View allAll Photos Tagged Contingency
♫ Marianne Faithfull - Love and Money
"[...] Colui che è incapace di adeguarsi alle realtà della vita, finisce immancabilmente nei pericoli che vuole evitare."
"[...] Ciò nonostante, conservo la speranza
di potere un giorno contemplare la tua guancia
e di veder lacerato il fitto velo
che mi esclude dalla tua vista."
Anonimo Arabo - Le Mille e Una Notte, XIII sec.
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E per chi ci vede un eccesso di romanticismo, si ricreda pensando che il cuore nella foto una volta era un Barbapapà semi-tarocco, accuratamente tagliato e levigato per l'occasione...
... something I take for granted.
119 in 2019 #92
I suppose I think about a lot of 'what ifs', more than the average person I would say, and I make contingency Plan Bs all the time. This is particularly useful when hiking eg carrying stuff in case of emergency (I'm not as bad as my father, his rucksack was so weighed down it's a wonder he could climb!) Once we were snowed in with a baby for over a week so after that I have always stocked up every winter, might also serve me well this year re Brexit problems. As we get older we need to think about the health problems we could face eg what if I lose my sight or the use of my legs?
But one thing I have never really thought about is the inability to open this door, which happened last week. I got up and the door wouldn't open. It was early so couldn't phone anyone. Besides the phone was behind this door, so was my computer. I couldn't phone for help nor google names of locksmiths, carpenters etc, nor access phone numbers of family and friends cos they were all behind this door.
The security lock had worn out and needed replacing. Eventually with careful turning I managed to get it open but it made me think so thanks to whoever thought up this 119 photo challenge!
Pictured is Zafari, from 102 Military Working Dogs Sqn, and his handler ready to take part in a live fire exercise on the Sennelager Ranges in Germany.
Zafari is wearing a body cooler, paw protectors, goggles and ear defenders.
102 Military Working Dogs (MWD) Squadron are part of 1st Military Working Dog Regiment...The LFTT training not only allows the soldiers to undertake their contingency readiness requirement, but also allows the dogs of the squadron to undertake enhanced battle induction, simulating some of the possible stresses of battle that they could encounter on current or future operations. ..Live firing and movement around the battlefield provides a demanding environment to hone the soldier’s skills, not just for combat but as a dog handler also. ..For the Military Dogs, the experience of live firing and explosions reduces their tendency to be scared by the sounds of weapons firing and explosions allowing them to become calm and controlled in stressful situations...The 1st Military Working Dog Regiment’s mission is to deliver Military Working Dog and Veterinary capability in support of Field Army outputs...Delivering a wide range of Military Working Dog capabilities, the Regiment plays a pivotal role in supporting a number of key activities including; counter insurgency operations, the detection of Improvised Explosive Devices, assistance in the searching of routes, buildings and vehicles, enhancing security and patrolling key installations.
The 1st Military Working Dog Regiment consists of three Regular and two Reserve Military Working Dog Squadrons, comprising 299 Regular soldiers and officers with the ability to surge to a maximum capacity of 384 Military Working Dogs.
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© Crown Copyright 2014
Photographer: Mr Dominic King
Image 45160267.jpg from www.defenceimages.mod.uk
Use of this image is subject to the terms and conditions of the MoD News Licence at www.defenceimagery.mod.uk/fotoweb/20121001_Crown_copyrigh...
For latest news visit www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
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ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (Jan. 12, 2021) A P8-A Poseidon aircraft attached to Patrol Squadron (VP) 5 arrives in Guam for exercise Sea Dragon 2021. Sea Dragon is an annual multi-lateral anti-submarine warfare exercise that improves the interoperability elements required to effectively and cohesively respond to the defense of a regional contingency in the Indo-Pacific, while continuing to build and strengthen relationships held between nations. (US Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Kyle Hooker)
A C-130 Hercules flies over Izu Peninsula, Japan, Oct. 14, 2015. Performing regular in-flight operations gives all related personnel real-world experience to stay prepared for contingency situations and regular operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Baker)
Sad news today as Webber Bus of Bridgewater has ceased operating. Contingency plans are currently being made to cover as many of their duties as possible in the near future.
Pictured here running Taunton's 'Flyer' Park & Ride service back in October 2012 we see one of Webber's numerous Optare Versas, YJ60LTN, at dusk in the center of Taunton. These P&R operations were taken over by First a couple of years ago.
