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bean-bean2000 · 5 months

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The Hacker - Part 1

Pairings: Bucky x Reader

Summary: You’re just a computer nerd living your life in your basement as a professional hacker for the dark web. You enjoy your simple and quiet life until your misogynistic online hacker group undermines your abilities. They dare you to prove to them that you truly are worthy of being called a professional hacker. Hack into Stark Towers systems. The strongest, most expensive and secure system in the entire United States. Well, you never one to back down from a challenge. Especially to prove a man wrong. What happens when you actually succeed to hack into the Stark Tower systems? Will they find you?

Warnings: Angst, mention of mental health troubles (depression, anxiety, self-esteem, reader is unsure of themselves and if they belong), slight violence, blood, medical equipment.

Each chapter will have their own warnings. Your internet consumption is not my responsibility. Please read the warnings before deciding to proceed.

This is my first fanfiction so all comments/suggestions/advice is very welcome and appreciated! I’ll be making this into a series, but i’m not sure how many parts yet!

Series materlist

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You groan and you slam on your hands on your desk. You couldn’t believe these misogynistic men you had called friends. They were mocking you, claiming you will never be as good as they are, you’re just a woman they said. You laugh dryly as an idea sparks in your mind. You will prove to them that they are just men, and you are far better than they ever will be. They laughed as you told them that. Then, one user from the group chimes into the conversation:

“Prove it. Hack into Stark Tower.“ the screen read.

You stare at the screen. Stark Tower. The most expensive, expansive, and backed up software that existed in the entire United States.

As you were the only woman in that group, you laughed in their faces at the challenge and eagerly accepted.

You’ve never been more shocked, impressed and surprised in yourself and your abilities than the moment you had successfully breached all security firewalls from Stark Tower. You stared at the screen in disbelief and decided to play a little trick on Tony Stark just because you could.

You decided to not only look through all high security files (because, why not?), you wanted to piss off Tony Stark to prove to the almighty Iron Man-self made billionaire-philanthropist-playboy that he wasn’t the only one capable of mastering technology.

As you searched through the files, you decide to distract the Stark Tower online security team from blocking you out of the software by playing a little game.

You throw onto their screens the words “All work and no play makes Tony a dull boy” over and over again, line by line in bright red writing. You add on a song you created quickly blasting in the background in a deep computerized voice “You can’t catch me! You can’t catch me! Na Na Na Na Na Na!! ” with a clown dancing on the bottom screen. You added circus music for that extra slap in the face.

Okay, yes it was very petty and over the top but it was hilarious. You decide to indulge in your win as you made a bowl of icecream, laughing at how easily you breached THE Tony Stark’s software system. You’re dancing around you kitchen when your front door blasts open. You scream and stare at disbelief. What just happened?!

And then you see Iron Man marching into your home.

Fuck. How did they find you?! Impossible, you had taken every measure to ensure your location and IP address could not be pinged and traced.

You sprint to your backdoor only to run into a very hard and muscular chest. You look up and see James Buchanan Barnes, the Winter Soldier, smirking at you with amusement

“Where are you going, doll? We just want to talk.”

As your panicking you decide the best thing to do is punch the soldier in the face…. or attempt to… as he catches your hand with ease and stares at you.

“Nice try, that was cute.”

You yank your arm away and look around you, surrounded by the Avengers.

Your brain starts racking through the possible escape routes but nothing works as you’re surrounded by the strongest and best team of soldiers and superheroes. And then you remember the reason why they’re here in the first place. You start laughing and the Avengers stare at you, confused.

Tony walks up to you “You think this is funny? You hacked into MY system! HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?! Are you some kind of witch? AND you have the AUDACITY to call me dull! With a dancing clown! really?!”

You keep giggling and you stare right into his eyes with determination. You’re not afraid, you’re amused.

“I was bored.” you shrug your shoulders.

“it was too easy. Why wouldn’t i fuck around with the supposedly impenetrable Stark Tower system? Not so much the almighty Tony Stark now, are you? Beaten by a random woman in her basement.” you keep laughing.

Tony stares you down, clenching and unclenching his fists. Captain America appears behind him, all eyes turn to the Captain, as he grabs Tony’s shoulder, silently warning him not to do anything stupid.

“Oh fuck off Steve!” Tony tells.

“Just because your ego is hurt doesn’t mean you can just threaten or intimidate her.” Steve replies coolly.

“Yeah Tony, it’s not her fault your system is shit.” Bucky snickers. Natasha slaps him behind his head and Sam slaps his shoulder.

They all turn around to face you once more but you’re gone. They all freeze.

“What the - Where is she?! You guys let her escape?!” Tony screams.

They all scramble to capture you. Sam jumps to the sky to fly over and get a better view. Natasha, Steve and Bucky split up in all directions to search. Tony remains in your kitchen, baffled, embarrassed and angry.

You’re running for your life. You can’t believe you managed to slip past the freaking Avengers while they were bickering with each other. You made yourself small and quiet and crept out through a small door under your stairs, thanking all the stars that you never had it sealed as per your friend’s suggestions.

You’re sprinting down the street, weaving between alleys and trying to stay low and unnoticed.

You dare to look behind you when your yanked from your arm and fall forward, tumbling and wrestling the body that just tackled you.

It’s no use. You’re not strong enough, not trained for this. You’re just a computer nerd that hides in her basement.

You’re pinned to the ground and look up at your captor. James Buchanan Barnes. Of course.

His striking blue eyes staring down into yours. Swirling with emotions that you can’t decipher. Is he mad? annoyed? you swear you see something in his face that looks like he’s amused?

Suddenly he’s smirking as your struggling beneath him to get out from his grasp.

“Stop moving so much. It won’t do anything.” He says blankly. Chuckling that you’re willful enough to try.

“GAAAHHH NO! I will NOT be caught and sent to god knows what fucking shit hole prison. GET OFF OF ME!!” you scream and kick your feet, wiggling beneath him.

He sighs and stares you down. “I’m sorry, this is gonna hurt.”

You look up at him “What are you-” then everything goes black.

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You wake up with a pounding headache. You opens your eyes to blinding lights and beeping sounds. It takes you a moment to remember what happened and realize what’s going on.

You successfully breached Tony Stark’s tower. You were captured by Bucky. Damn him and his beautiful eyes and strong body. You stop yourself mid-thought and shake your head- He captured you, you idiot. Don’t think like that. You groan as you sit up.

You look around you and start panicking, you can’t be trapped, you can’t live like this.

Your heart rate picks up on the monitor and it starts beeping wildly. You’re groaning and kicking. Your arms are strapped down to the gurney. You start freaking out even more and manage to get one hand out of the straps. You start undoing the other one and then you rip out the IV in your arm.

You’re freaking out, terrified of what they did to you, what did they give you? what will they do to you? You jump out of the bed and grab whatever medical utensils you find to protect yourself. The monitors continuously scream and beep, you’re struggling to figure out what to do when Tony, Steve and Bucky run into the room.

“GET AWAY FROM ME!” you scream and hold a medical scalpel out to them. Attempting to appear as threatening as possible. Rather, you look like a terrified cornered animal. You’re shaking, your head is pounding, you can’t focus, you just need to get out.

“Hey hey slow down, you’re okay….” Steve coos as he tries to slowly approach you.

You stick the scalpel in his direction.

“Don’t you dare come closer! Leave me alone!” you yell at him.

“Okay, we can figure this out, just put the scalpel down okay? Look at your arm, you’re bleeding, you ripped the IV out. Please sit down and let Bruce take a look at it.” Steve says to you, hand in the air to prove to you he is no threat, as he slowly continues to approach you.

You hadn’t realized as you were focused on Steve, that Bucky had rounded the room and was now behind you.

You look down at your arm, confused, scared. Your arm has a gash from the middle of your elbow down your forearm. It’s bleeding a lot, blood is dripping down your clothes and forming a small puddle on the ground.

You lift your arm to inspect and start panicking. Your eyes wild and you take in everything and realize you’re trapped, you’re hurt, you’re scared.

Then you feel Bucky’s arm wrapped around you and force the scalpel out of your hand.

“NO! NO! AHHHHH” you scream and thrash against him.

Tony takes the chance to inject you with a calming medication to soothe your panic attack and settle you back down. You start to grow woozy in Bucky’s arms and you slowly get weaker and more tired. They help place you back into bed and you’re repeating slowly and quietly “no please, just let me go”.

You fall into a deep sleep.

“Well she’s a spit fire. A lot more spunk than I expected.” Bucky says with a chuckle. “I like her.”

Steve and Tony roll their eyes.

“You like her because she beat me at my own game.” Tony says to Bucky and Bucky chuckles back at him and shrugs.

