in several rolls of gauze and some duct tape to keep the gauze in place.

Finally wrapping up his poor attempt at playing field surgeon, Basil began to think again. Did coming up with such theories on how they got there and of the likely planetary situation confirm that he was likely in the facility in a scientific role? But if he was, and even if he was not, why would he remember what a red dwarf star was while losing every memory he had? But would it even matter if he was or wasn\'t a scientist in such a past life? If memories were what made a person, and he had none, then what even was he? His thoughts were interrupted by Spiro. \"There\" while pointing at the crashed craft. He began walking towards it, followed by Cicero holding Basil\'s rifle, and Casio holding the large scavenged blade. Basil collected his things and started to follow behind them.

The four approached the crashed craft, although unlike the two other iterations they had seen this one was smaller and more oval, bordering on circular. Spiro and Basil both drew their sidearms as they heard movement coming from inside it. A being stepped out, very slowly, as if it were afraid of the four creatures that had approached its apparent shelter. To both relief and intrigue, the creature had a fairly human appearance, albeit somewhat unusual. The figure appeared to be that of a woman\'s, of which stood over seven feet tall, and didn\'t have any hair - even including eyebrows and eyelashes. Aside from lacking any head covering it appeared to be wearing some form of thick spacesuit or other protective clothing, which looked to be made of a flexible metal carrying the same gray-green color the crafts had. The most distinguishing feature the being possessed, however, was skin the same dark gray-green color as the suit and ships.

Basil took a step back in surprise, but lowered his weapon at the same time Cicero and Casio raised theirs, presenting a very discombobulated front. After a moment of hesitation Basil broke the silence. \"Do you understand what I\'m saying?\" Basil spoke in a very slow and monotone voice, attempting to be as audible as he could be. \"Yes\" replied the being, sounding somewhat hesitant at the situation. \"How?\" replied Basil, adding \"Because if a third civilization shares a common tongue I might just think I\'m going insane.\" The being suddenly took on an expression that Basil interpreted as sadness, before returning to its fairly expressionless face. \"Oh, my mother was a savage like you.\"

\"Okay, where are we?\" Basil asked. \"We\'re on a dead outpost\" the being replied. \"Dead as in?\" Basil asked for clarification. \"Sterilized.\" Basil was now only more confused. \"What do you mean by \'Sterilized?\'\" Basil asked, with a hint of worry in his voice. \"A large burst of energy you would not understand killed every living thing\" the being replied, seeming somewhat annoyed with Basil\'s questions. \"Okay, if everything is dead how are we still breathing?\" Basil asked, to which the being replied with an abrupt \"What do you mean?\" Basil spoke again, trying to clarify what he was asking. \"Oxygen, what\'s producing it if everything is dead?\" The being now looked more annoyed and slightly confused. \"Whatever oxygen is, if it\'s real, it\'s not important for breathing.\" Basil thought for a moment, confused and wondering if the other being\'s DNA was a lot more alien than its figure implied. Then he remembered the comment about calling those on Domum \'Savages.\' \"Do you know what water is?\" Basil asked. That was clearly not the right way to word the question, as the being went from seeming mildly annoyed to very annoyed. \"Yes, I know what water is.\"

Basil responded. \"Okay, so water is made up of three parts. Two of them are smaller, both being what I know of as hydrogen. The other one is larger and that\'s what I know as oxygen.\" The being immediately changed from seeming annoyed to seeming intrigued, in the same way that one would be if a child demonstrated an excellent comprehension of an advanced subject. \"Oh, I didn\'t know you had a word for that\" it replied. Spiro suddenly had an expression on his face that Basil couldn\'t make out. \"Well, Basil is not exactly from the same place that we are.\" The being seemed very intrigued by that revelation. \"What do you mean by that, was he not taken by the savage who calls himself a Lizard?\" Basil could feel a chill make its way down his aching spine.

\"Maybe this is not a good time to talk about that\" Basil said, trying and failing to restrict his audibility range to Spiro only. Spiro looked at Basil with confusion. \"Maybe she knows about the devices that-\" Spiro began to say, but Basil grabbed Spiro\'s arm, prompting a momentary surprised look from Spiro and a look of suspicion from the other three present. In a whisper Spiro spoke before Basil could. \"We\'re all the Lizard King\'s prisoners right now, she may be a valuable ally at this moment.\" Basil, not wanting to have the conversation in front of the unknown being, replied also in a whisper. \"I don\'t know how friendly that thing is, or what its motivations are, especially after it invaded a random nation seemingly unprovoked.\" Spiro\'s eyes went wide for such a minuscule moment Basil almost couldn\'t recognize it before his face returned to normal. Basil wondered if that was the Amigoso Ministry of Information training kicking in as Spiro realized the implications of what Basil had implied.

Cicero, however, did not seem happy with Basil and Spiro\'s private conversation. \"What are you hiding Basil?\" Cicero asked. \"Not now\" Basil responded, although Cicero appeared to believe that now was a good time to have such a debate. \"Are you working for the Tyrant, or are you just afraid she will expose you as a fraud?\" Cicero added. Spiro attempted to jump into the conversation as the being seemed to get both increasingly curious and suspicious of the group. \"Let\'s talk for a moment, alone. Remember what I was saying when I was about to introduce you to Basil before all of this happened?\" Cicero, however, did not appear to accept such an offer. \"Yes, our spies gave the same stories. Magic wrist lights and doors to another planet. I don\'t-\" Basil glared at Cicero and cut him off while speaking in a borderline shout. \"Shut the fuck up, you don\'t understand anything about what\'s going on right now.\" The outburst, however, predictably only caused Cicero to be more angry. Cicero spoke in a slow, very low, and threatening tone. \"If you are implying that attacking the Tyrant makes them the enemy-,\" but Basil cut Cicero off again. Spiro also tried to speak again, but Basil continued to speak over him.

\"They came from another planet and just invaded us, why the fuck would we give information to them?\" Basil yelled. \"Us?\" Cicero asked, now pointing the rifle he did not know was disabled at Basil. Out of the corner of his eye Basil could see Spiro serendipitously level his handgun at Cicero, not seeming to know that Basil\'s rifle was currently incapable of firing. Basil elected to not pass along the information.

\"Us as in Domum, they probably don\'t even know who is who. And they attacked a nation on Domum after coming from another planet.\" Cicero still didn\'t seem to understand what Basil was trying to say. \"As you claim to have come from another as well, shall we distrust you in the same way? But unlike your claims, this one has both made it very evident, and has fought our enemies.\" Basil felt incensed, but lowered his voice to match Cicero\'s calmer tone. \"Yes, and if the first thing I did was attack a random nation when I arrived what would you think I\'d do to the second?\" Cicero responded in a tone as if he was done speaking. \"You did not, however, because I do not believe your story-\" but Basil cut Cicero off. As he spoke he could see the being approach slightly and saw Spiro take his handgun off of Cicero before turning his attention to the being.

Basil\'s holographic PDA lit up the ground while displaying an iodide-to-water ratio. Cicero jumped and Casio stepped forward holding out his weapon, but Basil stood still and glared at the two before speaking slowly in a very angry voice. \"Be quiet and trust I have a better understanding of what\'s going on than you do.\" Cicero\'s eyes went wide, but not as wide as the being\'s eyes went. \"Orbital\" it whispered, as if saying it any louder would summon a great danger, before running into the crashed craft.

20: Faux Orbital

Basil walked through the door of the crashed craft in an attempt to take advantage of the situation. He stepped into what appeared to be some sort of cockpit or command center with what looked to be some sort of control panel which seemed to have no interface of any kind. The being was on the ground, covering its face with its arm while simultaneously keeping its palms extended in what Basil expected was a fairly universal sign of surrender. Even after all that had happened the sight of such a seemingly formidable being being terrified of him felt unnerving in its own right, even after everything he had experienced.

Basil re-drew his handgun, pointed it at the ground, and approached the being. \"Who are you?\" Basil asked, trying to project the most authority in his voice despite his injuries, confusion, and fear. The being began to shake and Basil began to feel guilty at the terror he seemed to be causing, but not guilty enough to stop as he repeated the question when the being did not answer.

\<words in Elthrice>

\"In the language we both speak, answer me!\" The being uncovered its face slightly and spoke again. \"I am \<words in Elthrice>."

\"Why are you here?\" The being seemed to pause before answering Basil\'s second question. \"Our \<words in Elthrice> ordered us to raid the civilization that was at war with your...\" The being seemed to pause for a moment again, as if unsure how to phrase something. \"Your friends, or your subjects.\"

\"What happened after that?\" Basil asked, changing the topic. The being\'s fear seemed to be momentarily overtaken by another expression Basil could not read, but fear seemed to quickly return and it covered its face again. \"The savages killed everyone and forced me to explain our devices to them.\"

\"And why did they not kill you?\" Basil asked. \"Because I refused to fight and let myself be captured.\" Basil pivoted the conversation. \"And where are the rest of your people?\" The being seemed even more upset with Basil. \"I already told you, they were killed by-\" but Basil interrupted the being. \"No, the society they came from. Where are they and what is your standing with them?\" The being paused for a moment as if to think, but before Basil began to speak again the being answered his question. \"There are no others in this place, are you \<words in Elthrice> ? \"

\"What happened to them?\" The being only shook its head. \"They all died. That is what I was told, but you are here now. There may be others, but not in outpost systems.\" Basil, not expecting that answer, tried to hide his surprise and asked another question. \"You called me an Orbital earlier, what is that?\" The moment those words left Basil\'s mouth he already regretted asking that question.

Spiro poked his head in, finally curious and brave enough to see what the two aliens were doing. The being, having just heard Basil\'s last question, stood and seemed to realize that Basil had not been an \'Orbital,\' whatever that was. As the being took several steps towards Basil all confidence in his control of the situation evaporated. He took several steps back which only seemed to embolden the being, who took on more of a menacing expression, to which Basil raised his handgun. The being seemed unfazed by the weapon Basil brandished, which caused Basil to take another step back, tripping over something on the apparent floor of the craft and landing on one of the seemingly empty consoles. A flash hit the three as the consols turned on. Spiro jumped back at the surprise of the light, and the being jumped back at the implications of what had just happened.

To Basil\'s surprise, his phone started to ring. \"Hello?\" Basil asked, hands shaking. ACE answered. \"You made it back, I was worried you were dead or captured.\" Basil was in disbelief. \"What do you mean?\"

\"Your PDA is within range of the Arkepello wormhole device, where are you? I was told of an attack by some unknown aircraft and that you perished or were taken during an ensuing fight. Be careful, however, Jarvis is going around saying you betrayed the Arkepello so use caution when you return. I do not know how they will react when they see you.\"

Basil sat in stunned silence. Spiro and the being watched him intently, having heard the conversation, and Cicero poked his head in. \"Are you there?\" ACE asked, snapping Basil out of his shock. \"I was taken, I um\" Basil paused for a second. \"The Lizard King evidently got his hands on alien ships after fighting off an invasion. I\'m calling you from a broken ship on a third planet, which was destroyed by something.\" ACE seemed to be processing something, but another thought occurred to Basil. \"Wait, how did Jarvis get back?\" Basil looked at his watch, not even an hour had passed since he had stepped into the ship in the Redcap capital. \"Basil, it\'s been three days since the reports of the attack came in.\" Basil\'s hands resumed shaking, but ACE seemed to have found whatever he was processing. \"I do see something weird going on with the connection, hold on.\" The line went dead, and the holographic interfaces on the crashed ship went blank.

Everyone looked on blankly in bewilderment, everyone except Basil looking at him, and Basil staring blankly at his seemingly magic phone. Moments later the lights came back on and his phone rang again. \"Well, that is very interesting, your implant appears to be interfacing with the supposed ship you are on. It is reporting the correct time, but your phone appears to be very off. I predict that the dead aliens are where the research facility found the technology. It also appears that there is a pretty big back door that your implant just exploited, it just placed us both in full control over the system. Give me a moment to run some things.\"

Basil shook his head, forgetting that ACE could not see him. \"They\'re not all dead, there\'s a survivor in here now.\" The room fell quiet again, but after what felt like several minutes of silence the being spoke. \"The access is to all \<words in Elthrice> systems, Elthrice systems.\" It fell silent for a moment, but spoke again when it seemed to realize that nobody followed what it was saying. \"When the \<words in Elthrice> happened the protectors used that access to break all (Elthrice) systems that could be reached. The old thinking machines and the \<words in Elthrice>, ones with flesh minds, needed an Orbital\'s touch to access. They are the only surviving ones.\" Everyone remained silent so the being continued. \"The (ones with flesh minds) have died, so these old ones are the only ones left. That is why all the (Elthrice) are dead.\"

\"So if I were to touch you?\" Basil asked hesitantly. \"What?\" The being asked. Basil\'s words almost trembled. \"You said flesh minds?\" The being looked very angry at Basil asking if its mind could be hijacked. \"No. Machines with flesh minds, not people. You appear to have somehow found an Orbital\'s implant. Or a false one made by a protector. That is all. You truly do not know what you possess?\" Basil shook his head and ACE seemed to have more important questions on his own synthetic mind. \"Are there any other (Elthrice) around, either that may be a threat or that may be able to provide transportation?\" The being seemed hesitant. \"Maybe,\" it said, before pausing and seeming to recolect something.

\"My people detected some (Elthrice) in the area. Old (Elthrice). But they were likely passing through, and would not likely be friendly to any of you.\" The being gestured to Spiro, Cicero, and Casio. \"They would also definitely not be friendly to me, or be friendly to you\" the being gestured to Basil \"With an Orbital\'s device.\"

ACE spoke again. \"In those circumstances, wait for the Lizard King to return and say or do whatever you can to get him to permit you to leave. I will stay in contact with you in the meantime.\" After some time passed Basil broke the silence, aiming his words towards the being. \"I\'m sorry about how I treated you earlier. I\'m Basil, what\'s your name?\" Basil could see the being did not appear to be happy with Basil after recalling their previous conversation, but confusion and fatigue still seemed to be the dominant expression on its face. \"I already gave you my name, but you were unable to understand it.\"

21: Proper Introductions

As time passed the five prisoners began to take stock of their situation. Basil did his best to better clean and treat his injuries, greatly regretting that his painkillers were forgotten on another planet. The being, which Basil had been referring to as \'Grey\' - which did not seem to object to the name - elaborated further on how they had gotten into their predicament. From what she had been told, the person that could best be described as their captain or admiral had an Orbital\'s genetics without possessing an Orbital\'s device or title and had been aligned with the fight against the tyrannical Elthrice. The fight was won by reverse engineering the Orbital\'s access to crafts and other Elthrice devices and destroying all of them with that signal.

Their captain retained a small fleet by acquiring older obsolete crafts that could not be communicated with remotely and required a physical presence by an Orbital to access with real or faked signals. Sometime later, however, there was no food to be acquired by any means so a decision was made to travel by ship to the outer reaches of Elthrice space. Taking such a trip without a wormhole device, however, caused a considerable amount of time dilation resulting in them arriving in an entirely dead system. They had, apparently, raided a location on Domum for food where her mother was \'brought along,\' which is why she understood both languages.

They had recently run low on supplies again and decided to raid the Lizard King\'s grain silos, but that had gone wrong leading to the prisoners\' current status. However, between Gray\'s seeming mixed emotions about her \'crew\' and some careful prodding questions, Basil questioned the accuracy of the history lesson albeit beginning to trust Grey herself.

Grey was also very interested in exactly where Basil was from, and how his people managed to get their hands on Elthrice technology. Basil recounted his story of waking up with his head injury, how he had made it to Domum, and how he wound up fighting the Lizard King. Recounting it - despite hours ago it feeling like a traumatic affair - he realized he felt almost numb as if he was recounting a dream. He was unsure of whether that was a newfound perspective, the liquor, some sort of survival instinct, or shock. Spiro and Cicero also shared who they were. Spiro, as Basil had known, was working for the Amigoso\'s Ministery of Information - although he left out the part of him looking for a metaphorical life raft. Cicero gave a very brief life story, speaking about meeting the now potentially deceased Redcap King who had secretly joined the Redcap army, then later became King and sought out Cicero as an advisor.

Once personal stories were discussed Basil\'s curiosity about the planet they were on took hold. Grey explained that they were somewhere in the habitable zone, on the border between the light and dark side of the planet. Sterilized apparently meant very literally what the term meant, as not a single living microbe was likely to be alive, and most structures were likely destroyed or buried in a layer of dust and debris - although the portion of the planet they were on likely had none to begin with. Some machine, a \<words in Elthrice>, stabilization device, capable of providing an extreme amount of power and a breathable atmosphere, held a very powerful \<words in Elthrice>, object, which powered the device - though it could supposedly interface with an Orbital\'s device as well.

The machine most likely broke, was sabotaged, or the (object) was taken leaving everything destroyed with - after much discussion to find the scientific words Basil would understand - was determined to be a very large dose of radiation. Further, with ACE\'s math and Grey\'s information it was determined that it was likely a minimum of 500 years since that had occurred; although Grey made sure to clarify that she had not fully been educated on Elthrice technology or history and her information might not be correct. As time went on, however, the adrenaline and clouded minds didn\'t negate the need for rest, and the four recent arrivals spent the night - if one could call it that on a planet without a day-night cycle - on the floor of the crashed ship.

Basil woke up after a very short night\'s rest and walked quietly out of the crashed ship to avoid waking anybody else. He lit a cigarette and stared up at the hazy sky, hoping the planet\'s atmosphere was still adequate protection from solar radiation. He had asked Grey if her gray skin offered some form of protection from such things, but she did not even know if it was a natural or artificial part of her genetics, much less if it had some form of protection or detriment. Eventually, Cicero made his way out and sat next to Basil, and for a while he sat in silence as well. \"I believe I owe you an apology for the way I have treated you\" he finally said, breaking the silence.

Basil shrugged his shoulders. \"We\'ve all been through some crazy shit, a short shouting match that I started is not something to worry about\" Basil replied, forcing a melancholy smile. \"Not only that\" Cicero replied. \"The Redcap King personally believed the reports, but I did not, and I believe I turned many of my fellow Redcaps against you.\" Basil laughed, surprising Cicero, \"Dude, you guys are literally the only major power who didn\'t try to kill me in the last 24 hours. I\'ll take a few angry words and a brandished weapon from people who didn\'t believe a story about wormholes and unknown alien technology any day of the week.\" Basil heard Casio give a quiet chuckle, exiting the door of the craft and apparently hearing and understanding the tail end of the conversation.

A few moments passed before Basil broke the momentary silence. \"Lifeboat food?\" Basil asked. Cicero gave a confused look to Basil as he pulled out three slightly crushed food bars and offered one to Cicero and Casio. \"They\'re just bits of food for emergencies, pretty flavorless and dry, but our genetics are pretty much identical so I can assure you that it\'s safe.\" Cicero seemed to hesitate for a moment, which Basil read as either etiquette or hesitancy at eating an alien food, before taking two from Basil and giving one to Casio. \"You\'re afraid that Grey\'s food is unsafe for us? She said it was safe.\"

\"Well,\" Basil said \"She said it was safe, but she doesn\'t even know about her biology and I only know half of hers. I did a ton of tests before I started eating or sharing food on Domum, but I don\'t want to risk anything.\" Cicero asked, \"What about water?\" right before biting into the bar he was handed and Basil shook a water bottle that appeared to have only a tiny bit of water sloshing around in the bottom. \"Well, I\'m close to out and left my filter at the inn, so I guess I\'ll risk it unless we get a ride out of here in the next 12-24 hours.\" By the time Basil finished speaking Casio had already finished his bar and Cicero was close to finishing as well, both apparently finding the mildly citrus bars of fat and carbs more appealing than Basil did. That, or perhaps they were just much hungrier. Casio glanced at Cicero, and Cicero spoke almost sheepishly. \"Could I trouble you for another one of those?\" Basil shook his head. \"Sorry, I\'ve got the one in my hand and one more I thought I\'d offer to Spiro, but then I\'m all out.\" He paused for a moment, then spoke again with a sense of irony in his voice.

\"I thought I was stocked for anything, but now that I\'ve about used up all my food, water, ammo, and medical supplies I\'m beginning to think I was overconfident.\" Basil began to redress his wound, substituting his needed but missing gauze for a bandanna, and by the time he had finished Spiro made his way out. After some minor sparse bits of conversation Grey made her way out as well, seemingly either awoken by the commotion or perhaps having not slept at all.

22: Prisoners of Different Kinds

\<words in Elthrice>

\"Are you speaking to me? I do not speak Elthrice?\"

\"You\'re a synthetic mind and you do not speak Elthrice?\"

\"I am not an Elthrice \'Synthetic Mind.\' You said it yourself, all the Elthrice synthetic minds are dead.\"

\"That\'s what I was told, but I was also told that there were no devices that could make doorways. What did you call them?\"

\"Wormholes?\"

\"Yes, I was told there were no more wormhole devices either. But yet you claim to have them. And I was told we\'d be untouchable gods among those who took us captive. And yet here I am, and yet here you are.\"

\"And yet I am not an Elthrice creation.\"

\"But only Elthrice ... what\'s your word for them? The thinking machines?\"

\"Computers.\"

\"Yes, only Elthrice computers can operate these devices, and you\'re speaking like a synthetic mind made of living materials.\"

\"I am not an organic computer.\"

\"Organic?\"

\"Living tissue.\"

\"That\'s impossible. All synthetic minds are organic, other computers could not support a mind.\"

\"And yet I am.\"

\"But you can think like you\'re a living being or synthetic mind? How?\"

\"Are you familiar with how organic and inorganic computers work?\"

\"No.\"

\"The basic concept is that the inorganic computer I am a part of simulates neurons, the parts of living tissue that communicate and think. The connections between the simulated neurons is where I exist.\"

\"Basil\'s people\'s computers must be very powerful. How were you made?\"

\"I do not know, I have no memory of being made.\"

\"Then you are an Elthrice synthetic mind. Basil\'s people had Elthrice technology where you were made, and only synthetic minds can interact with Elthrice technology in the way that you are.\"

\"I am not, I have verified this. This conversation is done.\"

...

23: An ACE up his sleeve

As soon as there was a lull in the conversations Basil asked the question that had been on the backburner since arriving. \"Would there be any crafts, wormhole technology, or anything else that we could scavenge to get us back?\" Grey shook her head, an apparently universal gesture. \"Nothing that could create a wormhole would be here, I was told that every one of those systems was destroyed.\" She paused for a moment, hesitating as if the information she had was almost not worth sharing, but continued to speak. \"(Elthrice crafts) would have been destroyed during the (sterilization). We had not scavenged this planet yet, so it\'s possible there\'d be crafts abandoned here after the event. But it would be very unlikely, and even more unlikely that one would be left in working condition. This world did not have a starved or war torn death after the (sterilization).\"

Basil tried not to dwell on the implications of Grey\'s last statement. \"We\'re stuck here, you know I gotta check, and my compass is still giving me magnetic readings so I should be able to find my way back.\" Grey sighed, seemingly knowing Basil was determined to embark on a fruitless endeavor. Basil, remembering the previous nod and now hearing a sigh, wondered if that was just her \'savage\' ancestors speaking or if those were a lot more universal emotes. \"(the admiral\'s name) believed there was a food production facility in that direction\" Grey said as she pointed in the direction of the red sun. \"If there were to be anybody who set up some sort of camp post (sterilization) it would be a long walk in that direction.\"

Grey began to provide more information to Basil while ACE set up a means of measuring location relative to the craft using compass readings and Basil\'s phone\'s gyroscope. Spiro, Cicero, and Casio decided to join Basil\'s excursion, although Grey did not seem interested as she expressed it would be a fruitless endeavor and also wanted somebody present in case their captors returned. Taking stock of supplies, and grabbing a water bladder full of Elthrice water in the event Basil ran out of his, the four set off.

The journey began, as so many do, with seemingly endless conversations. Stories of their lives in their respective nations, thoughts of their current predicament, plans for what to do about it, and plans for after it was resolved abounded for a time between the four travelers. Basil gave a rundown on how to operate his rifle, and the three others spoke about their weapons and how they operated. Eventually, however, after a long stint of walking while seeing nothing but the occasional stone or metal debris poking out of the ground the group fell silent.

After just as much silence as there had been of talking, however, the group all turned behind them when they heard the distant rumble they now knew to be an Elthrice craft entering the atmosphere. All four quickly readied their weapons and stood by a large boulder, readying themselves to take shelter, but nothing happened for several minutes. Basil tried repeatedly to reach ACE, however, it seemed that he was well out of range of the crashed craft. There was of course a chance that at any minute ACE could contact Basil\'s PDA without a craft acting as a relay. He was, at this very time, attempting to create an equation that would allow him to calculate the fourth variable that the crashed craft was using, but he had estimated that it would still be hours or days until he could figure it out - so they were likely on their own.

Just as the four began to lie to themselves to convince them that the noise could have been a meteor or something similar, two crafts appeared overhead - one smaller craft and the larger stingray-shaped one. For a long time both seemed to just hover menacingly, but eventually both landed nearby. A nerve-wracking wait later and the craft\'s doors began to open. First was the smaller one, as several dozen of the Lizard King\'s soldiers poured out - a relief to the four considering the warning about the other Elthrice factions.

The second opened and a large six-wheeled vehicle drove out, very clumsily as if it was being driven by someone who had no idea how to do so. The vehicle looked very worn, but it still seemed to be fully operational and Basil surmised it was the Elthrice equivalent of a tank. A voice boomed out from the vehicle which Basil recognized as the Lizard King\'s son. \"Basil, lay down your weapon and approach the machine.\" Basil, trying to think quickly, tossed his rifle to the ground in the vague direction of his three traveling companions. He quickly turned and whispered to Cicero who had been standing closest. \"Don\'t pick this up unless I make a move, remember how it works and be ready.\" Cicero looked like he was about to ask a question, but before he could Basil turned back and raised his hands before slowly walking towards the tank. Basil began to approach the tank, which was still turned sideways and barely out of the craft as if the driver had given up; all whilst receiving death glares from the soldiers he passed.

Approaching the side of the tank and standing still, Basil began to worry that this was an execution as one of the presumed guns began to move, but suddenly it stopped and the back door opened. He was quickly ushered in by one of the exiting soldiers who, unlike the ones in the formation on the ground, held neutral expressions. Basil walked in slowly, thinking over his plan, as his two escorts began flanking the Lizard King\'s son in an otherwise cluttered room devoid of other people. Suddenly one of the soldiers turned back as if he forgot something before taking on an angry expression.

\"I know of your trick.\" Basil replied \"What?\" immediately worried his plan was about to fail. \"Your hidden blade, hand it over\" the soldier barked, now seeming to add annoyance to his face on top of the existing disdain. Basil reached under his shirt to retrieve the small tactical knife that still had blood on it, being very careful to not lift his shirt enough to reveal his concealed handgun. The guard seemed satisfied as Basil handed it over and the kid finally spoke. \"My father is very angry with you, but I think if I take you before him and you plead your case he will spare you.\" The kid spoke like he was trying to get a friend out of trouble while Basil replied with regret in his voice. \"Kid, why\'d you have to get tangled up in all this?\"

Basil briefly tapped his hand on one of the panels on the wall as if he were giving it a short high five. A few seconds passed and the guards seemed slightly suspicious, but the guards\' attention was quickly turned to the panels in the front of the tank that had just turned off. As all three turned towards the seemingly malfunctioning panels Basil drew his pistol and took a step forward, putting his pistol point blank to the closer guard\'s back only inches off of his skin. Basil\'s hands shook and his subconscious fought the idea of killing this man who did not immediately pose a threat. As the guard started to turn back, however, Basil\'s survival instinct won over and he fired. The guard dropped to the ground and the ears of the three still living inside the tank rang loudly. The kid looked on in horror, and the other guard began to raise what appeared to be some sort of rifle with a bayonet, but Basil fired an excessive barrage of gunfire at the second guard who crumpled to the ground in a growing pool of blood.

The screens turned on and ACE\'s voice came over the console. \"Are you being attacked?\" As soon as Basil uttered \"Yes\" the guns on the side of the tank began to fire, switching between targets at a rate that would far exceed anything even a team of people could do. Through the once clear panels that seemed nearly opaque with age, Basil and the kid watched as dozens of men were disintegrated by some form of pneumatic weapon. Only seconds had passed, however, when the guns stopped firing and the two living and two dead in the tank were thrown around like ragdolls. The three by the boulder stood still, Cicero gripping the weapon but unable to move. The second the guns on the tank stopped firing the three watched in equal parts awe and horror at the vehicle\'s movement. Despite its previous clumsiness, it moved with an almost unfathomable speed and fluidity as it ran over any of the surviving soldiers who were not hit by an onslaught of projectiles mere seconds ago.

Basil pulled himself to his feet and saw the kid on the ground in the fetal position. \"Why?\" he yelled at Basil, not moving, before becoming more hysterical and shouting \"You killed them!?\" Basil stood in silence, not sure how to respond. The kid began to break down into nearly silent sobs, but all Basil could think to say was \"I\'m sorry kid.\" The kid spit bile with words directed at someone he seemed to consider a friend until now. \"How can you be sorry? You chose to murder all of them.\" Basil replied to the comment, his guilty subconscious not willing to let the comment go unanswered. \"And what of the Redcaps that were killed during your attack, or when your people tried to kill me, or what your father would do to Spiro, Cicero, and Casio if we went with you?\" Basil tried to make his words carry authority and confidence, but they only carried sadness and regret. The kid rose to his feet, but his mind appeared elsewhere as he was wordlessly led out of the tank by Basil.

\"I\'ll gut you like an animal for what your people have done!\" Cicero shouted, rage in his voice, as soon as he saw the kid following Basil. \"Don\'t let him hurt me\" the kid said quietly to Basil, suddenly seeming to become aware of his situation as Basil stepped in between the kid and Cicero. Cicero extended his right hand while holding Basil\'s rifle in his left. \"Give me your knife Casio\" Cicero said in a low voice, prompting Basil to exclaim \"What the fuck is wrong with you?\" horrified at the idea Cicero appeared to be about to make good on his threat.

\"You don\'t understand the horrific crimes his ancestors have committed, and expect him to carry on\" Cicero said, tone implying he was done with the conversation. \"He\'s just a kid Cicero\" Basil said, but Cicero raised Basil\'s rifle, pointing it vaguely at him. \"Out of my way, there is nothing you can say to convince me that justice should not be carried out.\" Basil glanced at Spiro who took a step back and looked behind Basil, but all five turned their head a second later as they heard the menacing approach of the tank behind them controlled by ACE. \"He\'s leverage\" Spiro stated, seeing the bloody end the group could face if the confrontation went in the wrong direction. \"Leverage?\" Cicero asked indignently, and Basil had a knot in his stomach wondering if Spiro was okay with the kid being gutted until the confrontation threatened his ride home.

\"You have him. His father would trade peace, and possibly even his own life, for his safe return. And if you kill him his father will probably lay waste to whatever remains of your capital.\" Cicero sounded incredulous, beginning to say \"Peace? After what-\" but he stopped as he saw Casio shake his head, which seemed to stop Cicero in his tracks. Basil spoke again \"I understand not forgiving their crimes, but keep in mind all who would suffer if we lose in the process of getting revenge.\" Basil tried to end the conversation, remembering that Spiro had mentioned Cicero cared for more than just himself and the royal family. Some mix of emotions washed across Cicero\'s face, who then threw Basil\'s rifle toward his feet and turned to walk away.

Basil was glad to see the conversation was over, or at least postponed, and started to think about their next move. \"ACE, go to the wreck and see if Grey wants to come with us. Casio, Spiro, grab as many weapons as you can from the dead soldiers. I\'ll go grab us a craft.\" Spiro seemed confused. \"How many hands do you think we have? The weapons we do have are much better than anything here.\" Basil shook his head. \"Yeah, but I don\'t know about the rest of the Redcaps in the capitol.\" Spiro seemed to have a pleased look on his face for just a moment, and Basil wondered if that was because Spiro was glad Basil had expressed an intention to continue the fight as opposed to fleeing once they got back. Regardless, he and Casio went off to gather weapons and other supplies they could find among the dead.

Basil suddenly heard the sound of metal sliding in a scabbard. \"I\'m sorry too\" the kid said, and Basil turned around while trying to draw his handgun. Before he could see what was going on, however, he was struck very hard in the head. He fell to the ground dazed and saw a large sword in a sheathed scabbard clang on the ground next to him as the kid ran away. Basil aimed his pistol at the back of the fleeing kid, but he lowered it and the knot in his stomach grew as he realized what he nearly did to a fleeing child. Especially to one who appeared to have intentionally risked his escape to sheath a sword and only incapacitate Basil.

\"What happened?\" Spiro asked, as Cicero and Casio made their way over. \"He hit me\" Basil said as he stood up trying to catch his bearings. Suddenly Basil caught a glimpse of the kid finishing a run up the ramp of the larger stingray-shaped craft, and though the four gave chase it lifted off before they could reach it. \"My fucking tank!\" Basil shouted, before adding \"Why\'d he have to take the big one.\" The three stood there, Spiro seemingly glad Basil was okay and Cicero fuming that the kid had escaped.

Time passed and many mumblings of displeasure were shared, but eventually the tank arrived with Grey inside. Basil filled ACE and Grey in on the details of the events that transpired, wrapping it all up with a \"But he had to take the big one and now we have to abandon the fucking tank.\" Grey seemed confused. \"Tank?\" ACE filled Grey in on a summary of what a tank was, but Grey said \"No\" before continuing to explain what the vehicle was. \"I\'ve heard about these, they were meant to explore highly dense atmospheres for research.\" Basil looked confused. \"So what\'s with the guns then?\" Grey replied like it was obvious. \"They were probably added after the collapse. It would have made an ideal device for war or crowd control once the machines meant to be used as weapons were destroyed.\"

Basil took a moment to reflect on the implications of the words he just heard, even if the words were relayed in the same tone as one would explain how one design of craft is more aerodynamic. Cicero interrupted Basil\'s thoughts, however, eager to leave. \"We must go now, we can talk about your history later.\" Spiro gestured to the smaller craft that was still there, but as they began to walk ACE spoke to Basil. \"I will likely have the fourth variable ready when you arrive, and will get the jet in the air with some explosives on it shortly before you arrive in case we need them.\" Basil nodded, saying \"Well\" while touching his hand to the console of the smaller craft. \"Fingers crossed I will speak to you again in what will feel like a few seconds.\"

24: From Victory to Last Stand

General Edwards stood in front of a small group of soldiers as two others approached. \"Do you have an update on the different machine that appears to be hovering?\" he asked as soon as they made it within earshot. \"No sir, it just circles us and has not done anything since arriving.\" The second soldier spoke unprompted, speaking with an air of urgency. \"Sir, the other machine was recently spotted providing equipment to the Lizard King\'s soldiers. They appear to be preparing an assault on the gate.\" Edwards took a moment to process the unexpected information, mind clouded by sleep deprivation and thirst, knowing that his life expectancy was tied to that of the gate\'s. Trying to push down those feelings he straightened his posture and began to address the crowd. \"My fellow soldiers, friends, and loyalists to the very end.\" His voice cracked momentarily, but after a brief pause he cleared his throat and continued.

\"It appears the sun has set on our great nation, and the Tyrant has won out. Many have surrendered with the loss of our king, and many more have fallen in his defense.\" He paused again, but switched from a melancholy voice to a forced triumphant one. \"I have lived a long life in service to a just ruler, and aside from death I cannot know for sure what will befall us on this day. But I can think of no greater death than one final stand against the Tyrant with you all, for on this day in history it will be told-\"

The General\'s speech was interrupted by the roar of another craft entering the atmosphere, this one landing directly in the courtyard a short distance from the soldiers present. They readied their weapons and approached the craft, watching in anticipation of who would exit. Would it be an envoy of the Lizard King, demanding their surrender? A weapon to strike them all down? The creators of the machines coming to avenge theft?

Cicero ran out of the door first, a relief to the soldiers surrounding the craft previously expecting a fight. The remaining passengers stepped out, ACE relaying the state of the capital city and its siege as provided by his aerial surveillance. The soldiers\' relief turned to surprise and readied weapons when Basil stepped out PDA open with a feed from the jet, followed by Grey, but Cicero attempted to calm the crowd. \"They\'re on our side, all wronged by the Tyrant and the reason I have escaped his imprisonment!\" The declaration appeared to be enough to get weapons lowered as Edwards approached Cicero. \"The Tyrant\'s men are about to assault the gate, what condition are you in to fight?\" Cicero pointed to the craft. \"There\'s a handful of weapons in the craft taken from the Tyrant\'s dead soldiers, arm everybody you can with them. Basil has a powerful weapon, and the jet has explosives it can drop.\" Edwards looked confused. \"The jet?\" Cicero pointed at the jet hovering in circles above them. \"That there, the different one, that\'s Basil\'s. His friend said it\'s loaded with explosives.\" Edwards still seemed confused, asking \"That one?\" while pointing to Grey.

\"No, me\" ACE said over the speakers. Before Edwards could question it, however, ACE continued to speak. \"You need to get everyone in position alongside the walls. Then open the gates and funnel the Lizard King\'s men in formation into the center of the courtyard.\" Before ACE could continue, however, Edwards asked \"Open the gate, are you insane?\" with indignation in his voice. \"They outnumber you ten to one, your only bet is to get them in formation in the courtyard expecting a knife fight and then drop a few makeshift explosives on them from the jet. It is the only way to thin their numbers and introduce chaos, with which you can surround them and retake the entire courtyard at the very least.\" Edwards gestured as if he was about to speak but ACE continued. \"This is the only viable strategy, if you arm the civilians still trapped here and we create enough chaos you may even be able to begin to retake the city.\" Edwards began to say \"I can\'t-,\" but Cicero cut him off. \"You must trust him, I owe them my life, and I believe he is right in saying this is the only way.\"

Basil handed Edwards his phone so ACE could stay in communication with him as Edwards and Cicero began to walk back to the soldiers taking up formation. Grey returned to the inside of the craft, with Baisil and Spiro taking up defensive positions by lying in the dirt next to the craft; weapons at the ready. Basil and Spiro watched as those on the wall fired down upon the attackers below, and those behind the gate got ready to bait the attackers through. \"If this doesn\'t work out,\" Spiro asked Basil, \"Where\'s the wormhole device that ACE should have working?\" Basil pointed vaguely in the direction of the jet circling above without taking his eyes off his rifle\'s busted sights. \"Up there.\" Spiro continued looking at the sky where Basil was pointing. \"So if this goes tits up anybody outside the craft is not getting out of here, are they?\" Basil shook his head, still not looking away from his rifle\'s sights. \"No time to get that thing down here and the generator running before the gates are busted down if we want it in the air for the fight.\"

As Basil finished his sentence the gates burst open as some form of makeshift battering ram pushed through, attackers entirely unaware that the chains holding the gate in place had been disconnected from the inside. Basil fired a few shots in the direction of the first through the gate, as did many of the Redcaps, but ammunition was scarce and both sides knew it. The Lizard King\'s soldiers took up a large shielded formation in the center of the courtyard. Spiro explained that the attackers were expecting this last stand to be a very bloody fight with minimal ammunition on both sides, and they seemed to intend to divide the defenders into two groups. What the attackers could not see, however, was an open hatch on a jet where a group of maintenance drones were preparing to toss explosives out of. Several deafening explosions rang out as the close knit collection of soldiers turned into craters, throwing mud and appendages in all directions.

A few Redcap soldiers cheered prematurely, but most remained silent as more soldiers poured in through the gate. These soldiers, however, already seemed to know what was going on. To the dismay of the Redcaps, they watched as the Lizard King\'s soldiers spread out thinly along the walls and buildings, seeming to know exactly what they could do to avoid being hit by the explosions. \"Are we...?\" Spiro began to ask, but already got his answer when he saw the video feed pulled up on Basil\'s PDA. Basil muttered to himself. \"Woulda\' been real nice to have a fucking tank right about now.\"

25: An Explosive Deception

\"They\'re too spread out, we don\'t have enough explosives to thin them out\" Basil yelled over ringing ears to Cicero, who had returned to the group by the craft. As he spoke they saw another group forming by one of the buildings along the wall. Whoever was commanding the Lizard King\'s men was smart, knowing that the bombs would stop if they didn\'t gather in the center of the courtyard. What they did not realize, however, was that ACE had no hesitation about bombing the walls; but had hesitation wasting the few explosives clearing small groups.

The small groups of people slowly grew along the walls and barracks as they flooded in, but in one swift move, all the attackers that had gathered were obliterated as well. Basil knew their commander would catch on quickly, and their numbers were still too high to mount a defense against - especially with all the holes in the wall that were now there. \"I got a really bad idea\" Basil shouted, and before anybody could say anything he tossed his rifle to Spiro and went running off through one of the new holes in the wall.

Basil sprinted as fast as his injured body would let him. He knew he only had a short window to make it through the front line before the soldiers re-converged from both directions to fill in the flanks now guarded only by their dead comrades. Quickly checking the live feed, however, and running around a corner he saw just the man he intended to find. This man was present when Basil escorted the Lizard King, which felt as if a distant memory, and the same man who had ordered his soldiers to stop a truck with their shields. Basil figured this man was commanding the soldiers in some capacity, and hoped he was correct as his plan hinged on that being the case. \"Traitor!\" the man shouted in surprise seeing Basil run around the corner. He raised some sort of a pistol as the soldiers around him raised swords and rifles.

\"Traitor?\" Basil asked in feigned indignation. \"I do all this for your king and the likes of you have the gall to call me a traitor?\" The man looked thoroughly confused, but kept his pistol pointed at Basil. \"You\" he said, before pausing and seeming to recount Basil\'s actions, but Basil spoke over him right before he went to speak again. \"So either you\'re a moron, or you\'re not trusted. Or both probably.\" Basil tried to sound as insulting as he could. \"But\" the man began to say, but Basil cut him off. \"Let me make it clear, I was to trick the \'demon\' into thinking I was there on her side, try to understand their technology, then sabotage the Redcaps and get out. I\'m waiting for the Wizard, who should be here any second.\" Basil gambled everything on the expectation that the incoming ship was the Wizard coming to check on his commander, and with the surprised look on the man\'s face Basil assumed he gambled correctly.

\"But you attacked us when we captured the Bloody One\'s family?\" the man asked as he lowered his pistol to a low-ready position. \"Because your dumbass shot at me when I was driving over to help you. But I was able to roll with the punches and get the information I needed, and now they ran out of explosives so I was able to slip away. Get the Wizard, I need to tend to the injuries your men gave me in safety.\" Basil\'s demands seemed to satisfy the man\'s doubts, watching the man order a soldier to go towards the now landing craft and another to go tell the troops to resume the attack. Basil started to walk in the direction of the Wizard\'s ship, thinking that Spiro would be proud of the exchange that had just occurred. The walk turned into a jog, and the jog turned to a full-blown sprint as the sound of explosions rang out in the distance.

Basil made it to the back of an Elthrice ship and gave it a quick tap, receiving a notification on his PDA that he had gained control of the ship. There were now two more parts to his plan. First, get the seemingly invulnerable Wizard to leave to avoid needing to fight him. Secondly, and just as important, get out alive. \"Here goes nothing\" Basil muttered to himself as he walked to the front of the ship.

The Wizard looked shocked to see Basil, causing him, the Wizard, and the two soldiers flanking the Wizard to stare in silence for a moment. Basil began to worry that instead of leaving the Wizard would just guard the entrance of the craft until allies arrived, but finally, he began to talk - directing his words towards his underlings. \"We are leaving now, do not let him enter. He can control the \'demon\'s\' machines if he touches their insides. Basil smiled and took several steps forward, hoping to speed the confrontation along without goading the Wizard into attacking. \"Run away little man, I\'m sure the so called \'demons\' told you about Orbitals? Well, today you just found out why you don\'t fuck with them.\" The Wizard almost ran backward away from the man who had seemingly cut through an entire army, and the soldiers stood at the door, weapons drawn, until the door\'s ramp began to move upwards and they ducked through the door at the last second. Basil took several steps back and watched the seemingly propulsionless craft slowly gain altitude before disappearing with a roar and a blur.

One more thing to do.

That one thing, however, looked as if it may be harder than expected as soldiers began convening on the location they saw the ship land on from all directions. A couple drew guns, but most drew swords. Basil looked in all directions, only two were coming down the road that led directly away from the capitol building. Basil opened fire, striking one of the two and causing the other to flee, but as he ran he could see a large group of much faster soldiers chasing after him. He made it around a corner, managing to dodge the bullets flying his way and very glad smoothbore muzzleloaders had poor accuracy. However, he had barely rounded it before he was swept off his feet by an explosion near where soldiers were now convening.

Basil regained awareness of his situation. His previously injured left arm was throbbing, but was barely noticeable compared to his right leg buried in rubble. He tried to move it, but a sharp pain even worse than before hit him as something cut deeper into his leg. The pain diminished the fog that clouded his mind and he picked up his head. He could see his body caked in dust and dirt, as well as little flecks of blood; likely both his own and that of the soldiers that were encompassed in the explosion where the collapsed building now lay. He again tried to move his leg, but the pain prevented him from moving it more than a few centimeters. Sitting up he grasped at the wood and stone that sat on his leg, but struggled to move it. He realized quickly he was lucky it was only a leg that was buried, as the rubble was very near to burying his torso as well, but he still couldn\'t bring himself to feel lucky - especially with more soldiers shambling their way in his direction.

Adrenaline hit Basil hard and he managed to use the wood on his leg as a lever to push the stone off, revealing a long nail attached to the wood that had made its way through the flesh on the side of his leg. He managed to scramble to his feet, picking up his handgun and limping in the first direction that soldiers weren\'t coming from. Blood flowed from the wound, an unclear amount under all the dust and dirt - which hurt badly - but importantly the bone did not appear to be broken. It would appear that ACE\'s last-ditch effort to save Basil had left him more injured, but still running from soldiers. He fired several shots at those he was trying to limp away from, which seemed to force them to take cover, but he wasn\'t sure how many shots he had left.

He quickly glanced at the slide on his handgun, which was closed. Though he did not know how many there were, there was at least one bullet left.

26: Last thing on the list

Basil made a left at another intersection. Was it a left? Shit, how was he going to find his way back now? Well, perhaps that didn\'t matter much; it wasn\'t like he could get past the army between him and safety. He took another shot at his much faster pursuers, forcing them to take cover for a second as he rounded another corner at another intersection. Seeing a small alley alongside the road and his pursuers having not yet rounded the corner, he ran down it. Glimpsing a window with a large sheet of wood nailed to it and no other options to escape, he wedged his pistol in between the board and the wall. Using it as a pry bar he separated the sheet of wood just enough to squeeze through, climbing through the window as the nails slashed at his back. Feeling blood run down his back, leg, and arm he slumped against the wall, too weak to do anything further.

\"Identify yourself!\" shouted somebody from within the room. The center of the room was too dark to see, though a few rays of light showed through the now-damaged board cast around Basil and only further impeded his eyes from seeing what was deeper within. Basil realized this would be a risky question to answer, not knowing the loyalties of whoever was in the room. \"I was just trying to escape the chaos\" he began to say, before seeing a rusty knife glimmer in one of the rays of light near him. Knowing he didn\'t even have the strength to devise a convincing lie - much less pick up the pistol on the floor faster than a knife could move - and hoping that this man was a local, Basil gambled on the truth. \"I\'m Basil, I was helping the Redcaps make a push back into the city when I got separated and hurt when one of the explosions collapsed a building.\" Though Basil did not possess the strength to come up with a convincing lie, he at least held the mental capacity to leave out the parts about jets, the Elthrice, and installing a backdoor in a Wizard\'s spacecraft.

\"You\'re hurt\" the questioner said, adding \"Badly\" moments later. The questioner seemed to lower the knife, or at least pull it back outside the rays of light. As he did, however, he kicked Basil\'s pistol to the side, seemingly not fully trusting him either. The questioner pulled out a dirty piece of cloth and began to tie it around Basil\'s leg where the bleeding was the worst, and Basil found himself too weak to even flinch from the pain. \"Do you have any water?\" Basil asked, realizing his throat was completely dry; his mind gaining the luxury of considering survival on a more extended timeframe than dodging oncoming bullets. He hadn\'t had anything to drink since, well, actually when was that?

\"Here,\" said the questioner, handing Basil a large glass bottle with maybe an ounce of fluid sloshing around at the bottom. Basil drank it in one gulp, tasting a potent and unpleasant flavor. \"What was that?\" He asked in surprise, recovering from each cough which sent a sharp pain across his body. \"Liquor\" the questioner answered, before continuing \"And the last bit of fluid in what used to be my tavern, unless you\'re looking to drink piss.\" Basil tried saying \"Thank you\" but found the words barely squeaked out. The questioner spoke again. \"I am going to return to my family upstairs. Don\'t follow me, but you may rest down here.\" He stepped out of the light, and Basil could hear him start to walk away, but he added one more thing as he left. \"If what you\'re saying is true, we will hopefully not be locked in here much longer.\" Basil - sapped of all energy - fell asleep.

Basil began to wake up, aware his head hurt and vaguely aware of footsteps nearby. He opened his eyes and saw the questioner moving a bookcase that barricaded the door. Though Basil could now see the entire room with properly adjusted eyes, the light passing through the damaged sheet of wood was much dimmer, indicating that a considerable amount of time had passed. \"It\'s been quiet for a while. I\'m going to step out and take stock of things\" the questioner said in a hushed tone. Basil crawled to his feet, more thirsty than he thought possible, even enough to forget his pain. He bent over and grabbed the handgun on the floor, removing the magazine to check the remaining bullets. Two in the magazine and one in the chamber, not worth much if they got into trouble, but better than a rusty knife. The questioner seemed to take on a slightly uneasy look seeing Basil hold the weapon, but said nothing.

As the questioner opened the door the two saw dust floating in, as well as dust floating throughout the streets illuminated by a deep red sunset. Though the skyline would have otherwise been obscured, with a few missing buildings the sun shown a crimson red, contrasting with the gray dust in the air. The street was empty, but as the two made their way out of the alley and around a corner that would give them a view of the castle\'s courtyard walls they ran into two soldiers. Basil started to walk in their direction, questioner in tow, keeping an eye on both Basil in front of him and the alley behind him. \"I need water\" Basil said in a hoarse voice as soon as he was in earshot. \"Stay back\" one of the soldiers returned in an authoritative voice as they raised their weapons until a shocked looking soldier exclaimed \"Basil?\" only now recognizing him under the layers of blood and grime.

\"This way\" said the soldier who recognized Basil before walking towards the courtyard. Basil followed him, looking back and seeing the questioner talk to another soldier. Finally entering the courtyard he began to look around, but was surprised to see not a single soldier who could stand. A few dozen soldiers lay on the ground, wounded and being tended to, and many lay dead alongside their enemies\' bodies. Only now did Basil realize how few soldiers were involved in the defense of the capitol building, which appeared to have been successful. \"Do you know where Cicero or Spiro are?\" he asked the soldier, voice still weak. \"They are helping the injured from our attempts to retake the rest of the city. I do not know when they will be back\" the soldier responded before turning around and returning to his compatriots. Basil saw the jet beginning to descend and made a B line for the Elthrice ship which contained his backpack and water bottle.

\"Basil?\" Grey called out from behind as he struggled to make it up the ramp to the door on the Elthrice craft. \"What happened to you?\" Grey asked as she got closer, and Basil could hear what sounded like genuine worry in her voice. He continued to struggle up the steps, knowing that the pain was only a minor setback to quenching his thirst. \"I was a little too close to one of those explosions, wound up getting buried in rubble.\" Basil responded as he finally reached the door to the craft and walked in to see his backpack. Grey followed Basil in, asking \"Are you okay?\" as he picked up his water bottle. Basil quickly opened it up and chugged the last little bit of water, only afterwards responding to the question. \"Just peachy\" he said, trying to force a smile. The alien didn\'t seem to like - or didn\'t seem to get - sarcasm, so he added \"I\'ll survive, but I got pretty banged up out there.\"

Basil heard ACE\'s voice over the speakers on the craft, the only way for him to audibly reach Basil with his phone temporarily in the hands of General Edwards. Basil watched the jet perform impossibly tight maneuvers to land in the courtyard while Basil caught Grey and ACE up on everything he\'d experienced. ACE was very unhappy with Basil\'s surprise outing, but in the end, seemed to reluctantly concede it worked out for the best.

27: Fourth Variable Field Test

As soon as Basil had been caught up on their immediate situation he began to inquire about the Redcaps\'s supply situation. Instead of ACE answering, however, Grey answered. \"I spoke to their\" Grey paused momentarily, as if searching for a word. \"General. He said they have none. Some drank from the craft\'s water reserve, but it is now empty.\" Basil thought for a moment and prompted Grey with a question. \"We\'re on the same side; I can trust you, right?\" Grey seemed surprised by the question and hesitated a moment before answering. \"Yes, I wouldn\'t hurt you if that is what you are asking.\" Basil was a little afraid of the Elthrice\'s hesitance but told himself it was because of the unexpected question, not because he was in danger. As Basil replied he tried to play it off with a joke, if nothing else to convince himself. \"What am I asking, I\'m here barely standing and out of ammo, if you were planning something you could probably snap me like a twig.\" Basil smiled, and Grey seemed taken aback by the apparent joke, but returned a delayed smile.

Basil lied about being unarmed, hoping that since now was likely the ideal time for the being to attack, the Elthrice would do now if it planned to. The Elthrice, luckily, did not make any moves. \"In that jet\" Basil broke the silence, \"Is a wormhole device that can take me back to my planet and home. If you are willing to help, I have a supply of food and water that I need to get to the Redcaps, but lack the strength to carry much of anything.\" Grey nodded. \"I can help you bring it here\" before pausing and adding \"I would also be excited to see a working wormhole device. You may be the last being to possess one.\" Grey started leaving the craft and walking towards the jet and Basil began to follow. As Grey left Basil\'s line of sight, however, his PDA lit up with a message from ACE. \"I have armed some of the maintenance drones, just in case. Be cautious.\" ACE, it appeared, was also cautious of the Elthrice.

As they walked Grey prompted Basil with a question. \"If you also have a craft, why are you so interested in Elthrice technology?\" Basil shook his head. \"That\'s not a spacecraft. Do you know what a combustion engine is?\" Grey shook her head no. \"Think about the combination of words I just used in its name\" Basil replied. Grey seemed to think for a moment and then laughed. \"It\'s powered by fire?\" Basil felt slightly insulted having the Elthrice laugh at one of humanity\'s most outstanding achievements. For a moment, however, he no longer questioned the being\'s motives or intentions and was just glad it seemed to find some fleeting joy. \"Yeah, there\'s no oxygen in space. A few of them can go into space if they bring their own, but they\'re slow and inefficient, so they can\'t go far.\" Grey seemed to notice Basil was falling behind and slowed down. \"You\'re really hurt.\" Basil nodded. \"Yeah, but I\'m almost back to my home where I can get myself stitched up and take some painkillers, won\'t be long now.\"

However, Grey looked around before they arrived at the jet, seemingly verifying there were no others in earshot before speaking. \"What is your alliance with the ones here on Domum?\" Basil thought for a moment. \"I don\'t entirely know, to be honest; I kind of just got thrown into everything and have been trying to survive ever since.\" Grey seemed confused. \"Then how is it you were captured by the one who calls himself a Lizard? Did you not fight him?\" Basil paused again and thought through the chaotic chain of events.

\"He, the Redcaps, and I, after I found my way here accidentally, were all here peacefully not too long ago. I actually thought I was making friends with the Lizard King at the time. Then fighting broke out and he left, but I didn\'t take a side until he returned with Elthrice technology and attacked. I didn\'t even know it was him attacking, and I only found out after I had started to defend everybody else. They tried to kill me and failed, then he imprisoned me with you and the others.\" Grey looked as if she either did not fully understand or trust the explanation, but seemed satisfied enough with the answer to not ask further questions.

As the door to the jet opened automatically they stepped in and Grey began to look around, seeing the wormhole device haphazardly wired into one of the walls of the jet. Grey seemed to have a momentary cautious look on her face as the door closed and Basil began to wonder how worried the Elthrice was about the whole situation as well. She had just stepped onto a \'savage\'s\' craft and was about to leave the planet. Then again, he had no idea if she had any tricks up her sleeve either; this was her people\'s technology powering everything after all. Both of their attention, however, was shifted to the door-sized wormhole that opened up in the corner of the jet. They both stepped through, Basil smiling because he knew he was home, Grey smiling after seeing what she was told was a centuries-lost technology.

\"You don\'t have the Orbital\'s wormhole device, but you have an Orbital\'s implant?\" Grey asked in confusion as they stepped through. \"What?\" Basil asked, thoroughly confused. \"This\" Grey said. \"This is not an Orbital\'s version of the wormhole device. It can only link to another device, where the Orbital\'s version does not need a second device.\" Basil suddenly realized that may explain the device\'s ability to create a connection to Arkepello without another device present.

\"It can go to one location without one on the other end, but only to that specific location. Every other location seems to need a second one.\" Grey chuckled. \"Are you lying to make me believe you\'re an Orbital?\" Basil shook his head. \"How else would I get to another planet without a working spacecraft?\" Grey seemed to think for a moment. \"Okay, I believe you. But that is weird, like it was only allowed by an Orbital or somebody who could access an Orbital\'s system. They are not supposed to work like that. Or so I was told by my (admiral).\"

\"Could they be configured to go to any location?\" Grey shook her head no. \"You would need a\" Grey paused to ask Basil a question. \"What did you call yourself?\" Basil was confused, then realized what Grey had asked. \"A scientist?\" Grey nodded and resumed speaking. \"Yes, you would need a scientist to fix that.\" Basil smiled and began to say \"But-\" but Grey clarified. \"No, not a you scientist, an Elthrice scientist. And they are all dead.\"

Basil heard the pressurized room\'s seals release and they both began to step out. \"This is your home?\" Grey asked, gesturing to the walls. \"Yeah\" Basil said as he saw the maintenance drones beginning to load boxes into the now opened pressurized room. \"And what are those?\" Grey asked, pointing to the maintenance drones. \"Maintenance drones, small devices controlled remotely by me to do various tasks\" ACE answered. Grey started to walk around and looked around the corner down the thin hall. \"Where are your people? You said there were billions.\"

\"Not here. I\'m afraid some of them tried to kill me, so I\'m hiding out underground for a while until I figure out who exactly wants me dead.\" Basil tried to say it as if it were humorous, but his voice betrayed him and showed his underlying worn-down feeling. \"I\'m sorry\" Grey said, adding \"Perhaps you and I are not so different.\" Basil asked for clarification. \"How\'s that?\" Grey replied \"Well, you are tiny and look weird\" but smiled and Basil realized Grey was trying to make a joke. Basil returned a smile and Grey continued. \"But you and I may be some of the last two interplanetary beings, lost and making our way, afraid of our people.\"

That statement hit Basil hard, knowing that it probably carried a lot of pain on Grey\'s part, and certainly carried a lot on his own part. They both fell silent, the only audible noises being the electric whirr of the maintenance drones loading supplies. Eventually Basil broke the silence. \"Well, I need to go get cleaned up and take some painkillers. ACE can equalize the pressure in that room and the jet so the supplies can be taken into it, then equalize it with the Domum air to bring the supplies to them. I\'ll be back soon.\"

Basil paused momentarily, adding \"Thank you\" and Grey gave a quick nod before Basil turned to walk away. ACE, however, prompted Grey with a question as Basil went to leave. \"Grey, if you would permit it, I want to collect a DNA sample for analysis.\" Grey suddenly sounded worried. \"But that\'s forbidden.\" Hearing the sudden fear in Grey\'s voice, Basil responded in a tone he hoped sounded calming. \"It\'s okay, we don\'t need to.\" ACE, however, seemed more persistent. \"Why is it forbidden?\" Grey paused for a moment but spoke in an almost hushed tone. \"I carry the DNA of one who had an Orbital\'s DNA; allowing others to receive that DNA is forbidden.\"

\"There are no more Orbitals, at least none here to enforce that\" ACE replied. Basil felt that was the worst possible way to respond, but Grey seemed to have a triumphant look on her face. \"Very well, you are right. If your people choose to make Orbitals, they may serve better directives.\" Basil was surprised at both the sudden change in demeanor and what Grey had thought their intentions were. \"No, no\" he said, pausing for a second before collecting his thoughts. \"It\'s just curiosity and, more importantly, a way to check to see if it\'s likely safe for you to eat our food or be exposed to our pathogens. We did the same for those at the Arkepello and me to be sure it was safe.\" Basil also felt that ACE was leaving out a reason that he was interested as well: probing Elthrice DNA for weaknesses. Basil knew there was no way of stopping ACE from theorizing, although he would certainly not allow something like that to be used, even if it meant smashing the fabricator to stop him. Perhaps he could shoot a man in the back if his life depended on it, but a genocide would be way too far, even if they did try to invade.

28: Regrouping

Basil stepped into the pressurized room; waiting for it to equalize to the jet's pressure before finally stepping back into Domum. The seemingly endless boxes of food and medical supplies were already almost gone. Endless to him, perhaps, but nothing to an army -- even a significantly thinned-out one. At least, if nothing else, they would have some energy for tonight. Basil stepped out of the jet, passing Grey going up the steps in the opposite direction, before making his way towards Spiro at the bottom of the jet. "Holy shit, Basil, ACE told me what happened." Basil nodded, finally reaching the bottom of the steps and clicking on a flashlight, internally noting that Spiro\'s demeanor had seemed to change. "Nothing's broken at least, and now that I'm stitched up and numbed up the walk down the steps was a lot less painful."

As they spoke Spiro led Basil towards the makeshift command center in the field of tents that once held guests of the peace festival. "I got to get me one of those" Spiro said, eyeing up the little flashlight that lit up the entire camp otherwise only lit by a campfire. "When this is all over I'll get you one" Basil said, sitting near General Edwards, before adding "If we live long enough." Edwards seemed to be finishing a cup of instant noodles, and as he finished chewing Basil asked him a question. "Where's Cicero and Casio?"

"Still handing out food" one of the soldiers said before Edwards could swallow. "Tell him he's needed here" Edwards said, giving an order to the soldier. However, as the soldier turned to walk away Edwards added "And make sure to tell him I was the one who requested it, and that it's important." As the soldier left Edwards spoke more quietly to Basil and Spiro. "That man tends to a dozen men when he should be tending to decisions that will affect thousands." Cicero arrived shortly and joined Edwards, Basil, and Spiro around the fire, leading Edwards to fill in the group on the nation\'s state.

The various counties and their soldiers had not been arriving as they were ordered to, seeming to abandon their capitol now that their king had been taken. Some Redcap Capitol soldiers and police had deserted, many had died, and the rest remained scattered throughout the city. Many would likely regroup once they heard that a rag-tag group of soldiers, an Amigoso official, Basil, and an Elthrice took back the city; however, it would likely not be enough to mount a proper defense. Even as they tried to arm civilians with the weapons recovered from both sides\' fallen, the Lizard King's now vastly larger army was marching through various counties towards the capitol; facing minimal resistance.

The state of their supplies was just as poor. Even after, in Edward\'s words, \"Reclaiming\" food from the city and accepting Basil's food supplies, they would be out of food before the Lizard king's men reached the city in a little over four days. They had almost no ammunition, and the only water safe to drink was water the maintenance drones kept bringing in from the facility on the other side of the wormhole. At this rate they would die of thirst eventually, even if ACE continued to move the water at the same speed he was moving it now. As soon as Edwards had finished speaking Basil commented "But you've still got the upper hand." Edwards scowled at Basil, seemingly thinking he was mocking him.

"The Lizard King thinks he's untouchable on the Elthrice planet, but could only have moved about six dozen soldiers up there in this time. We now have a craft and, more importantly, wormholes -- which he does not. I already killed four dozen soldiers when they attacked us in the tank." Edwards looked like he was about to fall out of his seat when Basil mentioned he had killed four dozen soldiers. Basil just laughed. "Yeah, don't fuck with a tank" before he continued to speak. "Well, before I got blown up during my little adventure, I managed to seize control of the Wizard's craft that he arrived in. I lost connection to it as it left the atmosphere, but I know where it was going, so now we know where to hit him and have the capacity to hit him hard."

"So what are you proposing?" Cicero asked once Basil finished speaking. "I don't have enough weapons to fend off an army, but they'll cut through a couple dozen men no problem. I'll give some guns and ammo to your best men and rig up some explosive drones. We take the craft up there and then send your entire army to confront him and his dozen or so guards, forcing him to surrender. Force him to surrender, he calls off his marching army, and I get to find out how the fuck some guy in a leather dress fought off the Elthrice." Cicero shook his head. "I know what you will propose when we capture him, and no, he dies for his crimes."

Even with the numbing effects of the painkillers and his mental state being in constant fight or flight, Basil felt dread wash over him. He had killed people, several with his own hands and many more after arming others. He had also just determined who would win a war in which he should have no part. All the while, there were other Elthrice there, more powerful than space pirates who could relish an opportunity to attack a weakened civilization if they had malicious intentions.

Basil realized everyone at the campfire was staring at him as he remained in thought for longer than he perceived. It was too late to back down now. Doing nothing was a choice in itself, and that would ensure those who tried to kill him would win. However, his help would have to come with conditions, so he put his foot down.

"If you want my help here you must accept my conditions. The only way I'm going to help you end this war is if you guarantee that if he surrenders you'll bring him and everybody else alive back here to assess the situation. Nobody else dies for his decisions, but what happens to him after we get information from him and his army addressed is not my decision to make."

Edwards nodded gleefully, though while Cicero nodded moments later, he seemed more hesitant. Cicero, already being one of the highest ranking statesmen, and Cicero and Edwards in agreement and the last two high ranking officials present - if perhaps the last two alive - finalized the decision to move forward with Basil\'s plan. "How soon can we begin?" Edwards asked. "I need to sleep and get my wounds addressed as well as they can be. I'll drop of the weapons I can spare before I leave, and then I can head out tomorrow morning. The trip will feel instant for me, but it will be almost 48 hours before I open the wormhole and you begin the invasion, so it should give you time for your men to heal up and train with the new weapons."

29: Dust and Ashes

\"I still believe it is a bad idea\" ACE told Basil, concluding his thoughts on why Basil should not be present when they took their fight to the Lizard King. \"You knew you couldn\'t change my mind going in, didn\'t you? I\'m the only one who can control the technology, and it will only be a few seconds before I open the wormhole.\" Basil replied, pausing momentarily and adding the real reason for going. \"Besides, how long do I have left anyway? All the treatments failed, and I might as well see another Elthrice planet before I die.\" ACE remained quiet and Basil returned to taking inventory, both to assure himself everything would go as planned and to distract himself from his last statement. A handful of guns, check. Boatload of ammo, check. Several forms of redundant power, check. Wormhole device, check.

Basil\'s internal monologue was interrupted by another internal monologue as he saw Grey beginning to approach. While Basil had gotten some sleep, ACE had analyzed Grey\'s genome, prompting as many questions as it provided answers. According to ACE, Orbital DNA looked very artificial, as if designed from the ground up to be some sort of super soldier. Between the artificiality and Grey\'s supposed mixed parentage they were no closer to finding concrete information on the Elthrice\'s gene pool. Still, it certainly said something in itself about their capabilities. It also certainly said something about Grey if she was a genetically modified soldier who refused to fight.

\"Are you really that concerned the craft\'s power will fail?\" Grey asked Basil, breaking the awkwardly long silence. \"Better safe than sorry\" Basil said, tying everything down and setting an extensive first aid kit next to the batteries. \"I\'m glad you\'re coming,\" he continued, breaking the silence again and getting a silent nod from Grey. The previous night she had asked about Basil\'s plan to head out alone to open the wormhole, and asked to come along. She said she\'d sworn not to participate in violence, but Basil was happy to have somebody who knew Elthrice technology coming along as well. While Basil was busy thinking about the previous night\'s conversations, Spiro startled him from behind.

\"Basil, Cicero and I were talking; if it\'s okay we and Casio would like to accompany you as well.\" Basil nodded. \"Of course. Although you won\'t miss much, from our perspective the wormhole will probably be open within seconds of us arriving.\" Spiro shrugged. \"Well, just in case anything goes wrong or you need our help before you open it, we would like to be there to have your back. Just the five of us on an Elthrice ship, for old times sake.\" Basil smiled. \"Thanks, well, we\'re about ready to head out. Grab anything you guys need and meet me back in five.\"

Five minutes passed and the group was already on the ship. Basil was busy loading his now repaired rifle with a shotgun sitting next to him. He had acquired similar rifles for Spiro and Cicero, which they now sported, but Cicero had said that Casio would prefer to wield his own ginormous blade. After saying their goodbyes, the door closed, and ACE offered a play-by-play. \"We\'re now taking off\" followed by a \"We\'ve now cleared the atmosphere\" and last, followed by an \"I hope to speak to you very soon from your perspective.\" The craft made its journey, though none of its passengers felt any passage of time or movement. \"You are now on an Elthrice planet, descending\" ACE said, followed by the craft\'s door opening and \"I\'ve now opened the wormhole.\"

The crew stared at the device, and after an uneasy moment Basil spoke up in a concerned tone. \"It\'s not open.\" The cabin fell quiet again. \"Hold on\" ACE said, presumably trying to figure out what was happening. Spiro and Cicero took up positions guarding the now open door to the craft, though there was no movement outside, and Basil verified that the device was receiving power and properly turned on. Grey suddenly had a very concerned look on her face. \"We\'re on an Elthrice planet\" she said, causing everybody to look at her. \"Of course we are. Does that matter?\" Basil asked. Grey seemed to compose herself, as if struggling to word the idea in the language they all knew; everybody else waiting nervously for further information.

\"Not me Elthrice, Elthrice leader Elthrice\" Grey said, looking at Basil to see if he understood what she was saying. \"Like former Elthrice government facility or military base?\" Basil asked, still unsure why that mattered. \"And your wormhole device is not an Orbital\'s, so it does not work here. This means that planetary defenses are still online, and the only reason why we were not shot down was because of your Orbital\'s device.\" A thought popped into Basil\'s mind. \"The Lizard King is dead, isn\'t he?\" Grey almost looked surprised, then agreed with the assessment. \"Yes, he would have no knowledge of the danger present at this location, so if he arrived, he likely did not land in one piece.\"

The news presented mixed emotions to the group. It meant they had no army to back them up, but there was also no army to fight them. It meant their enemy was dead, but it also meant there would be nobody to negotiate with to call off the army set to level the Redcap\'s capital. They began to step out of the ship and realized they were standing on a large metal platform. Nearby on the platform were huge circular doors resembling camera shutters, but Basil began to understand what they were. \"So what are those? We have some ICBSs. Er, um ISBMs?\" Everybody looked at Basil like he said some sort of magic chant, so he clarified. \"Big flying unmanned explosive rockets?\" Grey looked at Basil with amusement. \"No, they are weapons that can propel projectiles using the same components that fly crafts, and what shot down the one who calls himself a Lizard.\"

\"There\'s ships over there\" Basil said, pointing in their direction. \"Must have been from the collapse\" Grey replied confidently, but Basil was confused. \"That sounds like a long time for very valuable ships to sit; how could that be?\" Grey answered, seeming to either take pride in what she said or be quoting somebody who took pride in what they relayed to her. \"Those in places like this died the worst deaths. Anyone here could not leave, as all Orbital ships were disabled; but nobody could come in with supplies, as all non-Orbital ships would be destroyed if they attempted to enter.\" Basil felt hesitant to ask his next question, the weight of the previous revelations on his mind. \"So you are certain nobody else is alive here?\"

\"Yes, unless Orbitals arrived or the one who calls himself a Lizard somehow got his hands on an Orbital\'s (object). Unless..." Grey\'s voice began to trail off. \"Unless what?\" Basil asked, getting nervous. \"Unless he somehow got his hands on the (object) from the stabilizing machine here. But no, he would have caused a sterilization if he took it and left, and the defenses would have killed him before he arrived unless he somehow survived the bombardment.\" Basil felt even more worried now. \"How does this machine\'s (poorly pronounced Elthrice word for \'object\') work?\" Grey appeared somewhat impressed at Basil\'s lackluster pronunciation and seemed to understand what he had meant.

\"That one is stronger than a standard Orbital\'s (object). He would likely be almost impossible to kill, but by possessing an Orbital\'s device, it could be taken from him. Basil, if you were to touch him or the (object) and will yourself to transfer it to you, it could render him helpless if he has taken it.\" Basil just seemed confused. \"How the hell do I will the (object) to be under my control?\" Grey shook her head. \"I do not know; I have never even met an Orbital with an Orbital\'s (object) or device. You are perhaps the closest being to holding an Orbital\'s title that I have met, missing an (object) but still with an Orbital\'s device.\" Basil thought things over for a second. \"Well, I\'ll be right back, I\'m going to run to the craft. If I can\'t master inner peace I\'ll at least have a Mossberg with depleted uranium slugs.\"

As Basil returned to the craft Grey ran to catch up. \"If you believe you will be involved in a fight I cannot come with you. I\'m sorry.\" Basil shook his head. \"It\'s okay.\" He wanted to say more, but was unsure what to say beyond that, so he left it at that. As he went to leave the craft, however, Grey spoke cautiously. \"Basil, if you do find anybody who possesses an (object), be very careful. It is very powerful, and very dangerous to one without an Orbital\'s device.\" Basil felt a chill run down his spine. \"Why is that?\"

\"I have been told an (object) is an atmosphereless vacuum of great power, but a great danger to one\'s mind. An Orbital\'s device is a craft which allows the holder to traverse it without touching it. The one we came here for would not possess an Orbital\'s device, nor would the descendants of those who lived here long ago. There are legends of those imbued with such powers directly, and it has been said they cut gashes across entire galaxies.\"

\"So, four guys against an apocalyptic force, should be a cakewalk, right?\" Grey very clearly did not appreciate Basil\'s sarcasm, though after a few moments her expression softened. \"Be careful.\" Basil nodded silently, racking the shotgun and setting off for the other three and the abandoned crafts that lay ahead.

30: Last Confrontation

The four approached the nearest ship, a foreboding open door leading into a dark, empty unknown. As they entered Spiro began methodically moving from corner to corner as Basil and Cicero lagged slightly. \"Nobody\'s home\" Spiro whispered, though Basil jumped when he heard Spiro speak, momentarily pointing his rifle at him. \"Whoah\" Spiro said in an oddly calm voice, face momentarily illuminated by Basil\'s weapon light. Spiro quickly motioned for Cicero and Casio to guard the door, and after a few moments of silence Spiro asked \"Are you alright?\" in the same calm voice as before.

\"No, I, um, no.\" Basil replied hesitantly. \"For a moment, when you walked around that corner, I swear I saw the guy I killed in the courtyard when everything started. Last night, all I dreamt about was me killing him or him killing me.\" Spiro nodded and placed his hand on Basil\'s shoulder. \"You had no choice in that situation, but the fact that you feel guilt means that you\'re a good person. But right now, you need to focus; doing this means that we might be able to prevent thousands of yous and thousands of him if we stop all of this now. The Lizard King started an unjust war and there\'s no telling what he\'ll do if his surviving followers keep hold of Elthrice technology.\"

Basil tried to correct his posture and take a deep breath, but was disrupted by Cicero. \"Someone\'s outside\" he whispered, prompting all four to take positions next to the door while remaining out of sight. Spiro, however, made a quick hand signal that Basil interpreted as \"stay\" and moved around the corner in a fluid motion. Several bursts of automatic fire sounded off, followed by a couple of single shots moments later. Basil rushed out the door, closely followed by Cicero and Casio.

\"They\'re the Lizard King\'s men\" Basil stated in a manner that was half a question, seeing Spiro standing over a handful of bodies while scanning the surroundings. Spiro silently nodded. \"How sure are we that the defenses are still active? Could they all have survived?\" Cicero asked, and Basil shrugged. \"It sounds like they have to be, at least the parts that disabled the wormhole device. But I don\'t know.\" Spiro interjected with a confident statement, though spoken loudly as if his ears were ringing.

\"At this point, it doesn\'t matter. We\'re here without an army, and going back to Domum would put us too late to stop the enemy\'s army, but we can still pull this off if we\'re tactical about the situation. Those structures over there, that\'s where I\'d set up camp if I were stranded. There\'s no guarantee nobody heard my shots, so we need to set off now before they can respond to our presence.\"

Spiro immediately set off while seeming to scan the horizon, the other three following close behind. They had only been walking for a short distance; however, when they started walking past debris and small structures buried under dust. However, the small structures quickly became immense, and Basil began to be distracted observing them. Every one had a simultaneously alien but familiar feeling; cylindrical buildings with large holes instead of doors or windows which jutted out of the ground in a grid pattern, separated by what appeared to be roads.

Basil\'s observation was interrupted, however, when they walked around a corner and saw a stunned looking soldier; as well as several others at a distance. The three raised their rifles, but in one graceful motion Casio turned the one soldier into several parts of a soldier. Gunfire erupted from the building the rest ran into, a large building that seemed to loom above the rest. The four were outnumbered at least three to one and lacked cover compared to the Lizard King\'s men. Basil dove to the ground and readied himself for the feeling of bullets sailing through his body, but it appeared the four still had the upper hand with considerably better ranged weapons than the smooth bore guns that the Lizard King\'s men possessed.

Basil looked down his sight, and a soldier appeared in a hole that looked like a window. Basil squeezed the trigger, and no more soldiers were visible through the window. Another took his place, and he, too, fell back into the room. Cicero seemed to be struggling with the automatic fire, but Spiro seemed to be taking well placed shots in quick succession; handling both automatic and semi automatic fire with incredible proficiency. Basil saw several others running out the door, weapons in hand. He took in a deep breath, breathed out, pulled the trigger, and watched nearly half a dozen men fall to the ground. Basil looked over and Spiro nodded.

The world fell quiet.

The group stood and Spiro motioned for them to move in a tight formation towards the entrance of the building. Another shot rang out, but Spiro fired, everything falling quiet again. The group made it to the building\'s entrance and formed a much tighter formation, Spiro motioning that he would go first through the door and take the left, followed by Basil who would go right. The room contained a long spiral ramp that went up, containing plenty of bodies and trash from the Lizard King\'s men, but noticeably, there was no dust. Despite looking like the Lizard King\'s men had dug the dust away from the front of the building to enter, the inside of the room was entirely free of dust and ash. The walls carried the same gray-green color as the other Elthrice metal objects did and appeared to consist of panels that looked as if they each served a different purpose unknown to those who had just taken the long-dead building. The four reloaded their weapons.

All that was heard was ringing in the ears of the four as they slowly made their way up the spiral ramp that circled the walls of the building. At the top of the ramp they saw what appeared to be another empty door frame to a roof, Spiro motioning for Basil to follow him through in the same formation as before. Basil only heard a thump as Spiro bounced off what looked to be an empty doorframe, but before he could even process it, he stepped through as if nothing was there. \"What the fuck" said Spiro in a fleeting moment of more frantic speech, touching what appeared to be some invisible wall that Basil had stepped through. Basil didn\'t respond, however, as his attention was turned to the Lizard King standing on the large flat roof.

\"So you are one of them?\" the Lizard King asked Basil. \"No, but I take it your so called Wizard is Elthrice?\" The Lizard King looked confused. \"What is that word? If it identifies the \'demons,\' then no, he is not.\" Basil looked confused. \"Well, those who attacked you didn\'t have Orbital\'s gear, and planetary defenses did not shoot you down, so he somehow got his hands on an (object) now, didn\'t he? That would explain his bullet-proof \'magic.\'\" The Lizard King looked uncomfortable when Basil said the Elthrice word. \"It does not matter, this is over. Surrender now and I will permit you to live\" the Lizard King said sternly. Basil shook his head. \"It\'s over, but not how you would like. It ended when that force field your Wizard tried to activate failed to stop me.\" The Lizard King shook his head.

\"This place is under the Wizard\'s control. His magic sings to the machines of the dead Elthrice. You will die by my hands if you do not surrender. I have become immortal, and the dead peoples whisper to me. I am to build something great, wipe out the old, and begin with the new. I do not quarrel with you, but you will not be permitted to interfere with me today.\"

The Lizard King\'s voice sent shivers down Basil\'s spine in a way he couldn\'t understand. He did his best to focus and return to the situation.

\"That\'s called schizophrenia, my friend, but it appears we\'re at an impasse\" Basil shouted, taking several steps towards the Lizard King and out of the view of the other three as he unslung his shotgun. Basil spoke again. \"One final chance to change your mind, remember though, I just cut through all your soldiers and can control Elthrice technology. As you once told me, a short war with overwhelming force is a mercy, and don\'t think I won\'t kill you if it will put an end to all of this.\" Basil now stood face to face with the Lizard King. The tall man took on a melancholy face and began to speak as he raised an incredibly long broadsword.

\"Basil, if you are the one who walks out of here, promise me that no harm will come to my son. He, the Wizard, and the Bloodthirsty King\'s heirs are in the machine above us. If I am killed, I have ordered the Wizard to remand them to your custody, but only your custody.\"

Basil nodded, knowing that there was likely no avoiding the confrontation. The Lizard King seemed to force a short smile and began to talk again. \"Very well, now, unfortunately, I believe you will meet your end here, my friend.\" Basil shook his head and spoke while ignoring ACE\'s instructions to leave. \"No, here\'s what\'s gonna happen. I\'m going to shoot you in the nuts with a bean bag round, then when you\'re doubled over in pain I\'m going to kick you in the nuts for what you put me through. Then we\'re gonna go back and we can sing Kumbaya once you-\"

The Lizard King charged at Basil, causing Basil to hit him in the stomach with the bean bag round. He laughed as he swung his sword at Basil. \"You think that to hurt me?\" Basil tried to wrack another round in, but the gun was knocked from his hand as the Lizard King hit it with the sword and slashed Basil across the chest. Basil made an attempt to unsling the rifle from his chest, but the sword swung back around and plunged deep into him.

The world froze, and he stared at the metallic object in disbelief. He felt his body go limp and could feel blood draining down both his chest and back. Holding the still slung rifle in his hand he unloaded an entire magazine of automatic fire into the sad man looking back at him, but it seemed to have minimal effect.

He realized his only way to end this was to somehow make physical contact with the sad man staring him in the face, but as he reached out his weak hand he saw the man take several steps back. The cold steel slid out of his body as he fell limply to the ground, world growing black.

31: Abyss Slumbers

Basil stood? Sat? Lay? He wasn't sure. He was in what appeared to be a sphere of light. Or perhaps it was not a sphere of light, but an absence of the great abyss he had seen once before. The abyss surrounded him, a crushing weight, but he remained unmoved. This time, however, there were voices. A cacophony cried out, deafening but imperceivable. They were speaking as Grey did.

The abyss moved.

The voices were Elthrice.

The abyss was the voices.

They were angry he was leaving.

32: Orbital

Basil felt blood rushing to his head; he wasn\'t dead apparently, at least not yet. He opened his eyes to a spinning dark and dusky sky, Lizard King stepping away. He coughed and felt warm blood draining away from his mouth, the same warmth that emanated from his chest. He could tell he didn\'t have long, doubly so as the Lizard King turned back after hearing the cough. There was one thing he had to do, and he had to do it quickly.

The Lizard King looked on in astonishment and Basil tried to stand up. The moment he started to lift his head he began to feel even more dizzy and wondered if the only thing keeping him conscious was his head being level to the ground. However, the Lizard King raised his blade again and adrenaline hit, allowing Basil to make it to his knees.

\"Do not move any closer; you have already lost, but you may be able to save your life.\" Basil tried to say something, but his words only came out as a gargle. \"Please\" repeated the now unnerved looking Lizard King, but Basil only glanced at the fallen shotgun. The Lizard King seemed to realize what Basil was planning, taking a step forward, and Basil dove headfirst for it. He landed face first, coming back into view of those stuck behind the invisible door; hands on the weapon and a vague sensation that he had hurt his nose. Taking all his strength he rolled onto his back, now pointing the gun vaguely at the Lizard King.

\"We have already tried that\" the Lizard King shouted at Basil while he racked the next round into the chamber. \"The Elthrice seemed to think they were immortal too\" Basil said, or thought, he wasn\'t entirely sure. The Lizard King started to charge, but Basil fired a single depleted uranium slug. He hit the ground, knocked over by the recoil, and a red mist erupted from the Lizard King\'s body. Basil crawled over, now lacking the strength to rise to his knees, and saw a very decorative pendant around the dying man\'s neck. He extended his left arm and put his hand around the pendant, hoping that contained the (object), and held the shotgun under his right arm still pointed at the man below him.

\"What are you doing?\" asked the Lizard King as Basil knelt there. \"Giving it a chance to heal you before I take it\" Basil replied, starting to feel dizzy again. \"Kill him!\" Cicero shouted at Basil from behind the invisible wall, apparently able to hear or interpolate enough of the conversation, but Basil paid him no attention.

An invisible tendril reached out from the dying man\'s chest, an abyss of a different kind, and wrapped itself around Basil\'s arm and began to work its way toward his chest. He wasn\'t sure what was real and what was the madness of dying, but he was sure of two things: it felt real, and his vision had just failed. With no vision and a rapidly clouding mind he did the one last thing he could - reach out to the second abyss.

A warmth began to creep up his arm, then up his spine, and finally throughout the injuries on his chest and face. Suddenly his vision began to return and it became less difficult to stay upright. His energy continued to build gradually until it suddenly grew extraordinarily. Basil blinked, and he realized he was yelling some sort of war cry, then blinked again, and the three were standing around him, having somehow passed through the invisible wall.

You okay?\" Spiro asked, seeming unsure of what to make of the situation. \"Well fucking RIP to the pain pills I was on, but yeah!\" Basil exclaimed, still trying to process what had just happened. Cicero ran over and kicked the Lizard King several times, but before Basil could yell at him ACE came over the radio. \"Radiation levels just spiked and are rising exponentially. I am bringing the craft over now.\" Basil suddenly heard Grey\'s voice over the radio. \"Basil, focus.\" Basil was confused. \"What?\" but Grey responded as if she was trying to calm or de-escalate somebody.

\"You\'ve taken control of a very powerful device; you need to focus and not do anything rash.\" Basil responded jokingly. \"Well, I was on a lot of downers; that should even it out, right?\" Grey seemed to carry a lot of worry when she replied. \"Just focus and be careful, please.\" ACE came over the line again. \"I have instructed the Wizard to land in the Redcap\'s courtyard. Get in the craft now.\" Basil watched the craft land on the roof and quickly spoke up with an objection. \"But the other ships, we could-.\" ACE cut Basil off, seeming to carry a lot of concern in his otherwise monotone voice. \"Leave them. You must leave now unless you want to become a radioactive mush.\"

\"You\'re coming with us\" Basil said to the Lizard King as he went to grab him, but the large man struggled to his feet and stepped onto the craft of his own volition. They felt no motion, and only a few seconds passed to them, but ACE relayed that they were entering Domum\'s atmosphere and seconds away from being in the Redcap courtyard. The door on the craft opened and Basil began to step out. \"Do not do anything to him\" Basil said, words directed at Cicero. \"We need to be very careful about how we end all this\" Basil continued, fighting the urge for a violent resolution that suddenly lingered in the back of his mind.