Company: Webber Bus of Bridgewater
Registration: YJ60LTN
New: 2010
Chassis: Optare Versa
Bodywork: Optare B38F
Route: FLY (Gateway-Silk Mills)
Location: Fore Street, Taunton
Exposure: 1/25 @ f4.5 400ISO
Date: 27 October 2012
Independently of doctrinal atheism and cultural particularities, modern man moves through the world as if Existence were nothing or as if he had invented it; it is for him a commonplace thing like the dust beneath his feet (more especially as he is no longer aware of the Principle at once transcendent and immanent) and he makes use of it with assurance and inadvertence in a life that has lost its sacredness and thus become meaningless. Everything is conceived through a web of contingencies, relationships, prejudices; no phenomenon is any longer considered in itself, in its being, and grasped at its root; the contingent has usurped the rank of the absolute; man scarcely reasons any more except in terms of his imagination, which is falsified by ideologies on the one hand and by his artificial surroundings on the other. Now eschatological doctrines, however exaggerated they may appear to the sensibilities of those whose only gospel is their materialism and dissipation and whose life is nothing but a flight before God, provide the true measure for the cosmic situation of man; what the Revelations ask of us and what Heaven imposes or inflicts on us is what we are in reality, regardless of our own opinion; we know it in our heart of hearts, if only we can detach ourselves a little from the monstrous accumulation of false images that have become entrenched in our mind. What we need is to become once again capable of grasping the value of Existence and, amid the multitude of phenomena, the meaning of man; we must once again find the measure of the real. Our reactions to eschatological doctrines (or to the one that concerns us most) are the measure of our understanding of man.
There is something in man which is able to conceive the Absolute and even attain to it and which therefore is absolute. This being the case, one can assess the extent of the aberration of those for whom it seems perfectly natural to have the right or chance to be man, but who wish to be so without participating in the integral nature of man and the attitudes it implies. Needless to say, the paradoxical possibility of denying itself is also a part of this nature (for to be man is to be free in a “relatively absolute” sense) much in the same way as to accept error or throw oneself into an abyss is a human possibility.
We have already said that “unbelievers” no longer have the sense of either nothingness or existence, that they no longer know the value of existence and never look at it in relation to the nothingness from which it is miraculously detached. Miracles in the usual sense of the word are in effect only particular variants of the initial (and everywhere present) miracle that is the fact of existence; the miraculous and divine are everywhere; it is the human outlook that is absent.
Fundamentally there are only three miracles: existence, life, intelligence; with intelligence, the curve springing from God closes on itself like a ring that in reality has never been parted from the Infinite.
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Frithjof Schuon: Light on the Ancient Worlds
(when all else fails we may need this, under 30's may not be sure what it is or how it works.......)
Friendly face at the 32nd Annual [2018], Score San Felipe 250 contingency row - San Felipe, Baja - Mexico.
Dancers from the Janis Claxton Dance Company performing 'Chaos and Contingency' in the Grand Gallery of National Museum of Scotland recently
This event was part of the Edinburgh Science Festival.
You can find out more about this year's science festival here:
You can find out more about Janis Claxton's Dance Company, here:
You can see more shots from this event at these links:
My thanks are due to Frances Sutton from Edinburgh Science Festival, Esme Haigh from National Museum of Scotland and Janis Claxton.
Hot rods of all description lined Belleville street in Victoria BC Canada. A huge contingency of people and cars were on hand to greet part of the California, Oregon, Washington and Texas invasion of hot rods arriving on the 2:30 pm ferry from Port Angeles Washington. June 21st was the kickoff day for Northwest Deuce Days, the largest gathering of '32 Fords at any hot rod show in North America, over five hundred '32's will be part of the 1,200 cars on display Sunday June 24 in the beautiful inner harbour and city of Victoria, capital of BC
Pictured is a member of 34 Squadron, The Royal Air Force Regiment based at RAF Leeming, undertaking Live Firing Tactical Training at the Otterburn Training Area.
He is taking aim with a SharpShooter Rifle.
This training formed part of the Contingency Operating Training for the Joint Expeditionary Force.
With a strength of 164 personnel, including specialist engineering and support staff, the Squadron’s firepower is provided by a wide range of infantry weapons including sniper rifles, general purpose machine guns and light and medium mortars.
Fully air portable, the Squadron’s cross-country mobility is provided by a variety of off road platforms battlefield communications systems and a highly effective range of surveillance and night observation equipment which help complete 34 Squadron’s inventory to make it a flexible and powerful force capable of deploying anywhere in the world to defend British air assets or to take part in wider military action.
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© Crown Copyright 2014
Photographer: SAC Phil Dye
Image 45159227.jpg from www.defenceimages.mod.uk
Use of this image is subject to the terms and conditions of the MoD News Licence at www.defenceimagery.mod.uk/fotoweb/20121001_Crown_copyrigh...