“Call Bruce, have him look her over again, make sure she’s okay and have him administer small doses of that calming medication so when she wakes up we can actually talk to her without her freaking out. Tony, find out what you can about her. Her name, family, history, everything. We need to know who we’re dealing with and assess if she’s a threat.” Steve says and walks out the door. The other two men follow. Bucky looks behind him one last time and stares your sleeping form.

———————————————————————————

You slowly wake up again to the feeling of something tugging on your arm. You groan and look over. You see a man with scruffy beard and hair stitching up your arm. Your heart rate monitor starts to beep faster which causes the doctor to look up at you.

“You’re awake. I’m Dr. Banner. I’m just patching up your cut here, it’s not too deep but please be careful.” He says as he looks at you pointedly.

You stare back and croak “Where am i? What are you going to do to me?” You feel a small tear slip from your eyes.

“Relax, please. We will not and have not hurt you. We just want to get to know you. It’s the first time anyone has beaten Tony when it comes to technology. You’re in Stark Tower, the Avengers compound. I know Steve and Bucky can appear menacing but they’re harmless, I promise.” Dr. Banner says to you softly.

You don’t know why but you believe him. He calms you.

“Alright, you’re all clean here. I’ll let you get changed and you can meet me right outside the door and i’ll guide you to the kitchen okay? Take your time.” He taps your hand lightly and walks away, offering you a tight smile.

You get up slowly and take in your surroundings and the situation. You see a pile of clothes folded for you but they aren’t yours. Confused, you look around and find your own in a laundry basket, bloodied and dirty. You sigh and put on the clothes provided, albeit the shirt is slightly tight around your waist and breasts and the leggings curve your butt nicely.

You look at yourself in the mirror and sigh. What is going on?

Dr. Banner knocks at the door, you walk out and follow him to the kitchen. Your head held high, refusing to show any fear.

As you enter the kitchen, the entire Avengers team turns and looks at you.

Your confidence quickly wavers when you make eye contact with a certain dark haired blue eyed soldier. He stares you up and down and you look down at the floor meekly. Bruce guides you to a chair and beckons for you to sit. You plop down and stare at your hands.

“Please, don’t be scared. We looked into who you are. We can’t find anything about your past. There are no medical or dental records. You’re a ghost. All we have is your name. How is that possible?” Steve says as the group stares at you.

You look up but say nothing. Steve sighs. He didn’t expect you to immediately spill your life story to them but he was hopeful it would be that easy. He decides to pull the bandaid off and tell you why you’re here.

“We’ve discussed this at length and we have a proposition to make. As you are extremely talented, we believe you would be a significant asset to the team. You can use your knowledge and expertise to help us complete missions more easily by hacking into the systems for us. We decided we can’t have you living out in the world without supervision. If you’re capable of breaking through Tony’s systems, you’re too powerful in this modern world. We would like you to join the team. What do you think?” Steve explains.

You stare at him. Your jaw slack. You look between them all. It takes you a second to register what he just said to you.

“So that’s it? You’re not going to kill me?”

The team chucked. “No hun, we don’t do that. We’re honestly just so impressed by you and want you to be a part of our team.” Wanda says to you softly.

You stare at them all. Registering what they asked of you. “This isn’t a choice. I either join the team, or what? You send me to some deep dark prison god knows where?! Seems like it’s either join the avengers or live a miserable life alone and imprisoned.”

“They are one and the same to me, a cage is a cage. No matter how pretty you paint it to be.” You say dryly. Looking up at the ceiling and sighing.

You pause. “I’d rather be here with some freedom than be in an actual cell. I accept the offer on one condition.”

They look at you expectantly.

“Never ask me about my past. I remain a ghost. I remain hidden. I do not join you on missions. I am to be left alone at my own will, within these grounds. I will be a prisoner to your cause but i will not be caged like an animal. I want my freedom.” You say to Steve as you stare at him making direct eye contact.

“Deal. Welcome to the team.” He says and reaches out to shake your hand. You shake it and pull back.

You feel eyes on you and find who they belong to. Bucky. He stares at you and you fake a cough to clear your throat and distract from his prying stare.

Tony gets up and tells you to follow him. He shows you to your room. It is directly across from Bucky, and stationed between Steve and Natasha. A security measure for sure. You can’t escape them.

Tony lets you into your room and tells you that he has prepared your own station and office to work from. Of course, your actions will be heavily monitored.

He watches you sit down as you find your belongings already in the room. You realize there was never a choice after all. They had decided for you. You never had the chance to decide your own fate, you were trapped.

Tony slowly closes your door and you sit on your bed, staring at the wall. Processing what just happened and not understanding why you can’t get those striking blue eyes out of your head.

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Part 2 here

#bucky barnes #james buchanan barnes #steve rogers #marvel universe #bucky x reader #steve x reader #the avengers #tony x reader #natasha romanoff #tony stark #fanfic #captain america #winter soldier #black widow #wanda maximoff

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hush-house-yard-sale · 8 months

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The Hush House Card Catalogue

@baja-blasted @terephin (please ignore the crabs)

//So the software I'm using to keep track of my books, lore bits, etc. is called Seatable! It wasn't my first choice for this project, I'm more familiar with Airtable (I've used it professionally), but Airtable's free plan doesn't let you color-code :c

//Seatable is a website that looks a lot like google sheets, but instead of building a spreadsheet, you're building a database. I knew I wanted a database rather than a spreadsheet for my card catalogue because it became pretty apparent early on that a spreadsheet would mean a lot of duplicate entries and be a lot more work to maintain, as well as monumentally more work if I wanted to use it for reference.

//My database isn't finished, and so I'm not really comfortable making it public, but I'm happy to walk through some of the things that I like most about it, that made me choose to make a database rather than a spreadsheet.

//The main things that were really important to me was being able to have (and filter by) multiple items in the same column, having lots of cross-linking between the different sheets in the base, and having different views depending on what I was looking to reference.

//These are my different tables right now, and the way they work is that each table has the most detailed information on each item, e.g. Books has the most detail on books, and Skills has the most detail on skills. But I have columns in each table that allow me to crosslink between them.

//So for each book, I have listed the skill and memory they give, but instead of writing each out individually it links to the corresponding entry in skills/memories

//And then over in the memories tab it has all the detail on the aspects, which wisdoms it can be committed to...

//...and every book this skill can be found in and every item it can be used to craft. And those boxes can be expanded so they're easier to read as well!

//I can also group and sort things in different views. My default view for books, for example, splits them into two categories—whether I've read the book or not—and then sorts the books in each category alphabetically. But I also have one that groups them all by mystery and then sorts them from low to high, and I have another that groups them by topic. Each of these views also omits columns that aren't relevant to that particular view, for example, if I'm searching for books by mystery to give to a visitor, it's important to know the author because it's fun to give people books they themselves have written, but I don't really care about what memories that book gives, or when I'm trying to connect lore dots, it doesn't matter whether or not the book is cursed and I don't need to include books I haven't read yet (and thus don't have topic tags for). The rows on the topic one are also bigger so I can better read the blurbs.

//Well, the topic one actually groups by location, because when I group it by topic, it splits it into every combination of my topic tags, rather that giving me "here are all your books about the mansus" "here are all your books about Longs and Names" so I've stored them all in different places in the house depending on what books I think are relevant to one another.

//It's still in progress, I don't have everything written down yet, and I want more data for workbenches, and I want to try and see if there's a way for it to, say, auto-match skills/souls to workbenches for committing to the tree or crafting certain recipes. Also my color-coding is in shambles bc I'm waiting for a friend to recover from covid so that they can make me a greasemonkey script to make it a little less... corporate...

//But yeah! I like it a lot, and it works really well for my purposes. I highly recommend trying it out, and I'm happy to answer questions!

#Weather Factory #Book of Hours #Book of Hours Game #Cultist Simulator #Databases #ooc

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abronzeagegod · 1 year

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Eldritch Tech Support 3

more eldritch tech support stories

You work very hard to not have any prejudices or emotional baggage or negative thoughts when working with any clients. It's bad form and if you're working for eldritch beings and some of which can sense intentions or something, it's not wise. Therapy and lots of breathing exercises help with that. Yet, all the deep breathing and centering yourself doesn't help you hate going to the Space Between the Stars any less.

You've got to put on a large and clunky space suit in order to get out there and trying to do all the technical work in the bulky, life saving equipment is just mildly infuriating.

But that's the job.

You double and triple check all your equipment, suit up, and get blasted into space. It's always weird aiming away from all the bright lights and moons and planets.

There in the deep darkness, the kind of darkness that is a void, empty, formless, and so far away from any light sources that the human mind cannot simply cannot conceive of it, you find your client. One of the Beings in the Darkness Between the Stars. They're a shadow of a shadow, a piece of darkness more dark than the void you find yourself in.