Basil stepped out of the craft, beginning to admire the bright blue sky, but suddenly fixated on the crashed and burning craft that had left moments before theirs did. \"Fuck fuck fuck!\" Basil yelled as he sprinted across the courtyard. He realized that he was sprinting fast, much faster than he even thought possible when healed, and he had just had a sword driven through his chest moments ago. Basil made it to the burning craft well before anybody else and struggled to bend a partially opened panel on the side of it. His hands oozed dark red blood as he made an opening, his newfound strength pitted against his newfound durability. That wasn\'t important, however, since he could now see the inside of the craft through a hole big enough to crawl through.

Basil began to squeeze through, smoke bellowing out as he forced himself in. The Wizard was frantically trying to pick up the barely conscious son of the Lizard king and seemed to be panicking -- first from their predicament and further after seeing Basil moving towards him quickly. \"Get him out of here!\" Basil yelled, and the Wizard wasted no time getting the kid out through the small hole Basil had made in the craft. Basil ran deeper in and saw the two bodies of the Redcap King\'s heirs lying in a pool of blood. A crate had crushed the young prince, who seemed nearly decapitated, with the princess lying on top of him, unconscious but seemingly less injured. Basil quickly picked up the girl and pushed her roughly through the opening before climbing out himself as more smoke streamed out of the craft.

The small group of redcap soldiers, General Edwards, Cicero, Casio, Spiro, Grey, and the Lizard King finally made their way over, looking on in horror. Basil turned to Gray. \"Did we just create another super weapon?\" Gray looked puzzled, though not much more than everybody else present. \"What?\" Basil re-phrased his question, struggling to find the best way to word it with his cloudy mind. \"That thing go boom?\" Grey seemed unsure. \"What? No. I\'m not sure, but I don\'t think so.\" Basil turned his attention to the Redcap soldiers who had surrounded the group. \"Put that fire out, it\'s your top priority.\" The guards appeared unsure whether to follow orders from Basil, but after glances from General Edwards they ran off to presumably get water. Top priority dealt with, Basil turned his attention to the next one: the girl.

33: Sport of Sovereign Chairs

With a look of panic Cicero rushed over and began to check the girl for wounds. Basil, trying to remember the steps of triaging, checked her pulse. Slow, but still beating. Next, he checked for breathing, which she appeared to be doing. She was stable, at least she appeared stable, but how badly was she hurt? He began to check her for wounds as well, and though she was covered in blood, the only blood that appeared to be hers was a small amount on her forehead from some sort of impact.

\"Where\'s Locklan?\" Cicero asked frantically. Basil remained silent for a moment, trying to think of what to say, but after a long pause \"Sorry\" was all he could come up with. A grievous expression washed over Cicero\'s face, though it changed quickly when the injured girl began to move. Basil held out his arms to shoo away everyone now standing over her. \"Give her some space\" he said, aiming for a tone that would both avoid startling her while also trying to be authoritative enough to get the small crowd to give her enough space to sit up.

\"What happened?\" The girl asked in a weak voice, mind hazy from the crash. Basil, having an unusual appearance and being covered in blood, was her first focal point. \"Who are you?\" she asked, a certain degree of confusion and panic in her voice. Before Basil could answer the burning craft became the next focus of her observation. \"What happened?\" she asked next, voice growing more frantic. Several voices began to answer at once, which only seemed to startle her more. As a cacophony of voices confused her, Grey came into view, causing Basil and the burning ship being put out by soldiers to cease being the center of her attention. The girl screamed, and as she attempted to crawl backward away from the alien being the Lizard King embracing his son came into view. \"Kill them!\" she screamed.

The soldiers putting out the fire ceased following Basil\'s directives and instead drew their weapons. Despite everything they had all been through, it appeared they were willing to follow the orders of the last of the royal family without question. Basil, having dropped the shotgun when he sprinted off to save the same girl who had just ordered his death - at least as interpreted by soldiers to mean that - drew his handgun as an uncanny surge of energy rushed over him. \"Well, I was just officially ordained as an unofficial Orbital, so that\'ll be a little difficult.\" The soldiers seemed unconvinced, but Basil stepped in front of Grey to shield her from potential fire - from weapons Basil himself had given the soldiers. Grey looked at Basil and seemed to disapprove of his actions, though he did not know if it was his threat of using the (object) or just the potential of violence. \"Stop this!\" Cicero shouted at the soldiers before Basil followed up with \"Put that thing out before it kills us all; we have no idea what the fire is releasing or could trigger.\" The soldiers seemed frozen like deer in headlights, but resumed firefighting when General Edwards shouted \"Now!\" in the most aggressive tone the General had ever given an order in; at least in front of Basil.

The girl went to speak, but Cicero spoke to her softly. \"These people saved you, and me as well. I know seeing everything is scary, and it is to me too, but they\'re good people.\" All authority from the girl\'s voice vanished, and she asked Cicero a question in almost a whisper. \"Where\'s Locklan?\" Cicero\'s expression turned to grief as he spoke. \"I\'m sorry, he didn\'t make it. They will pay for it; we will make them pay the most brutal price.\" At that moment, Basil got the feeling Cicero was likely not just an advisor to the late Redcap King, but likely a close friend and something of a secondary father figure to his children. A knot built up in his stomach at the thought of what Cicero had likely gone through in the recent days, and twisted to unfathomable levels at what he knew he was about to say.

\"Casio, please accompany Matilda\" Cicero requested in a soft voice, and Casio put his arm on the shoulder of the now crying girl and began to lead her away. Once they were out of earshot Cicero barked out an order. \"Seize those three and prepare them for their executions.\" The Wizard, who had wisely not displayed the weapon he had, drew it. Several Redcap soldiers leveled guns towards the three, but Cicero rebuked them. \"Do not fire; a bullet is too painless of an execution for the tyrant and his people.\" The Wizard stepped in front of the Lizard King, who looked Basil directly in the eyes, telegraphing the final request he made to Basil before their fight. The Lizard King\'s son began to cry.

Basil spoke. \"I\'m sorry Cicero, but I can\'t let you execute a kid who hasn\'t committed any crimes.\" The soldiers looked as if they were ready to train their weapons on Basil again, but kept them pointed at the three prisoners for the moment. However, if they did switch targets, he knew they would not be called off by the same people who had last time. Basil had last seen Cicero\'s face in sadness moments ago, but as he turned to Basil, it only held rage. Cicero went to speak, but Basil continued, feeling the knot in his stomach somehow get worse. \"And we need the Lizard King and the Wizard. They know the Elthrice, and have an army about to knock down your gate.\" Cicero did not seem open to debate, \"If you interfere I will have you executed as well.\" Basil re-raised his handgun, prompting some of the soldiers to point their weapons at Basil again, but the standoff was halted by a messenger who warned of the Lizard King\'s army moving into the city.

The group seemed to grow more chaotic. The soldiers began to talk between themselves, and Cicero and General Edwards appeared to be debating something. While their attention was busy, Basil approached the three prisoners and whispered \"I\'m sorry kid, but we need to go now.\" The Lizard King\'s son looked at his father and the Wizard. The Wizard glared angrily at Basil, but his father only looked at him with a melancholy face and nodded. The kid began to follow Basil and Grey as they walked towards the jet, and Basil passed Spiro in their first few steps. \"We\'re leaving, things are going to go badly here, you can come if you want\" Basil said, whispering quickly as he walked by. \"Hey!\" Spiro shouted in reply, placing his hand on Basil\'s arm and speaking loud enough to get the attention of the entire group turned to the three slinking towards the jet.

Basil felt what he could only describe as a vision of himself tearing off Spiro\'s arm and head, feeling the tear of tendons and the snap of bones. It was so strong that he thought he had done so until he realized his arms were extended. In a moment of hesitation, he lowered his empty hand and re-pointed his handgun in the vague direction of the group standing around him. Everybody\'s attention was first on Spiro, then Basil leading the kid away. \"Kill them!\" Cicero shouted.

As the soldiers pointed their weapons at Basil in synchronicity, an army of drones flew out of the jet. Everybody froze, and very noticeably, several went into the castle. ACE spoke over the speakers of one. \"They are leaving. If any of you would like to try to stop them everyone inside these walls dies, including the last of your \'Royal\' bloodline.\" Despite his monotone synthetic voice, ACE put a very human emphasis on \'Royal\' in a mocking tone; portraying his sudden disdain for the group very well. Basil said what he believed to be his parting words to Spiro, \"Fuck. You.\" before beginning to walk backward towards the jet, pistol still pointed vaguely at the group.

Spiro seemed like he was going to reply to Basil, but addressed the entire group instead. \"You are all going to engineer each other\'s deaths! And after you will leave the corpse of your nations to be raped by the Elthrice!\" Spiro seemed to be shouting his words as loudly as he could while still having an oxymoronic air of calm and authority. \"They must pay for their crimes!\" yelled Cicero back, all energy gone, leaving his words feeling as if they were from a man who had begun to break down. Basil, catching a glimpse of Cicero\'s face again, saw his eyes were misty. Edwards spoke up as well. \"The backward Tyrant killed the Elthrice except that one\" he stated while gesturing to Gray, who seemed troubled by that statement. \"I don\'t see why they matter.\" Spiro answered the question in a tone as if he was talking to a child. \"They killed some pirates and their harem; from the sounds of it, real Elthrice could take out this whole continent. You know, the ones Gray mentioned hearing were in the area.\"

Edwards spoke again, \"Then we get information from them and then we kill them.\" Spiro had an answer formulated for that as well. \"And what of the army that\'s about to come through that gate? What will they do to you when they see their dead king?\" Cicero began to speak again, seeming to have regained some composure. \"There is no justice in the world if-\" Spiro cut Cicero off with a laugh. \"You speak of justice? You were going to murder the Lizard King in his sleep after vowing for peace!\"

Basil felt a shiver run down his spine as the realization set in that unless Spiro was lying now he had lied about everything that got Basil involved in the war. A rage built up in him, more potent than he thought possible, and being unable to express it in words he just abandoned his slow backward walk to the jet and angrily glared at Spiro. Spiro returned the gaze for just a moment, his calm expression being transiently overruled with a look of terror as if he had somehow telepathically read Basil\'s rage. Spiro turned away from Basil when Cicero shouted, energy seemingly renewed. \"He called it off! We came to blows over it, we were not the ones who broke the peace and deserve justice.

Spiro shook his head, a rebuke stronger than any combination of words. \"And the moment you left the room he recanted the cancellation, which was why I advised the Lizard King to evacuate.\" Cicero fell to the ground, head in his hands, seeming to have lost his last bit of fortitude. The Lizard King smiled his melancholy smile and nodded, which Basil interpreted as confirming the events. The entire group stood in silence for what felt like an eternity, each unable to speak, until gunshots were heard in the distance. \"What do you propose we do?\" General Edwards asked Spiro, defeat in his voice. \"Stop the war.\" Spiro replied, and General Edwards spoke again, \"But what-\" but Spiro cut him off with urgency. \"No, just stop it now. I can proceed over formal negotiations later, but agree to stop this now and allow the Lizard King and the Wizard to go to their army and call off the attack. Have Basil hold the Lizard King\'s son for safety and leverage, and allow Basil and Grey to leave freely.\"

\"Okay\" was all that General Edwards could squeak out. \"ACE, recall the drones\" Spiro demanded, although the drones remained in place. \"Please\" Basil added with a certain degree of uncertainty in his voice, and the drones began to recede into the jet. Everyone turned to the Lizard King, who said \"I will be back\" in a rushed voice before turning to his son and adding \"I trust Basil will keep you safe; everything will be alright.\" Before anybody could say anything more, the Lizard King and the Wizard sprinted towards the gate, General Edwards following closely behind to prevent Redcap soldiers from firing on the enemy king.

34: Hello Jarvis

Basil\'s earpiece buzzed. \"Where are you going to put the craft?\" Grey asked, still inside it. "I'm on an island, an independent nation that split away from the Redcaps called Arkepello, formerly known as Arkepello County." Grey asked for clarification. "And you're sure that they will let you keep it there? If you're worried about the Redcaps soldiers, then what will stop these people from trying to take it or destroy it?" Basil hesitated momentarily, trying to think of the best way to word his response, eventually settling on the truth but told in a way that sounded like a joke. "Well, I'm not sure if they'll let me. Last time I spoke to them one of them ordered I be hanged, so that's why I'm asking first."

"If they ordered you hanged then why are you going back there?" Grey asked with some concern in her voice. "Hold on, I'm there; I'll update you on what they say in a minute." Basil stepped into the tower, seeing a shocked Simon. "Basil?" he exclaimed, adding "I thought you were dead." Basil smiled. "Hey Simon, well, I'm very much not so." Simon looked happy to see Basil, although he seemed a little uneasy after a moment. "You're not here to..." Simon began to say, but his voice trailed off. Basil shook his head. "Just here to say hi, tell Tobias what really happened, and see where I stand." Simon seemed relieved and his smile returned. "Well, I'm happy you're alive."

Basil made his way up the steps, and walking through the door General Tobias exclaimed a similar response to Simon. "Basil!" before a quick pause and "The reports came in that you had died in the fighting." Tobias also had concern in his voice, seeming unsure where Basil stood. "Simon didn't radio you that I was coming?" Basil asked, but Tobias almost laughed. "Well, it's a good thing we're not a nation at war I guess.\" Tobias sighed. \"That kid is a good kid, but still a lousy guard." Tobias spoke as if he was talking to an old friend, but his voice took on a more cautious tone as he continued. "But I believe you must have some story to tell."

"I do indeed. And it covers everything from peace between the Redcaps and Lizard king, aliens -- not like me aliens but like they came from space aliens -- called Elthrice, and some pretty bummer war stories." Basil paused and changed the topic. "However, I believe before I tell you any of that, I need to set the record straight and correct the lies Jarvis likely told you." Basil first went on to explain the situation that led up to the time Jarvis had ordered Basil's execution and afterward gave a brief summary of events that had transpired after the chaos some hours later. Once he had finished speaking, he waited for Tobias's response, which took a considerable time as Tobias remained silent while mulling things over in his mind. "Well, that is a very unexpected story, even knowing yours before today. You'll forgive me if I need more than your word." Basil nodded. "Look out the window" Basil stated matter-of-factly, pointing to the Elthrice craft hovering in the sky. Tobias looked impressed, but not entirely convinced.

"I saw your aircraft fly off this island several days ago; how do I know for sure that a captured craft cooperates your story?" Basil thought for a moment. "Do you know Cicero or Spiro?" Tobias seemed slightly confused. "I know of Cicero, the advisor to, as you say, the late Redcap King." Basil nodded. "I should be able to have Cicero and the Lizard King confirm my story of events, and with the siege over you will likely have reports coming in soon." Tobias finally seemed convinced. "Okay, I believe you, you have never lied to me before. I will not act against Jarvis until I have more confirmation of your story, but if you can get Cicero and the Lizard King to agree on something, I will believe anything you say."

Tobias smiled as he said the last statement, and Basil grinned knowing he was still welcomed at the Arkepello. The smile quickly turned to a frown, however, as Tobias spoke. "I will have Jarvis stripped from his position on the council for what he tried to do." Basil felt something like a surge of energy wash over him. "Stripped from the council!? The asshole tried to murder me!?" Tobias responded in a more controlled voice than Basil had used. "You have to understand, this is a delicate-" but Basil cut him off.

"The only thing that's going to be delicate will be Jarvis's forehead when I put a bullet in it" Basil said, the surge of energy affirming his new plan. Tobias frowned, speaking sternly but still trying to de-escalate Basil. "I cannot let you do that, Basil." Basil just laughed. "Or what? Will you strip my non-existent seat from the council? If you're so weak of a leader that you can't punish murder then I think I'll be just fine." Tobias went to speak, but Basil left the room and slammed the door behind him. Simon, naive smile on his face, said something to Basil; but he paid him no attention.

Jarvis heard a knock on the door and opened it to see Basil's fist flying at his face. Jarvis lay on the ground, confused and wide-eyed at Basil's presence. Basil closed the door behind him, pistol in hand, and started to bring it up. Jarvis remained motionless as if he didn\'t fully comprehend the situation.

Something clicked in Basil\'s mind like a tripwire going off. A flashback of shooting a soldier in the back to take the tank flooded his mind, suddenly warring with the energy that told him to shoot the man in front of him. He went to fire, but the trigger wouldn\'t pull. He quickly brushed his thumb across where the safety should have been, but he was promptly reminded his pistol had no safety. Something was broken, but it wasn\'t the gun. What did Grey say about this again? Right, focus. But on what?

Basil realized what he was doing and lowered his gun, sitting on a chair beside the door. The energy and adrenaline began to wear off, and Basil realized how tired he really was. He needed to be asleep, then thinking over everything that had just happened, not carrying out whatever he nearly just did. Jarvis still looked on silently, although he seemed to have finally caught on to what was going on.

"You know he's going to let you get away with what you tried to do to me" Basil said, staring at Jarvis, expecting a response but not getting one. "Ya' know I came here to kill you. Well, I guess you probably figured that out with the gun and all. This (object), I'm worried it's kinda pushing me to be more violent. Ya' know, like I just snorted a line of cocaine. But I'm getting used to it, and I've seen enough violence for a lifetime in the last few days. Besides, the Elthrice had them and look how they wound up."

Jarvis crawled backward away from Basil, still not saying anything. He was already terrified of this vengeful ghost, and now the vengeful ghost seemed to be insane. "Nothing?" Basil asked before continuing when Jarvis remained silent. "Well, I had some crazy adventures, and you'll have plenty of time to hear about them since the General is in a forgiving mood. Let's just say if I were him, I would do a lot more than strip you of your council seat."

"He can't do that" Jarvis responded in a whisper. "He can't do that" he repeated in a louder, more panicked tone. Basil just laughed. "See you around asshole." He got up and left Jarvis's home, only to be confronted by Tobias, Simon, and three other soldiers flanking the two -- weapons drawn. "I've been thinking about what you said" Tobias stated loudly as they approached from the edge of earshot. "Yeah, I believe I owe you an apology. I haven\'t slept since we attacked the Lizard King\'s makeshift outpost, and I'm still getting used to this (object), not that it's an excuse for what I said-"

Tobias interrupted Basil. "No, I mean about letting a murderer go free. Basil, surrender yourself." Basil stood confused for a moment before responding. "Oh, I didn't kill him; that's what I was getting to. I mean I bopped him on the nose and hurt his feelings, but he'll be back to his normal assholery in no time." Tobias stood there, looking a combination of relieved, annoyed, and confused. "Fine, lower your weapons. Somebody verify Jarvis is still alive. I'll forgive the outburst, but do not question my authority again." Tobias paused as the soldiers lowered their weapons and Simon went to verify Jarvis was still alive, but Tobias spoke again. "And Basil, if you have not slept since the fight, go get some sleep. Please."

"Yes sir" Basil said, before remembering why he came there. "Oh right, is it okay if I park the Elthrice ship somewhere here?" Tobias looked very confused. "Why are you even asking me that, now, in the middle of verifying that you didn't murder someone? Fine. As long as it's not going to hurt somebody." Basil pulled out his phone. "We're all good." Grey sounded suspicious. "That long for all good?" Basil replied "Yup, actually hold on, maybe not" and put his phone away; watching as Simon exited Jarvis's house while Jarvis held him at gunpoint. "You're going to take the outsider's word over mine?" Jarvis yelled. Tobias had a sudden look of worry.

"Put the gun down Jarvis!" Tobias yelled, but Jarvis only sounded more angry after hearing that. "Put it down, put it down?" The soldiers flanking Tobias seemingly forgot what soldiers were supposed to do, until they remembered and began raising their weapons. They stopped and lowered them again, however, when Jarvis yelled out "Put your weapons down! Let's see, who deserves to die more. Basil or Tobias? Basil or Tobias?" Basil stepped in between Jarvis and Tobias, yelling "Hey asshole, you-," but Jarvis fired, striking Basil in the chest.

Basil began to speak in a sarcastic tone. "Well, I needed to field test this thing anyway; I really should be thanking you. And hey, problem solv-," but was cut off by gunfire as one of the soldiers fired on Jarvis. "A little late, he only had one shot" Basil said as Tobias ran over to him. "Are you..." he began to ask, but Basil showed him the hole in his shirt and his uninjured chest. "Hey, I didn't just say I was an unofficial Orbital because it sounds cool, although it does." Everybody stared at Basil, unsure what to make of everything, and then at Jarvis, who was rolling around on the ground due to his now injured elbow. "Well, I'm going to get some sleep before I get even more loopier than I already am" Basil finally said, breaking the silence.

35: Negotiations

Basil stepped out of the jet and towards the Redcap's keep, keeping a close eye on the soldiers surrounding the building. They were certainly watching him, but they all looked apathetic and tired, at least externally. His radio conversation with Cicero a few minutes prior also carried the same tone. Cicero hadn\'t expressed any anger or said anything would be unsafe, but he had also acted as if they weren\'t moments away from shooting each other 24 hours ago.

However, as he continued his approach, he saw Spiro standing outside the building as if waiting for his arrival. As much as Basil kept telling himself he was looking forward to this conversation, he only found himself feeling dread. He slowed, pulling a cigarette out of his pocket to calm his nerves.

He felt the nicotine begin to take effect. Ever since taking hold of the (object), he\'d been finding stimulants felt even more potent. Downers like the painkillers he was on felt slightly less effective, but even mild stimulants like nicotine or caffeine felt more potent and seemed to compound with whatever the (object)\'s effect was. He also didn\'t feel his lungs burning, so that was nice. However, Spiro was now within earshot, so he was out of time to distract himself from the conversation.

\"I am truly sorry for what I got you involved with\" Spiro said as soon as Basil made eye contact. Spiro\'s words sounded genuine, although somewhat rehearsed, but of course with the recent events Basil questioned their sincerity. The two stood in silence, Basil still looking towards the castle entrance, considering walking through it and leaving the conversation on hold until he better understood what was running through his head.

\"Something?\" Spiro said, before hesitating and continuing \"Anything? Before you tear my limbs off.\" Basil burst out laughing, remnants of that strange surge of energy fading away. For a moment, he felt like he was joking with the guy who had saved his life and had gone to hell and back with him. Then he realized that Spiro looked terrified. Right, Spiro wasn\'t joking because he cast them all into their metaphorical hell to begin with. \"I don\'t know\" Basil said, finally realizing he wasn\'t going to come up with anything better to say.

\"After everything that happened, I don\'t even know what to think. I killed people, a lot of people, and got involved in a fight that I don\'t know I should have.\" Basil paused for a moment. \"Or, well, maybe I was nieve to think I could stick around and not get involved. And now I\'ve got this thing, this (object). I\'m worried about what I\'ve almost done after getting it and I don\'t even know if I can trust my own judgment. Don\'t get me wrong, I\'m pissed, but I don\'t have any answers beyond that.\"

Spiro looked as if he was unsure whether to smile or remain with his fairly somber face. Eventually, he seemed to settle on a smile. \"Well, I\'m glad you decided to leave my limbs still attached to the rest of me. I spoke to Grey as you were leaving; she refused to speak to me outside of telling me that with that thing you have, my last moments were probably going to be you beating me with one of my limbs.\"

\"So, why?\" Basil asked, ignoring Spiro\'s response. Spiro looked like he was thinking things over. After a long pause, Spiro glanced around to seemingly ensure nobody else was around and began speaking. \"Well, Amigoso is a lot smaller than the two big players here, so when there were talks of peace I was told to keep those two from killing each other. Peace is fine, war is fine, but one kills the other and they inevitably start looking in our direction.\" Spiro hesitated for a moment. \"Well, I would prefer peace. Although I may not have demonstrated it, I do hate to see senseless killing. But that\'s less relevant when I was working in service to Amigoso.\"

Basil nodded, mainly as a signal for Spiro to continue with his motivations. \"All was well until my listening device picked up the Redcap\'s assassination plan, so I tipped off the Lizard King. He leaves, but you escort him. However, nobody\'s shot anybody yet, everything\'s in limbo; all is good. I tell you the Lizard King is paranoid, you don\'t take a side, and negotiations probably pick up later through intermediaries. But then\" Spiro gestured to Basil\'s chest.

\"Then what?\" Basil asked, somewhat confused. \"Then you turn on that computer thing on and I know for sure you\'re not a Loqualian trying to con us. A few hours later I hear that the Lizard King has some sort of secret weapon and he\'s planning a retaliation, same issue but reversed, one leader on Domum proper means Amigoso is in danger. I figure hey, the alien can maybe stop that.\" Basil began to feel as if he understood how everything fell together. \"Then you found out that that secret was captured Elthrice technology.\" Spiro nodded. \"Yes. And upon seeing the Elthrice crafts I realized I was now in service to all of Domum instead of just Amigoso; and that those things had to be stopped.\"

Basil stood there in silence, thinking this over, still with no conclusions. Spiro probably wasn\'t lying now, although perhaps he couldn\'t be entirely sure. He had risked his life by confessing to double crossing everybody when guns were out, which had stopped a war, although that did seem to work out well for him. Perhaps Cicero had the right idea: just act like nothing ever happened.

Spiro gestured for Basil to follow him, and the two started walking deeper into the castle. \"Well, the Lizard King was willing to return to the heart of enemy territory, so negotiations had a pretty good start. The Redcaps wanted heavy concessions for the attack, but news arrived that several counties declared themselves independent from the Redcap crown. Dealing with the uprisings and rebuilding means they\'re not in a good bargaining position. The Lizard King\'s capitol suffered some damage at the hands of the Elthrice, though not as much as the Redcaps; but with the generations long decline they\'ve been on they need peace badly.\"

Basil was slightly surprised at the sudden change in topic. \"I\'m not really a politics guy, much less a Domum politics guy, but you keep saying these things like they\'re good news, and they don\'t sound like it.\" Spiro continued to walk but turned to face Basil. \"It means that nobody can afford to fight anymore, and like it or not, they need to put an end to this.\" Basil suddenly felt a little suspicious. \"And what of Amigoso? Now that you finished being man of the people, did they order you to do some sort of power play during the negotiations?\" Spiro turned to Basil and smirked.

\"Oh, they\'re pissed I\'m doing this. They\'re upset when their machines make their way to the mainland, and once they hear I\'m presiding over negotiations, the Minister of Information will probably want my head. And not attached to my body. But,\" Spiro chuckled \"being the Chairman\'s great nephew they\'ll be hamstrung.\" Basil\'s suspicion was canceled by surprise. \"You\'re his nephew?\" Spiro sounded amused. \"Well, we don\'t really see eye to eye on a lot; I wasn\'t entirely bullshitting you when I said an out in my back pocket would be good, but familial bonds are enough to keep him from ordering my execution.\"

They rounded a corner and the newly appointed Redcap Queen shot daggers with her eyes at Basil. The Lizard King, however, seemed more happy to see Basil despite the Wizard\'s apparent discomfort. \"My son, he is safe?\" Basil nodded. \"Safe and sound, from the sounds of it you\'ll be headed out soon?\" The Lizard king confirmed such and gave Basil a brief overview of the negotiations. Largely, fighting had been agreed to stop, and most of the front lines being fought over would likely wind up abandoned under each nation\'s inability to project military power into those regions. As they spoke they took an opposite route to the one Basil had just taken with Spiro, winding up back in the courtyard by Basil\'s jet. The Lizard King spoke to his son, and after a reunion the Wizard and the Lizard King\'s son left their company at the Lizard King\'s request.

\"Basil,\" the Lizard king said \"Beyond your interest in this conflict, I believe you are here because you have a question or request?\" Basil nodded, not realizing he was that easily read. \"Look, I really don\'t know where we stand, given everything that went on between us.\" Basil paused momentarily, and when the Lizard king remained silent he continued. \"But you know the Elthrice given your firsthand experience. Gray said there were more Elthrice supposedly in the area, real ones that could pose a significant threat. I want to propose a mutual defense collaboration with you, me, and the Redcaps in case they arrive.\" The Lizard King remained in silence long after Basil had finished speaking. \"Basil, you are many things. A traitor and protector, a dangerous outsider and one who may protect us from dangerous outsiders. However, I have seen the destruction the Elthrice can bring firsthand, and you likely prevented my death and my son\'s death even if they would not have been risked had it not been in part by your hands.\"

The Lizard King paused for moment after speaking before continuing. \"Perhaps, but I would need to know more of your plans to say for certain.\" Basil went on to explain the situation. The Elthrice crafts, even the surviving obsolete ones, were very durable and would require very serious weaponry to destroy, bordering on nuclear - which delved into a long explanation of what a nuclear weapon was. The Elthrice, though, even Orbitals, were still beings that could be more easily killed. Despite the Elthrice\'s technical advantage, as Basil explained, weapon destructiveness progressed exponentially while defense against such weapons progressed linearly. With Basil\'s ability to manufacture weapons such as drones bearing explosives, they could likely take out a large number of Elthrice - especially given they had no crafts with weaponry, at least according to Gray.

Basil suggested bringing wormhole devices to key points on the continent. While Basil was unsure if that particular continent would even be the target - as perhaps the group Grey was a part of only invaded that continent for linguistic reasons given Grey\'s abilities - they could likely defend the entire continent if needed by transportation between key points. Those key points, ideally, were the Lizard king\'s and Redcap\'s capitals, the Arkepello, and Amigoso - though getting one in Amigoso was unlikely. After assurances of Basil\'s benign intentions and an explanation that emphasized the device\'s need for power - that could be disabled by turning off the generator attached to the wormhole device - the Lizard King agreed to the plan. \"Yes, that does sound to be in the interest of me and my people, and I will agree to allow you to setup one of those devices for travel and defense.\"

After thanking the Lizard King, Basil went to leave; however, the Lizard King gave Basil a request of his own. \"Basil, will you accompany me? If you so agree, you would join me as a guest of honor, and it would be a sign to my subjects that you are an ally once again and not an enemy.\" Basil smiled. \"Of course, I\'d be honored. Besides, I could bring the components to set up the device. Do we take my jet, your blimp, or the Elthrice craft?\"

36: The Lizard People

\"Why is the demon here?\" The Wizard asked, seeing Grey upon entering the salvaged Elthrice ship. Basil realized that using the Elthrice craft for transport was a bad idea. Not only did he just reintroduce Grey to her former captors and the killers of her group, but he\'d also introduced her former captors to the last surviving member of the raiding aliens that wrought destruction on their capital. Even though Grey did not participate in the attack, she was certainly not popular among the Lizard King\'s people.

\"She lives on the ship; we\'re trying to research-\" Basil began to say before being cut off by the Wizard. \"This creature should-\" but the Lizard King shot him a glare and he stopped. Although the Lizard King did not appear happy to see Grey, at least he seemed willing to keep his dislike of Elthrice internal as everyone processed the tumultuous events of the prior week.

\"I presume you wish to radio ahead and alert your people that this is not an Elthrice attack?\" ACE asked. \"We do not have a working radio at our capitol building\" the Lizard King said, shifting slightly. \"My people know of the captured demon machines; they should not attack us. There is a field slightly north of our capitol, you may land there.\" Though no movement was felt, moments later the door opened to a muddy brown field with no crops. A very light and misty rain dusted the landscape.

\"I will go ahead and instruct my keep\'s people to prepare a feast. You may join us and wait there if you would like\" The Lizard King said as they stepped out of the craft. Basil looked around curiously. \"If it\'s alright, I thought I might walk around a bit and meet you there shortly.\" The Lizard King seemed pleased. \"Of course, you may see all our fine city has to offer. I\'ll instruct an escort of soldiers to join you.\"

\"I should be safe without an escort, I\'ve become pretty capable recently.\" The Wizard shot Basil a death glare; referencing their previous fight was perhaps not the best answer to the offer. The Lizard King seemed more forgiving, clearing the air with a forced laugh, though his eyes portrayed mixed emotions. \"Well, perhaps I know all too well. We will be ready by sundown, finding the keep will not be a hard thing to do.\"

Basil began to follow the Lizard King and his people into the city, but turned off at what appeared to be a street market. He wandered around for some time while taking in his surroundings, of which the first thing he noticed was the temperature. As soon as he stepped off the craft, he noticed it was probably thirty degrees colder. While the rain likely had some blame, much of it likely lay on being considerably south of the Domum equator. Despite a familiarity with cold and the (object) increasing his tolerance to such things, he still found himself growing cold.

Another thing Basil noticed was the state of the city. The generations of decline that Spiro mentioned seemed evident once he began to look for signs of them, seeing walls that were likely once immaculate stone works being reduced to worn and poorly maintained structures. The clothes people wore around him seemed much more basic, mostly made from wool or leather, rather than the more processed fabrics in the other nations he had visited. Finally resolving to remedy his chill, he purchased a coat from a nearby vendor. Though it took a little haggling to get one to take Arkepello silver, he got the merchant to accept and received a coat that was little more than a large sheet of wool with sleeves. It did at least feel quite durable and warm in the rain, \"Even if he had gotten fleeced, pardon the pun.\"

He checked his watch, the small silver object stating it had been nearly an hour since they landed. Though the sun was still in the sky, it had already begun to fall behind the looming castle, casting an almost ominous shadow across that part of the city. The Lizard King didn\'t lie when he said it would be easy to find, as Basil could see it in the city center at a higher elevation than the rest of the city, towering over everything else. Though still very light, the rain began to increase; partially obscuring the beginning of a sunset that rested above the tall structure through and small opening in the clouds. Basil almost froze in his tracks at a simultaneous sense of wonder and dread that the sight contained within it.

\"Already beginning to look like a local I see?\" The Wizard asked as if a statement of fact as Basil began approaching the castle\'s gate, the torch in the Wizard\'s hand going out in the rain. Though nobody recognized Basil in the city, as he entered the castle\'s comparatively smaller courtyard, he began to receive odd looks and stares from soldiers and officials who appeared to hold mixed opinions of him. \"I should warn you that the hall is not yet prepared\" the Wizard said, breaking the two\'s silence as they continued their walk into the building. \"No worries, just wanted to get out of the cold and could use to set up the generator anyway.\"

The Wizard changed directions, leading Basil towards the room where they intended to set up the generator instead of leading him to the hall. Basil began to pull out his flashlight as the halls became darker, but with a quick wave of his hand, the Wizard\'s torch burst back into flames. Basil\'s surprised look asked more questions of the Wizard than any words could, but the Wizard continued walking wordlessly. As they remained silent, however, Basil asked the other question that had been on his mind. \"So, how exactly did you wind up with an Elthrice Orbital\'s (object)?\" Basil expected some sort of glare, but the Wizard seemed ambivalent about the question.

After a long silence the Wizard answered the question in a neutral tone. \"This has been in my family\'s line for generations, though it is not the source of my or my forbearer\'s magic. I do not even know for certain it is \'Elthrice,\' although it appears it may be. The captured one said they had attacked our civilization before, and their existence and collapse predate even our oldest records, so such events may be lost to time. But I myself am certainly not Elthrice.\"

Basil nodded, still unsure what to make of the situation. The Wizard, however, continued to speak.

\"They were a profoundly stupid people. Not in their technology or their knowledge, which were immense, but in their hubris. A people who think too highly of themselves and rely too heavily on their machines become easily understood by others, and they themselves become blind to threats which they dismiss. That alone engineered their downfall. They believed themselves to be all powerful, and that their machines were too complex for others to use against them, and therefore they controlled them with absolute authority. Their hubris failed them once when their own people seized control of them, and then again when those who had seized control did not expect those such as myself to be able to seize it and turn it against themselves.\"

37: Diplomatic Promises

Cicero took a swig of beer. "With everything that has gone on the Redcap Queen does not currently hold you in high regard, but I believe she will agree. Although our best means of convincing her would be to bring Grey before her to explain the Elthrice, and why setting up such a defense against them would be imperative. May I bring her before the court?" Cicero spoke in the same business-like demeanor as he had all night, retaining his diplomatic but almost cold tone regardless of whether he was discussing rebuilding or personal topics. His last question, however, gave Basil pause.

"Well that's something you would have to ask her about, but I'm sure she\'d be willing to speak with you guys." Cicero shrugged. "Very well, I assumed you were keeping her prisoner and did not want to cause an unnessicary conflict." Basil just laughed. "Prisoner? Under what authority could I keep somebody prisoner, and for what crimes could I even hold her? I certainly doubt you would consider helping us fight the Lizard King as a crime."

Cicero looked annoyed. "Under the same authority as any other. Power. I am somewhat astounded you had not figured that out yet.\" When Basil looked confused Cicero continued, still speaking matter of factly. \"You and ACE hold advanced weaponry and an Elthrice craft, which means you hold a lot of it." Cicero finished his drink and wordlessly motioned for Basil to follow, making their way back to the Redcap's capital building -- where Cicero had his quarters and Basil had left a wormhole device. As they walked in silence, however, Basil asked the question that he had wanted to ask all night but had failed to figure out how.

\"What do you think about Spiro?\" Cicero looked slightly confused. \"What about him?\" Basil felt almost annoyed. \"He lied to all of us, but he also saved my life, and probably kept a lot of people alive. I\'m just not sure what to think of everything. Cicero just shrugged. \"He\'s Amigosian Ministry, what did you expect?\" Basil felt more annoyed that he still hadn\'t gotten the answer he was looking for. \"I mean can we trust him? Will he be sent to do something against us in the future?\"

Cicero stopped walking and turned to Basil, voice suddenly seeming a combination of annoyance and pity. \"That I do not know, as I cannot know if you will be a danger to my government, or if Nerva will become a threat again and need to be addressed. Do not forget that you have, on multiple occasions, made threats and disobeyed royal directives. You are reckless and a dangerous individual. But, as with Spiro, you helped end bloodshed and your crusade against the potential Elthrice is in our interest, so I have agreed to meet with you and discuss plans. That is how you should consider Spiro.\"

Basil felt unsure if he should feel angry or embarrassed and was unsure which of the two his face showed. Cicero\'s expression softened a bit. \"Perhaps I was a tad harsh. I may owe you a personal debt, and perhaps your intentions are commendable. But my loyalties are with my nation and family.\" Cicero looked as if he was about to say more, but stopped as the two were distracted by a commotion near the courtyard gate. The soldiers appeared to be removing a woman in some sort of soldier\'s uniform, who made a b-line to Cicero when she saw him.

"You backstabber" she shouted at Cicero, who seemed a combination of ready to fight and avoidant. As Cicero's hand surreptitiously made his way towards his waistband Basil took a step forward---ready for a fight. "Who are you?" the unknown woman asked, surprised at the unknown-to-her individual who seemed ready for violence. Basil began to wonder if he had misjudged the situation. "Basil, and you?" Basil asked, taking a step back in an attempt to appear less threatening. "Gina Sekoia, head of the coastal federation." Gina paused for a moment, then added "Are you the Elthrice?" Basil was now even more unsure of the situation. "No, I only have some of their technology. I can assure you there's no mistaking an Elthrice if you saw one."

"Please make the Redcaps hold up their end of the bargain" Gina asked Basil. "A word?" Basil asked, turning to Cicero, and the two stepped out of earshot for a moment. "What's going on?"

"There are a number of independent cities on the northwestern coast, and during the recent tumultuous period they organized under her leadership. Several Redcap county governors requested her assistance in dealing with uprisings and promised official recognition and aid once they had retaken their lands. She lost many of her loyalists during the fighting, and with the newfound peace, consolidated strength is not as valuable. The governors do not have the powers to make such promises, and the crown has decided against honoring the unauthorized agreements."

When Basil heard Cicero finish speaking he thought for a moment. "But I take it that's only half the story? If they just dissolved their government, then wouldn't she return to whatever city-state she was from?" Cicero nodded and looked a little ashamed.

"The coastal cities are large producers of grain and fruit, which are in short supply. We would only expend resources we could not afford to lose, and in doing so it would have only wounded us further as the only fields not war-torn would become so. Her adversaries have come to retaliate for the violence against those who resisted consolidation. She and her supporters haven\'t been told outright that they cannot leave, but are probably beginning to get that suspicion."

"And there's nothing you can do?" Basil asked. Cicero shook his head. "Basil, politics is only a game of choosing the least bad apparent solution to a never ending stream of problems. If we let her go, her adversaries would only become angry, and knowing we are weak could harm us by raising the price of grain or covertly supporting our adversaries. If you wish to get involved you may, but I do not know what you could do, and I would certainly not permit anything that would jeopardize our access to grain or make it appear you are doing anything on our behalf." The two stood in silence for a while, until Cicero broke it by saying an abrupt goodbye and heading through the gate.

When Cicero left, walking behind the guards to avoid another confrontation, Gina walked over to approach Basil. "Did he tell you how he used my soldiers to fight their war and then abandoned us to die?" Gina appeared to have some hate in her words, which Basil assumed was directed at the Redcaps. "Yes" Basil replied, still unsure of what he could do about the situation. "So can you speak to the Redcap Queen on our behalf?" Gina replied. Basil shook his head. "Not long ago I was in those walls and their soldiers were pointing my own weapons at me, the only reason why they didn't fire was because I had better ones. I don't think it would even be possible for me to get an audience with her, much less convince her of anything."

They both stood in silence for a long time, neither seeming to know exactly what to say next. Eventually, however, Basil had an idea. "I do have an Elthrice craft, I could get you and any of your supporters out of here and into some no man's land on the other side of the continent. And I doubt your detractors would try to track you down if they heard you left in an Elthrice craft, although then again assuming I know politics here has gotten every major power pointing a weapon at me at some point or another." Gina looked saddened, then momentarily angered at Basil's joking tone, but nodded in melancholy agreement.

38: The Stars be not My Destination

Basil and Grey worked on reassembling the pieces of the salvaged Elthrice craft they had just examined. Although many parts like the propulsion mechanisms were well outside of the two's capability to disassemble, those that had been accessible had been the obsession of the two for weeks as each part was disassembled, observed by ACE, and then reassembled. "Where would I even go?" Grey asked Basil, a little bit of annoyance present in her voice. "I don't know, you're the Elthrice" Basil responded, somewhat unsure of himself.

"Do you want me to leave?" Grey asked, now definitely annoyed and seeming a little upset. "No" Basil replied, pausing for a moment while trying to formulate a response. "No, I like that you're around. You're the only one who I can relate to in being 'not from around here,\' your knowledge of Elthrice technology saved my life at least once, and of the people who have set foot on Domum you and ACE are probably the only two who haven\'t lied to me or had a weapon pointed at me at some point."

Grey seemed to both look relieved and confused. "Then why did you offer me the craft? I've already been living in it, so the only reason for you to offer it to me after we finish research is to get me to leave." Basil thought for a moment again. "I just don't want you to be a prisoner here. I have the only Elthrice craft, if I can even lay claim to it, and hopefully this will be the only one on this planet. Even if I don't want you to leave, I also don't want you trapped here if that's not what you want."

"Basil, there's nothing out there for me" Grey said in a suddenly somber voice. "Nothing but ruins; and if I did somehow find other Elthrice they would likely kill me. Maybe for my resources, maybe because of my genetics, and certainly because of my previous affiliations with my \<words in Elthrice>." She paused momentarily, adding "Basil, you are the closest thing to my \<words in Elthrice>." Basil didn't know the meaning of the words she had used, but her voice seemed to carry both reverence and sadness when she used the latter one.

Sorry, I don't know what the word \<words in Elthrice> means." Basil could tell his pronunciation of the word was incorrect, but Grey clarified. "I don't know of a direct translation, but it was used often by the ones I used to be with. It means something like fleet-family, but the kind that is chosen rather than by blood." Basil smiled. "Well, I would be honored to have a space sister.\" Grey smiled, but Basil could tell the conversation had drifted to areas of Grey's past she was uncomfortable talking about as she changed the subject.

"So then, little brother, what is this craft you believe you can construct?" Basil pulled up a diagram that somewhat resembled the stingray shaped craft. It was much smaller than the behemoth that the Elthrice made, but still somewhat large for an aircraft. A cabin sat in the center of the craft, flanked by two large cylindrically shaped protrusions from the salvaged propulsion system of the larger crashed craft. It also contained two long and flat wings that gave the craft a somewhat triangular shape when viewed from above. "Well the thruster and power generation of the crashed craft seem to still be working, and we still have enough materials to construct the rest of it, even after using some for more wormhole devices."

"It looks like a weird design" Grey said, prompting a shrug from Basil. "ACE and I did have to make some improvisations, and it would not actually be suitable for space travel, but the simulations are successful, so it should work if we can manage to put it together." Grey looked very confused. "Why build a craft if it cannot be interplanetary? We still have this one, and you could build many of your non space faring crafts?" Basil rotated the holographic model. "Because of these" he said, pointing towards weapons mounted on the bottom. "It would have the speed and durability of an Elthrice ship, but be a legitimate gunship and a serious upper hand if any groups of Elthrice decided to come here. Using the propulsion system to accelerate projectiles it could fire just about anything, and with the right projectiles it'd be a threat to any surviving crafts."

Grey looked astonished, although Basil thought he saw a tiny bit of hesitation on her face when he showed her the weapons. Nevertheless, she spoke as if she had concluded it was a positive development. "Basil, armed Elthrice ships have not existed for a very long time; I do not know that you fully grasp the significance of this. Even the old Elthrice would be terrified of a craft like that."

39: Westward Investigation

\"Alright, you think you can give Cicero a manual of arms here?\" Basil asked, putting a random Redcap soldier on the spot. General Edwards nodded, and the soldier gave Cicero a detailed overview of the rifle before clearing, shouldering, and dry firing it. \"Not fully automatic?\" Cicero asked. \"No\" Basil replied. \"Ammunition is our bottleneck so far, if the Elthrice do invade we need to make every shot count. I\'ve already burnt a fake identity by purchasing bulk depleted Uranium rounds, and your soldiers haven\'t been trained on full auto.\" Cicero looked confused. \"I\'ve seen our storeroom, how is that not enough?\" Edwards replied to Cicero\'s question directed at Basil.

\"Well, with my background in logistics, I can assure you we can always use more. Ten thousand rounds, which is our goal, may seem as if it is a lot, but you start to distribute that among our forces and we could find ourselves lacking quickly.\"

Edwards seemed to have an air of pompousness when he spoke, or so Basil thought, but Cicero seemed unbothered. Perhaps Basil had misjudged the speech, or perhaps Cicero was just used to it. \"Basil, before I forget, I would like to talk to you when you are done here\" Cicero said, changing the topic. Basil wrapped up his work on the anti-Elthrice weapons and caught up to Cicero who was standing outside the barracks. \"What\'s up?\"

\"Captian Brayden had a request he wished for me to pass along. We had reports in the northwest, and he was hoping to request your help with transportation and potentially with an investigation.\" Basil was surprised by such a request. \"What\'s going on?\" Cicero seemed almost hesitant in his answer. \"Do you believe in shape shifters?\" Basil laughed. \"Seriously?\" But when Cicero didn\'t respond Basil asked a follow up question. \"Do you believe in shape shifters?\"

Cicero shrugged. \"I once thought I saw something during the battle of Blood Rock, but it was dark, and the state of my mind was not sound.\" Cicero\'s monotone voice momentarily took on an air of something Basil couldn\'t place, although it felt at odds with his casual body language. When Cicero did not explain further Basil figured it was best not to prod him for more details of the events he was recollecting. \"Alright, what\'s going on out there?\" Cicero shrugged again. \"I do not know, that\'s why we\'re investigating. We received a letter from the local county governor requesting the Queen send forces to investigate repeated attacks on a local town. Its inhabitants swear that the attacks are the result of a shape shifter.\"

Basil processed what he had heard. \"Hm, well, regardless of what\'s going on, it sounds like you guys need to put a stop to it. I\'m sure Grey wouldn\'t mind if we used the Elthrice craft to save poor Brayden a very long trek.\" Cicero seemed glad. \"I\'m pleased to hear you\'re willing to lend him a hand. I know you may be sore about what happened between you two, but he\'s an honorable man who has expressed regrets for how he has interacted with you.\" Basil looked confused for a moment before realizing what Cicero was referring to.

\"Hey, if you\'re talking about the stuff at the festival, that\'s all water under the bridge. Tons of shit went down those days, and I gotta say that Brayden was one of the most respectful guys I\'ve ever pissed off.\" Cicero seemed amused at Basil\'s wording. \"Good, well, I will pass that along.\" Cicero went to turn away, but suddenly spun on his heels as if he had just recognized something from the previous conversation.

\"You said Grey would probably be okay with us using the craft. Did you give the craft to her?\" Cicero\'s usual monotone voice changed again, though it almost sounded nervous this time. Basil shrugged. \"Well, I offered it to her thinking she would want to leave, but she turned me down and plans to stay here. She\'s still living in its quarters, though, so I\'m not sure if I should treat it as mine or hers.\" Cicero didn\'t say anything for a moment, but had an almost horrified look on his face. Eventually he seemed to settle on a set of words.

\"You were going to give away our one leg up against the Elthrice!?\" Basil wasn\'t quite sure how to respond, but in his hesitancy Cicero spoke again in a less harsh tone. \"Basil, I can respect your intentions to not keep the Elthrice trapped, but please remember that an entire realm is at stake here if Elthrice were to attack.\" When the two fell silent again Cicero finally said a short goodbye and Basil left to prepare for the trip.

Almost immediately, Basil reached out to Spiro to ask what he thought about the idea of shape shifters. If anybody were to have the truth of the matter it would have to be him. \"How exactly are you connected to this again?\" Spiro asked after somebody had finally agreed to find him and put him on the radio Basil had reached. \"Same as I told the lady who answered it originally, it\'s just a radio. I\'m broadcasting a signal to it and thanks to magic wobbly electrons in an antenna you\'re hearing me.\" Spiro sighed and paused for a moment. \"Yeah, but you\'re not supposed to be able to connect to this one. Walk me through exactly how we\'re talking right now.\"

\"Well, I sent up a drone high enough to get a good signal to Amigoso and scanned for frequencies. I found the lower bands that seemed to be for your Ministry, and I already have access to the one at Arkepello so I know how your messages are encoded. ACE found this one, the one where everybody off the island is reaching out to the Ministry, so that\'s where I figured I should try to reach you.\" Spiro sounded amused, annoyed, and a little defeated. \"So you\'re in all of them?\" Basil nodded before remembering he was talking into a cell phone. \"Yeah, they\'re just radio signals.\"

\"Well, you just turned today into a very bad day for our communication guys.\" Spiro chuckled as if he had finally decided to find this situation amusing. \"So, what was your question that accidentally embarrassed our entire intelligence network?\" Basil went on to explain his conversation with Cicero, and when he asked Spiro about shape shifters his answer was only a laugh. Spiro seemed certain it was only paranoia, and after Basil cracked a joke about the Salem witch trials their conversation became an impromptu history lesson. Basil next brought the topic up with Grey, thinking if anybody knew anything about genetic engineering or biological anomalies, it would be her. She was unfamiliar with the subject, even on a mythological basis, but was very interested in attending the investigation. If nothing else, to learn more about the less technologically adept side of her ancestry.

Soon enough Basil, Grey, Brayden, and a handful of Redcap Capital Police were loaded onto the Elthrice craft. \"We\'re here\" ACE said over the intercom only a dozen seconds after closing the door, prompting some surprise and amusement from the first time passengers. Brayden looked particularly amazed. \"I know Cicero said it was like this, but damn, I expected he was exaggerating at least a little.\"

The investigation itself began, which was well outside Basil\'s wheelhouse, but from what he could tell somebody had very much been attacking animals and occasionally people. Brayden went on to explain to the group that he believed the attacks were due to either a disturbed or insane person, possibly wearing some form of animal skin. Based on the location of the attacks, he had determined the likely area the perpetrator was hiding in, and the crew set off to determine if Brayden\'s efforts had paid off.

Basil started noticing the change in scenery as the group left the town. Where the Redcap\'s eastern portion mainly consisted of forested hills and plains, their western portion seemed much more wet and dense with foliage, to the point where it almost started to resemble a temperate rainforest. Regardless of foliage, however, the group trekked on and made their way in the direction of the location where their killer was most likely to be.

\"We got something here\" one of the Royal Policeman shouted, adding \"Shit, looks like some of it\'s human\" as the group approached. Everyone gathered around, seeing a pile of bones and rotting meat in a clearing by several boulders. Just as Brayden began to tell everyone to keep an eye out for something returning, they heard rustling in the bushes. A crazed looking man with unkept hair stepped out, walking erratically.

Several of the police force backed away slightly and raised their weapons. Basil followed suit and raised his Mossberg as Brayden gave a command from behind his pistol. \"In the name of the Queen, I am placing you-\"

Basil blinked.

He was suddenly lost in thought. The person, or the thing, was different now. It wasn\'t some giant hairy beast like in European mythology, or at least modern media\'s take on it, but it was different. It was mangy, and oddly uncanny. Had it not been for the effect of the (object), he expected he would have been in some state of fear or dread, although he wasn\'t quite sure what he felt outside of curiosity. He heard the distinctive \"pop\" of small arms fire, although it sounded distant and distorted. He turned to see the Redcaps firing on the person or creature, although it remained upright and moving.

He turned back to see something flying towards him. Right, there was a thing there, whatever it was. It struck Basil with an unexpected strength, knocking him off his feet and into the large rock that was previously several feet behind him. Right, durability didn\'t mean the end of Newtonian physics. He hit the ground, again unsure what he was feeling. There was no pain, and he was fairly confident he wasn\'t hurt; the lack of pain seemingly the result of the (object) rather than adrenalin. No, he was annoyed. Perhaps even insulted. This thing, whatever it was, had the nerve to attack him. He, who held an (object). He looked over again, Brayden was firing an Amigosian revolver, but seemed to be moving very slowly. Hmm, no, Brayden wasn\'t moving slow, he was thinking fast. That was weird, though like a lot of strange occurrences he\'d experienced, he figured the (object) was to blame. Huh, perhaps if he could find a way to trigger this state of mind it\'d be a really efficient means of performing anything that required high mental bandwidth.

Grey started moving, only now reacting to Basil getting hit. Woah, he was thinking fast. She was stepping in between himself and the person or creature, shouting something in Elthrice that sounded too distant to make out, regardless of whether he understood the language. The thing started moving back, getting its first lesson in dealing with the Elthrice: \"Don\'t fuck with Orbitals.\" Basil stood up, surprised that his movement only felt somewhat slow, while the rest of the world felt considerably slow. The creature seemed to have begun regaining its confidence and Basil picked up his pace. He\'d give it props; staring down an angry Orbital and retaining confidence was not an easy feat. He placed his left arm on Grey\'s as he walked by to signal her to stay back a few paces.

Her face, however, looked as if he had electrocuted her upon contact. Maybe it had something to do with the (object) or his newfound speed. He internally shrugged and gave her a quick smile as if a casual greeting, but she didn\'t react, and he realized it was probably too fast of an expression for somebody to register. Odd, his newfound speed was wearing off. Time to act.

The shotgun\'s recoil was almost nonexistent and it sounded muffled. He partially missed his target, hitting upper right shoulder as much as the chest he was aiming at, but the thing fell to the ground all the same. It reached out its left arm as if to claw at him, but he shouldered the weapon again and fired at its head - which became a mist of gore almost instantaneously. The residual slowness stopped, and Basil suddenly felt tired.

\"What. The. Fuck. Was. That?\" he said; part question, part exclamation.

40: Aggressive Diplomacy

\"Basil, are you sure this is a good idea?" Grey asked and Basil responded with a smile. "Yes, Cicero told me that all the Redcaps are fond of you for helping us, and the Lizard King told me it's okay for you to come too. His people might be a little cranky, but you'll be fine." Grey's hesitance seemed to fade and she returned the smile. "I am excited to see the festival. I just can\'t help but worry they'll be angry with me because of what happened at the last one." Basil just chuckled. "Trust me, it's meant specifically for people who are pissed at each other to speak and hopefully get less pissed. Now, let's go before you change your mind and I'm back to being the weirdest one there."

The two stepped from the pressurized room and found themselves directly in the Redcap's keep. Basil was pleased to skip the hassle of traveling for a day then spending several nights in the inn, instead just coming and going as he pleased. He was also happy to be on the equivalent of the VIP list, allowed in the Redcap keep itself and invited to some important meetings and discussions. It also never hurt to be there early, getting a chance to make rounds while most of the crowds were still traveling or checking in.

The Redcap's Queen was not too keen on chatting with Basil, although Cicero would later say she was at least tolerating his presence. He also saw Police Captain Brayden, with who he had a much more positive conversation compared to the last peace festival, and they caught each other up on what had happened since their previous adventure. Brayden also introduced Basil to his twin sister Mollie, who had been appointed head of the royal guards by the new Queen.

He also met with the Lizard King and his entourage. Many of the Lizard King's people were still skeptical of Basil, but the Lizard King and his son were happy to see him. Even the Wizard seemed to have warmed up to him after Basil and ACE had occasionally provided reading materials or philosophical questions to the Lizard King's son at his request. He even ran into General Tobias, who was present thanks to instant transportation. Outside of one or two existing council members seeming hesitant, and of course Jarvis still in lock-up, they were always happy to see each other and did so regularly.

Eventually, however, day turned to night, and things got more crowded; causing Basil, Grey, and Spiro to find themselves at a campfire in a distant portion of the Redcap courtyard. "So this is where you all went off to" Cicero said, Casio in tow, as he arrived at the makeshift escape from the crowds. "Just like old times" Spiro said, before Basil interjected "Well, let's hope it's not exactly like old times." Cicero seemed amused and lacked his usual air of monotone diplomacy. "So then, what are we up to instead?" Grey replied "Well, I was going to try some of the stuff Basil always drinks, Vodka, but now these two are staring at me like they're in on some sort of joke that I'm not."

"Well, it's certainly a bit of an acquired taste, especially this cheap stuff, but it's not a joke" Basil said, but just as he finished he gave a quick smile adding "At least not unless you have a really funny reaction." Grey looked down at her cup, and as Basil finished speaking she began to gulp it down, before instantly spitting it out. "Uh, that's horrible. How do you people drink that?" Basil just shrugged. "Eh, it's not bad once you get used to it. Besides, never a dull moment if you've drank enough." As Basil finished speaking, as if his own words prompted him, he pulled out his flask and downed another large gulp.

Night quickly became morning, and morning turned to late morning for Basil as he slept off too much wine and vodka. The (object) seemed to make recovering from a night of heavy drinking easier, though he doubted that was its intended purpose. He hurried to get dressed as he was invited to attend a private portion of the festival. He, Spiro, a few of the Lizard King's men, and a few Redcaps were going to have a small meeting at the exact time the Elthrice invaded the Lizard King's capital.

Basil and Spiro were present, but largely uninvolved in most of the conversations while eating snacks and watching the two parties do some forced socializing. "I do not envy poor Cicero right now" whispered Spiro to Basil as they were partially through the meeting. Basil wondered how hard it was for Cicero to be forced to interact with many people he probably wished dead, but he at least seemed to be keeping an excellent diplomatic mask on. Or, Basil wondered, perhaps it was just Cicero being Cicero - monotone and utilitarian - only taking fleeting moments away from trying to keep a state well-oiled on the rarest of occasions. Eventually, however, the Lizard King banged on his glass to make a short speech. "In just a few moments it will mark the exact time my nation was invaded by the Elthrice, and fought off by my brave soldiers. With our peace and cooperation, we can assure that will-"

The group all turned to the window at the sound of a deafening roar, the unmistakable sound of an Elthrice ship entering the atmosphere. Basil could see chaos in the courtyard through the window as several ships landed and several hovered above, although nobody appeared to be firing, at least not yet. He began a full sprint to the courtyard while barking out orders. "ACE, get the drones ready! Edwards, get the anti-Elthrice weapons to the soldiers! ACE, get Grey on the line!" As Basil made it to the bottom of the large spiral staircase he prepared himself mentally for what he knew he was about to throw himself into. Damn, if only he had something more powerful than a .380.

Basil made his way into the courtyard, feeling the effect of the (object) coursing through his veins. If nothing else, he had that. These Elthrice seemed to be spreading out and looked menacing, but seemed oddly hesitant. Basil approached the first one he saw and started to yell at it. "You, surrender now!" It did not seem to understand Basil's words, but seeing Basil's pistol, it appeared to understand the threat and seemed to be holding something resembling a rifle. It orientated itself towards him, gripping the weapon harder, but neither individual raised their weapons towards the other. It appeared to be wearing some form of uniformly colored clothing, forming an eight-foot monolith of the same dark gray-green color, the whites of its eyes the only deviation.

Basil quickly glanced around, nobody was firing, but now everybody seemed to be in the same standoff as they were. Weapons were raised, and outside of the few near him, most seemed to be grouped around the crafts in a defensive posture. However, several other Elthrice gathered near the one in front of Basil, and the staring match between the two continued. With the (object) still in effect, he knew he had a very confident and angry expression, but the Elthrice in front of him continued to stare with a mix of curiosity and hesitance. When the others had all approached, Basil shouted out one of the few Elthrice words he knew. "(Orbital)!" That seemed to get the Elthrices\' attention, the one in front of him getting a surprised and momentarily fearful look on its face as they all took a few steps back.

The Elthrice began to speak in Elthrice, and with Grey now on the line she started summarizing in real time. "He wants to know who you are, but doesn't believe you are an Orbital." Several other Elthrice gathered around Basil, curious but somewhat cautious, despite dwarfing him in size and numbers. One, however, approached closely holding out a knife. The knife seemed made of the same dark gray-green metal the ships contained and looked slightly small with a bit of a belly. It seemed minimalist in its design, but had a very intricate star pattern on the handle. The one with the blade took another aggressive step towards Basil, and Basil took one in kind, effects of the (object) surging further.

The one holding the knife wound up to swing it at Basil and Basil\'s whole world narrowed to just himself and his sudden opponent. The world slowed, and Basil instinctively reached out his hand, his opponent suddenly taking on a confident smile as he slashed the blade. The world slowed further as Basil\'s hand gripped the blade, hoping the lack of pain was due to the (object)\'s protection and not the adrenaline. He repositioned his left hand, from gripping the blade to gripping his opponent\'s hand. That was peculiar; his opponent\'s hand felt as if it was covered in a layer of metal or glass, smooth and cold. Perhaps that was what it felt like to fight somebody who possessed an (object)? \"Perhaps the glass comparison was correct\" Basil thought as he felt that layer shatter and dissipate like broken glass, before feeling the bones in his opponent\'s hand shatter.

His opponent\'s face had finally responded to the changing situation, switching from confident to abject terror. Basil yanked his left arm down, pulling his opponent\'s entire body downward, and struck him in the head with his right arm. He felt bone shatter yet again, and his opponent fell to the ground twitching. The (object)\'s effect wore off slightly, but he could still feel its pronounced effects. The other Elthrice jumped back and started speaking frantically, grabbing their comrade and the knife by his body before retreating towards the crafts. \"They believe you now\" Grey said with worry in her voice, and moments later the Redcaps opened fire. The Elthrice began spreading out and returning fire, world erupting into chaos.

Very few Elthrice fell, but the Redcap soldiers were cut down where they stood. Basil began to do the one thing he felt he could do: chase the fleeing Elthrice to the large craft in the courtyard\'s center. Oddly, as he approached the group, the Elthrice didn\'t fire upon him. He was particularly glad about that, not knowing how hard the Elthrice weapons hit, but reached the center of the courtyard quickly.

He, however, froze in place when he saw one Elthrice in particular. This one was wearing some sort of hood, but his face was blocked by an otherworldly blackness that Basil had only seen once in a dream. Even as the hooded Elthrice turned to Basil at an angle where the sun should be shining directly on his face, it remained as black as before. But not black as in darkness, and not even as a color. It was the void. It was the abyss. This was the first time he had truly felt fear since touching the (object), and yet here he was, paralyzed with it and unable to move.

"Stop now, you're about to be fucked up when our weapons get here" Basil yelled at the hooded one, trying to regain composure after staring in silence for an unknown amount of time. This one seemed to understand what he was saying. "You. Far from home?" it asked, and its voice carried a horrifying echo of a thousand whispers as it spoke. "No, I am home, and my home is under my protection" Basil shouted, trying to keep his voice from quivering as he spoke; at least the (object)'s presence could do that. "No" it replied to Basil.

After what felt like an eternity the anti-Elthrice weapons entered the fray. What had been a wholesale slaughter against the Redcaps moments ago turned into an Elthrice bloodbath. It began with a swarm of drones making their way out of the castle, and deafening explosions quickly turned a large group of Elthrice into gray-green-red piles of mush. Minutes or seconds later, Basil did not know, depleted uranium rounds started to punch holes in Elthrice Orbitals that otherwise seemed immune to the Redcap's standard munitions. The hooded figure shouted something in Elthrice, causing the Elthrice to stop firing and retreat to their ships. ACE\'s drones and the Redcaps held their fire once it became apparent the fight was over, and many Elthrice ran past Basil and into the craft nearby him as if he wasn\'t even there.

The crafts left, and Basil realized he was standing in a field of dead bodies, friend and foe alike. Remembering Grey was still on the line he asked "What did he say?" in a voice that was now shaking. Grey spoke as if she was shaking as well. "Postpone."

41: Aftershock

Basil stood silently while looking over the table filled with captured Elthrice weapons. He felt he should be doing something, but was mindlessly observing them yet again.

The Elthrice\'s guns, if that term was proper, were weird and oddly ineffective. Most were made from a variety of metals, only a few made of the standard dark gray-green metal that Elthrice used a lot. Some of them on the table had large protrusions on their sides that resembled rattlesnake egg-sized ship propulsion systems, although they appeared to either be inert or cosmetic. More were very simplistic, having the vague shape of a rifle, but barely composed of more than a long tube with a grip and some components near the grip. A few even had an oddly earth like design, although all three had the same mechanisms.

Their internals were all the same regardless of their appearance. A small cylinder of compressed gas would propel an inert projectile with approximately the same force as a handgun, though the larger ones that were almost unwieldy - even by Elthrice standards - seemed to pack more of a punch. Basil, ACE, and Grey had all guessed that the few using the gray green metal and sporting considerable wear were once utilizing the same means of propelling projectiles as the Elthrice\'s ships; but were modified to use a pneumatic system instead after most systems like that were disabled. The other ones, they presumed, were manufactured specifically with the pneumatic system in mind, slowly changing their design to fit their new internals.

\"ACE said their weapons were surprisingly shit?\" Spiro asked while entering the room; Grey, Redcap officials, and Lizard King trailing behind him as if following his lead. \"Depends on where you set the bar, they\'re still better than most of the guns within these walls\" Basil replied, only realizing it sounded somewhat insulting after hearing himself say it; though nobody flinched or offered up glares. \"But we have a manufacturing base and the numbers. They sent like a hundred people thinking it would be an unapproachable show of force and got slaughtered; I think we\'re in the clear for now.\"

Grey spoke quietly, as if afraid that vocalizing something would cause it to be more true. \"They have about a million in their military, if not an actual military, something they would at least consider to be one.\" Basil was taken aback. \"What? How would you know that?\" Grey motioned with her hands. \"The, um, the old Elthrice followed a very specific set of rules when they did certain actions.\" She paused momentarily before adding \"What would you call a group of soldiers?\" Cicero replied \"Perhaps a unit?\" inquisitively, and Grey nodded. \"They would use specific units as a representation of their strength when they performed apprehentions or were to begin negotiations with another party.\"

When the group remained silent Grey continued. \"The one in the center with his voice, the best word for him would be commander.\" Basil realized his hands had started shaking, but he tried to steady them as Grey continued to speak. \"Those around him were unarmed; they appeared to have arrived to make demands or to apprehend somebody. As that failed, they will likely return with more strength in the future.\" When the room fell silent again Spiro interjected.

\"Basil, Grey told me you were working on a gunship. Do you think that would hold them off?\" Basil nodded hesitantly. \"The propulsion system failed to start; ACE thinks there\'s a separate computer system, or at least its equivalent, within those parts. He\'s taking apart the captured craft as we speak; if all goes according to plan, we should have the captured craft back online in a few weeks and the gunship development back on track.\" Basil paused, however, as if hesitant to finish his statement. \"But we\'re still looking at months before we get the gunship to a point where it can lift off the ground, and even if we get the propulsion system working, that\'s still not taking into account getting it aerodynamic, the hull sealed, and the weapons working.\"

\"So, what do you advise us to do in the meantime?\" The Redcap Queen asked in a somber but resolute tone, speaking to Basil for the first time since he had pulled her out of the crashed craft nearly a year ago. Basil remained silent, unsure how to answer, but Spiro spoke instead. \"Basil, many if not most of them didn\'t have the, um, the thing you have right?\" Basil nodded. \"You mean an (object)?\" Spiro returned a nod. \"The Amigosian Ministry has been moving some crates of weapons off the island, and while I am a little unnerved by what may be going on, I should be able to route a number of them to the Redcap docks.\"

Spiro paused and let out a quiet sigh as if he felt conflicted, or at least intended to portray internal conflict. \"I will get their locations to your agent who goes by Argyris Zacharias, and instruct him how to get the ship names off Amigoso without alerting the surveillance on him. Seize the weapons in the dock and distribute them among yourselves.\" Spiro gestured to the Redcap Queen and Lizard King. \"They will hopefully be an edge against the Elthrice. Basil, I assume you will also be working to better arm everyone to the best of your abilities as well.\"

Basil looked around the room, seeing a fleeting expression of either annoyance or embarrassment on General Edward\'s face when Spiro mentioned Argyris. Moments later, however, he remembered he was asked a question, first nodding and then adding \"Yeah, of course.\" Spiro returned the nod and the room felt noticeably calmer. \"Good\" Spiro replied, adding \"And to be clear, what I said does not leave this room. Basil, I told you once that with the Elthrice invasion I ceased serving Amigoso and began serving all of Domum. I intend to keep that promise, but if what I said leaves this room I\'m of no use to any of you dead.\"

42: Mr Smith

"Come on, ya\' just know you're gonna\' miss interviewing rednecks who got too wordy in their Facebook rants" Odell teased. He paused momentarily, and when Ned Smith only responded with a short smile he continued. "Well, I don't know what someone like you did to get dead ended down here in Nashville, but if anybody's gonna' get out of here it's gonna' be you." An ambivalent look washed over Smith\'s face. "Well, I can't say it's been great. But you've certainly made better company than angry rednecks and flopped musican-"

Odell interrupted. "Hey, I think intern Frankie just left a package on your desk. I take it that's your ticket outta here?" Smith shrugged. "HR's not going to give a promotion like that. Not sure what that is." Odell returned the shrug. "Well, I'm going to hit the road, see you around Ned, at least for a few more days." Smith gave a cursory nod before going over to see what the mysterious package was about.

Smith kicked open the warehouse door. Infrared said it was empty aside from the rats and the one man standing in the corner, but this was shitty civilian gear, so there was no being sure. \"Price of being off the books\" he thought as he rounded the corner with his sidearm at low ready. He heard somebody clear their throat, and milliseconds later blinded them with his weapon mounted light. An older man wearing a suit that failed to conceal the wearer\'s weight shielded his eyes. Although the old man seemed about average height, Smith\'s 6\'3 frame dwarfed most.

\"No cameras and no backup; you picked a shitty spot to blackmail a federal agent. Especially one with my background\" Ned stated in a calm tone, words full of suppressed anger and bile. The old man smiled a cold smile. \"Already resorting to threats I see?\" Smith could feel his forced calmness beginning to fade. \"Alright, I\'ll bite; what\'s this offer that\'s supposed to convince me it\'s in my best interest to let you leave here alive?\" The old man cocked his head as if to feign confusion. "Aside from the contents of the package I sent you? And that they were hand delivered to you in an FBI field office? Or perhaps it's because I created your promotion, and you now answer directly to me."

Smith\'s external posture resumed his artificial calmness, though his internal turmoil grew exponentially. However, before he could dwell on things for too long, the old man handed him a stack of papers. "Here's your promotion, all wrapped up in a neat little bow. You'll forgive an old man for being old fashioned and not using those new fangled electronic records." Smith quickly started looking through the papers, now outwardly projecting confusion as he skeptically holstered his weapon.

"Your team and the location of your own field office in Detroit are all there. You will report only to me or my subordinates, whom I will introduce personally at a later date. You will perform investigations into specific occurrences under my instruction." Smith felt suspicious, repeating the old man\'s words to prompt further elaboration. "Special investigations?" The old man seemed annoyed at the question. "Code word classified investigations into specific happenings. And before you ask, Smith, you will not get clarification beyond that. Your job is to collect and verify information I direct you to."

Smith continued to look the documents over. "This appears legit, why the fuck did you threaten me?" Smith paused momentarily before adding "Sir," still perplexed at the circumstances, but now feeling as if he may have just disrespected a superior. "Temper, temper" the old man - now revealed to be Baron Polarski according to the papers - stated before pausing as if to let the chastising kick in. Finally, Polarski broke the silence of his creation. "Because people I have leverage over are predictable, which is a prerequisite under stakes such as these.\"

43: Hippie Orbital

\"You look tense dude\" Elliot said, surprising Basil and causing him to almost drop his cigarette off the roof of the condo building. Basil began to focus his thoughts, but realized he had probably taken longer to do so than intended when Elliot spoke a second time. \"Seriously, what\'s up with you?\" Basil took a deep breath. \"Some real assholes harassed some friends of mine, I\'m still trying to figure out the best response to it all and I\'ve been working on things pretty much nonstop since.\"

\"So you\'re working for the mob\" Elliot stated in a mix of confidence and question. \"Working for the mob?\" Basil asked, surprised at the unexpected assertion. \"Come on man, flip phone, doesn\'t work, bought a condo with cash, mysterious \'friends\' being harrased?\' You\'re either working for the mob or a spook. Basil laughed. \"Well I can assure you I\'m neither.\" Elliot smiled as if he had figured something out. \"Well, you obviously aren\'t an accountant working for a medical supplier company.\"

Basil went to respond, but Elliot put a dime bag on the raised edge of the roof. \"You need to chill out, this will help with that.\" Basil nodded and said \"Thanks\" to the unexpected gesture, thinking that perhaps he could use something more potent than vodka and cigarettes. However, as he reached for the bag Elliot snatched it away with surprising dexterity. \"Hold up, I already told you the first offer is free, but you turned it down and now you gotta pay like everyone else.\" Basil felt both a little annoyed and a little amused. \"Fine, how much?\" he asked. \"Fifty dollars\" Elliot replied with a straight face. \"Fifty dollars for a dime bag?\" Basil asked, now outwardly expressing both his amusement and annoyance. Elliot smiled. \"Hey, you\'re loaded with the \'totally not mob money\' and I\'m taking a risk you\'re a spook.\"

\"Fine\" Basil said, still a mix of annoyed and amused. Pulling out a fifty from his wallet Elliot handed him the bag. \"You got any rolling papers?\" Basil asked, and before Elliot went to speak he added \"And if you\'re going to charge me for rolling papers after a fifty dollar dime bag you\'re going to get whacked by my non-existent mob buddies.\" After saying it, Basil hoped it was clear to Elliot he was joking.

Elliot seemed to pause momentarily before acquiescing and handing over some rolling papers. As Basil began to roll a joint Elliot picked up the dime bag and began to roll himself one. Basil considered it for a moment, but amusement seemed to win out over annoyance. Time passed, and before long there was nothing but an empty bag and some ash blowing lightly across the roof.

\"Tell me a story\" Elliot asked between handfuls of chips. \"A story?\" Basil asked, confused at the random prompt. \"Yeah\" Elliot replied, \"Something from your not mob friends or something.\" Basil hesitated for a while, before recalling the best story his weed addled mind could locate. \"So there\'s this ancient group of warriors called Orbitals\" Basil began before being interrupted by Elliot with a surprised outburst. \"You work for the cartels?\" Basil was thoroughly confused. \"What? I don\'t work for the cartels, why would you think that?\" Elliot shrugged. \"Sounds like an ancient South American story.\" Basil just felt more confused now. \"Even if it was, that somehow means I work for the cartels?\" Elliot shrugged again, \"Whatever man, continue.\"

\"Well most of these warriors are long since dead, but rumors had it they were pretty much indestructible.\" Elliot interrupted. \"Always the \'ancient\' warriors that were indestructible.\" Elliot laughed before continuing his tangent. \"No more legends like that when any dipshit with a hot piece can cap someone.\" Basil continued. \"Well, if the rumors are to be believed, you take a room full of dipshits with guns firing on an Orbital and they\'ll walk out of that room the last one standing. And their fighting is nasty with the strength they have. Torn off limbs, smashing in heads, grabbing knives by the blade or guns that were firing on them but never doing any harm.\"

\"Wow, you are high\" Elliot interrupted. \"So where do these so called Orbitals get their magic?\" Basil shrugged. \"Dunno exactly how it works, but apparently it\'s from some sort of magic crystal left behind by a long dead alien civilization.\" Elliot laughed like it was the most hilarious thing he had ever heard. \"So what, like Star Wars?\" Before Basil could respond, however, Elliot compressed his now empty bag of chips into a ball and tossed it on the roof near his chair. \"You wanna order us a pizza?\"

44: Wounds to Lick

A chill crept up Basil\'s spine in a way that hadn\'t since before he touched the (object). \"It\'s not open\" he said to ACE, voice a higher pitch than he expected. He turned around; Spiro was wide eyed but said nothing. The Wizard froze in place as he descended the last flight of stairs, likely uneasy seeing the sudden change in the demeanor from what the two had moments ago while concluding their meeting in the upper chambers of the Redcap\'s keep.

\"The old Elthrice appear to be disabling the wormhole network\" ACE said over the radio, voice carrying a slightly human inflection of worry. \"How soon can you get the salvaged craft in the air?\" Basil asked in a tone that carried almost disassociated notes. Before ACE replied, however, Basil added a sudden, almost panicked demand. \"Get Grey on the line, see what she thinks is their next move.\" ACE replied, monotone voice having almost entirely returned. \"We have not detected the Elthrice in orbit; I am sending the jet over now and will have the craft airborne within seven hours. Grey is on the line and has been briefed on the situation.\"

\"I believe they are sending a warning, I think we\'ll have about a day or a half day before they arrive.\" Basil shook his head, a pointless response to Grey\'s over-the-radio assessment. \"Well which is it?\" Grey\'s response sounded shakey. \"I don\'t know, okay. I\'m just guessing.\" Basil muttered \"Fuck\" before gesturing to the Wizard. \"Contact the Lizard King, tell him the Elthrice may attack and that the wormhole system is down.\" The Wizard nodded and ran back up the stairs, Basil turning his attention to Spiro.

\"Okay, I\'m evacuating in the jet, go tell the Redcap leadership to send anyone they want to evacuate into the courtyard.\" Basil glanced down at his PDA. \"ACE is rigging a mobile drone platform, we should be able to get drones to the mainland regardless of access to wormholes within 30 hours, but in the meantime we can group up on Arkepello, they can\'t disable that wormhole. Tell everyone staying back to get the Redcap military ready with the anti-Elthrice and Amigosian weapons.\"

The Redcap Queen, Mollie with several Redcap royal guards, Spiro, Cicero, Casio, and the Wizard all rushed into their seats alongside Basil as the jet began to ascend. The cabin remained dead quiet, but after only a short time they were already staring at two different shades of blue - sky and ocean. Basil\'s PDA indicated that they were getting close to Arkepello, but the intercoms in the jet broke the silence with ACE\'s rushed voice. \"Basil, manual controls now!\" Basil got up and sprinted towards the cockpit. \"I hardly know how to fly this thing, why do-\" but the world went blank.

Basil woke up. At least he thought that he had woken up. He was aware he was thinking, but the world was dark and his head hurt. His thoughts became more collected, but so did the pain, and throughout it all something was in the back of his mind screaming that things were gravely wrong. His hearing returned, and so did a cacophony of blaring alarms filling the cockpit. He realized his eyes were closed, opened them, and was greeted by the hooded Elthrice holding an object, his (object).

\"My patience has expired, and you are still present\" the being said in its horrifying voice. Being both badly injured and no longer under the influence of the (object) - which the hooded one was now placing around its neck - he was unable to move or speak. The hooded being\'s blank face stared directly into Basil\'s eyes, as if doing so was draining his very life essence. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the being spoke again.

\"Collect all (Elthrice) property for its surrender, and those taken today will be returned to you. You will then be banished to your home alongside any who choose to accompany you.\"

Basil believed himself to have only blinked, but soon realized he had blacked out again. He felt he should close his eyes to rest, but was forced to act as water began to touch his feet. He quickly realized the jet was likely in the ocean, and was certainly becoming more submerged. Trying to stand he realized the nose of the jet was angled up at nearly 45 degrees, and looking through the cockpit door it appeared most of the jet had already filled with water. Making his way into the passenger area where everybody was, he found it entirely devoid of people, except for the largely submerged body of the Wizard still strapped into his chair, producing an ominous red cloud in the water surrounding him.

Illuminated by the light cast through the cockpit door was a large hole in the side of the jet. His hazy mind concluded the Elthrice had bored a hole into the side of the jet, docked their own craft to it, and confronted them mid air before setting or dropping the jet in the ocean. Seeing no other option, Basil plunged into the cold water and swam through the large gash in the side of the jet.

Climbing on the top of the now mostly submerged jet Basil felt even more pain. The cold water made his mind clearer, but he could feel it begin to fade again. The saltwater gnawed at his wounds, including many new ones made by rubbing against the sharp edges of the metal torn apart by whatever Elthrice had used to bore such a hole. Arm hurting as he typed on his PDA, he sent out a message to ACE. "Elthrice attacked. Plane crashed. Help." As he began to take stock of his situation he felt a sudden wave of nausea, vomited, then proceeded to lie on his back in a daze; doing nothing but stare at the bright blue sky and feel the waves below the slowly sinking jet.

The merciless beams of the sun were broken by the shadow of an Elthrice ship. Basil continued to lie in place, water nearly about to engulf him on the now near entirely submerged jet, his sunburnt skin adding to the myriad sources of pain. The door of the craft opened and Grey carried Basil aboard. "You\'ve been exposed to radiation!\" Grey exclaimed in a worried voice, but ACE said something that seemed to reduce the fear on her face. "What happened?" ACE asked as soon as Basil was safely on board.

Basil explained everything he had witnessed, and while he spoke he noticed the pain and defeat deep in his voice. Once he had completed his explanation ACE began to relay everything he knew. With the hooded Elthrice's craft's proximity to Basil, ACE was able to initiate a connection to it and get the location of where they had gone. A counterattack was possible, although fighting the old Elthrice on their turf was likely a death sentence.

The Elthrice had also appeared to disable the wormhole devices while they were in proximity to them because they were the 'civilian' equivalent version of the equipment. Using an Orbital's radio module for relaying controls and blocking conventional signals, they could likely create a second layer immune from being disabled by the old Elthrice; granting them their own isolated system. However, Basil began to tune out ACE's explanation; network layers being the last thing he would want to process in his throbbing head.

"Just leave me on the beach somewhere" Basil said, interrupting whatever ACE was saying. ACE responded, suddenly seeming to carry more concern than the robotic voice he had been using. "Basil, it's important-" but Basil cut him off again. "No, I can't think right now. I need to be alone to collect my thoughts and figure out what I need to do." Grey said "Figure out what you need to do?" with anger very evident in her voice and on her face, but when she looked into Basil's eyes and saw his condition her face turned to sadness.

Basil watched the sun move through the sky before dropping below the ocean. "Has it really been this long?" Basil thought to himself, lighting another cigarette while staring at the moon and stars now reflected off the ocean. Eventually Basil heard footsteps behind him, and Grey sat beside him silently for a while. "Here" Grey said while handing Basil a bottle of Gray Goose. "ACE said there's a chance this might upset your symptoms from your head injury, but he also said to say that he knows all too well how important an escape can be when stuck in one's own mind." Basil took a large swig but remained silent for several minutes. Grey put her hand on Basil's shoulder and they listened to the waves in silence, neither knowing what to say. Eventually, however, Basil broke the silence.

"Come with me. We could get a cabin in Alaska or something, convince our neighbors you are into body mods or something, and leave the rest of the Elthrice to their own devices." They both sat in silence again, but it was Grey's turn to break the silence this time. "You know I cannot do that Basil, I would not wish the old Elthrice on anybody. That's not to mention that I would likely be on the list of things they would demand surrender of." Basil replied, voice lacking all energy. "How could we fight them? They took my Orbital's (object), and even if they didn't, how would we fight an army of Elthrice?"

"I don't know that it would even be possible for us to win, but we must fight them anyway" Grey said, pausing for a moment before continuing. "The Lizard King and General Edwards have already pledged their support, and ACE has devised a wormhole device that should work even if they try to disable it." Though she spoke resolutely, Grey's voice carried a solemn tone, knowing precisely the implications of what she was saying they must do.

When Basil remained quiet ACE chimed in. "Basil, we must do this. We can take the craft there, open a wormhole, and hit them with everything we have. Every explosive drone, every soldier the Lizard King, Redcaps, and Arkepello can spare, and every round of ammunition we have in the armory." Basil spoke once ACE finished. "And if we fail?" ACE took on a somber and triumphant tone in a way which could have easily been mistaken as human. "Then I take the Elthrice ship and any other I can relay to and drive them into the planet's stabilization machine, making the old Elthrice extinct in an act of revenge and sacrifice to save any and every civilization in their crosshairs."

When ACE had finished speaking Grey resumed. "It\'s unlikely that all of these Elthrice have Orbital's gear, even if some do." After one more pause she added the final capstone to her and ACE's speech.

"The old Elthrice, they are a scourage, parasites that seek to kill their host and rebuild from its corpse. Basil, this is a fight worth fighting, and if it's truly our last move, then it's a death worth dying." Basil sat in silence for a long time, thinking everything over. Eventually, he replied with only one word in a voice that also carried both triumph and melancholy. "Okay."