For latest news visit www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
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Souped up Volkswagen Beetle — Volkswagen Type 1, two-door, rear-engine classic economy car.
Seen at 2021 SAN FELIPE 250 – APRIL 14-18, Contingency Row
Pictured is a Barbary Macaque on the Rock of Gibraltar with a Commando Helicopter Force Merlin Mk3 helicopter in the background.
Working from RAF Gibraltar, 2 Merlin Mk3 helicopters from 846 Naval Air Squadron based at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, Somerset were consolidating their contingency deployment capability during Exercise Barbary Commando 16. ..Merlin Mk3 is a new aircraft type for the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF). It will advance capability for the primary customer, The Royal Marines...846 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) are the first Royal Navy squadron to convert to Merlin Mk 3..To take on the demanding Commando Role (from ship to shore operations) the current Merlin Mk3 fleet will undergo an upgrade package through an interim model. It will then move towards the advanced Merlin Mk4. This will further increase the capability of this proven battlefield helicopter.
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© Crown Copyright 2014
Photographer: PO(Phot) Si Ethell
Image 45160594.jpg from www.defenceimages.mod.uk
This image is available for high resolution download at www.defenceimagery.mod.uk subject to the terms and conditions of the Open Government License at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/. Search for image number 45160594.jpg
For latest news visit www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
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Pictured are Snipers from 34 Squadron, The Royal Air Force Regiment based at RAF Leeming, undertaking Live Firing Tactical Training at the Otterburn Training Area.
This training formed part of the Contingency Operating Training for the Joint Expeditionary Force.
With a strength of 164 personnel, including specialist engineering and support staff, the Squadron’s firepower is provided by a wide range of infantry weapons including sniper rifles, general purpose machine guns and light and medium mortars.
Fully air portable, the Squadron’s cross-country mobility is provided by a variety of off road platforms battlefield communications systems and a highly effective range of surveillance and night observation equipment which help complete 34 Squadron’s inventory to make it a flexible and powerful force capable of deploying anywhere in the world to defend British air assets or to take part in wider military action.
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© Crown Copyright 2014
Photographer: SAC Phil Dye
Image 45159226.jpg from www.defenceimages.mod.uk
This image is available for high resolution download at www.defenceimagery.mod.uk subject to the terms and conditions of the Open Government License at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/. Search for image number 45159226.jpg
For latest news visit www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
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I decided to remake my halo moc from a while back. I added some new things and other designs like more tiling, weapons, plants, and a different roof. Before I didnt show you the inside of the building but this time I will. Taking the inside was a bit difficult to take so it may not look the best. I might upload more pictures later.
Pictured is a member of 34 Squadron, RAF Regiment closing on the enemy flanked by smoke during a Live Firing Tactical Training Exercise on the Otterburn Training Area.
This training formed part of the Contingency Operating Training for the Joint Expeditionary Force.
With a strength of 164 personnel, including specialist engineering and support staff, the Squadron’s firepower is provided by a wide range of infantry weapons including sniper rifles, general purpose machine guns and light and medium mortars.
Fully air portable, the Squadron’s cross-country mobility is provided by a variety of off road platforms battlefield communications systems and a highly effective range of surveillance and night observation equipment which help complete 34 Squadron’s inventory to make it a flexible and powerful force capable of deploying anywhere in the world to defend British air assets or to take part in wider military action.
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© Crown Copyright 2014
Photographer: SAC Phil Dye
Image 45159237.jpg from www.defenceimages.mod.uk
This image is available for high resolution download at www.defenceimagery.mod.uk subject to the terms and conditions of the Open Government License at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/. Search for image number 45159237.jpg
For latest news visit www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
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Pictured is a sniper from 34 Squadron, The Royal Air Force Regiment during a Live Firing Tactical Training at the Otterburn Training Area.
This training formed part of the Contingency Operating Training for the Joint Expeditionary Force.
With a strength of 164 personnel, including specialist engineering and support staff, the Squadron’s firepower is provided by a wide range of infantry weapons including sniper rifles, general purpose machine guns and light and medium mortars.
Fully air portable, the Squadron’s cross-country mobility is provided by a variety of off road platforms battlefield communications systems and a highly effective range of surveillance and night observation equipment which help complete 34 Squadron’s inventory to make it a flexible and powerful force capable of deploying anywhere in the world to defend British air assets or to take part in wider military action.