They communicate via silence and empty space. It's a lot and it's weird, and it's unfortunately something you've trained for.

Also the translation software is helpful.

You knew it was a server problem, but the Being explains it more fully and leads you through the void to the cold darkness where the server is set up.

You politely explain that you're going to have to take apart the server and run some tests on the individual parts. All of the remote tests proved that there was something absolutely wrong, but couldn't isolate the problem without direct access.

"There's going to be some light," you say. "If that will bother you, I can work alone and let you know when I'm finished."

All of the best camera equipment and sensory tech couldn't simply beat a flashlight.

The Being gestured with invisible hands and spoke without words or sounds.

"Would you like something to drink or something to eat?" the translation software told you.

"No thank you," you say, not explaining that you can't eat anything while you're in this bulky suit.

The shadow slinks away.

You wait for an extra few moments to make sure that you're not going to grievously injure a being of pure darkness and void with your flashlight. You turn it on the dullest setting, and hood the light so that it becomes extremely directional.

Getting into the server takes you several minutes and you start testing components.

As your testing things you place a call back to headquarters.

You put in your ID number and get transferred to someone back at the office to help out.

"Tessaly," they say as an introduction. "What you got for me?"

You explain the situation as you ask for her to check on the back-end stuff.

"Ugh, better you than me," she says.

For the better part of an hour you test individual components and find nothing wrong, but that also means that you've started to narrow down the potential problems. Which are starting to look like they might be the kind of problems that are very complicated and very expensive.

You're about to start climbing into the guts of the server to get at some of the more complicated parts of a server designed to run things for a being of darkness and void, when the proximity radar chirps.

You quickly shut off your light sources. Your client doesn't greet you and the silence isn't the kind that communicates their language.

Instead you feel something brush against your space suit and there's a grumble like the background radiation of a black hole.

There's a chill that radiates from your spine and you try very hard to not react.

"What's up?" Tessaly asks.

"I think our client has whatever the void equivalent of a cat is and it's brushing up against me right now."

"Oh no. Do you know if it's the cute kind, or the tearing things to pieces kind."

"Probably both."

A moment later the darkness gets a little more dark. A void of noise reaches out to you.

The translation software picks it up. "Sorry. Hubble likes people."

The client picks up the void pet and leaves the room. But not before asking how it was going, how you were doing, and a variety of other questions.

You do your best to answer, but the problem is that you don't know what the problem is.

They leave and you continue your work.

"If I didn't know any better I think that Being is flirting with you," Tessaly says over the phone.

"Shut up," you say. It's not uncommon for clients to flirt with tech support agents, but this is a thing that could never work because you have physical form and they exist in the vacuum of space. "Also I'm kind of dating someone."

"Starring at someone from across the office creepily and asking them dumb questions in the break room is not the same as dating," Tessaly says.

Instead of responding with words you respond with a "Euhgh!"

"Sorry, I didn't think that was going to be a hard hitting truth," Tessaly responds, concerned and confused.

"No. I think I found the problem," you say. Your hand went right into it. "I think somehow the void cat thing got into the server, which should be impossible, and left a little treat."

"Do void cats have hairballs?"

"Not that kind. I think it killed something and left it here. For a few days or weeks. It's mostly goo now, and I can already tell it's going to smell."

Tessaly tried to sound sincere, "Oh that sucks for you."

You do your best to clean it up, getting some supplies from your client and then replacing the part that Hubble unintentionally ruined. You can still feel some silence praising the black hole of a pet as being a brilliant vicious hunter.

With the mess cleaned up and the components replaced with ones with less viscera you reboot the server and run some diagnostics.

"Everything looks good on our end," Tessaly says.

"I'm going to check the local connections and everything," you tell her.

Using your work computer you check the server, the connections, and that the various hosting services it does are working. Which is something you immediately regret.

But everything was fixed and you put everything away and inform the client that the job is done, if they have any more questions to call tech support and they will assist however they can.

They offer you some more stuff as thanks, but you politely decline as you really want to get home to light and gravity and noise.

You return to the office and sure enough you smell bad. Even aside from the smell of cosmic radiation, whatever dead void creature was in the server was extremely smelly.

"Wow you smell terrible," Tessaly says as way of a greeting.

"It's not the worst part," you say.

"How could there be something worse?"

"They were using the server to host human fetish videos."

"Oh my gods! Tell me everything!"

"Well what is the kinkiest thing for a being that is mostly void?"

"I don't know, whips, nipple clips, pet play?"

"No. They don't have super corporeal forms."

"Don't tell me."

"Yup. Missionary."

Tessaly laughs very hard.

"That's the worst part, is that it isn't even interesting."

"It's interesting to someone."

#my fiction #eldritch tech support #no editing we die like men #this was going in a couple of different directions and i think this is a good one

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seabysiren · 1 year

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141 Task Force Streamer AU!!!

the ghost force channel began with just you and Simon in the beginning. simon came to you with a proposal after hearing some of his coworkers chatting idly on their break.

simon works his ass off since graduation. he had to. to get him mom out of that hell hole. to help his drug addict of a brother.

normally he would’ve rolled his eyes at the slackers, but the conversation caught his interest. that someone could make a living off of playing video games and whatever else. (he had to search up markiplier and pewdiepie to fully understand)

simon had to ask you about the idea. he wasn’t the best versed in technology, nor did he have good, working computer. (each time he booted up the old hand me down laptop it sounded like it was about to blast off into space.)

you had jumped at the idea. you nodded happily as he slowly explained what he had overheard. then shyly asked if he could borrow your pc.

it was kinda funny though. simon would whip out his glasses and squint at the screen as you taught him the basics of how to video record and download games.

when you first opened the editing software he just slowly looked at you. blinking slowly like a cat. there was no way he was gonna be able to understand all this.

so you promised you would learn just for him.

it took a few recordings of you and him messing around to finally get him comfortable talking into a microphone. because this man doesn’t talk. he just sits in silence and observes most of the time.

you jokingly call him grandpa. in return he just gives you this dead stare.

it took a lot of time to think about the channel name. simon didn’t want it to sound dumb, nor too try hard. (you teased him about the new lingo)

he settled with ghost. because if this didn’t work out, he would just disappear. and because this was a side gig, something bound to fail.

you tacked on force at the end because you knew. you knew that whoever was going to watch his first video is gonna be a simp. I mean, have you heard his voice??

the first video recording was around thirty minutes of good old minecraft. seemed popular enough. and paired with simon’s deep voice and his dry humor, it was all set to go.

you reassuringly rubbed his back when he posted the first video. you could see in his eyes and from the way he wrung his hands he was a bit nervous.

that same day you ushered him home to rest.

that same night was when it began.

the simping.

you had to filter the majority of the comments in the beginning because you just didn’t have the heart to show him all the thirsty comments about his raspy, deep voice.

he was just happy to have a bit of extra cash. that he didn’t have to work himself to the bone if this channel grew.

and grew it did.

not only was everyone really liking his voice, but also his dry ass humor and dark jokes. coupled with the fact that for some reason he was really good at learning game mechanics, you were able to easily record and edit.

him angrily clicking on the red bed and being told there’s monsters nearby.

“good night moon. good night tree. good night zombie that i cant see but i fucking know you’re there.”

fucking hates dating sims. but his audience thinks it’s funny for him to dryly play the protagonist.

“goddamn it i dont wanna fuckin’ talk to you ya bloody muppet.”

he’s not allowed to play dream daddy anymore from the pure frustration that radiates off him. that and because you don’t want his blood pressure to rocket.

loves lying and tricking his viewers. makes up the most absurd background information about himself because he just thinks it’s funny.

“i wasn’t born for this fuckin romance. i was born for politics. been told i have great hair and i love lying.”

you chime in every once in a while and have funny little text chat comments. especially when you have a counter about the amount of times he insults something with the word muppet.

he’s british. his accent is too powerful for the simps. there are too many videos making fun of his british-ness. next video title is called damn Americans reviewing all their stupidity in return.

you call his fan base little poltergeists because damn do they make a tonna noise. their so vocal about his voice and dry humor. that and because they love clowning on him.

he gets bullied for playing valorant instead of apex. in return he mops the floor with anyone who stream snipes his games.

loves mystery games. and action games. anything in general he can shoot and lie and absolutely destroy other players

he’s a little too good at among us to be healthy.

overall 10/10 recommend coparenting a channel together with simon.

ps he’s known for this one quote that went viral.

“im going to defeat you with the power of friendship… and this knife I just found.”

part II

#cod x reader #ghost x reader #simon ghost riley #simon riley x reader #streamer au #gn reader

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doublesunsets · 8 months

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echoes of a blast

Echo + The Bad Batch SFW Word Count: 2.2k

TBBAW 2023 @tbb-appreciation-week

DAY 2: ECHO

Touching Foreheads

"This wasn't supposed to happen."