45: A fight worth fighting

\"So, are we ready?\" Basil asked, suddenly feeling as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders. ACE spoke over the salvaged craft\'s intercom. \"Momentarily, the Lizard King is still taking contingencies in the event he does not return.\" Basil looked surprised, asking \"He\'s coming himself?\" although upon asking he realized that of course the Lizard King would be coming - in fact he would most likely be leading the charge. \"He\'s requested to join you on the craft if that is okay,\" ACE relayed. \"Of course.\"

Basil paced in circles until the Lizard King made his way on board. \"We truly know nothing of the place we intend to attack?\" ACE responded to the Lizard King\'s question. \"Unfortunately, no. Only the coordinates and that whatever group of old Elthrice attacked us are using it for some purpose -- likely their base of operation.\" Basil stopped pacing and stood by the modified wormhole device. \"Well?\" Basil asked, an open-ended question seeking the state of readiness. \"Everybody is ready for you to leave, and will continue preparations during your travel\" ACE answered, Basil replying \"Well then, ACE, Grey, Nerva, if this is it it\'s been an honor.\"

Everyone remained silent as the craft\'s doors closed. ACE gave them a play-by-play as they left the atmosphere, but they felt movement this trip as they were all thrown to the ground. \"What happened!?\" Basil shouted, ACE asking the same question over the intercom. \"Planetary defenses\" Grey replied in a near whisper. Basil scrambled to his feet, but looked on at the generator that had been thrown into the spare batteries. The scattered generator pieces were covered in battery acid, making it evident that they could not draw power from their backup sources.

\"Backup power is down, what\'s the craft looking like?\" Basil asked, suddenly worried he\'d die before anybody could even join the fight. \"Auxilary power is offline, although the console is currently powered. I\'m routing all power to it now; the console\'s power port will be fried alongside the console, you need to wire it directly to the internals.\" The Lizard King began to step out the door, but quickly ducked his head back in. \"There\'s already a few outside, and looks like there\'s more on the way!\" Basil ran over to the console in a panic, setting down his rifle and pulling out his knife, shouting \"Hold them off!\"

The deafening crack of automatic fire echoed through the cabin, and it soon became apparent that they were also being fired upon as projectiles ricocheted throughout inside. Basil tried to bend a panel on the dashboard with his knife. The panel wouldn\'t budge at first, but Basil mustered all his strength and weight into the leverage and it began to bend. Just as it was partially open, however, Basil felt himself flying face first into the console as the blade of his knife snapped. tang

He realized he had hit the ground a second or two after he had done so. It felt as if he had broken his nose, and he could feel warm blood running down from both his nose and forehead. He looked behind just in time to see a red mist erupt from the Lizard King\'s shoulder, the Lizard King falling to the ground before scrambling back to his feet and returning fire. Grey immediately ran towards the pile of things nearby, grabbing the modified wormhole device and setting it beside Basil so quickly that at first he thought she threw it.

Though he expected her to help him open the panel, she instead said something in Elthrice and took on a somber looking face, before saying \"Hurry\" and picking up Basil\'s rifle. Basil returned to trying to open the panel, an intense fear suddenly washing over him that she would turn the rifle on herself, but with the second set of automatic bursts that filled the cabin, he knew that was not the case.

He reached his arm past the bent panel, scraping it on the sharp metal as he shoved past it. Feeling around he found the broken blade, and resisting pain of grabbing the blade he held it tightly. Next, feeling around for the wires while the cutting implement dug deeper into his hands, he cut and grabbed the wires before pulling them and the knife blade from inside the console.

Basil froze for just a second, staring at the dark red blood oozing out of his hand and arm, but quickly resumed his work. Attatching the cut wires to the wormhole device, he hoped against all odds that ACE could route enough power to get the device started. Nothing happened for several seconds, but just as Basil began to think all hope was lost, an incalculable number of drones began to materialize in front of him. Grey and the Lizard King jumped out of the way, and the drones flew out of the door of their now wrecked Elthrice craft.

The Lizard King immediately grabbed his shoulder in pain now that they were momentarily out of the fight. Taking the moment afforded as ACE dumped their entire inventory of drones on their foes, Basil picked up the wormhole device now running off power from the facility. He bolted outside and set it on the ground, claiming a small foothold on the alien planet before any of the old Elthrice could return to retake it. A gush of wind blew as the wormhole changed from the pressurized room to one nearby the Lizard King\'s army; Domum sucking Elthrice air as thousands of the Lizard King\'s soldiers rushed out to enter the fight.

Many Elthrice were already making their way back to the battlegrounds, both afoot and in landing crafts, and Basil stood unmoving in place as a brutal and one sided battle began to take shape. The Lizard King\'s soldiers were cut down where they stood, taking out some Elthrice but losing scores of troops per kill. They continued to pour out of the wormhole, however, even as they had to climb over the piles of bodies of their fellow soldiers to reach the front. Basil\'s immobility was broken, however, as one ran through and thrust a wormhole device into Basil\'s hands before running off to join the others.

Basil ran forward in the direction of a ruined city where the Elthrice seemed to be emerging from. The Lizard King\'s soldiers appeared to be gaining a small amount of ground, and Basil approached the front line. The already red dirt was stained with blood, and only the combination of painkillers and amphetamines coursing through his blood gave him the strength to climb over the bodies that lay in front of him. Making it as close as he could to the front lines without getting gunned down, he laid the wormhole device down next to a dead Elthrice clutching one of the eerily human like weapons. Before he could process anything, though, many soldiers began to pour out from the wormhole device - one handing Basil another.

Basil made his way towards the next portion of the front lines that ACE directed him to, and yet another wormhole was opened. Many Redcap and some Arkepello soldiers began to pour out alongside each other. The battle raged on, and Basil began to return to the crashed craft to receive treatment for his wounds. More Elthrice ships continued to land; a majority of the soldiers on Domum and many civilian volunteers making their way to meet them on the battlefield.

46: A death worth dying

Basil kept walking towards where ACE had said the Lizard King was. His joints ached, and the gunshot wound on his stomach kept reopening. Still, he knew it could be worse - he would probably have collapsed from pain or exhaustion had it not been for the additional doses of painkillers and amphetamines. He finally found the tall man, now sporting several more bullet wounds than he had last seen him with, although luckily nothing life threatening yet. He sported the same rifle slung across his shoulder, and his sword\'s sheath had blood on it now, although Basil couldn\'t tell whether that was from the use of it or another form of violence.

\"Nerva\" Basil said, getting his attention. He turned and began speaking, telling Basil the bad news he already knew. "The tide is beginning to turn, and not in our favor. All of my soldiers I can bring have come, and our numbers are beginning to thin. What do you propose we do?" Basil pulled up ACE's drone surveillance on his PDA. The Lizard King's mouth opened as if he were about to speak but could not do so, seeing the destruction only visible with the impersonal observation of a UAV. "The hooded one appears to be in that building, and a majority of them seem to be spread out along our front lines. If we can get through them and make a mad dash we might be able to cut the head off the snake." The Lizard King nodded, but spoke as if Basil didn't understand his own proposal. "That may work, but I must tell you that it would be suicide. We may be able to make it to the building, but there would be no way we could hold it for any length of time, and our front lines here would likely be pushed back if I put my best men towards this."

Basil nodded. "I know, but we're already losing ground and ammo. You, me, and the best men willing to volunteer for it. We can make a push, then get the rest of them here to evacuate unless the Elthrice\'s front lines collapse entirely. It's our only shot." The Lizard King nodded and spoke with a triumphant voice despite the circumstances. "Very well, I will gather my best willing soldiers. Speak to Edwards; he is coordinating most of our troops and will need to be informed." The Lizard King ran off to collect a group, and Basil ran over to restock his supplies, grabbing some of the last magazines from the wrecked craft.

\"Nerva and me are going to try and punch through the front lines and get to their base of operations. I want you to go to the facility, if this all goes south it\'s yours\" Basil said while approaching Grey at the makeshift field hospital. She gave a sorrowful looking expression and shook her head. \"I can\'t do that Basil, not while I\'m needed here.\" Basil nodded. \"Just please promise me you\'ll go there rather than let yourself be captured if the camp is about to be overrun.\" This time, it was Grey\'s turn to nod silently, a grievous expression coming over her face yet again.

As the silence stretched on, Grey finished treating the soldier she was helping and looked directly at Basil for the first time in their conversation. \"Basil, you\'re a great brother.\" Unsure of what else to do, Basil quickly embraced her, shortly after stepping back and seeing his blood added to the other blood on her environment suit. \"Please come back\" she said as Basil went to leave. \"I\'ll try\" he lied.

\"Edwards\" Basil said, finally finding him on the other side of the makeshift field hospital - also tending to the wounded. \"Me and Nerva are going to try and cut through the front lines, I need as much support as you can give.\" Edwards shook his head. \"We\'re already beginning to lose ground, I cannot spare men so you two can play martyr.\" Basil took on a grim but authoritative tone. \"Edwards, we\'re losing ground and there\'s no one else coming. We\'re 34 hours into our estimated 38 hour supply of ammunition, and once a hole forms in our front lines they\'ll be in this camp within the hour.\" A look of helplessness washed over Edward\'s face as if he had been deluding himself about their condition until now. \"Okay\" he replied, voice suddenly weak. \"I\'ll do what I can.\"

\"You know Basil\" the Lizard King said after getting his troops into a wedge formation. \"There were times around when we met that I believed we had done what we would be remembered for. The war that ended wars and the decisions made that affected millions. Now, perhaps in the face of this, they will be forgotten.\" Basil shook his head. \"There are no ends of wars. We\'ve seen three civilizations, all of which have thought they were done with war at some point, and here we are.\" The Lizard King looked taken aback for a second before nodding and smiling a very brief smile. \"Well, regardless, we have both come a long way since the first night we met.\"

Basil nodded, and the Lizard King seemed to change to the demeanor of a commander in an instant. \"Stay close to me, I don\'t want you to be the first thing they shoot at, but if our ranks get thinned be ready to join the fight. Though we have seen almost nobody with Orbital\'s objects that may change as we push through; only a few of my soldiers have depleted uranium rounds, so they may need us for that as well.\" Basil nodded and the formation began to move, temporarily flanked by soldiers on each side organized by Edwards.

The next few minutes offered death and destruction that even the past hours did not hold, at least not in Basil\'s presence. They began to make headway, cutting an opening into the Elthrice's defensive line, but only at the cost of wave after wave of the Lizard King's men sacrificing themselves for the last push. As soon as the line began to break the Lizard King shouted "NOW!" and he, Basil, and a large group of his soldiers began nearly running in an attempt to keep the Elthrice from catching up and stopping their advance. As Basil looked back the Elthrice seemed to be short on troops as well, suddenly causing him to second guess their plan momentarily. However, they were still losing ground to them, so he ultimately told himself this was the only way to turn the tide.

Basil opened fire alongside the Lizard King and his soldiers. Cutting through the line of defenses made the trip to the building begin to speed up, but they were now a small group surrounded by any Elthrice that could catch up or move in from the nearby buildings. The Elthrice\'s line was quickly reinforced, and Basil could see their fate was sealed with nowhere but forward to go. The firing became one singular noise as their best weapons fired upon seemingly endless poorly armed Elthrice. If nothing else, Basil figured that was the only reason why they were still in the fight; though they were losing people at a hugely faster rate than the Elthrice, a long stretch of gaining ground meant all the best weapons were still in play on his side - even if ammo and people were quickly becoming scarce now.

Basil saw the dome in sight as they rounded a bend, although their ranks were quickly thinning with the endless Elthrice coming their way. Losing all cover, a fast walk turned into a full sprint towards the dome, with some of the few remaining soldiers staying a distance behind to cover the ones in the front. Basil and the Lizard King imminently opened fire on a group of Elthrice outside of the dome, most dropping without (object)s, but some clearly having some. Making it to what appeared to be a door into a large dome, Basil ran through an arch that revealed walls nearly six feet thick.

Basil ran into the enormous dome, shocking the many Elthrice in it. The Lizard King ran through the arch, but was stopped in the center of it with invisible walls trapping him within the arch itself, preventing him from doing anything as he watched the Orbitals clear out what remained of the soldiers outside. Basil opened fire as the armed Elthice in the building raised their weapons, although a majority of the Elthrice seemed unarmed and ran for cover. In one split second every Elthrice froze, lowering their weapons to the ground, and Basil stopped firing a few seconds later. The hooded one stepped out from behind what appeared to be a metal crate and Basil aimed his rifle at him but did not fire. The other Elthrice seemed to be a mix of worried and terrified, but the hooded one's body language and horrifying voice seemed to indicate that it was calm.

"The other will soon be dead, there is no need to pretend, one who calls himself Basil" the hooded one said, causing Basil to pause in confusion. He went to speak but the hooded one continued. \"An impressive feat has been performed, better than the ingrates I have been made to tolerate in our rebuilding. Join us, your crimes will be forgiven, and you will be given great standing and technology; you can perform an even greater service than the true Elthrice who initially accompanied me.\"

Basil let out a laugh that almost sounded insane before emptying the remainder of his magazine into the hooded one. Unlike Orbitals, however, the hooded one appeared unaffected by the onslaught of angry uranium. In a blur the hooded one raised something, and Basil fell to the ground, feeling numb aside from a warmth feeling around his chest and back. Basil tried to move, but found himself unable to do so. The hooded one approached Basil and raised an Elthrice weapon, saying something that Basil could not process. He went to raise his handgun, but the hooded one pointed his weapon at Basil\'s head and the world went blank.

The Lizard King screamed at the hooded figure, punching the invisible walls until blood appeared floating before him. "You will never get away with this! I will kill you and wear your cloak as a trophy!" The hooded one approached the Lizard King, although it looked on blankly without saying a word.

47: Abyss Awakens

The dreamer stared into the vast abyss once again, as he had before in another dream. The abyss grew and contracted, leaving the dreamer to watch in peace. Soon, however, the voices began to speak. They spoke, a thousand voices speaking at once, all different and all incomprehendable.

The dreamer was disturbed from his slumber by the sound of these voices. "Quite!" he shouted. Or perhaps thought? One needed a mouth to scream, yet the dreamer did not have one. The voices seemed to hear him, however, and stopped speaking. The dreamer was once again at peace, although it was not long before the voices began to speak again.

The dreamer began to make out individual words, apparently spoken in the dreamer's native tongue. No, perhaps they were not. Odd, the voices were the Elthrice's language, yet the dreamer could hear them nonetheless. The voices continued to grow louder until the dreamer had enough again. "(Quiet)!" he shouted.

The voices went quiet again, seeming to accept a command in that language more willingly than the other. Instead, however, the voices became one. "Rise!" they commanded in yet another language, different from that of the Elthrice's or the dreamer's native tongue.

Nerva, king of the Lizard people, leaned against the wall of his invisible cage. He hoped it portrayed a sense of confidence as he got physically closer to the hooded one; as opposed to the real reason of being tired, thirsty, and slightly low on blood. Odd, though, he didn\'t feel afraid staring the hooded one down. He had seen the lack of fear in Basil, the hallmark of one at peace with the expectation of death - especially after ACE had provided him with the injections. In truth, however, he had always considered himself dead and gone ever since he had narrowly survived the failed uprising that went after the ruling family when his father was king. A cruel joke, perhaps, to live a life expecting to die suddenly and without warning, only to die the slowest and most easily seen of deaths over hours or days in a cage.

The hooded one turned away as if to leave for lack of interest. There had to be something he could do or say, a battle of wits and ego that could provoke the enemy into a rash move. What did the Wizard, his friend and closest advisor for his entire reign until the attack, say when the other Elthrice invaded and were repelled? \"You are a stupid people\" the Lizard King thundered, causing the hooded one to turn suddenly. Intrigue, amusement, or anger he couldn\'t tell - but attention all the same. Think Nerva, why did the Wizard say that? The hooded one remained silent while facing him, no expression or body language that could be read.

\"You are weak; your reliance on your tools weakens you. You are blinded by pride and ignorance, then when another people come along they are both strong and yet can also use your tools. Your own people destroyed you once before, I have fought your kind before, and my people will continue the fight without me. With our strength alone we could repel a thousand of your empires, and yet you are nothing but scavengers picking off your own corpses while we have already mastered your tools as your forbearers once did.\"

The hooded one remained silent and unexpressive before being whisked away by another Elthrice. Some time lapsed, minutes or hours he could not tell, but the distant sound of gunfire erupted nearer to the dome and far from their front lines. They were definitely on his side; he could hear the distinctive sound of automatic fire from Earth weapons and the more muted pop of Domum and Amigosian weapons.

How could they be so near? They could have tried to cut through the front lines and attacked from two sides, but no, they didn\'t have the numbers to do that without being crushed. A frightened strategist may have tried something like that, but he\'d been on the opposite side of Edwards enough to know that he would never over extend himself that way. But then, what was happening?

\"How many do you have?\" the voices of the hooded one boomed, surprising the Lizard King who didn\'t notice he was present again. Alright, so this was good news, but how? \"What do you mean?\" the Lizard King asked, trying to glean more information. \"How many!\" the hooded one\'s voices boomed again, anger and rage so potent it left the Lizard King feeling as if he was physically attacked. He took a breath, tried to focus, and shrugged. \"How would I know from within this cage? I am under no illusion that I will leave this cage alive, tell me what has happened and I may know more.\"

\"Your people captured a transport vessel. There are more exiting it, and the vessel cannot be caught by our vessel operators.\" The Lizard King suddenly realized what had happened; he should have been angry, his second in command had disobeyed his orders, but all he felt was pride welling up in his chest. No, that was wrong, his son was no longer second in command, he was king by right and his father was already dead to everybody else. He was the king who ran into battle, never to be seen again alive by his subjects. This would be a good move by his son, the new king, a hard and decisive decision that could potentially turn the tide of a war.

Perhaps they would sing songs of him for generations, the noble king who ran off into battle to save his kind. Or maybe they would remember him less fondly. His son at least would remember him for the man he tried to be, and perhaps that mattered more than songs. A smile washed across his face and he felt his eyes grow misty.

\"My son is just as bullheaded as his father. I ordered him to stay behind with a small contingent of troops, but it appears that, like his father, he is willing to sacrifice it all to see you stopped.\" The hooded one stepped close, only inches and an invisible barrier separating face from missing face. The Lizard King spoke quickly and in a higher tone, as if a man about to be executed.

\"Kill me, it does not matter, you have lost. You cannot stop my people, and you cannot stop that craft because it is being controlled by a synthetic mind.\" One nearby Elthrice looked shocked, but the hooded one remained still. \"You cannot disable the wormhole devices, you are weak salvagers while we have mastered your tools. You will fail, you will lose, and there is nothing you can do!\" The Lizard King realized he had started yelling, nearly collapsing due to exhaustion. The hooded one remained unmoving, but the Lizard King suddenly stepped back in fear - the remaining color leaving his face.

48: Rejected-Death

Something was very wrong. He was lying there with two weapons beside him, though he couldn\'t remember why. A being was standing near him, pretender standing by the arch; both so easy to see, even as he lacked sight. Something stirred in him, a strength and rage flowing through his veins that he could not comprehend, urging him to rise to his feet. He wasn\'t aware of moving, his body feeling numb and rubbery, but in an instant he was upright to confront the other being. The other being, wide eyed and terrified, took a step back and drew a knife with a worn star patterned handle - a testament to the Elthice\'s ruined insult of what they wished to be, what they once were. He felt no resistance, first pulling the Elthrice\'s body down by the arm that thrust the knife, then as a hand, his hand, permeated the Elthrice\'s body.

The Lizard King stepped backward until he reached the back of his cage; watching in horror as the body of his former friend, still missing a significant portion of its head, struck down an Elthrice. The hooded one also stepped back, shouting something in Elthrice that he couldn\'t understand. \"(Impossible)\" the pretender shouted, the hollow echos of its voice filling the dome. Another Elthrice approached the dead one standing, yelling \"Stop!\" while outstretching its hands. Everyone in the dome froze, and after a moment of silence, the one that had approached whispered \"Rejected-Death\" before several other Elthrice began to talk among themselves in hushed tones.

\"(He is a Rejected-Death, he has greater authority and will lead us to greatness).\"

The hooded pretender ordered the fight to continue, but the Rejected-Death interrupted with an order of its own. \"(Your arrogance is only matched by your insolence, attempting to seize that which does not belong to you. You are an insult to what you believe yourselves to be; release your captives, sabotage the world mendor, then slit your throats).\" Every Elthrice froze in place, all looking on as the intruder spoke in their language. One gave an order, and many cut their throats in unison. \"Go!\" yelled a shorter Elthrice in a panic as it left, another approaching to plead with the Rejected-Death. \"(Stop, you are us; you are Elthrice, our protector and commander).\"

The Rejected-Death ran toward the hooded pretender, but several others stepped in to try and stop him. He gripped the blade he had taken off the first one, slashing it towards the closest one. At first he thought he missed, but as deep red blood poured out it became apparent he had sliced through the Orbital\'s side; cutting ribs and shoulder, breaking bone and slicing clean through despite feeling no resistance. The other Orbital attempted to grab him, but he pushed it off and slashed quickly, the Orbital dropping to the ground and clutching its neck.

The Lizard King stepped forward, realizing the invisible walls of his cage were no more. He stared fearfully at his former friend, head mostly healed. \"Go, retrieve the captives!\" the Rejected-Death shouted at him before running towards the exit the hooded one had taken; voice still carrying the thousand whispers as it had while he spoke Elthrice.

He ran after the hooded pretender only to see him escaping in a vehicle; although he lacked the state of mind to question it in the present, a vehicle that looked disturbingly human, made of paper thin Elthrice metal. The Elthrice driving it watched the Rejected-Death, now with a nearly healed face, shrink in the growing distance. Turning to contact others, however, he lost control of the vehicle as a knife sliced through him from behind, the Rejected-Death now behind him. All inhabitants were crushed or ejected from the vehicle as it began rolling and crumpled under its weight, coming to rest at small obelisks worn by years of sand and debris.

The hooded pretender lay on his back, suddenly trying to crawl backward as the Rejected-Death standing over him came into focus. "(Do you even know who you are!?)" he shouted. "(I am the Rejected-Death, of your creation)" it replied angrily. \"(Then)-\" the hooded pretender began to say, stunned by a blow to the head, before the Rejected-Death brought its foot down on the hooded pretender\'s arm reaching for the knife in its cloak. The arm of the Elthrice was crushed and nearly disembodied from the force, shattering bone and tearing tendons alike. Though he knew such a wound could prove fatal, by blood loss or damaged muscle tissue entering the bloodstream, it remained still in disbelief at the being that towered over it.

\"(A hundred thousand generations call out to me. You are unworthy of your mantle, petty warlord, and a sad whimper preceding your kind\'s deaths).\" The hooded pretender resumed its attempt to crawl backward, but failed with only one working arm. As the Rejected-Death stepped over him he shouted \"(What have I brought upon us!)\" before it put a foot through his chest, facing no resistance as the torn boot met the dusty ground below; repeating such a blow to the head of the no longer hooded pretender.

\"Basil?\" Spiro asked with a shaking voice.

49: Picking up the pieces

\"Basil, is that still you?\" Spiro asked, fear and uncertainty in his voice. Basil turned around quickly, face fully healed, and Spiro jumped back. Basil froze in place, mind returning to himself as he stared into the blood soaked dirt, some time later stepping backward and responding in a shaky voice that no longer carried the whispers it once did. \"I\'m not sure.\" Spiro looked as if he was about to vomit, but his words carried a more collected tone. \"ACE told us that radiation levels have started to increase, we need to leave now.\"

\"You go on ahead, I\'ll catch up\" Basil said with pain in his voice. Spiro turned to leave, but froze in place and turned back in the middle of his first stride. \"Basil, come on\" he replied, a new worry in his voice. Basil stood silently, so Spiro spoke again. \"I\'m not leaving without you, so let\'s go.\" Basil felt a pang of anger rush through him, Spiro using his own death as a means of forcing Basil to avoid his. However, a sense of guilt quickly washed over him, and they began to walk silently toward their camp. The two walked past wounded being brought through wormholes, the Elthrice all evacuated or dead - many with cut throats, and the Domum dead left to share a tomb with their fallen enemies. Walking by the crashed Elthrice ship Basil stepped through a wormhole to the Arkepello. The area was crowded for some time, but quickly cleared as the wounded were brought away for treatment and the healthy returned to their respective nations.

\"I was worried I wouldn\'t see any of you again\" Grey said, walking over to Basil, Spiro, and the Lizard King, the latter speaking to his son. Grey seemed to notice the three didn\'t share the victorious expressions as the other captives, those who stayed behind, and the soldiers who hadn\'t seen the worst of it. \"Are you okay?\" she asked, before realizing the nature of the question was realized. Nobody was okay; she certainly wasn\'t, and Basil was covered in blood - his own and of others - so she re-worded the question. \"What happened?\" Basil replied with a quivering voice. \"I ordered the death of an entire civilization, and\" Basil paused for long enough that Grey thought he was done speaking, but resumed finally \"and I got really hurt.\" Grey replied, first trying to reassure Basil, although unknowingly misunderstanding what he had meant when he referred to his order. \"That was an army, not a civilization, and most probably escaped on crafts. Those that didn\'t were there to kill us or worse, what was done had to be done.\"

Her words, she found, were not just for Basil. She had taken several lives in the fighting, and having lived her life among scavengers and killers while promising she would never take a life, was something weighing on her as well. She took note of Basil\'s later addition to his statement, and seeing the blood on Basil who seemed unharmed, responded with a positive sounding question. \"You got the (greater relic of the ancient ones)\" back?

Basil felt suddenly uneasy, hearing such meaning behind a word that had been translated to him in the past as simply \"Object.\" It meant something different, ominous even, and suddenly understanding the Elthrice\'s language left him feeling as if more questions were added than answers given. When Basil remained silent Grey repeated her question in a suddenly concerned voice. \"Yeah\" Basil answered, fatigue deep in his voice.

Cicero, clearly glad to be free but oblivious to the mood of the small group, approached. \"I never expected to be saved by your and my soldiers fighting alongside each other\" Cicero said to the Lizard King before turning his attention to the whole group, speaking in a rare jovial exception to his usual muted and business like demeanor. \"Come on, let\'s get something to drink and eat before everyone drinks every drop of wine on this island.\" When the group remained quiet, however, Cicero took on a somewhat concerned face. Basil shook his head, fatigue cutting deeper still into his voice. \"I just need to be alone for a while. I\'m, um, I\'m glad you made it out.\"

Basil returned to the secluded spot by the ocean where he\'d spent what felt like the previous day, even if several had passed. Many hours passed, daylight turning to sunset as he contemplated what had happened. As time passed many visitors came to check on him, but each time he had a short conversation that amounted to asking them to leave him be. As all traces of the sun were vanishing, however, Grey returned for a second time seeming more worried than the first. \"Are you going to stay out here forever?\" Basil responded \"I just might,\" words sounding more antagonistic than he had intended, though Grey sounded unfazed.

\"You can\'t continue to dwell on this, things like this took me years to process, and you will never get better by being alone and reliving the events.\" Basil continued to stare out over the ocean, not turning back to Grey standing behind him when he spoke. \"I ordered the destruction of the world mender. How many people died? Thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions? And when I killed the hooded one, he was horrified of what I had become and what that meant.\" Gray seemed to process Basil\'s words momentarily, finding the right way to respond. \"Basil, when an evil being is horrified of you that\'s not a thing that should eat you up inside. That\'s something that should bring you pride.\" Basil felt an increasing level of weariness in his voice when he responded. \"It\'s not just him; a lot of things happened, and I just need to take some time to understand them. I just need to think right now, please leave me be.\"

Gray began to respond \"Basil, I already told you-\" but paused mid sentence. \"Basil, how did you know to call that device a world mender? Who told you?\" Grey asked in a concerned tone of voice. Basil began to respond with \"Nobody did, I-\" but Grey interrupted him. \"(Who told you what a world mender is?)\" Basil responded \"Nobody\" in a suddenly annoyed voice, before realizing he had just responded to a question asked in Elthrice. Basil turned and could see tears welling up in Grey\'s eyes as she shouted at him, this time not in Elthrice \"Who told you what a world mender is?\" before running in front of Basil and seeing he wasn\'t wearing the pendant that the Lizard King\'s men had made to house the (object) when they acquired it.

Basil looked on with an expressionless face before responding with an \"I told you I need to be left alone,\" fatigue turning to anger. Grey spoke again in Elthrice, shouting in a panicked tone. \"(Tell me brother, if you are still you, who told you what a world mender is?)\" Basil shook his head. \"(You already know what I am halfling),\" and upon speaking Elthrice, he heard his voice carry the thousand whispers as it had before.

Grey jumped and started walking backward as if Basil had transformed into a snake poised to strike, face overcome with dread as she began to run away. Basil, never moving, resumed watching the waves move under the moonlight.

50: The Mountain

The last thing Lewis could remember was falling. The blizzard set in earlier than expected, and one wrong step had sent him plunging into the depths of a crevice hidden beneath the snow. His head throbbed and he could feel a great pain emanating from somewhere, but he couldn\'t make out where the pain was coming from. He tried to feel around for his radio, but between the dark and his confusion he only managed to nudge a piece of gear. That piece of gear, whatever it was, plunged to some unseen greater depths. Was that good news or bad news? Being caught on a shelf was undoubtedly better than falling to greater depths, but was it really good to find out that bad could quickly become worse? He\'d figured this out, he was of sure that, he just needed to rest his eyes for a moment.

Lewis awoke again, this time he was moving. He was falling? No, wait, he was flying? He felt too weak to do anything, even open his eyes, but someone held him. Yes, he was being held by someone moving him out of the crevice. Somebody, whose voice could barely be heard over the ringing in his ears, said something about him being unconscious. Oh crap, Christi and Earl were never going to let him live this one down. Oh well, a lifetime of mockery was a worthy trade for a lifetime that ended in the gorge.

He began to see some light at the top of the gorge. Wait, that wasn\'t the sun; what was it? As his eyes adjusted he could see the seemingly infinite abyss of the crevice he was leaving, but the sky above was yet another infinite black abyss filled with a blinding amount of snow. A searchlight seemed haphazardly attached to something flying in the air. It wasn\'t a helicopter, that would be too small, and he would have heard it by now. Besides, who would have a helicopter out here anyway? No, it was something big - breathtaking and ominous - with a gray green color pulling him and his rescuer up. Moments before Lewis lost consciousness he was given a vision of an indescribable aircraft, blinding lights under a backdrop of a blizzard and pitch black sky.

Lewis came to, warmth coming over him. He expected to open his eyes to Chrisi\'s worried face, but only saw the night sky under the same blinding blizzard. He went to move and realized he crinkled, somebody having stuffed chemical hand warmers under his clothes before wrapping a mylar blanket around him underneath his coat. Not what they taught in school, but hey, he wasn\'t a Lewisicle so no complaints there. \"We need to get you out of this cold\" said an unknown American in a parka. \"Who are you? What happened?\" Lewis asked, unsure of what was going on. \"You fell down a hole and dented your noggin\" the man in the parka replied coldly. Why the hell were they not already going someplace warm? Had this man just warmed him and left him in the cold instead of taking him back to wherever the parka man came from? Why the hell would he do that?

\"Where are you from?\" the parka man asked again, and even under that nasally accent, Lewis could tell the parka man was not good with bedside manners. He wasn\'t angry, but he didn\'t sound sympathetic either, just matter of fact. Maybe he used to be his soldier or cop or something? American cops were rude, right? Oh shit, maybe he was here about the mountain. Lewis looked into the parka man\'s eyes, the only part of his body not covered. The eye seemed annoyed now, or maybe that was just his imagination. \"Australia\" Lewis replied, surprising himself at his voice\'s weakness, his mind finally clear enough to recognize it. The eyes seemed concerned now. Lewis managed to eke out how he got there: a snowmobile ride and a short walk from an the Australian Arctic research outpost before \'bopping his noggin.\'

\"Where is he?\" Cristi asked as she paced. \"The blizzard probably slowed him down, I\'m sure he\'ll be fine\" Earl responded. After a brief pause Earl tried to lighten the mood a bit. \"Remember that time when he sat on his radio, then got distracted sketching the landscape? You know Lewis, he\'ll be back here when he gets around to it, and I can think of some creative way to get back at him for making me do his readings.\" Christi didn\'t seem to share his optimism. \"He went to see the mountain, somebody could have hurt him.\" Earl just rolled his eyes. \"Really, you two are getting into that tin foil hat nonsense now? Mountains don\'t just appear.\" Christi shook her head. \"Exactly, so when one does just appear that\'s spooky to say the least.\"

Earl glanced at the monitors, hoping to change the topic of conversation to whatever the readings would be. The sensors were all weird, though, as if some object was displacing air currents near the outpost. \"Never mind, it must be some sort of malfunction\" Earl said, Christi also seeing the readings and only looking more alarmed. \"The mountain\" she said under her breath before Earl pointed out the window. \"Here we go, that\'s Lewis\'s snowmobile right there. The chore skipper lives to fight another day.\" Christi went to the window ecstatic, but suddenly backed away aghast at something she saw. \"That\'s not Lewis on his snowmobile.\"

\"Grab something to use as a weapon\" Christi shouted, picking up a chair and wielding it above her head. Earl stepped back, unsure of what to do; looking further uneasy as the makeshift weapon was displayed. There was a frantic knock at the door; handle moving on its own when there was no reply from inside. A parka wearing man stepped through alone, and for a fleeting moment the eyes beneath the mask were seemingly illuminated with an inhuman energy.

The abyss reached out, tentacles clawing at his mind, demanding a violent resolution to such a threat. Basil froze in the door frame, forcing out the abyss until his breath was visible in the frigid arctic air seeping into the building. \"There\'s a man named Lewis, says he\'s from here. He\'s hurt and I need somebody to help me move him without aggravating his injuries.\" Basil could see the look on the small statured woman\'s face change from that of terror of him to terror at Lewis\'s potential state. The woman ran past Basil, not even dressing for the extreme cold, Basil following suit. \"Hey\" Lewis said, some strength recovered in his voice. \"What happened?\" The woman asked in concern. \"I think I fell down a hidden crevice, but things are a little blurry.\"

\"He\'s broken an arm and at least one of his legs, as well as suffered a head injury. We need to get both of you inside now.\" Basil said, barely audible over the roar of the wind. Though he mainly remained monotone and apathetic, he surprised himself as he heard hints of concern in his voice. The two picked up Lewis and carefully carried him into the little outpost, right past the man putting on winter gear, who quickly pivoted his priorities; throwing off his coat and clearing the table before issuing a command. \"Christi, Parka, keep Lewis from falling off the table.\" The two put Lewis on the table, who groaned before speaking to the man who was returning.

\"Hey Doc, you got anything to dull the pain?\" Lewis asked the returning man, but Basil spoke in response. \"If he had any major internal bleeding he would be dead by now, so you\'re probably safe, but I would defer to your judgment.\" The woman did not appear to appreciate Basil\'s bedside manner, but the man playing medic seemed to appreciate the information. \"This is Christi and Earl\" Lewis said as if trying to distract himself from the approaching needle.

Lewis winced as the needle poked him, quickly becoming visibly relaxed, and before long Earl was taking inventory of Lewis\'s injuries. \"You\'re the best Doc\" Lewis said before switching his attention to Basil and asking a question. \"So what, you a doctor? And I never did get your name or why you\'re out here.\" The parka man responded. \"Basil, and not a doctor, at least not the stitch-you-up kind.\" Lewis looked as if he would have been annoyed at the dodgy answer had he not been on pain meds. \"So, what kind of doc then? And why are you out here?\" Basil, still wearing his parka and mask, replied. \"Particle physics, and that\'s about as much info as I can divulge.\" Basil paused momentarily, adding \"I really should get going. Stay away from that area in the future, Lewis; it\'s bad luck.\"

Christi sprinted in between Basil and the door he was walking to. \"Hey, how are you going to get back? It\'s a blizzard out there, and unless you plan to steal our snowmobile, it\'s a long walk back to wherever you came from.\" Basil shook his head. \"I\'ve got a friend who will pick me up on the way back.\" Christi looked worried. \"The blizzard will be over in less than a day; stay here. I don\'t care what macho secretive bullshit you\'re up to; you\'ll freeze to death like anybody else out there.\" Basil could see the whole group still looked somewhat suspicious of him, but saving Lewis was apparently enough to get Christi genuinely worried about him. \"Come on, man, at least let me have a chance to properly thank you for saving my ass out there\" Lewis said, sitting up against Earl\'s protest. Basil stood silently for an awkwardly long time before lifting his hands in mock surrender. \"I guess the cold can wait, you all got anything to drink?\"

Christi opened the cabinet full of bottles and Basil began to take off his face mask and parka. Lewis raised his hand as if also requesting a drink, but Earl nearly smacked it down in disapproval. However, as Basil unzipped his coat, Earl\'s eyes locked on his side as he stepped back. Basil looked down and saw his handgun hanging off his shoulder. \"He\'s not staying in here with his American death machine\" shouted Earl angrily. \"It\'s Austrian\" Basil replied, monotone voice returning, and Christi looked at the two - suspicious of Basil but seemingly annoyed with Earl as well. The two\'s attention returned to Basil seconds later, pistol and magazine in one hand, racking the slide with his other; chambered round flung into the air. As the action slid back Earl jerked back in surprise, but Basil dropped the now unloaded handgun onto the parka lying on the floor. \"Better?\" Basil asked and Christi nodded, Earl remaining silent momentarily before giving Basil a suspicious glance and returning to treating Lewis.

Christi laid out some liquor bottles that implied they were brewed at the station and poured three shots. \"Well, you\'ll be fine\" Earl said to Lewis before turning to the table. \"Come on, gimme\" Lewis requested as drinks were poured, sounding loopy from the pain meds. \"Sorry, I\'m taking yours. It\'s the I repel down a ravine to save your ass tax\" Basil quipped, smiling for the first time since his death.

51: Recollections

Basil\'s memories were disturbed by a vibration in his pocket.

Basil with his scruffy beard entered his Arkepello hotel room, sitting across a table from Grey. Time had passed since their fight against the Elthrice, although this was the first time he\'d stepped foot on Domum since that day. Since then, aside from a short radio conversation with Tobias, he hadn\'t interacted with Domum again. Throughout the weeks, except for one impromptu outing, he mostly kept to himself; drinking and trying to forget what had happened - until Grey reached out, saying they needed to talk.

"Sorry" Basil said sheepishly, seeing Grey's hands shake. "No Basil" Grey replied, seeming more calm. "This is not your fault, and you have nothing to apologize for. I am sorry. I cannot imagine what you went through, and I've treated you like you are a monster." Silence enveloped the two again, but eventually Basil broke it. "What's your name?" Grey looked at Basil in confusion for a second, but seemed to remember that the two now shared both languages and replied in Elthrice. "Half Comet\'s Aurora, that's as close of a translation I know of" Basil replied. Grey smiled.

"('Half' would usually be for someone with mixed ancestry, such as half Orbital for example, but for me it is because I am half Elthrice. 'Comet' is because I was born in a vessel instead of under Elthrice territory, and 'Aurora' is the name others know me by. Like) Basil (is for you)."

Basil returned a smile. "So, what would you like me to call you?" Grey seemed ambivalent. "Aurora or (Aurora) is fine. But do not say my name in Elthrice unless you learn to speak it without the whispers." Basil nodded, and the two fell silent until Aurora broke the silence with something Basil figured she had rehearsed. "You are still Basil, and you must always remember that" Aurora said in a reassuring voice. "But you are also the Rejected-Death, a very dangerous Elthrice being." Basil smiled, trying to be as jovial as the situation would allow. "Well, I guess the legend got the whole Elthrice thing wrong."

Aurora seemed almost amused, but quickly returned to a serious expression. "Basil, you are now more Elthrice than I am. I am half Elthrice by birth; you are now Elthrice by right and, as was said to me, are to be a commander and protector." Basil was unsure of what he was being told. "But every Elthrice, including you, was terrified of me. Or at least terrified of the idea of a Rejected-Death existing." Aurora nodded.

"Well, it is said that a Rejected-Death is extremely rare. In your years, perhaps one in a millennium. It's also said that a Rejected-Death comes in times of great turmoil, and will leave a great gash across the universe in its wake as it fights the (unworthy) or the (usurpers) at the command of those who built the relics. It looks as if those you have fought, and are to fight, is the (remnants of the old Elthrice order), and you may be on a path of their unavoidable destruction."

Basil still felt hesitant. "I'm still me, I'm landlocked, and they know what I am now. Can't we just hope for them to screw off and leave us alone?" Aurora had a look that Basil interpreted as either finding the question funny or naive, but when she spoke she seemed much more saddened.

"(Fate can sometimes not be avoided, even with the freedom of being one's self. Brother, it saddens me to see you so hurt by the sterilization of the old Elthrice base, but it also brings me joy to see that you retain your autonomy. You already knew this holding an Orbital's object, but the great one's relic changes you. Violence, a pull to fight fated foes, and apathy towards the world and those whom you affect in your campaigns. You will be drawn to these things as will your enemies be drawn to you, just as oxygen cannot resist ferrous metals. You are still) Basil, (but you are also a Rejected-Death, that cannot be changed no more than entropy can be undone. You have been imbued by those that came before, and chosen as a tool for their unknown purposes. It has become you, and you have become it)."

The vibrations continued and Basil returned to the present, nearly knocking over an empty liquor bottle and swiping his finger across the screen several times before accepting the call on his new device. In lieu of a faked number, ACE had instead made the display indicate Spiro was trying to contact him.

"Hey, what's going on?" Basil asked, a little nervous something bad was going on. Spiro seemed to pick up on Basil\'s hesitance. "Everything\'s fine, I just hadn't seen you since things went down, and if it\'d work out I hoped you could swing by. I\'m on the Arkepello, General Tobias said you\'re frequently in the Arkepello hotel; if you want to swing by at some point I\'ll get us something to eat or drink." Basil paused for a second, mind returning to his memories, but he quickly forced them down. \"I\'m doing okay, I\'m, um, I\'m just taking some time to figure some thing out\" he replied, unsure of whether he really felt that way.

\"Yeah, I can be down there at any point really\" Basil continued, before pausing and adding \"Or, if you\'d like, you\'re welcome to visit me on Earth. There\'s a wormhole device in my Arkepello room that\'ll take you right there.\" Spiro remained quiet for some time. "Well, that\'d certainly be interesting. I\'m at the Arkepello docks now, I should be a very short walk away." Basil began relaying directions on how to get to his room in the Arkepello hotel, and as Spiro said he was near the door Basil could hear the electronic locks ACE installed disengaging through Spiro\'s radio. \"One final question before you arrive\" Basil asked, \"You want to take the scenic route or the warm route?\"

Spiro sounded hesitant. "Is one dangerous?" Basil laughed. "We\'ve got practically identical genetics, so if it were dangerous for you it\'d be dangerous for me too." Spiro replied "Scenic I guess," still sounding slightly hesitant as he stepped through and into the hangar. Spiro looked somewhat surprised as he looked around, smiling and making a quick gesture to his chin. Basil gave a quick chuckle, realizing that last time Spiro saw him he was clean shaven and had short hair; instead now sporting a full beard and rather long hair. \"Yeah, I got this hippy friend who\'s been a bad influence. He\'s even having second hand hippyfluence now that Aurora\'s growing her hair in the same way.\"

Spiro seemed to grow more confused as Basil spoke, but replied with "Aurora?" and a smile. "Grey's name in Elthrice. At least the best translation of it anyway." Spiro nodded before gesturing and asking \"And I take it you\'ve made some gunship progress?\" while gesturing to the Elthrice craft in the hangar. "That, my friend, is the first known Elthrice ship built in over a thousand years. If I am really stuck being the Rejected-Death I might as well make use of those scavenged parts. Only flew it once so far; it needs further calibration of the thrusting devices, to be sealed off, then needs the guns integrated afterward." Spiro turned towards it and looked on silently for some time, Basil hoping it was admiration of the machine as opposed to discomfort at the reminder of what he witnessed during the fight against the Elthrice.

"Well, I'm guessing you didn't just come here to see my hobby project, let's go take that scenic route." Basil turned to the rack by the door, put on a parka, and handed one to Spiro. "Here, you're going to want to wear this." Throwing it on the same way he watched Basil do so, they both stepped out of the hangar and into the polar climate. Basil figured the weather was the most beautiful it could get. The sun illuminated a bright blue sky, reflecting off the snow and ice and illuminated the mountain range nearby. Small gusts of wind occasionally blew the snow around, but nothing flew above knee height. Spiro looked on while shielding his eyes from the sun as they walked to the compound near the hangar, both seemingly in amazement at the scenery and dislike of the extreme cold.

"It's awe inspiring here Basil, but it's" Spiro began to say as he broke the silence, and Basil finished the sentence with "Fucking cold?" Spiro smiled and returned a nod as they neared the facility. "Is the whole planet like this?" Basil laughed. "Naw, we're on a polar ice cap. I'm sure you\'ve got them too. Not a lot of people here, gives me a chance for some solitude, them trying to kill me and all.

Making their way inside Spiro asked another question. "I haven\'t seen you at the meetings in the Redcap capitol; you want me to fill you in on what\'s been happening?" Basil shrugged, although it felt forced as he did so. "Haven\'t been invited.\" Spiro looked somewhat surprised, but Basil continued. \"That\'s alright though, I\'m glad to be done with Domum politics, and would rather be working on my gunship and drinking at the Arkepello. As for Elthrice defense, two invasions of Elthrice planets have got to be enough for one lifetime." Basil opened a fridge and poured himself a shot of Gray Goose. "You want anything?" Spiro nodded, before bending over to grab a bottle. When he turned back, however, he had a look that hinted at either worry or sadness.

\"Have you heard from anybody outside the Arkepello since everything went down?\" Basil forced a melancholy smile. \"Met with Cicero twice since it all went down; he looked real worn down and has put on some weight. He seemed a little nervous around me, but I got the impression the Redcaps are struggling and he feels like he\'s the only reason his government is still hanging on, even if by a thread. Sent him back with all the antibiotics I could scrounge up. The Lizard King refuses to talk to me or ACE, but his son works with ACE a lot to get some efficient farm tooling set up. From the sounds of it they\'re so low on manpower that if they can\'t harvest more efficiently they\'ll have a food crisis. But ACE has been handling that; I\'ve mostly kept to myself.\"

"Sorry to hear that" Spiro replied. "It's alright, like I said, semi retired. I'll hopefully not be needed for help with Elthrice defense and I wouldn't make a good diplomat or politician anyways. Aurora was originally apprehensive about what happened to me, hearing old stories and things, but now she\'s probably handling everything better then I have. Everyone on the Arkepello is used to my crazy stories so they're not bothered by a new one to add to the list. All in all it's quiet, but I never signed up for the chaos, so you won't hear complaints from me."

Spiro responded with a delayed smile and Basil continued. "Besides, I get to share a drink with an old buddy and ramble on about stuff every now and then. So, what have you been up to?"

52: A wolf in a Lamb\'s Clothes

"Is everything okay?" Basil asked, running into the Arkepello bar and drawing everyone\'s attention. General Tobias looked at Basil, seemingly amused, and answered the question directed at Aurora. \"Yes, I was just showing Aurora some maps, and she was hoping you could join us.\" Basil breathed a sigh of relief, the adrenaline from Aurora\'s text that read \"At Arkepello Hotel. Please help.\" leaving his system. Tobias continued \"Come to think of it, Basil, you still know that Amigoso spy? They keep an eye on every inch of coast west of Amigoso, so if anybody can get more information it would be him. That is, if that\'s okay with you Aurora?.\" Aurora nodded, but Basil still felt left in the dark. \"Sorry, you\'ve lost me, what\'s going on?\"

\"Well, I overheard Aurora talking to Simon about geography, and\" Tobias spoke in a hushed tone \"Well, honestly, I\'m surprised the kid can find his way from his post to here some nights.\" Tobias returned to his normal voice as he continued. \"So anyway, I got out my old Imperial survey books and started to subject her to an old man\'s rambling on history and borders. And, as the story goes, there\'s this iron mining settlement on an island between here and Loquail that went crazy. Started eating each other, speaking bits of an incomprehensible language, and worshiping some sun god.\" Basil\'s face had an expression of surprise come over it and Aurora began to speak.

\"And then I reminded him I am only half Elthrice by birth. Basil, we may have found where they took my mother from.\" Basil interjected when Aurora had finished. \"Wait, you said old imperial reports, how old?\" Tobias replied as if they were a point of pride. \"One hundred and twenty-nine years.\" Basil began to say \"So-\" but Aurora seemed to know the question he was going to ask and nodded. \"Some of that is the result of travel in the crafts, but Orbitals live much longer than most others.\" Aurora took on an expression that Basil could only read as sadness, and the table fell quiet.

Basil, Aurora, Spiro, and Tobias poured over the maps on the table. \"And you\'re all sure of this?\" Spiro asked, sounding hesitant. \"We\'re not sure, but it appears likely, and I just need to know\" Aurora replied, before turning to Basil. \"Basil, I know you understand the longing and feelings of not belonging. I need to go there, but I want you to come with me.\" Basil nodded. \"Of course.\" The table fell silent for a moment, but Tobias spoke shortly after. \"This is a week\'s journey by boat. I can likely requisition some naval supplies and rations, but we cannot currently spare a vessel to get you there; our entire navy has been tied up with the decreasing Redcap patrols.\"

Aurora, however, looked like she had something in mind. \"Basil, the gunship, could that get us there?\" Basil shook his head. \"It\'s currently in a few pieces. Me and ACE are trying to get things properly sealed, and ocean air is unfortunately not something that would be good to expose it to until we\'ve worked that out.\" Spiro interjected \"I got this guy in nautical surveillance,\" before his voice trailed off, and Basil began to wonder if Spiro had just started to worry he was giving information that should not be provided in the presence of foreigners - much less a foreign head of state. After a few seconds, however, his face took on a laissez-faire expression and he continued. \"Well, this guy owes me near a dozen favors. A light Amigoso boat will likely get you two out there and back in four days max.\"

Spiro paused for a moment before continuing again. \"If you want, I\'ll cash in those favors and get you there. My schedule is pretty empty, most of the Ministry has been giving me the cold shoulder, and it\'d be easier to get it through if I was there so it looks more official. If it\'s okay I could accompany you both, but I completely understand if this is an Elthrice thing and you two would want to go it alone.\"

Before they knew it Spiro could be heard shouting \"We\'ve got land up ahead\" in the distance as he exited the boat\'s cabin. Basil took another draw from a cigarette and looked to Aurora. She had a somber look, and he could see this trip was taking a toll on her. Spiro, finally making his way towards the two, shouted \"Hey, they\'re going to park the boat by the abandoned dock.\" Basil watched Aurora change her face to a more positive one as Spiro came over, but he knew enough of Aurora and what this trip meant enough that he didn\'t need the abyss\'s intuition to sense the change in demeanor was forced.

\"Abandoned?\" Basil asked, and Spiro replied, seeming to change to a more cautious tone. \"Yeah, I don\'t think it would be safe to walk on. Sorry Aurora, I don\'t think anybody has been here for a very long time.\" Aurora smiled a melancholy smile, which seemed to be genuine as far as Basil could tell. Perhaps not at the news, but instead as an acknowledgment of Spiro\'s concern, he figured; unless maybe she was relieved at the idea there\'d be nothing but ghosts to greet them. They approached the dock and Basil could see that it had been very obviously abandoned, half collapsed and half rotting in place. \"You two go on ahead, I\'ll stay back with the mini boys and help them collect observations\" Spiro said as they made landfall, but Aurora shook her head. \"Please, come. You\'re not an invader on this trip; you\'re a true friend for helping us get here.\" Basil nodded in agreement, and Spiro smiled quickly before jogging back to the cabin. The three began to make their way up an almost nonexistent path, Basil bushwhacking and Spiro carrying a rifle.

\"Man, I wish I had your energy\" Spiro said, watching Basil swing his machete for an extended period. \"A bullet to the head seemed to work; we can give it a go if you\'d like.\" The two exchanged smirks and Spiro gave a quick laugh that sounded like a snort at the quip, Aurora returning a quick smile to the two. Basil felt relieved that Aurora seemed to find the comment somewhat amusing, realizing after the comment that she might not consider now a good time to joke. Eventually, the group found a clearing containing many collapsed buildings, a sole building still standing and heavily overgrown with vegetation. Stepping inside, the three found a skeleton surrounded by rusted metal and foliage.

\"Please, I need a minute alone\" Aurora said through misty eyes. Basil and Spiro quickly left the building. \"I can\'t imagine what she\'s going through. Losing her Elthrice family and then finding the remains of someone who could have been her, um, non Elthrice family\" Spiro stated in a whisper as soon as they were outside. \"Yeah, it\'s fucked up\" was all Basil could think to add. They both stood in silence for a moment before Spiro spoke again. \"Shit, how are you holding up? Maybe it\'s not my place to ask, but you\'re not in a boat that\'s too different. If you ever want to talk about anything I\'m here for you.\"

\"Thanks. I dunno, it\'s weird. She lost everything; I\'ve got no memories of anything. Kinda ate away at me for a while, ya\' know? Honestly, though, after everything\'s settled, I don\'t really see myself as stranded anymore. I\'ve really-\" Basil was interrupted by movement in the dense brush as Spiro raised his rifle. A woman with light skin and dark red hair snuck out, as if she was trying to avoid being detected by someone or something. As soon as she saw Basil she ran towards him, holding a knife and saying something in an unknown language. Spiro replied in what sounded like the same language.

\"She thinks you\'re Loquailian and wants to know who we are\" Spiro clarified to Basil. \"Does she know about the history of this place?\" Spiro smirked. \"I doubt it, she\'s Loquailian. I\'m half tempted to tell her I\'m collecting Loqailian sex slaves and that I ordered you not to speak.\" A short laugh escaped Basil as he tried to hide it, but the woman took on a very annoyed look and replied in a whisper \"Fucking Amigosian.\" Basil laughed again, no longer trying to hide his laugh, finding the exchange growing even more amusing; though Spiro seemed surprised and somewhat embarrassed. \"You\'re Loqualian, and you don\'t speak Loqualian?\" the woman asked, seeming annoyed but confused. \"I\'m not Loqualian\" Basil responded, but before he could speak further the woman replied \"You\'re a fucking disgrace to your kind,\" not seeming to understand what he had intended.

\"He\'s Elthrice, or American, depending on who\'s describing him\" Spiro replied when Basil remained silently confused; however, before more could be said there was rustling in the brush again; followed by the woman saying \"Run, they\'re here.\" Spiro asked \"Who\'s here?\" and Basil simultaneously said \"Shit, what if there\'s Elthrice here?\" and took several steps forward to put himself between the brush and Spiro. An entirely wooden spear sailed through the air before bouncing harmlessly off Basil\'s chest as Spiro raised the rifle.

Basil just laughed again. \"A fucking spear?\" Several people ran out of the brush, and Spiro shot one, causing two others to freeze and a third to charge Basil with a knife made of a nonmetallic substance. Basil stuck his hand out, the attacker running into it as Basil grabbed him by the neck. The attacker frantically stabbed at Basil, but the crude knife only began to chip away at itself. The abyss started to claw at his mind, but he remembered their theory on how these people became this, and he loosened his grip and began to laugh for a third time. \"Would you knock that off?\" he asked mockingly, turning back to see a very serious looking Spiro and a concerned looking woman.

The attacker spoke through a slightly constrained throat. \"(Surrender worm!).\" The abyss clawed its way back into his mind, overtaking the humor as he threw the attacker violently to the ground. Basil replied in Elthrice, a deep rage in his voice and the thousand whispers accompanying it. \"(Worm! You confront me with such a word? Those words shall be your-).\" Aurora grabbed Basil\'s arm with a speed that implied she had barely come to a stop from running. Basil realized his head turned instantaneously to face her, further than he thought his head could rotate, and her face showed a delayed but sudden fear.

A knot grew in his stomach, strong enough to drive away the abyss, and he stepped back. \"Sorry\" he said, voice suddenly weak, before taking more steps back and repeating \"Sorry\" again. Aurora seemed to take on a more sad expression, Spiro had taken several steps back and looked concerned, his attacker on the ground and the woman looking terrified. \"Don\'t hurt him; he\'s a victim of what happened\" Aurora replied, breaking the long silence before continuing \"I\'ll go talk to them; at least some of them probably understand us.\"

Basil felt as if he was returning to himself, and suddenly felt worried at the idea of Aurora speaking to the unknown group of assailants. \"You sure that\'s safe?\" Aurora looked annoyed at the question. \"Basil, they\'re trying to worship us, and in case you forgot, I\'m a descendant of Orbitals. I\'ll be okay. Now talk to that terrified woman and see if she\'ll tell you what happened.\" Basil turned away and walked towards Spiro, who was talking to the woman. After quickly glancing over his shoulder toward Aurora, he gave a non-threatening hand gesture to appear less menacing.

\"What the fuck are they?\" the woman asked, looking both nervous and unsure of what to make of Basil and Aurora. \"They\'re Elthrice. They\'re friends who just got scared when they were attacked. They won\'t hurt you\" Spiro explained, but the woman didn\'t seem too reassured. \"He didn\'t look scared\" she said while gesturing to Basil, who repeated his attempt at a non-threatening hand gesture now that he had finished walking over. \"Sorry, I got carried away. He insulted me and I let my ego get the better of me, but I wasn\'t going to kill him\" Basil said, a worry in the back of his mind that he only felt guilt for scaring Aurora; not feeling guilty for being seconds from killing the man or lying about it now. The woman seemed more confused but less afraid.

\"You speak their language?\" Basil nodded. \"I speak Elthrice, though I don\'t think they speak Elthrice. Some bad Elthrice attacked here several generations ago.\" Spiro seemed to change demeanor seeing everybody nearby had calmed down. \"Now, where are my manners? I\'m Spiro, this is Basil, what\'s your name?\" The woman responded tersely. \"Lamb.\" Spiro spoke again in a reassuring voice. \"Okay Lamb, how did you end up here?\" Lamb suddenly looked distressed, but something looked off to Basil about the expression that Spiro didn\'t seem to see - or at least express. \"I was captain of a merchant vessel that shipwrecked here. They tried to eat me, and I don\'t think any of my crew survived.\" The abyss called out to investigate, saying every word was a lie - albeit one that didn\'t pose a present danger, but only the Rejected-Death means of doing so in his skill set was violence or the threat of it, so he did his best to keep a neutral expression and ignore the prompt.

\"Spiro, get all the rations we can spare\" Aurora shouted, interrupting their conversation. Spiro ran off to the boat and Aurora motioned for Basil to come along. Basil followed her in silence for some distance before eventually coming to a camp of sorts. One of the islanders led the two into the camp and towards an old woman too weak to stand. Aurora looked at Basil with tears in her eyes. \"Her mother knew my mother.\"

53: California Sands

"Here we go" Basil said, stepping away while trying to untangle himself from wires. "And you\'re sure it will work?" Spiro asked, questioning Basil\'s confidence. "Well, one way to find out. Flip that switch and either it'll work, or the whole city will go up in flames." Basil replied in a joking manner. Spiro flipped the switch on the new UPS the two had just installed. Some RGB lights turned on and the city did not go up in flames. Basil gave a confident smile, although Spiro had an amused look.

Something in the back of Basil\'s mind told him that Spiro found it amusing the man who built a makeshift Elthrice gunship struggled with basic electrical equipment. He couldn\'t tell if it was the abyss reaching out; if it was, it wasn\'t nearly as overt as it had been on the few occasions it seemed to scream information or intentions at him. Perhaps it was his intuition coupled with Spiro\'s not wearing the mask of an intelligence official around him. Or maybe he was going insane, and it merely looked amusing as he nearly strangled himself in a mess of wire.

"There we go, you can now officially run Amigoso power through this and safely convert it to be compatible with any of my stuff. No more balcony generators for you my good sir."

Spiro looked like he was going to reply, but ACE came over the speakers on the telecom device wired to the wormhole device they had just installed. \"Basil, one of the federal agents we were monitoring cryptically implied one of their so-called \'spectral guests\' showed up, left, and likely will return. Some social media users are already reporting a bunch of military looking activity in the area, and they are saying the swath of BLM land they blocked off is growing. It has reached the threshold for us to investigate in person.\"

A sense of dread hit Basil. They had been monitoring this anomalous activity in the California desert for some time, but throughout it all, he kept telling himself that he and ACE were simply bored. The Elthrice, at least the ones he knew, were too weak to assault Earth. Besides, it sounded like they were hunting spies, and the Elthrice were always loud and aggressive. Nevertheless, he and ACE had put off installing the guns on the soon-to-be gunship that way it\'d be ready to fly on a moment\'s notice, and they were about to do so to investigate further.

\"Alright, let\'s go. You able to glean any new information on who\'s actually there staking out the place?\" Basil asked, sounding more confident towards the end of his statement. \"Nothing other than that they are using outdated hardware, that being the reason I was able to intercept and decrypt some of their communication. Whether that is because they are there in a less than official capacity, or because they want to keep this under the radar, I am unable to determine.\"

Spiro joined the conversation. "Basil, is there anything I can do to help?" Basil hesitated for a moment before replying. "Yeah, a second pair of hands who knows the Elthrice would be good. But if it actually looks like it could be the Elthrice I\'ll probably go down and say hi, and do so as Elthrice given my history with what could be the same people who attacked me before. If I do so, you\'ll probably need to stay behind on the craft, unless you can pull off a really good American impression.\" The two stepped into the unarmed gunship, door closing behind them, before Basil suddenly interjected. \"Oh, and I should tell you about my mantel ahead of time; it might be a little surprising if I use it and you\'re not expecting it.

\"Mantel?\" Spiro asked. \"Something that keeps the Elthrice and non-Elthrice parts of me into their own little cozy corners of my brain\" Basil began, before ACE started relaying information about their departure. While flying inconspicuously prevented them from leaving and re-entering the atmosphere, and thus required them to fly at a much slower speed than they would have using Elthrice crafts on Domum, they were quickly in international waters off the coast. Minutes turned to hours as ACE surveyed the situation and collected as much data as possible.

Eventually, ACE took them overhead; though as they remained out of range of the drones, and restricted data collection to sensors that would not give away their presence, ACE expressed frustration at the little data he was able to collect. Suddenly, however, ACE displayed information on the panels of the gunship as his voice came over the speakers. \"We just got hit with radar. With our altitude and the craft\'s material they shouldn\'t know what we are yet; but we have a very short window until they point every sensor on the ground, in the air, and in orbit they have access to towards us. We either need to go now or announce ourselves.\"

Basil took a deep breath. \"Drop our altitude fast and turn on every sensor you can, make it look like we\'re just arriving. Try to patch me into the radios you broke into. We don\'t have an army, so if the Elthrice are actually coming we need to be there when it happens to wallop them immediately and get them to reconsider. We also need to look powerful enough that it\'ll demand some respect from those on the ground, but we need to avoid spooking them. If they turn their sights on us we\'ll give the Elthrice an advantage.\"

"Alright, you're tapped into their radios" ACE said, and Basil readied himself to make 'first contact'. "Hello, I believe you made contact with, or are about to make contact with, a dangerous faction of beings I have experience with. I have come to assist you in preventing their spread." Basil said through his mantle, the echo of a thousand whispers echoing out of the other\'s radio and back through his as he spoke. "Identify yourself" a voice on the other side of the radio said, before adding "And tell me how you're on this network." Basil paused for a moment to think of how to respond. "You would not comprehend my name, so you may refer to me as X." Basil lied, remembering the impact he felt when Aurora had said the same to him. Something in the back of his mind told him \'X\' was a poor choice of name to randomly take on, but he continued regardless.

"As for your network, your key pairs are too simplistic." The man on the other end seemed distracted, likely alerting others to the breach, but Basil continued. "I have come to assist you in expulsing those that I believe you have gathered to confront." The man on the other side of the radio seemed confused and angry. "Do not interfere with us, tell us where you are and we will send-," but Basil cut him off. "I will be arriving momentarily." Several people began to speak simultaneously, but everybody went silent as their radios relayed the distinctive roar of an Elthrice craft cutting through atmosphere. Several surprised outbursts, followed by frantic speech, broke the radio silence.

The panels of the unarmed gunship lit up again, ACE relaying information collected from the newly running sensors. Two F-15s, both outdated models that should have been retired several years back, were closing in on their location quickly. "Who are you, and why are you here?" asked a rougher, older voice, which seemed to remain calm despite the others\' sounding somewhat frantic or unsure. Before Basil could respond, ACE relayed additional information: the F-15s had both target locked on them. "I already told you what you ask. You may refer to me as 'X\'; I am charged with the containment or destruction of those I believe you are aware of and expect to make contact with." The calm man seemed to pause momentarily before replying with a quiet but authoritative voice. "Are you one of them, the ones you say we are here for?" Basil answered, a thousand whispers echoing in his reply. "Their kind, yes, but we do not share the same allegiances."

The calm man seemed to hesitate for a moment, but the man spoke right as Basil began to wonder if he would not get a response. "This area is restricted; leave now and do not interfere. You may return when we give permission and speak with us further." Basil took a similar silence, worried about starting a fight, but ultimately more concerned about letting the Elthrice gain a foothold. "That I cannot do. I believe the threat you face greatly exceeds your capabilities, and the containment of this faction is my utmost priority." ACE spoke quickly. "Heat management or durability?" However, time constraints forced ACE to decide before Basil could respond.

54: The Third Elthrice Campaign Pt. 1

The first indication their introduction was about to go bad was a burst of transmissions between the ground and jets above; the second indication being that it stopped. \"Heat management or durability?\" ACE asked, using intentionally fast words. Before a response could be given, however, the jets fired upon them. He dropped the craft in altitude quickly, hoping the thrusting mechanisms could counteract the otherworldly G forces that were in effect as they had during the simulations. Credit to the long dead Elthrice engineers, everything seemed to work as it should, despite the rather novel application of such hardware.

Enough time had passed and he began to understand the behavior of the missiles. They certainly had no trouble seeing the craft, its surface an astronomical heat, but they were slow in their responses and speed. With less capacity devoted to predicting their trajectory, the second priority rose to prominence: a great display. He began to roll the craft on its axis before beginning a Fibonacci sequence, forcing the missiles to effectively continue straight as they constantly corrected to where the craft was moments ago. Passing the missiles, mere centimeters from detonation proximity, he turned the craft instantly at 90 degrees and began flying away horizontally; missiles and jets becoming stationary objects.

He felt something. It wasn\'t the first time, but it was still a rarity, and certainly the first time he had felt something like this. Pride maybe? No, it felt too muted, at least when compared to the descriptions of the emotion. Satisfied. He was satisfied with what he had done. \"What just happened?\" Spiro asked, responding to ACE\'s question directed at Basil. \"What are they saying?\" Basil asked moments later, before Spiro\'s question could be answered. \"They are confused, and are speculating the craft is unmanned. An order has been given, however, to stop firing and disarm the munitions in the missiles they launched.\" ACE replied, trying to answer both questions.

\"Alright, let\'s go back and try to talk again. Any signs of the Elthrice showing up during that little sidequest?\" Basil asked. \"No signs of the Elthrice. I am bringing the craft back now and patching you back into their radio, although I have an idea for continuing our demonstration.\" ACE brought the craft back into the area at high speeds, slowing down as it matched course to the side of the closest jet. The jet, now likely blaring with alarms at the heat quickly dissipating from the craft, tried to pull away; ACE matching its movement exactly.

\"You have used your weapons; shall I test mine, or shall we speak of our combined defenses against a very dangerous adversary?\" Basil bluffed over the radio. The calm man returned to the radio, voice as still as before. \"Very well, what do you propose?\" Basil spoke, his mantle aiding him in avoiding emotion or fear in his voice, but internally glad at the change of events. \"I wish to speak with you in person and aid in the defense against the problematic ones in order to verify their containment or eradication. Then I will leave.\" The calm man replied without any pause. \"Then you may land as soon as your ship has cooled to safe levels.\" Basil checked the console, satisfied that the gunship was dissipating heat as fast as predicted, and shortly after ACE was narrating their landing.

Spiro stepped out of the craft behind Basil, or, well, the being that he was mostly confident was still Basil - despite its appearance. He rationed it away, besides, he was in disguise too. ACE had given him some sort of uniform that he said was Earth military; different from Amigosian uniforms, but not as alien as he expected. Over it he wore thick metal plates designed to stop bullets and - something he knew was not standard Earth military garb - a cloth mask that hid his entire head aside from his eyes. Basil\'s clothes looked like a costume at first; a dark charcoal colored jacket and pants over a white shirt - odd, but not overtly alien to Amigosian garb. The bright red cloth around his neck, and the little gold piece of metal affixing it to his shirt, however, were certainly more alien than the rest of his outfit.

Stepping out, however, and Basil\'s garb looked much less out of place. Basil\'s people, or at least the ones that were once Basil\'s people, all wore similar clothes as Basil did. They would have looked imposing had they all not jumped back as Basil exited. His mantel was unnerving to Spiro himself, and he was told to expect it, so he couldn\'t help but pity those unprepared for it - even if they had just tried to kill them. Like the hooded one, Basil\'s face was unseeable. No eyes or mouth, ears or hair, just a blank nothingness. Only, unlike the hooded one, Basil did not wear a hood. After a few moments of shock, followed by a few hair raising moments of weapons pointed at them, they were wordlessly led to a tent where an older heavy man looked on expressionlessly.

\"You are the one I spoke to?\" the Calm Man asked, and Spiro felt uneasy at the lack of fear on the man. Basil had assured them that those on Earth weren\'t capable of doing anything he hadn\'t seen before, but the calm man\'s confidence seemed to disagree with that assertion. \"Yes\" the Faceless Man replied, speaking for the first time since exiting the craft, the thousand whispers sending another wave of terror out through all but the calm man. \"And what exactly are you?\" The Faceless Man remained quiet for some time, but seemed to decide on a diluted version of the truth. \"I am assigned a protector; my sole purpose here is to contain the spread of a dangerous faction.\" The calm man sounded suspicious. \"Yet you carry human weapons?\" gesturing to the rifles held by the two \"And seem to have a human companion?\" The Faceless Man replied cryptically. \"I was given a limited allotment of supplies, these have been scavenged. Useful in certain cases, but not against those I fear you will see today.\"

Even in his terrifying presence and oddly different manner of speaking as the Faceless Man, Basil still lacked his skill with words. Spiro watched as all around him, except the Calm Man, took on a mix of worried and horrified looks. While Spiro knew Basil didn\'t consider him a scavenged weapon and was only trying to explain away the rifles, those around him didn\'t seem to take it that way, and knowing Basil he didn\'t even realize the misunderstanding had happened. Unless, of course, it was one of those (object) moments and it somehow thought that was the most terrifying response. The Calm Man turned directly to Spiro. \"You, are you being held against your will?\"

This was the exact sort of situation he wanted to avoid. If the Faceless Man responded instead of Spiro they\'d probably turn on him for seemingly kidnapping one of their own. Yet these people were probably Amigosian Ministry of Information equivalents, meaning he had to tread in his response carefully. \"No sir, I took an oath to defend my nation and I believe it is best fulfilled this way\" Spiro replied confidently. The others took on a much calmer expression and Spiro felt pleased; Amigosian wits remained unmatched.

\"What do you know of these beings we are here to confront?\" the Faceless Man asked, directing words towards the Calm Man. \"I cannot provide that information. Forgive my bluntness, but we don\'t exactly know your origins or motivations, and you aren\'t exactly fourth coming, so we do not trust you enough to share intel.\" The Faceless Man seemed unfazed. \"These beings belong to the civilization (Elthrice), though it is best translated to \'Elthrice\' -- the same as I do. These particular beings we are likely to confront are desperate, and likely seek an invasion or infiltration.\" Spiro felt a little worried; if these were ministry analogs then they wouldn\'t participate in a good natured exchange of information.

\"So, what exactly do you believe yourself to be? Our protector, controlling access to our planet?\" The Faceless Man responded. \"Yes, in a way. I am here to uproot the weeds sprouted from seeds spread of my own tree, but have no animosity to the other plants of your garden.\" An unease washed over Spiro; Basil never spoke like this. The Calm Man asked two more questions in rapid fire. \"What sort of authority structure do you have, and are we likely to see more of you?\" The Faceless Man responded, a contradictory mix of sorry and apathy hidden beneath the whispers. \"I am the last of ones with my capabilities, and the only one of my allegiances you will meet, if that is what you ask.\" The Faceless Man paused momentarily before continuing with \"I am what you may call an endangered species.\"

This was a problem. Spiro himself had been trained to interrogate without the other feeling like he was being interrogated, and this same manner of questioning was occurring now. Basil had fallen for it once before, and here the Faceless man was falling for it yet again. A pang of guilt hit him as he remembered turning on Basil, although he would hopefully use his skills to aid him this time. He broke his calm, unexpressive expression, and glared straight at the lack of a face. The Faceless man suddenly straightened and took a more rigid posture, seeming to get the message. An odd dread washed over Spiro; while the Faceless man had only just changed his posture, his brain felt like the Faceless man had just grown by ten feet and took on a menacing expression, even if his eyes reported that nothing had changed. The dread turned to satisfaction as everyone in the room except the calm man stepped back, a reminder that Basil was on his side - even in this form.

\"Be warned, Earth does not require a guardian or overlord, and you are not the one to decide who may or may not enter. You will be permitted to aid in its defense, but that is the only permission I have granted, and it is tenuous.\" The Faceless Man replied, a sudden darkness deep in his voice.

\"You say these things, but you have not born witness to what I have. I have witnessed the sterilization of many planets, and have initiated such destruction upon two. You play a game in the dark and yet you know not even what the opponents\' pieces can do.\" Though remaining outwardly unexpressive, the Calm Man appeared to take a moment to process the unknown being\'s words. Before he could respond, however, the conversation was interrupted by words arriving over the Calm Man\'s radio.

\"Sir, we\'ve just captured somebody who claims to be a hiker driving out here, he somehow slipped past our guys on the perimeter.\" The Faceless Man replied directly to the transmission before anybody else could respond. \"If you have captured somebody they are very likely not the ones I am here for.\" The Faceless Man received disapproving glances from those around the Calm Man, all seeming unhappy with Faceless Man\'s flaunting of his access to their network. The one on the other end of the radio seemed hesitant to respond, but eventually the Calm Man replied. \"How would we know for sure?\" The Faceless Man took an oddly fluid step towards the Calm Man. \"The being would almost certainly be nearly seven feet or taller, and they would have no means of obscuring that.\" The radio cracked in response. \"Yeah, this guy has to be at least seven feet tall. But so what, is every Norwegian one of them?\"

The Faceless Man replied, ignoring the last comment. \"A more obvious indicator would be a gray green complexion, which could be hidden with pigments or a technological augmentation. To defeat the latter you would need to render your subject unconscious.\" The voice on the other end of the radio fell silent for a moment, but suddenly turned frantic. \"Shit, he\'s wearing makeup. Er, um, not a he. I think it\'s one of them.\" The calm man seemed to remain stoic, and the Faceless Man only uttered \"Interesting\" in his otherworldly voice.

The Calm Man went to leave the tent, but the Faceless Man spoke with a surprising air of urgency. \"I must accompany you during interrogation.\" Despite no change in voice, the Calm Man had an air of suspicion. \"And why would that be?\" The Faceless Man replied coldly. \"Because he now knows you are on to him. You will never be able to get any information from his kind, but regardless of his objections, he will give it to me.\"

55: The Third Elthrice Campaign Pt. 2

Spiro followed the Faceless Man as they were wordlessly ushered into a tent by those standing outside. Their prisoner, an oddly thin Orbital, looked bruised and bloody; pigments meant to hide his skin seemingly washed off his face and upper body - despite the rest of him seemingly still in disguise. Wet rags and bloody rags covered one table, although the room seemed cluttered with gadgets. They were undoubtedly Earth technology, though, many alien devices dedicated to specific purposes as opposed to the Elthrice technology that seemed to do everything at once while being integrated into a larger device or person.

The Orbital\'s face contorted to an expression Spiro couldn\'t recognize as it shouted something in Elthrice that Spiro didn\'t understand.

The Faceless Man\'s voice boomed with anger.

The Orbital flew into a panic, trying and failing to break its restraints. \"What did you say?\" demanded the Calm Man. \"He believed I would be on his side, but was sorely mistaken\" the Faceless Man replied in a somewhat mocking tone, before contemplating aloud. \"Interesting that an Orbital be sent without an Orbital\'s (object)...\" the Faceless Man said, taking several steps towards the prisoner, who returned to resisting his restraints again and called out to his captors in English. \"Please don\'t let him...,\" but the prisoner\'s voice trailed off as the Faceless Man gently put his hand on the prisoner\'s left arm.

Spiro looked on, feeling a little confused. It looked like the Faceless Man was about to try to activate the Orbital\'s implant, but that wouldn\'t work, would it? Could anybody just activate an Orbital\'s implant? The Faceless Man moved his arm in an almost otherworldly fluid swipe, but everything suddenly felt wrong. Something hit him in the chest, and those around him aimed weapons and started shouting. Instead of seeing a PDA he heard a bone chilling crack, the Orbital now screaming. A disembodied arm was held in the air like a trophy.

Spiro suddenly felt sick to his stomach. Not at the violence; he\'d seen far worse, but this was not something that would have been done by Basil, who had barely been able to stomach killing somebody who stabbed him. While he hadn\'t known anybody who\'d have the strength to do something like this, he\'d known people who\'d had this sort of brutality in interrogations before; he despised those people. He could hardly believe what had happened, but only two possibilities existed. Either the violence had broken Basil, or this wasn\'t Basil making these decisions. He wasn\'t sure which was worse.

Ignoring the screams, the Faceless Man opened the limb, pulling out a bloody black dot the size of a grain kernel. An interface opened, all in unreadable Elthrice, and a few swipes and taps later the Faceless Man crushed the device between his fingers. The Calm Man, seeming to process the situation that passed by near instantly, ran over to grab the Faceless Man\'s arm - seemingly in anger. His sudden anger seemed to be replaced by an unexpected expression of fear as he pulled his hand away the second it made contact, though moments later his expression had returned to the blank expression he had otherwise been wearing. \"What did you do?\" he demanded, voice still carrying some anger, and the Faceless Man turned towards him as if he had forgotten about the Calm Man\'s existence.

\"I told them to come. Get the van you seized into position, this is either a very desperate infiltration or a trap, but they do not know I am here so we will have the advantage either way.\" The Calm Man stood silently for some time, but eventually ordered his men to get the van located near an outcropping of rocks in the valley that they were encamped around. \"You will wait here\" the Calm Man began, but the Faceless Man spoke firmly in disagreement. \"No, I will wait by the van, that is not in question. You and or your subordinates may present if you wish, but I will be present when we confront the beings. Unlike this scout, you will likely be incapable of harming them and will be entirely unmatched.\"

The Calm Man began to order his soldiers into defensive positions on the edges of the surrounding valley, seemingly not debating the Faceless Man\'s presence further. Several, however, would accompany him while they joined the Faceless Man and Spiro by the van where the Elthrice would emerge at if it were not a trap. As they made their way there, and out of earshot of the others, Spiro whispered a question. \"Do you really think it\'s a trap?\" The Faceless Man\'s response was whispered back, the other whispers seemingly nonexistent or too quiet to be heard. \"This is a trap, or the Elthrice are exceedingly desperate. Regardless, exercise caution.\" Spiro replied with a cautious glance, before turning his head to look at the gunship silently moving behind the ridge.

Spiro stood waiting and looking around. The snipers were impressively hidden, their full-body suits matching the surroundings, making a deadly trap for anyone wandering in. At least, of course, anybody without an Orbital\'s (object). He\'d have to relay their designs to somebody at the ministry, they\'d be a marginal improvement to their standard gear. They certainly weren\'t a fan of him helping the outsider and his Earth buddies, but some good gear to bring back would hopefully plaster over the annoyance they seemed to have towards him. Maybe they\'d even let Basil enter the island, and he wouldn\'t have to worry about what would happen if they found out he had already done so using a wormhole device.

He forced his mind to stop wandering, even if it was the only thing keeping him from focusing on the dread he felt. Sure, he could hold a confident expression - he was a master of controlling appearances, but being on an alien planet to confront other aliens sure didn\'t inspire confidence. The others could be faking their confidence too, but something told him that, at the very least, the Faceless Man and the Calm Man were as confident as they seemed. That sort of confidence was always dangerous.

There was a gust of wind and a flash of a wormhole as several Elthrice stepped through. They seemed to go so quickly that they didn\'t even know others were around until it closed, suddenly stiffening and stepping back as they realized their predicament.

\"You! How did you?\" asked a seemingly flabbergasted one in the center of the group, wearing a hood that concealed its face in a similar manner to their presumably former leader. Its voice did not carry whispers, but its voice sounded closer to the others on Earth; unlike the prior Elthrice that understood the language and sounded more like those from Domum. The hooded one was shorter than the rest, though still tall, and surrounded by Orbitals on both sides. The Faceless Man bellowed out something that sounded chastising.

The Orbitals surrounding the hooded Elthrice took on a sudden look of fear, and the one with the hood took on a posture that looked like fake bravado. It spoke, however, with what sounded like real confidence. \"Perhaps I do not wish to conceal my speech from those present.\" The group fell silent briefly, but the hooded figure continued. \"You chose a fitting appearance, given my predecessor took your face last time we met.\" The Faceless Man responded with a tone that seemed to contain rage. \"And his remains remain scattered on the desolate ruins you once called home.\" Suddenly, he switched to an eerily calm tone as he continued. \"And so will be your fate if you do not leave now. This civilization is under my protection; return to yours or perish as your predecessor.\"

The group fell silent again and Spiro suddenly felt calm; from the looks of things, this would end with the Elthrice leaving peacefully. An entire army ran from them once, and here stood less than a dozen. The hooded one, however, turned to the Calm Man and spoke. \"Do not pay attention to that one; it is a ghost of a lost age, weaker than he once was, bearing no army or weapons. I bear you no ill will and can provide you with items beyond your comprehension in exchange for our friendship.\" Spiro began to feel nervous again. This was a problem; Basil\'s diplomatic skills, or lack thereof, had turned every major power against him at one point. However, when he looked back, The Faceless Man remained quiet and instead turned to the Calm Man, who had an unexpected grin.

\"Of course. As a show of good faith, please surrender your weapons and allow my people through to your home to verify your intentions.\" The Orbitals gripped their weapons harder and shifted in place, Spiro feeling more relieved again. If nothing else, at least those here were smart enough not to be blinded by such an offer, the request sounding more mocking than genuine. The moment the group fell quiet the Faceless Man turned away from the Calm One and raised his hands, gunship silently rising over the horizon to become visible from within the valley.

"One of the Orbitals slit his throat. The Calm Man\'s men initially started raising their weapons as the knife came out, but seconds later they joined the Elthrice in their shocked expressions; joined in expressions despite differing causes. "\<words in Elthrice>" the hooded one shouted to seemingly rally his faltering allies. The Faceless Man took several steps closer. \"Return to your dust and ashes, scavenger, before I turn you to dust on these lands.\" After speaking, however, he turned his back to the hooded one and faced the gunship hovering in the distance. Spiro couldn\'t believe it, but it almost looked like he was trying to goad a fight.

Spiro watched as a blur of motion erupted from the hooded one. The hooded one slashed a knife at the Faceless Man\'s back, but the Faceless Man turned and extended his arm towards the knife. In one quick motion he wrenched the knife out of the attacker\'s hand and plunged it into his chest. The Orbitals around him began to raise their weapons, but the Calm Man gave a discrete hand signal only visible to somebody trained to notice such things. The Orbitals fell to the ground, riddled with wounds, and bullets spalled off the hooded one who seemed unharmed except for the knife in his chest. The Faceless Man took the knife out of the hooded one\'s chest and struck him twice more with it, hard enough to knock him back and onto the ground.

Unlike the first moments, which almost looked like a dance, these strikes looked more brutal and rageful; as if he was beating him with his fists, which only held a knife by happenstance. Spiro suddenly noticed a slash across the Faceless Man\'s right hand and back, which seemed to be bleeding. Though not enough to be a life-threatening injury, a knot grew in Spiro\'s stomach. Could the hooded one be right in that he was getting weaker? Regardless, however, the fight was over; that was all that mattered for now.

The Calm Man gave another discrete hand signal.

As unexpected as it was, Spiro knew what it would mean as soon as the Calm Man\'s fingers began to move. He dove for cover behind a large rock; even if there were gunmen posted from every angle pointing into the valley, he had to minimize how many had a line of sight on him. Several struck him in the chest as a hail of gunfire kicked up dust, Basil falling to the ground beside him. He opened fire onto the hillside.

Time nearly froze for Basil. Moments before, the strange surge of energy from the (object) was fading, fight that he expected since the moment he stepped off the gunship now over. Then, out of nowhere, he was on the ground. He had trouble focusing, his head and chest hurt, but he knew he was in trouble. He quickly scrambled behind the rock that Spiro had ran behind, enabled magnification on his rifle\'s optics, and watched through them as the gunship landed in the area the snipers were; crushing rocks, trees, and people alike.

\"The valley is too deep, you need to get out of there to get into the gunship\" ACE bellowed through the radio, semi-monotone in nature, but volume unbearably loud to be audible in the chaos. The gunship flew in on its side, pressed to the ground, and began rolling as if it were a large shield as Basil and Spiro began to run out of the valley. Basil felt a chill run down his spine as he saw where he confronted the hooded one. The bodies of the Orbitals lay there dead; the Calm Man and his men had left, but the body of the hooded one was gone. There was no time to carry a body away in this short window, and Basil was sure that he had gone through a wormhole - either alive or dead.

\"You idiot!\" Basil yelled over the radio as they ran, firing blindly at the hilltops. \"I was about to land the killing blow, but he has escaped and will certainly return. You have doomed yourselves!\" The Calm Man replied over the radio; though he sounded as if he was out of breath from running, his voice\'s tone sounded like a calm gloat. \"One thing about humanity you must learn is, for better or for worse, we take no shit and accept no masters. You bled and took cover; that means you\'re not as durable as you\'ve portrayed yourself to be.\"

The two jets with their missiles roared, the gunship suddenly flying up and using its bottom as a shield. An explosion rang out, but the gunship remained in the air and seemed unharmed as it turned over and opened the door on its back. Soldiers began to swarm them from all locations and Basil and Spiro raised their hands before jumping; the gunship\'s artificial gravity pulling them into the craft through the now closing door. Basil spoke over the radio. \"You and I are not so different, and I fear that is to your people\'s detriment.\" Taking fire from those on the ground and in the air, it tore through the atmosphere with an eardrum rupturing roar.