-------------------------------------------------------
© Crown Copyright 2014
Photographer: SAC Phil Dye
Image 45159225.jpg from www.defenceimages.mod.uk
This image is available for high resolution download at www.defenceimagery.mod.uk subject to the terms and conditions of the Open Government License at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/. Search for image number 45159225.jpg
For latest news visit www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
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An upcoming spacewalk for Shane and myself has now been announced, but we have been hard at work with the ground teams for a few weeks already: here we are in a conference call where we discuss the procedures, the tools, the contingency scenarios, and try to all be on the same page before the day itself. Actually, many people have been doing A LOT of work over more than a year to be ready for this. It’s beautiful to see all the different disciplines come together to make such special moments happen. It always feel like the stars have to align for something so complicated to happen, and they make the stars align every time with talent and sheer work. Impressive. A million thanks to everyone involved.
Deux sorties dans l’espace que Shane et moi allons réaliser dans une dizaine de jours viennent d’être officiellement annoncées, mais cela fait déjà plusieurs semaines que l’on s’y prépare avec les équipes au sol. Ici on était en visioconférence pour passer en revue les procédures, les outils, anticiper les scenarii dégradés (qui n’arrivent jamais :)) et s’assurer d’être bien sur la même longueur d’onde avant le jour J. En réalité, cela fait déjà plus d’un an que de nombreuses équipes travaillent à la préparation pour faire en sorte que les étoiles soient bien alignées sur un projet d’une telle complexité. Déjà que pour aller dans l’espace, on a l’impression qu’il faut qu’une série de miracles s’enchaînent, mais sortir en scaphandre ça rajoute encore un cran à la complexité. C’est le genre d’opérations hors normes qui impliquent des domaines très différents et nécessitent un énorme travail de préparation. Bravo à toutes les équipes, et on va faire de notre mieux pour tout faire marcher comme prévu :)
Credits: ESA/NASA–T. Pesquet
527C3814
Capt. Thomas Bernard, a 36th Airlift Squadron C-130 Hercules pilot, performs a visual confirmation with night vision goggles during a training mission over the Kanto Plain, Japan, Oct. 14, 2015. Crews from Yokota Air Base, Japan, regularly conduct night flying operations to ensure they’re prepared to respond to a variety of contingencies throughout the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Osakabe Yasuo)
PHILIPPINE SEA (March 23, 2018) Sailors prepare to tow an F-35B Lightning II on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1). Wasp, part of the Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group, with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners, serve as a ready-response force for any type of contingency and advance the Up-Gunned ESG Concept. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Michael Molina/Released)
More experimenting. Not so much a build, more of an artistic interpretation. I actually did have a similar version built up in a dome but couldn't attach the lobe bits or the tail without it falling over.
A C-130 Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron flies near Mount Fuji, Japan, during a routine sortie Jan. 26, 2016, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The 36th AS regularly conducts training missions to remain proficient in the necessary skills to support any contingency. (U.S. Air Force photo/Osakabe Yasuo)
Pictured are Dogs and their handlers from 102 Military Working Dogs Sqn taking part in a live fire exercise on the Sennelager Ranges in Germany.
102 Military Working Dogs (MWD) Squadron are part of 1st Military Working Dog Regiment...The LFTT training not only allows the soldiers to undertake their contingency readiness requirement, but also allows the dogs of the squadron to undertake enhanced battle induction, simulating some of the possible stresses of battle that they could encounter on current or future operations. ..Live firing and movement around the battlefield provides a demanding environment to hone the soldier’s skills, not just for combat but as a dog handler also. ..For the Military Dogs, the experience of live firing and explosions reduces their tendency to be scared by the sounds of weapons firing and explosions allowing them to become calm and controlled in stressful situations...The 1st Military Working Dog Regiment’s mission is to deliver Military Working Dog and Veterinary capability in support of Field Army outputs...Delivering a wide range of Military Working Dog capabilities, the Regiment plays a pivotal role in supporting a number of key activities including; counter insurgency operations, the detection of Improvised Explosive Devices, assistance in the searching of routes, buildings and vehicles, enhancing security and patrolling key installations.
The 1st Military Working Dog Regiment consists of three Regular and two Reserve Military Working Dog Squadrons, comprising 299 Regular soldiers and officers with the ability to surge to a maximum capacity of 384 Military Working Dogs.
-------------------------------------------------------
© Crown Copyright 2014
Photographer: Mr Dominic King
Image 45160271.jpg from www.defenceimages.mod.uk
This image is available for high resolution download at www.defenceimagery.mod.uk subject to the terms and conditions of the Open Government License at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/. Search for image number 45160271.jpg
For latest news visit www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
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Pictured are Snipers from 34 Squadron, The Royal Air Force Regiment based at RAF Leeming, undertaking Live Firing Tactical Training at the Otterburn Training Area.
This training formed part of the Contingency Operating Training for the Joint Expeditionary Force.