Characters: Echo, Tech, feat. Hunter, Wrecker, Crosshair

Tags: Mental Health Issues, Intrusive Thoughts, Mention of death, Friendship, Discussion of insecurities, Feelings

Author's note: Just a little something-something exploring Echo's feelings after joining the team plus bonding with Tech. I wanted to try something, and I hope at least I did justice to Echo. Ah yes, some Fives fell out of my pocket, sorry 💜 -sunset

His scomp turned and whirred, but the door stayed closed. Echo looked at it, then at his arm, then back at the door, brows furrowed deeper than usual.

“Problem?” Hunter checked.

“This wasn’t supposed to happen,” Echo grumbled. A sharp pain twisted inside his chest, but he discarded it. There wasn’t time now for that, he removed his arm from the slot, and introduced it again with the same result: nothing. “It should open.”

“Try turning it the other way,” Wrecker commented.

“Don’t be absurd, it doesn’t work like that,” came Tech’s clipped tone as he approached the door as well and connected his datapad to it.

“Have you tried turning it on and off again?”

“Crosshair, I swear—“

“Put it in rice?”

“It exists the possibility that your software is not compatible with the interface, maybe it is a more advanced program,” Tech muttered, disconnecting the datapad, apparently not obtaining any results either. “Maybe if I connect—“

“Put down that finger, are you calling me obsolete?”

“I was just suggesting—“

“What I would suggest is finding an alternative route, now. We cannot stay here.”

“You know how much it pains me to say this, but Hunter is right.”

“And why in Kamino name would it pain you to say that?”

“Well…”

“Guys,” Echo put himself between Hunter and Crosshair before they could start. Or continue. “Let’s go back to the last corridor, I saw another door there that should take us outside as well.”

A collective grunt was all the answer he got, which was good enough in his opinion right now. He pushed Tech’s hand away, who was trying to connect his datapad to his scomp, and headed back retracing his steps, hoping that the other exit worked.

It did work. But no plan B is perfect. The moment they went through the door, an alarm started blasting through the whole compound, completed with an extremely annoying fanfare of lights as well. Hunter swore like a commando, and Echo winced under his helmet. They ran faster towards the extraction point, but before they could reach the exterior wall, the stomps of metallic feet started to be heard above the alarm.

“Enemies inside the perimeter. Engage!”

“Roger, roger.”

In a matter of seconds, the whole team was surrounded by battle droids, blasters raised, and pointing at them. They had no other option but to stop their retreat, and find cover around the landing pad they were in.

“We have them! Captain, we have the intruders surrounded, awaiting orders.”

Echo didn’t like hiding, it was preferable to blast some droids, but he was down on firepower since… well. Since.

Some movement at his right took him out of his thoughts. Crosshair was hiding by himself behind a turret, and he saw him stuck his rifle out of his hiding spot, and shot. The alarm was disabled, silence falling immediately in the area they were. He noticed Echo watching and saluted him with two fingers smoothly.

“Hey, at least they turned off that kriffing noise!”

Hunter chuckled airily, looking above his crate to evaluate the situation. “Sure, it’s all looking bright right now.”

Echo looked around his crate as well. At least fifty B-1 battle droids stood in formation, cutting all possible retreat on that side. They were in a dead end, but at least the wall offered them a reprise, avoiding them to be surrounded by all sides.

The wall.

Echo looked again at the unmoving droids. They were waiting for orders, he had seen it before plenty of times, they never move until a superior arrives, and for some reason the droid in command had not arrived yet. Which meant they had an opportunity to put a plan in motion.

“Wrecker!” Echo shouted at the man two crates over. Tech, who was crouched next to him, looked up and Echo swore he could see the wheels turning behind his goggles.

“What?”

“I have a plan,” Hunter and Crosshair didn’t react, but he knew they were listening as well. He tried not to smile at his own question. “Do you have any explosives?”

“Oh, yes!” Wrecker almost stood out from the excitement. “I thought you'd never ask!”

“Echo, you sure about this?” Hunter asked him.

Was he? He was always sure about his plans, they were his pride and joy. Then again, he had been sure about being able to open that door when they planned today’s mission. That sharp pain again. He had been sure. In the same way that he had been sure that he was going to die that day. And before that, he had been sure that he would always be a 501st trooper. Or, at least, he had been sure that it would always be him by his side. It wasn’t him who answered.

“Yes, we are.” Tech sounded sure, as always. “We reviewed the schematics of the compound before the mission, and this wall is actually thin enough to open a hole through it with a controlled explosion.”

Tech looked at him, awaiting confirmation. “Ah, yes. They are distracted now, waiting orders. If we put the charges there, and there, it will open a path for us before they can even say roger once.”

The moment Hunter nodded, Wrecker uttered an excited yelp and started to prepare the explosives. When the charges were ready, they moved as one. The droids were expecting an escape attempt, but they simply switched to the other side of their hiding spots, to their utter bafflement. Before any of the clankers could react, the explosion wrought havoc among their formation, pushing most of them backward, towards the side of the building.

It wasn’t until they were back at the Marauder, and Tech was pushing the coordinates for the hyperspace jump, that they all released a collective breath they didn’t know they were holding. It wasn’t the closest call they had had since Echo joined the team, but it hadn’t been the smoothest either.

“I’m just saying, the hole didn’t need to be big enough for a bantha.”

“Just because you are a skinny guy doesn’t mean the rest of us are. I think it was the perfect size!”

“It was a good job, Wrecker, don’t listen to him.”

“It was too big for you, as well. Too tall.”

“What does that mean now?”

Hunter left the cockpit grumbling after a snickering Crosshair, and Echo sagged into the copilot chair, exhausted. He was still uneasy, and while usually the banter amused him, it was making him strangely melancholic right now. The view of the blinding lights through the windows wasn’t working this time, either. He used to love it. Now it made him claustrophobic.

He sighed and turned the chair. Wrecker had gone away as well, and Tech was engrossed with his datapad. They had done a good job, the worries of the mission obviously forgotten, falling smoothly into their routine until the next call. He should be content that in the end they managed to get out, he knew that plans didn’t always work how you devised them, and being able to come with a new one was an even more valuable skill. Still.

It should have worked. He should have. He wasn’t supposed to–

“Problem?” Tech’s voice pushed him out of his stupor.

He looked up and saw Tech still crouched over his datapad, his body was slightly turned towards him though, and Echo took that as a sign that he didn’t hallucinate his voice.

“I find it strange, that we don’t do a debriefing session after the mission,” Echo half-lied.

“It would be redundant, there is no need for a debrief when there is no one to inform about the status of your mission.” Tech stopped talking abruptly, and put down his datapad. “Are you worried about what happened? Is this what it is about? Because I’ve explained to you that before, and I know that you are intelligent enough to not need to be explained things twice.”

Echo held back a sarcastic thank you, and decided to answer honestly. “I don’t know.”

“You don't… know?” Tech’s head turned fractionally to one side, which reminded Echo of a massiff.

“Yes, I don’t know. I do, but I don’t. I am upset. That door was supposed to open, so we could carry on with the mission. I am also intelligent enough to know that I shouldn’t be this upset about a detail going wrong.”

“I think that being upset is–”

“But what a detail! We almost die because my stupid arm didn’t want to collaborate. What’s the point of having all this if I can’t do the one thing I’m supposed to do. What’t the point of me here. You have your brain, and Hunter his senses, Wrecker his strength and determination, and I think Crosshair could kill some droids with just a nasty comment. Me? I am different now, sure, I wasn’t average before, but I am not special enough to be special, not normal enough to be normal. Not even–”

“Echo!”

Tech’s hand clutched his forearm, and Echo didn’t know what surprised him more, the shout of his name or the physical contact. His breath was laboured, and his hand gripped tightly his own knee. He couldn’t feel it, it was still weird.

He took a deep breath and let it out, slowly. Tech didn’t remove his hand, waiting. “This wasn’t supposed to happen.”

“I know.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“I know that, too.”

Echo chuckled. “Is there something you don’t know?”

“Some. For example, I don’t know why you still think you are not good enough.” Tech removed his hand but kept facing him. “You have proved your skills numerous times.”

He knew that to be true, he really did. Tech was seldom wrong, as he often remarked, and besides that, objectively, he knew he was right as well. But still.

“Not to mention, the value of a man goes beyond their skills set. I am aware that this is a war and our capabilities determine the role we play in it, but I believe you are mixing up your value as a soldier and your value as a person.”

Echo felt his eyes go wide, a tremor through his spine as Tech’s words unlocked a pain inside his chest he didn’t know he had.

“I don’t think I’ve ever known how to differentiate those two things. Now it’s even harder.” He lifted his hand and tried to tousle his hair. Still weird. He focused pointedly on a spot above Tech’s left ear, took another deep breath, and let that sharp pain crawl out of his chest.