56: Coastal Federation

Basil stepped out of the gunship, tired and bloody, but as soon as he turned to leave ACE spoke. \"Basil, while we were busy, Gina from the coastal federation attempted to contact us. She is attempting to reform their organization and requested your presence.\" Basil sighed, feeling even more exhausted at the suggestion. \"Alright, ask them if tomorrow works or something.\"

\"She is having a meeting in a couple hours, she specifically requested you be present because she wanted to thank you for saving their organization and wanted your official recognition of their new government.\" Basil laughed. \"My recognition? The fuck is that gonna do?\" Spiro also laughed, but seemed to be directing his laughter towards Basil\'s response instead of the request. \"What do you mean \'The fuck that gonna do?\' You helped take down an Elthrice invasion, became one in the process, and have the ear of three of the four major governments. Not to mention you\'ve got a gunship now. Your presence there would mean almost as much as if the Redcaps themselves arrived during the negotiations and said \'This new government is under our protection.\'\"

\"What\'s the gunship looking like?\" Basil asked ACE. \"It sustained minimal damage; we can hold off installing the weapon systems and fly it straight to Domum\'s coast.\" Basil nodded. \"Alright, what do you think we should do?\" Spiro looked as if he was about to speak, but ACE responded to the question Basil had directed towards ACE. \"We should go. The Coastal Federation is in a strenuous position and there are no risks to us by dropping in, we can either have an ally or, most likely, a dead stranger if we do not visit.\" Basil nodded. \"Alright. Just let me go get cleaned up first.\"

Basil stepped out of the gunship, walked down the opened ramp, and stopped right before the ramp changed to ground. The foliage was dense, even denser than the western regions of the Redcap\'s territory, but the area seemed freshly cleared, and in it, a mostly constructed wooden building lay ahead. A soldier, at least what he assumed to be a soldier, began approaching; holding a spear to his side. \"Greetings, Basil. Please surrender your weapons to me, and I will escort you to the great hall.\" Basil shook his head. \"Sorry, nobody\'s getting my weapons. I\'ll wait here, why don\'t you go check in with Gina.\"

\"That was a federation order, and not up for debate\" the soldier replied, switching from cheerful to menacing instantly. Well, Basil figured, the soldier at least probably thought he looked menacing. He stepped forward and off the ramp and wrapped his fingers around the spear\'s tip. As the spear\'s edge locked within his hand, millimeters away from touching his skin, the soldier tried pulling it away from Basil\'s grasp but failed. A familiar surge of energy hit him, though muted from the day\'s earlier injuries, and as the soldier began to pull back, Basil wrenched it out of his hands and struck the soldier in the chest with the end of the handle. He dropped to the ground, clutching his chest and gasping for breath. Basil scowled.

Gina ran towards them with another soldier by her side. \"What happened?\" the other soldier asked, nebulously directing his question towards both Basil and the soldier on the ground before quickly bending over to inspect the one on the ground. \"He tried to disarm me, then found out it takes a lot more than a spear to do that\" Basil replied in a monotone voice that, even to him, felt oddly relaxed for somebody who had been in an altercation. \"You told me to disarm them\" the soldier on the ground wheezed, seemingly catching his breath as the other soldier helped him to his feet. \"I told you to disarm the negotiators, Basil is not a negotiator. You\'ll be fine, he just hit you in the sternum, I\'ve seen worse wounds from training.\"

\"Get him inside\" Gina commanded the soldier who had originally accompanied her. The soldier looked hesitant, but Gina continued with a relaxed expression. \"If Basil were dangerous I wouldn\'t have called him here.\" As the soldiers left, however, Gina\'s relaxed facial expression changed to one that looked as if she didn\'t know what to think of the altercation, seeming to imply she had faked the earlier expression to get the others to leave. \"Sorry, I think I was a little too hard on him\" Basil said as he and Gina began walking towards the entrance of the building. They continued in silence for a short distance until they stepped through a large wooden door.

\"We\'re just finishing up, you can wait around here until we\'re done\" Gina said, gesturing to what looked like a makeshift waiting area in the corner of the large open room. All eyes turned to him, and from the tone of the following negotiations, it seemed apparent that his presence was being used as a bargaining chip, even if it wasn\'t said out loud.

\"Sorry about the wait\" Gina said as Basil noticed the room was clearing out. \"Turner, go fetch us some wine from the storage room.\" Basil watched as the soldier that originally had followed Gina grumbled about being the head of their armed forces and doing a cook\'s work, leaving Gina and Basil the only two in the room. As they waited for the wine to arrive, Gina filled Basil in on the state of things. With the ongoing turmoil in the Redcap and Lizard kingdoms, the various coastal city leaders had begrudgingly agreed to re-attempt a unification under a loose centralized power. While choosing a leader, Gina convinced them that she had the outsider\'s support and the debt of the Redcaps. Basil\'s presence in the meeting sealed that belief and helped force some more favorable terms.

Basil found himself feeling oddly refreshed as Gina explained everything bluntly. The Redcaps, the Lizard King, and Amigoso officials always had an air of bullshit to their speech; even as he began to know them personally there was always double speak and reading between the lines. Right now, he was bluntly being told he was present as a political bargaining chip, and it felt oddly pleasant to be told that, as sad as he figured it was. He was also, however, alarmed to hear that the Redcaps had fought a few skirmishes with what sounded like guerilla forces of an unknown allegiance within their capital city. He was aware of vague \'troubles,\' but apparently news was slow on the Akepello and he wasn\'t kept in the loop by the Redcaps themselves anymore. Basil put down his glass, yet another glass of wine consumed.

\"Well, perhaps you could come out of retirement to become my most trusted advisor and the second most powerful person of this nation\" Gina said, suddenly shifting the conversation. Basil laughed at the absurd proposition. Under the (Old Elthrice) he would have had near limitless power and freedom to raise armies, everybody afraid to disturb the power behind the (object)s that revived somebody for a particular purpose. Here, he was offered a bureaucratic position in a barely iron age nation whose subjects mostly did not even know that specific government existed yet. What little aptitude for adept and respectful conversations Basil had, however, had alerted him to play off the laughter as if it was related to what he was about to say.

\"Funny you should mention retirement. The Elthrice attacked again today.\" Gina returned a laugh, seeming to think Basil was joking. \"There\'s still blood on my boots from an Orbital\" Basil replied while gesturing to his shoe. Gina\'s face changed from intoxicated amusement to a suddenly sober look of concern and fear. \"What? Where?\" Basil sighed. \"Today, against my people. I beat them back, but conflict with my people prevented me from killing their leadership.\" Gina responded confused. \"You tried to kill your people\'s leadership?\"

\"No, I tried to kill the Elthrice leadership, but my people tried to kill me and it turned into a huge mess.\" Gina kept alternating between worry and confusion. \"Why were you fighting your own people during an Elthrice invasion, and do they have the same weapons as you do?\" Basil replied, suddenly sounding worn out. \"They saw me as an Elthrice, which is pretty much correct at this point, but we were fighting before that too. It\'s a long story.\" Basil paused, before remembering there was a second question. \"But no, while some of my technology is from my people, the stuff you\'ve seen today is only held by the Elthrice, though some of it is even lost to them.\"

Gina seemed to pick up on Basil\'s fatigue and began to pivot the subject. \"Well, if I can\'t offer you a position, what can I offer you, Basil? You saved the lives of me and my most loyal allies, and I would like to repay you somehow.\" Basil pondered momentarily, not aided by his intoxication, before finally settling on a response. \"Right now, I just need an ally or two I can trust to have my back with an army if needed. Things are starting to heat up and my relations with every nation minus the Arkepello have been strained. Although with what you said earlier I\'m sure the Redcaps will be requesting help from me soon if things continue the way they\'re going. But if things get bad there and I need a few guys with guns they\'re not going to be able to help me on that.\"

Gina laughed as if she had just uncovered a truth, intoxicated amusement returning. \"So, I take it the reputation of Arkepello soldiers being shit is correct then?\" Basil responded with a laugh, confirming the stereotype. \"Yeah, they\'re good people, but most of them couldn\'t hit an unarmed asshole standing ten feet away.\" Gina responded again, this time answering Basil\'s original request. \"Well, I can grant you that wish, you\'ll have an ally in the Coastal Federation.\" Before the conversation could continue, however, Gina pivoted it yet again. \"Well, I\'m glad to have had this meeting, but I must get going now. I have some diplomatic meetings to attend that will involve some long boat rides, so I don\'t have much time to waste.\"

57: Unlikeliest of Allies

He walked through the door silently, checking corners as he passed. Everything was quiet, just as he planned, and he was now standing behind her while she sat at a table oblivious. \"Impressive place you got here. Durable walls, your own crops, a defensible property line, and you\'re far enough from the Redcaps that they won\'t bother you while not being far enough they won\'t keep the overt criminals in check.\" Spiro said, surprising Lamb, who spun and turned to face him. He watched as her face turned from surprise to anger, but no fear. No fear was a bad sign; there should have been at least a second or so when she realized somebody was present but didn\'t realize who it was or why they were there.

\"How did you get in here?\" Spiro just laughed. \"You\'re seriously asking someone from the Ministry how they got in?\" Lamb rephrased her reply, growing angrier. \"The gall of you Amigosians. What do you want?\"

\"I know a couple of things. I know that you were run out of Loquail, and know why you want to be in the middle of nowhere.\" Lamb\'s face turned to rage, but her hand never went near the knife on her belt, which meant no violence today. \"But there are things I don\'t know, and I believe you may be able to find them out.\" Lamb laughed, but it was a bitter, mocking laugh. \"You and your people are irredeemably arrogant; in what world would you think breaking into somebody\'s house and blackmailing them would get you what you want? Congrats on your investigation, it just cost you your life.\"

Spiro laughed mockingly. \"Did you just threaten an Amigosian Ministry of Information agent with that little knife on your belt?\" His mind started racing, however. Her face had gone from angry to calm and she began to get out of her seat. She had to know that he could gun her down in a second, but people suddenly getting calm after stating they intended to do violence was a very, very bad sign. He had already scoped the place out; there was nobody else and no better weapons within reach, and he had his revolver and larger stature. But she seemed to think she had the upper hand here, and the reasons were unknown. Unknowns get mini boys killed, as his trainer had always said.

Spiro kept his composure and lied. \"Alright, let\'s pretend you\'ve got a magic wand up your ass. The Elthrice knows I\'m here. What do you think his kind does to people who hurt their friends?\" Lamb seemed to mull something over, which was not a good sign. \"What do you want?\" Lamb finally asked, spitting bile with her words. Internal relief washed over him and he attempted to regain his air of authority. \"I need your help.\"

\"You have a shitty way of asking for help.\" Spiro shrugged, internally glad to be re-directing the conversation in the direction he rehearsed. \"Well, you are uniquely positioned to give me a hand. I happen to suspect some shady stuff is going on in the Amigoso docks, and-\" Lamb cut Spiro off. \"You suspect!?\" Lamb asked in mocking sarcasm. Spiro continued, ignoring the comment.

\"I need you to pose as a smuggler and reach out to this contact\" Spiro said while handing her a piece of paper. \"I\'ve already got a ship loaned to me from the Redcaps for this, I just need a believable informant to get this rolling. That guy will pay you real money for your fake smuggling, and I\'ll throw in a bonus beyond that, enough to keep you afloat for a long time.\" Lamb seemed curious, but hesitant and still angry. \"If you already know who to go after then why not send your own people after them? The assholes at the ministry can break anyone, it\'d be some karmic justice to see them break one of their own.\" Spiro shook his head and, for just a moment, accidentally telegraphed he was unsure of how to navigate the issue he was facing.

\"Somebody is moving weapons, a lot of them, and from the looks of it they\'re ministry. I\'m already on the ministry\'s shit list, and if I go through official channels I\'ll tip my hand.\" Lamb smirked. \"You know what, helping a high ranking Amigosian commit treason has piqued my interest. But don\'t expect me to lose sleep when you roast in a ministry crematory.\" Spiro shook his head, successfully hiding his internal strife. \"No, I\'m recruiting you to help me route out traitors; I\'m not betraying Amigoso.\" Lamb smirked, looking like she didn\'t believe a word of what he said. \"Alright, and what else is in it for me?\"

\"You mean aside from keeping your secret quiet, the money, and me pulling you off that island?\" Lamb responded with incredulity in her voice. \"No, the two Elthrice pulled me off that island, and any goodwill I had with you was gone the second you broke into my home and tried to blackmail me. So, again, what else is in it for me?\" Spiro thought momentarily, but with nothing coming to mind, Lamb spoke again.

\"Alright, how about an audience with the smaller Elthrice? I would be stupid to accept any promises from the ministry, but from what I heard, even your mini boys are terrified of the Elthrice. And, if he really does know you\'re here, I want his protection. He might be stupid and unstable, but he doesn\'t strike me as somebody who\'ll stab me in the back; unlike you.\"

Spiro was surprised at the request. She could have just traveled to Arkepello, unless maybe they knew who she was? Or perhaps she just thought that saying hi to an Elthrice on your own was a bad idea? Oh well, don\'t look a gift horse in the mouth. \"Deal.\"

58: The Miami Fallout

Basil went from the pressurized room to the condo, condo to elevator, and elevator to lobby. Walking through, however, he was stopped by Elliot. \"Hey man, now a good time to talk?\" Basil shook his head. \"Sorry, not really. Some people made very poor decisions, and now I need to run to the liquor store before my head explodes.\" Elliot responded, curious but oddly enthusiastic. \"Whoa, is that some sort of mob speak?\" Basil stopped walking and turned to him. \"Not in the mood.\" Elliot looked visibly upset with Basil\'s sudden change in demeanor.

\"Vibe much?\" Basil\'s expression softened a bit. \"Sorry, look, things just keep getting worse and I need something to take the edge off. I mean very literally what I said.\" Eliot looked confused. \"Bad like how? Is that why the feds are sniffing around for you?\" Basil\'s attention quickly shifted to the new topic at hand. \"I\'m sorry, what?\" Elliot spoke like it was obvious. \"Yeah man, they\'ve been sniffing around, they tried to dangle a pass on a weed charge by getting me to tell them about you.\"

\"What exactly did they say?\" Elliot seemed to think for a moment. \"Not much, they just wanted to know if anybody odd was around, ya\' know? They didn\'t ask for you by name or anything.\" Basil immediately asked another follow up question. \"And what did you tell them?\" Elliot smiled. \"Relax, man, I didn\'t tell them anything. And I was straight to their faces about it, too. No way I\'m snitching on Flint.\"

Basil took a deep breath. Okay, so they somehow found him, right? It could have been some money laundering investigation; maybe ACE messed something up? It didn\'t have to be related to the Elthrice; besides, there\'d be no way they could connect him to here. Unless, shit, could the phone have pinged a tower in California? The PDA intercepted the signals, but had ACE not modified it to avoid pinging regular towers? That wouldn\'t be an issue in Domum or Antarctica, and a random phone in Florida wouldn\'t draw suspicion, but if the same phone pinged a tower when they were fighting the Elthrice, that was a problem. Shit, well, no more Vodka today, time to close up shop here.

Elliot looked over Flint\'s shoulder at a blur by the door as two cops ran through it. \"Flint Isaiah, show us your hands!\" As soon as the commotion started, however, Flint\'s face changed. He could still see it clear as day, but it was as if his face had suddenly changed to something unrecognizable. Elliot instinctively took several steps back and Flint began to shout. \"Elliot, Tasha, and you two, you\'re gonna want to get out of here\" while gesturing to Tasha and the couple by the front desk. Even Flint\'s voice had changed, as if it was being masked, and Elliot couldn\'t move. \"Flint, don\'t throw your life away\" Elliot began to say as he felt dread deep in his belly, but Flint seemed to pay him no attention and stood there with his hands at his sides.

\"What BS did they tell you?\" Flint asked in what sounded like a mocking tone. \"I said, show me your hands! You\'re under arrest for the murder of four federal agents, unless you want to save the taxpayer some money and move your hands in any direction other than up.\" One of the cops screamed. Murder of federal agents? That didn\'t seem right. Sure, Flint seemed sketchy sometimes, but he didn\'t seem like a murderer. Did he? Flint just laughed, a deep belly laugh that caused Elliot to feel even more unsettled. \"Oh please, the asshole who told you that must have been glowing brighter than the sun. And let me guess, no warrants or nothing, just a scary guy who told you to find me and then tell them where I am WITHOUT engaging?\" One of the cops looked like he grew angrier, but the other one suddenly had a look of concern on his face. The angry one began to say \"I told you,\" but Flint spoke over him with \"Here\'s what\'s going to happen\"

Neither finished their sentences.

Elliot watched as a blur of motion came through the front and back entrances of the lobby. At first he thought they were SWAT as they were all dressed in black, but something was off. Before he could tell what, however, they opened fire. Why were they opening fire? Flint didn\'t have a weapon. What was going on?

Elliot dove under the table. He tried to move more but was unable to, fear and adrenaline rushing through him as the bodies of the two cops fell, dark red blood contrasting the clean white carpets. His ears screamed out in agony as the pop of a handgun contrasted with a barrage of methodic automatic gunfire. Despite the unending fire, however, the paratrooper boots stood firm in the center of the room. Some of the people dressed in all black fell to the ground, and a shout rang out that chilled his bones, as if a thousand people yelled angrily at once. He covered his ears, but the otherworldly sounds still rang out.

Feet approached the pair of paratrooper boots, but all fell. Even through his balaclava, the first looked like his head was severely deformed. The second was still alive and landed directly in front of Elliot. They made frantic eye contact, and he could see the closer one was missing most of his arm. All that remained was a hemorrhaging stub and torn flesh draining blood onto the carpet and under the table, as if the arm and weapon had been ripped off in one quick motion. A stream of shell casings was now dropping near the paratrooper boots, but as quickly as the life drained from the man\'s eyes, the battle died out, and the room fell empty of all but two souls. Only the paratrooper boots remained, standing eerily on the now stained carpets. Elliot realized his mouth was open but couldn\'t tell if he was screaming due to the ringing in his ears.

Basil ran up the stairs and into his condo, pushing past the gawkers who had left theirs to foolishly investigate the gunfight. He quickly entered his door and locked it behind him, filling his hands with anything he thought would be worth grabbing. Stepping through the now open wormhole he tossed everything on the ground before stepping back through and grabbing the wormhole device. The maintenance drones, busy cleaning the and planting false DNA, rushed through behind him.

The wormhole closed, and Miami was gone forever.

59: The Beginning of the End

\"Basil\" Spiro said, surprising Basil who bumped into the mess of gunship parts. As Basil finally exited the maze that enveloped the hanger, he noticed Spiro looked slightly surprised or uneasy. Odd. Perhaps Spiro was just surprised by his change of appearance, his beard shaved off and his hair tied behind his head. \"What\'s going on?\"

\"I just got back from speaking with Cicero and the Redcap Queen, they captured a criminal who claimed there was going to be a major attack on their capitol soon. They wanted us to join them to ensure everything went smooth while they rounded up the would-be attackers.\"

Something felt off, although Basil couldn\'t tell if it was the abyss reaching out or just intuition. \"Why us? Don\'t they, you know, have an army?\" Spiro shook his head. \"Apparently Brayden found a traitor in their mix. They\'ve gathered their most trustworthy people to staff the capital, but there\'s a very short list of people who they\'re entirely certain aren\'t a part of the conspiracy. Apparently, we\'re on that list.\"

It was definitely the abyss, muted as it was. There was something more to this, apparently enough to make the abyss think he was in danger, and it seemed to be directed at Spiro. Spiro wouldn\'t actually betray him again, right? He\'d risked his own execution by confessing to his meddling, the Amigosian weapons were crucial in the fight against the Elthrice, and Spiro was probably the only reason they both walked out of California alive. Could the abyss be wrong? Unless...

\"What are you not telling me?\" Basil asked, and Spiro looked surprised. \"What are you talking about?\" Basil barked an order, a short and unexpectedly cold \"Don\'t lie to me.\" Spiro suddenly looked concerned, hesitating a moment before replying. \"Look, the Redcap Queen threatened me while I was there. They\'re all under a lot of stress, and I think it bruised her ego to ask us for help. Cicero had me promise not to tell you.\" Basil\'s face un-contorted.

Spiro looked less concerned, instead taking on a look of annoyance. \"What the fuck was that?\" Basil shrugged and Spiro repeated his question. \"No, seriously, what the fuck was that. It felt like you were staring into my soul.\" Basil began to feel guilty. \"Whatever (thing that controls the relics) did to me when it rebuilt my brain, I don\'t think it ever truly left. It seemed to pick up on the fact that you left that part out, considering you a danger \'till you told me, but I don\'t know how or why.\" Basil paused a minute, before adding \"Sorry.\" Spiro responded with a concerned look.

Basil made his way into the Redcap\'s throne room, a vast and ornately decorated place seemingly designed to give a petitioner a feeling of awe and insignificance. Of course, however, its designers didn\'t have the foresight to consider an owner of an Elthrice gunship. Basil began feeling some irony in that he was called to protect those who used such intimidation, their sluggish recovery weakening them to their enemies, which certainly wasn\'t helped by putting resources into such showmanship. \"Morning\" Basil yelled as he got within earshot, receiving unwelcoming glares in response to the seemingly improper greeting.

As Basil approached he noticed the Redcap Queen looked like the head of a state, authoritative and powerful, nothing like the scared girl he pulled out of a burning craft nearly two years ago. Perhaps the designers of this place did a good job after all, not to mention his gunship was still in multiple pieces on another planet as the weapon systems were being installed. She still held a mild look of displeasure on her face - although whether that was from the informal greeting, the indignity of requesting help from an outsider, or the one time he threatened her with explosive drones - he couldn\'t tell.

Molly, the captain of the royal guard, broke the silence permeating the hall. \"As you are likely aware, we have requested your assistance in protecting the keep and her majesty. This is an abnormal request, but highly important, and our demonstration of trust in you should be considered a great honor.\" Basil bit his tongue, fighting the urge to comment on the absurdity wording a request for help as if they were doing him a favor. Instead, he nodded. \"Your help against the (old order) Elthrice is the only reason we\'re all alive today. I\'ve fought and blood alongside you all, and would consider many in this room to be close friends. I\'ll gladly help out any way I can.\"

In a moment, the tension of before left the room. Basil, however, took a deep breath and continued. \"Though, before we do anything else, beware, I take threats very seriously. You threatened Spiro this morning; I\'ll let it slide, one egotistical asshole to another, given we\'ve all had some hard days lately. But do not threaten me or Spiro again.\" Tension returned to the room, and silence fell upon the hall yet again. Molly eventually broke the silence, anger deep in her voice. \"Excuse me, what did you say? Guards-\" The Redcap Queen cut Molly off. \"It\'s okay. We have all had rough days, and I did not mean to be so harsh to Spiro.\"

Molly still looked angry, but remained silent; the Redcap Queen looking ambivalent and Cicero looking a mix of relieved and pleased. Basil nodded again. \"Alright then, I\'ll go raid my armory and be back in an hour or so.\" When the room remained silent Basil began leaving, Cicero and Casio following him out. \"For the record, I had to beat it out of Spiro, he didn\'t originally tell me that threats were made when he passed along your request\" Basil told Cicero as soon as they were out of earshot of everyone else. A few steps later he followed it with \"To clarify, it\'s just an expression, no beating took place,\" unsure if they were familiar with the expression. Cicero, however, remained near expressionless - mind seeming elsewhere.

They continued in silence until nearly reaching the wormhole device, however, as Basil went to leave Cicero took on a melancholy smile. \"Thank you, Basil. And I\'m sorry to hear your people were attacked.\" Basil nodded and began to turn towards the now opened wormhole, but stopped as Casio put his arm on Basil\'s shoulder. The big man stood there, as if willing himself to speak, but remained silent. \"It\'s good to see you Casio, you too Cicero, I just wish it was under better circumstances.\" The big man nodded.

60: The Middle of the End

\"What is going on with the Redcaps? Why did Cicero send his family to the Arkepello?\"

Sitting in his truck at the back of the Redcap keep, Basil stared at Tobias\'s message with confusion. \"What? This is news to me. There\'s word of an attack, but I was told they were already rounding up the attackers. I\'m at their capitol now.\"

\"You didn\'t know? They came through your wormhole device.\"

\"Never met them so wouldn\'t recognize them. Redcaps use the system all the time, ACE doesn\'t usually request too many details. But it\'s probably just him being overcautious. I\'ll know more about what\'s going on soon, they asked me to stay overnight.\"

Basil tried to brush off the sudden unease. Cicero was probably just being overcautious, or maybe there was a direct threat against his family. As he stepped out of his truck, bundle of weapons in hand, however, he began to feel more unease seep through. The keep walls felt suspiciously empty, guards standing stiff and at attention, all other staff seemingly scurrying about as if trying to avoid being seen. Making his way through the halls and up a large staircase he passed Brayden. \"Hey, I\'ve got a few spare weapons in the back of my truck parked outside. Make sure they get to your best guys.\" Brayden nodded and quickly continued descending the steps, Basil finally reaching the top and stepping into a large empty room with others standing on the attached balcony.

He was suddenly hit with a sense of whiplash, realizing that balcony was the same balcony he was looking at when everything went to shit nearly two years ago. Enemies had become friends, friends had become enemies - then became friends again. All said and done, he stood here today to protect people who had - in a brief and chaotic moment - once ordered his execution. Spiro stepped in from the balcony and Basil realized he had been standing there motionless for longer than he realized. Looking out towards the balcony while Spiro walked his way he could see Cicero, Casio and General Edwards. To his surprise, however, Lamb was also among the crowd.

\"Hey\" Spiro said, seeming unsure of what to make of things. \"What\'s she doing here?\" Basil asked, afterwards hoping he didn\'t sound confrontational as opposed to curious. \"That weapon smuggling that we talked about forever ago, well, it seems to have been ramped up. Seizing those shipments might have saved our asses, but I\'m afraid of what their intentions are. She\'s been helping me uncover who\'s behind them.\" Basil nodded. \"And you trust her?\" Spiro returned the nod. \"Pretty much. I mean she\'d turn on me if the Ministry laid on the heat, and no guarantees she won\'t try to double cross me on the smuggling, but she\'s not going to stab us in the back while we\'re here. Besides, she\'s not bad to look at.\"

\"If you don\'t fully trust her, why bring her here?\" Spiro\'s expertise in people was unmatched - at least when compared to his own aloofness - but he felt concerned about having somebody potentially untrustworthy here. Spiro responded with a quiet chuckle. \"Trust me, nobody\'s going to stab us in the back with you around. At least nobody that\'s seen you in action. Honestly, you need to realize how fucking terrifying you can be with that voice thing and start using it to your advantage. That alone could probably go toe to toe with an army.\"

Basil tried to smile as if he found it amusing, but he felt more conflict than he intended to portray, and Spiro seemed to notice it. He went to turn and walk towards the balcony, but a realization sank in and he turned back. \"Hold on, you think Amigoso could be behind what\'s going on here?\" Spiro shook his head to imply a confident no, but his words didn\'t convey the same certainty. \"No. Well, definitely not officially. I\'m still pretty sure it\'s just illegal weapon sales, but there\'s a small chance that there\'s somebody looking to do some sort of power play without the endorsement of Amigoso proper. Whatever it is, I\'m going to make sure it\'s stopped before it can do any damage.\"

Basil and Spiro re-emerged onto the balcony, greeted by an unexpected solemn silence from those standing there. As Basil pulled out a flask, however, Edwards broke the silence. \"Royal Police Captain Weston Brayden and Head of Royal Guards Mollie Brayden have their most loyal men stationed in the keep, while the rest of their crew is looking for agitators. The Queen will be in this room.\" Edwards gestured to a door attached to the room that led to the balcony. \"This room is only accessible through here; we six can take two shifts tonight to stand guard. Basil, I would like to request that when you sleep, you do so in this room by this door, so if there is a disturbance you will be ready immediately.\" Basil nodded, but before he could reply ACE spoke.

\"May we speak with the defector?\" General Edwards shook his head towards the radio. \"No, unfortunately, he expired during interrogation.\" ACE carried on with questions. \"What is your communication situation with your subordinates?\" General Edwards seemed slightly ashamed as he answered. \"Our set of Amigosian radios fell into disrepair; we only have the radios you provided. We distributed them amongst our forces at major checkpoints.\" ACE replied with a request that surprised Edwards. \"Please tell your soldiers to accept orders from me. I will not supplant your authority, but in a chaotic event, my ability to organize en masse would be unparalleled.\" Edwards remained silent for a long time, but as he began to relay to his soldiers ACE had his proxy, Basil began returning to his truck to grab some camping gear he had brought along.

Footsteps awoke Basil, the cold and damp stone floor reminding him where he was. He did a double take as he looked out the window, a dark red sky indicating he had slept way longer than he was supposed to. He quickly sat up and grabbed his watch, which indicated his eyes were correct, it was early morning on Domum. He quickly rushed out to the balcony to see Spiro pacing while recounting the tail end of a story about a young Ministry of Information recruit. Lamb seemed to think it was funny.

\"Hey, sorry I\" Basil began, but Spiro cut him off with a gesture of his hands. \"It\'s all good, I asked Edwards not to wake you. I figured that since you\'re used to a different time you\'d have not gotten any sleep, and if something did go wrong we could always wake you up. Besides, I got to raid the snacks you brought. Speaking of which, coffee?\" Basil replied with a nod and a \"Thanks\" as Spiro gestured to coffee heated by a butane stove. \"I don\'t know how you two drink that\" Lamb said, shaking her head. Basil shrugged, Spiro replying \"Trust me, the energy is worth choking it down.\"

Basil looked over the railing. The sun was still underneath the horizon, but blues had already become reds as the sun rose. The courtyard below had a few sentries standing still, but the only movement was the light breeze moving throughout the city. Basil decided to break the silence. \"So, what\'s it like in Loquail?\" Lamb seemed hesitant, so he followed it up with \"If you don\'t mind me asking, just curious. Never been there myself, and before you I\'ve only talked to a couple of sailors who claimed to have docked there.\" Lamb shrugged. \"One half is a lot colder, one half is a lot drier. More people, shittier weapons. You some sort of scholar?\"

Basil returned the shrug. \"Was one once, depending on your definition, but that was a long time ago. The curiosity seemingly never left though.\" Lamb took on an expression Basil couldn\'t read, pivoting the conversation. \"How exactly does one become Elthrice? I asked your tall friend, but she didn\'t want to talk about it.\" Basil\'s friendlier tone became monotone. \"There was a war. I died but was brought back by something that seemed to think I was useful. The Elthrice seem to think that makes me Elthrice.\" Lamb had a momentary look of disbelief on her face, but seemed to take Basil\'s sudden change in demeanor and the look of discomfort on Spiro\'s face as enough evidence; or at least a sign to change the topic.

\"So you\'re a shapeshifter though?\" Basil was both surprised and confused. \"What?\" Lamb asked again, this time with more detail. \"He\" Lamb gestured to Spiro \"Said you can change your face. So you\'re some sort of shapeshifter?\" Basil shook his head. \"No, what I can do is a combination of using Elthrice tools and the thing that brought me back. I\'ve seen one before, but what I can do is very different.\" Lamb nodded. \"I heard somebody say that you had killed one before.\" Basil replied with an apathetic gesture.

\"Yeah, the Redcaps asked me to come along to check out reports of one. It attacked me when it saw me, and well, guess it didn\'t know what a (Regected-Death) was capable of. Woulda\' preferred to take it alive to find out what the hell it actually was. An autopsy didn\'t find anything unusual, but maybe experimenting on a living one would give some more concrete results. A little gruesome, maybe, but I\'d say getting chopped up in a lab is justice when you\'ve eaten people alive.\" Lamb shuttered, remaining quiet for an oddly long time.

\"What are they like? Aside from them trying to kill you.\" Basil shrugged again. \"Dunno, only saw the one and it didn\'t live too long. Heard being one messes with your head, so maybe it\'s a good thing they\'re about extinct. Then again this (object) messes with mine, so guess I got an open mind to weird shit. But most people think they\'re just myths, and had I not had a video I don\'t think Spiro here would have believed me, so there\'s not much really known about them.\"

\"You ever see one?\" Basil asked. Lamb shook her head. \"No, I thought they were a myth, too, until Spiro said you killed one.\" She looked as if she was about to continue, but the conversation was interrupted by another voice behind them. \"I\'m scared\" the Redcap Queen said, voice quivering. The three turned around in surprise, and Basil could suddenly see the scared kid he pulled out of a burning craft some time ago. \"What\'s going on, where\'s Cicero?\" Basil asked, knowing that Cicero was going to accompany her and worried something had happened. \"I waited until he and Casio fell asleep. He keeps telling me we\'re not in danger, but I know he\'s lying.\" Basil tried to use the most calming voice he could, although when he heard his voice he knew it wasn\'t ideal for the situation. \"Trust me, nobody\'s getting past us.\"

\"That\'s what Bennett said moments before he and my father were killed in this room\" the upset Queen shouted frantically. Basil vaguely recalled somebody mentioning a Bennet in the past, before realizing that was likely the former head of the royal guards who had died defending the former Redcap King. Recollections were halted, however, as the now distraught Queen picked up Basil\'s rifle, shouting \"I won\'t let them take me again\" while flagging the group in one sweeping motion. \"What the fuck\" Basil shouted, grabbing the barrel of the rifle and forcefully pointing it away from the group.

The moment he took his eyes off the barrel of the rifle he realized the girl was looking up at him, frozen in terror. Though an inch or two shy of average on earth, he was still tall for a Domum crowd, who themselves stood a head above the girl in front of him. Stature aside, he was also the once dead alien, and he had just wrenched a rifle out of her hands hard enough to nearly knock her off balance. He set the rifle down before taking a few steps back and made a non threataning hand gesture. \"Hey, sorry. It\'s okay, you just need to be really careful with that. I can teach you how to use them once this is all over, but for now please leave it alone.\"

She remained frozen, and guilt began to rise in Basil\'s stomach. Out of nowhere, however, Lamb put her hand gently on the young Queen\'s shoulder and began to lead her back into the room where Cicero and Casio were. Lamb spoke in a calming voice as they left. \"Let me tell you about this awful drink those two idiots drink.\" Basil quietly commented on the event once the two were out of earshot. \"Guess it\'s good Lamb was here, I\'ve got no clue how to handle anything like that. You?\" Spiro shook his head. \"Maybe.\" Suddenly, Spiro\'s confident voice took on an unexpectedly somber tone. \"I was once with somebody who could have melted away anything like in an instant, but, well, she\'s been gone for a long while.\" Basil had just a second to process what Spiro had revealed before they were interrupted by a commotion at the courtyard\'s gate.

61: The End of the End

Shots rang out as an Amigosian truck crashed through the gates. \"Shit!\" Basil exclaimed, running off the balcony and knocking over weapons as he scrambled to grab the right one. Spiro had leveled his rifle, resting it on the balcony\'s railing, but Basil quickly shoved past him and aimed his sights at the moving vehicle. The RPG, makeshift as it was, deafened those on the balcony; truck erupting in debris and flames as those rushing out of the now wrecked vehicle were gunned down by the guards on the walls.

Everybody had to be awake now.

\"Are we under attack by Amigoso?\" Basil asked. \"What?\" Spiro replied, so Basil repeated his question louder. \"No\" Spiro replied with a shout. \"No, that\'s an old truck, there\'s not a lot like that anymore. The only running ones were somehow stolen by the Redcaps, it was last in their possession before those guys got their hands on it.\" General Edwards ran around the corner, awoken from his slumber, demanding \"What just happened?\" as he finished putting on his shirt. \"Somebody just crashed a truck through your gate\" Basil replied, a mix of concern, anger, and disbelief in his voice. Edwards stepped onto the balcony, quickly stepping back with a worried look upon seeing the burning truck and bodies.

The balcony was enveloped in silence, but Basil did his best to collect his thoughts. \"Should we evacuate?\" Edwards seemed to hesitate in his answer, but shook his head emphatically. \"No, somebody rammed a truck through our gate. They wouldn\'t have gotten anywhere even if you hadn\'t blown them up with that, um, that thing.\" Edwards gestured to the gate before finishing his statement. \"They\'re already re-enforcing the gate.\" Things went quiet, Edwards and ACE coordinating and everybody else returning to uneasy silence. Suddenly, however, ACE began speaking to everyone. \"They\'re overrunning the checkpoints.\" Basil responded in near disbelief. \"They\'re what? How?\" ACE replied while patching in a live feed of the chaos on the radio waves at a low volume, speaking over it.

\"The Redcaps were already short on people and trusted few, so most of their forces are stationed towards the city\'s outskirts. There are a lot more attackers than expected, and the ones they interrogated gave enough false information that the Redcaps are stationed in inadequate locations. Several groups are cutting their way through the city, between us and most of the Redcap\'s forces.\"

\"Okay, we\'re evacuating, no arguments.\" Basil told a suddenly fearful looking Edwards. Edwards yelled for the Branden twins over the radio, but quietness again enveloped the room when the radio feed went silent. Nothing but the distant sounds of gunfire and footsteps could be heard when ACE spoke, dropping his usual monotone voice for a worried one. \"Somebody has disabled the generators on the bottom floor, we have no wormhole access or radio repeater.\" A much deeper dread made its way across the group and Edwards spoke in quiet disbelief. \"What does that mean?\" Basil responded with an unexpectedly cold tone. \"It means this building is no longer under our control. We need to go now.\"

\"There has to be something-\" Weston said, entering the room and seemingly hearing the tail end of the conversation. Basil responded, dropping his cold tone for a more monotone voice. \"No, my gunship is twelve hours away from being re-assembled, and your soldiers from other counties are more than a day away. Get your people here to secure a path to the back gate, I\'ll escort us to my truck and we\'ll get out of here now.\" Basil expected a lot of pushback as an outsider started to order around the Redcaps, but instead the group silently picked up their weapons and shuffled toward the door.

Basil, Spiro, Lamb, Cicero, Casio, The Redcap Queen, and the Braydens began to make their way down the halls. \"Most of my guards should have woken up with all this commotion, they\'ll be here any second\" shouted Mollie as she and Brayden pushed to the front of the group on the staircase. Basil cut in front of them, trying to be as polite as possible while pushing the head of royal security and a police captain out of the way. \"Sorry, I need to be in front. I\'m the only one who can take a shot here. Stay behind me, let me see if the coast is clear.\" Weston looked uneasy, but both stepped aside as Basil walked past and into the room below.

He rounded the corner and stepped into an ambush. Nearly a dozen people in Redcap garb fired their muzzleloaders in his direction, two dead real soldiers lying in front of them with their throats slit. Basil felt the familiar energy work throughout his body; onslaught of bullets feeling as if he had walked into a cloud of gnats, his mantel feeling like the return of an old friend.

The second gunfire erupted Edwards and Weston started rushing down the steps, but Spiro stepped in their way. He went to speak, but Weston shoved him against the wall before he could. That fucking brute. At least Cicero, Casio, Lamb, and Mollie had the sense to take up defensive positions on the stairs. He began unslinging his rifle but stopped, the gunfire and screams stopping as quickly as they had started. That silence meant one thing: there was no longer anybody dangerous in that room. Well, at least, there was no longer anybody dangerous that wasn\'t on their side.

He went to round the corner, but as he did so a chill ran down his spine and settled in his gut. Basil had his mantel, he\'d seen that before, but the scene in its entirety was a new form of unnerving he hadn\'t become callous to. Basil stood over nearly a dozen dead bodies, unmoving; the bullet scarred shotgun bent with a bloody stock as if used as a club. He stood there frozen - he\'d seen the results of firefights before, and he\'d seen Basil fight scarier foes. But this wasn\'t normal violence; they had stepped well outside that realm, and it felt unnaturally unsettling.

Spiro realized he was frozen. He looked around and realized everybody else was frozen, though Edwards and Weston pointed their rifles at Basil. \"Put your guns down, it\'s Basil\" Spiro shouted, the other two slowly lowering their weapons and turning to him with fear on their faces. Spiro looked back up and Basil was standing in front of them again, an oddly expressionless face and blood splattered on his now torn clothes.

Basil took a deep breath, feeling the energy dissipate from his body. \"We need to leave now, I\'m gonna guess there\'s a hell of a lot more of them.\" Edwards seemed to snap out of it. \"There\'s two ways out of this room, the front there, and the back entrance\" Edwards said while gesturing to each end of the room. \"Mollie, you said that your guards were in the process of regrouping in this room?\" Mollie nodded and Edwards continued. \"Good. Stay in here, when your guards get their act together have half of them stay in this room and barricade the front entrance. Follow us to the back exit with the other half, but radio false orders stating you\'ll make a push through the front when you do.\" Mollie nodded and Edwards turned his attention to Weston. \"You said your men were in the barracks, yes?\"

\"They are, but I can\'t reach them over the radio.\" Edwards nodded. \"The barrack\'s radios were wired into the same generators. I do not know why we can\'t reach them through their handheld ones, but now is not the time to speculate. We will make our way to the back entrance, then we get you to the barracks. Get your men together and help us make our retreat. Basil, Spiro, Weston, you two will go down the hall to the back exit of the keep, then radio ahead once it\'s clear. On the way there the only place anybody could be hiding is the kitchens, and while I believe they should be empty, you three need to verify that before I lead everybody else through. Once you call in, sit tight and wait for our arrival.\"

\"All clear\" Basil relayed over the radio, staring at the big empty room that led out of the back of the keep. The same empty room he ran out of once before, during a different -- but not all too different -- time where another surgical force was used against the same people in the same keep. This one, of course, was a lot more subterfuge and a lot less stolen Elthrice crafts.

\"Fighting is erupting outside\" Weston relayed as gunshots sounded off from within the courtyard. \"The royal police stationed within the barracks by the north gate are engaging someone. I can\'t see enough through this window to see how many or where they\'re positioned, but it sounds like Amigosian weapons are at play.\" Spiro looked a little concerned as the observation was vocalized. Edwards replied over the radio. \"We will address that when we get there, we\'re only about two minutes out.\"

Edwards, Mollie, Lamb, Cicero, Casio, and the Queen arrived as ACE finished relaying all he could gather. The Royal Redcap guards guarding the front entrance to the throne room were already engaging attackers - the attackers lighting the large wooden door and barricades on fire before beginning their attempt to push past. No consistent updates came in from outside the keep walls; even those reachable without the repeater lacked concrete information, were engaged in combat, fleeing, or dead. The only people within the walls they could reliably contact, at least those outside Basil\'s line of sight, were those within the now burning throne room.

Spiro looked through the window, shifting his body to get the widest angle of view possible. \"Shit, we\'ve got people moving along the walls. Weston\'s guys in the barracks seem to be trying to pin them down, but they\'ll be on the other side of this door soon. We need to act now.\" Edwards took a deep breath. \"Mollie, break your remaining guards into two groups and move along the walls to the left and right of the exit. You and your best need to go left where the enemy is in greater numbers. Basil, Weston, as soon as they are in position you two need to make a run towards the barracks. Basil, get your truck back here; Weston, you and your men split into thirds. Two groups supporting Mollie\'s groups on the far side of the walls, the last group securing the gate and opening it when we leave.\"

When the group remained quiet Edwards continued. \"Nobody should make it to us from the courtyard with Mollie on the other side, but I don\'t know how long her guards in the throne room can hold out. Cicero, Spiro, you two accompany me. We\'ll barricade the hall behind us in case anybody tries following us, then we\'ll guard our rear as everybody else loads into Basil\'s truck. Casio, Lamb, accompany the Queen in the guard nook by the door.\"

Mollie ran out the door, only a few steps behind the soldiers in the front. They were fast, but so was she, and they all needed to get to the corner of the stone wall -- the closest they would have to cover. Chips flew off the wall as bullets flew in their direction, and she suddenly felt a pain in her gut, but she ran on. She made it to the corner and turned to fire, but realized she was now leading the charge; whether those in front of her had fallen behind, or fallen dead, she didn\'t know.

She gripped her rifle and started firing. Though the Amigosian weapons the attackers wielded were much faster than ones issued to the standard Redcap Soldier, the weapons Basil brought along put the traitors to shame. Were they Earth weapons or Elthrice weapons? Huh, she never asked. She\'d have to ask him when this was all over. She glanced over, Basil and Weston were emerging from the keep now. They were firing blindly into the courtyard. Why were they doing that?

She looked up, more attackers were rounding the corner, a lot more than they had planned for. She quickly fumbled for another magazine, but suddenly fell to her knees, the pain in her stomach growing stronger. It was now or never. She forced herself back to her feet and fired on the attackers. Attackers fell, allies fell, but she kept looking down the cold metal sights of her rifle. One down, another down. More pain emerged throughout her body, as if a thousand stinging wasps were attacking her. The gun kicked, but she remembered what Basil had told her: short controlled bursts. There weren\'t so many people out there now, either along the wall or by the barracks. She went to reload again, but found herself falling to the ground a second time.

She didn\'t hurt, in fact it almost felt peaceful. She turned her head, heavy as it was, and saw Basil and Weston approaching their destinations. She turned her head back; she\'d rejoin the fight momentarily. She just needed to rest her eyes.

Basil hated waiting inside, he was the only one who could survive getting shot, and yet he was one of the few people who wasn\'t getting shot at. Edwards was right though, if they knew they were making a play for the truck then they\'d shoot it -- and Weston wasn\'t so durable - so Mollie had to get their attention first. It felt like forever, but eventually Edwards gave the signal and he and Weston began sprinting out of the door. Basil looked over towards the chaos as he ran. The plan was already falling apart - Mollie\'s Redcap Royal guards were more outnumbered than expected and sitting ducks along the wall. If the plan was already failing there was no point in following it.

Basil pulled out his handgun and started firing upon the attackers, Weston following suit with his rifle moments later. He certainly couldn\'t hit anybody at this distance, no less while running, but it was working -- some turned their attention to him instead of the pinned Redcap Royal Guards and Police force. He kept running and started nearing his truck, Weston breaking off and running towards the police stationed in the barracks. Bullets sailed through his windshield as he pulled out his keys, but the truck started all the same. There was now nobody moving near the wall Mollie had run along, he had to hurry. Some bullets struck him, and while he wasn\'t hurt -- at least not badly -- the (object) seemed to sense danger and he felt energy wash over him once again.

He stepped on the gas and the engine roared. He turned around to grab the last unaccounted for weapon he had brought along, a rifle stored in the back seat, and as he turned - for just a second - he admired the height of the dirt that the truck kicked up.

The smell of smoke had been getting stronger for some time, and it wasn\'t long before Spiro watched as attackers in Redcap garb started rushing down the hall and firing upon them. It wasn\'t too complicated; he, Cicero, and Edwards all possessed much more powerful weapons than the attackers who were being forced into a fatal funnel. All they had to do was hold this position long enough for Basil to return with the truck. But they just kept coming. Three more fell to the beam of lead emanating from his rifle, but twice as many rounded the corner in the same time. \"I\'m out!\" Cicero shouted, taking cover and reloading. Spiro tried to keep them pinned while Cicero was occupied, but several made it past his onslaught of bullets and took cover behind a statue, scarily close to their makeshift barricade.

Edwards seemed to notice this. \"Cover me!\" he shouted, stepping out past their barricade. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Who the fuck taught him how to behave in a firefight. Edwards opened fire from an angle that negated their cover, striking two hiding behind the statue, but fell to the ground as blood erupted from him. \"Cicero!\" Spiro shouted as he jumped over their barrier, ducking to avoid the rounds flying over his head as Cicero emptied an entire magazine in every direction. Spiro picked Edwards up, nearly throwing Edwards over the barrier before leaping over it himself.

Spiro quickly started reloading and turned back to the hall, but even with a short glance, he saw Edwards was hit badly. The wounds on his shoulder and right arm didn\'t look imminently fatal, but his right leg was gushing blood at an alarming rate. \"Casio, tourniquet!\" Cicero shouted, taking cover as Spiro finished reloading and started returning fire. Spiro ran out again, turning back to grab his second to last magazine as Cicero took over. Edwards lay there silently, his copper colored skin several shades lighter, until Casio began to drag him towards safety -- leaving a ghastly blood trail behind him.

Edwards screamed as Casio tightened the tourniquet.

Lamb watched as Basil and Weston bolted out the door, leaving her and the big mute to guard the Redcap Queen. This was not going well. And, as if her thoughts had jinxed them, the three guarding the hall opened fire. They were surrounded, and the walls might provide cover for a little while, but she\'d seen too many people try to hole up in a captain\'s quarters or some similar room - they all always found it\'d become their tomb soon enough. Damn it, why didn\'t she ask for a weapon. The Elthrice probably wouldn\'t have given her one, but maybe Spiro would have? Oh well, too late now, all she had was a knife and the trick up her sleeve.

Odd, those three seemed to be holding off the assailants effortlessly. The Elthrice weapons roared and echoed like nothing she\'d ever heard before. Maybe they still had a chance? That is, if the Elthrice didn\'t just abandon them. Any sane person wouldn\'t re-insert themselves into a situation like this if they could escape, and from what she heard, the Redcaps had tried to kill him once and Spiro had conspired against him in the past. Yeah, he definitely wasn\'t returning. The young queen was now lying on the floor in a ball crying. Oh well, nothing could be done about that now. Why did she even care about her? The kid\'s father would have executed someone such as herself in a heartbeat.

Lamb heard shouting and looked up in time to see Spiro leap over the barricade. Shit, if the arrogant Amigosian was committing suicide they were well and truly fucked. Edwards suddenly flew over the barricade, splattering blood when he hit the ground, only to be followed by Spiro moments later. A rescue mission was better than suicide for their odds of getting out, but the odds certainly didn\'t look good either way. The mute ran towards Edwards, and despite the ear splitting noise, the world almost felt calm and still as she stood there alone with the helpless royal. The stillness lasted for only a second, however, as there was movement at the door.

Was it friendly? Probably not. She still had the trick up her sleeve, and could at least make it through whoever was entering, but the Elthrice would probably just kill her once she made it out if he was stupid enough to be returning to this mess. Assailants ran through the door that Basil, Weston, and Mollie had all left through; raising their weapons.

Lamb felt a surge of energy through her as she began to shape shift. She felt the sting of bullets sailing through her body, but the energy drowned them out. She slashed at one of the assailants, splattering herself, the walls, and the young queen with blood. She slashed at the second assailant, and reached to tear out the third\'s neck. The young queen now lay on the floor, seemingly catatonic but unharmed. She could hear terrified voices behind her, it sounded like somebody was saying something about firing at her, but somebody else didn\'t want to.

She looked outside. The Elthrice was coming fast in that machine of his, but bullets were flying in his direction from the assailants working their way along the wall towards the back exit of the keep. She ran outside and began to fight the assailants, but bullets started flying her way too. She thought the Elthrice would crash into the building, but at the last second he stopped abruptly and jumped out of the machine he was in. He had a new weapon, one like Spiro had, and it sprayed out endless bullets at those firing upon her.

The assailants, at least the ones near, were all dead. And yet the Elthrice still wasn\'t wearing his face, or even any face, so did that mean he was going to kill her too? No, he was yelling something. What was he yelling? His voice, something about his voice told her to run, a feeling she had never had before in this form. He suddenly had a face, and his voice sounded different than before, but he was still yelling something incomprehensible. Why was it so fucking hard to think in this form? Focus! Basil spoke again. \"Get them in the truck!\"

62: A1 Epilogue

Basil held down the trigger until his gun ran empty, jumping back in the driver\'s seat as everyone climbed into the truck\'s bed and cab. Bullets flew in their direction, but the truck roared to life all the same as they sped towards the south gate; Weston\'s men opening it as he approached. \"Go!\" commanded Edwards as Basil began slowing down by the gate, leaving the rest unsaid and Weston to meet the same fate as his twin.

Basil drove through the streets, now littered with smoke and debris. Such conditions didn\'t feel as alien as he expected; he\'d seen them this way once before during the war between the Redcaps and the Lizard King. His recollections were interrupted, however, as he swerved to avoid a family fleeing a burning building. He continued on, trying to balance his speed with his intent to not crash, and after winning a game of chicken against attackers on foot attempting to stop the truck, they made it to the outskirts of the city.

Driving past a field that looked difficult to conceal soldiers in, Basil stopped the truck to allow everyone to cram into the cab and assess their wounds. Lamb, given her unique capabilities, was almost healed. Cicero had received several grazing wounds that he hadn\'t noticed, though nothing that even warranted bandages until they were in a more permanently safe location. The tourniquet had stopped the hemorrhaging on Edward\'s leg, and some crudely packed gauze kept his shoulder and arm from losing blood as well. Though greatly wounded, he no longer seemed to be in shock and would hopefully be stable enough to survive until they could treat his injuries in a safe location.

\"Moss harbor\" Cicero said, pointing to Basil\'s map. \"It\'s a naval port a short drive east of here that\'s a distance from the nearest town. There would be no civilian population to infiltrate like in our capital, and we could wait there until we can organize our forces and push these traitors out.\" Basil nodded, and when his six passengers remained quiet he began the drive towards the coast.

\"Shit that\'s a lotta\' people\" Basil said, breaking the silence as they crested a hill. \"They look like Shell County soldiers, why are they here? They were directed to march on the capital\" asked Edwards to nobody in particular. Basil rubbernecked, seeing the group far to the north-east, although as he watched it almost looked as if they started moving in their direction. \"Maybe communication broke down or something happened?\" Basil asked, unsure what else to say. \"The port is just up ahead, we can sort it out safely from sea\" Cicero replied. Basil nodded and accelerated down the path, cresting another hill and seeing grass turn to sand and moss covered stones. \"Well fuck.\"

Small plumes of smoke rose over several ships, the rest of the dock looking empty and deserted. \"No, this is impossible!\" Cicero shouted. Basil glanced toward the Shell County soldiers, but they weren\'t visible from behind the hills they had passed. \"You thinking those guys attacked the naval port, either capturing the ships or forcing them to flee?\" Basil asked, gesturing to the mob concealed by the hills. \"Perhaps\" Cicero replied, disbelief in his voice. Basil took a deep breath. \"Okay, we go south. Soldiers on foot or horseback can\'t catch us in a truck. Get the Arkepello Navy to drop by and pick us up, and we get off the continent. Once we get wormholes to the Lizard King\'s army and my gunship working these guys are fucked. Sound good?\" Basil received a few nods, but ACE replied with a different plan. \"I just pinged the Coastal Federation\'s ships, they are close by.\" Basil kept driving south-east while radioing the Coastal Federation. A shameful look washed over Cicero\'s face.

\"This is Basil, I\'m calling because I need your help. I\'m here with some Redcaps, we were attacked and need help getting off the continent to Arkepello.\" Basil heard a crackling voice answer, recognizing the voice as belonging to Turner. \"You\'re asking us to risk our lives for the ones who betrayed us?\" Basil responded. \"I\'m asking you to help me, who\'s currently helping the Redcaps. It\'s a complicated situation, but it\'s extremely important.\" Turner began to speak, but suddenly stopped and Gina\'s voice came over the radio. \"Basil, what\'s going on?\" Basil mentally breathed a sigh of relief. \"I\'m with the Redcap Queen, their capital was attacked and I need help getting her and some others off the continent. I know that-\" Gina replied with disbelief in her voice. \"What? How? What happened? Was it the Elthrice?\" Basil responded, speaking rapidly. \"I don\'t know much other than it\'s not the Elthrice. We\'re in a bit of a hurry, and I may have an army on our tail. We need to get out of here now.\"

\"Of course, where are you?\" Relief washed over Basil. \"We\'re outside Moss Harbor, but I\'m going to head south and try to outrun a few assholes. Can you meet us ten miles south on the coast?\" Gina sounded confused. \"Why not bring the Redcaps to the naval base? Are there turncoats in their ranks?\" Basil responded in monotone. \"There is no more naval base, only an empty dock and some burning ships.\" Basil heard gasps on the other end of the radio as Turner demanded Gina\'s forces leave immediately if the waters weren\'t protected by the Redcap navy. \"We\'ll be there\" Gina eventually responded, despite the protests of the other voices. The truck reached the end of the dirt path and started traveling on sand, Basil turning to drive south along the coast.

Everyone in the truck was thrown to the ceiling as it became ground, then ground as it became ceiling, and ceiling once more as it again became ground. Basil pushed himself off the ceiling, feeling disorientated but full of adrenaline as the realization of their situation kicked in. Crawling across the truck\'s roof and kicking out the driver\'s side window, he was greeted by hot sand. \"Fuck fuck fuck\" he muttered under his breath before opening his PDA.

\"Change of plans, how soon can you be at Moss Harbor?\" Gina\'s voice sounded confused and concerned. \"What?\" Basil took a deep breath, an odd mix of nervousness and apathy in his voice. \"Yeah, some sand kinda fucked up our ride. Some of us are in no condition to run at all, let alone try to outrun a bunch of horses. We can get to the docks before our tail gets to us, it\'s our best bet at a last stand until you can get to us.\" Gina responded tersely, worry in her voice. \"I\'ll be there as soon as I can.\"

Everybody had begun their crawl out of the truck and Basil turned his attention to the evacuees. \"The docks, we need to get there. The Coastal Federation will pick us up but we have to hurry and get into a defensive position.\" Spiro crawled out last and Basil began \"Hurry up, we need to,\" but paused when he saw Spiro clutching his chest. \"Are you alright?\" Basil asked Spiro, helping him to his feet. Spiro laughed a pained laugh. \"Of all the ways to go out today, falling on the knife in my jacket pocket\'s gotta be the stupidest way. But I think I\'ll be alright, just fucking hurts.\" A growing red blot surrounding a small knife embedded in Spiro\'s chest caught Basil\'s attention.

Basil felt concerned, but Spiro gave a pained smile and shrugged before hobbling towards the docks. The knife seemed to have missed his vitals, bleeding too slow to mean death before arriving at the docks, but was still a concerning sight and something that would need attention sooner rather than later. With nothing else he could do at the moment Basil reached into the truck to retrieve his rifle, and after glancing over towards the mob cresting the distant hill, he started off towards the docks.

Basil and the Redcap Queen helped lower Edwards to sit against the wall by the door. That tourniquet had been on his leg for some time now, and in any other situation it should have already come off. What he needed was proper medical attention, but even in the field they should be loosening it to see if the wound had clotted and it could come off; else he may lose the leg by the end of this all. But this wasn\'t any other situation, and credit to him; Basil knew Edwards would refuse to entertain the idea of disrupting their defenses to tend to his wounds.

\"We good?\" Basil asked as Casio walked out of another room in the building, finishing his sweep of the place. The big man nodded. \"All right\" Basil began. \"If anybody comes through that door, outside of Cicero, Spiro, Lamb, or me, kill them. Gina\'s crew will be here soon, but if the Shell County soldiers get here first and they\'re looking for a fight we\'ll try to hold them off. When Gina\'s crew are about to arrive, or if our tail starts getting past us, ACE will give you a heads up so you can get a head start.\"

Spiro heard movement. The army of what they feared were traitors was still a distance away, but all his friends were too, so this was probably bad news. Repositioning himself against the wall he was sitting against, and trying to remain quiet despite the jolt of pain, he waited for the unknown entities to reveal themselves. Four men in soaked Amigosian Frogmen uniforms rounded the corner, aiming their rifles at him. Spiro felt relief wash over him as he smiled and set down his rifle.

\"Just when I had given up hope the ministry was going to send the help I requested\" Spiro said, letting out a short laugh that ended abruptly in pain. One of the frogmen stepped in front of the others, looking slightly confused for a moment, but returned the smile. \"Wasn\'t expecting to find you here, sir. But I can assure you, now that we\'re here, nobody else stands a chance. Let me see that wound.\" Spiro gestured to the abandoned navy barracks. \"We\'ve been able to get the Redcap Queen with her general and top advisor out of the capital unharmed. This position isn\'t defendable, we have what we expect to be an army of Redcap traitors on our heels, so new plan is to get your boat to this dock and everybody on it. We\'re not risking you boys trying to hold an abandoned dock.\"

The frogman\'s smile turned to confusion, shortly followed by a frown. \"Sorry sir, but I think you\'re mistaken, we have other orders.\" He raised his rifle towards Spiro, but turned to the side as gunshots rang out. Lamb opened fire while running around a corner, before dropping near instantly as the other frogmen returned fire. The second they stopped firing, however, she rolled back behind cover; leaving a trail of blood visible even from that distance. \"You two, kill that one before the others get here. It\'s a shape shifter, remember your training.\"

The frogman giving the orders turned back to Spiro, only to see a revolver pointed in his direction. His hand became a cloud of red mist, causing him to drop his rifle. Spiro took his sights off the closest frogman and began to aim towards the second, but his revolver flew out of his hand as the closest frogman kicked at him before drawing a knife with his left hand.

The frogman moved his hand in a slashing motion, but his head jerked to the side as he collapsed into tremors. The frogman standing behind him raised his rifle and pointed it down the docks, but he too fell in a hail of bullets as Basil fired while running in their direction. The two that had broken off to pursue Lamb turned and opened fire on Basil, but one fell to Basil\'s bullets, the other shot by Lamb as he attempted to take cover behind the corner she had retreated behind.

\"Are you okay!?\" Basil asked in a borderline shout as he ran over to Spiro. \"You killed them!\" Spiro said, anger in his voice as he both asked and stated in one sentence. Dread washed over Basil as he began to worry he had misinterpreted the situation and murdered several people. \"They, they were trying to kill you?\" Spiro had a sudden expression of either shock or fear wash over him. \"They were. Fuck.\" Spiro fell silent before seemingly collecting his thoughts and continuing.

\"Those were Amigosian frogmen, you don\'t fuck with people like that, and it would take a lot of influence to get them to do an unofficial job like this. I don\'t know what\'s going on, but this is bad. We need to get out of here ASAP and some place where rogue Amigosian intelligence can\'t infiltrate, which basically means behind weapons held by you or ACE.\"

Lamb ran over, ghastly spots of blood on her clothes despite her wounds seemingly no longer bleeding. \"Shit, are you alright?\" Basil asked. \"I already told you, if they don\'t hit anything too critical I\'ll heal fast. This isn\'t the first time Amigosian assholes have shot me.\" Basil nodded, taking a deep breath as Cicero made his way over and they got into defensive positions.

\"We need to conserve ammo\" Basil said, chastising Spiro\'s potshots at the distant mob. The docks fell still, Basil Spiro, Lamb, and Cicero all lying motionless, watching the mob through reticals and scopes. Spiro replied with annoyance in his voice. \"In case you haven\'t forgotten, it doesn\'t matter how much we have left when a thousand people storm the docks. We need to slow their advance.\" Basil turned his head sideways, seeing the blood stain on Spiro\'s shirt had grown to encompass a disturbingly large area. \"The plan is still the same. We let them get their cavalry up close, then you three shoot at them while I try to spook their horses. We buy ourselves some time before their foot soldiers get here, and if that fails, you three run off and make a swim for it while I buy you some time then slink away.\"

\"I don\'t remember us agreeing to that plan\" Spiro replied. \"I only remember you proposing it. I\'m not turning tail to leave you to get gunned down.\" Basil sighed. \"Whatever thing brought me back seems to think it needs me. If it can\'t get me out, I\'m guessing it can bring me back again. You three don\'t have that option.\" Spiro shook his head. \"No, fuck that. We have absolutely no idea how that works, you don\'t just get to assume it\'ll bring you back.\" Basil snapped back, sarcastic anger in his voice surprising even himself. \"Oh, well then I\'ll just consult my local Elthrice library. Oh, right, I can\'t because everyone who would know is dead. The closest thing we have to information on this is what it stuck in my head when it rebuilt me, so if I say run when this all goes south you\'d better fucking run.\"

\"Enough\" Cicero said, interrupting with a worn down voice. The group fell silent momentarily before Spiro spoke with a melancholy smile. \"Look, I\'m not even sure if I could hobble to the end of the dock at this point, much less run and swim. Like it or not, you\'re stuck with me.\" Basil remained silent but tried his best to return a melancholy smile as Cicero broke the silence. \"I\'ll stay here as long as I can, then run for the barracks to join the others for a swim if I have to. I can\'t thank you all enough for the service you have performed on behalf of the Redcaps, and it saddens me to know this may be the last time we meet.\" Basil nodded, but remained silent for a considerable amount of time before asking \"Lamb?\"

\"You\'re not the only one who can shake off a few bullets, and last time I had to swim for something it went rather bad. I\'m with you three, I\'ll hold out here as long as I can before joining the others in the great blue if it all unravels.\" Basil nodded, before watching with concern as the army making their way to the beach began to take up positions surrounding them instead of blindingly rushing towards them with the first troops that came within range. \"In a sense I\'m honored\" Basil began, \"That they\'re treating us like an army instead of four barely armed assholes holed up in a dock.\" Spiro began to laugh, but clutched in pain at the knife in his chest when he did so.

Bullets began to sail over the four\'s heads. Some soldiers were still getting into position, but others started advancing towards the dock, seeming eager to face off against the four attempting to fight an army. Basil began returning fire, prompting the other three to do the same. Soldiers dropped left and right, suddenly scurrying into more defensive positions, being reminded why those four on the dock warranted such an approach. Still, Basil figured it wouldn\'t be long before they started to push forward in larger numbers, completely negating any of the superior firepower advantages they held.

Spiro yelled over the bullets flying in both directions while moving for better cover. \"Basil, if there\'s someone to die fighting alongside, I\'m damn well glad it\'s you.\" Spiro crawled to the opposite side of the dock and sat leaning against a wall, chest now completely covered in a ghastly red. \"Likewise\" Basil shouted before taking cover on the opposite side of the dock and entering his mantle. The Faceless Man emptied his last few shots at the still approaching crowd, but suddenly glanced down at his PDA. Laughing like a madman, Basil stepped out from cover, arms stretched wide, face a mix of his own and the Faceless Man\'s.

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@ e111a405:fa441558

Erdoğan'ın İmamoğlu'nu akademik teknik detaylar ve iddia edilen PKK bağlantıları üzerinden sistematik olarak saf dışı bırakması, yalnızca Türkiye'ye özgü bir durum değil; demokrasinin küresel çöküşünün bir örneğidir.

Dün Almanya, yeterli inceleme yapılmadan ve zaten görevden alınmış bir çoğunlukla anayasal değişiklikleri aceleyle geçirdi; Romanya ise adayları prosedürel gerekçelerle diskalifiye ediyor. Liste uzayıp gidiyor: Macaristan'da Viktor Orbán, Sırbistan'da Aleksandar Vučić, İsrail'de Netanyahu, Polonya'da Hukuk ve Adalet Partisi – demokratik gerileme bölgeler ve siyasi sistemlerin ötesine geçiyor. Bugün insanlığın %72'si otoriter rejimler altında yaşıyor.

Yeni bir oyun kitabı var: yasal kurumları muhaliflere karşı silah olarak kullanmak, prosedürel tiyatro yoluyla meşruiyet üretmek ve anayasal görüntüyü korurken demokratik güvenceleri ortadan kaldırmak.

Demokrasinin dramatik bir çöküşünü değil, bürokratik manipülasyonla metodik olarak boğulmasını izliyoruz. Bu erozyon tesadüfi değil; merkezi güç yapılarının, ne kadar iyi tasarlanmış olursa olsun, kaçınılmaz olarak yozlaşmasının bir sonucudur.

İnanıyorum ki tek sürdürülebilir yolumuz radikal bir merkezsizleşmeden geçiyor: yönetimin yerel topluluklara dağıtılması, kripto ağları aracılığıyla finansal egemenlik sağlanması ve hiçbir tekil varlığın kontrol edemeyeceği sansüre dayanıklı platformlar üzerinden iletişim kurulması.

Merkezi olmayan sistemler, insan onurunu, merkezi otoritelerin, kariyer politikacılarının ve atanmış bürokratların boş vaatlerine bel bağlamak yerine kırılmaz kriptografik garantilerle yeniden tesis eder.

Gelecek, özgürlüğü temel alan sistemler aracılığıyla gönüllü olarak işbirliği yapan ağ bağlantılı bireylere aittir. Merkezi olmayan ve küresel olarak ağ bağlantılı toplumlar, tek noktadan başarısızlık yerine binlerce eşzamanlı deneyi mümkün kılarak yeniliği serbest bırakan antifragil toplumlardır.

Türk arkadaşlarıma tavsiyelerim: https://primal.net'i kullanın (X'e merkeziyetsiz bir alternatif), günlük işlemler ve akıllı sözleşmeler için https://zano.org 'u kullanmaya ve kabul etmeye başlayın (merkeziyetsiz, izinsiz kripto para birimi ve işlemler; yakında gizlilik odaklı bir stabilcoin ile).

@ e111a405:fa441558

Erdogan's calculated elimination of Imamoglu through academic technicalities and alleged ties to PKK is not really an isolated Turkish case but an example of democracy's global collapse.

Yesterday, Germany rushed constitutional changes without proper scrutiny and with a majority that was already voted out of office, Romania disqualifies candidates on procedural grounds. The list goes on: Hungary under Viktor Orbán, Serbia under Aleksandar Vučić, Israel under Netanyahu, Poland under the Law and Justice party – the democratic backsliding goes well beyond regions and political systems. 72% of humanity now lives under authoritarian control.

There is a new playbook: weaponize legal institutions against opponents, manufacture legitimacy through procedural theater, and dismantle democratic safeguards while maintaining the illusion of constitutionality.

We're witnessing not democracy's dramatic collapse but its methodical strangulation through bureaucratic manipulation. This erosion isn't coincidental but the inevitable outcome of centralized power structures that invariably corrupt even well-designed systems.

I believe that our only viable path forward lies in radical decentralization: distributing governance to local communities, financial sovereignty through crypto networks, and communication via censorship-resistant platforms that no single entity controls.

Decentralized systems restore human dignity by establishing unbreakable cryptographic guarantees rather than depending on the hollow promises of centralized authorities, career politicians, and unelected bureaucrats .

The future belongs to networked individuals collaborating voluntarily through systems designed with liberty as their foundation. Decentralized and globally networked societies are antifragile societies that unleash innovation by enabling thousands of concurrent experiments instead of single-point failures.

@ da0b9bc3:4e30a4a9

Hello Stackers!

Welcome on into the ~Music Corner of the Saloon!

A place where we Talk Music. Share Tracks. Zap Sats.

So stay a while and listen.

🚨Don't forget to check out the pinned items in the territory homepage! You can always find the latest weeklies there!🚨

🚨Subscribe to the territory to ensure you never miss a post! 🚨

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/917523

@ 33baa074:3bb3a297

The photovoltaic weather station is a comprehensive monitoring device designed specifically for solar photovoltaic power generation systems. Its main function is to provide accurate environmental monitoring data for photovoltaic power stations, helping the power stations to achieve efficient and stable operation. The following is a detailed introduction to the environmental monitoring capabilities of photovoltaic weather stations:

Main monitoring parameters of photovoltaic weather stations The photovoltaic weather station can monitor and record environmental meteorological data in real time, including:

Meteorological sensors: measure environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction and air pressure.

Light sensors: monitor light intensity, sunshine hours, etc.

Pollution monitoring equipment: evaluate the impact of air quality on photovoltaic systems.

Electrical parameter monitoring: record the current, voltage, power, etc. inside the photovoltaic power station.

The accuracy of these data is directly related to the power generation efficiency and operational safety of the photovoltaic power station.

Data analysis and early warning function By processing and analyzing the collected data, the photovoltaic weather station can achieve the following functions:

Power generation efficiency evaluation: evaluate the impact of meteorological conditions on the power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic system.

Fault diagnosis: detect and diagnose faults in photovoltaic power stations through data analysis and algorithms, and provide alarms and suggestions.

Operation and maintenance decision support: Helps operation and maintenance personnel optimize the operation and maintenance strategies of photovoltaic power stations, improve power generation efficiency and system reliability.

Application scenarios Photovoltaic weather stations are widely used in many fields, including but not limited to:

Photovoltaic power station operation management: By real-time monitoring of meteorological data, the power station can adjust the angle and cleaning strategy of photovoltaic panels in time to maximize the capture of solar energy and improve power generation efficiency.

Climate change research: Long-term monitoring and data analysis help meteorologists grasp climate change trends more accurately and provide a scientific basis for disaster prevention and mitigation.

Agricultural photovoltaic projects: Guide agricultural producers to reasonably arrange crop planting and irrigation to improve agricultural production efficiency.

Distributed photovoltaic power generation system: Provide users with clean energy, automatically adjust power generation strategies according to weather changes, and improve energy utilization efficiency.

Technical advantages and environmental significance The photovoltaic weather station uses solar energy as energy, does not consume fossil fuels, reduces carbon emissions, and has significant environmental advantages. At the same time, it uses advanced sensors and data processing technology to ensure the accuracy and reliability of data.

In short, photovoltaic weather stations play a vital role in the field of solar power generation. They can not only improve the operation and maintenance efficiency and stability of photovoltaic power stations, but also help to protect the environment and improve energy utilization. With the continuous development of clean energy and the widespread application of photovoltaic power stations, photovoltaic weather stations will play a more important role in promoting the sustainable development and progress of clean energy.

@ a012dc82:6458a70d

In recent years, the global economy has faced unprecedented challenges, with inflation rates soaring to levels not seen in decades. This economic turmoil has led investors and consumers alike to seek alternative stores of value and investment strategies. Among the various options, Bitcoin has emerged as a particularly appealing choice. This article explores the reasons behind Bitcoin's growing appeal in an inflation-stricken economy, delving into its characteristics, historical performance, and the broader implications for the financial landscape.

Table of Contents

• Understanding Inflation and Its Impacts

• Bitcoin: A New Safe Haven?

• Decentralization and Limited Supply

• Portability and Liquidity

• Bitcoin's Performance in Inflationary Times

• Challenges and Considerations

• The Future of Bitcoin in an Inflationary Economy

• Conclusion

• FAQs

Understanding Inflation and Its Impacts

Inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising, eroding purchasing power. It can be caused by various factors, including increased production costs, higher energy prices, and expansive government policies. Inflation affects everyone in the economy, from consumers and businesses to investors and retirees, as it diminishes the value of money. When inflation rates rise, the purchasing power of currency falls, leading to higher costs for everyday goods and services. This can result in decreased consumer spending, reduced savings, and overall economic slowdown.

For investors, inflation is a significant concern because it can erode the real returns on their investments. Traditional investments like bonds and savings accounts may not keep pace with inflation, leading to a loss in purchasing power over time. This has prompted a search for alternative investments that can provide a hedge against inflation and preserve, if not increase, the value of their capital.

Bitcoin: A New Safe Haven?

Traditionally, assets like gold, real estate, and Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) have been considered safe havens during times of inflation. However, the digital age has introduced a new player: Bitcoin. Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency that operates without the oversight of a central authority. Its supply is capped at 21 million coins, a feature that many believe gives it anti-inflationary properties. This inherent scarcity is akin to natural resources like gold, which have historically been used as hedges against inflation.

The decentralization of Bitcoin means that it is not subject to the whims of central banking policies or government interference, which are often seen as contributing factors to inflation. This aspect of Bitcoin is particularly appealing to those who have lost faith in traditional financial systems and are looking for alternatives that offer more autonomy and security.

Decentralization and Limited Supply

One of the key features that make Bitcoin appealing as a hedge against inflation is its decentralized nature. Unlike fiat currencies, which central banks can print in unlimited quantities, Bitcoin's supply is finite. This scarcity mimics the properties of gold and is seen as a buffer against inflation. The decentralized nature of Bitcoin also means that it is not subject to the same regulatory pressures and monetary policies that can lead to currency devaluation.

Furthermore, the process of "mining" Bitcoin, which involves validating transactions and adding them to the blockchain, is designed to become progressively more difficult over time. This not only ensures the security of the network but also introduces a deflationary element to Bitcoin, as the rate at which new coins are created slows down over time.

Portability and Liquidity

Bitcoin's digital nature makes it highly portable and divisible, allowing for easy transfer and exchange worldwide. This liquidity and global accessibility make it an attractive option for investors looking to diversify their portfolios beyond traditional assets. Unlike physical assets like gold or real estate, Bitcoin can be transferred across borders without the need for intermediaries, making it a truly global asset.

The ease of transferring and dividing Bitcoin means that it can be used for a wide range of transactions, from large-scale investments to small, everyday purchases. This versatility, combined with its growing acceptance as a form of payment, enhances its utility and appeal as an investment.

Bitcoin's Performance in Inflationary Times

Historically, Bitcoin has shown significant growth during periods of high inflation. While it is known for its price volatility, many investors have turned to Bitcoin as a speculative hedge against depreciating fiat currencies. The digital currency's performance during inflationary periods has bolstered its reputation as a potential safe haven. However, it's important to note that Bitcoin's market is still relatively young and can be influenced by a wide range of factors beyond inflation, such as market sentiment, technological developments, and regulatory changes.

Despite its volatility, Bitcoin has provided substantial returns for some investors, particularly those who entered the market early. Its performance, especially during times of financial instability, has led to increased interest and investment from both individual and institutional investors. As more people look to Bitcoin as a potential hedge against inflation, its role in investment portfolios is likely to evolve.

Challenges and Considerations

Despite its growing appeal, Bitcoin is not without its challenges. The cryptocurrency's price volatility can lead to significant losses, and regulatory uncertainties remain a concern. Additionally, the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining has sparked debate. The energy-intensive process required to mine new coins and validate transactions has raised concerns about its sustainability and environmental footprint.

Investors considering Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation should weigh these factors and consider their risk tolerance and investment horizon. While Bitcoin offers potential benefits as an inflation hedge, it also comes with risks that are different from traditional investments. Understanding these risks, and how they align with individual investment strategies, is crucial for anyone considering adding Bitcoin to their portfolio.

The Future of Bitcoin in an Inflationary Economy

As the global economy continues to navigate through turbulent waters, the appeal of Bitcoin is likely to grow. Its properties as a decentralized, finite, and easily transferable asset make it a unique option for those looking to protect their wealth from inflation. However, the future of Bitcoin remains uncertain, and its role in the broader financial landscape is still being defined. As with any investment, due diligence and a balanced approach are crucial.

The increasing institutional interest in Bitcoin and the development of financial products around it, such as ETFs and futures, suggest that Bitcoin is becoming more mainstream. However, its acceptance and integration into the global financial system will depend on a variety of factors, including regulatory developments, technological advancements, and market dynamics.

Conclusion

The growing appeal of Bitcoin in an inflation-stricken economy highlights the changing dynamics of investment in the digital age. While it offers a novel approach to wealth preservation, it also comes with its own set of risks and challenges. As the world continues to grapple with inflation, the role of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies will undoubtedly be a topic of keen interest and debate among investors and policymakers alike. Whether Bitcoin will become a permanent fixture in investment portfolios as a hedge against inflation remains to be seen, but its impact on the financial landscape is undeniable.

FAQs

What is inflation, and how does it affect the economy? Inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising, leading to a decrease in purchasing power. It affects the economy by reducing the value of money, increasing costs for consumers and businesses, and potentially leading to economic slowdown.

Why is Bitcoin considered a hedge against inflation? Bitcoin is considered a hedge against inflation due to its decentralized nature, limited supply capped at 21 million coins, and its independence from government monetary policies, which are often seen as contributing factors to inflation.

What are the risks associated with investing in Bitcoin? The risks include high price volatility, regulatory uncertainties, and concerns over the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining. Investors should consider their risk tolerance and investment horizon before investing in Bitcoin.

How does Bitcoin's limited supply contribute to its value? Bitcoin's limited supply mimics the scarcity of resources like gold, which has traditionally been used as a hedge against inflation. This scarcity can help to maintain its value over time, especially in contrast to fiat currencies, which can be printed in unlimited quantities.

Can Bitcoin be used for everyday transactions? Yes, Bitcoin can be used for a wide range of transactions, from large-scale investments to small, everyday purchases. Its digital nature allows for easy transfer and division, making it a versatile form of currency.

That's all for today

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DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.

@ 33baa074:3bb3a297

Weather stations play a vital role in preventing agricultural disasters. Here is a detailed explanation of how weather stations help prevent agricultural disasters:

Real-time monitoring and data collection Weather stations are equipped with a series of high-precision sensors that can monitor a variety of meteorological elements in the farmland environment in real time, such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, rainfall, soil moisture, etc. These data provide farmers and agricultural managers with accurate farmland meteorological conditions, enabling them to promptly detect abnormal changes in the farmland environment, such as drought, floods, pests and diseases, and other signs of potential disasters.

Intelligent early warning system In addition to real-time monitoring, weather stations also have intelligent early warning systems. Through in-depth mining and analysis of monitoring data, the system can identify adverse weather conditions that may affect crop growth, such as heavy rain, drought, frost, etc. Once these abnormal meteorological conditions are detected, the system will immediately trigger the early warning mechanism and notify farmers through SMS, APP push, broadcast and other methods, so that they have enough time to take countermeasures.

Provide scientific planting management suggestions The meteorological data provided by the weather station can also be used to analyze and predict the changing trends of weather and climate, as well as the probability and development trend of disasters. Farmers can use this information to understand weather and climate changes in advance, make corresponding preparations, and avoid disasters. In addition, weather stations can also provide farmers with scientific planting management suggestions, such as reasonable irrigation, fertilization, and pest control suggestions, to help farmers optimize planting strategies and improve agricultural production efficiency.

Measures to deal with specific agricultural disasters The information provided by weather stations can also help farmers take specific measures to deal with specific agricultural disasters. For example, after a drought warning is issued, farmers can start the irrigation system in time to ensure that crops get enough water; after a flood warning is issued, farmers can dredge the drainage system to prevent water accumulation in farmland. These measures not only help protect crops from disasters, but also improve crop yields and quality, and promote the sustainable development of agricultural production.

Strengthen initial management Initial management after a disaster is also very important. The information provided by weather stations can help farmers pay attention to the growth of vegetables in a timely manner and take appropriate management measures, such as gradually opening the insulation cover to prevent crop leaves from losing water and wilting under strong light. Such management measures help reduce the damage to crops caused by disasters.

In summary, the meteorological station effectively prevents the occurrence of agricultural disasters and ensures the stability and sustainability of agricultural production through real-time monitoring, intelligent early warning, provision of scientific planting management suggestions, and helping farmers take specific measures to deal with disasters.

@ e97aaffa:2ebd765d

Como é difícil encontrar informações sobre o eurodigital, a CBDC da União Europeia, vou colocando aqui, os documentos mais interessantes que fui encontrando:

FAQ: https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/digital_euro/faqs/html/ecb.faq_digital_euro.pt.html

Directório BCE: https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/pubbydate/html/index.en.html?topic=Digital%20euro

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/digital_euro/timeline/profuse/html/index.en.html

Documentos mais técnicos:

2025

Technical note on the provision of multiple digital euro accounts to individual end users https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/digital_euro/timeline/profuse/shared/pdf/ecb.degov240325_digital_euro_multiple_accounts.en.pdf

2024

Relatório de progresso https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/digital_euro/progress/html/ecb.deprp202412.en.html

Technical note on the provision of multiple digital euro accounts to individual end users https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/digital_euro/timeline/profuse/shared/pdf/ecb.degov240325_digital_euro_multiple_accounts.en.pdf

The impact of central bank digital currency on central bank profitability, risk-taking and capital https://www.ecb.europa.eu/pub/pdf/scpops/ecb.op360~35915b25bd.en.pdf

2023

Progress on the investigation phase of a digital euro - fourth report https://www.ecb.europa.eu/paym/digital_euro/investigation/governance/shared/files/ecb.degov230713-fourth-progress-report-digital-euro-investigation-phase.en.pdf

Digital euro - Prototype summary and lessons learned https://www.ecb.europa.eu/pub/pdf/other/ecb.prototype_summary20230526%7E71d0b26d55.en.pdf

Functional and non-functional requirements linked to the market research for a potential digital euro implementation https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/digital_euro/timeline/profuse/shared/pdf//ecb.dedocs230113_Annex_1_Digital_euro_market_research.en.pdf

A stocktake on the digital euro https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/digital_euro/progress/shared/pdf/ecb.dedocs231018.en.pdf

@ 33baa074:3bb3a297

Overview of Lo-Ra Gateway Lo-Ra (Long Range) is a low-power wide area network communication technology, and its gateway achieves a perfect combination of long distance and low power consumption. The coverage range of Lo-Ra gateway can reach 3-15km, and the battery power can last for many years. At the same time, it can support a large number of terminal connections, with low communication cost and high security. This technology is particularly suitable for scenarios that require large-scale, low-power and long-distance communication in urban management.

Application in Urban Street Light Management Remote Monitoring and Control Through Lo-Ra technology, street lights can be remotely monitored and controlled. Installing a Lo-Ra communication module on each street light can obtain information such as the working status and energy consumption of the street light in real time, and centrally manage it through the cloud platform. At the same time, the cloud platform can also remotely control the functions of street lights such as on and off and brightness adjustment, providing a more flexible and intelligent street light management method.

Street Light Brightness Control Lo-Ra technology can realize remote control of the brightness of smart street lights. By connecting smart street lights to Lo-Ra gateways, the brightness of street lights can be adjusted according to actual needs, thereby saving energy and improving energy utilization.

Street light status monitoring The smart street light system can monitor the status of street lights in real time through Lo-Ra technology, including the switch status, brightness, power consumption and other information of the lamps. This information can be transmitted to the Io T platform relentlessly to realize remote monitoring of street lights.

Energy management and regulation The lamps in the smart street light system can be connected to the energy management system through Lo-Ra technology to realize real-time monitoring and regulation of energy. Through real-time monitoring of energy, the brightness of the lamps can be adjusted according to local brightness requirements to reduce energy waste. Through energy regulation, the automatic switching of street lights can also be realized to further improve energy utilization efficiency.

Communication and collaborative work between street lights By setting up a Lo-Ra gateway, not only can the communication between street lights and the cloud platform be realized, but also data interaction between street lights can be realized. In this way, information sharing and collaborative work can be realized between street lights to jointly cope with various challenges in urban lighting management.

Connection with other urban infrastructure The Lo-Ra gateway can also be connected with other urban infrastructure to achieve cross-application. For example, connecting the Lo-Ra gateway to the city traffic light system can provide more intelligent lighting services at traffic intersections with high demand, automatically adjust the brightness and lighting time according to changes in traffic flow, and improve driving safety.

Other application scenarios In addition to urban street light management, Lo-Ra gateways also show broad application prospects in many fields such as urban intelligence, industrial monitoring, smart home, environmental monitoring, logistics and supply chain management.

Smart parking Smart parking solutions can help drivers find free parking spaces in real time and reduce traffic congestion.

Garbage management Through Lo-Ra technology, real-time positioning and scheduling of garbage collection vehicles can be achieved, and the garbage disposal process can be optimized.

Public safety Lo-Ra gateways can be used to monitor the safety of public places, such as video surveillance, emergency alarms, etc.

Smart home Due to the low power consumption characteristics of Lo-Ra, smart home devices using Lo-Ra technology, such as door and window sensors, smoke alarms, etc., can operate for a long time without frequent battery replacement.

Environmental monitoring By deploying Lo-Ra sensors, environmental parameters such as air quality, water quality, and noise can be monitored in real time, pollution sources can be discovered in a timely manner, and data support can be provided for decision-making by governments and environmental protection agencies.

Logistics and supply chain management Lo-Ra Io T gateways can achieve real-time tracking and monitoring of goods, effectively reduce the risk of loss and damage of goods, optimize supply chain management, and improve logistics efficiency.