With a strength of 164 personnel, including specialist engineering and support staff, the Squadron’s firepower is provided by a wide range of infantry weapons including sniper rifles, general purpose machine guns and light and medium mortars.
Fully air portable, the Squadron’s cross-country mobility is provided by a variety of off road platforms battlefield communications systems and a highly effective range of surveillance and night observation equipment which help complete 34 Squadron’s inventory to make it a flexible and powerful force capable of deploying anywhere in the world to defend British air assets or to take part in wider military action.
-------------------------------------------------------
© Crown Copyright 2014
Photographer: SAC Phil Dye
Image 45159230.jpg from www.defenceimages.mod.uk
This image is available for high resolution download at www.defenceimagery.mod.uk subject to the terms and conditions of the Open Government License at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/. Search for image number 45159230.jpg
For latest news visit www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
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Pictured are members of 34 Squadron RAF Regiment movind along a track whilst undertaking Live Firing Tactical Training at the Otterburn Training Area.
This training formed part of the Contingency Operating Training for the Joint Expeditionary Force.
With a strength of 164 personnel, including specialist engineering and support staff, the Squadron’s firepower is provided by a wide range of infantry weapons including sniper rifles, general purpose machine guns and light and medium mortars.
Fully air portable, the Squadron’s cross-country mobility is provided by a variety of off road platforms battlefield communications systems and a highly effective range of surveillance and night observation equipment which help complete 34 Squadron’s inventory to make it a flexible and powerful force capable of deploying anywhere in the world to defend British air assets or to take part in wider military action.
-------------------------------------------------------
© Crown Copyright 2014
Photographer: SAC Phil Dye
Image 45159216.jpg from www.defenceimages.mod.uk
Use of this image is subject to the terms and conditions of the MoD News Licence at www.defenceimagery.mod.uk/fotoweb/20121001_Crown_copyrigh...
For latest news visit www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
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In my last post I had a bit of a rant about the vagrancies of the British weather during, what is laughably termed, Summer. On reflection, I have realised that my frustrations have been somewhat amplified by modern technology. Back the good old days, the only source of information was the BBC’s Michael Fish slapping magnetic rubber symbols onto a map of Ol’ Blighty. And we all accepted it would be wrong more often than not as it was mainly based on three pine cones located in Michael’s downstairs loo, a piece of old seaweed hanging from a rusty rail outside the front door of BBC Weather Centre, and the dawn and dusk phone calls to the National Shepherds Association to see if the majority of their members were delighted or not when they looked out of the window. And the BBC acknowledged their inherent inaccuracies by making sure their predictions were very vague of where a shower would appear; Michael’s magnetic symbol for rain covered three entire counties (admittedly, if you are making a weather forecast for Wales, you only need one symbol that is big enough to shroud the whole principality). But now we in the age of supercomputers and AI algorithms and satellites and the internet. So, surely, we should expect an uptick in the forecast accuracy figures? With phone apps having a claimed precipitation prediction precision of minutes within a given postcode, we can now plan the family day out with complete confidence and without the fear that we have not packed enough contingency waterproofs. And I’m sure the parents of the kids in Eyemouth had the same anticipation of warm sunny spells with a light breeze at 16:19, as I did.
Pictured is a member of 34 Squadron, The Royal Air Force Regiment using a spotting scope during a Live Firing Tactical Training at the Otterburn Training Area.
This training formed part of the Contingency Operating Training for the Joint Expeditionary Force.
With a strength of 164 personnel, including specialist engineering and support staff, the Squadron’s firepower is provided by a wide range of infantry weapons including sniper rifles, general purpose machine guns and light and medium mortars.
Fully air portable, the Squadron’s cross-country mobility is provided by a variety of off road platforms battlefield communications systems and a highly effective range of surveillance and night observation equipment which help complete 34 Squadron’s inventory to make it a flexible and powerful force capable of deploying anywhere in the world to defend British air assets or to take part in wider military action.
-------------------------------------------------------
© Crown Copyright 2014
Photographer: SAC Phil Dye
Image 45159224.jpg from www.defenceimages.mod.uk
This image is available for high resolution download at www.defenceimagery.mod.uk subject to the terms and conditions of the Open Government License at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/. Search for image number 45159224.jpg
For latest news visit www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
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Pictured are personnel from 34 Squadron, The Royal Air Force Regiment based at RAF Leeming, undertaking Live Firing Tactical Training at the Otterburn Training Area.
This training formed part of the Contingency Operating Training for the Joint Expeditionary Force.
With a strength of 164 personnel, including specialist engineering and support staff, the Squadron’s firepower is provided by a wide range of infantry weapons including sniper rifles, general purpose machine guns and light and medium mortars.