“I was prepared to die that day, from the moment I felt that blast I knew I was going to die. Don’t get me wrong, I am glad I am alive, even– Even after what I went through, I am thankful that I am alive, when so many others are not.” He sighed, looked out the window, in search of words that escaped him, but they were not among the stars. “But sometimes, I’m still in that moment. A part of me did die that day. The one that knew which one was his role in this galaxy. The one who knew where was his spot. The one that knew that he deserved it. Sometimes that blast still hits me out of nowhere, and for a moment it leaves me a bit woozy. Like coming out of a hyperspace jump without notice.”

Echo looked back at Tech, confusion painted on his face, and a small smile appeared on his face. “I’m sorry, I don’t make much sense.”

“No, no, you do. I–” Tech pursed his lips, seemingly searching for the right words. “I might not, and never would, know for what you are going through. But I know what it is, searching for your place in this galaxy. You are one of us now, Echo, and I know I don’t speak only for myself when I say that even if tomorrow none of your cybernetics work any more, you would still have a place on this ship.”

Echo smile grew. It wasn’t exactly that, but he couldn’t blame Tech, he could tell he was trying. It was close enough, though, and he appreciated the effort. He grabbed his neck and bumped his forehead against Tech’s, releasing him after it.

“What was that?” Those goggles made his eyes comically huge.

“Ah, yeah. Something I used to do with–” the name got stuck in his throat. Another time, then. “My best friend.”

Tech straighten momentarily, pushing his shoulders back and doing that massiff’s head tilt again, and Echo found himself chuckling this time.

“He saw it somewhere, used to say it was a warrior’s sign of respect. He was full of bantha shit, of course, but it was an easy way of reminding each other we were not alone, even in the middle of a battlefield.”

“He… was not exactly wrong. He wasn’t right either, mind you, but he wasn’t wrong.”

“Huh. Yeah, that sounds like him.” Echo stood up, clapped Tech’s shoulder and turned to leave the cockpit, but stopped. “Thank you, Tech,” he said without turning, and left.

Maybe none of this was supposed to happen, not this ship, not this team, not even himself, but he was here now.

He wasn’t alone.

He will be fine.

They will be fine.

Taglist: (I just realised that I should have asked if you want to be tagged in all works, or just smut, or whatever 😅, so taglist applies for ✨everything✨ unless anyone specify, OK? If you want to be added, just let me know.) Drink water.

@motte-the-goblin@fenharel-enaste@nahoney22@stunkbiggu@gt13tbbart@dangraccoon

#tbbaw2023 #tbb echo #arc trooper echo #tbb tech #day 2 #fic #this wasn't supposed to happen #touching foreheads #sunset writes

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atonalginger · 3 months

Text

OC Introduction

Fandom: Starfield

Role: Spacefarer,

BASICS

Full Name: Julien Prince

Nickname(s): Fox

Pronouns: He/Him

Sexuality: Bisexual

Occupation and Titles: Prev: combat medic in the FC miltia (post war), random odd jobs not worth remembering. UC Vanguard Recently: Argos mining, Constellation explorer, Freestar Ranger

Birthday & Age: at the time of the game 35. Born on the 3rd day of the tenth month in the ass-end of nowhere Dodgewood, Akila

Physical description: 5'8", dense muscles, appears lanky

Clothing style: Fox does not have what one would call style. Let's just say it's a good thing his main jobs have had uniforms...will mix prints, loud colors, though he can clean up and dress appropriately when the occasion demands.

BACKGROUND

Fox is Doc Melody's twin. They left home at 18 shortly after he signed with the FC militia and began medic training. Lost track of Doc for a time, causing him to hop from job to job while searching for her. Around the time he found her in NA he met his husband, joined the Vanguard to gain citizenship, and settled into a more boring life in the UC. Then his sister tagged along for a Comm tower repair job out in Tau Ceti and...well life picked up and never slowed down after that...

COMBAT & SKILLS

Preferred fighting style: If he has to fight he favors pistols/revolvers and snipers rifles. Well more like if he has to fight he'd prefer to hit hem first without being seen but if not, he's a menace with a pistol. Like Fox is Mercy from overwatch when she stops healing and starts hosing the other team...

Favorite weapon(s): Fully upgraded Razorback, Fully upgraded Urban Eagle, A Lawgiver set up for long range (I know that's not a sniper but it's what he used!)

Special skills: He's a drummer. A really good drummer. He can also sing. He and Doc were actually in a band as teens. Photography.

RELATIONSHIPS

Family: Doc, his husband, his inlaws. His found family of close friends (including Bella and lil' Sophie). He and Doc are no contact with their blood relatives for personal reasons

Love interest: His husband, Nick. Loves that software engineer like no other.

Best friends: Other than Doc and Nick? Bella, Diego Monroe, Barrett, Vlad, and Noel.

PERSONALITY

Positive traits: Trustworthy, Brave, Adaptive, Protective

Negative traits: Impulsive, Rebellious, sometimes cocky.

Likes: exploring, amber ales, babysitting his nieces, days off.

Dislikes: Lillian Hart (you'll see), politics, IPAs

Fears: losing what family he has left

Guilty Pleasure: I mean he doesn't ascribe guilt to his pleasures but his sister would say the fact that he blasts old earth boy bands in the cockpit when he thinks he's alone. He knows all the words to every song on NSYNC's debut album.

Hobbies: Photography, playing his drums, baking, camping, driving his sister batty.

#oc introductions #oc Fox #it's Doc's brother again!.

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wildissylupus · 8 months

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So, I don't exactly know if you've discussed this, but I think it's clear about what this current season is going to lead up to, and why I think it's so important to be adamant and weary about Null Sector's plans.

The evidence is there, and the claim?

Null Sector is trying to start another Omnic Crisis.

However, this one is less 'a glitch in the system'

And more, 'hitting the factory reset button and installing a virus intentionally right after.'

Why?

WELL BUCKLE UP YOUR BAMF BELT KIDDOS CAUSE THIS IS A TRIP AND A HALF.

As we know from story missions, Omnics are being subjugated and indoctrinated across the globe, all at once, in almost every part of the world by Null Sector and those helmets that quite literally place them under a catatonic state and wipe the Omnic's memories.

Torbjörn's analysis on the helmet is very clear when he brings up a very important piece of information:

"I don't know...this device is a nasty piece of work. I think I can get it off, but the bigger problem is, I'm not reading anything in the Omnic's memory banks."

"He's still alive, but it's like the essence of who he is,...is gone."

Now, when we say essence, I'm pretty sure we're saying the Iris, or Aurora's essence that was implemented during the awakening. Now I get what you're thinking. 'Ok Anon #324, but if the Iris gets removed, then why is Ramattra talking about Iris? During the Toronto mission?'

And to you- I say- oh ho ho, my dear, that's exactly what we should be fearing. Let it tie into the fact that there's also one of these Voicelines from Ram when talking about his favorite animal:

"Ants. They build marvelous structures and cooperate when threatened. I find them... Inspirational."

Toronto mission, hell, even the humans are terrified. Everyone is swarming in groups. It's not just gameplay either, when Sojourn is directing the groups of scared Omnics onto the ferry boat, it only proves Ram's point more. People are scared, people are grouping together to fight back, hide, run, and that's exactly what NS wants.

Not only is Null Sector wiping the Iris and awakening out of the Omnics altogether, they're creating a brand new version of the 'Iris'...let's call it 'Pink Eye' cause from what I've seen it's highly contagious. Not only from wiping memories, but also using the memories of strong fighters as well. Human's memories. (*Cough Cough* Ana.)

Have you heard Ram talking during the Toronto mission? He specifically states:

"Together, our one minded purpose. We will make this world, our paradise."

"We welcome you into the Iris."

----------

You let me know what you think about this. I wanna hear some raw thoughts. Big brain mode, no idea is a bad idea. I'm hungry for knowledge.

All I know is that, a couple of things could happen.

If those helmets are taken off, someone is going to have to sacrifice their memories either to bring back the original Aurora awakening and reinstall essence to the Omnics. Wonder who.

If NS ends up indoctrinating a major part of the Omnic population, many will die when and if those helmets do something else. If they can send out a location signal, who knows what else they'll do.

If sentience is reestablished into Omnics and possibly other software coding, this'll be one hell of a trip for all those Null Sector bots.

Man you had a brain blast and I. AM. LOVING IT!

Honestly I love your theory and I don't think there is much to add! It also is a good way to bring in the Junkers cause apparently he found the secret to Omnic life in the Australian omnium-

That could be a way to bring all the omnics back, the Australian Omnium was the place where Aroura was built after all. They could end up brining a second awakening, some residual of Aroura left in the Omnium. It could also lead to the sentience of the Null Sector drones, specifically the bots that are based off of actual people.