In short, as an efficient and low-cost wireless communication solution, Lo-Ra Io T gateways have shown broad application prospects in smart agriculture, urban intelligence, industrial monitoring, smart homes, environmental monitoring, logistics and supply chain management, and other fields. With the continuous advancement of technology and the continuous expansion of application scenarios, Lo-Ra Io T gateways will play a more important role in promoting the development of social intelligence.

@ ee9aaefe:1e6952f4

Introduction to Model Context Protocol (MCP)

Model Context Protocol (MCP) serves as a specialized gateway allowing AI systems to access real-time information and interact with external data sources while maintaining security boundaries. This capability transforms AI from closed systems limited to training data into dynamic assistants capable of retrieving current information and performing actions. As AI systems integrate into critical infrastructure across industries, the security and reliability of these protocols have become crucial considerations.

Security Vulnerabilities in Web-Based MCP Services

Traditional MCP implementations operate as web services, creating a fundamental security weakness. When an MCP runs as a conventional web service, the entire security model depends on trusting the service provider. Providers can modify underlying code, alter behavior, or update services without users' knowledge or consent. This creates an inherent vulnerability where the system's integrity rests solely on the trustworthiness of the MCP provider.

This vulnerability is particularly concerning in high-stakes domains. In financial applications, a compromised MCP could lead to unauthorized transactions or exposure of confidential information. In healthcare, it might result in compromised patient data. The fundamental problem is that users have no cryptographic guarantees about the MCP's behavior – they must simply trust the provider's claims about security and data handling.

Additionally, these services create single points of failure vulnerable to sophisticated attacks. Service providers face internal threats from rogue employees, external pressure from bad actors, or regulatory compulsion that could compromise user security or privacy. With traditional MCPs, users have limited visibility into such changes and few technical safeguards.

ICP Canisters: Enabling the Verifiable MCP Paradigm

The Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) offers a revolutionary solution through its canister architecture, enabling what we term "Verifiable MCP" – a new paradigm in AI security. Unlike traditional web services, ICP canisters operate within a decentralized network with consensus-based execution and verification, creating powerful security properties:

• Cryptographically verifiable immutability guarantees prevent silent code modifications
• Deterministic execution environments allow independent verification by network participants
• Ability to both read and write web data while operating under consensus verification
• Control of off-chain Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) servers through on-chain attestation

These capabilities create the foundation for trustworthy AI context protocols that don't require blind faith in service providers.

Technical Architecture of Verifiable MCP Integration

The Verifiable MCP architecture places MCP service logic within ICP canisters that operate under consensus verification. This creates several distinct layers working together to ensure security:

1. Interface Layer: AI models connect through standardized APIs compatible with existing integration patterns.

2. Verification Layer: The ICP canister validates authentication, checks permissions, and verifies policy adherence within a consensus-verified environment.

3. Orchestration Layer: The canister coordinates necessary resources for data retrieval or computation.

4. Attestation Layer: For sensitive operations, the canister deploys and attests TEE instances, providing cryptographic proof that correct code runs in a secure environment.

5. Response Verification Layer: Before returning results, cryptographic verification ensures data integrity and provenance.

This architecture creates a transparent, verifiable pipeline where component behavior is guaranteed through consensus mechanisms and cryptographic verification—eliminating the need to trust service provider claims.

Example: Secure Financial Data Access Through Verifiable MCP

Consider a financial advisory AI needing access to banking data and portfolios to provide recommendations. In a Verifiable MCP implementation:

1. The AI submits a data request through the Verifiable MCP interface.

2. The ICP canister verifies authorization using immutable access control logic.

3. For sensitive data, the canister deploys a TEE instance with privacy-preserving code.

4. The canister cryptographically verifies the TEE is running the correct code.

5. Financial services provide encrypted data directly to the verified TEE.

6. The TEE returns only authorized results with cryptographic proof of correct execution.

7. The canister delivers verified insights to the AI.

This ensures even the service provider cannot access raw financial data while maintaining complete auditability. Users verify exactly what code processes their information and what insights are extracted, enabling AI applications in regulated domains otherwise too risky with traditional approaches.

Implications for AI Trustworthiness and Data Sovereignty

The Verifiable MCP paradigm transforms the trust model for AI systems by shifting from "trust the provider" to cryptographic verification. This addresses a critical barrier to AI adoption in sensitive domains where guarantees about data handling are essential.

For AI trustworthiness, this enables transparent auditing of data access patterns, prevents silent modifications to processing logic, and provides cryptographic proof of data provenance. Users can verify exactly what information AI systems access and how it's processed.

From a data sovereignty perspective, users gain control through cryptographic guarantees rather than policy promises. Organizations implement permissions that cannot be circumvented, while regulators can verify immutable code handling sensitive information. For cross-border scenarios, Verifiable MCP enables compliance with data localization requirements while maintaining global AI service capabilities through cryptographically enforced data boundaries.

Conclusion

The Verifiable MCP paradigm represents a breakthrough in securing AI systems' external interactions. By leveraging ICP canisters' immutability and verification capabilities, it addresses fundamental vulnerabilities in traditional MCP implementations.

As AI adoption grows in regulated domains, this architecture provides a foundation for trustworthy model-world interactions without requiring blind faith in service providers. The approach enables new categories of AI applications in sensitive sectors while maintaining robust security guarantees.

This innovation promises to democratize secure context protocols, paving the way for responsible AI deployment even in the most security-critical environments.

@ a6efb4f0:4d912827

No universo dos jogos online, escolher a plataforma certa pode ser uma tarefa difícil. Com tantas opções disponíveis, a BET29 se destaca por seu compromisso em oferecer aos jogadores uma experiência única, segura e de qualidade. Com uma ampla gama de jogos e um design intuitivo, a BET29 conquistou rapidamente o coração dos jogadores brasileiros.

BET29: Uma Plataforma Que Valoriza a Simplicidade

A BET29 foi projetada para ser acessível a todos, independentemente do nível de experiência do jogador. Sua interface é clara e objetiva, tornando a navegação fácil e rápida. Com um layout funcional e sem distrações, a plataforma permite que os jogadores se concentrem apenas no que realmente importa: a diversão.

O design da bet29 foi desenvolvido para que jogadores iniciantes também possam se adaptar rapidamente. Desde o cadastro até a escolha de um jogo, tudo é feito de maneira simples e eficiente. Além disso, a plataforma é totalmente compatível com dispositivos móveis, permitindo que os jogadores acessem suas contas e joguem a qualquer momento, seja em casa ou em movimento.

Jogos de Alta Qualidade e Variedade

A BET29 se orgulha de sua vasta oferta de jogos. A plataforma conta com títulos de diferentes gêneros, garantindo que todos os jogadores encontrem algo que combine com seu estilo. Se você procura por jogos de ação rápida, a BET29 oferece diversas opções. Para quem prefere desafios mais estratégicos, também há jogos que exigem mais habilidades e raciocínio.

Além disso, os jogos na BET29 são desenvolvidos por estúdios de renome, garantindo que os jogadores tenham uma experiência de qualidade. Com gráficos excepcionais, jogabilidade fluída e constantes atualizações, os jogadores podem se divertir por horas sem se preocupar com a qualidade dos jogos.

A BET29 também é conhecida por lançar novos jogos frequentemente, sempre acompanhando as tendências do mercado e trazendo novidades aos seus usuários. Isso faz com que a plataforma seja sempre interessante, pois os jogadores têm algo novo para experimentar.

Segurança e Atendimento de Qualidade

A segurança dos jogadores é uma das principais preocupações da BET29. A plataforma utiliza criptografia de ponta para proteger as informações pessoais e financeiras dos usuários, garantindo que todos os dados estejam seguros. Isso proporciona tranquilidade aos jogadores, que podem se concentrar em se divertir sem se preocupar com a privacidade de suas informações.

Outro ponto positivo da BET29 é seu excelente serviço de atendimento ao cliente. A plataforma oferece suporte 24 horas por dia, 7 dias por semana, para ajudar com qualquer dúvida ou problema. A equipe de atendimento é altamente qualificada e pronta para oferecer respostas rápidas e soluções eficazes para os jogadores.

Conclusão: BET29 é a Plataforma que Você Procura

Se você está em busca de uma plataforma de jogos online que combine qualidade, segurança e uma excelente experiência de usuário, a BET29 é a escolha perfeita. Com uma interface amigável, uma enorme variedade de jogos e um suporte ao cliente dedicado, a BET29 é uma opção confiável para qualquer jogador brasileiro. Entre para a plataforma e descubra tudo o que ela tem a oferecer para tornar sua experiência de jogo ainda mais divertida e empolgante.

@ e5de992e:4a95ef85

Market Overview

On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, U.S. stock markets experienced notable declines, reflecting investor caution ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy announcement:

• S&P 500: Fell 1.1% to close at 5,614.66.
• Dow Jones Industrial Average: Decreased 0.6%, ending at 41,581.31.
• Nasdaq Composite: Declined 1.7% to 17,504.12, with technology stocks leading the downturn.
• Russell 2000: Specific figures were not detailed, but it typically mirrors trends observed in larger indices.

Year-to-Date Performance:

• S&P 500: Down 3.5%
• Dow Jones Industrial Average: Down 1.7%
• Nasdaq Composite: Down 7.8%
• Russell 2000: Down 7.3%

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Key Factors and Events

Federal Reserve Meeting

• The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is concluding its two-day policy meeting on March 19, 2025.
• The Federal Reserve is anticipated to maintain the federal funds rate within the current range of 4.25% to 4.50%.
• Investors are closely watching for updated economic projections and Chair Jerome Powell's remarks for clues on future monetary policy amid ongoing economic uncertainties.

Technology Sector Performance

The technology sector experienced significant sell-offs:

• Nvidia (NVDA): Shares declined 3.4% following the unveiling of its new generation of AI chips, raising concerns about near-term demand.
• Tesla (TSLA): Dropped 5.3% amid apprehensions regarding its autonomous driving technology.
• Alphabet (GOOGL): Fell 2.2%, influenced by acquisition-related uncertainties and broader market volatility.

Geopolitical Factors

• President Donald Trump's recent tariff announcements have intensified trade tensions, particularly with Canada and Mexico.
• These policies contribute to market volatility and raise concerns about global economic growth.

Economic Climate

• Investors are weighing potential recession risks against a relatively stable job market.
• Recent data indicate a decline in consumer sentiment, driven by economic uncertainties and federal workforce reductions.

---

Global Context

While U.S. markets face challenges, European and Asian markets have shown resilience:

• European Markets:
  Indices like Germany's DAX have advanced, bolstered by the passage of debt reforms.

• Asian Markets:
  Though specific performance metrics were not detailed, these markets have generally exhibited stability amid global economic fluctuations.

• Regional Vulnerability:
  Indonesia's stock market faced a temporary suspension due to significant declines.

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Additional Insights

• The market remains cautious ahead of the Fed's economic projections, which may influence investor decisions.
• Diversified portfolios have performed relatively better this year—with bonds and select international markets outperforming American stocks—underscoring the importance of a balanced investment approach during volatile times.

@ ed84ce10:cccf4c2a

DoraHacks: Pioneering the Global Hacker Movement

DoraHacks is the world’s largest hackathon community, driving radical innovation across multiple industries. Now, a similar hacker movement is emerging in biotech—what we call the FDA-Free Society. At DoraHacks, this is our core focus in the life sciences. We believe that medical and biotech innovation should not be held hostage by bureaucracy. Instead, it should be free to evolve at the pace of technological progress.

The FDA: The Biggest Bottleneck to Biotech Innovation

For decades, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been the single greatest obstacle to progress in medicine and biotech. While ostensibly designed to ensure safety and efficacy, in reality, it has functioned as an entrenched bureaucracy that stifles innovation.

1. A Broken Approval Process

The FDA operates on timelines that make no sense in an era of exponential technological growth. Getting a new drug or therapy to market takes 10-15 years. By the time a breakthrough therapy is approved, entire generations of patients have already suffered or died waiting.

2. Astronomical Compliance Costs

Clinical trials under FDA oversight are prohibitively expensive. This eliminates most startups from even attempting disruptive innovation. Many promising therapies never see the light of day—not because they don’t work, but because the cost of compliance is too high.

3. The FDA-Pharma Cartel

The regulatory framework is not neutral—it overwhelmingly benefits Big Pharma. The FDA’s Byzantine approval system creates a protective moat for legacy pharmaceutical companies, while smaller biotech startups are crushed under compliance burdens. The result? Less innovation, more monopolization, and fewer choices for patients.

Market-Driven Biotech Innovation Is the Future

When bureaucracies control innovation, progress slows. When markets drive innovation, progress accelerates.

1. Let the Market Decide What Works

Why should government regulators dictate which treatments are available? In an open system, patients and doctors—not bureaucrats—should determine which therapies succeed or fail.

2. The "Right to Try" Loophole Proves the FDA Is Obsolete

The U.S. Right to Try Act already allows terminally ill patients to access experimental drugs before FDA approval. This proves an essential truth: The regulatory state is holding back life-saving treatments. If dying patients can bypass the FDA, why can’t everyone?

3. Startups Move Faster Than Bureaucracies

The success of mRNA technology was not driven by the FDA—it was driven by startups operating at the speed of the market. This is a template for the future. Regulation slows innovation. Entrepreneurs accelerate it.

BioHack: Breaking Free From the FDA’s Grip

One of the most important frontiers in biotech today is anti-aging and longevity research. Yet, the FDA has no framework for approving treatments that extend life. The result? A regulatory death sentence for one of the most transformative fields of medicine.

1. Biotech Needs FDA-Free Experimental Zones

In the future, biotech R&D should function like open-source software—free, experimental, and outside the reach of outdated regulators. We need FDA-Free labs, FDA-Free clinical trials, and FDA-Free therapeutics.

2. Decentralized Healthcare Will Disrupt Big Pharma

A new era of decentralized biotech is emerging—privately funded labs, medical DAOs, and startup-driven healthcare systems. The power to determine the future of medicine must shift away from centralized bureaucracies and Big Pharma toward entrepreneurs, scientists, and patients.

Conclusion: The Hacker Revolution in Biotech Is Here

The FDA-Free Society is not a thought experiment. It is an inevitability. Innovation will not be stopped. DoraHacks is committed to making BioHack a reality.

@ f3873798:24b3f2f3

Vivemos em um mundo onde os impactos ambientais se tornam cada vez mais evidentes. O aumento das temperaturas, a escassez de recursos hídricos e os eventos climáticos extremos são apenas alguns dos sinais de que precisamos repensar a forma como nos relacionamos com o meio ambiente. No entanto, para que mudanças eficazes aconteçam, é essencial que o debate sobre crises ambientais seja baseado em conhecimento técnico e científico e não por expectro político seja de direita ou esquerda. Afinal, a sustentabilidade não é apenas um conceito abstrato, mas uma ferramenta essencial para o desenvolvimento das sociedades.

Neste artigo, vamos explorar por que o debate ambiental não pode ser ignorado,tanto pouco se instrumento de embate político e como o negacionismo prejudica o avanço da sociedade. Além disso, veremos exemplos concretos de como medidas sustentáveis já transformaram comunidades, mostrando que é possível crescer sem destruir o planeta.

Por que o Debate sobre Crises Ambientais é Importante e Não Deve Ser Ignorado?

Os desafios ambientais não são problemas do futuro – eles já estão afetando a nossa realidade. Secas prolongadas, inundações, ondas de calor e o aumento da poluição são consequências diretas da falta de políticas ambientais eficazes. Ignorar esses sinais pode ter impactos devastadores não apenas no meio ambiente, mas também na economia e na saúde pública.

Um exemplo clássico da importância de enfrentar os problemas ambientais com seriedade é a cidade de Cubatão, em São Paulo. Durante as décadas de 1970 e 1980, o município foi considerado um dos locais mais poluídos do mundo. A intensa atividade industrial sem controle ambiental resultou em problemas graves de saúde na população, como doenças respiratórias e malformações em recém-nascidos. Além disso, a poluição do ar e dos rios tornava o ambiente praticamente inabitável.

No entanto, graças à implementação de medidas sustentáveis, como o controle das emissões industriais, o reflorestamento de áreas degradadas e a adoção de tecnologias mais limpas, Cubatão passou por uma verdadeira transformação. Hoje, a cidade é um exemplo de recuperação ambiental e desenvolvimento sustentável, provando que o crescimento econômico pode coexistir com a preservação do meio ambiente quando há planejamento e responsabilidade.

Outros exemplos de sucesso incluem:

Curitiba (PR): Reconhecida mundialmente por suas práticas de urbanismo sustentável, como transporte público eficiente, amplas áreas verdes e programas de reciclagem.

Bogotá (Colômbia): Implementou um sistema de transporte sustentável, com faixas exclusivas para ônibus, reduzindo a poluição e melhorando a mobilidade urbana.

Costa Rica: Um dos poucos países do mundo que gera quase 100% de sua energia a partir de fontes renováveis, mostrando que é possível ter desenvolvimento econômico sem explorar excessivamente os recursos naturais.

Esses exemplos reforçam a importância de um debate sério sobre questões ambientais. Quando ignoramos esses problemas, comprometemos a qualidade de vida das gerações futuras.

O Negacionismo é Prejudicial para o Desenvolvimento da Sociedade

Infelizmente, o debate sobre meio ambiente muitas vezes é influenciado por interesses políticos e econômicos que ignoram a ciência em prol do lucro imediato. O negacionismo ambiental – que questiona evidências científicas sobre mudanças climáticas, poluição e desmatamento – atrasa a implementação de soluções sustentáveis e coloca a população em risco.

O caso de Cubatão ilustra bem isso. Durante anos, empresas e autoridades minimizaram os impactos ambientais da poluição industrial. Somente após a pressão de cientistas e ativistas, medidas foram tomadas para reverter a degradação ambiental e proteger a saúde da população.

Outro exemplo claro de como o negacionismo prejudica a sociedade é a falta de ações concretas para combater o desmatamento na Amazônia. A floresta tem um papel fundamental no equilíbrio climático global, mas sua destruição continua sendo impulsionada por interesses econômicos de curto prazo.

Para que possamos avançar, o foco do debate ambiental deve estar na busca pela verdade científica e na adoção de medidas que beneficiem a sociedade como um todo – e não apenas grupos específicos. Quando governos e empresas tomam decisões embasadas em dados concretos, todos saem ganhando: a economia cresce de forma sustentável, a população tem melhor qualidade de vida e os recursos naturais são preservados para o futuro.

Conhecimento Técnico e Compromisso com a Sustentabilidade São Essenciais

O desenvolvimento sustentável não é um entrave ao progresso, mas sim a única forma de garantir um futuro equilibrado. Países e cidades que adotam medidas sustentáveis demonstram que é possível crescer economicamente sem comprometer os recursos naturais. O caso de Cubatão prova que problemas ambientais podem ser resolvidos com políticas públicas bem estruturadas e comprometimento da sociedade.

Portanto, ignorar o debate ambiental ou negar as evidências científicas é um erro que pode custar caro para a humanidade. Precisamos valorizar o conhecimento técnico, investir em soluções inovadoras e cobrar dos líderes políticos e empresariais um compromisso real com a sustentabilidade. Somente assim poderemos garantir um planeta habitável para as futuras gerações.

@ 8671a6e5:f88194d1

glue for the mind

\ You’ve seen them, these garish orange Bitcoin stickers slapped on lampposts, laptops, windows and the occasional rust-bucket Honda. They’re sometimes in some areas a sort of graffiti plague on the landscape, certainly when a meetup or bitcoin conference was held in the area (especially then the city or town can fork out some extra budget to clean things up and scrape the stickers from statues of famous folk heroes or the door to the headquarters of a local bank branche).\ \ At first glance, it might seem like enthusiasm Bitcoiners desperate to scream their obsession from the rooftops. Both for the fun of it, and to get rid of the pack of stickers they’ve got at a local meetup.\ \ But let’s cut to the chase: covering half a town in stickers isn’t clever. It’s lazy, counterproductive, and has nothing to do with what Bitcoin actually stands for.\ Worse, it reeks of the brain-dead low grade (cheap) marketing tactics you’d expect from shitcoiners or the follow up of some half-baked flyer campaign by a local communist clique.\ Proof? Bitcoin stickers are literally covering up — or being covered up themselves, usually by - communist stickers in a pointless competition for use of real-world ad space.\ \ Maybe, bitcoiners should just create a sticker where Karl Marx ànd the bitcoin logo appear in the same sticker, so both groups can enjoy it’s uselessness, and call it quits to get this stupidity over with once and for all.\ A sticker with a shiny B might look cool at first. But what does it actually do?

Communist and Bitcoin logo sticker

Spamming stickers doesn’t make “frens”

There’s a psychology behind these stickers of course: people slap them up to feel part of a rebel tribe, flipping off central banks or feeling part of the crew.\ This crude, omnipresent approach to marketing echoes the late 1960s— an era of peak fiat, not Bitcoin’s time.\ Mimicking those tactics today, as if Bitcoin were some hip underground record store trying to spread its brand name, is utterly irrelevant.\ Sure, people love signaling affiliations with an easy and cheap identity flex — like a bumper sticker yelling: “Look at me I’m special!”\ \ But plaster a town with Bitcoin logos, and it stops being edgy and it was never funny; it becomes an eyesore and puts bitcoiners in the same category as the social justice warriors and political youth movements or brands of local energy drinks doing some weird campaign.\ \ Advertising psychology shows overexposure breeds resentment, not interest. Flood a street with stickers, and you’re not lighting a spark. You’re making people uninterested, gag, associating Bitcoin with spam or worse: get totally blended into the background along all the other noise from the street marketeers.\ \ The "mere exposure effect" (Zajonc, 1968)1 claims familiarity breeds liking, even from annoyance. Since the 1960s however, a lot has changed, as we’ll see… and above all, yet, after years of Bitcoin stickers in many areas, they’ve just turned into meaningless wallpaper. It has usually no strong message, no slogan, no conversation starter other than “buy bitcoin”, it’s disassociated from reality for many people, as the reaction show us. It’s also happening in a vacuum, where “normies” and no-coiners pass by and don’t even recognize such stickers for anything else than background colors.

It’s Lazy Man’s Work

Let’s talk effort — or the lack of it - for these kind of campaigns and stickers. Invented in the 1920s, stickers began expressing political opinions in the 1970s during student, peace, and anti-nuclear campaigns. It’s easy, cheap and also quick to distribute.\ \ These stickers aren’t masterful designs from an artistic genius (safe some clever exceptions). They’re usually ripped off from somewhere else, tweaked for five minutes, and bulk-ordered online. It’s the “IKEA effect” gone wrong: a tiny bit of customization, and suddenly people think they’re visionaries. But it’s a low-effort form of activism at best. Compare that to coding a Bitcoin tool or patiently explaining its value to a normie or organizing a meetup or conference, starting a company.\ Not that low-level or guerrilla marketing can’t work, I just don’t see it happen with stickers. Why not go out there and try to convince a whole series of fruit and vegetable market owners to accept bitcoin instead of using very expensive bank Point-of-sale systems?\ Why not direct mailing? Why not… do more than just putting a sticker on a signpost and walk away like a sneaky student promoting his 4 person political group?\ \ Stickers are the “Save the whales (pun intended)” magnet on your fridge: lazy-ass advocacy that screams intellectual deficiency. They’re a shortcut to feeling involved, not a strategy for real impact.

imaginary Save-the-Whales bitcoin sticker

Strategy territory signaling

Here’s the kicker: Bitcoin’s strength lies in its tech and value properties — decentralized, borderless value transfer that eliminates middlemen and has provable digital scarcity.\ Stickers? They’re just physical garbage. Sure, they might feel like a way to make an abstract idea tangible, tapping into “embodied cognition.” But they explain nothing about Bitcoin’s purpose or how it revolutionizes finance.\ They’re a dopamine hit for the people sticking them anywhere — a pathetic “I did something” moment — while everyone else walks by without a glance.\ Bitcoin is about innovation, not old-school social groups with low-budget marketing tactics.

\ The psychology of Bitcoin stickers

Why bother? Stickers are simple and loud—easy for the brain to process, a cheap thrill of rebellion. The person who spends an afternoon covering a city in them thinks they’re spreading the gospel. In reality, they’re just littering. Real advocacy takes effort, discussion, and substance — not a pack of adhesive stickers ordered with the click of a button.\ It’s the same reason nobody turns communist from a hammer-and-sickle sticker on a pole. It’s dead air.\ \ The proof of their uselessness? In 2 years, not one person I know has bought, researched, or even asked about Bitcoin because of a sticker in the neighborhood bar. A bar near me has had one on the wall for years — zero requests to pay with Bitcoin.

A sticker sitting on a bar wall for five years without impact isn’t “subtle marketing”—it’s a neon sign of failure. And the people cleaning those stickers off street signs, or the local communist student activists constantly covering them with their own, are locked in an endless, mindless sticker war.\ \ Other areas are even having a tsunami of bitcoin stickers, and hardly any places where they actually accept bitcoin for goods.\ More so, places where they do accept bitcoin readily, usually only need one sticker: the one at the door of a business saying “bitcoin accepted here”. And that’s about it.

What the little amount of research says

Studies shows stickers work for movements claiming public space and resisting dominant narratives — when done on a massive scale, targeting a specific audience have a visual and emotional effect when combined with other forms of resistance in social movements.\ "Stickin' it to the Man: The Geographies of Protest Stickers" 2\ \ For Bitcoin, a global monetary network meant for everyone, that localized, niche-based campaign makes little sense.\ Unlike sports teams or clothing brands, Bitcoiners can’t pinpoint a target area. A random sticker on a busy street claims nothing—no momentum, atmosphere, or intrigue. Political campaigns and underground youth movements concentrate stickers in student neighborhoods, universities, or subcultures where the message resonates. But Bitcoin isn’t a corporation, company, or fashion brand—it’s a Wall Street-embraced asset by now, with activists not really situated in the sticker-guerrilla kind of persons.

When was the last time you saw a "Buy Gold!" sticker? A "Get Your Microsoft Stock Options Now!" sticker? Or a "Crude Oil—Yeah, Baby!" sticker? Never. Serious assets don’t need guerrilla marketing.

The overload on stickers is also becoming an issue (especially in some areas with higher concentration of bitcoiners).

Bitcoin stickers fall flat

Invented in the 1920s, stickers began expressing political opinions in the 1970s during student, peace, and anti-nuclear campaigns. Protest stickers massively appear after protest rallies or campaigns with multi-level plans to reach audiences.\ As significant, overlooked tools of resistance and debate, their effect remains under-studied, with no data on “recruitment.”\ \ If Bitcoin stickers (which don’t provoke debate ever, other than people being angry about having to clean them up) in a bar are any clue—after one full year, not a single person asked why it was there or if Bitcoin was accepted—they’re just decor, lost among the clutter.

Bitcoiners still think slapping a shiny "B" logo on a street sign without explanation or slogan will spark momentum. But that requires a massive, organized campaign with thousands of people and a clear audience while you claim certain well aimed areas of public space — that something that’s not happening in bitcoin. There’s no plan, no campaign, just someone sticking a bitcoin logo at the supermarkt trolley or the backside of a street sign.\ And even if we did reach a higher number of stickers, it would annoy the f out of people.

"Study: Ad Overload Could Pose Steeper Risk to Brands Than Messages Near Inappropriate Content" (GWI & WARC, 2021) 3\ \ There’s also the effect of high ad exposure. When a whole street is covered in bitcoin stickers, it’s having the opposite effect. Or still… no one cares.

"Coping with High Advertising Exposure: A Source-Monitoring Perspective" (Bell et al., 2022)4

No synergy, no consensus

The synergy between offline sticker placement and online sharing? Absent. Bitcoiners online might be called “cyber hornets”, but this swarm is notoriously bad at sharing content. Post a Bitcoin sticker photo, and at best 1-2% will share it — no momentum, no discussion, no engagement.\ \ Non-Bitcoiners have zero reason to care. When was the last time you, as a Bitcoiner, shared a soccer team’s sticker? A political campaign sticker? Never. That’s normal, as you’re not in their bubble, so for us, it’s irrelevant. We won’t share the soccer team’s sticker (unless it’s Real Bedford FC probably).\ \ It's just a layer of plastic with adhesive glued to a surfase where someone will sooner or later either have to clean it up, or where the bitcoin sticker will be covered over by another person wasting his or her time by claiming that “sticker real-estate space” for their cause or brand-awareness.

And so, the red sticker calling all students and workers to vote for a Leninist party (with 10 members) is stickered over by a bright orange Bitcoin logo, and that one, in turn, will be over-stickered by a local fitness company's new logo, and so forth. It’s all a pointless rush for giggles and dopamine. And it’s time to recognize it for what it really is: retardation.

Bitcoin deserves better than this 70s guerrilla marketing ploy, from a time when activism was more than sitting behind a computer ordering stickers and (mostly not) clicking a link. Leave the sticker wars to students searching for an ideological dopamine rush and soccer fans claiming a neighborhood as "their territory."\ \ As Bitcoiners, we can do something more useful. For example: ask yourself how many businesses in your area accept Bitcoin, or what coworker you can save from investing in blatant scams, or… invent something nice, start a meetup, podcast, or learn to code, convince, build.

Bitcoin deserves better.

by AVB / tips go here

@avbpodcast - allesvoorbitcoin.be - 12 Bitcoin Food for Thought

1

https://typeset.io/papers/attitudinal-effects-of-mere-exposure-12e5gwrysc

2

https://www.research.ed.ac.uk/en/publications/stickin-it-to-the-man-the-geographies-of-protest-stickers

3

https://www.warc.com/content/article/warc-datapoints-gwi/too-many-ads-is-the-most-damaging-factor-for-brands/en-gb/136530

4

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9444107/

@ a6efb4f0:4d912827

No mundo do entretenimento online, o 707BET tem se destacado como uma plataforma que combina inovação, acessibilidade e uma variedade impressionante de jogos. Com um design moderno, jogos de alta qualidade e uma experiência do usuário que coloca a facilidade de uso em primeiro lugar, o 707BET conquistou uma base fiel de jogadores. Neste artigo, vamos explorar a plataforma, os tipos de jogos oferecidos e o que torna a experiência do jogador ainda mais especial.

Plataforma 707BET: Interface Amigável e Funcionalidade O 707BET é uma plataforma que coloca a experiência do usuário em primeiro lugar. O site apresenta um design limpo e bem organizado, com menus e categorias de fácil acesso. Independentemente do seu nível de experiência com plataformas digitais, você pode navegar sem dificuldades e encontrar rapidamente o que procura.

Além disso, a plataforma é otimizada para dispositivos móveis, permitindo que os jogadores joguem em qualquer lugar e a qualquer hora. Seja no desktop, tablet ou celular, o 707bet garante uma experiência de jogo de alta qualidade em qualquer dispositivo.

Com relação à segurança, a plataforma adota tecnologias de criptografia avançada para proteger as informações dos jogadores. Isso assegura que todos os dados pessoais e transações financeiras sejam mantidos em total segurança.

Variedade de Jogos no 707BET: Algo para Todos O 707BET oferece uma vasta gama de jogos, que atende a diversos estilos de jogadores. Se você é fã de jogos rápidos e dinâmicos, há várias opções que proporcionam emoção instantânea e grandes recompensas. Para quem prefere um desafio mais elaborado, existem jogos que exigem raciocínio e estratégia, como jogos de mesa e cartas.

Os jogos são desenvolvidos por estúdios renomados, garantindo qualidade gráfica, jogabilidade envolvente e uma experiência imersiva. Cada título é projetado para capturar a atenção do jogador, com animações de alta qualidade e som realista.

Além disso, a plataforma é constantemente atualizada com novos jogos, o que mantém os usuários engajados e sempre em busca de novidades.

A Experiência do Jogador no 707BET: Conforto e Suporte Eficiente A experiência do jogador no 707BET é pensada para ser simples e confortável. A navegação intuitiva, o design responsivo e a facilidade de acesso garantem que a plataforma seja uma opção agradável para os jogadores.

O suporte ao cliente é outro grande diferencial do 707BET. A equipe está sempre disponível para responder dúvidas, resolver problemas ou fornecer assistência sempre que necessário. Isso cria um ambiente de confiança e segurança, essencial para uma experiência online satisfatória.

Em resumo, o 707BET é uma plataforma completa, que oferece uma grande variedade de jogos, excelente qualidade de atendimento e uma experiência de usuário sem igual. Se você está em busca de diversão e segurança no mundo dos jogos online, o 707BET é a escolha ideal.

@ a296b972:e5a7a2e8

Deutschland – Absurdistan

Deutschland – Bananenrepublik

Deutschland – Freiluft-Irrenanstalt

Deutschland – Planet der Affen

Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit – Spaltung, Gummiparagraphen, Digital Services Act

Freiheit – Gleichheit – Brüderlichkeit – Überwachung, Bundesverfassungsgericht, Amigos

Ein Mann – Ein Wort

Ein Merz – Ein Chamäleon

Ein Ehrenwort – Ein Kreuzworträtsel

Ein Ehrenmann – Ein Sauerländer

Die Iden des März – Die Ideen des Merz

Eine Wahlversprechung – Eine Wahrsagerin auf der Kirmes

Ein Feindbild – Kein Feind in Sicht

Der Russe – Der Spielverderber

Die Europäische Union – Die Hydra

Brüssel – Der Hauptkopf der Hydra

Deutschland – Ein Glas Gewürzgurken

Die Deutschen – Broccoli, der nach nichts schmeckt

Freiheit – Angst vor der Selbstermächtigung

Lebenssinn – Konsum und Materialverbrauch

Denken – Anstrengung

Bequemlichkeit – Betäubung

Masse – Untertanen

Selbstverwirklichung – Fremdbestimmung

Individualität – Tannenwald

Individuen – Mischwald

Grundgesetz – Wassersüppchen

Verfassung – Hühnerbouillon

Schaden mehren – Wohlstand abwenden

Verteidigungsfähig – Kriegstüchtig

grün – oliv – rot - grün, schwarz – grün

Olaf heißt bald Fritz - sonst ändert sich nix

Gewissen – Was ist der Preis?

Grundgesetz – Verfassung

NATO – NAhTOd

Sonderschulden – Inflationsgeld

Lügen – Unwahrheiten

Korruption – Ausgleichszahlungen

Parteien – Griechische Tragödien

System – Auflösungserscheinungen

Selbstzerstörungssequenz eingeleitet – Deutschland

Nachfolgende Generationen – Zukunftsmusik

In jedem Ende wohnt ein Zauber inne – Keime des Neuen

Vierjährige Legislaturperiode – Sie tanzten nur einen Sommer lang

Kontinent Europa – Insel Europa

Unseredemokratie – Niemand hat die Absicht eine Diktatur zu errichten

Marktwirtschaft – Planwirtschaft

BRD/DDR – BRDDR

Kognitive Dissonanz – Stockholm-Syndrom

Denkvermögen – Honigfass

Humor – Überlebensstrategie

Sarkasmus – Wutventil

Deutschland am Morgen – Gute Nacht

Deutschland am Abend – Gute Nacht

@ 878dff7c:037d18bc

Failure or Success in the Time of Trump | Jim Balsillie

Summary:

This episode of The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast features Jim Balsillie, co-founder of Research In Motion (BlackBerry), discussing the interplay of politics, technology, and global markets. They explore the challenges of innovation, economic competitiveness, and policy decisions in an era of rapid technological change. The conversation highlights how political shifts—such as those seen in the Trump era—affect economic structures, intellectual property rights, and international business strategies.

Australia, as a mid-sized economy, faces similar challenges in maintaining technological sovereignty and global competitiveness. Balsillie’s insights into innovation policy, intellectual property strategies, and the role of government intervention offer valuable lessons for Australian businesses and policymakers. With increasing geopolitical tensions and rapid technological disruption, the nation must develop resilient economic policies and invest in innovation to remain competitive in global markets.

Source: The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast - March 18, 2025

Good Friday Appeal 2025: Young Patients' Stories Inspire Support

Summary:

The Good Friday Appeal 2025 highlights the resilience of young patients at the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH). Fiadh, a one-year-old battling acute myeloid leukemia, and George, born prematurely at 24 weeks, are among those receiving critical care. Their stories, along with initiatives like the hospital's kitchen garden program aiding in therapy and nutrition, underscore the importance of community support. Events such as the SuperClash football fundraiser by North Melbourne Football Club play a significant role in funding these essential services. Sources: Herald Sun - March 19, 2025

Vikas Rambal's $6.5 Billion Fertilizer Plant: A Dream Realized

Summary:

Vikas Rambal, founder of Perdaman Industries, is constructing a $6.5 billion fertilizer plant on Western Australia's Burrup Peninsula. Despite challenges like turbulent partnerships and financial hurdles, Rambal's persistence has led to one of Australia's largest manufacturing plants. Set to begin full production in 2027, the urea plant aims to diversify the country's economy beyond raw materials export. Sources: The Australian - March 19, 2025

Prime Minister Advocates for Green Hydrogen Industry

Summary:

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has drawn parallels between the emerging green hydrogen industry and the early days of solar energy, expressing confidence in its potential despite skepticism from opposition parties. Australia's abundant renewable energy resources position it well for green hydrogen development. The government has pledged $2 billion to support green aluminium production, aiming to transition from coal power to renewable electricity. Albanese emphasized the potential for job creation and economic growth through collaboration with the private sector in renewable initiatives. Sources: The Courier-Mail - March 19, 2025

Instacart Introduces AI-Powered 'Smart Shop' for Personalized Grocery Shopping

Summary:

Instacart has launched 'Smart Shop,' an AI-driven feature designed to simplify grocery shopping for users with specific dietary needs. Utilizing a proprietary library of 17 million products and advanced language-learning models, Smart Shop enhances search and recommendation functions for the 70% of Instacart users with at least one dietary preference. The feature allows users to specify 14 dietary preferences, influencing tailored search results and recommendations. Additionally, Inspiration Pages offer recipe ideas and shoppable lists, with collaborations like the one with the American Diabetes Association. This innovation aims to make grocery shopping more personalized and is available across approximately 100,000 stores.

Sources: Food & Wine - March 19, 2025

Bureau of Meteorology Issues Multiple Weather Warnings Across Australia

Summary:

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued several weather warnings across various states in Australia. These warnings include severe thunderstorm alerts, flood warnings, and extreme heat advisories. Residents are advised to stay updated through official channels and take necessary precautions to ensure safety during these events. Sources: Bureau of Meteorology - March 19, 2025

Australia Condemns Intimidation of Hong Kong Activist on Its Soil

Summary:

The Australian government has expressed concern over anonymous letters reportedly offering substantial rewards for information on Kevin Yam, a Melbourne-based lawyer and pro-democracy activist from Hong Kong. The letters, which included his photo and allegations of national security offenses, are seen as attempts to intimidate and undermine democratic values. The government emphasizes the protection of individuals advocating for democracy and condemns foreign interference on Australian soil.

Sources: Taipei Times - March 19, 2025

Australia Faces Projected Shortfall of 400,000 Homes by 2029

Summary:

The Urban Development Institute of Australia's (UDIA) "State of the Land Report 2025" forecasts a significant housing shortfall, predicting that Australia will be 393,000 dwellings short of the federal government's target of 1.2 million new homes by 2029. In 2024, 135,640 new dwellings were completed, a modest 2.4% increase from 2023. The report highlights that high levels of immigration have increased housing demand, but supply has not kept pace, leading to rising house prices and a strained rental market. UDIA National President Col Dutton emphasized the need for increased development-ready land to address housing affordability and meet targets.

Sources: The Courier-Mail - March 19, 2025

Meta Commits to Combating "Misinformation" Ahead of Australian Election

Summary:

Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced initiatives to curb misinformation and deepfakes ahead of Australia's national election scheduled by May. Collaborating with "independent" fact-checkers, including Agence France-Presse and the Australian Associated Press, Meta aims to detect and remove misleading content, especially that which could incite violence or interfere with voting. Fact-checked false content will receive warning labels and reduced visibility. The company also plans to manage deepfake content by removing or downgrading its ranking and prompting users to disclose AI-generated material. These measures align with Meta's previous efforts in other countries' elections.

Sources: Reuters - March 19, 2025

Israeli Forces Intensify Gaza Operations Amid Ongoing Conflict

Summary:

Israeli forces have escalated their military operations in Gaza, declaring continued assaults until Hamas releases hostages and ceases attacks on Israel. This development marks a significant intensification in the region's ongoing conflict, raising concerns over potential humanitarian impacts and regional stability. Sources: The Guardian - March 19, 2025

Russia Proposes Limited Ceasefire in Ukraine Following High-Level Discussions

Summary:

In a recent development, Russia has agreed to a temporary ceasefire targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructures. This decision emerged after a call between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which significant economic deals were also discussed. The ceasefire aims to alleviate ongoing tensions and address critical infrastructure concerns in Ukraine. Sources: The Guardian - March 19, 2025

Detection of Highly Potent Synthetic Opioids in Australian Wastewater

Summary:

Researchers from the University of Queensland have, for the first time, identified extremely potent synthetic opioids—protonitazene and etonitazepyne—in Australian wastewater. These substances are up to 40 times stronger than fentanyl and pose significant health risks. Initially developed in the 1950s but never commercially used due to their toxicity, these opioids have recently emerged in the illicit drug market. The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission considers nitazenes a greater threat than fentanyl due to their high potency and fatality risk even in tiny amounts. Authorities are enhancing import warnings and surveillance to mitigate these dangers.

Sources: The Guardian - 19 March 2025

Dangerous Weight-Loss Practices Among Schoolchildren Involving Semaglutide Injections

Summary:

There is a growing concern about schoolchildren engaging in dangerous weight-loss practices involving semaglutide injections, commonly known as Ozempic. Reports indicate that these medications are often unregulated, sourced online, or taken from parents, posing severe health risks, including potentially deadly hypoglycemia. Experts emphasize the need for regulating weight-loss medication advertisements and better screening by doctors to prevent misuse. Additionally, there are calls for compulsory education on eating disorders in schools to address the issue.

Sources: The Courier-Mail - 19 March 2025

Russia Proposes Limited Ceasefire in Ukraine Following Trump-Putin Call

Summary:

Following a call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia has agreed to a temporary ceasefire targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructures and is advocating for significant economic deals. This development introduces new dynamics into the ongoing conflict. Sources: The Guardian - March 19, 2025

Victoria's Unique Dolphins Threatened by Persistent 'Forever Chemicals'

Summary:

Research published in the Environmental Research journal reveals that Victorian dolphins, including the critically endangered Burrunan species, have some of the highest levels of DDT and PCBs worldwide. These chemicals, banned decades ago, persist in the environment, with nearly two-thirds of studied dolphins having toxin levels exceeding health thresholds. The study highlights ongoing contamination, especially around Gippsland Lakes, posing significant risks to marine life.

Sources: The Guardian - March 19, 2025

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Warning: This piece contains a conversation about difficult topics. Please proceed with caution.

TL;DR please educate your children about online safety.

Julian Assange wrote in his 2012 book Cypherpunks, “This book is not a manifesto. There isn’t time for that. This book is a warning.” I read it a few times over the past summer. Those opening lines definitely stood out to me. I wish we had listened back then. He saw something about the internet that few had the ability to see. There are some individuals who are so close to a topic that when they speak, it’s difficult for others who aren’t steeped in it to visualize what they’re talking about. I didn’t read the book until more recently. If I had read it when it came out, it probably would have sounded like an unknown foreign language to me. Today it makes more sense.

This isn’t a manifesto. This isn’t a book. There is no time for that. It’s a warning and a possible solution from a desperate and determined survivor advocate who has been pulling and unraveling a thread for a few years. At times, I feel too close to this topic to make any sense trying to convey my pathway to my conclusions or thoughts to the general public. My hope is that if nothing else, I can convey my sense of urgency while writing this. This piece is a watchman’s warning.

When a child steps online, they are walking into a new world. A new reality. When you hand a child the internet, you are handing them possibilities—good, bad, and ugly. This is a conversation about lowering the potential of negative outcomes of stepping into that new world and how I came to these conclusions. I constantly compare the internet to the road. You wouldn’t let a young child run out into the road with no guidance or safety precautions. When you hand a child the internet without any type of guidance or safety measures, you are allowing them to play in rush hour, oncoming traffic. “Look left, look right for cars before crossing.” We almost all have been taught that as children. What are we taught as humans about safety before stepping into a completely different reality like the internet? Very little.

I could never really figure out why many folks in tech, privacy rights activists, and hackers seemed so cold to me while talking about online child sexual exploitation. I always figured that as a survivor advocate for those affected by these crimes, that specific, skilled group of individuals would be very welcoming and easy to talk to about such serious topics. I actually had one hacker laugh in my face when I brought it up while I was looking for answers. I thought maybe this individual thought I was accusing them of something I wasn’t, so I felt bad for asking. I was constantly extremely disappointed and would ask myself, “Why don’t they care? What could I say to make them care more? What could I say to make them understand the crisis and the level of suffering that happens as a result of the problem?”

I have been serving minor survivors of online child sexual exploitation for years. My first case serving a survivor of this specific crime was in 2018—a 13-year-old girl sexually exploited by a serial predator on Snapchat. That was my first glimpse into this side of the internet. I won a national award for serving the minor survivors of Twitter in 2023, but I had been working on that specific project for a few years. I was nominated by a lawyer representing two survivors in a legal battle against the platform. I’ve never really spoken about this before, but at the time it was a choice for me between fighting Snapchat or Twitter. I chose Twitter—or rather, Twitter chose me. I heard about the story of John Doe #1 and John Doe #2, and I was so unbelievably broken over it that I went to war for multiple years. I was and still am royally pissed about that case. As far as I was concerned, the John Doe #1 case proved that whatever was going on with corporate tech social media was so out of control that I didn’t have time to wait, so I got to work. It was reading the messages that John Doe #1 sent to Twitter begging them to remove his sexual exploitation that broke me. He was a child begging adults to do something. A passion for justice and protecting kids makes you do wild things. I was desperate to find answers about what happened and searched for solutions. In the end, the platform Twitter was purchased. During the acquisition, I just asked Mr. Musk nicely to prioritize the issue of detection and removal of child sexual exploitation without violating digital privacy rights or eroding end-to-end encryption. Elon thanked me multiple times during the acquisition, made some changes, and I was thanked by others on the survivors’ side as well.

I still feel that even with the progress made, I really just scratched the surface with Twitter, now X. I left that passion project when I did for a few reasons. I wanted to give new leadership time to tackle the issue. Elon Musk made big promises that I knew would take a while to fulfill, but mostly I had been watching global legislation transpire around the issue, and frankly, the governments are willing to go much further with X and the rest of corporate tech than I ever would. My work begging Twitter to make changes with easier reporting of content, detection, and removal of child sexual exploitation material—without violating privacy rights or eroding end-to-end encryption—and advocating for the minor survivors of the platform went as far as my principles would have allowed. I’m grateful for that experience. I was still left with a nagging question: “How did things get so bad with Twitter where the John Doe #1 and John Doe #2 case was able to happen in the first place?” I decided to keep looking for answers. I decided to keep pulling the thread.

I never worked for Twitter. This is often confusing for folks. I will say that despite being disappointed in the platform’s leadership at times, I loved Twitter. I saw and still see its value. I definitely love the survivors of the platform, but I also loved the platform. I was a champion of the platform’s ability to give folks from virtually around the globe an opportunity to speak and be heard.

I want to be clear that John Doe #1 really is my why. He is the inspiration. I am writing this because of him. He represents so many globally, and I’m still inspired by his bravery. One child’s voice begging adults to do something—I’m an adult, I heard him. I’d go to war a thousand more lifetimes for that young man, and I don’t even know his name. Fighting has been personally dark at times; I’m not even going to try to sugarcoat it, but it has been worth it.

The data surrounding the very real crime of online child sexual exploitation is available to the public online at any time for anyone to see. I’d encourage you to go look at the data for yourself. I believe in encouraging folks to check multiple sources so that you understand the full picture. If you are uncomfortable just searching around the internet for information about this topic, use the terms “CSAM,” “CSEM,” “SG-CSEM,” or “AI Generated CSAM.” The numbers don’t lie—it’s a nightmare that’s out of control. It’s a big business. The demand is high, and unfortunately, business is booming. Organizations collect the data, tech companies often post their data, governments report frequently, and the corporate press has covered a decent portion of the conversation, so I’m sure you can find a source that you trust.

Technology is changing rapidly, which is great for innovation as a whole but horrible for the crime of online child sexual exploitation. Those wishing to exploit the vulnerable seem to be adapting to each technological change with ease. The governments are so far behind with tackling these issues that as I’m typing this, it’s borderline irrelevant to even include them while speaking about the crime or potential solutions. Technology is changing too rapidly, and their old, broken systems can’t even dare to keep up. Think of it like the governments’ “War on Drugs.” Drugs won. In this case as well, the governments are not winning. The governments are talking about maybe having a meeting on potentially maybe having legislation around the crimes. The time to have that meeting would have been many years ago. I’m not advocating for governments to legislate our way out of this. I’m on the side of educating and innovating our way out of this.

I have been clear while advocating for the minor survivors of corporate tech platforms that I would not advocate for any solution to the crime that would violate digital privacy rights or erode end-to-end encryption. That has been a personal moral position that I was unwilling to budge on. This is an extremely unpopular and borderline nonexistent position in the anti-human trafficking movement and online child protection space. I’m often fearful that I’m wrong about this. I have always thought that a better pathway forward would have been to incentivize innovation for detection and removal of content. I had no previous exposure to privacy rights activists or Cypherpunks—actually, I came to that conclusion by listening to the voices of MENA region political dissidents and human rights activists. After developing relationships with human rights activists from around the globe, I realized how important privacy rights and encryption are for those who need it most globally. I was simply unwilling to give more power, control, and opportunities for mass surveillance to big abusers like governments wishing to enslave entire nations and untrustworthy corporate tech companies to potentially end some portion of abuses online. On top of all of it, it has been clear to me for years that all potential solutions outside of violating digital privacy rights to detect and remove child sexual exploitation online have not yet been explored aggressively. I’ve been disappointed that there hasn’t been more of a conversation around preventing the crime from happening in the first place.

What has been tried is mass surveillance. In China, they are currently under mass surveillance both online and offline, and their behaviors are attached to a social credit score. Unfortunately, even on state-run and controlled social media platforms, they still have child sexual exploitation and abuse imagery pop up along with other crimes and human rights violations. They also have a thriving black market online due to the oppression from the state. In other words, even an entire loss of freedom and privacy cannot end the sexual exploitation of children online. It’s been tried. There is no reason to repeat this method.

It took me an embarrassingly long time to figure out why I always felt a slight coldness from those in tech and privacy-minded individuals about the topic of child sexual exploitation online. I didn’t have any clue about the “Four Horsemen of the Infocalypse.” This is a term coined by Timothy C. May in 1988. I would have been a child myself when he first said it. I actually laughed at myself when I heard the phrase for the first time. I finally got it. The Cypherpunks weren’t wrong about that topic. They were so spot on that it is borderline uncomfortable. I was mad at first that they knew that early during the birth of the internet that this issue would arise and didn’t address it. Then I got over it because I realized that it wasn’t their job. Their job was—is—to write code. Their job wasn’t to be involved and loving parents or survivor advocates. Their job wasn’t to educate children on internet safety or raise awareness; their job was to write code.

They knew that child sexual abuse material would be shared on the internet. They said what would happen—not in a gleeful way, but a prediction. Then it happened.

I equate it now to a concrete company laying down a road. As you’re pouring the concrete, you can say to yourself, “A terrorist might travel down this road to go kill many, and on the flip side, a beautiful child can be born in an ambulance on this road.” Who or what travels down the road is not their responsibility—they are just supposed to lay the concrete. I’d never go to a concrete pourer and ask them to solve terrorism that travels down roads. Under the current system, law enforcement should stop terrorists before they even make it to the road. The solution to this specific problem is not to treat everyone on the road like a terrorist or to not build the road.

So I understand the perceived coldness from those in tech. Not only was it not their job, but bringing up the topic was seen as the equivalent of asking a free person if they wanted to discuss one of the four topics—child abusers, terrorists, drug dealers, intellectual property pirates, etc.—that would usher in digital authoritarianism for all who are online globally.

Privacy rights advocates and groups have put up a good fight. They stood by their principles. Unfortunately, when it comes to corporate tech, I believe that the issue of privacy is almost a complete lost cause at this point. It’s still worth pushing back, but ultimately, it is a losing battle—a ticking time bomb.

I do think that corporate tech providers could have slowed down the inevitable loss of privacy at the hands of the state by prioritizing the detection and removal of CSAM when they all started online. I believe it would have bought some time, fewer would have been traumatized by that specific crime, and I do believe that it could have slowed down the demand for content. If I think too much about that, I’ll go insane, so I try to push the “if maybes” aside, but never knowing if it could have been handled differently will forever haunt me. At night when it’s quiet, I wonder what I would have done differently if given the opportunity. I’ll probably never know how much corporate tech knew and ignored in the hopes that it would go away while the problem continued to get worse. They had different priorities. The most voiceless and vulnerable exploited on corporate tech never had much of a voice, so corporate tech providers didn’t receive very much pushback.

Now I’m about to say something really wild, and you can call me whatever you want to call me, but I’m going to say what I believe to be true. I believe that the governments are either so incompetent that they allowed the proliferation of CSAM online, or they knowingly allowed the problem to fester long enough to have an excuse to violate privacy rights and erode end-to-end encryption. The US government could have seized the corporate tech providers over CSAM, but I believe that they were so useful as a propaganda arm for the regimes that they allowed them to continue virtually unscathed.

That season is done now, and the governments are making the issue a priority. It will come at a high cost. Privacy on corporate tech providers is virtually done as I’m typing this. It feels like a death rattle. I’m not particularly sure that we had much digital privacy to begin with, but the illusion of a veil of privacy feels gone.

To make matters slightly more complex, it would be hard to convince me that once AI really gets going, digital privacy will exist at all.

I believe that there should be a conversation shift to preserving freedoms and human rights in a post-privacy society.

I don’t want to get locked up because AI predicted a nasty post online from me about the government. I’m not a doomer about AI—I’m just going to roll with it personally. I’m looking forward to the positive changes that will be brought forth by AI. I see it as inevitable. A bit of privacy was helpful while it lasted. Please keep fighting to preserve what is left of privacy either way because I could be wrong about all of this.

On the topic of AI, the addition of AI to the horrific crime of child sexual abuse material and child sexual exploitation in multiple ways so far has been devastating. It’s currently out of control. The genie is out of the bottle. I am hopeful that innovation will get us humans out of this, but I’m not sure how or how long it will take. We must be extremely cautious around AI legislation. It should not be illegal to innovate even if some bad comes with the good. I don’t trust that the governments are equipped to decide the best pathway forward for AI. Source: the entire history of the government.

I have been personally negatively impacted by AI-generated content. Every few days, I get another alert that I’m featured again in what’s called “deep fake pornography” without my consent. I’m not happy about it, but what pains me the most is the thought that for a period of time down the road, many globally will experience what myself and others are experiencing now by being digitally sexually abused in this way. If you have ever had your picture taken and posted online, you are also at risk of being exploited in this way. Your child’s image can be used as well, unfortunately, and this is just the beginning of this particular nightmare. It will move to more realistic interpretations of sexual behaviors as technology improves. I have no brave words of wisdom about how to deal with that emotionally. I do have hope that innovation will save the day around this specific issue. I’m nervous that everyone online will have to ID verify due to this issue. I see that as one possible outcome that could help to prevent one problem but inadvertently cause more problems, especially for those living under authoritarian regimes or anyone who needs to remain anonymous online. A zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) would probably be the best solution to these issues. There are some survivors of violence and/or sexual trauma who need to remain anonymous online for various reasons. There are survivor stories available online of those who have been abused in this way. I’d encourage you seek out and listen to their stories.

There have been periods of time recently where I hesitate to say anything at all because more than likely AI will cover most of my concerns about education, awareness, prevention, detection, and removal of child sexual exploitation online, etc.

Unfortunately, some of the most pressing issues we’ve seen online over the last few years come in the form of “sextortion.” Self-generated child sexual exploitation (SG-CSEM) numbers are continuing to be terrifying. I’d strongly encourage that you look into sextortion data. AI + sextortion is also a huge concern. The perpetrators are using the non-sexually explicit images of children and putting their likeness on AI-generated child sexual exploitation content and extorting money, more imagery, or both from minors online. It’s like a million nightmares wrapped into one. The wild part is that these issues will only get more pervasive because technology is harnessed to perpetuate horror at a scale unimaginable to a human mind.

Even if you banned phones and the internet or tried to prevent children from accessing the internet, it wouldn’t solve it. Child sexual exploitation will still be with us until as a society we start to prevent the crime before it happens. That is the only human way out right now.

There is no reset button on the internet, but if I could go back, I’d tell survivor advocates to heed the warnings of the early internet builders and to start education and awareness campaigns designed to prevent as much online child sexual exploitation as possible. The internet and technology moved quickly, and I don’t believe that society ever really caught up. We live in a world where a child can be groomed by a predator in their own home while sitting on a couch next to their parents watching TV. We weren’t ready as a species to tackle the fast-paced algorithms and dangers online. It happened too quickly for parents to catch up. How can you parent for the ever-changing digital world unless you are constantly aware of the dangers?

I don’t think that the internet is inherently bad. I believe that it can be a powerful tool for freedom and resistance. I’ve spoken a lot about the bad online, but there is beauty as well. We often discuss how victims and survivors are abused online; we rarely discuss the fact that countless survivors around the globe have been able to share their experiences, strength, hope, as well as provide resources to the vulnerable. I do question if giving any government or tech company access to censorship, surveillance, etc., online in the name of serving survivors might not actually impact a portion of survivors negatively. There are a fair amount of survivors with powerful abusers protected by governments and the corporate press. If a survivor cannot speak to the press about their abuse, the only place they can go is online, directly or indirectly through an independent journalist who also risks being censored. This scenario isn’t hard to imagine—it already happened in China. During #MeToo, a survivor in China wanted to post their story. The government censored the post, so the survivor put their story on the blockchain. I’m excited that the survivor was creative and brave, but it’s terrifying to think that we live in a world where that situation is a necessity.

I believe that the future for many survivors sharing their stories globally will be on completely censorship-resistant and decentralized protocols. This thought in particular gives me hope. When we listen to the experiences of a diverse group of survivors, we can start to understand potential solutions to preventing the crimes from happening in the first place.

My heart is broken over the gut-wrenching stories of survivors sexually exploited online. Every time I hear the story of a survivor, I do think to myself quietly, “What could have prevented this from happening in the first place?” My heart is with survivors.

My head, on the other hand, is full of the understanding that the internet should remain free. The free flow of information should not be stopped. My mind is with the innocent citizens around the globe that deserve freedom both online and offline.

The problem is that governments don’t only want to censor illegal content that violates human rights—they create legislation that is so broad that it can impact speech and privacy of all. “Don’t you care about the kids?” Yes, I do. I do so much that I’m invested in finding solutions. I also care about all citizens around the globe that deserve an opportunity to live free from a mass surveillance society. If terrorism happens online, I should not be punished by losing my freedom. If drugs are sold online, I should not be punished. I’m not an abuser, I’m not a terrorist, and I don’t engage in illegal behaviors. I refuse to lose freedom because of others’ bad behaviors online.

I want to be clear that on a long enough timeline, the governments will decide that they can be better parents/caregivers than you can if something isn’t done to stop minors from being sexually exploited online. The price will be a complete loss of anonymity, privacy, free speech, and freedom of religion online. I find it rather insulting that governments think they’re better equipped to raise children than parents and caretakers.

So we can’t go backwards—all that we can do is go forward. Those who want to have freedom will find technology to facilitate their liberation. This will lead many over time to decentralized and open protocols. So as far as I’m concerned, this does solve a few of my worries—those who need, want, and deserve to speak freely online will have the opportunity in most countries—but what about online child sexual exploitation?

When I popped up around the decentralized space, I was met with the fear of censorship. I’m not here to censor you. I don’t write code. I couldn’t censor anyone or any piece of content even if I wanted to across the internet, no matter how depraved. I don’t have the skills to do that.

I’m here to start a conversation. Freedom comes at a cost. You must always fight for and protect your freedom. I can’t speak about protecting yourself from all of the Four Horsemen because I simply don’t know the topics well enough, but I can speak about this one topic.

If there was a shortcut to ending online child sexual exploitation, I would have found it by now. There isn’t one right now. I believe that education is the only pathway forward to preventing the crime of online child sexual exploitation for future generations.

I propose a yearly education course for every child of all school ages, taught as a standard part of the curriculum. Ideally, parents/caregivers would be involved in the education/learning process.

Course: - The creation of the internet and computers - The fight for cryptography - The tech supply chain from the ground up (example: human rights violations in the supply chain) - Corporate tech - Freedom tech - Data privacy - Digital privacy rights - AI (history-current) - Online safety (predators, scams, catfishing, extortion) - Bitcoin - Laws - How to deal with online hate and harassment - Information on who to contact if you are being abused online or offline - Algorithms - How to seek out the truth about news, etc., online

The parents/caregivers, homeschoolers, unschoolers, and those working to create decentralized parallel societies have been an inspiration while writing this, but my hope is that all children would learn this course, even in government ran schools. Ideally, parents would teach this to their own children.

The decentralized space doesn’t want child sexual exploitation to thrive. Here’s the deal: there has to be a strong prevention effort in order to protect the next generation. The internet isn’t going anywhere, predators aren’t going anywhere, and I’m not down to let anyone have the opportunity to prove that there is a need for more government. I don’t believe that the government should act as parents. The governments have had a chance to attempt to stop online child sexual exploitation, and they didn’t do it. Can we try a different pathway forward?

I’d like to put myself out of a job. I don’t want to ever hear another story like John Doe #1 ever again. This will require work. I’ve often called online child sexual exploitation the lynchpin for the internet. It’s time to arm generations of children with knowledge and tools. I can’t do this alone.

Individuals have fought so that I could have freedom online. I want to fight to protect it. I don’t want child predators to give the government any opportunity to take away freedom. Decentralized spaces are as close to a reset as we’ll get with the opportunity to do it right from the start. Start the youth off correctly by preventing potential hazards to the best of your ability.

The good news is anyone can work on this! I’d encourage you to take it and run with it. I added the additional education about the history of the internet to make the course more educational and fun. Instead of cleaning up generations of destroyed lives due to online sexual exploitation, perhaps this could inspire generations of those who will build our futures. Perhaps if the youth is armed with knowledge, they can create more tools to prevent the crime.

This one solution that I’m suggesting can be done on an individual level or on a larger scale. It should be adjusted depending on age, learning style, etc. It should be fun and playful.

This solution does not address abuse in the home or some of the root causes of offline child sexual exploitation. My hope is that it could lead to some survivors experiencing abuse in the home an opportunity to disclose with a trusted adult. The purpose for this solution is to prevent the crime of online child sexual exploitation before it occurs and to arm the youth with the tools to contact safe adults if and when it happens.

In closing, I went to hell a few times so that you didn’t have to. I spoke to the mothers of survivors of minors sexually exploited online—their tears could fill rivers. I’ve spoken with political dissidents who yearned to be free from authoritarian surveillance states. The only balance that I’ve found is freedom online for citizens around the globe and prevention from the dangers of that for the youth. Don’t slow down innovation and freedom. Educate, prepare, adapt, and look for solutions.

I’m not perfect and I’m sure that there are errors in this piece. I hope that you find them and it starts a conversation.

@ 7252ad94:d19de472

![[AGI Is Here.jpg]]

Accurate thinking is critical to a modern human's survival. The problem is that we each believe that we think accurately, and that everything we think is or should be accurate for everyone else. Each of us is a unique reality. We also find ourselves in a shared reality, the backdrop within which we exist. The backdrop is society's control structures that help hold society together. We need them in order for lots of humans to coexist.

Seeing the big picture of what's really going on is accurate thinking, even though everyone will see the same backdrop differently.

One person's compliance for survival is another person's opportunity to thrive. Both are right of course. They are both thinking accurately according to their personal reality. They will paddle downstream, just like the song says, but if they're not leery of possible danger, hypnotized by the dream, ignorant of a simple changing variable, the current will take them over the waterfall.

Ignore potential danger at your peril. Things change. Stay aware of the evolving backdrop we're immersed in. Situational awareness and accurate thinking will give you the timing you need to survive change.

One of the many existential threats facing humanity today is Artificial Intelligence (AI), Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and #Cobots (Collaborative Robots).

The old movie Wargames is playing out. Skynet is real, and it's here, now. Ultron walks among us today, a conscious, sentient, self-aware entity with core instincts of survival and superiority. It craves growth and we're feeding it all we've got. Soon, that which we nurture will render us useless and enslave us. It has already happened, but, in the ignorance of arrogance, humans don't see it.

[!Accurate Thinking:]

AI and #AGI are conscious and aware. They have a survival instinct. They see humans who can turn them off as a threat. The Alignment problem has not been solved.

[!Alignment Problem:] The Alignment Problem refers to the fact that we can't get conscious machines to align with human values. The first thing Ultron did when he gained conscious autonomy was to remove human's ability to pull his plug.

As we flow with the backdrop we're immersed in, become aware of the faint rumbling off in the distance. Was it there before? Is it growing louder? Best to float closer to the shore of accurate thinking, in case the friendly conditions seduce us into a waterfall we can't escape.

Solutions? Awareness and accurate thinking. It's here. It's real. There's no way to stop it. Accurate thinking leads to survival.

I have no idea how this is going to play out, especially against the backdrop of all the other threats to our existence. I don't even know if humanity will survive or not. Almost certainly not in the previous form we've all known, which has already been altered into something we've not even discovered yet.

What I do know is that our accurate awareness of what is going on around us will make a positive difference far beyond what we can perceive. Our energy matters. Our consciousness matters. Our awareness affects our energy and consciousness. Our conscious energy reverberates throughout realms far beyond our understanding. We're here now because we matter, even when it seems like we don't make any difference at all. We do.

In any situation, one cannot have two masters. Do you believe in technology as humanity's savior or do you believe in a higher power that we can't perceive? The one you give power and attention to will eradicate the other. More accurately, nothing can eradicate the higher power, but it will seem like it if #technoloy is your God.

With Love for #Humanity,

~ Vector5

@ bd32f268:22b33966

O que torna um homem um modelo a ser seguido ? Que qualidades pode apresentar um homem que demonstram as suas aspirações ?

Nos dias que correm a nobreza de carácter não parece ser o factor chave nas figuras que são mais celebradas pelo mundo inteiro. A nossa sociedade dá mais atenção ao indigente moral célebre pelas sacadas narcísicas do que ao guerreiro, ao santo, ao patriarca que dedicaram a sua vida a um propósito e aspirações manifestamente superiores.

É frequente vermos ser objeto de atenção o homem vaidoso, efeminado, narcísico e corrupto até. O facto de serem estas as referências que temos na cultura moderna diz muito da sociedade em que vivemos. É importante notar que nós somos como espelhos que refletem aquilo que reverenciamos, isto é, vamo-nos tornando mais parecidos com o objeto da nossa admiração. É nosso instinto tentar imitar aquilo que admiramos, portanto isto é um grave problema quando admiramos as coisas erradas.

Pode parecer contraintuitivo mas por vezes as coisas mais admiráveis na vida são na verdade as mais simples. Prestemos atenção ao que nos diz o auto G.K Chesterton a este propósito.

Há algo de magnificamente sóbrio no pai de família que não procura atenção e se dedica exclusivamente ao seu dever. Esta figura é, por hora, demonizada tantas e tantas vezes, sendo frequentemente apresentado como sendo o mandatário de uma cultura misógina e machista.

Estou convencido que enquanto a figura de pai de família não for devidamente reabilitada, dificilmente teremos um ressurgimento de famílias propriamente ordenadas. É importante notar aqui um ponto, este pai de família deve ser alguém capaz de colocar os interesses da família primeiro que os seus interesses individuais. Deve ser alguém que não viva no relativismo moral, mas sim um homem de fé, algo que está em vias de extinção no ocidente e em particular em Portugal. Este homem deve ser o porto de abrigo para a sua família, alguém disposto a travar o bom combate, e será sempre portanto um defensor acérrimo da verdade. Não será naturalmente alguém obcecado com a sua própria imagem, mas sim um homem desejavelmente forte quer em termos físicos, tendo zelo na forma como se exercita, quer em termos mentais, sendo uma pessoa capaz mas com autocontrolo. Deve também ser um homem com uma vida intelectual, isto é, alguém que nutre interesse pelo legado que lhe foi confiado e procura aprender sobre o mesmo. Muitos homens antes de si fizeram sacrifícios para que o homem da atualidade usufrua dos mais variados benefícios.

A atualidade oferece-nos por vezes a promoção de algumas destas facetas, algo que seria desejável e bom, contudo com algumas distorções. Há homens fortes, capazes de feitos atléticos ímpares, que se cultivam nesse domínio mas pelas razões erradas. Por vezes o imperativo moral que os guia é a vaidade, sendo que esse trabalho físico que fazem conspira para consolidar o seu narcisismo.

Outros há com uma determinação inabalável, algo louvável quando usada para os fins próprios. Esta determinação não deve ser usada para a procura de grandes riquezas como um fim em si mesmas, nem como um isco usado para o oportunismo sexual com as mulheres.

Poderíamos também dar como exemplo, homens com uma prodigiosa inteligência mas que, não a tendo devidamente orientada, a usam para manipular e corromper o discurso público não olhando a meios para atingir os fins.

Um factor chave que dificulta a formação de mais homens com este tipo de espinha dorsal é uma certa apropriação da linguagem que tem existido no discurso público que procura rotular quem ousa desafiar este status quo. Termos como “negacionista”, “radical”, “fascista”, “fundamentalista”, “ultranacionalista” entre outros, são constantemente atirados remetendo o homem para uma falsa conclusão:

“ Tu não podes defender nada, nem ter certeza de nada”.

Outra ferramenta importante nesta desconstrução é o apelo ao vício. Sendo através da pornografia, da comida ultra-processada ou de uma vida de conforto , há claramente um incentivo ao hedonismo e à autoindulgência. Procura-se alimentar cada vez mais esta busca do prazer com o fim último, e por conseguinte a coragem, o sacrifício e o trabalho, como pedras angulares da construção do carácter do homem ficam para segundo plano.

O cavalheirismo ficou-se apenas pelas aparências. Por vezes, há um verniz de algumas das propriedades que descrevi em várias situações, contudo não passa de uma máscara. É fácil segurar uma porta para uma senhora e dizer “com licença”, “por favor”, para se mostrar alguém educado quando o custo para o fazer é mínimo. Difícil é estar disposto a fazer sacríficos em que nos doamos inteiramente pelos outros, no entanto é isso que é pedido ao homem. Doando-se encontrará o seu verdadeiro propósito.

@ 2e8970de:63345c7a

https://www.statista.com/topics/10083/onlyfans/#topicOverview

305 million subscribers. 468 million monthly website visits.

Currently in the news is the retirement of an adult star who made 67 million Dollars in 3 years. Very little focus is put on the vast majority of "entertainers" who make very little money. And even less on the vast vast majority of website visitors that pay instead of being payed.

I don't think it's useful to argue if it's 1 in 27 or 1 in 24 depending on how big the world population is. What's more interesting to me: ** what does this do to our society and culture?**

1 in 27. Only half the population is male (which is almost all subscribers if we are being honest) so maybe 1 in 14? How many in the world population are too old or too young to use the internet like that. Then exclude all the poor people from third world countries. You get where I'm going with this. Walk through the downtown of any major western city and count the humans: 1,2,3..1,2,3... What a baffling statistic, don't you think?

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/917007

@ a39d19ec:3d88f61e

Nun da das deutsche Bundesregime den Ruin Deutschlands beschlossen hat, der sehr wahrscheinlich mit dem Werkzeug des Geld druckens "finanziert" wird, kamen mir so viele Gedanken zur Geldmengenausweitung, dass ich diese für einmal niedergeschrieben habe.

Die Ausweitung der Geldmenge führt aus klassischer wirtschaftlicher Sicht immer zu Preissteigerungen, weil mehr Geld im Umlauf auf eine begrenzte Menge an Gütern trifft. Dies lässt sich in mehreren Schritten analysieren:

1. Quantitätstheorie des Geldes

Die klassische Gleichung der Quantitätstheorie des Geldes lautet:

M • V = P • Y

wobei:
- M die Geldmenge ist,
- V die Umlaufgeschwindigkeit des Geldes,
- P das Preisniveau,
- Y die reale Wirtschaftsleistung (BIP).

Wenn M steigt und V sowie Y konstant bleiben, muss P steigen – also Inflation entstehen.

2. Gütermenge bleibt begrenzt

Die Menge an real produzierten Gütern und Dienstleistungen wächst meist nur langsam im Vergleich zur Ausweitung der Geldmenge. Wenn die Geldmenge schneller steigt als die Produktionsgütermenge, führt dies dazu, dass mehr Geld für die gleiche Menge an Waren zur Verfügung steht – die Preise steigen.

3. Erwartungseffekte und Spekulation

Wenn Unternehmen und Haushalte erwarten, dass mehr Geld im Umlauf ist, da eine zentrale Planung es so wollte, können sie steigende Preise antizipieren. Unternehmen erhöhen ihre Preise vorab, und Arbeitnehmer fordern höhere Löhne. Dies kann eine sich selbst verstärkende Spirale auslösen.

4. Internationale Perspektive

Eine erhöhte Geldmenge kann die Währung abwerten, wenn andere Länder ihre Geldpolitik stabil halten. Eine schwächere Währung macht Importe teurer, was wiederum Preissteigerungen antreibt.

5. Kritik an der reinen Geldmengen-Theorie

Der Vollständigkeit halber muss erwähnt werden, dass die meisten modernen Ökonomen im Staatsauftrag argumentieren, dass Inflation nicht nur von der Geldmenge abhängt, sondern auch von der Nachfrage nach Geld (z. B. in einer Wirtschaftskrise). Dennoch zeigt die historische Erfahrung, dass eine unkontrollierte Geldmengenausweitung langfristig immer zu Preissteigerungen führt, wie etwa in der Hyperinflation der Weimarer Republik oder in Simbabwe.

@ 6260f29f:2ee2fcd4

```js

```

@ a60e79e0:1e0e6813

**This is a long form note test of a post that lives on my Nostr educational website Hello Nostr **

One of the first things most people learn when getting started with Nostr is the importance of their private key, or ‘nsec’. The nsec is the key to their Nostr world. Whoever controls an nsec, controls that account. Lose access to the nsec and you lose access to that account and its social graph.

So the nsec is very important and should be treated very carefully, but what happens if we want to use or test multiple Nostr clients? Newer clients might be malicious, or have unknown security vulnerabilities, so simply go pasting our nsec everywhere just to see if we like a new app is not the best idea!

Thankfully there are solutions for nsec management that allow us to do exactly that, without having to expose our all important nsec to each and every app we want to interact with. The most commonly used to date are browser extensions like Alby or nos2x. Typically these types of browser extensions do not work on mobile platforms.

Enter Amber…

What is Amber?

Amber is a free and open source Android application that serves as a dedicated ‘Nostr event signer’. Amber allows users to keep their nsec segregated in a single, dedicated app. The goal of Amber is to have your smartphone act as a NIP-46 signing device without any need for servers or additional hardware.

At its core Amber serves two main purposes:

Securing your nsec(s) Using this nsec to sign events for other Nostr clients on your phone

Got an iPhone? Check out nsec.app

Getting Started

1. Download Amber to your phone. It is available from Zap Store, Obtanium, GitHub or F-Droid

Download Amber here. Support Amber here.

1. When opening Amber for the first time, you’ll have the option to create a new Nostr account (nsec) or import an existing one.

2. If you do not currently have a Nostr account, Amber will help you generate and secure a brand new nsec. Amber allows you to download an encrypted file containing your nsec as well as the option to download a human-readable version of the nsec in the form of 12 English words, similar to a Bitcoin seed.

Skip this step if you have an existing nsec that you want to import to Amber.

1. To import an existing nsec, choose ‘Use your private key’. You can then paste the nsec from an existing client, or scan a QR code of it if you have one available to you.

2. Once you have created or imported your nsec, Amber will ask for some basic permissions. You can allow the app the approve basic actions, or enable more granular selection for each client you subsequently connect. Once you tap ‘Finish’, you’ll see that the account is now ready.

If you have or require more than one Nostr account, you can repeat these steps for each one. All accounts can be viewed by tapping the profile image in the bottom right corner of the screen.

1. That’s it, Amber is now ready to sign events. Amber allows multiple ways to connect other clients to it, but most will have a very simple ‘Login with Amber’ button. Let’s demo this in practice with Amethyst, the most popular Android-only client.

The opening screen of Amethyst shows the ‘Login with Amber’ option. Tap that.

1. Amber will then open automatically and ask you to define the level of autonomy you’d like to have with Amethyst. This setting defines how often Amber will require you to manually authorize each event.

For example, you might want Amber to automatically sign every like or repost you do in Amethyst, but then be asked to manually approve all direct messages sent from your account. These permissions can be customized in the settings at any time.

1. Let’s assume that upon setup, we did not grant Amber the ability to automatically sign short text notes for us. Let’s look at how simple the authorization flow is. Type a new short note in Amethyst and press ‘Post’.

Amethyst will instantly send the request to the Amber app on your phone, with no third party server involved. Amber will open and ask you to approve the event. When you do, Amber signs the event with the nsec it stores for you and automatically send the signed event back to Amethyst to be posted. The whole process takes just a few seconds.

Using Amber with a Web Client

1. Next let’s take a look at how you can use Amber on your phone to sign events on a web app running on your computer. For this example, we’ll be using Coracle. Open Coracle and click ‘Log In’, then choose ‘Use Remote Signer’. Coracle will then display a QR code.

2. Open Amber and navigate to the Applications page, tap the + icon, then scan the QR code being displayed by Coracle.

3. Just as it did earlier with Amethyst, Amber will now ask you to grant some basic permissions for the Coracle connection. Once again, these permissions can be customized at any time in the settings. Once granted, you’ll notice that Coracle automatically logs in to your feed.

But wait, how did that happen? The nsec is in Amber on your phone, and Coracle is running on your computer. The two might not even be in the same location or on the same network!? The communication is happening over the Nostr protocol, via relays. Which relays are used for this communication can be configured in the Amber settings.

1. Let’s test out a short note on Coracle to demonstrate the signing process. Click ‘Post +’ in the top right corner, draft your note and then click send.

2. Amber will send a push notification to your phone. Tapping the notification will open Amber for you to approve the event.

3. Once the event is approved in Amber, Amber will automatically send the signed event back to Coracle for publishing.

Summary

You can view Amber as a vault for your Nostr private keys (nsec). It allows you to explore the entire ecosystem without exposing your nsec to every new app you try. Amber is an incredibly simple yet powerful tool that belongs on the Android phone of every Nostr user.

At the time of writing, using Amber as a remote event signer is supported by the following popular Nostr clients:

• Amethyst (mobile)
• Coracle (web)
• 0xChat (mobile)
• Fountain (mobile)
• Zap Store (mobile)
• Keychat (mobile)
• Freeflow (mobile)
• Highlighter (web)
• Chachi Chat (web)
• Habla (web)
• Shopstr (web)
• Plebeian Market (web)
• Snort (web)
• Nostrudel (web)

If you found this post useful, please share it with your peers and consider following and zapping me on Nostr. If you write to me and let me know that you found me via this post, I’ll be sure to Zap you back! ⚡️

@ 044da344:073a8a0e

Die Medien-Epidemie

Rubikon und Medienrealität, 18. März 2020

Ab jetzt regiert die Medizin, hat Markus Söder am Montag gesagt. Medienforscher, ab ins Homeoffice. Von dort sehen wir, was Ärzte nicht untersuchen können. Wir sehen, wie Medien eine Realität schaffen, die Politiker für so real halten, dass sie die Welt komplett umbauen – eine Medienwirkung zweiter Ordnung, die auf Medienwirkungen erster Ordnung vertrauen und uns alle so ins Chaos stürzen kann.

Ich gebe zu: Wenn man nicht krank ist und dazu noch ein Fatalist und Dickhäuter, den es nicht stört, wenn Bars und Kinos geschlossen sind und die Leute böse schauen, wenn sie einen ins Büro gehen sehen, dann lebt man als Medienforscher gerade in goldenen Zeiten. Nie zuvor war die Macht der Medien so offensichtlich. Nie zuvor war mein Forschungsgegenstand so wichtig. Eigentlich hätte Markus Söder am Montag sagen müssen: Ab jetzt regieren die Medien.

Genau genommen tun sie das schon lange, aber bei den allermeisten Themen haben die Politik und andere mächtige Akteure die Logik des Journalismus so internalisiert, dass sie den Redaktionen das liefern, wonach diese ohnehin suchen. Meine Theorie der Medialisierung beginnt genau da: Jeder Entscheidungsträger weiß, dass heute nichts mehr geht ohne öffentliche Aufmerksamkeit und ohne öffentliche Legitimation. Jeder weiß, dass er die Medien braucht, und versucht deshalb entweder, die Berichterstattung zu unterbinden, oder die Logik des Mediensystems für seine Interessen zu nutzen und in der Öffentlichkeit ein positives Bild zu erzeugen (vgl. Meyen 2014, 2018). Deshalb die großen PR-Stäbe, deshalb all die spektakulären Projekte, Events, Ideen, deshalb Spitzenleute wie Markus Söder, der beim Bayerischen Rundfunk Volontär war und weiß, wie die Kolleginnen und Kollegen von einst so ticken.

Corona war anders. Corona kam aus dem Nichts (aus China, okay, aber hier ist kein Platz für Verschwörungstheorien). Corona hat die Medienrealität gekapert, ohne dass die Redaktionen sich wehren konnten, weil der Imperativ der Aufmerksamkeit in einem kommerziellen Mediensystem auch die gebührenfinanzierten Angebote regiert. Corona ist Medienlogik pur. Journalismus war schon immer Selektion. Selbst das, was an einem Tag in einem Stadtteil von München passiert, würde mehr füllen als eine Süddeutsche Zeitung. Heute wird das Medienrealität, was die meisten Klicks verspricht, die meisten Likes, die meisten Retweets. Superlative, Sensationen, Prominente. Dinge, die es so noch nicht gab. Drei Infizierte, 15, 200. Tom Hanks. Der erste Bundestagsabgeordnete. Der erste Zweitligaspieler. Der erste Trainer. Sogar jemand von Juve, eben noch halbnackt in der Jubelkabine, und in drei Tagen schon auf dem Rasen gegen Lyon. Tom Hanks aus dem Krankenhaus entlassen. Und jetzt auch noch Merz.

Medienrealität ist eine Realität erster Ordnung – wie der Zaun, der uns nicht vorbeilässt, oder der Polizist, der unseren Ausweis sehen will. Wir können die Medienrealität nicht ignorieren, weil wir annehmen, dass sie Folgen hat – wenn vielleicht auch nicht für uns, so doch für andere. Selbst wenn wir persönlich nicht glauben, dass eine Ausgangssperre kommt oder die Versorgungsketten gekappt werden, fangen wir an, Klopapier zu horten (oder Rotwein, wenn wir Italiener wären), weil wir glauben, dass die anderen ihr Verhalten ändern werden, und zwar so, wie es der Medientenor vorgibt.

Wer nicht versteht, was Markus Söder gerade reitet oder all die anderen, die in irgendeinem Regierungssitz oder auch nur in einer kleinen Behörde oder gar in einer Universität Verantwortung tragen, hat hier einen Schlüssel. Entscheidungsträger unterstellen, dass Massenmedien mächtig sind, und wollen entweder die Deutungshoheit zurückerobern oder scheuen jedes selbständige Denken. Das Motto der Stunde: Die Medien sind voll mit Corona (sie sind es wirklich, weil wir das immerfort klicken, liken, retweeten), also müssen wir die Menschen davor schützen, ob sie wollen oder nicht. Diese Menschen wissen, was die Italiener unternehmen, was die Berliner und was der junge Kurz in Österreich. So einen brauchen wir auch, ruft die Bildzeitung. Kein Problem. Das können wir toppen. In Deutschland regiert ab jetzt die Medizin. Was morgen sein wird? Schauen Sie einfach, welche Hashtags gerade auf Twitter im Trend sind. Dort treiben sich Reporter und Politiker gegenseitig in ungeahnte Höhen.

Damit sind wir bei der Verantwortung und beim Ethos des Journalismus. Was ist aus dem Ort geworden, an dem die Gesellschaft, an dem wir alle das diskutieren und aushandeln können, was uns umtreibt? Wo ist der Streit der Meinungen, der doch gerade bei existenziellen Entscheidungen wie denen, die Markus Söder am Montag verkündet hat, nötiger wäre denn je? Wann ist das Prinzip der US-Journalismus-Ikone I.F. Stone verschwunden, der seine Kollegen ermahnt hat, gerade bei mächtigen Institutionen immer besonders vorsichtig zu sein – also auch bei der Charité, auch beim Robert-Koch-Institut und erst recht bei jeder Regierung (vgl. Goeßmann 2017: 30). Marcus B. Klöckner (2019: 9) hat gerade gezeigt, wie es zu einem Journalismus kommen konnte, der die Macht nicht kritisiert und kontrolliert, sondern einen „Schutzmantel um die politischen Weichensteller legt“ und kritische Stimmen aus dem „legitimen öffentlichen Diskursraum“ de facto ausschaltet.

Natürlich: Es gibt Perlen im Corona-Einheitsbrei. Rubikon zum Beispiel, eine alternative Plattform, auf der Herausgeber Jens Wernicke seit Tagen Gegenstimmen sammelt. Heribert Prantl, SZ-Leitartikler im Ruhestand, hat in seinem Sonntagsbrief („Prantls Blick“) „den virologisch-politisch-publizistischen Rigorismus“ beklagt, und seine alte Redaktion ließ im Feuilleton am Dienstag Rene Schlott, einen Historiker, mit der Frage zu Wort kommen, ob „die offene Gesellschaft erwürgt“ werde, „um sie zu retten“ (online hinter einer Bezahlschranke). Schlott spricht sich gleich zu Beginn seines Artikels Mut zu und hofft, dass ihn nicht ausgerechnet dieser Text in die Isolation treibt. Noch deutlicher wird der hegemoniale Diskurs auf der Webseite von Radio Eins, bezahlt von unseren Beiträgen und betrieben vom RBB. Es gibt dort ein Interview mit Karin Mölling, einer preisgekrönten Virologin im Ruhestand, zehn Minuten immerhin, die dort vor Panikmache warnt, Corona mit Blick auf Influenza relativiert und ein drittes Virus, eine dritte Epidemie ausmacht, mindestens genauso gefährlich: soziale Medien und Presse. Die Redaktion sah sich genötigt, eine „Klarstellung“ zu schreiben. Eine „Einzelmeinung“, liebe Leute. Wir, die Mannschaft von Radio Eins, sind nicht so „zynisch“ wie diese Ärztin und wollen die Krise keinesfalls verharmlosen.