Fully air portable, the Squadron’s cross-country mobility is provided by a variety of off road platforms battlefield communications systems and a highly effective range of surveillance and night observation equipment which help complete 34 Squadron’s inventory to make it a flexible and powerful force capable of deploying anywhere in the world to defend British air assets or to take part in wider military action.
-------------------------------------------------------
© Crown Copyright 2014
Photographer: SAC Phil Dye
Image 45159229.jpg from www.defenceimages.mod.uk
Use of this image is subject to the terms and conditions of the MoD News Licence at www.defenceimagery.mod.uk/fotoweb/20121001_Crown_copyrigh...
For latest news visit www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
Follow us:
I keep to the shadows. If this does so happen to be the Crow's hideout, it'll be heavily guarded. I'd say at least three guards outside, two by the door, one on the roof. But they could throw a curve ball, and put someone in another building. But I've dealt with all of these, so I have the contingencies.
For the last 5 months, ever since I've dawned the hood, I've been looking, hunting, for the Crow's hideout. Considering how sloppy they are on the job, I'm genuinely surprised how they can hide when the lights are turned on. Recently I've started tracking where they came from, and where they go. And I started to notice a pattern. They would come from South, then leave either going West or East, then lap around, going back south. I also noticed a large concentration of crime near the abandoned Hosman Junkyard, it got shut down a while back when they found out that Gary Hosman was assisting the Clock's and their crimes. There have been alot of bodies found, shots fired, materials stolen etcetera in this area. But something that has me very compelled is that this is the Clock's territory, but lately has become Crow eccentric. So I naturally came to investigate, but found it crawling with goons. So I got out of there, made a plan, and here I am.
I finally make it to Hosman headquarters, right in front of the Junkyard. From a distance I notice a man with a gun patrolling the roof, like I suspected. But they have it lit up well, so I can't risk going around front to see if anyone is there, but I find a ladder out back. I climb it, slowly but surely, hoping to find an entry way. As I near the top I can see the head of the guard, he has his back turned, now is my chance. I go for it. I hurriedly climb, hand over hand, foot over foot, until I slip. Quickly I create a construct platform directly under my feet.
The guard must've heard the commotion and begins to turn around. I levitate myself up to roof-level. We stand their for a moment, staring each other down. He begins to raise his weapon, until i jump and kick his gun out from his hands. It hits the floor with a thud that echo's through the ghostly streets. I panic, and nervously look around. I don't think anyone else heard it. Though he still knows im here, I could easily run away, and no one would believe him.
"It's fight or flight, freakshow."
He taunts me with a smirk, he /wants/ me to fight.
I put on a battle grin, one that I usually wear while fighting. While I'm having fun, it helps that it scares them. Let's them know that you have no fear, while in turn fuels theirs.
I jump off of the platform, dissipating it, and creating another construct disc. It hits his shoulder and shatters, he staggers back. I use this opening to rush him, hitting him with my "killer" (or so im told) right hook, knocking him to the ground.
It isn't until I seem him grinning in the full light until I realize, he isn't wearing a crow mask. I kneel down, grab his shirt, and pull him closer.
"Why are you here? Where is your boss?"
He grimaces and spits out some blood to his side, he then smiles through the pain and whispers out.
"Why would I ruin the surprise?"
The floor then creaks beneath us.
He rolls over quickly, and slams his fist on the board right next to my feet, causing the floor to burst open, and me to fall through multiple levels of rotting wood.
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I slowly open my eyes. Oh gosh, I've gone blind! How can I fight crime if I'm blind? No one would ever read about that! Oh thank you God, my vision gets brighter and better. I find myself on solid ground in a dimly lit hallway, the dust is still settling from my, uh, tumble. I begin to rise, though my side burns terribly. I look down and see a large gash. I put my hand on it and put pressure, it stings, alot. When I finally begin to take in my surroundings, I notice the odd paintings and candles lining the walls. And a crimson carpet clinging to the floor, seemingly carrying on forever....
The fight took at least 20 minutes. They were both battling each other, and I was just about to make a stealth attack, when....
Bombs came crashing down. It knocked both sides out. Marc wasn’t there, meaning he teleported out just in time. Cobb was knocked out from the impact, leaving Rory to help. He telekinetically removed the rubble and carried his body away.
Rory: He’s hurt. Bad. I have to perform a quick surgery on him. Mate’s gonna live long enough. But for now, we’re out. Watch over yourself, Noriko. I’ll telepathically establish a link if the comlinks don’t work in our team.
Noriko: Ok Doc.