Like the C-455 Sharpshooter, P-900 Warhead, S-900 Sentry, A-7000 Wargod and K-2000 Blademaster. If they all have the same glitch that A-7000 has them that is one hell of an identity crisis they're going to have.

--------------------------

All that aside, I want to present my own theory. A counter theory if you will.

And that is Ramattra doesn't know that those helmets are erasing Omnics, he just thinks they are in a catatonic state. There is no indication that Ramattra knows what the subjection helmets are actully doing to Omnics.

If you look back at Ramattra's short story there is no implication of Ramattra wanting to create a new Omnic society through hitting a reset button;

There is an indication of imprisonment, of taking away other Omnics choices in order to make them listen, but that is very different from hitting a reset button. Essentially killing the soul of Omnics. It's something I don't see Ramattra doing knowingly. However, there is a group of people who would not only do this, but has tried to do this before.

Talon.

Something I remember from the Story Missions is Torbjourn saying that the helmets put an Omnics mind in a loop. It's something I didn't think much about. Until I read "The Hero of Numbani".

In that book Sombra hack and installs a virus several Omnics around Numbani. A virus that locks Omnics in a constant loop, and gradually corrupts the Omnics memories.

Sound familiar? There is also the fact that a part of Doomfist's beliefs that are presented in that novel are anti-omnic.

Not only that but I always found it strange that Dommfist, someone who wants conflict, would help someone who has the motivation of "Peace at any cost". Ramattra goal has and still is, for freedom and peace. Something that if he were to gain, would go against Doomfist's want for conflict.

Unless Doomfist is just using Ramattra and Null Sector as a tool to create conflict, adding either an updated version of Sombra's virus (or what he thinks is an updated version), to remove Omnics souls and create a true Second Omnic Crisis.

Not only that but that could also lead into an explanation on what "The Conspiracy" is, maybe it's another God AI who wants to do what Anubis did but has learned from the mistakes of the first Crisis and is trying to make it so they are guaranteed to win.

--------------------------

Either way I am excited for both of these theories, with the first one it's going to be interesting to just explore that aspect of Null Sector, if they get Omnics back are they going to still have their memories, their souls? Are they going to resort back to their basic programming, are they going to go back to being under Anubis's control?

In the case of the second theory, how will Ramattra react if he truly doesn't know what the helmets are doing? Will he stop the invasion? Will he double down? Will he go after Talon?

It's all so interesting!

#overwatch #overwatch 2 #overwatch lore #overwatch headcanons #analysis #doomfist #akane ogundimu #akande ogundimu #ramattra ow #ramattra overwatch #ramattra #null sector #talon overwatch #talon

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hpowellsmith · 1 month

Note

not sure if you'll know the answer to this but is there a reason why sammi doesn't appear in the matchmaker version of season 1 even though she's in the game assets?

Oh, blast from the past haha! I can answer this actually because I happened to be involved in conversations about it at the time and I did some writing for the chronological point where Sammi appears in LITG and then doesn't in MM.

In the original Season 1, Sammi only exists if Talia is romanced, and is brought in to even out the numbers of possible M/F couples, meaning that all the guys who are required to stay in the Villa at that stage of the game still have an in-universe reason to stay in. She was a product of what we used to call "couple maths".

Matchmaker is (was? not sure if it exists online anymore?) a lot simpler and less branching then the original Love Island the Game because of being made with different software; the structure and writing was done in-house but not the rest. I can't remember the details now but there were only certain ways that we could branch the narrative paths (plus each of the story sections had to be very short compared to LITG). So, there wasn't the capacity for such major branching and so we had to use different maths to even out the couples in the event of the MC being in an F/F couple rather than introducing Sammi.

I've no idea what's in the game assets or why Sammi assets would be in MM, but sometimes there were unused bits and pieces left around the place. I've seen players datamine the apps and draw conclusions from it, but in reality unused assets don't always reflect cut material.

#love island the game #litg

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agentsquirrelsgotrobots · 6 months

Text

The Stars, The Moon, The Sun, and an Incoming Constellation

A DP x DC x Tfrb fic - also posted on my Ao3 Agentsquirrel

After marrying Danny and getting engaged to Tucker, Sam packs up the trio and heads to Griffin Rock, a place that is rumored to be just as chaotic as Amity Park.

Of course, the Fenton luck follows them, and the three of them find out their family will soon become bigger than they thought.

"Shots fired at the dock! Dad, be careful!" Cody said, his voice shaking with worry.

"I promise, all protocol will be followed to the letter." Chase said, speeding towards the dock, Blades flying overhead.

They parked, and immediately, Charlie knew they were in over their head. A white goth woman no older than Dani was pinned behind a cement parking barrier, her forehead grazed and her forearm shot right through the skin, missing bone but severing muscle. She was oddly calm though, her body language free of shock as she kept pressure on her wound and watched the battle with rapt concentration.

"Danny, love, quit being cocky and wrap this up. The police are here, and Tuck's gotta scram." She said into her flip phone, the thing absolutely ancient compared to the cell phone, this year's model, shoved in her steel toed boot.

"Chase, I can't see anything! Whatever is opening fire is just a green blur!" Blades was bordering on a full on panic, Dani fully in control.

"It looks like a fight between a gang trying to set up shop and whatever that green blur is. Stay back dad, looks like it can fly fast." Dani said, retreating from the fight after scanning for civilians. The situation seemed to be resolving itself without them.

"Miss, do you require medical attention?" Charlie yelled over the sounds of gunfire.

"I'm fine, my partner needs to HURRY THE FUCK UP!"

With one last final blast, a white, blue eyed, black haired boy ran from the scene and behind Chase, his sneakers soaked in blood and a green substance Charlie hoped was paint.

"I got trapped between that… thing and the shootout. I don't know what I stepped in, but I think it's all blood." He said, panting hard, his face and arms cut up from debris. "My name is Danny Mason. That's my wife Sam. I'm a medic, got a first aid kit on you?" Charlie handed it over, and on a whispered count of three, he dashed over to his wife, quickly applying a tourniquet and dragging her towards the squad car. "Tuck's fine, is at the hotel. After we give a statement, I am taking you to the hospital."

"Wait." Graham said over comms Daniel and Sam Mason-Foley, with their fiance Tucker? Like, Mason industries, and Foley computer systems? Dad, half the island buys their tech, its the most repairable, environmentally sustainable, and secure software and computer companies on the market, and a flagship brand against planned obsolescence. Please, play nice. This could legitimately be huge for the island."

"Noted. Kade, you too."

Kade sighed. "Got it. Be nice to the Luskey Jrs."

"Do you need a ride? I can follow up on a statement later. I can have you flown to the mainland for a checkup or let you call for a ride."

"It's not-" Sam started, wincing as Danny cleaned her head wound.

"We will take that flight. I don't like the look of her head wound, and I am no good at stitches."

"First, call Tucker, so he can rub it in our faces." Sam said, hissing as Dani caught up to them and started redressing her wounds, Chase and Charlie clearing the area, Charlie trying not to vomit at the sight of the finely pureed gangster decorating multiple shipping containers and an overturned forklift.

"Well, this is… unpleasant." Chase said, wrinkling his nose at the smell.

In the background, Blades flew towards the mainland, very glad he wasn't on clean-up duty.

"Hey, there's my moon and stars!" Tucker said, dropping his duffel bag on a spare chair before resting a hand on Danny's shoulder and kissing Sam's cheek.

"Only if you are the sun." Sam said, a little loopy from the pain medication, the hospital keeping her under observation for a few more hours.

The nurse came in, oddly nervous, holding a box. "So, I have some news. Sirs, could I ask Mrs. Mason a question in private? Hospital policy, it will only take a minute."

"Oh." Danny said, suddenly concerned. "Sure. Be back soon, Sam. Love you."

"Love you too." Sam replied as Tucker and Danny awkwardly shuffled out of the hospital room.

The nurse watched them leave, then took a deep breath. "It's hospital policy to for this to be private. There's a few questions I have to ask first, but…" She opened the box. Inside, there was a positive pregnancy test, in a sanitary box, and some paperwork.

Sam looked shocked, covering her mouth and choking back a squeal. "I'm pregnant." She whispered. "I thought that. Could you bring my partners in?"

"Of course, but I have to ask a couple of questions before it, standard stuff."

"Oh. OK."

"First I have to give you this." The nurse gave Sam a couple of business cards with referrals to maternity resources, domestic violence hotlines, and reproductive care information. "Nothing personal, we give them to all patients with positive tests. In the same vein, have you experienced any threats of violence, acts of violence, coercion, or felt that your right to consent has been violated by chosen partners, friends, ex partners, or family members?"