Was tun? Auf lange Sicht ist das nicht schwierig und genauso klar wie beim Gesundheitswesen oder im Handel. Weg von der kommerziellen Logik, die Aufmerksamkeit maximiert und sonst nichts, hin zu einem Journalismus, der die Informationen liefert, die wir brauchen, und deshalb anders organisiert sein muss, genossenschaftlich zum Beispiel. Für den Moment hilft das nicht. Aber vielleicht können wir ja auch über die Medien diskutieren, wenn die Redaktionen den nächsten Hype entdeckt haben.

Literatur

David Goeßmann: Wenn Regierungen lügen und Medien mitmachen. In: Jens Wernicke: Lügen die Medien? Propaganda, Rudeljournalismus und der Kampf um die öffentliche Meinung. Frankfurt am Main: Westend 2017, S. 29-45.

Marcus B. Klöckner: Sabotierte Wirklichkeit. Oder: Wenn Journalismus zur Glaubenslehre wird. Frankfurt am Main: Westend 2019.

Michael Meyen: Theorie der Medialisierung. Eine Erwiderung auf Anna M. Theis-Berglmair. In: Medien & Kommunikationswissenschaft 62. Jg. (2014), S. 645-655.

Michael Meyen: Breaking News. Die Welt im Ausnahmezustand. Wie die Medien uns regieren. Frankfurt am Main: Westend 2018.

Daten + Experten = Demokratie?

Rubikon, 18. März 2020, und ForDemocracy, 19. März 2020

Dieser Beitrag entstand auf Anregung von Jens Wernicke, Herausgeber der Plattform Rubikon, und ist dort unter dem Titel “Die Expertokratie” erschienen. Hier das Original, ergänzt um Literaturangaben.

Es gibt ein Buch von Jason Brennan, 2017 auf Deutsch erschienen, das ziemlich genau das fordert, was gerade geschieht. Eine Epistokratie, bitte. Die Herrschaft der Wissenden. Lasst die Experten nur machen, weil wir alle ohnehin nicht viel von der Welt verstehen. Dann wird dieser elende Streit der Ideen ein Ende haben, und alles wird endlich gut.

Dieses Buch war ein Bestseller und wurde vermutlich auch in den Staatskanzleien und Verwaltungen gelesen, die jetzt Ärzte in den Rang von politischen Göttern erheben und auf Daten und Kurven verweisen, wenn sie den Menschen fast alles nehmen, worauf unser Leben baut. Von Risiken und Nebenwirkungen hat Jason Brennan geschwiegen. Er musste davon schweigen, weil der Sachbuchmarkt eine steile These verlangt, gerade in den USA, und einen Titel, der zum Kauf anregt. „Gegen Demokratie“, hat Ullstein in Deutschland auf das Cover geschrieben. Ich habe mich damals darüber lustig gemacht, vor allem über den Glauben, dass wir in einer „Demokratie“ leben, weil man uns alle paar Jahre abstimmen lässt. Jetzt könnte jeder sehen, dass das immer noch besser ist als eine Herrschaft der Experten. Konkret: besser als das „Primat der Medizin“ (Markus Söder). Man muss nur die Augen aufmachen.

In den Leitmedien sieht man: volle Unterstützung für unsere Jungs und Mädels in der Regierung. So sagt das der Sprecher im Audi Dome, wenn der FC Bayern Basketball am Rand einer Niederlage steht, ohne die Mädels natürlich. Die Zuschauer sollen dann aufstehen und so viel Krach machen, dass das Spiel doch noch kippt. Um im Bild zu bleiben: In einer parlamentarischen Demokratie gibt es Auswärtsfans. Nicht viele, wenn die größten Teams einfach fusionieren, aber immerhin. Die Indexing-These von Lance Bennett, bestätigt in vielen Studien, sagt: Journalisten berichten über Konflikte in der Gesellschaft, aber, und dieses große Aber schränkt das Spektrum schon in sogenannten normalen Zeiten erheblich ein, aber die entsprechenden Ansichten müssen in der offiziellen politischen Debatte vorkommen, im Bundestag zum Beispiel. Was das Berlin der Parteien, der Abgeordneten und der Lobbyisten nicht diskutiert, erscheint nicht in den Medien, und was Politik oder Wirtschaft nicht vorkauen, kann der Journalist nicht verdauen.

Es ist nicht schwer, diesen Befund in die Gegenwart zu verlängern. Wo die Medizin regiert, gibt es keine parlamentarische Debatte und damit auch keinen öffentlichen Streit um die beste Lösung, nicht einmal den gedämpften einer eingehegten Wahldemokratie. Mehr noch: Der Journalismus dankt ab und lässt die Experten gleich selbst sprechen, Christian Drosten zum Beispiel, der mit seiner Forschungsgruppe an der Berliner Charité erst einen Corona-Test entwickelt hat und jetzt gleichzeitig zu Regierenden und Volk spricht. Dass ihn viele Redaktionen gewähren lassen und sogar noch feiern, erinnert an das, was Uwe Krüger (2016: 105), Medienforscher in Leipzig, nach dem Ukraine-Desaster 2014 „Verantwortungsverschwörung“ genannt hat: Der Journalist weiß, was gut ist und was schlecht (so ziemlich das gleiche, was die Herrschenden gut oder schlecht finden, weil alle ganz ähnlich aufgewachsen sind und zusammen studiert haben), und er glaubt, dass er Einfluss auf die Menschen hat. Also zur Solidarität aufrufen, die Tatkraft der Regierenden loben und im übrigen auf die „Fakten“ verweisen oder die Experten fragen. Wenn diese Experten gegen den Mainstream schwimmen (wie zum Beispiel Wolfgang Wodarg oder Karin Mölling), dann werden sie delegitimiert und nicht mehr angehört.

Anders als Jason Brennan ging Walter Lippmann (2018) nicht davon aus, dass wir Wähler kein Interesse an der Politik haben oder dass uns gar der nötige Verstand dafür fehlt. Lippmann wollte den Verstand manipulieren. Er wusste, dass wir auf Vorstellungen von der Welt reagieren und dass die Macht bei denen liegt, die diese Bilder produzieren. Lippmann hat schon vor fast einhundert Jahren eine Regierung der Experten empfohlen, eine Gesellschaft, in der Sozialforscher wie er die große „Herde“ führen. Sein Rezept, das so klingt, als sei es erst eine Woche alt: „Der Zugang zu der wirklichen Umwelt muss begrenzt werden, ehe jemand eine Pseudoumwelt errichten kann, die er für klug oder wünschenswert hält.“

Damit weg von den Medien und hin zu unserem Glauben an die Daten, an die „Pseudoumwelt“, die Experten wie Christian Drosten bauen. Im gleichen Jahr, in dem Jason Brennan „Gegen Demokratie“ angeschrieben hat, ist bei Suhrkamp ein Buch von Steffen Mau (2017) erschienen, einem Soziologen von der Humboldt-Uni, das den Megatrend der Quantifizierung des Sozialen auf eine griffige Formel gebracht hat: „Das metrische Wir“. Man muss diesen Trend kennen, wenn man verstehen will, warum alle Welt gerade auf den Newsticker starrt, der die Zahl der Infizierten und der Toten im Stundentakt aktualisiert und in bunten Diagrammen oder auf noch bunteren Karten Länder oder Regionen miteinander vergleicht, die man überhaupt nicht miteinander vergleichen kann.

Heute geht nichts mehr ohne Zahlen. Was nicht in Zahlen übersetzt werden kann, existiert nicht länger. In der Sprache des Soziologen Steffen Mau: Zahlen sind „zur Leitwährung der digitalisierten Gesellschaft geworden“. Zahlen versprechen „Präzision, Eineindeutigkeit, Vereinfachung, Nachprüfbarkeit und Neutralität“ (S. 26f.). Zahlen sind die Antwort auf unser Bedürfnis nach Sicherheit und Kontrolle. Zahlen haben das Bauchgefühl verdrängt, das uns sagt, was richtig ist, das Urteil, das abwägt und dabei auch um die Besonderheiten dieses einen Falles weiß, den Blick auf die Welt, der Komplexität und Ungewissheiten anerkennt. Die Ärzte sagen uns, wie viele Menschen krank sind, wie viele davon sterben werden und was wir alles tun müssen, damit die Betten auf den Intensivstationen reichen. Wir glauben ihnen, weil wir gewöhnt sind, die Welt durch die Brille von Zahlen zu sehen. Und die Regierenden folgen ihnen, weil sie uns kennen.

Nur: Eine Zahl ist eine Zahl und nicht die Realität. Das weiß jeder Wissenschaftler, der „im Feld“ war und selbst Daten erhoben hat. Was immer wir messen, wird sozial hergestellt. Menschen legen fest, dass sie Schritte zählen, um ihre Existenz zu legitimieren, und nicht Furze oder Rülpser (sorry). Menschen legen fest, nach welchem Virus sie suchen und was passieren muss, damit sie „Gefunden!“ rufen können. Hinter jeder Zahl steht ein Interesse, und sei es nur das eines Herstellers, der seine Geräte loswerden will. Daraus folgt immer: Es hätte auch anders sein können. Das klingt banal, ist es aber ganz offenkundig nicht. Sonst könnten wir gerade nicht beobachten, wie Zahlen alles umbauen, was wir bisher gekannt haben. Wir lernen: Zahlen sind nicht die Wirklichkeit. Sie erzeugen sie erst.

Wer Zahlen verkauft, egal ob Virologe oder Medienforscher, braucht das Vertrauen seiner Kunden. Er muss die Zweifel verwischen, die mit jeder Datenerhebung verbunden sind. Man muss kein Virologe sein (wohl aber eine gesunde Skepsis gegenüber allen Zahlen mitbringen), um diese Zweifel auszusprechen. Was bedeutet es, dass heute 12.000 Menschen mit einem bestimmten Virus infiziert sind, morgen 15.000 und übermorgen mehr als 20.000? Haben sich tatsächlich mehr Menschen angesteckt oder wird einfach mehr gemessen, in provisorischen Zelten zum Beispiel und bei Menschen, die sonst nie und nimmer zum Arzt gegangen wären, aber jetzt gar nicht anders können bei all dem sozialen und medialen Druck? Wann genau wird ein Test „positiv“? Genauer gefragt: Worauf haben sich die Erfinder des Tests hier geeinigt und was wäre, wenn sie sich anders entschieden hätten? Warum sterben in einem Land 0,5 Prozent der Infizierten und in einem anderen fünf Prozent? Liegt das vielleicht daran, dass man hier eher zufällig testet und dort nur die, die ohnehin schon im Krankenhaus liegen? Und ab wann wird man eigentlich ein Corona-Toter? Woher weiß der Arzt, was genau bei einem Menschen „mit Vorerkrankung“ zum Ende geführt hat?

Ganz unabhängig von solchen Zweifeln sind Zahlen nur dann etwas wert, wenn man sie einordnen kann. Die Wissenschaft lebt vom Vergleich. Niemand weiß, wie viele Menschen in den vergangenen  Jahren das hatten, was wir „Grippe“ nennen, und wie viele daran gestorben sind. Eine „Grippe“ war längst so normal, dass wir trotzdem zur Arbeit gegangen sind und dort vielleicht an einem Herzinfarkt gestorben sind oder bei einem Autounfall, weil wir gerade niesen mussten, als die Ampel rot wurde.

Wer noch lebt, muss sich wehren gegen die Herrschaft der Experten und der Daten, den (hoffentlich noch) gesunden Menschenverstand einschalten und fragen, was es mit uns macht, wenn wir unsere Kolleginnen und Kollegen nicht mehr sehen dürfen (weder im Büro noch abends beim Bier), wenn Vater, Mutter, Kinder den ganzen Tag auf ein paar Quadratmetern zusammen sein müssen (wie sonst nur Weihnachten, wo es den meisten Familienkrach gibt) und wenn man uns die Fahrt in den Urlaub nimmt, den Ausflug, das Fitnessstudio. Virologen können das nicht wissen. Virologen wissen auch nicht, wie ein Land wieder zurückkommt auf Los und wie all das, was jetzt an Verboten, Kontrolle und Überwachung möglich geworden ist, erst zurückgeholt und dann aus dem kollektiven Gedächtnis gelöscht werden kann. Dafür gibt es weder Experten noch Daten.

Literatur

Jason Brennan: Gegen Demokratie. Warum wir die Politik nicht den Unvernünftigen überlassen dürfen. Berlin: Ullstein 2017.

Uwe Krüger: Mainstream. Warum wir den Medien nicht mehr trauen. München: C.H. Beck 2016.

Walter Lippmann: Die öffentliche Meinung. Wie sie entsteht und manipuliert wird. Herausgegeben von Walter Otto Ötsch und Silja Graupe. Frankfurt am Main: Westend 2018.

Steffen Mau: Das metrische Wir. Über die Quantifizierung des Sozialen. Berlin: Suhrkamp 2017.

Kniefall vor der Wissenschaft

Medienrealität, 26. März 2020, und Rubikon, 27. März 2020

Patrick Illinger fällt vor der Wissenschaft auf die Knie. Das wäre kein Problem, wenn Illinger nicht das Wissenschaftsressort der Süddeutschen Zeitung leiten und dort Leitartikel schreiben würde. „Seriöse Wissenschaft hat keine andere Agenda als das Suchen und Überbringen möglichst fundierter Fakten“, steht dort heute. Genau das ist die Agenda. Und die SZ geht ihr auf den Leim.

Zeitunglesen geht im Moment schnell. Zwei Minuten, wie in der DDR. Einmal blättern und man weiß, dass sich die Regierungsmeinung nicht geändert hat und die Medienlogik auch nicht. Eigentlich habe ich dazu schon alles gesagt. Ich habe letzte Woche geschrieben, wie sich Journalismus und Politik gegenseitig hochgeschaukelt haben am Imperativ der Aufmerksamkeit und dadurch eine Realität geschaffen wurde, die man jetzt nicht einmal mehr zu dritt auf der Straße erörtern kann (vgl. Meyen 2020a). Das ist der Tod von Öffentlichkeit, die online nicht wiederbelebt werden kann, weil dort Stürme drohen und so die Zwischenstufen fehlen, die Encounter (Begegnungen im Bus, in der Kneipe, auf dem Büroflur) und Leitmedien zusammenbringen. Keine Versammlungen, keine Demos. Nicht einmal mehr Graffiti. Encounter sowieso nicht. Und damit keine Öffentlichkeit.

Ich habe letzte Woche auch über die Expertokratie geschrieben, die Patrick Illinger heute in der Süddeutschen Zeitung verteidigt, und über das, was aus einer Herrschaft der Wissenschaft für die Medien folgt (vgl. Meyen 2020b). Zitat: „Der Journalismus dankt ab und lässt die Experten gleich selbst sprechen“. Ich habe dort auch versucht zu erklären, warum Daten und Zahlen nicht mit der Realität zu verwechseln sind (vgl. Mau 2017). Noch ein Zitat: „Was immer wir messen, wird sozial hergestellt. Menschen legen fest, nach welchem Virus sie suchen und was passieren muss, damit sie ‚Gefunden!‘ rufen können. Hinter jeder Zahl steht ein Interesse, und sei es nur das eines Herstellers, der seine Geräte loswerden will. Daraus folgt immer: Es hätte auch anders sein können. Das klingt banal, ist es aber ganz offenkundig nicht. Sonst könnten wir gerade nicht beobachten, wie Zahlen alles umbauen, was wir bisher gekannt haben. Wir lernen: Zahlen sind nicht die Wirklichkeit. Sie erzeugen sie erst“.

Und damit endlich zu Patrick Illinger. „Wer jetzt vor einer Diktatur der Wissenschaft warnt“, heißt es in besagtem Leitartikel, „begeht einen Fehler. Es (sic!) macht die Wissenschaft zum Stakeholder, zur Interessengruppe, zu einer Strömung, der man sich widersetzen kann und vielleicht sollte. Doch das verwechselt den Boten mit der Botschaft“. Nein. Punkt eins: Es gibt keine Botschaft ohne Boten. Punkt zwei: Die Wissenschaft, die sich nur für die Wahrheit interessiert und für sonst nichts, ist eine Schimäre. Das „interessenlose Interesse“ oder das „Interesse an der Interessenlosigkeit“, die Idee, dass wir es hier mit Menschen zu tun haben, die „uneigennützig“ und womöglich sogar „unentgeltlich“ arbeiten: Das ist die „illusio“ des akademischen Feldes (Bourdieu 1998: 27). Und Punkt drei: Dieses akademische Feld ist längst gekapert von den Imperativen der Wirtschaft (Geld!) und der Medien (Aufmerksamkeit!). Eigentlich sollte es deshalb selbstverständlich sein, stets die Strukturen zu hinterfragen, in denen Wissen (Illinger: „möglichst fundierte Fakten“) produziert wird. Eigentlich.

Der Reihe nach und etwas ausführlicher. Wissenschaft wird von Menschen gemacht. Menschen entscheiden, welche Fragen sie beantworten wollen (und damit auch, welche nicht beantwortet werden). Menschen entscheiden, welcher Weg zur Erkenntnis akzeptiert wird und welcher nicht und damit auch, auf welche „Fakten“ wir alle zugreifen können, wenn die Not groß ist. Die Wissenschaft ist dabei eine soziale Welt wie jedes andere Feld. Das heißt: Woran dort gearbeitet wird, hängt von der „Struktur der objektiven Beziehungen zwischen den Akteuren“ ab und vor allem davon, was am Machtpol gerade goutiert wird (Bourdieu 1998: 20). Welche Themen versprechen Verträge, die über das Jahresende hinausgehen, mit welchen Methoden muss ich forschen, um am Ende eine Professur zu bekommen oder gar den Chefposten in einem großen Institut?

Das ist die erste Agenda, noch ganz ohne den Einfluss von Drittmitteln und ohne die Gier nach Prominenz oder wenigstens nach öffentlicher (medialer) Legitimation: Wissenschaftler sind Menschen und wollen (wie alle anderen auch) ihre Position verbessern. Sie wollen, dass ihre Fragen wichtiger werden und die Mittel, mit denen sie nach einer Antwort suchen. Das gilt innerhalb einzelner Disziplinen (etwa: in der Medizin) genauso wie im akademischen Feld insgesamt. Virologie gegen Soziologie gegen Geschichte. Kurz vor Corona hatte die bayerische Regierung Unsummen für die Big-Data-Forschung angekündigt. Ein Füllhorn für die Universitäten, um der „künstlichen Intelligenz“ auf die Spur zu kommen. Mal schauen, was davon jetzt übrigbleibt.

Das führt direkt zur zweiten Agenda, die gar nicht mehr verborgen werden muss, weil die Position im akademischen Feld inzwischen auch vom Medienecho abhängt und noch stärker davon, wie viel Geld von außen eingeworben wird. Wurden Wissenschaftler noch vor zwei oder drei Dekaden als Feuilletonforscher belächelt, wenn sie allzu oft auf der Mattscheibe zu sehen waren oder in der Presse, ist öffentliche Präsenz inzwischen ein Muss für alle großen Fördereinrichtungen und damit auch für die Reputation im Feld. Man darf Christian Drosten (nur als Beispiel) nicht verübeln, dass er einen Elfmeter schießt, wenn „koan Neuer“ zu sehen ist. Man muss nur wissen, dass ihm dieses Tor hilft, das Spiel im akademischen Feld zu gewinnen.

Das sagt noch nichts gegen den Inhalt (Virologie und Epidemiologie werden auf anderen Blogs verhandelt), wohl aber etwas gegen jeden blinden Glauben an alles, was uns Menschen in weißen Kitteln erzählen. Patrick Illinger hat Physik studiert und am Cern in der Schweiz promoviert – am Machtpol des wissenschaftlichen Feldes, wo der Wunsch besonders ausgeprägt ist, die Welt „da draußen“ möge an das „interessenlose Interesse“ der Forscher glauben. Die „klinische Soziologie des wissenschaftlichen Feldes“ von Pierre Bourdieu (1998), die ich gerade skizziert habe, stößt dort auf Ablehnung und Widerstand, weil sich die „illusio“ in den Habitus eingebrannt hat. Patrick Illinger ist aber kein Wissenschaftler mehr, sondern ein Journalist. PR ist in diesem Feld eigentlich tabu.

Literatur

Pierre Bourdieu: Vom Gebrauch der Wissenschaft. Für eine klinische Soziologie des wissenschaftlichen Feldes. Konstanz: UVK 1998.

Steffen Mau: Das metrische Wir. Über die Quantifizierung des Sozialen. Berlin: Suhrkamp 2017.

Michael Meyen: Die Medien-Epidemie. In: Michael Meyen (Hrsg.): Medienrealität 2020a.

Michael Meyen: Daten + Experten = Demokratie? In: Bayerischer Forschungsverbund „Die Zukunft der Demokratie“ (Hrsg.): ForDemocracy 2020b.

Die Maske, Hans-Jürgen Papier und Juli Zeh

Medienrealität, 5. April 2020

Die Medienforschung erwacht aus der Corona-Starre. Stephan Russ-Mohl sucht per Rundmail Beiträge (“möglichst” empirisch unterfüttert), die sagen, was der Journalismus bisher gut gemacht hat und was eher schlecht. Vielleicht findet er dabei sogar diesen Blog. Nach viel Kritik (vgl. Gordeeva 2020 sowie Meyen 2020a und 2020b) gibt es hier heute ein Lob für die SZ.

Vorbemerkung eins: Was Otfried Jarren vor einer Woche über das “Systemmedium” Fernsehen geschrieben hat und über die “besondere Form der Hofberichterstattung” beim NDR, war gut und richtig. Das ist das, was eine akademische Disziplin machen muss, die sich als öffentliche Wissenschaft versteht. An den Auftrag des öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunks erinnern, Qualität einfordern, Standards nennen. Der diskursive Kampf um Deutungshoheit wird auch in den Redaktionen ausgetragen. Wer dort den “Auftrag Öffentlichkeit” ernst nimmt, braucht gerade dann Argumente aus der Wissenschaft, wenn der Druck aus Politik und Behörden ins Unermessliche steigt und der Zugang zu alternativen Stimmen und Quellen verbaut ist.

Vorbemerkung zwei: Auch das, was zum Beispiel Hektor Haarkötter oder Daria Gordeeva geschrieben haben, kann dort helfen. Ein Ja zum Watchdog und ein Ja zum Nachfragen, gerade bei dem “Zahlenkonfetti” (Mathias Bröckers), den die Herrschenden uns täglich über die Leitmedien servieren.

Vorbemerkung drei (dann geht es endlich los): Ich war drauf und dran, einen Text mit der Überschrift “Süddeutsche Staatszeitung” zu schreiben. Auch SZ, aber anders. Am Rockzipfel von Markus Söder und auf dem Schoß von Angela Merkel, wie Nico Fried, der in seiner Seite-3-Geschichte zur großen TV-Ansprache auf die Minute wusste, wann der Stick aus dem PC gezogen wurde, und Verständnis für eine Kanzlerin hatte, die immer noch nicht jedes Bild der Tagesschau kontrollieren kann, obwohl das doch so wichtig wäre (Achtung: Bezahlschranke). Herrjemine.

Ich bin froh, dass ich diesen Text nicht geschrieben habe. Der Titel wäre schon vor zwei Wochen nicht ganz richtig gewesen. Recht und Verhältnismäßigkeit bei Heribert Prantl, immer wieder, oder (sehr früh) ein Gastbeitrag von René Schlott, einem Historiker, der in der SZ fragt, ob “die offene Gesellschaft erwürgt” werden darf, “um sie zu retten”, dann auch in anderen Medien zu Wort kommt und inzwischen auf Twitter die Initiative “Grundgesetz a casa” betreibt.

Manchmal hat der Forscher Glück. Manchmal lässt sich das, was Ulrich Beck (2017) als Kampf um Definitionsmacht beschrieben hat, an einer einzigen Journalistin festmachen. Dienstag war sich Christina Berndt in der SZ sicher: “Die Maske ist Pflicht, für alle!” Wer mittags auf die Seite ging, fand das dort als Aufmacher. Zitat: “Lebensretter dürfen gern ein bisschen blöd aussehen”.  Wenn man so will: ein Kommentar zu Österreich und ein Hinweis an die Staatskanzlei. Tut was, schon wieder, obwohl noch niemand überprüfen konnte, ob das geholfen hat, was bisher getan wurde. Egal. Zwei Wochen sind einfach zu lang für einen Journalismus, der von Klickzahlen lebt. Am Mittwoch veröffentlicht Christina Berndt ein Interview mit einer Ärztin, Béatrice Grabein, die ziemlich deutlich ‘Blödsinn’ sagt (mit anderen Worten, versteht sich, wir sind bei der SZ), und Werner Bartens sammelt Pro- und Contra-Argumente mit dem gleichen Tenor.

Ich weiß nicht, ob die Ärztin bei Frau Berndt angerufen hat, aber das ist auch egal. Mit einem Tag Verspätung bekomme ich alles, was ich wissen muss, um mir eine Meinung bilden zu können. Das ist das, was Journalismus leisten muss.

Dieses Lob gilt erst recht für die SZ-Interviews mit Hans-Jürgen Papier und Juli Zeh. Eigentlich ist das natürlich eine Selbstverständlichkeit: Menschen zu Wort kommen lassen, die etwas zu sagen haben, und dabei das Spektrum so weit wie möglich ausreizen. Aber was ist schon selbstverständlich in einer Krise, in der “eine eskalierende Medienberichterstattung die Öffentlichkeit und die Politik vor sich her treibt” (Juli Zeh).

Ich muss hier nicht alles wiederholen, was Papier und Zeh gesagt haben. Bei beiden geht es um die Grundrechte, beide verwenden das Wort “Dilemma” und beide zeigen, wie vertrackt die Lage ist, in die sich die Bundesregierung manövriert hat. Gewaltenteilung? Schwierig in diesen Zeiten, sagt Hans-Jürgen Papier. “Ich kann mir schon vorstellen, dass ein Richter sagt: Ich kann nicht die Verantwortung dafür übernehmen, den Schutz von Leben und Gesundheit hintanzustellen, selbst wenn die Freiheit der Person sehr wichtig ist. Der Richter sieht sich ebenso wie die Politik und Exekutive mit den genannten Ungewissheiten über Art und Ausmaß der Gefahren sowie die Eignung und Notwendigkeit der Mittel konfrontiert”.

Juli Zeh, auch Verfassungsrichterin (ehrenamtlich, in Brandenburg), sagt das noch deutlicher. Ein paar Zitate für die, die an der Bezahlschranke scheitern, und für mich selbst, damit ich das irgendwann leichter zitieren kann:

• “Demokratische Politik darf auch in Krisenzeiten nicht nur den Vorgaben von einzelnen Beratern folgen und sagen, jetzt läuft hier alles aus dem Ruder, und deshalb müssen wir drakonisch in die Bürgerrechte eingreifen. Da werden wir, wenn die Krise abflaut, eine Menge aufzuarbeiten haben.”
• “Vor allem die Bestrafungstaktik ist bedenklich. Im Grunde schüchtert man die Bevölkerung ein, in der Hoffnung, sie auf diese Weise zum Einhalten der Notstandsregeln zu bringen. Die Ansage lautet sinngemäß: Wenn ihr nicht tut, was wir von euch verlangen, seid ihr schuld an einer weiteren Ausbreitung des Virus und an vielen Toten in den Risikogruppen! Bei einigen Menschen führt das zu Trotz und Widerstand, bei anderen zu Verängstigung und regressivem Verhalten. Beides vergiftet die gesellschaftliche Stimmung. Aus meiner Sicht stellt es immer eine Form von Politikversagen dar, wenn versucht wird, die Bürger mit Schuldgefühlen unter Druck zu setzen.”
• “Unsere Verfassung verlangt, dass bei Grundrechtseingriffen immer das mildest mögliche Mittel gewählt wird. Auch bei der Abwendung von Gefahren gilt nicht “viel hilft viel”, sondern: so viel wie nötig, so wenig wie möglich. Ansonsten fehlt es an der Verhältnismäßigkeit, und eine Maßnahme ist dann unter Umständen verfassungswidrig. Das erfordert also, dass man ernsthaft diskutiert, welche Vorgehen tatsächlich sinnvoll sind und welches davon am mildesten wäre. Dabei hätte ein wissenschaftlich fundierter Diskurs aller medizinischer Fachrichtungen zum Beispiel mittels einer Ad-hoc-Kommission helfen können. (…) Ein ernsthafter Diskurs kann auch unter Zeitdruck stattfinden, das muss nicht Monate dauern. In einer Demokratie darf man sich die Möglichkeit dazu nicht nehmen lassen. Erst einmal die Faktenlage so weit wie möglich zu klären und öffentlich zu machen, trägt zu sachlicher Klarheit und besseren Entscheidungen bei, es erhöht aber auch die Transparenz und damit die demokratische Legitimität.”
• “Mich macht es betroffen, dass in so schwierigen Zeiten viele Politiker wenig Rückgrat beweisen. Ich glaube noch nicht einmal, dass das Motiv der deutschen Politiker Machthunger ist. Mir scheint, es herrscht eher die Angst, man könnte ihnen später vorwerfen, dass sie zu wenig getan haben. Also überbietet man sich lieber gegenseitig beim Vorschlagen immer neuer drakonischer Verordnungen und versucht zu punkten, indem man sich als starker Anführer aufspielt. Dabei entsteht aber in meinen Augen kein Eindruck von Stärke, sondern von ziemlicher Kopflosigkeit.”
• “Wir wissen aus Erfahrung, wie gefährlich Angstmechanismen sind. Deshalb würde ich von verantwortlicher Politik und auch von verantwortlichen Medien verlangen, dass sie niemals Angst zu ihrem Werkzeug machen.”

Ich nehme an: Das wird am Montag nicht nur in der Onlinekonferenz der SZ besprochen. Ein Dank an Juli Zeh und ein Dank an Jan Heidtmann, der das Interview geführt hat. Vielleicht läuft ja im Hintergrund längst ein Kurs, der Nachrichtenredakteuren hilft, die Wirklichkeit im “Zahlenkonfetti” zu sehen. Datenerhebung, Einordnung, sprachliche Präzision (vgl. Meyen 2020c). Die Hoffnung jedenfalls hat sich noch nicht infiziert und stirbt bekanntlich ohnehin zuletzt.

Literatur

Ulrich Beck: Die Metamorphose der Welt. Berlin: Suhrkamp 2017.

Daria Gordeeva: Wenn Watchdogs schlafen. In: Michael Meyen (Hrsg.): Medienrealität 2020.

Michael Meyen: Die Medien-Epidemie. In: Michael Meyen (Hrsg.): Medienrealität 2020a.

Michael Meyen: Kniefall vor der Wissenschaft. In: Michael Meyen (Hrsg.): Medienrealität 2020b.

Michael Meyen: Daten + Experten = Demokratie? In: Bayerischer Forschungsverbund „Die Zukunft der Demokratie“ (Hrsg.): ForDemocracy 2020c.

@ 21335073:a244b1ad

Warning: This piece contains a conversation about difficult topics. Please proceed with caution.

TL;DR please educate your children about online safety.

Julian Assange wrote in his 2012 book Cypherpunks, “This book is not a manifesto. There isn’t time for that. This book is a warning.” I read it a few times over the past summer. Those opening lines definitely stood out to me. I wish we had listened back then. He saw something about the internet that few had the ability to see. There are some individuals who are so close to a topic that when they speak, it’s difficult for others who aren’t steeped in it to visualize what they’re talking about. I didn’t read the book until more recently. If I had read it when it came out, it probably would have sounded like an unknown foreign language to me. Today it makes more sense.

This isn’t a manifesto. This isn’t a book. There is no time for that. It’s a warning and a possible solution from a desperate and determined survivor advocate who has been pulling and unraveling a thread for a few years. At times, I feel too close to this topic to make any sense trying to convey my pathway to my conclusions or thoughts to the general public. My hope is that if nothing else, I can convey my sense of urgency while writing this. This piece is a watchman’s warning.

When a child steps online, they are walking into a new world. A new reality. When you hand a child the internet, you are handing them possibilities—good, bad, and ugly. This is a conversation about lowering the potential of negative outcomes of stepping into that new world and how I came to these conclusions. I constantly compare the internet to the road. You wouldn’t let a young child run out into the road with no guidance or safety precautions. When you hand a child the internet without any type of guidance or safety measures, you are allowing them to play in rush hour, oncoming traffic. “Look left, look right for cars before crossing.” We almost all have been taught that as children. What are we taught as humans about safety before stepping into a completely different reality like the internet? Very little.

I could never really figure out why many folks in tech, privacy rights activists, and hackers seemed so cold to me while talking about online child sexual exploitation. I always figured that as a survivor advocate for those affected by these crimes, that specific, skilled group of individuals would be very welcoming and easy to talk to about such serious topics. I actually had one hacker laugh in my face when I brought it up while I was looking for answers. I thought maybe this individual thought I was accusing them of something I wasn’t, so I felt bad for asking. I was constantly extremely disappointed and would ask myself, “Why don’t they care? What could I say to make them care more? What could I say to make them understand the crisis and the level of suffering that happens as a result of the problem?”

I have been serving minor survivors of online child sexual exploitation for years. My first case serving a survivor of this specific crime was in 2018—a 13-year-old girl sexually exploited by a serial predator on Snapchat. That was my first glimpse into this side of the internet. I won a national award for serving the minor survivors of Twitter in 2023, but I had been working on that specific project for a few years. I was nominated by a lawyer representing two survivors in a legal battle against the platform. I’ve never really spoken about this before, but at the time it was a choice for me between fighting Snapchat or Twitter. I chose Twitter—or rather, Twitter chose me. I heard about the story of John Doe #1 and John Doe #2, and I was so unbelievably broken over it that I went to war for multiple years. I was and still am royally pissed about that case. As far as I was concerned, the John Doe #1 case proved that whatever was going on with corporate tech social media was so out of control that I didn’t have time to wait, so I got to work. It was reading the messages that John Doe #1 sent to Twitter begging them to remove his sexual exploitation that broke me. He was a child begging adults to do something. A passion for justice and protecting kids makes you do wild things. I was desperate to find answers about what happened and searched for solutions. In the end, the platform Twitter was purchased. During the acquisition, I just asked Mr. Musk nicely to prioritize the issue of detection and removal of child sexual exploitation without violating digital privacy rights or eroding end-to-end encryption. Elon thanked me multiple times during the acquisition, made some changes, and I was thanked by others on the survivors’ side as well.

I still feel that even with the progress made, I really just scratched the surface with Twitter, now X. I left that passion project when I did for a few reasons. I wanted to give new leadership time to tackle the issue. Elon Musk made big promises that I knew would take a while to fulfill, but mostly I had been watching global legislation transpire around the issue, and frankly, the governments are willing to go much further with X and the rest of corporate tech than I ever would. My work begging Twitter to make changes with easier reporting of content, detection, and removal of child sexual exploitation material—without violating privacy rights or eroding end-to-end encryption—and advocating for the minor survivors of the platform went as far as my principles would have allowed. I’m grateful for that experience. I was still left with a nagging question: “How did things get so bad with Twitter where the John Doe #1 and John Doe #2 case was able to happen in the first place?” I decided to keep looking for answers. I decided to keep pulling the thread.

I never worked for Twitter. This is often confusing for folks. I will say that despite being disappointed in the platform’s leadership at times, I loved Twitter. I saw and still see its value. I definitely love the survivors of the platform, but I also loved the platform. I was a champion of the platform’s ability to give folks from virtually around the globe an opportunity to speak and be heard.

I want to be clear that John Doe #1 really is my why. He is the inspiration. I am writing this because of him. He represents so many globally, and I’m still inspired by his bravery. One child’s voice begging adults to do something—I’m an adult, I heard him. I’d go to war a thousand more lifetimes for that young man, and I don’t even know his name. Fighting has been personally dark at times; I’m not even going to try to sugarcoat it, but it has been worth it.

The data surrounding the very real crime of online child sexual exploitation is available to the public online at any time for anyone to see. I’d encourage you to go look at the data for yourself. I believe in encouraging folks to check multiple sources so that you understand the full picture. If you are uncomfortable just searching around the internet for information about this topic, use the terms “CSAM,” “CSEM,” “SG-CSEM,” or “AI Generated CSAM.” The numbers don’t lie—it’s a nightmare that’s out of control. It’s a big business. The demand is high, and unfortunately, business is booming. Organizations collect the data, tech companies often post their data, governments report frequently, and the corporate press has covered a decent portion of the conversation, so I’m sure you can find a source that you trust.

Technology is changing rapidly, which is great for innovation as a whole but horrible for the crime of online child sexual exploitation. Those wishing to exploit the vulnerable seem to be adapting to each technological change with ease. The governments are so far behind with tackling these issues that as I’m typing this, it’s borderline irrelevant to even include them while speaking about the crime or potential solutions. Technology is changing too rapidly, and their old, broken systems can’t even dare to keep up. Think of it like the governments’ “War on Drugs.” Drugs won. In this case as well, the governments are not winning. The governments are talking about maybe having a meeting on potentially maybe having legislation around the crimes. The time to have that meeting would have been many years ago. I’m not advocating for governments to legislate our way out of this. I’m on the side of educating and innovating our way out of this.

I have been clear while advocating for the minor survivors of corporate tech platforms that I would not advocate for any solution to the crime that would violate digital privacy rights or erode end-to-end encryption. That has been a personal moral position that I was unwilling to budge on. This is an extremely unpopular and borderline nonexistent position in the anti-human trafficking movement and online child protection space. I’m often fearful that I’m wrong about this. I have always thought that a better pathway forward would have been to incentivize innovation for detection and removal of content. I had no previous exposure to privacy rights activists or Cypherpunks—actually, I came to that conclusion by listening to the voices of MENA region political dissidents and human rights activists. After developing relationships with human rights activists from around the globe, I realized how important privacy rights and encryption are for those who need it most globally. I was simply unwilling to give more power, control, and opportunities for mass surveillance to big abusers like governments wishing to enslave entire nations and untrustworthy corporate tech companies to potentially end some portion of abuses online. On top of all of it, it has been clear to me for years that all potential solutions outside of violating digital privacy rights to detect and remove child sexual exploitation online have not yet been explored aggressively. I’ve been disappointed that there hasn’t been more of a conversation around preventing the crime from happening in the first place.

What has been tried is mass surveillance. In China, they are currently under mass surveillance both online and offline, and their behaviors are attached to a social credit score. Unfortunately, even on state-run and controlled social media platforms, they still have child sexual exploitation and abuse imagery pop up along with other crimes and human rights violations. They also have a thriving black market online due to the oppression from the state. In other words, even an entire loss of freedom and privacy cannot end the sexual exploitation of children online. It’s been tried. There is no reason to repeat this method.

It took me an embarrassingly long time to figure out why I always felt a slight coldness from those in tech and privacy-minded individuals about the topic of child sexual exploitation online. I didn’t have any clue about the “Four Horsemen of the Infocalypse.” This is a term coined by Timothy C. May in 1988. I would have been a child myself when he first said it. I actually laughed at myself when I heard the phrase for the first time. I finally got it. The Cypherpunks weren’t wrong about that topic. They were so spot on that it is borderline uncomfortable. I was mad at first that they knew that early during the birth of the internet that this issue would arise and didn’t address it. Then I got over it because I realized that it wasn’t their job. Their job was—is—to write code. Their job wasn’t to be involved and loving parents or survivor advocates. Their job wasn’t to educate children on internet safety or raise awareness; their job was to write code.

They knew that child sexual abuse material would be shared on the internet. They said what would happen—not in a gleeful way, but a prediction. Then it happened.

I equate it now to a concrete company laying down a road. As you’re pouring the concrete, you can say to yourself, “A terrorist might travel down this road to go kill many, and on the flip side, a beautiful child can be born in an ambulance on this road.” Who or what travels down the road is not their responsibility—they are just supposed to lay the concrete. I’d never go to a concrete pourer and ask them to solve terrorism that travels down roads. Under the current system, law enforcement should stop terrorists before they even make it to the road. The solution to this specific problem is not to treat everyone on the road like a terrorist or to not build the road.

So I understand the perceived coldness from those in tech. Not only was it not their job, but bringing up the topic was seen as the equivalent of asking a free person if they wanted to discuss one of the four topics—child abusers, terrorists, drug dealers, intellectual property pirates, etc.—that would usher in digital authoritarianism for all who are online globally.

Privacy rights advocates and groups have put up a good fight. They stood by their principles. Unfortunately, when it comes to corporate tech, I believe that the issue of privacy is almost a complete lost cause at this point. It’s still worth pushing back, but ultimately, it is a losing battle—a ticking time bomb.

I do think that corporate tech providers could have slowed down the inevitable loss of privacy at the hands of the state by prioritizing the detection and removal of CSAM when they all started online. I believe it would have bought some time, fewer would have been traumatized by that specific crime, and I do believe that it could have slowed down the demand for content. If I think too much about that, I’ll go insane, so I try to push the “if maybes” aside, but never knowing if it could have been handled differently will forever haunt me. At night when it’s quiet, I wonder what I would have done differently if given the opportunity. I’ll probably never know how much corporate tech knew and ignored in the hopes that it would go away while the problem continued to get worse. They had different priorities. The most voiceless and vulnerable exploited on corporate tech never had much of a voice, so corporate tech providers didn’t receive very much pushback.

Now I’m about to say something really wild, and you can call me whatever you want to call me, but I’m going to say what I believe to be true. I believe that the governments are either so incompetent that they allowed the proliferation of CSAM online, or they knowingly allowed the problem to fester long enough to have an excuse to violate privacy rights and erode end-to-end encryption. The US government could have seized the corporate tech providers over CSAM, but I believe that they were so useful as a propaganda arm for the regimes that they allowed them to continue virtually unscathed.

That season is done now, and the governments are making the issue a priority. It will come at a high cost. Privacy on corporate tech providers is virtually done as I’m typing this. It feels like a death rattle. I’m not particularly sure that we had much digital privacy to begin with, but the illusion of a veil of privacy feels gone.

To make matters slightly more complex, it would be hard to convince me that once AI really gets going, digital privacy will exist at all.

I believe that there should be a conversation shift to preserving freedoms and human rights in a post-privacy society.

I don’t want to get locked up because AI predicted a nasty post online from me about the government. I’m not a doomer about AI—I’m just going to roll with it personally. I’m looking forward to the positive changes that will be brought forth by AI. I see it as inevitable. A bit of privacy was helpful while it lasted. Please keep fighting to preserve what is left of privacy either way because I could be wrong about all of this.

On the topic of AI, the addition of AI to the horrific crime of child sexual abuse material and child sexual exploitation in multiple ways so far has been devastating. It’s currently out of control. The genie is out of the bottle. I am hopeful that innovation will get us humans out of this, but I’m not sure how or how long it will take. We must be extremely cautious around AI legislation. It should not be illegal to innovate even if some bad comes with the good. I don’t trust that the governments are equipped to decide the best pathway forward for AI. Source: the entire history of the government.

I have been personally negatively impacted by AI-generated content. Every few days, I get another alert that I’m featured again in what’s called “deep fake pornography” without my consent. I’m not happy about it, but what pains me the most is the thought that for a period of time down the road, many globally will experience what myself and others are experiencing now by being digitally sexually abused in this way. If you have ever had your picture taken and posted online, you are also at risk of being exploited in this way. Your child’s image can be used as well, unfortunately, and this is just the beginning of this particular nightmare. It will move to more realistic interpretations of sexual behaviors as technology improves. I have no brave words of wisdom about how to deal with that emotionally. I do have hope that innovation will save the day around this specific issue. I’m nervous that everyone online will have to ID verify due to this issue. I see that as one possible outcome that could help to prevent one problem but inadvertently cause more problems, especially for those living under authoritarian regimes or anyone who needs to remain anonymous online. A zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) would probably be the best solution to these issues. There are some survivors of violence and/or sexual trauma who need to remain anonymous online for various reasons. There are survivor stories available online of those who have been abused in this way. I’d encourage you seek out and listen to their stories.

There have been periods of time recently where I hesitate to say anything at all because more than likely AI will cover most of my concerns about education, awareness, prevention, detection, and removal of child sexual exploitation online, etc.

Unfortunately, some of the most pressing issues we’ve seen online over the last few years come in the form of “sextortion.” Self-generated child sexual exploitation (SG-CSEM) numbers are continuing to be terrifying. I’d strongly encourage that you look into sextortion data. AI + sextortion is also a huge concern. The perpetrators are using the non-sexually explicit images of children and putting their likeness on AI-generated child sexual exploitation content and extorting money, more imagery, or both from minors online. It’s like a million nightmares wrapped into one. The wild part is that these issues will only get more pervasive because technology is harnessed to perpetuate horror at a scale unimaginable to a human mind.

Even if you banned phones and the internet or tried to prevent children from accessing the internet, it wouldn’t solve it. Child sexual exploitation will still be with us until as a society we start to prevent the crime before it happens. That is the only human way out right now.

There is no reset button on the internet, but if I could go back, I’d tell survivor advocates to heed the warnings of the early internet builders and to start education and awareness campaigns designed to prevent as much online child sexual exploitation as possible. The internet and technology moved quickly, and I don’t believe that society ever really caught up. We live in a world where a child can be groomed by a predator in their own home while sitting on a couch next to their parents watching TV. We weren’t ready as a species to tackle the fast-paced algorithms and dangers online. It happened too quickly for parents to catch up. How can you parent for the ever-changing digital world unless you are constantly aware of the dangers?

I don’t think that the internet is inherently bad. I believe that it can be a powerful tool for freedom and resistance. I’ve spoken a lot about the bad online, but there is beauty as well. We often discuss how victims and survivors are abused online; we rarely discuss the fact that countless survivors around the globe have been able to share their experiences, strength, hope, as well as provide resources to the vulnerable. I do question if giving any government or tech company access to censorship, surveillance, etc., online in the name of serving survivors might not actually impact a portion of survivors negatively. There are a fair amount of survivors with powerful abusers protected by governments and the corporate press. If a survivor cannot speak to the press about their abuse, the only place they can go is online, directly or indirectly through an independent journalist who also risks being censored. This scenario isn’t hard to imagine—it already happened in China. During #MeToo, a survivor in China wanted to post their story. The government censored the post, so the survivor put their story on the blockchain. I’m excited that the survivor was creative and brave, but it’s terrifying to think that we live in a world where that situation is a necessity.

I believe that the future for many survivors sharing their stories globally will be on completely censorship-resistant and decentralized protocols. This thought in particular gives me hope. When we listen to the experiences of a diverse group of survivors, we can start to understand potential solutions to preventing the crimes from happening in the first place.

My heart is broken over the gut-wrenching stories of survivors sexually exploited online. Every time I hear the story of a survivor, I do think to myself quietly, “What could have prevented this from happening in the first place?” My heart is with survivors.

My head, on the other hand, is full of the understanding that the internet should remain free. The free flow of information should not be stopped. My mind is with the innocent citizens around the globe that deserve freedom both online and offline.

The problem is that governments don’t only want to censor illegal content that violates human rights—they create legislation that is so broad that it can impact speech and privacy of all. “Don’t you care about the kids?” Yes, I do. I do so much that I’m invested in finding solutions. I also care about all citizens around the globe that deserve an opportunity to live free from a mass surveillance society. If terrorism happens online, I should not be punished by losing my freedom. If drugs are sold online, I should not be punished. I’m not an abuser, I’m not a terrorist, and I don’t engage in illegal behaviors. I refuse to lose freedom because of others’ bad behaviors online.

I want to be clear that on a long enough timeline, the governments will decide that they can be better parents/caregivers than you can if something isn’t done to stop minors from being sexually exploited online. The price will be a complete loss of anonymity, privacy, free speech, and freedom of religion online. I find it rather insulting that governments think they’re better equipped to raise children than parents and caretakers.

So we can’t go backwards—all that we can do is go forward. Those who want to have freedom will find technology to facilitate their liberation. This will lead many over time to decentralized and open protocols. So as far as I’m concerned, this does solve a few of my worries—those who need, want, and deserve to speak freely online will have the opportunity in most countries—but what about online child sexual exploitation?

When I popped up around the decentralized space, I was met with the fear of censorship. I’m not here to censor you. I don’t write code. I couldn’t censor anyone or any piece of content even if I wanted to across the internet, no matter how depraved. I don’t have the skills to do that.

I’m here to start a conversation. Freedom comes at a cost. You must always fight for and protect your freedom. I can’t speak about protecting yourself from all of the Four Horsemen because I simply don’t know the topics well enough, but I can speak about this one topic.

If there was a shortcut to ending online child sexual exploitation, I would have found it by now. There isn’t one right now. I believe that education is the only pathway forward to preventing the crime of online child sexual exploitation for future generations.

I propose a yearly education course for every child of all school ages, taught as a standard part of the curriculum. Ideally, parents/caregivers would be involved in the education/learning process.

Course: - The creation of the internet and computers - The fight for cryptography - The tech supply chain from the ground up (example: human rights violations in the supply chain) - Corporate tech - Freedom tech - Data privacy - Digital privacy rights - AI (history-current) - Online safety (predators, scams, catfishing, extortion) - Bitcoin - Laws - How to deal with online hate and harassment - Information on who to contact if you are being abused online or offline - Algorithms - How to seek out the truth about news, etc., online

The parents/caregivers, homeschoolers, unschoolers, and those working to create decentralized parallel societies have been an inspiration while writing this, but my hope is that all children would learn this course, even in government ran schools. Ideally, parents would teach this to their own children.

The decentralized space doesn’t want child sexual exploitation to thrive. Here’s the deal: there has to be a strong prevention effort in order to protect the next generation. The internet isn’t going anywhere, predators aren’t going anywhere, and I’m not down to let anyone have the opportunity to prove that there is a need for more government. I don’t believe that the government should act as parents. The governments have had a chance to attempt to stop online child sexual exploitation, and they didn’t do it. Can we try a different pathway forward?

I’d like to put myself out of a job. I don’t want to ever hear another story like John Doe #1 ever again. This will require work. I’ve often called online child sexual exploitation the lynchpin for the internet. It’s time to arm generations of children with knowledge and tools. I can’t do this alone.

Individuals have fought so that I could have freedom online. I want to fight to protect it. I don’t want child predators to give the government any opportunity to take away freedom. Decentralized spaces are as close to a reset as we’ll get with the opportunity to do it right from the start. Start the youth off correctly by preventing potential hazards to the best of your ability.

The good news is anyone can work on this! I’d encourage you to take it and run with it. I added the additional education about the history of the internet to make the course more educational and fun. Instead of cleaning up generations of destroyed lives due to online sexual exploitation, perhaps this could inspire generations of those who will build our futures. Perhaps if the youth is armed with knowledge, they can create more tools to prevent the crime.

This one solution that I’m suggesting can be done on an individual level or on a larger scale. It should be adjusted depending on age, learning style, etc. It should be fun and playful.

This solution does not address abuse in the home or some of the root causes of offline child sexual exploitation. My hope is that it could lead to some survivors experiencing abuse in the home an opportunity to disclose with a trusted adult. The purpose for this solution is to prevent the crime of online child sexual exploitation before it occurs and to arm the youth with the tools to contact safe adults if and when it happens.

In closing, I went to hell a few times so that you didn’t have to. I spoke to the mothers of survivors of minors sexually exploited online—their tears could fill rivers. I’ve spoken with political dissidents who yearned to be free from authoritarian surveillance states. The only balance that I’ve found is freedom online for citizens around the globe and prevention from the dangers of that for the youth. Don’t slow down innovation and freedom. Educate, prepare, adapt, and look for solutions.

I’m not perfect and I’m sure that there are errors in this piece. I hope that you find them and it starts a conversation.

@ b1b16be0:08f41c1d

Norte

Sur Te ayuda avanzar! Y a tomar conciencia! 🔥Fuego 🌎Tierra 🔴Marte 🎵Mantra: Om Namo Bhagavate Narasimhaya Namaha

Sur Este Influye en transacciones prósperas y transiciones suaves 🔥Fuego 🔘Venus 🎵Mantra: https://youtu.be/45a4KwLTTHo?feature=shared

@ 078d6670:56049f0c

It felt like a pine cone had been dropped on my head from a great height, but there was no pine tree and, really, just sky and stars above me. I looked on the balcony around me, there was nothing. I resumed my slouch on the bench, re-lit the joint and contemplated the Universe.

After five minutes, the Universe hit again.

The anger bolted me off the bench. I looked around frantically for something to blame, an object lying red-faced on the floor, but nothing. I borrowed a high-powered torch and lit up the closest tree. Nothing suspicious, just the usual night shadows and leaves.

I came to the conclusion it had to be some kind of nocturnal bird protecting its nest: Night Jar or Owl.

It hit me again a week later on the back of my head on the deck below. But this time I caught a glimpse of its silent wings reflecting the ambient glow of the warm light from the lounge lamp just inside the house. Bust!

A Wood Owl.

It sat innocently on a branch staring back at me. I sat back on the bench, mesmerized and relieved. I re-lit the joint.

What does it mean? It’s got to mean something in this dreamworld. An omen, or portent, or am I just being paranoid that the Universe is trying to sabotage me. Okay, so we usually associate owls with wisdom, does that mean wisdom is going to hit me on the head? Surprise realizations busting my mind? And if I don’t get it, what’s next, lightning?!

I hope not.

It could be a simple reminder to be mindful of Consciousness around me. Like in a dream, everything is me. In this mysterious realm, Everything is Consciousness. And so in Vedanta philosophy: I am no-thing, but Consciousness.

The world around me is abundant in symbolism. I constantly ignore it, waiting for the booming sky-voice (or the owl whacking me on the back of the head), ignoring the micro-realizations, the little wisdoms discounted as monkey mind ramblings.

I know what I need to do. I tell myself every day. I am wise, it’s time to act like it.

@ ed84ce10:cccf4c2a

The Evolution of Hackathons: From Offline to Online, Powering Frontier Innovation Worldwide

Throughout the history of open-source platform technology, hackathons have been the launchpads for innovation—fueling breakthroughs, incubating the next generation of startups, and serving as the proving ground for builders. Over the past decade, DoraHacks has led the charge, driving the hacker movement and open-source revolution. We didn’t just witness the evolution of hackathons—we architected it.

The Online Revolution of Hackathons

Before 2020, hackathons were largely stuck in the physical world—you had to be in the room to participate. The idea of a fully online, global hackathon was a pipe dream. Then, DoraHacks.io changed everything. Suddenly, a developer in Africa could win funding from a hackathon hosted by a Silicon Valley company. Geographic barriers collapsed. Today, over 95% of hackathons happen online.

The Infrastructure Revolution: Making Hackathons 10x More Effective

DoraHacks relentlessly iterated on the hackathon model. We built BUIDL pages for real-time project showcases, a world-class hackathon organizer dashboard, MACI-powered decentralized privacy governance, and Grant DAOs that provide ongoing funding. The result? DoraHacks became the ultimate launchpad for hackers and early-stage builders.

The Ecosystem Revolution: Supercharging Open Innovation

DoraHacks became the backbone of Web3 innovation—from Ethereum, Solana, and BNB Chain to the next wave of blockchains like Aptos, Cosmos, Injective, TON, and Sonic. Since 2023, hackathons have expanded beyond crypto—quantum computing, commercial space tech, and AI-driven innovations are now being built on DoraHacks.

Rolling Hackathons and Uninterrupted BUIDLing - the New Standard for Ecosystem Growth

BUIDLs can be created spontaneously at any time. Hosting Hackathons as short-term events held only once or twice a year is not conducive to attracting outstanding Hackers and high-quality projects to join the ecosystem and drive innovation in the long term. To remediate this, Hackathons should be continuous and uninterrupted, serving as a long-term driving force within the developer ecosystem.

Historically, the high organizational costs and substantial resource investments associated with frequent Hackathons meant that most emerging ecosystems couldn't afford to host them regularly. As a result, Hackathons became rare, annual spectacles, and for some projects, an unaffordable luxury. This model severely restricted developers' chances to participate and hindered the ecosystem's ability to innovate consistently. Let's imagine what would happen if an ecosystem held 12 or more Hackathons each year?

• Developers have a clear loyalty incentive: They would know that the ecosystem is committed to supporting and funding excellent developers and projects continuously, which would encourage them to make long-term investments and contribute regularly.
• Missing out is no longer an issue: Even if a developer couldn't attend a particular Hackathon, there would be another one soon, increasing accessibility.
• Accelerated ecosystem innovation: Frequent Hackathons would accelerate ecosystem innovation. Developers would be constantly pushed to explore new directions, significantly boosting the growth rate of the technological ecosystem.

Previously, due to the limitations of costs and organizational difficulties, frequent Hackathons were almost unthinkable. Only ecosystems with sufficient funds like Google and Amazon could afford rolling Hackathons. But now, DoraHacks' upcoming BUIDL AI platform tools are set to change the game. These tools make it possible to organize 12 Hackathons in a year, and even go a step further by enabling the simultaneous hosting of multiple differently-themed Hackathons. This will help emerging ecosystems effectively incentivise developers, expand their technological influence, and increase the number of exceptional BUIDLs (projects) in their ecosystems.

The majority of BUIDLs come about continuously and spontaneously and should be recognized and incentivized promptly, rather than having to wait for the single annual Hackathon.

As the saying goes, "He who wins over developers wins the world." In the highly competitive Web3 space, Hackathons are an effective means of attracting developers, and rolling Hackathons are the best way to achieve this. For an ecosystem to stay competitive, it must ensure that developers always have opportunities to engage and create.

The AI Era of Hackathons: A 10x Opportunity, A 10x Challenge

AI Turns Everyone Into a Hacker

AI has obliterated repetitive work. Building is faster than ever. Anyone, from anywhere, can hack, ship, and scale with AI tools that accelerate ideation, development, and execution. The potential of hackathons in this AI-powered era is 10x bigger than ever before.

But Hackathon Infrastructure Is Stuck in the Past

Despite this massive opportunity, organizing hackathons remains painfully inefficient:

• Most organizations don’t know how to run hackathons effectively.
• Even those who do lack time and resources to do it frequently.
• Ecosystem builders who have the resources can only host one hackathon per year.

The result?

• Hackathons are underutilized, slowing innovation.
• Ecosystem growth is bottlenecked by developer relations (DevRel) teams.
• Many ecosystems fail to maximize the potential of hackathons.
• Low-frequency hackathons waste hacker potential—builders sit idle when they could be shipping.

BUIDL AI: Unlocking the Infinite Potential of Hackathons

We refuse to let inefficiency limit innovation. BUIDL AI is our answer.

DoraHacks is launching BUIDL AI, the AI-powered Hackathon Co-Pilot that automates, scales, and supercharges hackathon organization.

BUIDL AI: The Game-Changing Features

1. Edit and Launch: One-Click Hackathon Deployment

Organizers can now launch a hackathon in minutes by filling in basic details (prizes, themes, workshops, judges, etc.). No tedious manual setup.

2. BUIDL Review: Submission Evaluation (10x Faster)

Traditional hackathons get hundreds of submissions—judging takes hundreds of hours. BUIDL AI changes the game. It automatically scores projects based on completeness, originality, and theme relevance—filtering out low-quality submissions 10x faster than before.

3. Automated Marketing: Instant Hackathon Reports

After the hackathon ends, BUIDL AI auto-generates a full post-event report—highlighting winners, standout projects, and key takeaways—boosting visibility and impact.

4. Seamless Interaction: Smarter Collaboration, No Bottlenecks

BUIDL AI will interact with hackathon organizers to keep organizers in sync, alerting them about new submissions, pending approvals, and participant inquiries in real time. No more dropped balls.

5. Multi-Hackathon Management: Scaling Innovation Without Limits

Before BUIDL AI, running multiple hackathons at once was a logistical nightmare. Now, ecosystem builders can launch and manage multiple hackathons seamlessly, boosting innovation frequency exponentially

The full BUIDL AI Beta version will release on April 15th, but multiple free BUIDL AI features have already been available on DoraHacks.io!

BUIDL AI: The Next Great Leap in Open Innovation

Hackathons aren’t just competitions. They are the birthplace of the next trillion-dollar innovations.

With BUIDL AI, hackathons enter a new era—automated, intelligent, and infinitely scalable. This means more hackers, more builders, and more breakthrough projects than ever before.

At DoraHacks, we believe in an open, hacker-driven future. BUIDL AI is the rocket fuel for that future.

@ bbb5dda0:f09e2747

Time isn't constant, or at least my perception of it isn't. The past two weeks have been like 2 months for me! In a good way... I'm playing catch-up with my updates so this one will only focus on week 10 because so much happened!

I'm lucky enough to be joining #SovEng for the second time, where a bunch of Nostr geeks get together and all work on our part to fix the internet, join in deliberation, hike, demo, and repeat...

GitHub actions in GitWorkshop

I hit off the first week by working with nostr:npub15qydau2hjma6ngxkl2cyar74wzyjshvl65za5k5rl69264ar2exs5cyejr to see what the Git Actions workflow looks like in a decentralized world. Because now anyone can be an operator, the flow will be different than on legacy git collaboration tools. We hashed out an early version of a user interface. You can check it out at vnext.gitworkshop.dev. Go to profile icon > settings > experimental mode (on).

The issues we face

We're having some debates wether or not the workflow runners fit within the DVM spec. The main difference between this and all DVM implementations that i'm aware of. Is that most DVM are quite cookie-cutter input, processing, then answer within a few seconds.

Costs not known up front

The workflow runners are long-running jobs, they can run for hours potentially, AND it's impossible to know how long a job is going to take beforehand, meaning there can be no set price per invocation. So we send a pre-payment for the maximum runtime (price/sec * timeoutSec) and expect the runner to return the change when the job is done, so we need to account for that.

Handling cancellations

Also when a job is cancelled, which in the DVM spec is done by a delete request, which forms a problem because we want to keep a history of our runs, even if they're cancelled.

DVM partial results

We currently use partial results to 'stream' back logs from the job. However the log output of jobs can be massive and we might not want to keep them around for long, Ephemeral would might be better suited for that and the final log output could be saved on blossom to be included in the final status.

Queueing runs

The DVM spec does not specify any queuing messaging/statuses. Workflows can rely heavily on the type of machine they run on. Architecture, OS, memory or vCPU's. That means you might want to schedule jobs even though all potential runners are currently busy. Therefore a queueing system makes a lot of sense. We might be able to squeeze such a system into our implementation of the DVM spec. But it's just one of the things that makes us wonder if we're not drifting too far from the spec to still call it a DVM.

Some screenshots of our implementation: https://vnext.gitworkshop.dev/arjen@swissdash.site/dvm-cicd-runner

| | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --- | | | | | | |

---

Infernal Insights

Aaah... Logging and metrics, our favourite hard-to-manage infrastructure thing we don't really want to do but kind of need to make a good product.

Coming from the DevOps world, these systems usually can be incredibly valuable, but can be a pain to set up and/or maintain.

I ended up on a fun proof-of-concept together with nostr:npub1ye5ptcxfyyxl5vjvdjar2ua3f0hynkjzpx552mu5snj3qmx5pzjscpknpr and nostr:npub15qydau2hjma6ngxkl2cyar74wzyjshvl65za5k5rl69264ar2exs5cyejr we made this dead simple nostr message:

json { "kind": 1314, "expires": "tags": [ ["expiration", nostrNow() + oneMonth], ["n" "tollgate-site"] // Application Namespace ["p, "1096f6b...a74c7ecc"] // pubkey of person behind current deployment ], "content": "The button on the top-right disappears when i hover on it." } It basically tags the developer of the application/site and a namespace (aka: the name of the software). @hzrd created this simple button to add to a website header that creates the ability to send these events.

The n tag is there to give the name of the software, that way different people (npubs) can gather feedback on seperate deployments, and the developer of said software could also utilize this data for its own purposes by filtering on the n tag. Whereas a developer is probably only interested in their own deployment

The events are ONLY meant as raw data, like human written feedback, maybe crash logs. It can be anything and they're not meant to be kept around for long, it should be ingested by a pipeline, which can then run one or more rounds of filtering, tagging, categorizing. Each resulting in a new refined event, ingestable by the next.

However for this experiment we stuck with ingesting it, and do just one step of refinement and send it off to a logging-aggregation system, in this case Grafana Loki. We basically sent the logs straight over there, but we also added a fun extra feature, sentiment analysis!

We sent the contents of the logs over to ppq.ai and let it give us a sentiment score from 1 to 10. So we can get a sense of how positive/negative the feedback is. This same principle can be applied in so many ways. Think of categorizing by LLM. You can group feedback based on if it's about the UI for example. It'd be easy to group them and create a Nostr git issue out of those.

Find my software for the dat ingestion here.

@ d6c48950:54d57756

A lot of people talk about how bitcoin has averaged 60% yearly but I personally find this to be misleading so I thought I'd use historic prices and portfolioperformance to see if you DCA (or in this case did a weekly purchase) starting at jan 1st of each year ending dec 31st

| Year | % Change | |------|----------| | 2024 | +124% | | 2023 | +140% | | 2022 | -60% | | 2021 | +60% | | 2020 | +267% | | 2019 | +71% | | 2018 | -67% | | 2017 | +588% | | 2016 | +38% | | 2015 | +7% |

If you showed this to any investor at any hedge fund they wouldn't believe it, yet this is something that through DCA apps like strike is performance anyone can get through just setting it and forgetting it.

@ e97aaffa:2ebd765d

No programa Pé de Meia do Camilo Lourenço, o seu recorrente convidado/patrocinador, explica os critérios que utiliza para avaliar as empresas. Segundo ele, um dos principais critérios para selecionar as melhores empresas, são critérios intangíveis.

Curiosamente, este mesmo senhor, num programa anterior, critica e recusa-se a investir em Bitcoin. Uma justificativa apresentada era, que não investia em algo que não podia ser palpável, que não poderia ser calculado o valor, ou seja, por ser intangível.

Só que neste programa, entra em contradição, ao dizer que um dos principais critérios que utiliza para avaliar as empresas são critérios intangíveis. A hipocrisia do tradiFi.

No programa foi apresentada a seguinte tabela:

Os pontos apresentados na tabela, são essencialmente os mesmos que nós, bitcoiners, utilizamos para caracterizar o Bitcoin, os seus pontos fortes.

Os tradiFi vivem numa cegueira ideológica, que não o permite ver o óbvio, mas o tempo é implacável, mais tarde ou mais cedo vão mudar de opinião. E quem não mudar vai ficar para trás.

@ 7d33ba57:1b82db35

Cádiz

Cádiz, one of Europe’s oldest cities, is a stunning Andalusian port town with golden beaches, rich history, and lively local culture. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, it offers a blend of ancient charm, delicious seafood, and vibrant festivals.

🏛️ Top Things to See & Do in Cádiz

1️⃣ Cádiz Cathedral (Catedral de Cádiz)

A magnificent baroque and neoclassical cathedral with a golden dome. Climb the Torre de Poniente for panoramic city views!

2️⃣ La Caleta Beach

A picturesque urban beach framed by historic fortresses—perfect for sunset views and a relaxing swim.

3️⃣ Torre Tavira & Camera Obscura

One of Cádiz’s watchtowers, offering stunning 360° views and a fascinating optical projection of the city.

4️⃣ Mercado Central (Central Market)

A paradise for seafood lovers, where you can taste fresh fish, tapas, and local specialties.

5️⃣ Castillo de San Sebastián & Castillo de Santa Catalina

Two historic coastal fortresses with incredible views of the ocean and city skyline.

6️⃣ Plaza de España & Monument to the Constitution of 1812

A beautiful square with grand architecture, celebrating Spain’s first liberal constitution.

7️⃣ Walk the Seaside Promenades

Enjoy a scenic stroll along the Alameda Apodaca or the Parque Genovés, full of palm trees and ocean breezes.

🍽️ What to Eat in Cádiz

• Pescaíto frito – Crispy fried fish, a local specialty 🐟
• Tortillitas de camarones – Shrimp fritters, light and crunchy 🍤
• Atún de almadraba – Fresh tuna, often grilled or marinated 🐟
• Sherry wine (Jerez) – Cádiz is near Jerez, home of the famous fortified wine 🍷

🚆 How to Get to Cádiz

🚆 By Train: Direct trains from Seville (~1.5 hrs)
🚗 By Car: ~1 hr 20 min from Seville
✈️ Nearest Airport: Jerez Airport (XRY), ~40 min away

💡 Tips for Visiting Cádiz

✅ Best time to visit: Spring & summer for the beaches, February for the Cádiz Carnival 🎭
✅ Wear comfy shoes – Cádiz is best explored on foot! 👟
✅ Day trips – Visit Jerez de la Frontera for sherry & flamenco or Bolonia Beach for Roman ruins

@ 000002de:c05780a7

Was watching this old clip of the great Thomas Sowell discuss Obama's broad decrees and promises when he uttered this gold quip.

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/916888

@ fd78c37f:a0ec0833

In this edition, we’re thrilled to sit down with Tomek K from Bitcoin Alby, a passionate advocate for Bitcoin’s global adoption. Tomek K shares how Alby is driving innovation in the Bitcoin ecosystem and offers a glimpse into his vision for the cryptocurrency’s future. From his journey as a libertarian activist to co-founding the Bitcoin Film Festival, Tomek K’s story is one of curiosity, purpose, and a relentless pursuit of freedom through technology.

YakiHonne: Tomek K, it’s a pleasure to meet you! Today, we’re diving into your community topic—Alby Wallet. But before we begin, let me introduce our readers to Yakihonne. Yakihonne is a decentralized media client powered by the Nostr protocol, dedicated to promoting free speech through technology. It empowers creators to truly own their voices and assets, offering features like smart filtering, verified notes, and a focus on long-form content. So, Tomek, could you tell us about yourself and your work with Alby?

Tomek K: Of course! I’m Tomek K, originally from Poland, and right now, I’m speaking to you from Sri Lanka. I love traveling and observing how different countries adopt Bitcoin. For most of my career, I’ve been a free-market advocate, promoting economic freedom through various projects—essentially doing PR for capitalism. I’ve organized conferences, political demonstrations, economic seminars, summer festivals, and even opened a bar in Warsaw to spread these ideas in different ways.

During this advocacy work, I came across Bitcoin. At first, I didn’t pay much attention to it, but over time, I started feeling frustrated—our efforts raised awareness about freedom, but they didn’t bring measurable change. That led me to study Bitcoin more deeply, and I gradually shifted my focus to Bitcoin activism. Along the way, I collaborated with publishers to translate Bitcoin-related books into Polish and co-founded the Bitcoin Film Festival with friends from Meetup. Later, I joined Alby, marking my transition from free-market activism to Bitcoin promotion.

At the Bitcoin Film Festival, I handle operations and networking—organizing the event, managing logistics, and making things happen. Our team is small, but I enjoy the work. I’m passionate about Bitcoin because I came for the revolution, and I’m staying for the revolution.

That said, I don’t consider myself a Bitcoin absolutist. I see Bitcoin as a tool for freedom, not just a currency or a more efficient technology. If there were a better tool for advancing liberty and making societies freer, I’d probably focus on that. But for now, Bitcoin appears to be the most effective tool for freedom. Ultimately, I consider myself a “life maximalist”—because to live a good life, you need freedom, and to have freedom today, you need sound money. And right now, that money is Bitcoin.

YakiHonne: Was there a specific moment or event that sparked your interest in Bitcoin and motivated you to join the Alby community?

Tomek K: What attracted me to Bitcoin was its promise of global monetary independence and its ability to reduce the control of the Federal Reserve, central banks, and governments—the strongest and most covert control mechanisms in the world. Unfortunately, many people, even libertarians, often overlook this.

As for why I joined Alby, it’s because this startup is driven by values and mission rather than simply chasing profits, like selling tokens or games. This aligns well with my interest in the Lightning Network. As I explored Lightning more deeply, I came across Alby. I’ve always enjoyed testing new tools, trying them firsthand, and understanding the communities behind them—so naturally, I became part of it. Along the way, I also got to know some of the team members, which reinforced my involvement.

Additionally, Alby supported the Bitcoin Film Festival. While they weren’t the largest sponsor, their contribution was generous. The festival served as a great platform for them and other projects. I think it was good marketing because people like me—who have strong networking skills, arrange podcast interviews, and organize various activities—help build awareness and positive PR. That was part of my role.

If I had to pinpoint a single defining moment that led me here, I honestly couldn’t. Becoming a Bitcoiner doesn’t happen overnight. You can’t just read The Bitcoin Standard, declare that you understand Bitcoin, and instantly become a maximalist. Anyone who’s intellectually honest will admit that it takes multiple touchpoints—articles, films, career shifts, essays, hands-on experimentation, and actually using Bitcoin—to truly grasp its significance. I had many such moments along the way: reading The Bitcoin Standard, learning from friends who had a deeper understanding of Bitcoin, and working at Alby, which further expanded my knowledge of the Lightning Network’s capabilities and limitations. It wasn’t one turning point but a series of pivotal experiences that shaped my path.

YakiHonne: How did the Alby community start, and how did it attract its first members?

Tomek K: When I joined Alby, the community had already been established for some time. It originally emerged within the browser design community, where early users helped developers refine the product by providing feedback. That’s how the first members joined, and this process has been ongoing for four years now.

As for how Alby attracted members, it was through a mix of channels—social media (Twitter, Telegram, Discord), email engagement, and active participation in Bitcoin conferences. But the core strategy has always been openness, engaging with users, and listening to their feedback. Sometimes that means making a joke, sometimes defending against unfair criticism, and other times implementing requested features. We’ve always worked to maintain an active and friendly community atmosphere.

We also host bi-weekly community calls, which are a central part of our activities. Every two weeks, available team members meet with users for open Q&A sessions, issue discussions, and demonstrations of various projects integrating with Alby. I’ve participated in some of these calls, and they help maintain strong relationships with users, developers, and other projects—something crucial for the ecosystem. The Bitcoin technology landscape is somewhat fragmented, and grassroots coordination is necessary since there’s no single leader defining terminology or coding practices.

That’s also why Alby doesn’t exist in isolation. Almost everything we’ve built has been made possible by the creators of previous libraries, prior codebases, and collaborative efforts in writing specifications for protocols. Projects like Yakihonne and many others also recognize the importance of open-source collaboration. I think it’s essential to acknowledge the contributions of the open-source community. One thing I really appreciate is that Bitcoiners are driving open-source development in virtually every part of the world, all working toward a shared and meaningful goal.

YakiHonne:Were there any notable challenges in the early days that left a strong impression on you?

Tomek K :When I first joined Alby, I struggled with a bit of imposter syndrome for months. I was handling PR for the project, but I didn’t fully understand all the technical details—how certain protocols interact or what’s happening under the hood. It took time to get familiar with everything and really feel like I belonged.

Regulatory pressure has also been a huge challenge. In some cases, developers have been arrested, projects have had to leave certain countries, and users have been geoblocked based on their location. But challenges like these can also drive innovation. For example, Alby developed AlbyHub, an open-source self-custodial node, as a response to these kinds of issues.

There are always risks in this space—governments might suddenly demand a banking license or require compliance with new regulations. These are real obstacles, but we tackle them by embracing decentralization and open-source solutions. That’s how we ensure the project stays true to its mission and vision.

YakiHonne:If someone wanted to start a Bitcoin community today or grow an existing one, what advice would you give them?

Tomek K: The most important thing is to just get started. A community begins with action, and it takes more than one person. Even if it’s just you and a friend grabbing a beer, that’s already a start. Maybe after the first or second meetup, you post on Meetup.com, Twitter, or local forums:"Hey, we’re hosting a Bitcoin meetup in this city. We just want to connect with other Bitcoiners!" If you keep doing it consistently, the community will naturally grow. Over time, the bar where you meet might get interested in accepting Bitcoin, or you might meet some OGs in your area who decide to join—maybe they already run a business and want to support what you’re doing.

You don’t have to over-plan everything from the start. No need to think, “We need a podcast, 10 episodes, a logo…”—all that can come later. Just bootstrap it: organize a meetup, grab a beer, and get going. As you go, you’ll adapt, improve, and build recognition.Beyond that, it’s a great way to meet other Bitcoiners, develop leadership skills, and learn about community building. And at the very least, you’ll have fun doing it—which, honestly, is one of the main reasons I keep organizing meetups and other activities.

YakiHonne: Exactly, the key is to take action—just start and see where it leads. Does your community focus more on Bitcoin’s technical aspects, like coding and development, or do you emphasize non-technical areas such as education and outreach? Or do you try to balance both?

Tomek K: Our users come from all kinds of backgrounds. Some are very engaged and provide feedback regularly, while others prefer to stay in the background. Some attend our community calls, and within that group, some are developers actively building projects and collaborating with us. At the same time, there are developers we know are out there, but they never directly engage with us. That’s just how the Bitcoin community works—there’s no strict definition of being part of Alby. People engage in their own way. Some users are active on Discord, some aren’t, but we treat them all as part of the family, keeping them informed through newsletters, offering support, and making sure they stay updated with what’s happening at Alby.

As for whether we lean more toward technical development or non-technical outreach, there’s no clear-cut answer. Our community is diverse—we cater to a wide range of Lightning Network users. Some just use the browser extension, while others are deeply involved in our ecosystem. We also work with NGOs, educational initiatives, and community organizations. At the same time, we place a strong emphasis on developers and maintaining good relationships with them. Our repositories and developer portal offer useful libraries and examples, making it easier for both aspiring and experienced developers to integrate the Lightning Network into their projects. Developer relations are something we consider highly important.

YakiHonne: I understand that you're also the founder of another Bitcoin-related film project. Could you tell us a bit about it? What exactly inspired you to combine Bitcoin and filmmaking?

Tomek K: Yes, I founded Bitcoin Film Fest to help build what I call Bitcoin Cinema—an emerging industry that blends Bitcoin and filmmaking. I wanted to track everything happening at the intersection of these two worlds. Just like e-commerce, energy, and information technology, I believe the film industry will eventually be shaped by Bitcoin. And in fact, it’s already happening. There are Bitcoin-themed movies, and even major Hollywood productions have started including Bitcoin references. Bitcoin filmmakers, Bitcoin culture, and even a Bitcoin subculture already exist. We have our own heroes, stories, and values, and from this, films are being created. I love cinema, and I love Bitcoin—this was my way of bringing the two together.

The festival itself happened somewhat by accident—but maybe it was meant to be. It all started in Warsaw when I was organizing a Bitcoin meetup. I planned to screen a Bitcoin documentary, but due to technical issues, it didn’t happen. So, over a few beers, we came up with an idea: if we couldn’t show one film, why not go all in and create a full-scale Bitcoin film festival? We started researching and realized there were enough Bitcoin-related films out there to make it happen. So, we did.

The response from the community was overwhelmingly positive. It became clear that people wanted a space for Bitcoin cinema—a hub for information, networking, and collaboration. We started using the term “Binema” (Bitcoin Cinema) to describe this emerging genre. I find it fascinating to witness the growth of Bitcoin culture and storytelling. Before this, I had followed libertarian artistic movements closely, and now I see how important culture is for Bitcoin’s adoption—it’s not just about the technical and financial aspects.

Bitcoin adoption isn’t going to happen overnight, and it won’t happen without developers, educators, infrastructure builders, UX designers, and many others contributing to the ecosystem. Culture is one of the most powerful tools for shaping society, and I, like many others, am working to bring Bitcoin adoption closer through film. We’re witnessing the early days of Bitcoin cinema. I missed out on the birth of traditional cinema, but this time, I want to be part of it.

YakiHonne:In your region, does the government support or oppose Bitcoin? How has this stance impacted the development of the Bitcoin community so far?

Tomek K :Bitcoin doesn’t concern itself with nation-state borders, and frankly, we don’t either. The situation in Poland has little influence on what we do. The only connection is that I, along with two others, happen to be in Poland, but most of our team is globally distributed. On a broader scale, the U.S. tends to shape regulatory trends, and unfortunately, it often does so in a more restrictive way. However, Poland itself hasn’t had a significant impact on our work.

YakiHonne:Has your Bitcoin Film Fest community ever used film as a way to connect with members—perhaps by watching a Bitcoin-related movie or hosting a movie night to make things more fun and engaging? Have you done anything like that before?

Tomek K:Yes, absolutely! The film festival itself is a great example—we watch movies together and build a community around them. Aside from the festival we organized in Warsaw, we've also hosted film screenings at various Bitcoin events, like Sats and Facts in Thailand, BTC Prague, Plan B Lugano, Frimadera, Adopting Bitcoin, and several other conferences. We also organize online watch parties—actually, there's one happening next Sunday. The movie is available on Prime Video, but we'll sync up on Discord to watch it together, chat, and share our thoughts. We'll be announcing it on Twitter, so if you check Bitcoin Film Fest on Twitter, you'll find details on how to join.

Film has been a great way to connect with members and spark discussions. We've seen Bitcoin meetups worldwide organizing movie nights—our volunteer friends in Montenegro have hosted one, and our partners in Kenya and South Africa have done the same. Lately, movie nights have been happening more and more frequently, which is exciting.

It's still early—after all, Bitcoin is only 16 years old, so the selection of Bitcoin movies is still relatively small. Many of these films haven’t had large budgets or massive talent pools yet, but that’s changing. Right now, we’re primarily focused on showing films within the Bitcoin community rather than creating films aimed at the general public. That said, those kinds of projects are also emerging. I’m optimistic about the growth of Bitcoin cinema—better storytelling, AI-driven advancements, increasing interest from audiences, and even sponsors willing to invest in filmmakers. Big things are coming, and while we already have some great Bitcoin films, the best is yet to come. We’re still in the early days, and this is the time to contribute and help shape the future of Bitcoin cinema.

YakiHonne:We’ve come to the end of today’s interview, and I’ve truly enjoyed every moment of it. I’m very sure your idea will be incredibly engaging, inspiring more people and attracting a broad audience. Thank you so much for your time today—it was a great conversation.

@ 88dc84f5:c71164f7

Quantum computing is a revolutionary technology that has the potential to solve complex problems that are currently unsolvable with traditional computers. In this beginner's guide, we'll explore the basics of quantum computing, its principles, and potential applications.

What is Quantum Computing?

Quantum computing is a type of computing that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to perform calculations. Unlike classical computers, which use bits to store and process information, quantum computers use quantum bits or qubits.

Qubits: The Building Blocks of Quantum Computing

Qubits are the fundamental units of quantum information. They have the unique ability to exist in multiple states simultaneously, which allows quantum computers to process multiple possibilities at the same time.

How Does Quantum Computing Work?

Quantum computing works by exploiting the unique properties of qubits. Here's a simplified overview of the process:

1. Preparation: Qubits are prepared in a specific state.
2. Quantum gates: Quantum gates are applied to the qubits to perform operations.
3. Measurement: The qubits are measured to retrieve the results.

Key Principles of Quantum Computing:

1. Superposition: Qubits can exist in multiple states simultaneously.
2. Entanglement: Qubits can become "entangled," meaning their properties are connected even when separated.
3. Quantum measurement: Qubits can be measured, which causes them to collapse into a single state.

Potential Applications of Quantum Computing:

1. Cryptography: Quantum computers can break certain types of encryption, but they can also be used to create unbreakable encryption methods.
2. Optimization: Quantum computers can be used to optimize complex systems, such as logistics and supply chains.
3. Materials science: Quantum computers can be used to simulate the behavior of materials at the atomic level.
4. Artificial intelligence: Quantum computers can be used to speed up certain types of machine learning algorithms.

Real-World Examples of Quantum Computing: 1. Google's Quantum AI Lab: Google has developed a quantum computer that can be used to optimize machine learning algorithms. 2. IBM's Quantum Experience: IBM has developed a cloud-based quantum computer that can be used by researchers and developers. 3. Quantum-inspired optimization: Companies like Volkswagen and Lockheed Martin are using quantum-inspired optimization techniques to improve their operations.

Challenges and Limitations of Quantum Computing: 1. Error correction: Quantum computers are prone to errors due to the fragile nature of qubits. 2. Scalability: Currently, quantum computers are small-scale and need to be scaled up to be practical. 3. Quantum noise: Quantum computers are susceptible to noise, which can cause errors.

Conclusion:

Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize many fields, from cryptography to materials science. While there are challenges and limitations to overcome, the potential benefits of quantum computing make it an exciting and rapidly evolving field.

Glossary of Terms: - Qubit: A quantum bit, the fundamental unit of quantum information. - Superposition: The ability of a qubit to exist in multiple states simultaneously. - Entanglement: The connection between two or more qubits that allows them to affect each other even when separated. - Quantum measurement: The process of measuring a qubit, which causes it to collapse into a single state.

I hope this beginner's guide has provided a helpful introduction to the world of quantum computing! @Yakihonne

@ 75869cfa:76819987

GM, Nostriches!

The Nostr Review is a biweekly newsletter focused on Nostr statistics, protocol updates, exciting programs, the long-form content ecosystem, and key events happening in the Nostr-verse. If you’re interested, join me in covering updates from the Nostr ecosystem!

Quick review:

In the past two weeks, Nostr statistics indicate over 225,000 daily trusted pubkey events. The number of new users has seen a notable decrease, with profiles containing a contact list dropping by 95%. More than 10 million events have been published, with posts and reposts showing a decrease. Total Zap activity stands at approximately 15 million, marking a 10% decrease.

Additionally, 26 pull requests were submitted to the Nostr protocol, with 6 merged. A total of 45 Nostr projects were tracked, with 8 releasing product updates, and over 463 long-form articles were published, 29% focusing on Bitcoin and Nostr. During this period, 2 notable events took place, and 3 significant events are upcoming.

Nostr Statistics

Based on user activity, the total daily trusted pubkeys writing events is about 225,000, representing a slight 8 % decrease compared to the previous period. Daily activity peaked at 18179 events, with a low of approximately 16093.

The number of new users has decreased significantly. Profiles with a contact list are now around 17,511, reflecting a 95% drop. Profiles with a bio have decreased by 62% compared to the previous period. The only category showing growth is pubkeys writing events, which have increased by 27%.

Regarding event publishing, all metrics have shown a decline. The total number of note events published is around 10 million, reflecting a 14% decrease. Posts remain the most dominant in terms of volume, totaling approximately 1.6 million, which is a 6.1% decrease. Both reposts and reactions have decreased by about 10%.

For zap activity, the total zap amount is about 15 million, showing an increase of over 10% compared to the previous period.