Trent (over comlink): All right folks. I know what happened. I just had a brief fight with Mech-Prince. He has lead his team, which I believe dropped the bombs around here. The police can’t hold long for this. And where’s Marc?!
*Somewhere unknown:*
My suit was sustained with multiple cuts and bruises, but I’m still up for a fight. My mini-cape has been burnt off and my I don’t really have a lot of ammo there. Last I heard from the comlink before it broke down was Cobb getting knocked out and Trent’s fight with that gosh darn CEO. I just really hate him, you know. My mind has been on too many things. I just wanna know where my best friend is now....
*Dallas, Texas.*
I woke up with a jolt. The dreams kept coming, if the guy, the prophet dude who sorta invaded my mind and he let me saw the future. The Grey Police. Really totalitarian. Darren and Carl were apprehending guys. My team was half dead. My (grandson?) was taking charge over my legacy. So much stuff going on.
Conrad comes in. “Bad dreams again?” He asks. “I know it’s the same thing over and over again. There’s always a way to prevent it. We’re not talking about dystopian futures like in X-Men or Terminator, but it’s rather a different situation, another scenario. Just relax. I’ll get you some tea. Try meditating if you can.” “Thanks,” I reply. I go to the washroom, staring at my torso and muscles. Then I start washing my, face, knowing that I got to dress up and go to battle.
*Back in L.A.:*
Police officers were coming. I recognise a few of them. Some were Adrian’s friends. Trent’s hand appears before me.
Trent: Kid, this isn’t good. The army can’t access here. Conrad just told me that they’re both in Texas. Adrian’s been dreaming again. And that aside, none of the allies can reach us. I told my sister to stay out of this, she’s under the care of Lockhart and Sanford. You should tell your uncle if you have to.
Noriko: He’ll know soon. Oscar just called me. He’s getting reinforcements, and one of his drones managed to sneak through. He’ll find a way. But as for Adrian, I’m worried about his dreams.
Trent(using his tech and footage): Nothing we can do about it. The ESP is coming soon, and they’ll handle this. By the way, check out Darren, Carl, and Megan. I’ve saw them fight with potential. You think they’ll ever make good team members?
Noriko: Impressive fighting skills. Marc’s gonna like this, speaking of which...
Officer (comes running and interrupts): Blazefire, ahem,—sir, enemy fire is returning! They have heavy weapons here!
Trent: Deploy more squads. Here, take some of my tech. This’ll hold them off a bit. With the ESP coming, we could still have a slight chance of victory. You have to hurry.
Officer: Yes sir.
Trent (back to conversation): About Marc, I’m afraid I can’t come. I’m in command partly with the police here. My mentor is gonna show up anytime to assist, as much as I don’t like him. But Noriko I need you to find him. I’m sure you can do this alone.
Noriko: I could be in use of a “emergency” ally.
Trent (checks database) No one is active, except our doctor. Take Rory with you. I’m sure he’s ready as Cobb is resuscitating. He’ll be notified when you’ll come. I’ll keep tabs on Adrian. Now go!
I run as fast as I can, taking out some nearby enemies. Ironrazor had left early, leaving some mercenaries behind with civilians hostage. I take them out with my sais, and some police officers come and free the civilians. I see one running away the other direction, who’s around at 4 o’clock. I chase after him, using my vision, he’s crawling under the tunnel down below.
*Back in Dallas:*
Conrad: Ready to leave?
Adrian: Sure as always.
Conrad: Good. Then get ready. You are needed as your best friend goes missing.
Adrian: Then ready the squad. The contingency plans have to be set into motion.
Conrad: You sure about this? Given their performance that Trent has showed us?
Adrian: They are.
Conrad: I assume one of them is...your ex girlfriend?
Adrian: That’s a thing of the past. My feelings are mutual, just friends.
Conrad: Then let’s keep it that way.
Somewhere, location unknown:
I wake up with my mouth dry. I hate this. Now my suit was starting to fall apart. I find myself in the clutches of that one a**hole. Mech-Prince. And Ironrazor was there too, gleaming happily.
MP: Ah...the assassin.
Marc: What do you want, f***er?
MP: I assume you know the codes. Don’t play games now.
IR( steps in): I regret we didn’t have much of a longer fight, do we?
Marc: See for yourself, I can last longer than that.
IR: Always got an edge there.
MP: Enough! Now is not the time for quarrel. I need the codes! You will tell me where is it. I will find the agent!
Marc: Well...I still don’t know. But I know you’re kinda overreacting.
*Los Angeles:*
Noriko: Is Cobb stable?
Rory: Yes, but he’s healing. I do believe before the lad got knocked out, he managed to pin the last known location of our friend. Must be somewhere close.