"No."

"Would you like or have the need for confidential referrals to counseling on your pregnancy, either by our support counselors or religious clergy?"

"No."

"Would you like to keep the test?"

Sam smiled. "Yes. Could you bring my partners in?"

The nurse nodded, and closed up the box with the test inside. "In the box is the same forms and resources in writing, and some other paperwork. Congratulations."

"Thank you." Sam said, wiping away a few tears.

Tucker and Danny rushed back into the room, their voices overlapping with worry.

"Guys, enough. Open the box." Sam said, offering it to Danny.

Danny ripped it open, throwing the top aside. He dropped it in shock. "I'm…I'm…"

Tucker gasped, a huge grin on his face. "We are gonna be dads!" He yelled, rushing to hug Sam while shaking with excitement.

"I didn't know I could…" Danny said, obviously in shock.

"Danny, DANNY!" Sam yelled, snapping him out of his trance. "I demand attention for my sacrifice."

"Oh!" Danny squeaked, jumping into action. He gave Sam a peck on the cheek before grabbing her hand and flopping into one of the chairs. "We gotta call Jazzy."

"No, duh, but first, I want you two." Sam grumped, returning Danny's kiss. "I already have names for 'em." She said, resting her head on Danny's shoulder while Tucker was already looking up all the latest baby gear and thinking up his own.

"If it's Danny's bio kid, then it's gonna be Cassiopeia or Orion. If it's Tucker's bio kid, it's either Sadie or Orion. My selections are final and not up for debate."

"Yes, ma'am." Danny and Tucker intoned, only half joking. Sam's word was law, after all.

Danny counted backward in his head and gasped. "Uh, Sam. Who's gonna tell your parents that this one's probably mine?"

"Not it!" Danny and Tucker yelled, Sam catching on too late.

"Fuck." Sam hissed.

Danny chuckled. "Apparently, we are quite good at that." He earned a tug on the ear for that comment. "Ow. I deserved that."

Tucker did the math too. "Yep. First one is likely gonna be… no, wait, Danny failed math, we have got a fifty-fifty shot here."

"Meh. Doesn't mean much to me. I am bad at doing hair anyway." Sam said, only half joking.

#dpxdc #maccadam #transformers rescue bots #dpxtf

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oh-hell-help-me · 10 months

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July 13: Barbershop Music Appreciation Day

Luigi would not call himself a connoisseur of music, but he knew enough about it to form a respectable opinion about it.

With the exception of certain songs he will not name, he is also fairly sure that his tastes could be described as ‘eclectic’.

Ludwig, on the other hand, is known to be a bit picky (read: snobbish) with his musical tastes- preferring classical music or genres that expand on instrumental expertise.

So, when he realized what day it was, he took every scrap of sheet music dedicated to the day’s genre, compiled selections on a E. Gadd-Made phone, and took them to the Room of Instrumentation.

Luckily for him, his timing had him walking in while Ludwig was doing maintenance on his favorite piano- an indicator that he was off from composing and, therefore, free.

“Ludwig?”

“Hm?” And the child briefly glances up, offering a small, warm smile before focusing his eyes back on his task. “Hello, mother.”

“Hello, mio bambino!” Luigi is careful in setting down his load on an empty table. “After you’re done, will you help me in my project?”

“A project?” Something in the piano shifts slightly, and Ludwig’s visible fiddling stops with a sense of finality. “And of course! I assume it’s musically related?”

Luigi hummed in affirmation. “Hopefully, I can get it done by this afternoon.”

“Well,” The Koopaling sets aside a tool that Luigi honestly thought was a hammer for a second. “You can start by telling me what exactly you hope to accomplish.”

And Luigi does, spending the next three hours watching Ludwig’s face light up with interest as they slowly pieced together his project.

…

One of the perks of being a mechanic is that he understood enough about software to not only make his own speakers, but to have them connected to a Luigi-made intercom system that will blast sound across the castle evenly.

Hopefully, he won't cause any bursting eardrums.

"What exactly are you trying to do anyway?" Turning, Luigi realizes that Ludwig is poking around the currently uncovered 'radio'

"Well, today is a special day- at least in the human world." Luigi finishes off the final bit of wiring connecting to Bowser's office, letting it fall into the rest of the wire clump as he checks on the playlist.

"What makes it special?" And Luigi doesn't blame Ludwig for his skepticism- after all, Luigi felt similarly when he first discovered the holiday's existence.

"Well, it's a day people can appreciate a musical medium that has been around for centuries- something that has been a cultural phenomenon because of its unique sound. I'm... not quite sure of the details, but it seems neat to have a day dedicated to a musical genre, no?"

Ludwig's expression shifts into something thoughtful, but Luigi paid more attention to how he seemed to brighten at the concept. "...Yeah."

And Luigi couldn't help but smile when he hears the intercom turn on with minimal feedback, hearing the beginning of one of his favorite barbershop covers.

'Oh, oh, oh,'

'For the longest time,'

'Oh, oh, oh,'

'For the longest time...'

And they both listen to the chorus, they could faintly hear the sounds of commotion within the castle-

"Want to see how everyone is reacting?"

"Of course!"

[This part is just a recommendation list- you don't need to read it, but I would definitely encourage you to give them a try!]

For the Longest Time -Barbershop Quartet

Mr. Sandman -The Chordettes

Hello My Baby -The Newfangled Four

(EVERYTHING from the 'Sweet Adelines', honestly)

What a Wonderful World -Storm Front

Somebody to Love -Signature

As Time Goes By -The Buffalo Bills

Sweet and Lovely -Forefront

A Quick Break -StudioMDHR (from Cuphead)

God Only Knows -(That barbershop quartet in 'Bioshock Infinite')

#bowuigi #NATIONAL HOLIDAY #technically a US holiday #but became national later on #STILL #I finally got better wifi connection!#also #EXTREMELY SHORT POST HERE #MOSTLY RECOMMENDATIONS

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malwary · 11 months

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a little while ago @neuro-typical sent me this post by @bye2k of a popup that appeared when trying to right-click images on a shadow the hedgehog fan forum, known as Wishes are Eternal (after the SA2 line). this version of the site appears to be an archived snapshot on the wayback machine, and I'm happy to confirm that it is indeed real. though i couldn't get the popup to work in my own browser, the javascript does exist in the source code of the site, so it's very real and very cool.

i had a lot of things to say about this, but i didn't want to blast the notes of the OG post into oblivion with my big funny wall of text, so I've made my own post. below the readmore I'll explain javascript popups on the internet, some malware that has utilized this, and some very interesting sonic fan community history.

first of all: what is this? how did the webmaster manage to create a popup window in your computer to stop you from downloading images?

well, that would be javascript. because JS is just a normal script language that can do whatever you want, creating a popup is no exception. now, whoever ran the site did not write this script themself, this much is evident by the credit you can see in the source code for the site.

this script is offered by a site called dynamicdrive.com, specifically for disabling right-clicks. you see how simple this is? javascript makes it possible to bother users in all sorts of creative ways. plenty of malware on the web utilizes javascript, and you're probably already aware of most good examples.

you're most likely familiar with offiz, better known by the colloquial name "You Are An Idiot". though its status as malware is somewhat debated, most people can agree that the sites it was on abused a javascript function that allowed it to create hundreds upon hundreds of bouncing windows, slowing the user computer to a crawl and forcing the user to restart their machine, meaning any unsaved work they had open was now lost. in that way it was destructive, though indirectly.

offiz is an example of javascript malware that is harmless on its own, but not all JS malware is that friendly. javascript can be used to force your machine to download software, steal user data, serve you all manner of popups, employ many kinds of malicious code through xss, and more. although these cases are rarer than they were, say, a decade ago, that doesn't mean they don't still happen. here is a fascinating little instance of javascript being used maliciously very recently. it's hard to suggest ways to avoid these without just telling you to use common sense, but there's no other way to put it. as is the case with all malware, your best bet when it comes to not getting it is thinking before you click.

browser malware is extremely common. you may have encountered it going to a suspicious website. there is certainly a necessary aspect of social engineering to this type of malware, you have to be paying less attention to where you're going and what you're doing to stumble upon a site so unsecured that it could infect you. users who get themselves into these situations are typically looking for either p_rn or pirated stuff, so they're more likely to act in irrational or desperate ways to get to their content. don't be a fool online and you won't get played for one.

so, why? why does this old, obscure sonic fan forum have javascript that prevents you from right clicking images? prevents you from downloading images?