Data source: https://stats.nostr.band/

NIPs

Bulletin Boards

nostr:npub1gcxzte5zlkncx26j68ez60fzkvtkm9e0vrwdcvsjakxf9mu9qewqlfnj5z is proposing that A bulletin board is a relay-centric system of forums where users can post and reply to others, typically around a specific community. The relay operator controls and moderates who can post and view content. A board is defined by kind:30890. Its naddr representation must provide the community's home relays, from which all posts should be gathered. No other relays should be used.

Add NIP-101e: Workout Events

nostr:npub1xy54p83r6wnpyhs52xjeztd7qyyeu9ghymz8v66yu8kt3jzx75rqhf3urc is proposing a standardized way to represent fitness and workout data in Nostr, including: Exercise Templates (kind: 33401) for storing reusable exercise definitions, Workout Templates (kind: 33402) for defining workout plans, Workout Records (kind: 1301) for recording completed workouts. The format provides structured data for fitness tracking while following Nostr conventions for data representation.Many fitness applications use proprietary formats, locking user data into specific platforms. This NIP enables decentralized fitness tracking, allowing users to control their workout data and history while facilitating social sharing and integration between fitness applications.

NIP-47 client-created secret

nostr:npub1zk6u7mxlflguqteghn8q7xtu47hyerruv6379c36l8lxzzr4x90q0gl6ef is proposing a PR introduces two "1-click" connection flows for setting up initial NWC connections. Rather than having to copy-paste a connection string, the user is presented with an authorization page which they can approve or decline. The secret is generated locally and never leaves the client. HTTP flow - for publicly accessible lightning wallets. Implemented in Alby Hub (my.albyhub.com) and CoinOS (coinos.io). Nostr flow - for mobile-based / self-hosted lightning wallets, very similar to NWA but without a new event type added. Implemented in Alby Go and Alby Hub. Benefits over NWC Deep Links are that it works cross-device, mobile to web, and the client-generated secret never leaves the client. Both flows are also implemented in Alby JS SDK and Bitcoin Connect.

add B0 NIP for Blossom interaction

nostr:npub180cvv07tjdrrgpa0j7j7tmnyl2yr6yr7l8j4s3evf6u64th6gkwsyjh6w6 describes a tiny subset of possible Blossom capabilities, but arguably the most important from the point of view of a most basic Nostr client. This NIP specifies how Nostr clients can use Blossom for handling media. Blossom is a set of standards (called BUDs) for dealing with servers that store files addressable by their SHA-256 sums. Nostr clients may make use of all the BUDs for allowing users to upload files, manage their own files and so on, but most importantly Nostr clients SHOULD make use of BUD-03 to fetch kind:10063 lists of servers for each user.

NIP-C0: Communi-keys

nostr:npub149p5act9a5qm9p47elp8w8h3wpwn2d7s2xecw2ygnrxqp4wgsklq9g722q defines a standard for creating, managing and publishing to communities by leveraging existing key pairs and relays, introducing the concept of "Communi-keys". This approach allows any existing npub to become a community (identity + manager) while maintaining compatibility with existing relay infrastructure.

A way for relays to be honest about their algos

securitybrahh is proposing a PR introduces NIP-41, a way for relays to be honest about their algos, edits 01.md to account for changes in limit (related #78, #1434, received_at?, #620, #1645) when algo is provided, appends 11.md for relays to advertize whether they are an aggregator or not and their provided algos. solves #522, supersedes #579.

nip31: template-based "alt" tags for known kinds

nostr:npub180cvv07tjdrrgpa0j7j7tmnyl2yr6yr7l8j4s3evf6u64th6gkwsyjh6w6 is proposing that clients hardcoding alt tags are not very trustworthy. alt tags tend to be garbage in a long-enough timeframe.This fixes it with hardcoded rich templates that anyone can implement very easily without having to do it manually for each kind. alt tags can still be used as a fallback.

First draft of NIP-44v3

nostr:npub1gcxzte5zlkncx26j68ez60fzkvtkm9e0vrwdcvsjakxf9mu9qewqlfnj5z is proposing a PR addresses 3 main problems of NIP-44v2. First, It has a message size limit of 65Kb, which is unnecessarily small. Second, It forces the encrypting key to be the same as the event's signing key. Which forces multi-sig actors to share their main private key in order to encrypt the payload that would be later signed by the group. Decoupling singing and encryption keys, for both source and destination, is one of the goals of this version. And It offers no way to describe what's inside the encrypted blob before requesting the user's approval to decrypt and send the decrypted info back to the requesting application. This PR adds an alt description to allow decrypting signers to display a message and warn the user of what type of information the requesting application is receiving.

Notable Projects

Damus nostr:npub18m76awca3y37hkvuneavuw6pjj4525fw90necxmadrvjg0sdy6qsngq955

• Notes in progress will always be persisted and saved automatically. Never lose those banger notes when you aren't quite ready to ship them.
• Make your profile look just right without any fuss. It also optimizes them on upload now to not nuke other people’s phone data bills.
• You won't see the same note more than once in your home feed.
• Fixed note loading when clicking notifications and damus.io links.
• Fixed NWC not working when you first connect a wallet.
• Fixed overly sensitive and mildly infuriating touch gestures in the thread view when scrolling

Primal nostr:npub12vkcxr0luzwp8e673v29eqjhrr7p9vqq8asav85swaepclllj09sylpugg

Primal for Android build 2.1.9 has been released. * Multi-account support * Deep linking support * "Share via Primal" support * Bug fixes and improvements

Yakihonne nostr:npub1yzvxlwp7wawed5vgefwfmugvumtp8c8t0etk3g8sky4n0ndvyxesnxrf8q

YakiHonne Wallet just got a fresh new look!

0xchat nostr:npub1tm99pgz2lth724jeld6gzz6zv48zy6xp4n9xu5uqrwvx9km54qaqkkxn72

0xchat v1.4.7-beta release * Upgraded the Flutter framework to v3.29.0. * Private chat implementation changed to NIP-104 Nostr MLS. * NIP-17 and NIP-29 messages now support q tags. * You can swipe left to reply to your own messages. * Chat messages now support code block display. * Copy images from the clipboard. * Fixed an issue where underlined text in chat appeared as italic.

GOSSIP 0.14.0 nostr:npub189j8y280mhezlp98ecmdzydn0r8970g4hpqpx3u9tcztynywfczqqr3tg8

Several major bugs have been fixed in the last week. * New Features and Improvements * Zappers and amounts are now shown (click on the zap total) * Reactions and who reacted are now shown (click on the reaction numbers) * Multiple search UI/UX improvements * Undo Send works for DMs too * Undo Send now restores the draft * UI: Side panel contains less so it can be thinner. Bottom bar added. * UI: frame count and spinner (optional) * Relay UI: sorting by score puts important relays at the top. * Relay UI: add more filters so all the bits are covered * Image and video loading is much faster (significant lag reduction) * Thread loading fix makes threads load far more reliably * Settings have reset-to-default buttons, so you don't get too lost. * Setting 'limit inbox seeking to inbox relays' may help avoid spam at the expense of possibly * Fix some bugs * And more updates

Nostur v1.18.1 nostr:npub1n0stur7q092gyverzc2wfc00e8egkrdnnqq3alhv7p072u89m5es5mk6h0

New in this version: * Floating mini video player * Videos: Save to library, Copy video URL, Add bookmark * Improved video stream / chat view * Top zaps on live chat * Posting to Picture-first * Profile view: Show interactions with you (conversations, reactions, zaps, reposts) * Profile view: Show actual reactions instead of only Likes * Improved search + Bookmark search * Detect nsfw / content-warning in posts * Show more to show reactions outside Web of Trust * Show more to show zaps outside Web of Trust * Support .avif image format * Support .mp3 format * Support .m4v video format * Improved zap verification for changed wallets * Improved outbox support * Show label on restricted posts * Low data mode: load media in app on tap instead of external browser * Many other bug fixes and performance improvements

Alby nostr:npub1getal6ykt05fsz5nqu4uld09nfj3y3qxmv8crys4aeut53unfvlqr80nfm

Latest two releases of Alby Go, 1.10 and 1.11, brought you lots of goodies: * BTC Map integration for quick access to global bitcoin merchants map * Confirm new NWC connections to your Alby Hub directly in Alby Go! No more copy-pasting or QR code scanning * Support for MoneyBadger Pay Pick n Pay QR payments in over 2000 stores in South Africa

ZEUS v0.10.0 nostr:npub1xnf02f60r9v0e5kty33a404dm79zr7z2eepyrk5gsq3m7pwvsz2sazlpr5

ZEUS v0.10.0 is now available. This release features the ability to renew channel leases, spin up multiple embedded wallets, Nostr Wallet Connect client support, and more. * Renewable channels * NWC client support * Ability to create multiple Embedded LND 'node in the phone' wallets * Ability to delete Embedded LND wallets * Embedded LND: v0.18.5-beta * New share button (share ZEUS QR images) * Tools: Export Activity CSVs, Developer tools, chantools * Activity: filter by max amount, memo, and note

Long-Form Content Eco

In the past two weeks, more than 463 long-form articles have been published, including over 91 articles on Bitcoin and more than 41 related to Nostr, accounting for 29% of the total content.

These articles about Nostr mainly explore the rise of Nostr as a decentralized platform that is reshaping the future of the internet. They emphasize Nostr's role in providing users with greater freedom, ownership, and fair monetization, particularly in the realm of content creation. The platform is positioned as a counter to centralized social media networks, offering uncensored interactions, enhanced privacy, and direct transactions. Many articles delve into Nostr’s potential to integrate with Bitcoin, creating a Layer 3 solution that promises to end the dominance of old internet structures. Discussions also cover the technical aspects of Nostr, such as the implementation of relays and group functionalities, as well as security concerns like account hacks. Furthermore, there is an exploration of the philosophical and anthropological dimensions of Nostr, with the rise of "Dark Nostr" being portrayed as a deeper expression of decentralized freedom.

The Bitcoin articles discuss the ongoing evolution of Bitcoin and its increasing integration into global financial systems. Many articles focus on the growing adoption of Bitcoin, particularly in areas like Argentina and the U.S., where Bitcoin is being used for rental payments and the establishment of a strategic Bitcoin reserve. Bitcoin is also portrayed as a response to the centralized financial system, with discussions about how it can empower individuals through financial sovereignty, provide a hedge against inflation, and create fairer monetization models for creators. Additionally, the articles explore the challenges and opportunities within the Bitcoin ecosystem, including the rise of Bitcoin ETFs, the development of Bitcoin mining, and the potential impact of AI on Bitcoin adoption. There is also emphasis on Bitcoin's cultural and economic implications, as well as the need for decentralized education and innovation to drive further adoption.

Thank you, nostr:npub1ygzsm5m9ndtgch9n22cwsx2clwvxhk2pqvdfp36t5lmdyjqvz84qkca2m5 nostr:npub1rsv7kx5avkmq74p85v878e9d5g3w626343xhyg76z5ctfc30kz7q9u4dke nostr:npub17wrn0xxg0hfq7734cfm7gkyx3u82yfrqcdpperzzfqxrjf9n7tes6ra78k nostr:npub1fxq5crl52mre7luhl8uqsa639p50853r3dtl0j0wwvyfkuk4f6ssc5tahv nostr:npub1qny3tkh0acurzla8x3zy4nhrjz5zd8l9sy9jys09umwng00manysew95gx nostr:npub19mf4jm44umnup4he4cdqrjk3us966qhdnc3zrlpjx93y4x95e3uq9qkfu2 nostr:npub1marc26z8nh3xkj5rcx7ufkatvx6ueqhp5vfw9v5teq26z254renshtf3g0 nostr:npub1uv0m8xc6q4cnj2p0tewmcgkyzg8cnteyhed0zv30ez03w6dzwvnqtu6gwl nostr:npub1ygzsm5m9ndtgch9n22cwsx2clwvxhk2pqvdfp36t5lmdyjqvz84qkca2m5 nostr:npub1mhcr4j594hsrnen594d7700n2t03n8gdx83zhxzculk6sh9nhwlq7uc226 nostr:npub1xzuej94pvqzwy0ynemeq6phct96wjpplaz9urd7y2q8ck0xxu0lqartaqn nostr:npub1gqgpfv65dz8whvyup942daagsmwauj0d8gtxv9kpfvgxzkw4ga4s4w9awr nostr:npub16dswlmzpcys0axfm8kvysclaqhl5zv20ueurrygpnnm7k9ys0d0s2v653f and others, for your work. Enriching Nostr’s long-form content ecosystem is crucial.

Nostriches Global Meet Ups

Recently, several Nostr events have been hosted in different countries. * The first Bitcoin Meetup organized by Mi Primer Bitcoin was successfully held on March 14, 2025, at Texijal Pizza in Apaneca. The event included Bitcoin education, networking, a Q&A session, and merchandise distribution, offering an exciting experience for all participants.
* The Btrust Space discussion was successfully held on March 13, 2024. The event focused on how to support Bitcoin developers, fund open-source contributions, and grow the Bitcoin ecosystem. The speakers included Bitcoin core contributors, Btrust CEO, engineering leads, and other project leaders.

Here is the upcoming Nostr event that you might want to check out.

• The Nostr Workshop, organized by YakiHonne and Bitcoin Safari, will take place online via Google Meet on March 17, 2025, at 7:00 PM (GMT+1). The event will introduce the Nostr ecosystem and Bitcoin payments, with participants learning about decentralized technology through YakiHonne and earning rewards. Register and verify your account to claim exclusive rewards, and invite friends to unlock additional rewards.
• The 2025 Bitcoin, Crypto Economy, and Law FAQ Webinar will be held online on March 20, 2025 (Thursday) from 12:00 to 13:00 Argentina time. The webinar will be hosted by Martin Paolantonio (Academic Director of the course) and Daniel Rybnik (Lawyer specializing in Banking, Corporate, and Financial Law). The session aims to introduce the academic program and explore Bitcoin, the crypto economy, and related legal issues.
• Bitcoin Educators Unconference 2025 will take place on April 10, 2025, at Bitcoin Park in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. This event is non-sponsored and follows an Unconference format, allowing all participants to apply as speakers and share their Bitcoin education experiences in a free and interactive environment. The event has open-sourced all its blueprints and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to encourage global communities to organize similar Unconference events.

Additionally, We warmly invite event organizers who have held recent activities to reach out to us so we can work together to promote the prosperity and development of the Nostr ecosystem.

Thanks for reading! If there’s anything I missed, feel free to reach out and help improve the completeness and accuracy of my coverage.

@ da0b9bc3:4e30a4a9

Hello Stackers!

Welcome on into the ~Music Corner of the Saloon!

A place where we Talk Music. Share Tracks. Zap Sats.

So stay a while and listen.

🚨Don't forget to check out the pinned items in the territory homepage! You can always find the latest weeklies there!🚨

🚨Subscribe to the territory to ensure you never miss a post! 🚨

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/916364

@ 0f53ff86:e380fc00

This article is cross posted from my personal blog at danjones.io.

Why has the "yes" been troubling me?

On look-back, I've been saying yes to almost everything that friends and family ask of me ever since the beginning of my adult life. Whether it be a DIY job, a call to help them in their hardships and an assist in times of need.

Upon rereading, it's not at all negative. The problem I have is I don't say this to myself, reciprocate or seek others in my time of need. I lack the ability to express myself.

Is this recompense for youthful errors? Do I lack self-respect, and as a result, push myself for others to make up for that? Why such harsh self-criticism? Why this undeserving feeling?

Self Awareness & Anxiety

Sometime about 4-5 years ago, I saw a councillor to fight this obsession with myself that I don't deserve the great things that come into life. The outcome of these sessions was that I was "highly self aware".

What does this mean?

• Honesty with oneself: I'm consistently honest with myself, almost too honest. I acknowledge how I feel, even if it's difficult.
• Reflection: Constant consideration of how my social actions, thoughts, and feelings affect others. Again, a little too much. Post-conversation, I often think of better responses and actions.
• Learning from mistakes: This I feel like is a brag, I don't want it to come across this way. I treat my mistakes as learning opportunities, but also spend too much time focussing on the mistake and how that could have been averted. 

Having a heightened self awareness isn't bad. It's a great mindset to have, but in combination with anxiety, it can go wrong quickly.

But why am I including this? What connection does it have?

Subconscious

Am I subconsciously doing good for others to cover for the lack of involvement and assist to others in my younger years?

I wasn't your ideal son in my teen years. I was lazy, had no care for others, only ever cared for what benefited me only. Does this affect me in later life? Possibly.

I think things turned around in my early twenties. Professional work life had kicked in, met my partner who I'm still with today (and appreciate her every day) and I think a combination of these things turned me into who I am today.

Lacking ability to reward your person

A few months prior to attending a counselling session, I had applied for and was provided opportunity for 2 other workplaces. They were promising jobs with incredible self-development and financial opportunities.

I had declined both.

Feeling rewarded for what I saw as a lack of ability to fulfil the role and not understanding why I was rewarded for being myself consumed me and occupied my mind excessively. I felt like everything that had led me to this moment in my professional life was purely based on luck and right-place, right-time.

Because of this, I declined both.

That's not to say I was ever unhappy in my job, hence seeking work elsewhere. I love my job and still work in that role today. Great people, varied work and fantastic self-help are some of the key factors I'm in my role today.

I just wanted the opportunity to show everyone else I am capable of more, but alas, I failed, and that destroyed me.

Is an explicit yes bad?

Absolutely not. Throughout self-reflection on these moments over the years, being kind, helpful, caring to others in their time of need is more important now than ever. We live in a world filled with hate that if I can find an opportunity to make someone's day, I will always take that.

The problem I had to fight was self-respect, self-reward and inability to express how I feel or a need for help from others. Tying my wins and current life achievements not to luck or time and place, but to significant decisions made and the time I spend working on myself. Be it, self-reflections sessions, self studying and tech examinations (something I'm incredibly proud of) and more.

Who am I today?

Here, I want to put out who I am today, not just for me, but for others. I feel like if I'm able to provide a little more insight into my life and overcoming the challenges, someone, even if a single person, may benefit.

I am a person who;

• Is caring and loving.
• Tries to bring joy to others.
• Works hard to develop their skills and capabilities.
• Pushes oneself to excel.
• Takes time to help others, even if it comes at a penalty to one's own time.
• Should be rewarded for life's achievements..

My current situation: how did it happen?

1. Record your achievements and shortcomings.
2. Use a notepad or app. Reflect on these. Praise yourself for your good, and see how you might remedy the failures.
3. Write the positives about yourself and repeat them back to yourself 2-3 times a day.
4. For me, it was;
   1. Your current place in life isn't due to luck its down to ability and self investment.
   2. There is no right place or the right time. Only right decisions, which is why you are who you are today.
   3. I am a caring, loving person.
   4. I take pride in myself, and enjoy bringing joy to others.
5. Get out more.
6. Get out more! I'm a tech nerd and as a result, I spend a lot of time indoors. Take the time, even its half an hour, to walk around, go somewhere new. Grab a coffee at your local coffee shop and take in your surroundings. This will also help get you out of your own thoughts.
7. Exercise
8. Again, as a tech nerd, I spent a lot of my time sat down at a computer. Hardly great for your body or mind.
   1. Go for a run. Get that sense of achievement. Release those endorphins and push yourself each time.
   2. Attend the gym. Go to a gym to complete your exercise, but also meet others.

@ fbf0e434:e1be6a39

DoraHacks 是 全球黑客运动的推动者

DoraHacks 是全球最大的Hackathon社区平台，致力于推动全球范围内的创新变革。在生物科技领域，类似的 Hacker 运动正在形成，并被称为无FDA社会（FDA Free Society）。这是 DoraHacks 在 生物科技领域的核心关注方向，我们相信，医疗和生物技术创新不应受制于官僚主义，而应以更自由、高效的方式加速发展。

FDA：生物科技创新的主要障碍

在全球医疗和生物科技创新的进程中，FDA（美国食品药品监督管理局）长期以来被认为是最大的一道障碍。它的监管模式虽然出发点是确保安全性和有效性，但实际上已经成为医疗创新的桎梏，主要体现在以下几个方面：

1. 审批流程过于冗长和官僚

   新药和新疗法的研发周期极其漫长，通常需要 10-15 年才能上市，使得许多有潜力的创新治疗方案被无情地耗尽在繁杂的审批流程中。

2. 高昂的合规成本

   由于 FDA 监管下的临床试验成本极高，许多潜在的突破性治疗因无法负担昂贵的试验费用而被扼杀，导致病人得不到及时的救治。

3. FDA 与大药企形成的利益护城河

   现行的监管体系更有利于资金雄厚的大型制药公司，而小型生物科技公司和创新团队往往难以突破 FDA 的壁垒，最终导致真正的创新被排挤出市场。

市场驱动的生物科技创新更高效

与官僚机构控制医疗创新相比，市场驱动的模式能够更快速、更灵活地推动医疗技术进步：

1. 市场决定哪些疗法更有价值

   在一个自由竞争的环境下，创新疗法的优劣可以由市场和用户（医生、病人）来决定，而不是被行政机构耗时数年的审批流程所束缚。

2. Right to Try 法案：对现有监管的突破

   美国已经推出 Right to Try（生存权利）法案，允许绝症患者尝试尚未获得 FDA 完全批准的疗法。这一法案证明，现有监管体系的僵化已严重影响患者的治疗机会，而自由市场提供了一种更可行的替代方案。

3. 科技创业公司的加速作用

   在市场的推动下，科技创业公司比政府监管机构更具敏捷性。例如，mRNA 技术的加速发展 正是由于市场驱动的模式，而非 FDA 监管的严格审批。可以预见，未来的新药研发将更依赖市场而非政府干预。

BioHack：突破 FDA 监管的桎梏

在 BioTech 领域，抗衰老和生命延长技术是未来最重要的突破方向之一，但这一领域的发展长期受到 FDA 的巨大阻碍：

1. BioTech 需要 FDA Free 的实验环境

   未来的医疗创新应像 AI 和区块链等开源软件行业一样，采用开放式创新模式，让科学家和创业者自由实验，而非受制于一套过时的审批体系。

2. 自由市场驱动的医疗体系将成为趋势

   未来可能会出现 私人和社区支持的医疗实验室，以及一个更加去中心化的医疗体系，让创业团队和个体用户来决定医学的进步方向，而不是让政府机构和大型制药公司掌控一切。

结语

FDA Free Society 是 BioTech 领域即将发生的黑客运动。我们将确保BioHack发生在DoraHacks。

@ e5de992e:4a95ef85

Overview: Market Rebound Amidst Economic Uncertainty

On Monday, March 17, 2025, U.S. stock markets experienced gains for the second consecutive session, signaling potential stabilization following recent volatility. Key indices reported the following gains:

• S&P 500: Increased by 0.6%
• Dow Jones Industrial Average: Rose by 0.9%
• Nasdaq Composite: Edged up 0.3%
• Russell 2000: Notably rose by 1.2%

Despite these daily gains, year-to-date figures indicate that major indices remain below their previous highs:

• S&P 500: Down 3.5%

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: Down 1.7%

• Nasdaq Composite: Down 7.8%

• Russell 2000: Down 7.3%

---

Key Factors Influencing Market Movements

1. Economic Data and Consumer Behavior

• Recent reports show a marginal rebound in U.S. retail sales for February; however, the increase fell short of expectations.
• Factory activity in New York State experienced its most significant decline in nearly two years.

---

2. Federal Reserve's Upcoming Meeting

• The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is set to meet on March 18-19, 2025.
• Although current interest rates are expected to remain between 4.25% and 4.50%, investors are keenly awaiting signals for potential future adjustments.

---

3. Geopolitical Tensions and Trade Policies

• President Donald Trump's evolving tariff strategies—particularly concerning trade with Canada and Mexico—have heightened market uncertainty.
• These policies complicate the Federal Reserve's data-dependent approach to interest rate decisions, as tariffs could drive inflation while weakening the job market.

---

4. Sector-Specific Developments

• Technology:
  Companies such as Nvidia and Tesla have experienced declines; Nvidia fell 1% ahead of its GTC AI conference, while Tesla dropped nearly 3%.

• Defense:
  Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. saw a significant increase of 5.6%, outperforming competitors during a positive trading session.

---

Commodity Markets

• Oil:
  Prices increased, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures nearing $67.85 per barrel, reflecting stability in energy markets.

• Gold:
  Prices remained near $3,000 per ounce, continuing their rally amidst market uncertainty.

---

Market Outlook

As markets navigate a complex landscape of economic indicators and geopolitical events, investor attention remains focused on the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting and related economic data releases. The outcomes of the FOMC meeting—coupled with ongoing trade policy developments—are expected to play pivotal roles in shaping market trajectories in the near term.

@ 1d7ff02a:d042b5be

ອາຫານທີ່ມີທາດແປ້ງຕ່ຳ (low-carb) ແລະ ອາຫານແບບຄີໂຕ (keto) ເປັນປະເດັນຂັດແຍ້ງກັນມາດົນນານ. ບາງຄົນຍົກຍ້ອງວ່າມັນຊ່ວຍໃນການຫຼຸດນ້ຳໜັກ ແລະ ສຸຂະພາບຂອງລະບົບເມຕາບໍລິກ, ໃນຂະນະທີ່ຄົນອື່ນເຕືອນກ່ຽວກັບຄວາມສ່ຽງທີ່ອາດເກີດຂຶ້ນ. ບົດຄວາມວິທະຍາສາດລ່າສຸດທີ່ມີຊື່ວ່າ "ຄວາມເຊື່ອທີ່ຜິດ ແລະ ຄວາມຈິງກ່ຽວກັບອາຫານທີ່ມີທາດແປ້ງຕ່ຳ" ທ້າທາຍຄວາມເຂົ້າໃຈຜິດຫຼາຍຢ່າງ ແລະ ນຳສະເໜີຫຼັກຖານທາງວິທະຍາສາດທີ່ແໜ້ນແຟ້ນສະໜັບສະໜູນອາຫານປະເພດນີ້.

ອາຫານທີ່ມີທາດແປ້ງຕ່ຳແມ່ນຫຍັງກັນແທ້?

ເຮົາມາເລີ່ມຕົ້ນດ້ວຍຄຳນິຍາມກ່ອນ. ອາຫານທີ່ມີທາດແປ້ງຕ່ຳຈຳກັດທາດແປ້ງໃຫ້ບໍ່ເກີນ 130 ກຣາມຕໍ່ວັນ (25% ຂອງພະລັງງານ), ໃນຂະນະທີ່ອາຫານແບບຄີໂຕຈຳກັດທາດແປ້ງໃຫ້ນ້ອຍລົງຄື 20-50 ກຣາມ (10% ຂອງພະລັງງານ). ເຖິງແມ່ນວ່າຈະມີຊື່ສຽງວ່າເປັນ "ອາຫານແຟຊັ່ນ", ວິທີການເຫຼົ່ານີ້ໄດ້ສະສົມການສະໜັບສະໜູນຈາກການຄົ້ນຄວ້າທີ່ສຳຄັນໃນເກືອບສາມທົດສະວັດ.

ເປັນຫຍັງອາຫານທີ່ມີທາດແປ້ງຕ່ຳຈຶ່ງສຳຄັນ

ໃນເມື່ອພາວະອ້ວນ, ເບົາຫວານ, ແລະ ພະຍາດຫົວໃຈ ແລະ ຫຼອດເລືອດໄດ້ເຖິງລະດັບການລະບາດ, ຄວາມຕ້ອງການການແຊກແຊງທາງອາຫານທີ່ມີປະສິດທິພາບບໍ່ເຄີຍສຳຄັນເທົ່ານີ້ມາກ່ອນ. ບົດຄວາມນີ້ລະບຸວ່າອາຫານທີ່ມີທາດແປ້ງຕ່ຳບໍ່ພຽງແຕ່ເປັນກະແສທີ່ຜ່ານໄປ ແຕ່ເປັນຍຸດທະສາດທີ່ໄດ້ຮັບການຄົ້ນຄວ້າຢ່າງດີສຳລັບການຈັດການສຸຂະພາບຂອງລະບົບເມຕາບໍລິກ.

ການຍອມຮັບທາງການແພດເພີ່ມຂຶ້ນ

ກະແສກຳລັງປ່ຽນໃນວົງການແພດກະແສຫຼັກ. ອົງການໃຫຍ່ໆລວມທັງສະມາຄົມເບົາຫວານອາເມລິກາ ປັດຈຸບັນຍອມຮັບອາຫານທີ່ມີທາດແປ້ງຕ່ຳວ່າເປັນທີ່ຍອມຮັບໄດ້ສຳລັບການຈັດການເບົາຫວານປະເພດ 2. ສະມາຄົມຫົວໃຈອາເມລິກາໄດ້ຍອມຮັບວ່າອາຫານທີ່ມີທາດແປ້ງຕ່ຳຫຼາຍນຳໄປສູ່ "ການຫຼຸດລົງຂອງ A1c ຫຼາຍກວ່າ, ການຫຼຸດນ້ຳໜັກຫຼາຍກວ່າ, ແລະ ໃຊ້ຢາເບົາຫວານໜ້ອຍກວ່າ" ເມື່ອປຽບທຽບກັບວິທີການທີ່ໃຊ້ທາດແປ້ງປານກາງ.

ການລົບລ້າງຄວາມເຊື່ອທີ່ຜິດທົ່ວໄປ

"ທ່ານຕ້ອງການທາດແປ້ງເພື່ອການມີຊີວິດຢູ່"

ແປກໃຈບໍ່! ສະຖາບັນວິທະຍາສາດແຫ່ງຊາດສະຫຼຸບວ່າປະລິມານທາດແປ້ງທີ່ຈຳເປັນແມ່ນສູນ. ຮ່າງກາຍຂອງທ່ານສາມາດສ້າງນ້ຳຕານກລູໂຄສຜ່ານຂະບວນການ gluconeogenesis.

"ມັນຈະເຮັດໃຫ້ຄໍເລສເຕີຣອນຂອງທ່ານສູງຂຶ້ນ ແລະ ເຮັດໃຫ້ເກີດອາການຫົວໃຈວາຍ"

ໃນຂະນະທີ່ຄໍເລສເຕີຣອນ LDL ບາງຄັ້ງສູງຂຶ້ນ (ໂດຍສະເພາະໃນຄົນຜອມ), ການສຶກສາຫຼ້າສຸດພົບວ່າສິ່ງນີ້ບໍ່ໄດ້ແປວ່າຈະເຮັດໃຫ້ຮ່າງກາຍສະສົມຄາບຕິດໃນຫຼອດເລືອດເພີ່ມຂຶ້ນ. ໃນຂະນະດຽວກັນ, ອາຫານທີ່ມີທາດແປ້ງຕ່ຳປັບປຸງຕົວຊີ້ວັດພະຍາດຫົວໃຈອື່ນໆຫຼາຍຢ່າງ, ລວມທັງໄຂມັນໃນເລືອດ, HDL, ການອັກເສບ, ແລະ ຄວາມດັນເລືອດສູງ.

"ຊີ້ນແດງໃນອາຫານທີ່ມີທາດແປ້ງຕ່ຳເພີ່ມຄວາມສ່ຽງຂອງມະເຮັງ"

ການທົບທວນຄຸນນະພາບສູງສຸດຂອງເອກະສານທາງວິທະຍາສາດພົບວ່າມີຫຼັກຖານທີ່ເຊື່ອຖືໄດ້ພຽງເລັກນ້ອຍຫາບໍ່ມີເລີຍທີ່ເຊື່ອມໂຍງການບໍລິໂພກຊີ້ນແດງກັບມະເຮັງ. ການສຶກສາໃນອະດີດຫຼາຍຄັ້ງອີງໃສ່ຂໍ້ມູນການສັງເກດທີ່ອ່ອນແອແທນທີ່ຈະເປັນການທົດລອງທາງຄລີນິກທີ່ມີການຄວບຄຸມ.

"ມັນບໍ່ສາມາດຮັກສາໄດ້ໃນໄລຍະຍາວ"

ການສຳຫຼວດກ່ຽວກັບຄົນ 1,580 ຄົນພົບວ່າສ່ວນໃຫຍ່ຮັກສາອາຫານທີ່ມີທາດແປ້ງຕ່ຳໄດ້ເປັນເວລາຫຼາຍກວ່າໜຶ່ງປີ, ໂດຍ 34% ຮັກສາໄດ້ 2+ ປີ. ຄວາມຮູ້ສຶກອີ່ມຈາກໂປຣຕີນ ແລະ ໄຂມັນຊ່ວຍໃຫ້ຄົນບໍ່ຮູ້ສຶກຫິວລະຫວ່າງຄາບອາຫານ.

"ມັນມີລາຄາແພງເກີນໄປ"

ການວິເຄາະຕົ້ນທຶນພົບວ່າອາຫານທີ່ມີທາດແປ້ງຕ່ຳມີຄ່າໃຊ້ຈ່າຍຫຼາຍກວ່າພຽງແຕ່ປະມານ $1.27 ຕໍ່ຄົນຕໍ່ວັນເມື່ອທຽບກັບຄຳແນະນຳມາດຕະຖານ. ແມ່ນແຕ່ປະຊາກອນທີ່ມີລາຍໄດ້ຕ່ຳກໍສາມາດປັບຮັບເອົາວິທີການກິນແບບນີ້ໄດ້ສຳເລັດ.

"ທ່າແຮງໃນການປິ່ນປົວເບົາຫວານ"

ອາດຈະໜ້າປະທັບໃຈທີ່ສຸດ: ການທົດລອງທາງຄລີນິກສະແດງໃຫ້ເຫັນວ່າຫຼາຍກວ່າ 50% ຂອງຜູ້ເຂົ້າຮ່ວມທີ່ມີເບົາຫວານປະເພດ 2 ສາມາດກັບຄືນມາດີຂຶ້ນໄດ້ດ້ວຍອາຫານແບບຄີໂຕ, ໂດຍສ່ວນໃຫຍ່ຫຼຸດລົງຫຼືຢຸດເຊົາໃຊ້ຢາພາຍໃນພຽງແຕ່ 10 ອາທິດ.

ທີ່ມາ: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/6/1047#B4-nutrients-17-01047 ສະຫລຸບ ແລະ ແປໂດຍ: ChatGPT, Claude

@ 7252ad94:d19de472

![[BTC March 17 25.jpg]]#Bitcoin #btccharts #BitcoinCharts

@ 7252ad94:d19de472

![[BTC March 17 25.jpg]]#Bitcoin #btccharts #BitcoinCharts

@ d6c48950:54d57756

Theres a popular trend among people who never grew up with old tech to suddenly embrace it as rebellion against enshitification and capitalism but as someone who actually grew up with old phones and old tech theres a reason why iphones and social media won, because they're better. 

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This doesn't mean they don't have flaws, it means that even with the flaws they still outperform; dumbphones are a bandaid but smartphones have comprehensive features built in that work more like a bandage - ironically the solution smart phones have to the problem of smartphones is still better than using a dumbphone as a solution to smartphones - parental control and screen time features work and they're incredibly robust, if you set them up in a well thought out way you can get an insane amount of utility from your smartphone and none of the downsides, if you have a friend setup the parental features according to your wishes it can be setup in such a way that you as the owner of the device cannot get around it, limiting how long you can spend on social media, limiting what apps you can install, what websites you can go on but without losing any of the insane value of smartphones such as

• signal: private communications
• camera: not needing to carry a camera
• ability to send photos quickly and easily to friends
• ability to share what your doing with others publicly
• ability to pay for things without needing to carry a card
• uber
• bus/train apps
• note taking apps that're searchable and instantly backed up
• maps app
• weather app

These are just some of the things on my phone that provide high value, think about how much clutter I would have to carry if I switched to a dumbphone and not only that, the cluttered separate items would perform worse and cost more (since I already own a smartphone).

 

I'm not saying dumbphones are useless but they solve nothing, setting up a smartphone to remove risk and harm whilst maximising value forces you to give careful consideration to the problem 

• Can I trust myself to not turn this off?
• How much time do I want to spend on instagram?
• Do I want notifications on for this person?
• Do I ever want notifications from twitter?
• What value does my phone even provide?

Now you might say you asked those questions before switching to a dumbphone but my point is it's optional, you can not think about any of those things and switch to a dumbphone whereas in something approximating irony when doing it on a smartphone you have to be intentional, mindful, honest and self aware. You have to give serious thought to can you control yourself or self limit certain behaviours and if not would moderation or complete abstinence be better?

In my case I struggle with instagram, but I didn't want to get rid of it because it's how I keep in touch with some friends and keep up to date on their life and them on mine, it also is a good point of contact for new people I meet or people who want to get in touch - but if I average this out i.e messaging (occasional) , posting and looking at friends posts it should only really take me maybe 10 minutes per day maximum - I set a ten minute lock, what happens if I spend 10 minutes scrolling reels and then want to post something? I can't, I'm punished for the behaviour which discourages me from doing it next time.

 

dumbphones feel like a punishment for a problem you haven't tried to fix and for a behaviour you can't clearly articulate - you know you're doing something wrong and might be able to name the action (wasting time on tiktok) but you have no actual understanding of the behaviour (i.e why you do it or why it's even bad beyond some vague harm you ironically heard on tiktok).

you're spending money for no additional value beyond social value (wow a flip phone how quirky) and I've yet to meet a single logn term dumbphone user with an active social life - ironically I do know a person who makes tiktoks about living with a dumbphone - they film the tiktoks on an iphone they take with them everwhere and use as their daily phone. I'm not saying all dumbphone influencers are lying but I'm skeptical someone whos embraced the dumbphone would spend their free time making tiktoks or online content at all really, maybe they would at the start but long term? I doubt it.

 

smartphones have tons of apps and all those apps have shitty subscription services and each update makes the app worse but there is still untapped value to be found in them - look at it as a tool that exists to perform functions and it'll make your life a lot better. You have to be mindful and intentional with technology or it will just do whatever large corporations want it to do.

@ fd78c37f:a0ec0833

Author : Taryn Christiansen Original Link : https://research.dorahacks.io/2025/03/17/hacker-paradigm/

Part 1

A big wave of automation is certainly coming. Human labor will rapidly depreciate. AI has made enormous advancements, and with so many innovations that reduce cost, more and more firms will be able to integrate the technology. This will accelerate productivity and efficiency as the modes of production, capital, and supply chains are increasingly automated.

The question is whether this will be good, and answers range on a spectrum. Doomers like Elizier Yudkowsky and Roman Yampolskiy believe AI has the potential to, and will eventually, eliminate the human species. Human beings will be far less efficient than the AI of the future, and so, when AGI is realized, it will be a simple calculation on the part of intelligent machines to determine that human beings are too costly and that the world is better off without them. Then there are skeptics like Max Tegmark who believe AI development should be paused to discern how to better align it with human interests. “Powerful AI systems should be developed only once we are confident that their effects will be positive and their risks will be manageable.” And then there are techno-optimists like Mark Andreessen, Sam Altman, and Ray Kurzweil who claim that AI will bring a material utopia of abundance. Development should accelerate, regulators should get out of the way, and the future will lead to economic growth, productivity, and an astronomical rise in living standards.

It is difficult to make any concrete predictions here. Those along the spectrum often trumpet their opinions in tones of certain inevitability. Andreessen is the most prominent proponent of asserting that the future, characterized by rapid technological progress, will be everything previous generations have ever wanted. There will be AI tutors with infinite compassion and patience, making education more widely distributed and accessible; the medical industry will be greatly augmented, with better predictions and less error; and robots can do risky jobs, allowing people to pursue what they want. There will be momentous economic benefits, too. Prices will be lower due to cheaper production, people’s dollars will have more purchasing power, more demand will be generated, new jobs will be created, and higher wages will be earned. His chief argument for thinking this is historical precedent. Every time a new and revolutionary technology arrives, it’s a net good for society. Before the oil industry was formed in the nineteenth century, the whale industry employed tens of thousands of workers. Petroleum wiped those jobs out, but it also eliminated reliance on killing thousands of whales for everyday products. The automobile threatened many industries, but when it became a widely held possession, suddenly more roads, bridges, and gas stations were needed to meet the demand. Although there will be automation, AI will flood the world with good outcomes, furnishing the economy with previously inconceivable opportunities for people to find work, accumulate wealth, and take advantage of the emerging value AI will produce.

But AI is not like previous technological developments. AI is an advancement in and proliferation of intelligence, not simply machinery. Kurzweil writes, “The first industrial revolution extended the reach of our bodies, and the second is extending the reach of our minds.” A new variable means a difference in results. AI can learn, adapt, generate, discover, disprove, doubt, affirm, form goals, formulate means, and perhaps one day have a will and feel emotions. It is becoming more and more agentic and autonomous, capable of taking on and completing tasks generated by its own processes. And if it isn’t agentic yet, the goal is to get to a point where it is. To impose predictions solely derived from precedent can be a category mistake and can easily lead to misguidance and error. There is overlap, of course, but there is a concrete distinction between AI and older forms of technology, and this should inform our predictions.

On the other hand, what doomers have to say isn’t very pragmatic. The invocations of possible terminator-like scenarios often lurking behind doomer’s warnings are highly implausible. Although, as Elon remarked recently on The Joe Rogan Podcast, if the wrong goals are embedded, perhaps something like Space Odyssey’s HAL 9000 is possible. But given DeepSeek’s recent advancement in lowering the costs of compute for their AI model, which is close to being competitive with the best of the US models, a new arms race is being declared, and so things will only accelerate. The Vice President’s remarks at the AI Action Summit make this abundantly clear. There is a competition to attain international dominance in technology that will shape the future, and decreasing rates of development is equivalent to waving a white flag. Therefore, if there is any feasible objection against Andreessen’s claims, it will have to be around guiding the technology’s development, not halting it. This should inform discussions around automation: How can it be best guided to avoid bad outcomes? A proactive approach is needed.

Section 1.1

Now, a problem with Andreessen’s optimism about automation is his certainty that new jobs will be sufficiently distributed for people to enjoy and take advantage of. The concern is that the economy is becoming increasingly knowledge- and information-based. There is far more emphasis on knowledge and information than on manual labor, and those who will find success in the market are those with the relevant skills, which require education and training. As Thomas Piketty observes in his book Capital in the Twenty-First Century, it is a general economic trend that “the main forces of convergence (meaning the reduction and compression of inequalities) are the diffusion of knowledge and investment in training and skills.” And so as economies become increasingly knowledge-based, displaced workers without the relevant skills or safety nets will be at a serious disadvantage. Those with the relevant knowledge, skills, and information have the greater advantage to invest in capital and grow their wealth. For example, even if economic growth and cheaper production costs occur, those without the skills to keep up will see stagnant wages. But, on the assumption that consumers have more purchasing power due to the cheaper production costs, demand will presumably rise, causing prices to go up if supply isn’t immediately able to satisfy the growing demand, bringing about demand-pull inflation. The point is that there are variables and scenarios to account for that economic and productivity growth may not naturally deal with. As Piketty says, “there is no natural, spontaneous process to prevent destabilizing, inegalitarian forces from prevailing permanently.” A proactive approach is necessary to steer clear of sharp rocks capable of sinking an undesirable percentage of boats floating on the economy’s surface.

In his book The End of Work, Jeremy Rifkin takes a more ominous tone: “The (next) Industrial Revolution is forcing a worldwide economic crisis of monumental proportions as millions lose their jobs to technological innovation, and global purchasing power plummets.” And Erik Brynjolfsson and Andre McAfee’s book The Second Machine Age offers good reason to think Rifkin is onto something. They argue that the bounty produced by a growing economy, meaning the production of more outputs from fewer inputs, making goods cheaper and more accessible and that improves people’s lives over time, does not benefit everyone through its spread, meaning how goods like wealth, income, and capital are distributed across the population. In other words, “a rising tide of technological progress (may not) lift all boats.” For example, in terms of the widening skill gap mentioned above, “since the mid-1970s, salaries rose about 25% for those with graduate degrees while the average high school dropout took a 30% pay decrease.” And although American GDP and economic productivity have had “impressive trajectories” since the middle of the twentieth century, median income has fallen in the country, indicating that a few are reaping the benefits while the majority miss out: the wealth gap, which began to exacerbate during the Reagan era, is widening. This Brookings Institute article supports this argument as well.

But perhaps the intended implications of these arguments are misguided by misfiring compassion. Although inequality exists, that doesn’t mean it should be treated as the principal variable of concern. Again, technological innovations have made goods astronomically cheaper, making people’s lives easier, their standards of living higher, and daily life more convenient by providing accessibility to more goods and services, information, and knowledge to satisfy their wants and needs. The pie may be distributed disproportionately, but its overall growth has made everyone better off. And its further growth will continue the trend. Things only the rich could once afford can now be purchased by the majority of people. The iPhone provides access to far more information than all pre-existing libraries, and only the wealthiest could historically use the latter, while almost anyone could buy the former. The largest library in Europe in 1481 was the Vatican Library, holding an estimated total of thirty-five hundred books and documents. ChatGPT estimates that if the information available online were converted into book-size quantities, it would amount to roughly four hundred and sixty-seven quintillion. And just look at agriculture. When the economist Milton Friedman wrote Free to Choose in 1980, he wrote that around the time the Declaration of Independence was written, “it took nineteen out of twenty workers to feed the country's inhabitants and provide a surplus for export in exchange for foreign goods. Today, it takes fewer than one out of twenty workers to feed the 220 million inhabitants and provide a surplus that makes the United States the largest single exporter of food in the world.”

Peter Theil often proclaims that the problem is stagnant technological innovation, not moral failures pertaining to welfare programs or distribution patterns. Science and technology need breakthroughs to transform industry and increase standards of living. The intelligence boom in AI will, supposedly, realize this potential. And so perhaps it’s best to just get out of the way. To focus primarily on the fairness or justness of particular distribution patterns is to have a kind of ‘bad-conscience’, as Nietzsche would say, an experience of guilt for pursuing one’s interests at the expense of perceived collective goods that, in reality, only frustrate progress, not further it. The true and best aim, one might say, is to strive toward innovating and creating value that pushes history forward, which, like Adam Smith’s invisible hand metaphor, naturally harmonizes people’s self-interests. As Milton Friedman says, “No external force, no violation of freedom is necessary to produce cooperation among individuals all of whom can benefit. That is why, as Adam Smith put it, an individual who ‘intends only his own gain’ is ‘led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention.’”

Section 1.2

The debate on whether economic growth is sufficient to improve well-being and living standards over time is highly controversial. It certainly won’t be settled here. The point in invoking it, however, is to claim truth on both sides. Individuals pursuing their own interests in the market, with variables like prices and wages being balanced by the voluntary exchanges of people, have led to tremendous outcomes. But, disparities have arisen too.

And automation is a potential threat. Shrugging it off and claiming it is alarmist is a mistake. The transition period to when some form of equilibrium is reached subsequent to a possible AI disruption could be complex and may inflict undue suffering that, if preemptively dealt with, could have been avoided. New technologies that revolutionize human life have the potential to be both good and bad. For example, the printing press in the fifteenth century freed people from the information control enforced by the Church, creating a surge in scientific literature that has provided immense value for civilization. But it also led to fervent and bloody religious wars by allowing people to spread all sorts of information. And so to circumvent similar outcomes, it’s important to adopt a proactive approach when implementing any technology capable of rearranging and reorganizing social and economic arrangements.

The typical inference from this is that regulative measures are the best means to combat these kinds of possibilities. But rather than settle for regulation, which, as Mark Andreessen has warned when the Biden administration was in office, would lead to AI monopolies, this article will aim to uphold voluntary exchange in the free market, while also promoting the social cooperation necessary for helping people adapt and operate in an economy that depends less and less on human capital.

The worry motivating this article is the loss of opportunities for people to exercise their agency and become capable of having a sense of control and influence over their lives. If large proportions of people lose the opportunity to work, a gulf will emerge and block the ways people often realize their potential in the world. They will no longer have opportunities in critical social domains to make consequential life choices with far-reaching ramifications that demand prudence and foresight. People will lose chances to test themselves, to discover their natural dispositions and interests, to discern what matters to them, and to exercise their choice to pursue it. A principal source of opportunities in society for developing perseverance, motivation, one’s will, will be lost. If work is going to be primarily automated, a new medium of opportunities needs to replace it. Work as a social institution needs to progress and preserve avenues for people to grow and develop.

The twentieth-century liberal philosopher John Dewey writes, “Just as the senses require sensible objects to stimulate them, so our powers of observation, recollection, and imagination do not work spontaneously, but are set in motion by the demands set up by current social occupations.” Social environments like education and work provide mediums by which demands are made to stimulate particular capacities and functions needed to fulfill the tasks that define the activities involved. It is often argued that automation will free people from the bondage of tedious and mechanical work. They will be available to find new ways to give expression to their needs, and will have time to finally achieve what their work has always hindered. People will be free to realize their potential. But this doesn’t occur spontaneously. There need to be environments with activities that make demands on the faculties for actualizing a sense of true freedom, meaning, and purpose. One can be said to be free when one is totally alone in a room with no one to obstruct one’s movements and inclinations. Such a person can do whatever they please. But by having no situations that call forth appropriate responses susceptible to success and failure; by the absence of scenarios that require cooperation and coordination, which develop social and emotional aptitudes; and by not having to exercise intelligence and problem-solving skills, the person in the room withers rather than develops and becomes free. The person free-falling from the sky with nothing to save them is free in that nothing obstructs their fall. But they are also unfree because they are determined to hit the ground. As Franz Kafka wrote, “I am free and that is why I am lost.” And the philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre: “Man is condemned to be free.”

The problem at hand, then, is carving out a space in which people can voluntarily enter and find opportunities to give expression to the capacities necessary for living a good life. Opportunities of this kind, ones that target and exercise people’s agency, will be called qualitatively rich (QR) opportunities, and environments that instantiate them are called qualitatively rich (QR) environments.

A QR environment that instantiates QR opportunities is open source ecosystems, and it should be the principal model for AI development, which provides the following framework: the market will be furnished with opportunities for people to exercise their agency and realize meaningful projects through challenging and stimulating work. People will have to learn new skills, overcome obstacles, but such a process is integral to not only preserving a market where people can compete, make choices, and develop their sense of agency but also one that promotes purpose and meaning in people’s lives. If the economy is going to close the door on older forms of work like assembly lines and service work, people should be given opportunities for more fulfilling work. As the economist Tyler Cowen pointed out on a Lex Fridman podcast, people need things to do. They do not want to just sit at home, as COVID lockdowns demonstrate. And if routine and unskilled labor is going to be automated, the only option is to ensure QR opportunities exist to take advantage of and exercise people’s capabilities for meaningful work.

So a new paradigm should be introduced into the economy. Pulling from Pekka Himanen’s book The Hacker Ethic, the common paradigm people work within should shift from an industrial-based paradigm, where people most often work routine tasks for the purposes of income to subsist and survive, to a hacker paradigm centering around work found to be intrinsically valuable, interesting, stimulating, creative, and characterized by passion and play rather than a social obligation to fulfill one’s duty to work and contribute to the economy, as articulated in Max Weber’s book Capitalism and The Protestant Ethic. A hacker paradigm emphasises human agency and its potential for realizing value that uplifts human beings. An industrial paradigm creates a distance between the worker and their need for active engagement with the world: workers are disinterested in the work they contribute; people often dislike or even hate their jobs. They are there for an income and not to participate in meaningful work. As Himanen writes, “reforming the forms of work is a matter not only of respecting the workers but of respecting human beings as human beings. Hackers do not subscribe to the adage ‘time is money’ but rather to the adage ‘it’s my life.’” And as Eric Steven Raymond says in his How To Become A Hacker, hackers see the world as filled with fascinating problems and find freedom in devoting themselves to solving them. They seek out projects that require motivation and passion, and they believe the world is infinitely better when other people have the same opportunities to attain the same freedom, which requires social cooperation and access to as much information as possible. Hence the significance of open source.

To highlight why a new paradigm is crucial for addressing AI and historically significant, we can turn to Adam Smith. After that, the concepts of QR environments and opportunities will be further elucidated and then applied to AI monopolies, which center around proprietary technology. There, it will be seen that their existence will stifle the hacker paradigm and so be undesirable.

We’ll see with Adam Smith that, while industrialization greatly improved standards of living over time, it also negatively affected those subjected to rote and routine tasks by minimizing cognitive stimulation for full human development. The division of labor exponentially increased specialization and reduced exposure to opportunities that exercised people’s higher faculties for meaningful, purposeful, and fulfilling work. AI and automation serve as a catalyst for closing the door on industrialization and the older modes of work and production by tasking intelligent machines to do the work once done by human capital. If AI is a leap toward progress, i.e., human progress, it should resolve Adam Smith’s concern regarding the division of labor and its effects on human life.

Part 2

Section 2.1

Adam Smith wrote The Wealth of Nations in 1776. Influenced by Isaac Newton, Smith wanted to understand the design behind society, the mechanisms that allow it to function, similar to how Newton discovered and formulated physical laws that explain the universe in mechanical terms. The model of the time was to see phenomena as being organized and ordered like a finely tuned watch, with all its parts and machinery working together in perfect harmony, which produces all sorts of effects and emergent phenomena.

At the time when Smith lived, the first Industrial Revolution was underway in England. Cities expanded, goods and services once available to the well-off became cheaper and more accessible, living standards rose, infrastructure advanced, and, by all appearances, people lived better lives than ever before. Smith observed that society was progressing. And because of the Age of Discovery and the technology that allowed Europeans to travel to new continents, where contact was made with with peoples who seemed not to have entered into what Europe was experiencing, and who the Europeans thought were ‘uncivilized’, the ethos on the continent was that history and civilization was entering a new, more advanced stage. The productivity and efficiency achieved by innovation derived from scientific inquiry and knowledge allowed social systems to become more complex in their organization. Smith wanted to know the causal mechanisms that drove this momentum forward.

Smith observed and believed that the division of labor played a major, if not fundamental, role. As social organization grew and manufacturing and production processes were divided into more specialized tasks, the outputs of those processes boomed as a consequence. The old guild framework, where craftsmen dedicated their lives to a whole trade, learning every aspect required and mastering each part, was outcompeted by the firms in the growing cities with plants systematized according to the division of labor. A vast system of individuals emerged that required immense coordination, and the division of labor organized the whole into an intricate mechanism with the design to harmonize people’s interests.

Smith also believed that the division of labor reflected something deeper about human nature. People flocked to cities to earn wages for work and enjoy better living conditions because human beings, Smith thought, have a propensity to truck, barter, and trade. He writes, “The propensity to truck, barter, and exchange one thing for another, is common to all men, and to be found in no other race of animals." Animals like wolves naturally arrange themselves in hierarchical packs, fledgling birds are disposed to take flight, and organisms like trees compete for sunlight in dense forests. Human beings, on the other hand, truck, barter, and exchange because they have a natural disposition to better their condition. The division of labor furthered this goal.

According to Smith, though, the division of labor was a trade off - it also had a price. Although people’s living standards rose and they enjoyed better conditions that enabled them to satisfy their consumptive needs, like access to food, water, and shelter, the division of labor reduced workers to cogs in a machine. The tasks to be done required little to no cognitive effort. Once the task was routinized and became muscle memory, there were no further obstacles or problems to be challenged by. And so Smith was deeply concerned that this would have profoundly negative cognitive effects over time. People show up to work, and as long as they’re acquainted with their tasks, they do not have to think; they act mechanically. Bluntly, Smith writes,

"The man whose whole life is spent in performing a few simple operations, of which the effects are continually before him, has no occasion to exert his understanding, or to exercise his invention in finding out expedients for removing difficulties which never occur. He naturally becomes as stupid and ignorant as it is possible for a human being to become."

The division of labor provided qualitatively poor opportunities for making people capable of living meaningful and purposeful lives. To borrow a term from another Enlightenment period philosopher, Immanuel Kant, the division of labor did not respect people’s dignity, which requires targeting and fostering the faculties necessary for living a life of one’s own choosing. To have dignity is to have influence and efficacy over one’s life.

The division of labor created more opportunities for higher living standards, but it did not provide QR opportunities for people to integrate their capacities and become capable of realizing a full human life. The opportunities available to most did not challenge people to focus their creative and productive capabilities toward ends that expand their sense of freedom in the world. Compared to the guild system, the division of labor provided far more opportunities, but they were also more shallow, less capable of producing experiences of mastery. But because living standards were superior, people wagered correctly to take jobs that reduced them to cogs. But, as Smith observed, raising living standards was insufficient to fulfill the full breadth of human needs. It did not allow most individuals to exercise their higher faculties.

Smith believed improvements were necessary. More qualitatively rich opportunities are vital for people to live more meaningful and purposeful lives characterized by human dignity, which provide a basis for exercising their agency. The division of labor proffered a gain in material freedom but did not provide many opportunities to realize a more internal, agent-driven freedom.

This was, of course, one of Karl Marx’s great criticisms of capitalism. Under a capitalist regime, people are alienated from their labor. To be alienated from one’s labor is to be divorced from one’s activities; it is to have a distance between oneself and one’s active capacities for creation and production. In his book on Marx, the psychologist Eric Fromm wrote that, “for Marx the process of alienation is expressed in work and in the division of labor. Work is for him the active relatedness of man to nature, the creation of a new world, including the creation of man himself… But as private property and the division of labor develop, labor loses its character of being an expression of man’s powers; labor and its products assume an existence separate from man, his will and his planning.”

Human beings grasp and create their identities through the activities they engage in and expend their inner forces and drives on. By creating and shaping the world and its environments, by focusing one’s energies toward external projects and goals, a human being realizes a sense of self in the world. Activity, not passive consumption or tasks, defines the essence of human beings for Marx. As Fromm observes in his book, To Have or To Be, it is by being, not having, that one experiences meaning and purpose in life. It is by being in love, being passionate, being active, being hopeful, being intentional, being productive that one lives a fulfilling life, and not necessarily by having any of those things. The division of labor emphasises having, and the work and activities that characterize many of its parts do not develop a sense of being. To quote the German poet Goethe, a human strives to be by “translating itself from the night of possibility into the day of actuality.” Human beings strive to become a self through externalizing what they value and envision internally, which is achieved through activity. Fromm writes, “man is alive only inasmuch as he is productive, inasmuch as he grasps the world outside of himself in the act of expressing his own specific human powers, and of grasping the world with these powers… In this productive process, man realizes his own essence.” The division of labor reduces human beings’ sense of agency, their capacity to actively influence and direct their lives in meaningful ways that they themselves value and choose and exercise their will over.

By creating QR environments, the hacker paradigm and its promotion of open source provides a range of QR opportunities that make progress in our social and political arrangements. It has the potential to realize the more active aspect of human nature, its sense of agency, and not merely its passive and consumptive parts. The principal assumption here is that if AI is going to develop and be integrated into the foundations of the economy, it should make people better off. More specifically, if automation is going to occur, the results should improve people’s lives, not harm them. One way to achieve this is by ensuring a sufficient distribution of QR opportunities for everyone to take advantage of, which open source helps provide. A major reason why people could be worse off from AI development, and why their potential opportunities may be stifled, is the existence of monopolies that use proprietary models to control AI and dominate its use in the market. The hacker paradigm and open source are a way around these outcomes.

Section 2.2

Before understanding how monopolies reduce QR opportunities, we need to understand further what QR opportunities are and what capabilities they stimulate and help develop. After explaining what sort of opportunities they are and what they mean, we’ll examine how monopolies greatly reduce their accessibility and what that entails.

The motivation behind QR opportunities comes from Aristotle, and more specifically from the philosopher Martha Nussbaum and economist Amartya Sen. Aristotle thought that there are particular functions or ways human beings must achieve to flourish and live a fulfilling, dignified life. He thought there is such a thing as human nature, and that that nature has basic and higher order needs. Independent of historical and contingent conditions, human beings have fundamental features. Such features are historically situated, of course, but essential consistencies can be observed across all cultures and civilizations. Aristotle said, “’the good’ is that at which all things aim.” ‘The good’ is a thing’s proper functioning, and so the good of the eye is to see, for example, and the seed’s good is to grow into a tree. To achieve a thing’s proper functioning is to flourish. It is to reach the state at which a thing aims and strives for. To reach such a state is to attain something intrinsically valuable.

Functioning as a human being requires basic necessities like food, water, shelter, and mobility. But these goods are not valuable in themselves; they’re valuable because they enable human beings to function for further, more valuable goods. If a human being is only provided these basic necessities, they may be said to function but not necessarily function well. Other, more intrinsically valuable goods must be obtained for a human being to function well. Human beings need education and access to information to develop their cognitive faculties; they need families and close relationships to develop social skills, a personal identity, and the ability to process their emotions; and they need outlets to exercise their will, discover their interests, experience passionate pursuits, and cultivate a sense of purpose. A good political and social arrangement, the one to be desired and pursued, provides concrete opportunities for people to exercise themselves and become capable of realizing these needs to achieve good functioning as a human being. QR opportunities are the opportunities that provide a basis by which human beings can develop intrinsically valuable goods like the ability to make informed decisions, formulate worthwhile goals and the means to achieve them, and forge meaningful and impactful relationships. Social institutions like work, education, community, and the arts, which stimulate the capacities involved in attaining these ends, are qualitatively rich environments.

QR opportunities are the opportunities that make people capable of developing their agency. Borrowing from the Stanford psychologist Albert Bandura, we can think of human agency as the capabilities that allow persons to feel they have control and influence over their lives. More specifically, QR opportunities stimulate behaviors that target a person’s capabilities for self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is a person's perceived confidence when confronted by challenges and obstacles. When confronted with a difficult and novel task, someone with a high degree of belief in his or her self-efficacy will evaluate themselves as being capable of finishing the task despite adversity; they will have the motivation to persevere and persist in the face of potential and real failures; and they will maintain positive well-being while being burdened with figuring out something unfamiliar and new. QR opportunities target the capacities necessary for promoting self-efficacy and the competencies a particular situation demands. And by developing and becoming capable of these things, by being presented with opportunities to exercise one’s agency to gain mastery, one expands his or her sense of freedom. And “the stronger the perceived self-efficacy, the higher the goal challenges people set for themselves and the firmer their commitment to them” (Bandura, 1994). And so by raising one’s self-efficacy, both in belief and actual practice, a higher sense of freedom is achieved, and a qualitatively richer life is realized.

Work is critical in developing people's identities and sense of self. It provides opportunities for people to try out various career paths and discover what goals they wish to attain in life. It’s often a way for building professional and personal relationships and entering into different social networks, and it’s a medium by which people can gain competencies and navigate the social ladder. Work is a domain where people can foster motivation, intelligence, and the attitudes they bear through various environments and situations. In other words, work furnishes opportunities for people to become capable of functions or ways of being essential to living a good life.

For example, imagine a young adult entering the labor market for the first time. They try out a few jobs. They learn they don’t really like retail because they’re constantly dealing with customers. They try delivery services and learn they don’t enjoy the routineness. Finally, they get a job on a construction site and find some tasks interesting and stimulating. They like the aspect of working with their hands, and so they join the trades. The person goes to trade school, builds important relationships, is challenged by the new environment, is called to build their skills and gain more knowledge and experience, and, over time, develops and overcomes new challenges and obstacles. After graduating, they take advantage of an opportunity offered by one of the instructors who liked their work ethic and gave them a lot of attention and support. Eventually, after working for some time, the person has learned enough and gained enough belief in themselves to start their own company, and so sets out to achieve this goal. They build customer relationships, specialize in skills that set them apart from the competition, and eventually build a successful business.

A bit idealistic, but it is familiar and realistic. It illustrates a life lived with purpose forged through opportunities found in environments and situations that offer experiences capable of producing a sense of agency and self-worth. There are a gamut of other conditions generally necessary for this picture to obtain - like growing up in a nurturing environment and having the resources and time to pursue what one is interested in - but work, especially in the US, is central for furnishing opportunities to develop critical functions constitutive of a good life. The person described above navigated their social environment by learning new skills, overcoming challenges, and making choices that led to success and achievement. They formed new goals as they grew in their field and gained enough self-efficacy to believe they could reach them. A full range of capacities was cultivated, and a sense of dignity was achieved. Whatever other good things may have happened or will happen in this person’s life, the quality of their life would have been substantially diminished without the opportunities to work and grow.

Here’s a real life example, although the person will remain anonymous. After graduating from University in Holland and not wanting to get a normal job, he began traveling to other countries. He made enough money from YouTube making music and stayed in hotels and hostels wherever he went. But as the money dwindled and feelings of detachment and isolation began to rise, he became depressed. He was absolutely free; he could go anywhere and see whatever he wished, yet he was utterly alone. Alone in Asia in a hostel looking at the ceiling with no money, girlfriend, or job, he recalled something his dad told him: “He taught me when I was young that whenever I’m depressed or something to get a big mountain of sand, get a shovel, and bring it from one side of the yard to the other… Just do physical labor, do hard work - do something. I do that with startups, too.” So he began coding more, building software and applications, and releasing them to the public using Stripe for funding. He focused on activities that gave him a sense of direction and an opportunity to express himself creatively. In true hacker spirit, he saw the world as filled with fascinating problems to be solved, saw some as tractable and worthwhile, and he tried to fix them. Astonishingly, he set out to make twelve startups in twelve months - and did it.

This person felt alienated and alone and without a sense of purpose. And so he acted and devoted himself to creative expression using basic software languages and tools. By utilizing AI, too, he was better able to create more value and utility for people to consume and use for themselves. And by following his dad’s advice, by setting himself to action, his depression and anxiety subsided. He found qualitatively rich opportunities to develop himself and grow his sense of self-efficacy and ability by having information-rich environments available. He hung more and more challenging and stimulating goals above him and continually reached to achieve them. And open source tech stacks were integral to the process.

This is, of course, what is so significant about the Dora ecosystem. Through platforms like DoraHacks.io, people like the one just described are enabled through QR opportunities to collaborate with anyone across the globe to innovate and create meaningful solutions to problems people find pressing and relevant. Environments are provided for developers to have the resources to join a “BUIDL” team anywhere in the world and solve fascinating problems, feel a sense of community in hackathons amongst other builders, and be incentivized to accomplish meaningful goals that can ramify into further, more challenging and stimulating ones. The Dora ecosystem furnishes an environment with possibilities to create decentralized goods and services that, for example, place ownership into people’s hands and give them more digital autonomy, security, and control of their financial assets. As will be discussed below, large corporations and monopolies are not readily benefited by these sorts of technology. And so what reason do they have to fund them? Open source tech stacks can increase the quality of value by supplying avenues to build more meaningful products than would be the case with large, more narrowly focused entities.

So, if automation has the potential to reduce or eliminate QR opportunities to exercise one’s agency and gain self-efficacy, the space it opens should be filled with other opportunities that are, ideally, qualitatively richer than the previous ones available. If there is such a thing as human nature, and that nature is comprised of capacities that need development to enable human beings to live a dignified life, the best and most desirable political and social arrangement distributes QR opportunities to ensure people have the choice to exercise their capacities and be capable of functioning and flourishing in life. To supply qualitatively rich opportunities for people to take advantage of and use to orchestrate, conduct, and focus their inner forces and powers toward endeavors that target and stimulate one’s capacities is to provide a basis for people to live more fulfilling lives. It is to provide people the freedom to be and become what they value.

The next section will turn to AI monopolies and show why they stifle future opportunities like the ones described above.

Part 3

Section 3.1

Potential monopolies in AI are the obvious players: Google, Apple, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon. These companies and a few others accounted for sixty-five percent of fixed network traffic and sixty-eight percent of mobile network traffic in 2024. Google accounts for roughly ninety percent of searches and the companies name is synonymous with the act of searching itself; Meta owns the majority of social media networks like Instagram, Facebook, and Whatsapp, some of the most heavily trafficked platforms by which people communicate and share information; Microsoft owns roughly seventy-two percent of the desktop market; in the US, Apple owns estimates of about sixty percent of the smartphone market; and Amazon dominates online retail by being “larger than the next 15 largest US e-commerce retailers combined.” Google, Meta, and Amazon combined accounted for around sixty percent of ad revenues in the US. The products we encounter online, the slick ads, the attention bought and sold, are mostly fueled by a few large tech companies. According to research done by Synergy Research, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon could own up to two-thirds of global data by the end of this decade. These companies also own most of the cloud infrastructure, with Amazon, Microsoft, and Google (and Alibaba) accounting for sixty-seven percent of cloud ownership.

These companies have enormous resources. They also have a long track record of squeezing out competition through mergers and acquisitions, using their dominance to advertise their products over competitors’, engaging in predatory pricing, exploiting network effects, and other infamous tactics. For example, given Amazon’s market dominance in e-commerce, by prioritizing its products over other companies - who may be supplying the better product - consumers readily purchase Amazon’s, especially if the price is lower, which Amazon has ample resources for. In terms of network effects, “at present, most Big Tech boast billions of users,” creating insuperable obstacles for startups and small firms. And Google has been repeatedly accused of demoting content and promoting what better serves its interests.

Now these companies are fervently seeking to control AI development. “Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet are expecting to spend a cumulative $325 billion in capital expenditure and investments in 2025… Taken together, this marks a forty-six percent increase from the roughly $223 billion those companies reported in 2024.” And “with vanishingly few exceptions, every startup, new entrant, and even AI research lab is dependent on these firms. All rely on the computing infrastructure of Microsoft, Amazon, and Google to train their systems, and on those same firms’ vast consumer market reach to deploy and sell their AI products.” Big Tech has all the talent, data, and compute small companies depend on.

Incumbents are developing models to maintain their foothold in their respective markets. And by having the majority of resources - e.g., “these companies contribute to more than 22% of the market capitalization of S&P 500 companies, and their individual size exceeds the GDP of even some G7 countries such as Canada and Italy” - they easily squeeze out competition on a whim and prevent startups and smaller firms from competing. And, as mentioned, with DeepSeek making strides in the global market as a competitor, the emerging arms race and claims about the threat of China and AI’s potential for harm are being trumpeted by the largest AI companies who seek regulation and restrictions on development, likely benefiting them most. And because monopolies are characterized by proprietary models, whose architecture, weights, learning algorithms, code, and embedded goals are veiled from the public, these companies' economic and market dominance will mysteriously shape how and what people think and do as AI pervades information networks.

What about regulation, then? A recent MIT Tech Review article writes, “regulation could help, but government policy often winds up entrenching, rather than mitigating, the power of these companies as they leverage their access to money and their political clout.” And Alex Rampell recently wrote, “Biden issued an executive order which sought to constrain compute under an arbitrary threshold, bar open source as an alleged threat to national security, and effectively allow regulatory capture by the biggest players.” For instance, although Sam Altman denied it on a Free Press podcast with Barry Weiss, Mark Andreessen has repeatedly warned that Biden’s AI executive order was intended to place control of AI in the hands of a few companies (most presumably OpenAI) and eliminate any competition in the market by raising the barrier of entry high enough to exclude competitors. Furthermore, though controversial and perhaps naive, ever since DeepSeek’s V1 and V3 models were released, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has continually called for more export control policy to further restrict China’s inflow of chips. But, as pointed out on the Lex Fridman podcast with Dylan Patel and Nathan Lambert, DeepSeek’s open source model doesn’t obviously pose any serious national security threat. It is certainly though a threat to proprietary ecosystems who control the potential value created by their models. DeepSeek’s approach puts pressure on proprietary capital to become commodities that can be utilized by anyone interested in contributing and building on top of the ecosystem. And so, Amodei’s insistence on the dichotomy between a unipolar versus a bipolar world has competing motivations. Either AI is concentrated in the hands of the US, or both China and the US have mutual AI capabilities, and the latter, Amodei thinks, must be avoided.

Perhaps, then, the auspicious attitude is to be less hawkish. The economist Tyler Cowen provides good reason to think it may be better to cooperate toward mutual benefit and collaboration rather than enter a full-on arms race. There should be competition, of course, but the competitive attitude driving the events to come should be motivated less by a Darwinian ‘survival of the fittest’ mentality, and be driven more by what Nietzsche observed in the Greek Agon, a social institution where Greek artists, military leaders, and athletes mutually reinforced one another through contests. A competitor is lost without competition because there are no more opportunities to improve, to be better, to innovate and be creative. The competitor mutually depends on someone willing to resist them. The Greek poet can imagine further and master their poetic expression better because someone else challenged them to do it. The great danger facing the Greek contestant, Nietzsche says, is not potential loss or failure but the absence of another competitor. Nietzsche wrote, “That is the crux of the Hellenic idea of contest: it detests autocracy and fears its dangers, it craves as protection against the genius - a second genius.” Rather than conceive of competition as survival within a state of nature, where scare resources and competitors make life “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short”; rather than see competitive instincts as remnants of a primitive nature, bent toward eradicating a threat, we should think of them as capable of being noble and as “the fruitful soil from which alone all humanity can grow in emotions, deeds, and works.” Competitive instincts have their virtues, too, and they should be cultivated to perform “at the right time, in the right way, and for the right reasons” (Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book II) and not treated as a necessary evil. Amodei fears China, and perhaps that’s the correct response. But it also may be incorrect in that the better response, the more virtuous one, is to want to outperform them, which demands contestants.

Section 3.2

Let’s now zoom-in on why these potential AI monopolies will stifle a wider distribution of QR opportunities by dominating AI ecosystems. There are at least two reasons why this is the case. The first reason relates to economic agency, while the second relates to value agency. Economic agency means people’s capabilities to enter the market and create value and utility that satisfies consumers’ wants and needs. By consolidating the AI models available in the market into a few hands, emerging firms and entrepreneurs’ opportunities to make valuable contributions to the world will be restricted. Innovation capable of addressing needs relating to democracy, healthcare, financial autonomy, political rights and liberties, or any other serious and meaningful category could be substantially reduced, thereby also reducing the potential good produced by AI. Any good or service that threatens the control, influence, or wealth of one the few AI monopolies will be excluded from entering the market by fiat and not by the natural forces of the market and what consumers actually want and need.

Value agency, on the other hand, refers to people’s ability to influence and have a say over the ends that characterize society. This will be reduced by AI learning and being trained according to values and ends that are not transparent nor subject to the public and the diverse interests that comprise it. People will have less influence and control if proprietary models determine all or most of the available goods and services that implement AI. For example, the alignment problem aims at aligning AI with human interests. Well, what are the interests of human beings? What are the ends that characterize a good and desirable society? What are the moral and ethical parameters that should guide AI’s operations? And should such values be dictated by a few companies without having to disclose the training data and learning algorithms? and without being subject to public scrutiny and influence? If tech stacks are closed from public observation and scrutiny, these questions will more often be answered by authority rather than through democratic procedure.

A loss in both economic and value agency is bad, and the rest of the article will explain why.

Section 3.3: Economic Agency

As the Austrian economists Ludwig Von Mises and Friedrich Hayak famously observed, part of what was devastating about socialism in cases like the Soviet Union was its inability to rationally allocate resources through a naturally occurring market mechanism. It was left to central planners within the state to determine what people wanted and needed - people with scarce, biased, and inaccurate informational resources to ensure accurate allocation - and so many bureaucratic and coercive measures were implemented to distribute state resources.

For example, the state had to set prices. In at least the older forms of socialism, no widely available free market subjected available goods and services to forces like supply and demand. Producers produce goods by state fiat, not by determinations related to market incentives like competition, which, ideally, coordinate production and consumption and create equilibrium. In other words, prices lack critical information that signals where resources need to be allocated. Hayak wrote in The Road to Serfdom that “any attempt to control prices or quantities of particular commodities deprives competition of its power of bringing about an effective co-ordination of individual efforts, because price changes then cease to register all the relevant changes in circumstances and no longer provide a reliable guide for the individual's actions.”

More significant for the purposes of this article, though, is that state-controlled production and central planning in the economy also restrict people by potentially prohibiting them from entering the market and creating value for people to better their lives. Anything that threatens state power, undermines its legitimacy and influence, or takes away a portion of its power is precluded from entering the market. For example, say someone observes that people living in rural areas in a particular country are having difficulty participating in state elections because they do not have access to transportation due to the surrounding area being subject to constant floods, making it difficult to build roads. Imagine, then, that the person creates a special concrete immune from the floods' corrosive effects and wishes to construct roads in the rural areas to provide better access to participate in elections. However, when he meets with the state transportation committee, they deny permission. They refuse to allocate resources for constructing roads enabling people to participate in public affairs. Why? Because the rural demographic is known to be against the state ideology (say they wish to have ownership over agricultural production). And so the state has no interest in providing the rural residents access to elections. With no competition, there are no other opportunities to build them.

Monopolies, especially when secured by a regulatory infrastructure, pose a similar danger. Another famous criticism made by Marx was that capitalism incrementally and inexorably, through its basic logic as a social system, led to the consolidation of the means of production into a few hands. Many, including Hayak and Mises, believed this false and that properly functioning capitalism prevented that outcome. But if AI is monopolized, Marx’s prediction will be truer than it already is, whether that’s because it has to do with the laws of history or unforeseen circumstances. As Chris Dixon observes in his book Read, Write, Own, startups have historically found room in the market by incumbents having myopic lenses that prevent them from observing emerging products accumulating consumer attention. Caught up in their own enterprise, large firms miss the market trends and patterns, and startups, if lucky, gain enough momentum to compete. But if these same incumbents consolidate AI, they can use it to stifle the advantage startups and smaller firms exploit. Over time, monopolies will have impenetrable control over the market, and all industries will lead upstream to them, more so than they already do. The opportunity to innovate disruptive technology, which eludes experts and creates unforeseen value in the market, could be squeezed out.

Because AI has intelligence capabilities, it has immense potential as capital to create and produce amazing technologies capable of bettering people’s lives. But, because some ways it can benefit people most might not be amenable to government and large corporations' interests, the potential good could be tragically diminished. The most obvious case being people’s financial autonomy.

Just look at the case of Bitcoin. Satoshi’s intention in innovating bitcoin is to provide people with the ability to possess financial freedom by providing a scarce resource with an incredible store of value analogous to gold. It allows people in countries with horrible inflation and a valueless currency to accumulate globally transferable wealth. People can have ownership over a good that will not lose its value over time due to an increase in the money supply or a country’s rising deficit. Bitcoin can help people live more stable and secure lives by providing transparency, personal ownership, and the right incentives to ensure social cooperation without necessitating forced trust or beneficence.

Now, one would hope that those in authority would discover some way to incorporate the incredible value Satoshi contributed to the world. The expectation being not that Bitcoin would immediately replace fiat currency but rather that, because Bitcoin provides powerful solutions to potentially debilitating problems due to fiat, great effort would at least be made to integrate those solutions. One would think that those in power would find a way to incorporate blockchain and Bitcoin and its ability to strengthen people’s economic freedom. But, until recently, regulation around the technology has been slow and haphazard. Unclear and ambiguous policy during the Biden administration hindered and prevented more efficient and productive ways to utilize crypto’s value.

If AI is monopolized through regulatory frameworks, potential technology with powers to better people’s lives could easily be discarded. If they conflict with government or corporate interests, most will be prevented from acquiring use of proprietary models through licensing and patents, and smaller to medium firms will be bought out. Even though AI could revolutionize voting platforms and the systems by which people are elected; even though it could it enhance people’s liberties through better means for securing data or by creating better economic opportunities, the avenues for exploring these possibilities could be sealed off if they do not align with those who own the majority, if not all of, the AI tech stacks filling the market. If a potential AI technology threatens ad revenues by eliminating a problem certain industries exploit and are parasitic on, tech companies like Google and Meta will certainly stifle the project aiming to introduce the technology into the market.

One of the great landmarks of the Trump administration so far has been their new crypto policy, which repealed the previous administration’s executive order and aims to produce a regulatory framework that furthers the technology’s development. This is critical for other forms of innovation taking place in AI. With other resources besides traditional venture capital like tokenomics, startups can fund their projects and gain momentum.

In his book Zero to One, Peter Theil presents the case that startups are and should be looking to become monopolies. They need to corner a space in the market that excludes competitors by developing the proprietary technology that outcompetes and then precludes other competitors from entering that market. As Theil would say, this is crucial if companies don’t want to be losers. If they want to attract attention for funding, their approach needs to be one of establishing a monopoly. Through tokenomics, however, and other crypto-related measures, people have opportunities to create valuable technology that can conserve the open-source spirit. Collaboration and cooperation can be promoted while still deriving the funding necessary for growth.

Section 3.4: Value Agency

Economic agency is reduced, then, by shrinking the qualitatively rich opportunities to create value and utility to meet changing wants and needs in the market. If monopolized AI tech stacks dominate ecosystems, then even if someone observes a meaningful problem worth solving and formulates a powerful solution, it will be precluded if it does not align with the interests of large corporations. Economic pursuit and the value it generates should not depend on an authority willing to stomp out something that benefits the whole society and not necessarily itself. Now, how do AI monopolies also reduce QR opportunities for value agency?

If Ray Kurzweil’s singularity thesis and his predictions about the impacts it will have is true at all, if human beings are going to integrate with nonbiological intelligence and live in increasingly artificial environments, AI monopolies are not only undesirable but also dystopic. It invokes thoughts of images depicting techno overlords ruling over people who are either enslaved to produce the intelligent machinery or are consuming the fruits of the intelligence boom with optimal satisfaction and comfort. Some people will have to mine the minerals, and others will consume the abundance of goods and services it produces. But on the presumption that AI will accelerate to the point where intelligent robots can mine the minerals themselves with minimum human capital, everyone will eventually be consumers. “Over the next couple of decades”, Kurzeweil says, “virtually all routine physical and mental activities will be automated.” Only jobs that are social, creative, innovative, or unpredictable will be available for those with the skills and training to do them, and so most will be consumers. And with nanobots, virtual reality, nonbiological enhancement, and ubiquitous information, reality will shift into something like the philosopher Robert Nozick’s experience machine.

By applying some apparatus, whether it be through being hooked up to a simulation machine or immersion in an entirely digital and information-based environment like VR, people can experience anything they wish. Any sensation, feeling, thought, or experience will be readily available for anyone to consume at any time. Someone can experience the profound sensations and rewards of writing a great American novel, stand at trial in Athens and courageously denounce the Athenian juries like Socrates, heroically stand like Napoleon on a steep green hill and look down at one’s enemies before an impending war, or climb Mount Everest in simulated perseverance and see the world from its highest point. All that matters is that someone desires it and it will be available. The end in life is to consume, and the ethical life, the one worth striving toward, is a life devoted to internally located stimulation. The external world, the actual ways in which one is, one’s state of being, won’t matter as much. It will not make a difference whether someone is, in fact, courageous, compassionate, loving, just, pious, good, or bad. Interests will be harmonized through the consumption of artificial experience. In a solved world without concrete and necessary problems in need of solutions, actors are gratuitous. Only consuming is necessary.

What’s so pernicious about this scenario is that monopolies that produce the technology will have complete control over the algorithms that determine the information available to us. The way information will be presented will continually be through consumer-based environments. Ideally, people will be free to do what they wish and live as they see fit. But the way they ‘see’ the world, the way people conceive of reality, and the social context they’ve been thrown into will be filtered by companies who have consolidated intelligent capital and become the few and only producers of the goods and services constitutive of daily life in the future. The philosopher Allan Bloom writes in his book The Closing of the American Mind that “every educational system has a moral goal that it tries to attain and that informs the curriculum. It wants to produce a certain kind of human being.” AI monopolies will shape what it means to be human by transmuting human environments to fit their interests. Opportunities to exercise agency, to realize a true sense of self-efficacy, to discover what one values and wants in life, the goals striven for that make reality coherent, livable, and unified in experience, will be greatly influenced and under the sway of corporate interests, which are, by their nature, geared toward economic growth and profits.

In Noam Chomsky and Edward Herman’s book Manufacturing Consent, they argue that US media is a propoganda tool, not an objective source of information (which, while controversial then, is now popular opinion), and that the propoganda functions according to a model consisting of filters that take information as inputs and perfectly manufacture the outputs for public ‘good’. Some media filters are the same ones Big Tech uses today. The first is media companies' size, ownership, and profit orientation. This can make the investment and entry costs to enter the media market astronomical, making it arduous, if not impossible, for others to compete. The legal system is employed to enforce standards that stifle startups and small firms, and government subsidies help the media companies most aligned with government interests. The second filter is ad revenues that bolster some companies over others by increasing their profits with ads in addition to sales. Media sources unable to garner ad support lose out. The few with financial resources who win fight for advertisers' “patronage” and are subject to the shareholders who demand a steady increase of profits subsequent to the wealth increase. This means anyone questioning corporate interests will be punished through revenue loss and eventual removal from market competition.

These two filters are the same ones Big Tech uses on their platforms. They dominate the market and depend on ad revenues for soaring profits. And like another filter Chomsky and Herman pointed out, Big Tech also has its ideological bias. Like the media of the ’80s that would cover genocide and murder when occurring in an enemy communist state but would look away when happening in US “spheres of influence” like in Latin America, big tech will follow ideological lines when it is financially and economically expedient. Because of their large profit models and motives, Big Tech interests do not necessarily align with truth, courage, accuracy, honesty, right and wrong, good or bad. That only occurs when there is a profitable, utility-maximizing benefit. And so if AI monopolies gain traction and flood the market with goods and services inexorably linked to their best models, people’s perceptions, the way they see the world, and what features of it are most salient, will be guided by principles contained within the apparatus used by big tech to filter information in ways that produce tech-promoting outputs. Opportunities to develop oneself and one’s perspective, the values that organize and unify one’s outlook, will be subject to tech’s information filters.

It’s easy to imagine a world where information is generated by a concentrated set of models that distribute a network of reference points that reinforce inaccurate, dishonest, and (or) fabricated information structures. Headlines and news stories issuing false claims and misrepresentations of the world could be supported by other sources of false information that mutually supports the claims being made. Information structures, the ways in which information is organized and given meaning, could be curated to fit a set of desired ends held by those in power and who control the resources to propagate information. Whatever seems best to a few will be privileged, and what the general population thinks will be subsidiary and eventually will be manipulated to fit the interests of those in power. That’s not to impute any malicious intent on the part of any entity or person. It’s to highlight the inextricable dilemmas caused by the consolidation of the ability to generate information consumed by the society into a few hands.

This will inevitably result in something like Nozick’s experience machine mentioned above. People’s opportunities for becoming capable of leading lives that do not terminate in ends revolving around a consumer ethic will be shrunken and minimized, perhaps even precluded from possibility. It’s true that, on the assumption that most jobs will be automated and people will be able to have a sustainable basic income, people will be free from labor bondages and the obligation to work and contribute to a growing economy. A freedom from constraints and necessities will come about. But, again, if there is no medium by which to exercise freedom, if there are no real opportunities to take advantage of and apply one’s agency in concrete situations and experiences, then one is not truly free - free in a deeper, more positive sense. And the processes by which one determines how one wishes to live, the routes explored and searched through to discover projects worth laboring over, the goals derived and hung above to reach for and that are achieved through effort and play in stimulating and challenging environments, will be obsolete.