Oscar (coming out of nowhere): And I believe we’re being followed. My drones can navigate the sewers quickly. That guy you just chased? He’s a distraction. I “asked” him politely but he’s quite rude.
Rory: All right lads, we’ve got a lead. Follow me now!
*Phoenix, Arizona, en route to L.A, aboard Photonkiller’s jet:*
Conrad: We’ll be there soon. Your ninja friend Noriko is heading out there with a small team, who are the remaining members active now. You have to assist them.
Adrian: I doubt my leadership is not going anywhere. I’m not even sleeping that well. How will they react if this keeps happening recurrently? And what I did in the war...good lord.
Conrad: I feel your worries. But you shouldn’t bring it up at a time like this. I agree that PTSD is a serious issue, but believe me, you’re doing just fine. Remember how I managed to calm my mind? I saved those people in Calcutta when I was 16. I may have lost 20% of my hearing, but still, I never gave up. And so can you, good friend. Now, assemble the team when we get back there ASAP. We are running out of time.
*Meanwhile...back to the fight...*
I’ve been scouting for hours without avail. It’s been almost a day and I can only assume there is battle up there, as Trent keeps on informing us. But then I stumble upon a piece of dirty cloth, which is very tattered.
Rory: Let me analyse it. There’s some blood on...bloody hell! It’s Teleshift’s. Must be his small cape.
Oscar: Did you hear that?
Rory/Noriko: What?
The sounds come again. It seems like I’ve heard correctly, the screams of torture. My run to the nearest spot, and using my vision, the figure looks like...Marc’s.
I lead my team there, with various mercenaries standing by. Poor Marc’s been bruised and beaten. Without second thoughts or hesitation, I shout to my team, “Take them down!” As Rory telekinetically slams men across the walls. Oscar takes down some men with his revolvers and his drones, while I disarm them with my quick speed. Mech-Prince seems to have found out our sudden attack.
MP: Take them down! Barrett, get us out of here. The interrogation is a failure! The enemy is here to save him! We need to run!
IR: Sir, we can still handle the Paradox Force! You should be leaving first!
MP (launches internal jetpack): Then hold them off as much as you can. I’ll be going...
IR: Well, ninja girl, looks like we’re rebound for a match again, eh?
Noriko: I’m game.
He strikes the floor down while my agility makes me dodge him. The attack doesn’t harm me much. I see Rory levitating himself, propelling up to catch with Mech-Prince. Oscar is still really busy with his job. Then Ironrazor proceeds to escape up, and I catch him. I realise we are somewhere in the broken police station. I call Rory to “switch dance partners” with me, where I proceed to sneak up on Mech-Prince, who is launching blasts and rockets at me, while Rory duels Ironrazor. Their fight looks very impressive too.
Noriko: What do you want?
MP: Just a code. The agent. And today, since we’re here, let’s end this. On a police station.
Noriko: What’s so important with the third one?
MP: He will fuel my powers. I plan to use him as my agent that turns against you and your friends. And the code that leads me to dominance over technology and most companies in the world.
Noriko: I bet you’ll never find it before you’re even dead.
MP: Then you leave me no choice. I can blow up this station right now!
Noriko: Isn’t there always a better way?
MP: One that should end in vain and in sacrifice. Goodbye, Spectre Blade.
The evil CEO proceeds to press a button on his suit’s left arm, causing everything to start falling down. But then a shadow appears, and Mech-Prince strikes him with some blasts. He looks hurt from the smoke, but proceeds to shoot him with his guns, when I realise that it’s Marc, using the remainder of his energy to fight. He absorbs the energy, and proceeds to take Mech Prince one on one in CQC. Both wrestle over control over one another. Then I see a piece of rubble falling over Oscar, who just came up from below but pretty much unconscious. Marc quickly runs over, kicking him out of the way. He teleports me, Rory (who is holding Ironrazor, unconscious with darts around his neck) and Oscar away quickly before the explosion continues. His masked eyes imply him smiling, but then I realise...
“NO!” I shout.
It’s too late when the explosions trap him and Mech-Prince away. The last thing I saw was rubble, dirt, mess and Rory’s sad, shocked eyes...
A U.S. Air Force loadmaster assigned to the 164th Airlift Wing, Tennessee Air National Guard directs an all-terrain forklift onto a C-17 aircraft to support rescue operations in Texas following Hurricane Harvey, at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Kentucky, Aug. 29, 2017. More than 30 Kentucky Air Guardsmen and 90 tons of equipment were airlifted from Louisville to Houston to stand up an aeromedical evacuation and air cargo hub. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Lt. Col. Dale Greer) www.dvidshub.net