this forum is very, very old. the last posts on the entire site were about 10 years ago, even to this day. it's no surprise to me that a lot of this site is a relic of its time. the photobucket watermark on the header image, the collecton of midis of shadow themes playable on the site, the use of the term "ripped off" (as opposed to ripped) to describe the action of taking sprites from a game. it's all there on the very first page, the only one in this archive. despite what youtube video slideshows with a single text scroll that says "no copyright intended, pictures found on google" may imply, reposting images was indeed taken seriously at this time. this was a time when it wasn't too uncommon to see a credit to the person who made an anime girl image transparent (a render, for those unaware) in a forum signature. this was a time when someone got caught tracing every 5 days.

that's not to say there were no issues, but people were still very defensive over what they deemed to be theirs. this was especially prevalent in fanart. fan works are hard and are always a labor of love, so it's no surprise nobody wanted their work reposted, especially not without credit. this was especially clear when looking into some parts of the sprite ripping community. making spritesheets was much harder then than it is now, and it was especially impressive if sprites were hand-edited or even made from scratch. this incredibly painstaking work combined with sonic fans reputation for... unwavering passion... could often culminate in a very serious attitude towards doing something as simple as saving an image. in fact, for some people, this mindset has never truly left.

in 2014, fangame creator Leemena Dan published Sonic Gather Battle on SAGE (the Sonic Amateur Games Expo) to mostly positive reception but ultimately little attention outside of sonic fans online. that is, until 2017, when after a seemingly inconspicuous update, players discovered what appeared to be an audaciously malicious form of DRM present in the game.

this malware had everything. all the bells and whistles. when a player would do any number of things from opening software made to decompile games to simply typing "sonic gather battle cheat" into their internet browser search bar, the payload would activate. (which, of course, means it tracks your keystrokes!)

it's difficult to find good footage of both layers of this DRM (or, rather, both payloads of this malware) that doesn't include a facecam of some gamer dude gawking and screaming at his computer screen. even so, I've found two decent ones. layer 1, and layer 2. this DRM also sends your IP address to a privately owned server, presumably so that the DRM would activate even when the game is uninstalled, and when trying to play it, a splash screen would show telling you to abide by the rules.

unsurprisingly, people did not consider this a proportionate way to respond to the threat of people ripping the sprites from a fangame, and the creator has since been banned from SAGE. to this very day, some people are simply so protective of their work that they'd be willing to go to any length to prevent you from saving it. as obnoxious as that can sometimes seem, it does make for some very interesting history.

#trojan #spyware #scareware #Offiz #Sonic Gather Battle #sonic

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demifiendrsa · 4 months

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Persona 3 Reload — The Hero Character Trailer

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Japanese version

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Yukari Takeba Character Trailer

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Japanese version

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Iwatodai Dorm Life

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Japanese with English subtitles version

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Junpei Iori Character Trailer

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Japanese version

■ Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad (New S.E.E.S. Combat Uniform)

This remake updates the classic combat uniforms worn by the party members when exploring Tartarus. Check out all-new character art of the Protagonist, Yukari Takeba, and Junpei Iori in their new gear!

strong>Protagonist (voiced by Aleks Le in English, Akira Ishida in Japanese)

Weapon: One-handed short sword

Initial Persona: Orpheus

Theurgy: Cadenza, Best Friends, and more.

His weapon of choice is a one-handed short sword, and the first Persona he summons is Orpheus.

Normally, a person can summon only one Persona, but he holds the power of the Wild Card—a special trait allowing him to handle multiple Personas and different types of Theurgy.

—Orpheus

Orpheus is the first Persona that the Protagonist awakens. In Greek mythology, Orpheus was known as a heroic poet and master of the lyre.

Yukari Takeba (voiced by Heather Gonzalez in English, Megumi Toyoguchi in Japanese)

Weapon: Bow and arrow

Persona: Io

Strong Skills: Wind, Healing

Theurgy: Cyclone Arrow

An expert archer with the unique Persona Io.

She specializes in wind and healing abilities, and her Theurgy skill Cyclone Arrow ignores an enemy’s natural affinity to deal heavy wind-type damage.

—Io

Yukari’s unique Persona is Io. In Greek mythology, Io was known as a priestess in service of the goddess Hera, favored by Zeus.

Junpei Iori (voiced by Zeno Robinson in English, Kosuke Toriumi in Japanese)

Weapon: Two-handed Sword

Persona: Hermes

Strong Skills: Fire, Slashing

Theurgy: Hack n’ Blast

A hard-hitting attacker with a two-handed sword.

He specializes in fire and slash attacks. His Theurgy, Hack n’ Blast, deals heavy slash damage to a single enemy regardless of affinity.

—Hermes

Junpei’s unique Persona is Hermes. In Greek mythology, Hermes was known as the messenger of Zeus, revered by travelers and merchants.

■ Social Stats

As you go about your daily life, you may be challenged to meet a certain standard of aptitude in three Social Stats: Courage, Charm, and Academics. These can be improved through activities like studying and part-time jobs. Without sufficient Social Stats, you may not be able to use certain facilities or develop Social Links, so be proactive in self-improvement.

■ Dorm Life

While living in the student dormitory, you can spend time with friends in the common areas. Together, you can cook, study for tests, read books, watch movies, tend to a rooftop vegetable garden, and more! Doing so can raise your Social Stats and teach your friends passive skills called Combat Characteristics, which you’re sure to find useful.

By experiencing dorm life together, the Protagonist and his friends will grow as people. As these bonds grow stronger, they may reveal new sides of themselves.

Public Computer

You can use the public computer in the dormitory lounge to study with software or gather intel. In addition to raising Social Stats, you may also learn useful skills for combat and exploration.

Acquire Special Characteristics

When you spend time in the dorm with fellow students, they may acquire special Characteristics with effects like increased critical attack rate, reduced cost for healing skills, and more. These are sure to come in handy during battle, so try to make time for your friends.

■ Schoolmates

Through student life at Gekkoukan High School and being a member of SEES, you’ll get to know all kinds of people. These bonds are called Social Links, and by raising their ranks you can experience special scenes with them. You’ll be able to find a number of fellow students to hang out with after school hours. Interacting with them will also strengthen your Persona abilities, so be proactive in building these relationships! For this remake, Social Link characters have received all-new portrait illustrations, and their scenes are now fully voice acted.

Classmate: Kenji Tomochika (voiced by Joe Zieja in English, Wataru Hatano in Japanese)

A second-year at Gekkoukan High—one of your classmates. A good friend of Junpei’s who wastes no time asserting himself as your friend as well. He professes his love for older women and soon turns to you for advice on dating.

Gourmet King: Nozomi Suemitsu (voiced by Paul Castro Jr. in English, Fukushi Ochiai in Japanese)

A third-year at Gekkoukan High known as the Gourmet King. He has toured restaurants all over Minato Ward, eating everything on the menu—including secret menus. He appoints you as his bodyguard after helping him escape a dispute with a shadowy figure.

Track and Field: Kazushi Miyamoto (voiced by Mark Whitten in English, Eiji Miyashita in Japanese)

A second-year at Gekkoukan High—one of your classmates and a fellow member of the track and field team. He’s a star athlete who has ranked highly in competitions thanks to his hard work, spirit, and perseverance. He recognizes you as a worthy rival who can go toe-to-toe with him.

Track and Field Manager: Yuko Nishiwaki (voiced by Shelby Young in English, Emiri Katou in Japanese)

A second-year at Gekkoukan High and the manager of the track and field team. She’s childhood friends with fellow track team member Kazushi, referring to him by the friendly nickname “Kaz.” Kind and caring, she watches over you as a new member of the team.

Student Council: Hidetoshi Odagiri (voiced by Austin Lee Matthews in English, Masaya Matsukaze in Japanese)

A second-year at Gekkoukan High, vice president of the student council and head of the Disciplinary Committee. He’s known for his ruthless enforcement of rules, earning him the ire of the other students. Once you join the student council on Mitsuru’s recommendation, he seems to take an interest in you.

Student Council Treasurer: Chihiro Fushimi (voiced by Kelly Baskin in English, Aya Endou in Japanese)

A first-year at Gekkoukan High and treasurer of the student council. She tends to have trouble expressing herself to others, and is particularly uncomfortable around men. Overcoming this struggle is at the top of her mind.

Art Club: Keisuke Hiraga (voiced by Griffin Burns in English, Yuuichi Iguchi in Japanese)

A third-year at Gekkoukan High and head of the art club, where the two of you meet. As the son of a doctor, those around him believe he will follow in his father’s footsteps—but he himself is torn between medical school and arts study abroad.

Foreign Exchange Student: Bebe (voiced by Jeff Berg in English, Mitsuhiro Ichiki in Japanese)

His real name is André Laurent Jean Geraux. An exchange student from France who loves and admires Japan, from kimonos to historical dramas to Japanese gardens. After the two of you meet, he encourages you to join him in the fashion club.

Persona 3 Reload will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC (Steam, Microsoft Store) February 2, 2024 worldwide. It will also be available via Xbox Game Pass.

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