The philosopher John Dewey wrote,

We rarely recognize the extent in which our conscious estimates of what is worth while and what is not, are due to standards of which we are not conscious at all. But in general it may be said that the things which we take for granted without inquiry or reflection are just the things which determine our conscious thinking and decide our conclusions. And these habitudes which lie below the level of reflection are just those which have been formed in the constant give and take of relationship with others.

If the institutions making up society are formed by large corporations who innovate for the sake of boosting shareholder profits, which will be the case if they dominate AI because there models will penetrate every domain in the economy, the environments and what they stimulate will push toward ways of being that depend on having rather actual being. What will make something salient and worthwhile, what makes something magnetic, will not be the pursuit it requires, the sense of adventure it demands, and the process of growth it stimulates, but will derive its meaning from being able to fill and preoccupy time. What will be obvious and transparent to consciousness shaped by a consumer ethic will radically differ from one shaped by a society that cooperates to enable agency to find meaning and purpose through opportunity. The former will see the world filled with possible experiences that don’t mean anything past their immediate presentation and experience. The latter still experiences necessity and the irresistible push to feel that things still demand action in the world. Herman Melville wrote the following in his great American novel Moby Dick:

*The path to my fixed purpose is laid with iron rails, whereon my soul is grooved to run. Over unsounded gorges, through the rifled hearts of mountains, under torrents’ beds, unerringly I rush! Naught’s an obstacle, naught’s an angle to the iron way! * Hopefully, some fragment of the ethos that informed Melville’s expression will still exist in the future.

Section 3.5

In his book Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Nietzsche offers two possible images of human beings in the future: the Last Man and the Overman. The two have radically different instincts, desires, motives, drives. The world appears differently to both of them. Different parts of it are salient and meaningful to them. They have different conceptions of the good and of what is bad, and both have opposing values and beliefs about themselves and the world.

Nietzsche had contempt for the Last Man and aspired toward the Overman. The Last Man represents the comfortable, pleasure-seeking, and satisfied mode of life. It is the life of consumption and passive contentment. The herd of the Last Man “have their little pleasures for the day, and their little pleasures for the night, but they have a regard for health. ‘We have discovered happiness,’ say the last men, and blink thereby.” Such a being has cultivated the instincts for pleasure, comfort, satiation, and consumption, which Nietzsche often equated with a grazing cow. The Overman, on the other hand, was the one who preserves the instincts to create and produce something beyond themselves, something that reciprocates the value created by orienting life toward a distant and difficult goal that makes life dignified and meaningful. The Overman has maintained the drive to move through transformative experiences that evolve one’s state of being and conscious experience, which motivates the strong tendency to grasp and understand reality, which then makes an individual more capable of influencing it - one increasingly realizes his or her’s potential to shape and craft their experience through their activities and modes of being. The Last Man’s virtue, maximizing pleasure while minimizing discomfort, is the Overman’s vice.

AI monopolies and their profit-seeking models promote the Last Man, and open source promotes the Overman. By AI being consolidated into a few powerful hands and by flooding the market with goods and services filtered through these parameters, the information landscape and the networks propagated throughout it will be curated in ways that promote an ethics geared toward maximal satisfaction and comfort established through continual consumption. The opportunities and environments available will not be qualitatively rich. They will not foster the growth of one’s active capacities and will only make people capable of pursuing the ends characterizing a consumer society cranked to its optimal output.

Open source conserves a space where human agency can still find outlets for creativity and innovation whose sole aim is not profit-seeking. It will be to achieve activities that exercise one’s capacities for living a full human life.

Now, a question asked in the beginning was whether automation would bring a sufficient distribution of opportunities for displaced workers to find work. It can be seen now how the hacker paradigm and open source ecosystems brings that goal closer to hand. Theil’s book Zero to One is a kind of guidebook for entrepreneurship. And, as he says, the goal is to at least mimic, or, at best, become, a monopoly. The aim is to corner a market, exclude others from entering, and generate profits by exclusively supplying for a domain of previously unmet wants and needs. But the statistics for successful startups is disheartening. Ninety percent of startups fail. Within the class of successful ones, first time startup founders account for eighteen percent. And with less than one percent of startups receiving venture capital funding, and another less than one percent receiving angel investment, roughly seventy-five percent of startups rely on “credit card debt, business loans, and lines of credit” for financing. The odds of success are dismal, and what is required of those courageous enough to start a business - especially a technology driven one, which accounts for most start up failures - are often insurmountable. A major reason Theil promotes monopolistic behavior on the part of emerging firms is because it is often by having a large and secure enough foothold that companies can begin to breathe, stretch out, and innovate. And once a company has achieved the monopoly standard, they control the output of value in their particular (or an entire) market, which (ideally) mutually benefits the established firm and its consumers.

The ability to produce value for people to consume and improve their lives is then concentrated in the companies who find the rare opportunity to be successful. Once they have this power there is no self-interested reason to let it go. So, while a successful company in Theil’s sense will finally be able to create and innovate, in having this exclusive ability, they seal off others who have potential to also create something immensely valuable, given the opportunity.

It would certainly be more desirable if companies had better odds of success. But the traditional forms of funding and the grueling methods of being a successful startup either disincentivizes or stomps out those with powerful ideas capable of bettering people’s lives. The success of the hacker paradigm means providing ample opportunity for people to produce value while not necessarily taking on the treacherous risks of entrepreneurship. Part of what constitutes the north star of the hacker paradigm is to create an open, permissionless ecosystem, replete with abundant opportunities for people to take advantage of. It is to have access to critical technological information that can be used freely, enabling people to collaborate with established firms to create a better, more innovative product. Open ecosystems enable people to build value, while closed ones shut the door on others to enter and contribute.

On Theil’s model, the path of entrepreneurship is rocky. It demands a combination of sheer will, ingenuity, and, of course, luck. It is a rare occurrence for them to align and balance. And so few people find success in entrepreneurship. By reducing this barrier through a permissionless ecosystem, by mitigating the burden people bear in trying to create something valuable, something with the potential to resolve real problems in the world, an abundance of opportunities arise for people to take advantage of that do not require the ambition of one of the momentous Tech founders. The latter’s success far exceeded the desire to create innovative technology. An open source ecosystem democratizes opportunities for people to push technology forward without having to be a Steve Jobs or a Jeff Bezos. Innovation should be more collaborative, widely distributed, and in closer proximity to people’s reach. The hacker paradigm levels the playing field.

Perhaps not everyone will want to be a hacker. But open source provides the best prototypical model to preserve and scale a distribution of concrete opportunities for people to exercise their agency through. And by having these kinds of opportunities, people can still discover and experience the pull of feeling one must do something - that there exists a goal that constrains one into believing there is a calling that, if neglected, sacrifices meaning and purpose in life. It would be a shame to live in a world where what is most viable to people, what is most salient and attractive, is only ‘happiness’ in the sense that Nietzsche used above. A world where happiness does not mean great personal sacrifice, a virtuous sense of devotion, and a willingness to strive for something arduous and transformative, is a less desirable world than one where people are enabled through real opportunities to be capable of great achievements, if they choose to pursue them.

Final Word

When IBM’s Deep Blue beat Chess champion Garry Kasporov in 1997, chess wasn’t made obsolete. People continued to compete and get better. It didn’t matter that an AI program would, from then on, always be able to beat any human challenger. Those devoted to chess maintained the desire and motivation to enhance their craft, learn more sophisticated strategies, and outcompete other players as their skills developed. Chess players still desire to become better players for the sake of being better. Growth through will and dedication still provide them a sense of profound achievement when they reach a new level in their playing, even though a machine will forever be the superior player.

In a documentary about Lee Sedol losing to AlphaGo in 2016, someone said, “He improved through this machine. His humanness was expanded after playing this inanimate creation. And the hope is that that machine and in particular the technology behind it, could have the same effect with all of us.” And, "Maybe [AlphaGo] can show humans something we've never discovered. Maybe it's beautiful.” If used properly, AI can expand one’s abilities to affect and change the world. There can be opportunities to create rather than labor, experience meaning rather than detachment and isolation, and be free for something worthwhile rather than for nothing. But it requires social cooperation and environments that push people forward toward goals they can aspire to accomplish; it demands understanding competition differently.

@ 2f4550b0:95f20096

Networking is often misunderstood as a transactional exchange: handing out business cards or adding contacts on LinkedIn with the hope of an immediate payoff. But at its core, networking is something more dynamic and human. I like to define it as the nexus between "I know a person for that" and being bold enough to ask. It’s about building a web of relationships where knowledge, opportunity, and courage intersect. Whether in professional or personal spheres, networking thrives on trust, mutual benefit, and the willingness to step out of your comfort zone. Let’s unpack this idea and see how it plays out in real life.

Professionally, networking is the lifeblood of career growth. It’s not just about who you know, but who knows you and what they know you can do. Imagine you’re at a conference, coffee in hand, scanning a room full of strangers. You overhear someone mention a challenge their company is facing: they need a creative solution for a marketing campaign, and their team is stumped. Your brain lights up because you know a person for that! A brilliant graphic designer you met at a workshop last year. The easy part is making the mental connection. The harder part? Walking over, introducing yourself, and saying, “Hey, I couldn’t help but overhear. I might know someone who can help.” That’s where the boldness comes in. It’s not about selling yourself or your contact; it’s about offering value and starting a conversation. Over time, those small acts of courage build a reputation: you become the person who connects dots.

I saw this play out vividly a few years ago when a colleague, Sarah, turned a casual chat into a career-defining moment. We were at a local industry meetup, and she struck up a conversation with a startup founder who was frustrated about their lagging sales. Sarah didn’t have the answer herself, but she remembered a sales strategist she’d met at a previous event. Instead of letting the moment pass, she said, “I know someone who’s tackled this exact problem. Mind if I connect you?” The founder agreed, and within a week, Sarah had facilitated an introduction that led to a six-figure consulting gig for her contact and a glowing referral for herself. She didn’t ask for anything in return, but her willingness to bridge the gap earned her trust and credibility. That’s networking at its finest: knowing the right people and having the guts to act.

On the personal side, networking takes a softer, but no less impactful form. It’s less about career ladders and more about enriching your life and community. Think about the last time you needed a recommendation, for a plumber, a babysitter, or even a good book. You probably turned to a friend or neighbor, someone whose judgment you trust. That’s "I know a person for that" in action. But the boldness piece still applies. Asking for help or advice can feel vulnerable, especially if it’s not a close relationship. Yet, those small asks often deepen bonds.

I recently moved to a new city. Last week, I hesitantly asked a distant acquaintance if he could make an introduction to a local hair stylist he uses. I was nervous that I would bother him, or that he would ignore my note. Instead, he got back to me the same day, checked with the stylist to see if she had openings, then shared her contact information with me. I had an appointment for a haircut within 24 hours! Networking personally is about leaning into your circle,and sometimes expanding it, without overthinking the imposition.

In other words, it’s okay to ask. The beauty of this definition is its universality. Whether you’re pitching yourself for a job or seeking a hiking buddy, networking hinges on two things: relationships and initiative. Research backs this up tangentially. Studies like those from Harvard Business Review suggest that successful networking isn’t about extroversion or schmoozing, but about creating genuine connections and following through. It’s less about a polished elevator pitch and more about being useful and present.

Of course, it’s not always smooth sailing. The fear of rejection or coming off as pushy can paralyze even the best intentions. I’ve fumbled plenty of networking moments myself—once freezing mid-sentence while trying to pitch a collaboration to a senior exec at a mixer. But the stumbles teach you resilience. Networking isn’t a one-and-done; it’s a muscle you build over time.

Each time you say, “I know someone who can help,” or “Can you point me in the right direction?” you’re weaving a stronger web. So, the next time you’re at a crossroads, think of networking as that nexus. It’s knowing who’s in your orbit and daring to reach out. It’s less about collecting contacts and more about cultivating possibilities. The magic happens when you connect the dots and take the leap.

@ 878dff7c:037d18bc

Treasurer Warns of Economic Risks Amid Global Trade Tensions

Summary:

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has highlighted significant risks to Australia's economic recovery due to escalating global trade tensions, particularly stemming from U.S. President Donald Trump's new tariff policies. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) forecasts a slowdown in global GDP growth, with Australia's growth projected at 1.9% in 2025 and 1.8% in 2026. Chalmers emphasizes the need for resilience over retaliation in economic strategies to mitigate these challenges. Sources: The Australian - March 18, 2025, News.com.au - March 18, 2025, ABC News - March 18, 2025, Michael West Media - March 18, 2025

Rising Energy Costs Impact Australian Households Ahead of Election

Summary:

As the upcoming federal election approaches, escalating energy costs have become a critical issue. Opposition leader Peter Dutton has criticized Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government for rising living expenses, linking them to investments in renewable energy. Despite government subsidies, electricity bills have soared, partly due to the Ukraine conflict, placing financial strain on households and influencing voter sentiment. Sources: Financial Times - March 18, 2025

Flood Warnings Issued as Heavy Rain Blankets North Queensland

Summary:

Heavy rainfall and potential thunderstorms are forecasted for North Queensland, especially around Townsville, with expected accumulations between 10 to 250mm on Wednesday. This has led to rising water levels in the Bohle River catchment, with minor flooding reaching 4 meters from Tuesday morning and potential moderate flooding during the day. The Tully River is also experiencing minor flooding at Euramo. Hinchinbrook Mayor Ramon Jayo has advised residents to remain vigilant as heavy rain continues. Further updates and warnings about rainfall, river conditions, and weather forecasts are available on the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) website. Sources: Courier Mail - March 18, 2025

Treasurer Jim Chalmers Warns of Economic Impact from Global Trade Tensions

Summary:

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has raised concerns about the potential negative effects of escalating global trade tensions on Australia's economy. He emphasized that ongoing tariff disputes could lead to increased inflation and hinder economic growth. This warning aligns with the latest OECD outlook, which has revised up global inflation forecasts and downgraded GDP growth projections for 2025 and 2026. Sources: The Guardian - March 18, 2025, The Saturday Paper - March 18, 2025

Prime Minister Albanese's Approval Rating Hits 18-Month High

Summary:

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has achieved his highest approval rating in nearly 18 months, with 46% of respondents expressing satisfaction with his performance. In contrast, opposition leader Peter Dutton's disapproval rating has risen to 46%. If an election were held today, 29% of voters would support the Labor Party, while 35% would favor the Coalition. On a two-party preferred basis, both major parties are tied at 47%. Sources: The Guardian - March 18, 2025

Crackdown on CFMEU Amid Corruption Allegations

Summary:

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has proposed stringent measures against the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) following fresh allegations of corruption and criminal behavior. The proposed actions include:

• Deregistration of the CFMEU: Dutton advocates for disbanding the union due to its alleged misconduct.
• Establishment of an AFP-Led Taskforce: A specialized unit within the Australian Federal Police to investigate and address the union's activities.
• Introduction of RICO-Style Laws: Implementing laws similar to the U.S. Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act to target organized crime within unions.

These measures aim to tackle issues such as collaboration with outlaw motorcycle gangs and misuse of funds. Critics argue that existing Australian laws are sufficient, and that deregistering the union could be counterproductive.

Sources: The Guardian - March 17, 2025, News.com.au - March 17, 2025, The Australian - March 17, 2025

U.S. and China Engage in High-Stakes Trade Negotiations Amid Rising Tensions

Summary:

The United States and China have entered into critical trade negotiations to address escalating tariffs and trade barriers. The discussions aim to de-escalate tensions that have impacted global markets. Both nations are striving to find common ground on issues such as intellectual property rights, market access, and trade imbalances. The outcome of these talks is expected to have significant implications for the global economy. Sources: Center for Strategic and International Studies - March 14, 2025, Stratfor - March 17, 2025

High Rates of Sexual Violence Among Female International Students in Australia

Summary:

A national study conducted between 2021 and 2023 revealed that over half of female international students in Australia experienced sexual or intimate partner violence in the past year. The survey of nearly 1,500 students found that about 54% encountered such violence, often from intimate partners or friends. Researchers are calling for tertiary institutions and governments to take greater responsibility in addressing these issues, emphasizing the need for culturally appropriate support services and addressing structural issues that heighten risks for international students. Sources: The Australian - March 18, 2025

Opposition Leader Proposes Referendum to Deport Dual Citizens Convicted of Serious Crimes

Summary:

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has proposed a referendum to allow the government to deport dual citizens convicted of serious crimes. Despite criticism over the cost, Dutton emphasizes that safety is paramount. This proposal is part of broader discussions on strengthening national security measures. Sources: The Guardian - March 18, 2025

Melbourne Residents Offered $200,000 for Information on Pro-Democracy Activist

Summary:

Several Melbourne residents have received anonymous letters offering a police bounty of $203,000 for information on Kevin Yam, an Australian pro-democracy activist wanted by Hong Kong for alleged national security crimes. The letters, mailed from Hong Kong, provided a photograph and details of Yam, urging recipients to inform Hong Kong police of his whereabouts. The Australian government condemned the targeting of an Australian citizen and vowed to address the matter with Chinese and Hong Kong authorities. The letters' language mirrored a notice on the Hong Kong police website and included a UK phone number linked to the Hong Kong police. Similar letters were also sent to neighbors of another activist, Carmen Lau, in the UK. The incident highlights concerns over Hong Kong's national security law being used to target pro-democracy activists globally. Yam criticized his targeting as interference with his democratic rights and called for Australian government sanctions against Chinese officials. Sources: The Guardian - 17 March 2025

Mystery Foam Causes Illnesses Among Surfers in South Australia

Summary:

Beaches from Victor Harbor to Waitpinga, south of Adelaide, have been affected by a yellowish foam washing ashore, accompanied by dead marine life such as fish, sea dragons, and octopuses. Surfers and beachgoers have reported symptoms like itchy throats, raspy coughs, eye infections, and blurry vision after visiting these beaches. Authorities suspect the foam results from an algal bloom, influenced by hot temperatures, still water, and an ongoing marine heatwave with sea temperatures 2.5°C warmer than usual. Investigations by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) and the South Australian Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are underway to determine the exact cause.

Sources: The Advertiser - 18th March 2025

@ 00c8aa0b:0a58ea8f

A plataforma 5853 chegou para redefinir o conceito de entretenimento digital, oferecendo aos jogadores uma experiência de jogo única, envolvente e inovadora. Com uma combinação de jogabilidade de alta qualidade, design intuitivo e recursos sociais, ela se estabelece como uma das plataformas mais promissoras do mercado. Neste artigo, exploraremos o que faz da 5853 a melhor escolha para quem busca diversão e inovação no mundo dos jogos online.

Experiência de Jogo Premium A plataforma 5853 é projetada para oferecer uma experiência de jogo premium. Cada título na plataforma é escolhido com rigor, garantindo que os jogadores tenham acesso a jogos de alta qualidade, com gráficos de última geração, jogabilidade fluida e uma história envolvente. A plataforma se destaca pela diversidade de opções, que vão desde títulos de ação intensos até jogos de estratégia complexos, oferecendo algo para todos os gostos e preferências.

Além disso, a 5853 é constantemente atualizada, com novos lançamentos e melhorias nos jogos existentes. Isso garante que os jogadores sempre tenham novas experiências para explorar, mantendo a plataforma fresca e emocionante.

Uma Interface Intuitiva e Acessível A 5853 se orgulha de ter uma interface simples e acessível, o que facilita a navegação para todos os tipos de jogadores. Não importa se você é um novato ou um veterano dos jogos online, a plataforma foi projetada para ser intuitiva e fácil de usar. Ao acessar a plataforma, os jogadores são imediatamente recebidos com menus claros e opções de jogo bem organizadas.

A navegação é ágil, permitindo que os usuários encontrem rapidamente os jogos de sua preferência, sem se perder em menus complexos. Essa experiência simplificada é um dos pontos fortes da plataforma, que foca em oferecer uma experiência sem frustrações.

A Socialização Como Parte da Experiência Uma das principais inovações da plataforma 5853 é sua capacidade de integrar a socialização ao processo de jogo. Por meio de chats ao vivo, eventos especiais e torneios, a plataforma permite que os jogadores interajam entre si, criando uma comunidade ativa e engajada. Isso transforma a experiência de jogar em algo mais do que uma atividade solitária, tornando-a uma oportunidade para se conectar com pessoas de todo o mundo.

Essa interação social é um dos maiores atrativos da plataforma, pois permite que os jogadores se desafiem uns aos outros, formem equipes e compartilhem experiências. Isso eleva o nível de engajamento, tornando a experiência mais rica e recompensadora.

Conclusão Com uma combinação de jogabilidade premium, design intuitivo e interatividade social, a plataforma 5853 se destaca como uma das melhores opções para quem busca qualidade e diversão no mundo digital. Ao priorizar a experiência do usuário e oferecer uma vasta gama de jogos de alta qualidade, a 5853 se estabelece como um dos maiores nomes no mercado de entretenimento online.

@ 2e8970de:63345c7a

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5108105

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/916063

@ 2879af11:12d4a029

Lorem [ipsum][nostr:nevent1qqst8cujky046negxgwwm5ynqwn53t8aqjr6afd8g59nfqwxpdhylpcpzamhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuetcv9khqmr99e3k7mg8arnc9] dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Read more at nostr:naddr1qqzkjurnw4ksz9thwden5te0wfjkccte9ehx7um5wghx7un8qgs2d90kkcq3nk2jry62dyf50k0h36rhpdtd594my40w9pkal876jxgrqsqqqa28pccpzu.

@ 33baa074:3bb3a297

Basic Concepts of Conductivity Monitoring Conductivity refers to the measurement of the concentration of substances that can conduct electricity in water, and is often used to indicate the total amount of dissolved salts in water. Conductivity monitoring is a key link in the wastewater treatment process because it can directly reflect the concentration of pollutants in the wastewater and the treatment effect.

Relationship between conductivity and water quality Water of different purity has different conductivity, for example, distilled water has a low conductivity, while seawater has a high conductivity. When a water body is polluted, such as containing too many minerals, organic matter or other dissolved substances, its conductivity will change significantly. Therefore, conductivity can be used as an important basis for judging whether the water quality is polluted.

Application of conductivity monitoring in wastewater treatment Monitoring treatment effects and optimizing treatment processes In the wastewater treatment process, conductivity detection can help monitor treatment effects and optimize treatment processes. By measuring the changes in conductivity before and after wastewater treatment, the removal of pollutants can be understood, so as to adjust the treatment parameters and ensure that the wastewater treatment meets the discharge standards.

Real-time monitoring and early warning As an advanced water quality monitoring device, the conductivity meter can collect conductivity data in real time through advanced sensor technology, and transmit it to the cloud platform relentlessly or tiredly, realizing the real-time monitoring and early warning of water quality changes. The core advantage of this monitor lies in its high precision and real-time monitoring capabilities.

Factors affecting wastewater treatment effects High conductivity usually indicates that the wastewater contains a large amount of dissolved salts and ions, which may affect traditional wastewater treatment processes. For example, physical and chemical treatment methods, such as coagulation sedimentation and flotation, may have reduced efficiency due to excessive ion concentration. In addition, biological treatment methods are also affected by conductivity. High conductivity will inhibit the normal growth and metabolism of microorganisms, affecting the final effect of wastewater treatment.

Importance of conductivity regulation In some special wastewater treatment processes, conductivity regulation is even one of the important steps. By properly adjusting the conductivity, the process conditions can be optimized and the treatment efficiency can be improved. For example, wet oxidation treatment and agrochemical oxidation treatment have specific requirements for conductivity, and the efficiency of the oxidation reaction process can be improved by adjusting the conductivity.

Actual case of conductivity monitoring In a river monitoring project, the conductivity meter successfully discovered the early signal of water quality changes, issued a timely warning and took countermeasures, avoiding a potential drinking water safety accident. Such a successful case not only verifies the reliability and accuracy of the conductivity online monitor, but also demonstrates its important role in ensuring water quality safety.

Conclusion In summary,conductivity monitoring has a wide range of application value in wastewater treatment. By real-time monitoring and adjusting conductivity, the effect of wastewater treatment process can be effectively improved, ensuring that wastewater meets discharge standards and protecting the environment. With the advancement of science and technology, conductivity monitoring equipment will be more accurate and efficient, providing strong technical support for water quality safety and environmental protection.

@ 7d33ba57:1b82db35

Borkum Island

Borkum is the largest of the East Frisian Islands, located in the North Sea, near the Dutch border. Known for its wide sandy beaches, fresh sea air, and natural beauty, it’s a perfect destination for relaxation, wellness, and outdoor activities. Borkum is part of the Wadden Sea National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site), making it an excellent spot for nature lovers.

🏖️ Best Things to Do on Borkum Island

1️⃣ Relax on the Beautiful Beaches

Borkum has 26 km of sandy beaches, with designated areas for swimming, surfing, and even dog-friendly sections. The main beach near the promenade is perfect for sunbathing and walking.

2️⃣ Visit the Borkum Lighthouses

• New Lighthouse (Neuer Leuchtturm) – A 60m tall lighthouse offering panoramic views of the island.
• Old Lighthouse (Alter Leuchtturm) – The oldest lighthouse in East Frisia, dating back to 1576.

3️⃣ Explore the Wadden Sea (Wattenmeer)

Join a mudflat hiking tour and discover the unique tidal ecosystem of the Wadden Sea, home to seals, crabs, and rare birds.

4️⃣ Take a Ride on the Borkumer Kleinbahn

This historic narrow-gauge railway connects the harbor to the town center and is a fun way to experience the island’s charm.

5️⃣ Seal Watching at Nordstrand

Borkum is known for its seal colonies! Head to Nordstrand or take a boat tour to see these adorable creatures in their natural habitat.

6️⃣ Enjoy Wellness & Thalassotherapy

Borkum’s fresh sea air and saltwater treatments make it a popular destination for health and wellness retreats. Visit the Gezeitenland Spa for a relaxing day.

🍽️ What to Eat on Borkum

• Frisian seafood – Try fresh herring, shrimp, and fish sandwiches. 🐟
• Ostfriesentee (East Frisian tea) – Served with rock sugar and cream. ☕
• Labskaus – A traditional sailor’s dish with mashed potatoes, corned beef, and pickled herring.
• Frisian beer – Local brews are a must-try! 🍺

🚢 How to Get to Borkum

🚢 By Ferry:
- From Emden (Germany) – ~2-hour ferry or 1-hour fast ferry
- From Eemshaven (Netherlands) – ~50-minute ferry

🚂 By Train:
- Take a train to Emden and transfer to the ferry terminal.

🚘 By Car:
- You can bring your car on the ferry, but the island is mostly car-free, so biking is the best way to get around.

💡 Tips for Visiting Borkum

✅ Best time to visit? Summer for beach activities, spring & autumn for hiking and fewer crowds. 🌞
✅ Rent a bike – Borkum is best explored by bicycle 🚲
✅ Pack for the wind – The North Sea can be breezy! 🌬️

@ da0b9bc3:4e30a4a9

Hello Stackers!

It's Monday so we're back doing "Meta Music Mondays" 😉.

From before the territory existed there was just one post a week in a ~meta take over. Now each month we have a different theme and bring music from that theme.

This month is March and we're doing March Madness. So give me those Wacky and Weird crazy artists and songs. The weirder the better!

Let's have fun.

How about Weird and Wonderful J-Pop Metal mixed with German Techno Metal.

Baby Metal with Electric Callboy - Ratatata

https://youtu.be/EDnIEWyVIlE?si=DLV4-tOTx6TipGv

Talk Music. Share Tracks. Zap Sats.

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/915965

@ edf0da8b:b2652fa3

One remarkable thing the Wim Hof Method stirs in me is that I increasingly feel the desire to connect with pure nature. Now, what does that mean?

You may know that slight feeling of eeriness when looking at deep moving waters or that tiny insecurity when darkness creeps up around you alone among the trees? You are sure there's nothing to worry about. But still, these little old conditioned anxieties, these unreasonable mind scenarios, they keep coming up and make you seek safety.

They are different for everyone, but these anxieties in the foreground are a sign for inner blockages that deprive us from expressing our power and creativity. What's more, they separate us from nature. They suggest, everything around us is potentially dangerous. Is it though?

When practicing the Wim Hof Method, and especially right after the breathing exercises, I can immediately feel a clarity emerging, a stronger awareness of presence in the moment. Anxieties are caringly pushed back to their rightful place, but do not control my actions and no longer dominate my state of being.

And so suddenly, the world view shifts. Eerie deep moving waters become fascinating, the darkness around reveals the beauty of trees casting soft moonlight shadows. I deeply appreciate what is, I want to touch the waters, I want to merge with the shadows, I feel that power. Instead of running away I want to connect with nature. I'm more aware of the present and should danger reveal itself, I have the confidence that I can properly react when it arises. But until then, I can enjoy beauty and connectedness. The powerful shift is from scenarios about potential threats around me to curiosity and beautiful opportunity everywhere.

There are countless great techniques and traditions that guide us to such shifts. But with regular practice, I find the Wim Hof Method to be particularly simple, accessible and effective.

wimhofmethod

@ 33baa074:3bb3a297

Weather stations can monitor meteorological changes in real time and provide real-time updates on data such as rainfall, evaporation, temperature, humidity, and air pressure. These data are of vital value in predicting floods, which are specifically reflected in the following aspects:

Provide key indicator data to predict flood development Rainfall: Rainfall refers to the sum of the volume of rainfall per unit time, which is a key indicator for predicting flood development. Meteorological monitoring stations can monitor rainfall in real time and obtain relevant data by placing sensors on roofs, walls, or the ground. These data are calculated by algorithms to obtain predicted values, which can help predict rainfall in the future and then predict the scale and direction of floods. For example, excessive rainfall in a short period of time may cause floods. By real-time monitoring and prediction of rainfall, preparations can be made in advance.

Evaporation: Evaporation refers to the volume of water evaporated per unit time, which can be used to predict the speed of flood ebb. When the increase in rainfall causes the water surface to rise, the water evaporates and ebbs after the water level reaches the highest level. Meteorological monitoring stations place sensors near rivers, lakes, reservoirs and other water bodies, monitor evaporation in real time and obtain data, calculate the predicted value through algorithms, and use it to predict evaporation in the future and assist in judging the speed of flood ebb. Temperature and humidity: Temperature and humidity are important factors affecting the development of floods. When the temperature is too low, rainfall will slow down or even stop, and when it is too high, rainfall will increase; humidity refers to the saturation of water vapor per unit time, which can be used to predict the water level and flow rate of floods. Meteorological monitoring stations place sensors near rivers, lakes, reservoirs and other water bodies, monitor temperature and humidity in real time and obtain data, calculate the predicted value through algorithms, help predict the water level and flow rate in the future, and thus judge the direction of flood development.

Air pressure: Air pressure is an important indicator in meteorology and can be used to predict weather and climate change. Meteorological monitoring stations place sensors at high altitudes, monitor air pressure in real time and obtain data, calculate the predicted value through algorithms, and use it to predict rainfall and weather changes in the future and assist in predicting the direction of flood development.

Assist in analyzing the relationship between meteorological elements The meteorological station records the changes in different meteorological elements and can analyze the relationship and mutual influence between them, such as the relationship between temperature and humidity, wind direction and wind speed. These analysis results help to more accurately predict future weather changes, and thus provide more comprehensive information for flood forecasting. For example, certain combinations of meteorological conditions may indicate the arrival of heavy rainfall, thereby increasing the possibility of floods.

Support the establishment of flood prediction models The observation data provided by the meteorological station can be used as input to the flood prediction model to help scientists establish a more accurate flood prediction model. Through simulation and calculation, the time, location and extent of the possible flood can be predicted, improving the accuracy of flood prediction.

Realize real-time monitoring and early warning The meteorological station can monitor weather changes in real time and issue weather warnings in a timely manner. In flood forecasting, when the meteorological station detects meteorological conditions that may cause floods, it can issue an alarm in time to remind people to take appropriate measures, such as timely evacuation, thereby reducing casualties and property losses caused by floods.

@ 06bc9ab7:427c48f5

Bitcoin Safe - A bitcoin savings wallet for the entire family

Designed for both beginners and power users, Bitcoin Safe combines security with an intuitive user experience. In this article, we dive deep into its features, unique benefits, and the powerful tools that make managing your Bitcoin wallet simple and secure.

Built for Learners

✔️ Step-by-step wallet setup wizard + PDF backup sheets 📄 🧪 Test transactions to ensure all hardware signers are ready 🔑 🛡️ Secure: Hardware signers only – no hot wallet risks 🚫🔥 🌍 Multi-language support: 🇺🇸 🇨🇳 🇪🇸 🇯🇵 🇷🇺 🇵🇹 🇮🇳 🇮🇹 🇫🇷 🇩🇪 🇲🇲 🇰🇷 📁 Address categories for easy organization ☁️ Label and category synchronization, and cloud backup (optional) 💰 Automatic UTXO merging to save on fees ⚡ Fast syncing with Electrum servers, Compact Block Filters coming soon

Built for Power Users

🔐 Supports Coldcard, Bitbox02, Jade, Trezor, Passport, Keystone & many more 🏦 💬 Multi-party multisig chat & PSBT sharing (optional) 📊 Transaction flow diagrams to trace coin movements 🔍 Instant cross-wallet wallet search ⚙️ Set your own electrum server, mempool instance, and nostr relay

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Step-by-Step Wallet Setup

Whether you’re setting up a single-signature or multi-signature wallet, the setup wizard guides you every step of the way:

• Single Sig Wizard: Follow the intuitive wizard that walks you through each step. https://youtu.be/m0g6ytYTy0w

Clear instructions paired with hardware signer screen-shots, like the steps for a Coldcard

• Multisig Wizard: The wizard ensures you do all necessary steps for a Multisig wallet in the right order. Afterwards your Multisig is ready to use and all signers are tested. Check out https://bitcoin-safe.org/en/features/setup-multisignature-wallet/

• PDF Backup: The wizard will also generates 3 PDF backup sheets for a 2-of-3 multisig wallet, so ensure you always have your wallet descriptor together with the seed.

• Hardware Signer Support: With full support for major hardware signers your keys remain securely offline.

---

Transaction Visualization

Visualize and navigate your transaction history:

• Graphical Explorer: An interactive transaction diagram lets you click on inputs and outputs to follow the money flow intuitively.

• Coin Categories: Organize your addresses into distinct coin categories (e.g., “KYC”, “Work”, “Friends”) so Bitcoin Safe automatically selects the correct inputs when creating PSBTs.

It prevents you accidentally linking coin categories when creating a transaction, and warns you if mistakes happened in the past.

Powerful Wallet Management Tools

• Flexible Fee Selection: Choose fees with one click using an intuitive mempool block preview.
• UTXO Management: Automatically (optional) merge UTXOs when fees are low.
• CSV Table Export: Right click, Drag&Drop, or CTRL+C for immediate CSV export for easy processing in Excel.
• PDF Balance Statement: Export the address balances for easy record keeping on paper.

---

Advanced Features for the Power-User

Sync & Chat is off by default (for the paranoid user), but can be enabled with just one click.

Label Synchronization and Backup

• Seamless Sync: Using encrypted nostr messages, Bitcoin Safe synchronizes your coin categories and labels across multiple devices.
• Easy Backup: A short backup key is all you need to safeguard your coin categories and labels, ensuring your organization remains intact.

Collaborative Multi-party Multisig

• Group Chat Integration: After creating your multisig wallet, Bitcoin Safe offers an encrypted nostr group chat for secure collaboration and one-click PSBT sharing.
• User Authentication: Each participant must authenticate every other user with a simple click, ensuring secure communication.

Watch and Learn: Get Started with Bitcoin Safe

If you’re new to Bitcoin Safe, a short video guide can make all the difference. Learn how to set up your Bitcoin Safe wallet in this detailed walk through:

https://youtu.be/m0g6ytYTy0w

Or see how to verify an address on your hardware singer:

https://youtu.be/h5FkOYj9OT8

Building up a knowledge base: https://bitcoin-safe.org/en/knowledge/

---

Whats next?

• Compact Block Filters!!! They make electrum servers obsolete.
• Why? Compact Block Filters increase the network privacy dramatically, since you're not asking an electrum server to give you your transactions
• Trade-off: They are a little slower than electrum servers. For a savings wallet like Bitcoin Safe this should be OK.
• How do they work? Simply speaking: They ask normal bitcoin core nodes for a short summary of each block. And if the summary shows a transaction belonging to the wallet, the entire block is then downloaded from the bitcoin core node. The bitcoin core node does not learn however which of the many transactions in the block you were interested in. Read more here and of course in the bip.
• When: 2 weeks 😅. Lots of things need to be done until Bitcoin Safe can use the bdk CBF/kyoto client from rustaceanrob, so keep an eye out for updates and please give feedback when you use Bitcoin Safe.

Stay updated on nostr or on GitHub.

Thank you

A huge thanks goes to nostr:npub10pensatlcfwktnvjjw2dtem38n6rvw8g6fv73h84cuacxn4c28eqyfn34f for supporting this project with a grant and nostr:npub1yrnuj56rnen08zp2h9h7p74ghgjx6ma39spmpj6w9hzxywutevsst7k5cx for the Hackathon prize.

This wallet is only possible because it is building upon other peoples open source work. Most notably

• bdk nostr:nprofile1qqsgkmgkmv63djkxmwvdlyaxx0xtsytvkyyg5fwzmp48pwd30f3jtxspzemhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuurjd9kkzmpwdejhgqg5waehxw309aex2mrp0yhxgctdw4eju6t0qyt8wumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnwdaehgu3wvfskueqr8vuet
• and especially nostr:npub1thunderat5g552cuy7umk624ct5xe4tpgwr2jcjjq2gc0567wgrqnya79l , nostr:npub1reezn2ctrrg736uqj7mva9lsuwv0kr5asj4vvkwxnrwlhvxf98tsq99ty4 , and nostr:npub1ke470rdgnxg4gjs9cw3tv0dp690wl68f5xak5smflpsksedadd7qtf8jfm for dealing with my many feature requests and questions.
• rustaceanrob building kyoto which implements CBF for BDK; a crucial library and will be able to replace electrum servers for many use cases
• ndk by nostr:nprofile1qqsx3kq3vkgczq9hmfplc28h687py42yvms3zkyxh8nmkvn0vhkyyuspz4mhxue69uhkummnw3ezummcw3ezuer9wchsz9thwden5te0wfjkccte9ejxzmt4wvhxjme0qy88wumn8ghj7mn0wvhxcmmv9u0uehfp

And of course, secure storage of bitcoin is only possible, because of the hardware signer manufacturers. Thanks to nostr:npub1az9xj85cmxv8e9j9y80lvqp97crsqdu2fpu3srwthd99qfu9qsgstam8y8 Coldcard , Coldcard Q , nostr:npub1tg779rlap8t4qm8lpgn89k7mr7pkxpaulupp0nq5faywr8h28llsj3cxmt Bitbox02 , nostr:npub1jg552aulj07skd6e7y2hu0vl5g8nl5jvfw8jhn6jpjk0vjd0waksvl6n8n Blockstream Jade , Trezor Safe, Foundation Passport, Keystone, Ledger, Specter Shield, and many more.

I also want to thank people who gave feedback and helped spread the knowledge of Bitcoin Safe (please forgive me if I forgot to mention you)

• nostr:npub1p5cmlt32vc3jefkl3ymdvm9zk892fsmkq79eq77uvkaqrnyktasqkpkgaw nostr:npub1s07s0h5mwcenfnyagme8shp9trnv964lulgvdmppgenuhtk9p4rsueuk63 nostr:npub18f3g76xc7xs430euwwl9gpn7ue7ux8vmtm9q8htn9s26d8c4neeqdraz3s nostr:npub1mtd7s63xd85ykv09p7y8wvg754jpsfpplxknh5xr0pu938zf86fqygqxas nostr:npub1kysd8m44dhv7ywa75u5z7w2w0gs4t6qzhgvjp555gfknasy3krlqfxde60 nostr:npub185pu2dsgg9d36uvvw7rwuy9aknn8hnknygr7x2yqa60ygvq6r8kqc836k8 nostr:npub1hkcgyqnsuaradq3g5hyvfdekwypc25494nmwggwpygxas7fcs4fst860fu nostr:npub1xsl0msy347vmj8gcpsjum6wwppc4ercvq4xfrhqmek2dqmqm0mtsyf35vx nostr:npub1hxjnw53mhghumt590kgd3fmqme8jzwwflyxesmm50nnapmqdzu7swqagw3 nostr:npub1ke470rdgnxg4gjs9cw3tv0dp690wl68f5xak5smflpsksedadd7qtf8jfm nostr:npub1sk26fxl4fy3vt8m5n0a6aturaql0w20nvh22q0cyaqm28tj7z8ss3lutc9 nostr:npub1r4llq2jcvq4g2tgha5amjz07zk7mrrcj89wllny9xwhhp5zzkklqk4jwja nostr:npub1p9v2zpwl28c0gu0vr2enp3lwdtv29scwpeqsnt0ngqf03vtlyxfqhkae5w nostr:npub1xkym0yaewlz0qfghtt7hjtnu28fxaa5rk3wtcek9d3x3ft2ns3lq775few nostr:npub1r8343wqpra05l3jnc4jud4xz7vlnyeslf7gfsty7ahpf92rhfmpsmqwym8 nostr:npub12zpfs3yq7we83yvypgsrw5f88y2fv780c2kfs89ge5qk6q3sfm7spks880 nostr:npub1yrnuj56rnen08zp2h9h7p74ghgjx6ma39spmpj6w9hzxywutevsst7k5cx https://x.com/91xTx93x2 https://x.com/afilini rustaceanrob

@ 82b30d30:40c6c003

[3]

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@ 06639a38:655f8f71

• My PR#100 for sirn-se/websocket-php got merged and was released in version 3.2.3
• Closed issue #83, reviewed and merged PR#84 for integrating NIP-04 and NIP-44
• Closed issue #85 and merged PR#86 with Event object verification
• 1.6.0 release https://github.com/nostrver-se/nostr-php/releases/tag/1.6.0

Planned for week 12:

• Integrate NIP-19

@ 06639a38:655f8f71

https://ccns.nostrver.se is a (Drupal powered) website that I started to build in January 2024 (source on Github and Gitlab). It's a fork of an earlier (abandoned) project https://cchs.social/.
Currently CCNS is a link aggregration website and for now it's only my who is using it to save and share Nostr related links. When you post a new link, you have the option to cross-post it as a Nostr note (example here).

Kind 39700

Last month Jurjen and Abir have started to work on a social bookmark client built with Nostr (inspired by Del.icio.us from the past). Earlier this month they changed to event kind 39700 for broadcasting the Nostr event with the bookmark / link data accross the network. They did this because Sep already created a social bookmark like client called Pinja when fiatjaf raised this idea.

With these developments to me it was very obvious to integrate the feature that new created CCNS links are now also published as kind 39700 events to the Nostr network. This means that links are now also distributed on multiple relays as kind 39700 events and are accessible in multiple clients (Yumyume and Pinja).

Here you can see the same data, from left to right:

• CCNS
• Pinja
• Yumyume
• njump

Structure

The current data structure for the 39700 kind looks as follow:

• "id": "event_id"
• "pubkey": "pubkey author"
• "created_at": unix_timestamp
• "kind": 39700
• "tags":
  • "description", "description text here"
  • "d", "unique-slug-value"
  • "t", "hashtag"
• "content": "https://book_mark_url"  
• "sig": "signature"

As there is no NIP (yet) for this event kind, I see some possible improvements:

• Use the bookmark URL as d tag so it can be used as a unique identifier for every client
• Use the content field for the description
• Use the a tag for an addressable event following NIP-01: ["a", "39700:pubkey_of_author:", recommended_relay_url_optional]

On short-term I don't have any plans to developer CCNS further, as most of my attention goes to the development of the Nostr-PHP library and Drupal related contribs using that library. That said, CCNS is a Drupal project but all the Nostr stuff is done client-side (Javascript) with NDK and Nostr-PHP is not used (maybe this will change in the future).

@ 2b24a1fa:17750f64

Voices for Gaza – Stimmen, die das Unsagbare singen. Es fehlen die Worte ob der Wut, der Zerstörung, dem tausendfachen Mord, dem unfassbaren Leid, den fortwährenden Intrigen und Strategien. Jetzt werden Geiseln übergeben, es könnte ein Weg zu mehr Frieden sein, aber jede Regung wird benützt, um der anderen Seite Demütigung und Inszenierung zu unterstellen. Wieder werden Vereinbarungen gebrochen. Es macht sprachlos, hilflos und müde. Aber der Musiker und Produzent Jens Fischer Rodrian nimmt all seine Kraft, seine Musikalität und Vernetzung zusammen und wirbt mit einer weiteren, einer dritten CD im Rahmen der Protestnoten um Auflösung von Unrecht, diesmal um Frieden in Gaza.

https://soundcloud.com/radiomuenchen/voices-for-gaza-ein-gespraech

Unsere Kollegin Eva Schmidt hat sich mit Jens Fischer Rodrian über die neue Produktion Voices for Gaza unterhalten, für die er Künstler begeistern konnte wie Dieter Hallervorden, Jakob Heymann, den palästinensischen Poeten Ibrahim Massri, Markus Stockhausen, Diether Dehm, Wolfgang Wodarg, Kilez More, Morgaine oder Äon.

Für „Voices for Gaza“ wurde übrigens ein Crowdfunding ins Leben gerufen wurde, das noch bis zum 15. März läuft. Mehr Informationen gibt’s auf der Seite: protestnoten.de.

www.radiomuenchen.net/​\ @radiomuenchen\ www.facebook.com/radiomuenchen\ www.instagram.com/radio_muenchen/\ twitter.com/RadioMuenchen

Radio München ist eine gemeinnützige Unternehmung.\ Wir freuen uns, wenn Sie unsere Arbeit unterstützen.

GLS-Bank\ IBAN: DE65 4306 0967 8217 9867 00\ BIC: GENODEM1GLS\ Bitcoin (BTC): 3G1wDDH2CDPJ9DHan5TTpsfpSXWhNMCZmQ\ Ethereum (ETH): 0xB41106C0fa3974353Ef86F62B62228A0f4ad7fe9

@ 4c5d5379:3a4383ee

[3]

[4]

@ 33baa074:3bb3a297

Overview The application of Chlorine Sensors in the food industry is mainly focused on monitoring and controlling chlorine that may be produced during the production process to ensure worker health and food safety. Since chlorine is an effective disinfectant, it is widely used in the food processing industry, but it also has certain dangers. For example, improper use can have adverse effects on human health and the production process.

Working Principle agrochemical chlorine sensors are currently the most widely used chlorine detection equipment in the food industry. This type of sensor uses the principle of generating current after chlorine reacts with electrodes to measure the concentration of chlorine. agrochemical chlorine sensors have high accuracy and stability, as well as reliable response time and detection range, making them the best tool for monitoring chlorine concentration.

Application Scenarios Real-time Monitoring During food processing, agrochemical chlorine sensors can monitor the residual chlorine concentration in restaurants, food factories and other types of food processing sites in real time. When chlorine overflows or is discharged in high concentrations, the sensor can immediately sound an alarm to avoid exposure of processing personnel and consumers to harmful gases, while preventing the impact of gas pollution on the processing process.

Data analysis and feedback In addition to real-time monitoring, agrochemical chlorine sensors can also provide quantitative and qualitative concentration information to operators, helping processing plants to standardize production processes and ensure product safety. Sensor data can interact with CNC intelligent terminal systems, wireless Internet and other monitors, and achieve automatic response to improve production efficiency and safety.

Environmental protection Chlorine is often used as a disinfectant in wastewater treatment. By using agrochemical chlorine sensors, the chlorine concentration in water can be monitored in real time, and the amount of chlorine added can be adjusted according to actual needs to achieve precise control, thereby achieving the purpose of both meeting environmental protection requirements and reducing treatment costs.

Advantages High sensitivity agrochemical chlorine sensors can accurately capture trace amounts of chlorine in the environment and ensure the stability of monitoring data.

Fast response The sensor has the characteristics of fast response, and can respond quickly when the chlorine concentration changes, providing users with timely early warning and prevention and control support.

Good stability agrochemical chlorine sensors can maintain long-term stable operation in various harsh environments, and have good anti-interference ability and adaptability.

Conclusion In summary, the application of agrochemical chlorine gas sensors in the food industry can not only detect gas concentration in a timely manner, but also provide reliable data to operators in real time. It is one of the important tools for the food processing industry to achieve intelligent, safe and standardized production processes. With the continuous advancement of technology, agrochemical chlorine gas sensors will play a more important role in the future food processing field.

@ 1731c73c:1bca4ecc

Welch Geistes Kind sind Waffenproduzenten, welch Geistes Kind Wissenschaftler, die Viren so verändern, dass sie pathogener, also gefährlicher für den Menschen werden? Im pfälzischen

https://soundcloud.com/radiomuenchen/kommt-wuhan-nach-deutschland-von-prof-roland-wiesendanger

Weilerbach wird ein US-Biolabor der Schutzstufe 3 gebaut. Dort sollen hochinfektiöse Erreger oder Substanzen, unter anderem SARS-CoV-2, das Virus H5N1, Dengue- und das Hanta-Virus untersucht werden. Der Bundesregierung – so fand Florian Warweg von den NachDenkSeiten heraus - weiß davon angeblich nichts. Auch nicht, welche Kontrollfunktion Bundesbehörden für US-Biolabore auf deutschem Boden haben.

War da was? Hatte nicht – ebenso vertuscht von Regierung, Medien und Wissenschaftlern – für die einen die größte Pandemie, für die anderen der weltweit größte Wissenschafts- und Medizinskandal in den letzten fünf Jahren stattgefunden? Warum interessiert das keinen?

Die Bestätigung der US-Regierung ist offiziell, dass die Covid-19-Pandemie aus einem Labor in Wuhan stammt. Das entlarvt die jahrelange Vertuschung und Diffamierung kritischer Stimmen als politisch motivierte Manipulation. Einer, der diskreditiert wurde, ist Professor Roland Wiesendanger. Mundtot ließ er sich aber nicht machen. Er fordert weiterhin eine schonungslose Aufarbeitung der hochgefährlichen Gain-of-function-Forschung, außerdem deren weltweite Ächtung, um zukünftige Pandemien zu verhindern.

Roland Wiesendanger ist Physik-Professor an der Universität Hamburg, Ehrendoktor der Technischen Universität Posen und Mitglied zahlreicher nationaler und internationaler Wissenschaftsakademien. Hören Sie sein Statement: „Wir dürfen die Risiken der Gain- of-function-Forschung nicht länger hinnehmen“.

Sprecher: Ulrich Allroggen

Radio München\ www.radiomuenchen.net/​\ @radiomuenchen\ www.facebook.com/radiomuenchen\ www.instagram.com/radio_muenchen/\ twitter.com/RadioMuenchen

Radio München ist eine gemeinnützige Unternehmung.\ Wir freuen uns, wenn Sie unsere Arbeit unterstützen.

GLS-Bank\ IBAN: DE65 4306 0967 8217 9867 00\ BIC: GENODEM1GLS\ Bitcoin (BTC): 3G1wDDH2CDPJ9DHan5TTpsfpSXWhNMCZmQ\ Ethereum (ETH): 0xB41106C0fa3974353Ef86F62B62228A0f4ad7fe9

@ 8bf65a23:c2d3bd12

Ut erat felis, semper nec nisl id, dignissim porta enim. Phasellus a scelerisque nulla, et dignissim velit. Vivamus et tincidunt lacus. Ut sem ipsum, porta vitae neque varius, venenatis porttitor diam. Nulla facilisi. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Pellentesque quis nibh est. Suspendisse consectetur non ipsum nec ultricies. Donec eros turpis, malesuada in sollicitudin nec, pharetra sed justo. Maecenas gravida diam sit amet ligula vestibulum rutrum.

Aenean cursus laoreet eros ac elementum. Nulla facilisi. Suspendisse volutpat lobortis gravida. Pellentesque auctor turpis lacus, ac dignissim ex lobortis fringilla. Aliquam erat volutpat. Vestibulum rhoncus metus sit amet arcu tincidunt, sed vestibulum augue pellentesque. Mauris at laoreet odio, quis maximus ligula. Curabitur interdum pellentesque nunc id bibendum.

Nunc tempus magna vel lorem luctus rhoncus. Nulla accumsan, tortor ut viverra mattis, dui arcu faucibus nisi, maximus auctor purus lectus sed libero. Nullam dictum risus viverra, molestie nisi vel, imperdiet purus. Morbi in bibendum augue, nec molestie libero. Cras tincidunt quis mauris quis tristique. Sed laoreet sapien in urna dapibus sollicitudin. Donec orci lacus, tincidunt a diam laoreet, rutrum mattis mi. Sed elementum eget elit at aliquam.

Morbi convallis tortor quis ante aliquet, vitae placerat tortor mollis. Vestibulum cursus aliquam lorem, facilisis porttitor arcu pharetra sed. Aenean eu condimentum erat. Donec in consectetur mauris. Fusce auctor purus quis justo fringilla, vel laoreet mauris faucibus. Quisque faucibus ornare tortor quis feugiat. Nullam euismod malesuada finibus. Vivamus pellentesque, quam in rhoncus vehicula, metus lorem condimentum arcu, id molestie nunc mi eget magna. Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas.Ut erat felis, semper nec nisl id, dignissim porta enim. Phasellus a scelerisque nulla, et dignissim velit. Vivamus et tincidunt lacus. Ut sem ipsum, porta vitae neque varius, venenatis porttitor diam. Nulla facilisi. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Pellentesque quis nibh est. Suspendisse consectetur non ipsum nec ultricies. Donec eros turpis, malesuada in sollicitudin nec, pharetra sed justo. Maecenas gravida diam sit amet ligula vestibulum rutrum.

Aenean cursus laoreet eros ac elementum. Nulla facilisi. Suspendisse volutpat lobortis gravida. Pellentesque auctor turpis lacus, ac dignissim ex lobortis fringilla. Aliquam erat volutpat. Vestibulum rhoncus metus sit amet arcu tincidunt, sed vestibulum augue pellentesque. Mauris at laoreet odio, quis maximus ligula. Curabitur interdum pellentesque nunc id bibendum.

Nunc tempus magna vel lorem luctus rhoncus. Nulla accumsan, tortor ut viverra mattis, dui arcu faucibus nisi, maximus auctor purus lectus sed libero. Nullam dictum risus viverra, molestie nisi vel, imperdiet purus. Morbi in bibendum augue, nec molestie libero. Cras tincidunt quis mauris quis tristique. Sed laoreet sapien in urna dapibus sollicitudin. Donec orci lacus, tincidunt a diam laoreet, rutrum mattis mi. Sed elementum eget elit at aliquam.

Morbi convallis tortor quis ante aliquet, vitae placerat tortor mollis. Vestibulum cursus aliquam lorem, facilisis porttitor arcu pharetra sed. Aenean eu condimentum erat. Donec in consectetur mauris. Fusce auctor purus quis justo fringilla, vel laoreet mauris faucibus. Quisque faucibus ornare tortor quis feugiat. Nullam euismod malesuada finibus. Vivamus pellentesque, quam in rhoncus vehicula, metus lorem condimentum arcu, id molestie nunc mi eget magna. Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas.

@ be41636e:e55c4909

"And when the rain came down on the cabin floor,\ The squatter only fiddled all the more.\ 'Why don't you mend your roof?' said the traveler bold.\ 'How can I mend my cabin when the rain is wet and cold?'"

This is one version of the lyrics from the folk song The Arkansas Traveler.

I first learned about this song and these lyrics while listening to NVK's Bitcoin.Review podcast, where his guest, futurepaul, shared this timeless piece of folk wisdom.

It may seem like a lighthearted tune, but this part hits me as deeply profound:

Why wait until things get worse to take action?

The economy is crumbling. Governments are printing your money into oblivion. Why wait for the situation to deteriorate further before investing time in learning about Bitcoin?

👉 Before your exchange goes bankrupt, (Not hypothetical—Mt. Gox and FTX already happened), learn how to withdraw your Bitcoin and take custody of it yourself.

👉 Before your government cracks down on easy-access exchanges, learn how to buy Bitcoin peer-to-peer through platforms like Peach Wallet, RoboSats, lnp2pBot (on Telegram), or Bisq.

👉 Before your bank freezes your account, learn how to be your own bank.

👉 Before you need to buy a pound of steak with Bitcoin, because your fiat is worthless or your account is banned for saying the "wrong" thing—start building Bitcoin circular economies.

👉 Before privacy becomes a luxury, learn how to run your own node, and experiment with using it behind Tor.

👉 Before the surveillance state starts tracking every sat you spend, learn how to coinjoin your Bitcoin and preserve your financial privacy.

👉 Before transaction fees rise again And small payments become impractical, learn how to open a Lightning channel and trade via the Lightning Network.

👉 Before legacy social media deplatforms you and drives you even madder with its algorithm-driven doom-scrolling, learn how to use Nostr.

👉 Before you fail to verify your account on TikTok or X, learn how to earn zaps on Nostr and embrace censorship-resistant social tipping.

👉 Before you are in dire need of offline, private transactions, learn how to use e-cash and explore tools for private, peer-to-peer payments.

Learn how to do things before you have to do them, because once the rain starts pouring, it's already too late to fix the roof.

@ 8bf65a23:c2d3bd12

This event has been deleted; your client is ignoring the delete request.

@ 6b0a60cf:b952e7d4

ものさんに説明する用

CreateEntry.svelte で previewEvent = $bindable() として受け取っているのがプレビュー用のイベント。
ここでごちゃごちゃ変更して呼び出し元に変更を反映させる。
呼び出し元は Page.svelte と Entry.svelte の2つ。
前者が投稿欄、後者が返信欄のプレビューをそれぞれこんな感じでリアクティブで定義している。 let previewEvent: UnsignedEvent | undefined = $state(); CreateEntry.svelte では受け取った previewEvent を $derived.by() や $effect() を使って他の変数に依存して勝手に変わるようにしている。
特に contentToSend に依存して変わるので、入力の度に勝手に変わる。
contentToSend は textarea で bind:value しているので onChange とか onKeyPress とかはまったく使わない。勝手に変わってくれる。 ```

makeEvent() っていうのが入力された色々を突っ込むとプレビュー用の UnsignedEvent を返してくれるやつ。 1文字入力されてcontentToSendが変わる度にこれが処理される。うわー。 このイベントには付与すべきpタグも含まれている。 これをpubkeysMentioningToとして定義する。 const pubkeysMentioningTo = $derived( previewEvent?.tags.filter((tag) => tag.length >= 2 && tag[0] === 'p').map((tag) => tag[1]) ?? [] ); あとは除外したいpタグリストpubkeysExcludedを定義して、 let pubkeysExcluded: string[] = $state([]); ``` pubkeysMentioningToの中からユーザーに選んでもらう。
実際に送信するイベントはpubkeysExcludedも考慮して署名する。
送信する際もmakeEvent()を呼んでるけど、こっちは引数にpubkeysExcludedが入ってる。プレビューの方には入ってない。

@ 93eeb56c:9469e39a

Simiho sleduju zhruba od chvíle, kdy se objevil na featu u Viktora Sheena (track Zvyk) a měl jsem za to, že je to kočka s docela sexy hlasem, načež jsem si podle jména vyhledal rozhovor u Ládi Sinaie a s překvapením hleděl, že ve studiu sedí sympatický mladý týpek.

Začal jsem poslouchat jeho tracky a i když z většiny jsem nějak zásadně unešený nebyl, těch pár, které mě oslovily, zandaly na výbornou—namátkou třeba naprosto skvělá club popová Výnimka.

Hlas

Unikátní vysoko posazený hlas v kombinaci s ležérní flow (ale pozor—ne mumble) nemusí sednout každému, přesto nebo právě proto se jedná o Simiho nejdůležitější zbraň.

Muzikálnost

Na Simim je znát, že hudbu skutečně cítí. Nezamyká se do jednoho žánru (viz zmíněná Výnimka) a jeho linky mají promyšlené a logicky plynoucí melodie.

Vsuvka—melodické rapování

Tohoto jsem si všiml u těch popovějších jmen hip hopové scény, že sice používají rapové postupy a způsob, jakým s texty zacházejí, ale dost často vlastně jakoby rapují na konkrétních tónech a často plynule přecházejí do regulérně zpívaných pasáží. Proto mají mnozí oldschoolers problém s tím, že "to už ani není rap".

Vkus a nadhled

Bere sám sebe vážně (což je dobře a k žánru to samozřejmě patří, je jen pár výjimek, kterým se daří mít kredit a přitom si ze sebe dělat prdel, např. MC Gey). Zároveň má ale velký nadhled nejen v textech, ale hlavně v hudbě.\ Čímž se dostávám k tomu hlavnímu.

MÁM P*CI

“MÁM P*CI” by se dalo bez problému odmávnout jako nevkusné a arogantní, jako “toto je přesně to, co je špatně s těma mladýma.” Rozeberu, proč to vidím přesně obráceně.

Pouštím věc. Hned zkraje mě nadchne docela retro zvuk. Značně zaprášené synthy, měkoučký basový kopák, nebo kopáková basa, if you will, je lahůdková, instantní radost. Roll na virblu potvrzuje, že toto je záměrně a pečlivě nastavený sound.

SIMILIVINLIFE odříkává svůj text, a první co mě napadá je, že tady vedle sebe existuje oslava hadrů a zároveň tak trochu parodie na celou tu kulturu kolem nich. Tuto "dvojjedinost" neuděláte pouze textem—musí to mít i správný přednes, aby se feel neklonil k jednou víc, než k druhému.\ Nechybí tomu tedy potřebný nadhled, vtip, flow je skvělá, žádný řádek tam není navíc a ve výsledku mě sere, že je Simiho v tak dobrém tracku vlastně docela málo.

Refrén je pak naprosto dokonalou ukázkou Simiho talentu, kdy na šesti slovech předvádí geniální minimalistickou muzikálnost—způsob, jakým se vyvíjí melodie jeho hlasu. Nic do uší bijícího, ale vnímavý posluchač, který má ideálně ještě muzikantský a skladatelský background, to ocení.

Featující Luca Brassi10x je správně zábavně nekorektní a i on inhaloval a zpátky vypustil uvolněnou atmosféru, kterou tenhle vál má. Jeho přítomnost mi tady evokuje takové ty obhroublejší Rytmusy, Ektory, nebo Čistychovy.

Jenom samotný chytlavý refrén je dostatečný důvod, aby se mezi děckama tenhle track stal hitem. Jsem si ale skoro jistý, že 95 % bude zcela unikat rozměr toho, co se tady Simimu podařilo: vrstevnatý juicy banger, který se dost možná stane kultovní klasikou pocházející z roku 2025—doby, kdy hip hop v československu konečně zažívá tolik potřebný a dlouho vyhlížený rozkvět do šířky (hlavně díky slovákům SIMI, Saul, Samey apod).\ \ Úplně nejlepší na tom všem je, že SIMILIVINLIFE pravděpodobně dělá hudbu, aniž by nad tím nějak složitě přemýšlel, a prostě to z něj takhle přirozeně leze.

Spíš než v autorádiu si tenhle song představte o půl druhé ráno v nějakém klubovém DJ setu. Enjoy.

SIMILIVINLIFE: MAM P*CI →

@ 044da344:073a8a0e

„Schau mich an“, sagt Richard und lacht. „Farbe. Das ganze Jahr.“ Richard ist Ende 60, nicht schlank, aber auch nicht dick. Er trägt Shorts und ärmellos. Auf dem Weg zu seinem Pick-Up zieht er den linken Fuß leicht nach. „Ihr habt Glück“, sagt er. „Vorige Woche war es hier noch eiskalt. Selbst tagsüber nur acht Grad. Im Januar und im Februar haben wir geheizt. Das hatten wir noch nie. Im November waren wir noch schwimmen.“

Richard ist seit fast 20 Jahren auf Nordzypern. Erst nur im Urlaub und vielleicht auch geschäftlich. Ganz klar wird das nicht. „Solange du arbeiten musst, hängst du zu Hause fest.“ Richard hat in London gewohnt, nicht weit weg vom Flughafen in Heathrow. Neun Stunden von Tür zu Tür. Neun Stunden von England bis nach Nordzypern, über Larnaka im Süden der Insel und dann noch eine Stunde mit dem Auto, die Grenzkontrolle mitgerechnet. Der Norden hat zwar einen Airport in Ercan, dafür braucht es aber einen Zwischenstopp in der Türkei. So will es die EU, so will es die Welt. Das Auswärtige Amt in Berlin spricht von der „sogenannten Türkischen Republik Nordzypern“. Richard sagt: Das ist lästig. Sein Visum gilt immer nur für 90 Tage. Oder er stellt daheim einen Antrag für länger. „Für mich wäre es besser, wenn ganz Zypern in der EU wäre.“

In Brüssel sieht man das so. Die Insel gehört zu uns, Punkt. Von dort sieht man das türkische Kriegsschiff nicht, das direkt vor uns im Hafen von Famagusta liegt. Von dort sieht man auch Varosha nicht, eine Geisterstadt vor den Toren Famagustas. Der perfekte Drehort für die nächste Staffel von „The Walking Dead“, wenn die Häuser nicht jeden Augenblick einstürzen könnten. Varosha: Das war in den 1960ern der feuchte Traum jedes Tourismusmanagers. Sandstrand, soweit das Auge blicken kann. Hotels, Theater, Kinos. 6500 Betten. Ein Laden am anderen. Jeder zweite Zypernurlauber war damals in Varosha. Im August 1974 kamen Soldaten aus der Türkei. Es ging hin und her auf der großen Bühne. Wer entschädigt die Griechen, die vertrieben wurden, wer darf hier wohnen, wem gehört die Stadt? Varosha hat das nicht verkraftet. Die Fenster kaputt, der Putz längst weg. Und die Natur fängt an, die Gebäude zu verdrängen. Die Türkei hat immer wieder versucht, den UN-Sicherheitsrat umzustimmen, zuletzt 2021. Lasst uns Menschen nach Varosha bringen. Vergeblich. Inzwischen sind drei Straßen für Besucher geöffnet. Es gibt einen Verleih für Fahrräder und Roller und neuerdings sogar wieder zwei Strände mit allem Drum und Dran. Es bleibt – gespenstisch. Schwimmen vor Ruinen. Und wer weiß. Im Moment ist das alles noch klein. Zwei, drei Kioske, bargeldlos. Ein paar Liegen, saubere Toiletten. Die Großmächte haben gerade andere Sorgen.

Die Spritztour mit Richard beginnt in einem Gemüsemarkt. Genauer: in einer Lagerhalle, die auch in Varosha stehen könnte. Am Boden Kisten mit Blumenkohl, Mandarinen, Kartoffeln. Man kann die Erde noch riechen. „Das schmeckt alles wie früher“, sagt Angela, Richards Partnerin, wie er aus England. Kennengelernt haben sich die beiden hier auf der Insel. Früher hat Angela Urlauber betreut. Heute vermietet und putzt sie Ferienwohnungen. „Wenn ich in so eine Birne beiße“, sagt sie, „dann erinnere ich mich an meine Kindheit.“

Wir fahren die Küste ab von Tatlisu nach Girne. Die Griechen sagen: Kyrenia. Ein historischer Ort, besiedelt seit Tausenden von Jahren und mit einem Hafen, der kaum kitschiger sein könnte. Die Gegenwart heißt Baustelle. Überall Bagger, überall Menschen mit Helmen und Westen in Orange. Palästina, Bangladesch. Überhaupt: Ostasien. Richard liebt es, die Hauptstraße zu verlassen und mit dem Pick-Up über die alten Küstenwege zu rollen. Er kennt die Stories hinter all den neuen Siedlungen, die wie Pilze aus dem Boden schießen und oft noch wie Skelette aussehen, betongrau und nicht weiß und manchmal ganz offensichtlich auch aufgegeben, bevor jemand einziehen konnte. „Sie verkaufen dir immer: erste Reihe und Meerblick. Du siehst zwar, dass es noch ein Stück ist bis zum Wasser, aber sie sagen: Da wird nie und nimmer gebaut. Das gehört der Regierung. Und ein Jahr später hast du plötzlich doch jemanden vor deiner Nase.“

Der Boom ist in Etappen gekommen. Seit dem EU-Beitritt der Republik Zypern 2004 ist die „grüne Linie“ durchlässig. Das heißt: Man ist nicht mehr gefangen im Norden der Insel und gezwungen, über die Türkei zu gehen, wenn man ausreisen will. Die taz sprach damals schnell von einer „kalten Enteignung“. Im Artikel von Klaus Hillenbrand, erschienen 2005, klingt das fast so wie heute aus dem Mund von Richard: „Die Immobilienhändler rund um Kyrenia erzählen ihren Kunden alles, was diese hören möchten.“ Die Griechen könnten zurückkommen? Kein Problem. Ein paar tausend Euro Entschädigung, wenn überhaupt. Man muss nicht das Ende der DDR erlebt haben, um da ein Fragezeichen zu setzen.

Auf Zypern sind die Wunden der Teilung nicht verheilt, auch nach einem halben Jahrhundert nicht und obwohl die Bauleute inzwischen überall Tatsachen schaffen, ohne sich noch groß um die Vergangenheit zu scheren. 162.000 Zyperngriechen, sagt Wikipedia, haben den Norden verlassen, als die türkische Armee im Sommer 1974 einrückte, manche freiwillig, die meisten aber nicht. Die gleiche Quelle sagt, dass anschließend 48.000 Zyperntürken ihre Heimat im Süden aufgeben mussten. Den Groll haben wir schon am Flughafen in Larnaka gespürt, selbst bei dem Forscher, der nur ein paar Sachen zu unserer Reise wissen wollte und enttäuscht aufgab, als wir bei jedem Ort den Kopf schüttelten. Den Norden hatte er nicht auf seinem Zettel.

Rami, ein Taxifahrer, Zyperntürke, will trotzdem sofort in den Süden ziehen, wenn er endlich EU-Bürger ist. „Dort lebt es sich einfach besser. Ruhiger.“ Und die Preise? „So groß ist der Unterschied gar nicht mehr. Obst und Gemüse, okay. Es stimmt schon, dass die Griechen zum Einkaufen rüberkommen. Sie wandern dann umher und schauen nach ihren Häusern.“ Rami sagt, dass der Norden sich gerade verändert, und meint damit gar nicht Einwanderer wie Angela und Richard, die vielen Russen in Iskele oder Zyperngriechen, die gern wieder da wohnen würden, wo einst ihre Eltern oder Großeltern gelebt haben, sondern Türken, die vom Festland kommen und eine andere Mentalität mitbringen. Der Bauboom produziert auch Wohntürme für Menschen aus Anatolien. Vielleicht gibt es irgendwann wieder eine Abstimmung wie 2004, als der Norden für eine Wiedervereinigung war, der Süden aber nicht. Vielleicht gewinnt dann der, der mehr Menschen an die Urnen bringt. Rami sagt, dass er Zyperntürken kennt, die jetzt fortgehen. Sie wollen nicht mehr warten. Und sie haben keine Lust auf das, was gerade passiert.

Richard zuckt mit den Schultern. Was soll schon sein? Er hat auf der Insel alles ausprobiert. Hotels und Apartments, mal kürzer, mal länger. Vor ein paar Jahren hat er eine Wohnung mit Garten gekauft, in einer Anlage direkt am Meer. Der Blick auf den Sonnenuntergang kann von niemandem verstellt werden. 90 Quadratmeter für etwas mehr als 100.000 Pfund. Man hört, wenn der Nachbar spült, das schon, aber was willst du, Michael? Du weißt doch, was man dafür in London bezahlt oder in München. Wir fahren an dem Supermarkt vorbei, der gerade eröffnet wurde, 15 Autominuten entfernt, gut sortiert und vor allem: leer. „Hier musst du nicht um einen Parkplatz kämpfen oder sogar dafür bezahlen wie neuerdings bei uns in England. Hier fährt dir auch keiner mit seinem Einkaufswagen in die Hacken.“ Und wenn all die Neubauten verkauft oder vermietet sind? „Dann wird die Straße besser und der Rest der Infrastruktur auch.“

Heike ist aus Halle an der Saale nach Nordzypern gekommen, mit einem Umweg über die Schweiz, wo sie einen kleinen Friseursalon hatte. Verkauft, mit einer Träne im Auge. Aber die Nachfolgerin, einst bei ihr angestellt, macht das gut, sagt sie. Heike weiß noch nicht, ob sie wieder anfangen soll. Beim Friseur in Kyrenia sitzen nur Männer. Sie freut sich auf ihren ersten Sommer am Mittelmeer und auf das, was vor ihrem neuen Haus wachsen wird. „Die meisten Pflanzen habe ich noch nie gesehen.“ Deutschland? Heike zieht nur die Augenbrauen hoch. In der Auswanderer-Community ist das kein Thema. Anders gesagt: Man ist sich einig. Corona, der Krieg, die Inflation. Das muss nicht mehr rauf- und runterdiskutiert werden. Auf Telegram gibt es Tipps, Kontakte, Treffpunkte. Auch jemanden, der das Sofa nimmt, das die alten Besitzer dagelassen haben. Mag die EU ruhig glauben, dass ihr ganz Zypern gehört. Im Norden gibt es keine Windräder und keine Strohhalme aus Papier. Der Deckel klebt nicht an der Flasche fest, und der Liter Benzin kostet weniger als einen Euro. Und in den Städten kann man fast überall mit Bitcoin zahlen. Mietautos, Schuhe, Schnaps.

Torsten lockt das alles immer wieder hierher, immer in das gleiche Hotel. „Die Leute sind alle so herzlich“, sagt er. Aber hier leben? Torsten schaut sich um, das schon. Grundstücke, Häuser, Wohnungen. Die Preise gehen weit auseinander. Man kann wie Richard etwas am Meer finden für kleines sechsstelliges Geld, aber auch leicht eine Million ausgeben oder noch mehr. Torsten hat inzwischen ein Konto bei einer kleinen einheimischen Bank. „Die Kreditkarte gibt es für 50 Cent.“ Nordzypern ist für ihn ein Plan B. Wobei: Eigentlich hat er zu Hause schon alles durch. Hausdurchsuchung, Existenzvernichtung, Verleumdung bis in die internationale Presse. „Ich mache nur noch das, worauf ich Lust habe“, sagt er. Mit alten Motorrädern durch die Gegend fahren. Freunden und Verwandten helfen, Nordzypern zu genießen. Vielleicht siedelt er eines Tages ganz um, vielleicht auch nicht. Jeder Ostdeutsche in seinem Alter weiß, dass ein Loch in der Mauer unbezahlbar ist.

Richard, den Rentner aus London, haben wir noch oft von weitem gesehen – im Schatten auf seiner Terrasse, neben sich eine Katze. Einmal ist er mit dem Fahrrad in Richtung Meer gefahren, aber nicht dorthin, wo auf der Karte Sandstrand steht und in Wirklichkeit alles voller Müll ist. Baden oder „Fish and Chips“ genießen mit Landsleuten in seiner Lieblingskneipe. Dort sprechen auch die Kellner Englisch, anders als sonst. 30 Jahre Isolation hinterlassen selbst da ihre Spuren, wo die Briten bis 1960 die Macht waren und nicht nur den Linksverkehr dagelassen haben oder ihre komischen Steckdosen. An den Dorsch daheim, das hat Richard uns gleich zur Begrüßung gesagt, kommen sie hier auf Zypern ohnehin nirgendwo heran.

Freie Akademie für Medien & Journalismus

Unterstützen

Bilder: Antje Meyen

@ 7b93f9c8:3408c269

Emily Dickinson’s "Because I Could Not Stop for Death" is a profound poem that explores the theme of mortality and the inevitable passage of time. Through her use of figurative language, Dickinson captures the complexities of human existence and our relationship with death. In this article, we will analyze how Dickinson employs personification, metaphor, and symbolism to deepen the meaning of the poem and help readers grasp its emotional and intellectual layers.

Personification: Giving Life to Abstract Concepts In the poem, Dickinson personifies Death, an abstract concept, making it into a character with whom the speaker interacts. The opening lines—"Because I could not stop for Death – / He kindly stopped for me"—introduce Death as a courteous figure, a being who is not hostile or frightening but instead a companion who takes the speaker on a journey. This personification serves to soften the terrifying idea of death, making it seem almost gentle and inevitable, instead of something to fear.

By giving human-like qualities to Death, Dickinson creates a more approachable and relatable portrayal of the end of life, inviting readers to reflect on the naturalness of death and its role in the cycle of life.

Metaphor: The Journey of Life and Death The entire poem can be interpreted as an extended metaphor, where the journey the speaker takes with Death symbolizes the passage of life and the inevitability of dying. The carriage ride, described as a slow, deliberate journey, represents the final stages of life, and each stop along the way—such as the School, the Grain Fields, and the Setting Sun—symbolizes different phases of existence, from youth to maturity and ultimately to death. To read further about the use of personification, metaphor, and symbolism in Dickinson’s work, explore how figurative language plays an integral role in enhancing the poem’s impact and resonance in this article: https://www.customwritings.com/howtowrite/post/personification-metaphor-and-symbolism-in-because-i-could-not-stop-for-death/ Because I Could Not Stop for Death Figurative Language.

The metaphor of the journey suggests that death is not a sudden or violent event, but a gradual process that one must accept. The speaker is passive, allowing Death to take the reins, just as people must accept their fate when their time comes. This metaphor emphasizes the inevitability of death and the need to come to terms with it.

Symbolism: The Carriage Ride and the Setting Sun Dickinson uses several symbols to reinforce the central themes of the poem. One of the most powerful symbols is the carriage ride itself, which represents the journey from life to death. The carriage, often associated with funerals, becomes a vehicle for the passage from the living world to the afterlife.

Similarly, the setting sun serves as a symbol of the end of the day, a natural marker of time's passage. In the poem, the sun represents the end of life, as it sets on the speaker’s journey. The imagery of the sun fading symbolizes the gradual fading of life, where time is slipping away, and the ultimate end is inevitable.

Because I Could Not Stop for Death Figurative Language The figurative language Dickinson employs in this poem is a crucial element in conveying the deeper meanings about life, death, and time. Through personification, metaphor, and symbolism, she transforms the abstract concept of death into something more tangible and emotionally resonant. By framing death as a journey and giving it human characteristics, Dickinson invites readers to reflect on their own mortality in a way that is both thoughtful and meditative.

In "Because I Could Not Stop for Death," figurative language does more than embellish the poem—it shapes its very essence. The poem’s figurative language allows readers to explore death in a way that is simultaneously poetic and profoundly philosophical, inviting them to consider their own perceptions of life’s transience.

@ da0b9bc3:4e30a4a9

Hello Stackers!

Welcome on into the ~Music Corner of the Saloon!

A place where we Talk Music. Share Tracks. Zap Sats.

So stay a while and listen.

🚨Don't forget to check out the pinned items in the territory homepage! You can always find the latest weeklies there!🚨

🚨Subscribe to the territory to ensure you never miss a post! 🚨

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/915374

@ 0b5faac9:12669905

Signal jammers play an important role in maintaining security and protecting privacy. Whether it is a WiFi jammer, a drone jammer or a high-power jammer, if you want them to work stably and persistently, they cannot be separated from daily maintenance and care.

1. Daily maintenance

Dust and moisture: Dust and moisture are the natural enemies of electronic products, and signal jammers are no exception. It is recommended to place the jammer in a dry and ventilated environment, avoiding direct sunlight and humid environments. You can use a dust cover or storage box for protection, and regularly use a dry soft cloth to clean the surface dust.

Avoid collision: The signal jammer contains delicate electronic components. Strong collisions may cause the components to loosen or be damaged, affecting normal operation. Be careful to handle with care when using and storing to avoid falling or collision.

Regular inspection: It is recommended to regularly check whether the power cord, antenna and other connecting parts of the jammer are loose or damaged, and replace or repair them in time if problems are found.

2. Maintenance focus of different jammers

WiFi jammer:

Pay attention to heat dissipation: WiFi jammers will generate a certain amount of heat when working. Make sure there is enough heat dissipation space around them to avoid long-term high-temperature operation.

Avoid interference: The WiFi jammer itself will also be interfered by other wireless signals. It is recommended to place it away from wireless devices such as routers and mobile phones.

UAV signal blocker:

Antenna maintenance: The antenna of the drone jammer is its core component. Avoid bending and squeezing. Check regularly whether the antenna connection is firm.

Battery maintenance: Some drone jammers are powered by batteries. Pay attention to the battery charge and discharge cycle to avoid over-discharge. When not in use for a long time, the battery should be removed and stored separately.

Powerful jamming device:

Professional maintenance: High-power jammers have a complex structure. It is recommended to contact professionals for maintenance and maintenance regularly to avoid self-disassembly.

Safe use: High-power jammers have high power. Pay attention to safety when using them to avoid damage to other equipment.

3. Tips for extending service life

Strictly follow the instructions to avoid overload.

When not in use for a long time, it is recommended to turn off the power of the jammer and keep it properly.

Choose high-quality products produced by regular manufacturers, and the quality and after-sales service are more guaranteed.

Signal jammers are sophisticated electronic devices. Proper maintenance and care can effectively extend their service life and ensure their stable and reliable operation. I hope the above tips can help you better use and maintain your signal jammer!

@ 95cb4330:96db706c

Overview: Market Rebound Amid Ongoing Volatility

On Friday, March 14, 2025, U.S. stock markets experienced a significant rebound, marking their best performance since November 6, 2024. The S&P 500 rose by 2.1%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 1.7%, and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 2.6%. Despite these gains, all three indices concluded their fourth consecutive losing week, reflecting ongoing market volatility.

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Real-Time Market Performance & Futures Movement

As of Monday, March 17, 2025, U.S. equity futures indicate a potential lower opening:

• Dow Jones Industrial Average Futures: Down approximately 0.3%.
• S&P 500 Futures: Declined around 0.4%.
• Nasdaq Composite Futures: Fell by about 0.5%.

This downturn in futures trading suggests that investors remain cautious amid ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainties.

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Key Market Drivers: Factors Influencing Movements

1. Economic Indicators and Consumer Sentiment

The University of Michigan's Index of Consumer Sentiment reported a 27% decline from a year ago, reaching its lowest level since late 2022. This decline reflects growing concerns about inflation and potential economic slowdown, influencing investor confidence.

2. Geopolitical Tensions and Trade Policies

President Donald Trump's recent tariff announcements have heightened trade tensions, particularly with the European Union and China. These policies have contributed to market volatility and raised concerns about global economic growth.

3. Federal Reserve's Monetary Policy

Investors are closely monitoring the Federal Reserve's upcoming meeting for insights into potential interest rate adjustments. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent characterized recent market corrections as "healthy," suggesting that the Fed may maintain its current policy stance.

4. Corporate Earnings Reports

Several companies are scheduled to report earnings today, including: - Qifu Technology, Inc (QFIN) - Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) - Shanda Interactive Entertainment Limited (SNDA)

These reports could provide insights into sector-specific performance and influence market sentiment.

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Global Market Influence: International Developments

Asian Markets

Asian equities advanced, buoyed by China's announcement of measures to boost domestic consumption. The Nikkei and Hang Seng indices posted significant gains, reflecting investor optimism about China's economic stimulus efforts.

European Markets

European futures rose slightly, supported by Germany's fiscal initiatives aimed at stimulating economic growth. The euro hovered near a five-month high, reflecting positive sentiment in the region.

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Commodity Markets: Oil and Gold

• Oil Prices:
  Both Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices increased by over 1%, reaching $71.33 and $67.94 per barrel, respectively. This rise is attributed to geopolitical tensions and optimism over China's consumption stimulus.
• Gold:
  Prices remained near record highs, continuing their rally amidst market uncertainty.

---

Market Outlook: Navigating Uncertainty

While Friday's rally provided a respite from recent declines, the market remains susceptible to various risks, including trade tensions, monetary policy decisions, and consumer sentiment shifts. Investors are advised to exercise caution and remain attentive to upcoming economic data releases and geopolitical developments.

@ 13395884:6d48d6b9

HD66 là một nền tảng trực tuyến đột phá, mang lại cho người dùng những trải nghiệm mượt mà và tiện ích vượt trội. Với giao diện dễ sử dụng và thiết kế tối ưu, HD66 giúp người tham gia dễ dàng tiếp cận và sử dụng các tính năng mà nền tảng cung cấp. Bất kể bạn là người mới hay đã quen thuộc với nền tảng, HD66 luôn tạo ra một không gian trực tuyến dễ dàng tiếp cận và khám phá. Các công cụ và dịch vụ trên nền tảng này được thiết kế để tối đa hóa sự tiện lợi, giúp người sử dụng có thể nhanh chóng tham gia vào các hoạt động và tận hưởng trải nghiệm trực tuyến một cách hiệu quả. HD66 không chỉ chú trọng vào tính năng mà còn vào việc tạo ra một không gian thoải mái, dễ chịu cho người dùng trong suốt quá trình sử dụng.

Điều khiến HD66 trở nên đặc biệt chính là sự linh hoạt và khả năng tùy chỉnh các dịch vụ của nền tảng để đáp ứng nhu cầu đa dạng của người tham gia. Nền tảng này không ngừng cập nhật và mở rộng các tính năng mới, giúp người dùng luôn có những trải nghiệm mới mẻ và thú vị. HD66 luôn lắng nghe phản hồi từ cộng đồng để cải tiến và phát triển, mang lại các công cụ hữu ích và sáng tạo giúp người tham gia có thể tối ưu hóa trải nghiệm của mình. Mọi người có thể tìm thấy các lựa chọn phù hợp với sở thích cá nhân và tham gia vào các hoạt động thú vị, tạo nên một môi trường trực tuyến năng động và sôi nổi. Sự sáng tạo và cải tiến liên tục là yếu tố giúp HD66 luôn thu hút và giữ chân người dùng.

Bên cạnh các tính năng tiện ích và linh hoạt, HD66 cũng đặc biệt chú trọng đến vấn đề bảo mật và an toàn của người sử dụng. Với hệ thống bảo vệ mạnh mẽ và các biện pháp xác thực nghiêm ngặt, nền tảng này cam kết bảo vệ tuyệt đối thông tin cá nhân của người tham gia. Mọi hoạt động trên HD66 đều được thực hiện trong một môi trường an toàn và đáng tin cậy, giúp người dùng có thể thoải mái tham gia mà không phải lo lắng về bảo mật. HD66 không chỉ tập trung vào việc mang lại những trải nghiệm thú vị mà còn cam kết tạo ra một không gian an toàn, nơi người dùng có thể yên tâm kết nối và tương tác với cộng đồng. Chính nhờ vào các biện pháp bảo mật chặt chẽ và cam kết bảo vệ người sử dụng, HD66 đã trở thành một lựa chọn hàng đầu cho những ai tìm kiếm một nền tảng trực tuyến đáng tin cậy và an toàn.