#Maiden Space Flight

[general-knowledge-quiz]

India's ambitious Gaganyaan mission has captured the world's attention as it prepares to send its first astronauts into space. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recently announced the selection of astronauts who will be part of this historic journey, marking a significant milestone in the country's space exploration endeavors.

The Gaganyaan mission holds immense significance for India on various fronts. It not only demonstrates India's technological prowess but also reaffirms its status as a spacefaring nation. As the fourth country in the world to undertake a manned space mission, India's endeavor highlights its commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration.

#gaganyaan mission #isro #Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) #astronauts #Maiden Space Flight

[the-gayest-tree-you-ever-did-see]

everyone celebrating india's mission to the moon's south pole i love you and im with you but this is NOT india's first accomplishment in space!! im seeing a lot of people saying that but its not true. some other things we've done:

confirm the presence of water and ice on the moon

was the first asian nation to reach mars orbit, and the first nation IN THE WORLD to reach it in it's maiden attempt

saved thousands of lives from cyclone phailin in 2013 over the four days, resulting in 45 deaths when without them, would have been in the thousands at minimum

launched the first successful flight using the indigenous cryogenic engine

successfully neutralized a satellite in space with an anti-satellite (mission shakti, anyone?)

launched 104 satellites with one (1) rocket

THE VIKAS ENGINE??? HELLO?? NAMBI NARAYANAN??? even if you didnt know him before, surely youve seen the movie rocketry?

not to mention everything we've done in coordination with other nations, and achievements from Indian scientists and astronauts that were then taken by other nations, usually during war. plus, we've always been much more cost efficient than our space-faring peer nations

all to say!! we've always been there, and we've always been strong. our mission now only proves that, and we should scream it loud and proud for any westerner who ignores us again

#isro #chandrayaan3 #chandrayaanlaunch #india #the tree speaks

[lonestarflight]

Launch of STS-6

Space Shuttle Challenger lifts off on her maiden flight from LC-39A,carrying astronauts Paul J. Weitz, Koral J. Bobko, Donald H. Peterson and Dr. Story Musgrave. This primary objective was to deploy the first Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, TDRS-1, into orbit.

The mission patch for STS-6

This was the last mission to carry four astronauts until STS-135.

Date: April 4, 1983

NARA: 6374993, 6366343, 6366993, 6366992

NASA ID: link, KSC-83PC-0137, S83-30134

#STS-6 #Space Shuttle #Space Shuttle Challenger #Challenger #OV-099 #Orbiter #NASA #Space Shuttle Program #LC-39A #kennedy space center #Florida #launch #my post

[cringecompanionapologist]

Saw One of These for Masters, Made One for Classic Companions

Good night to unearthly children, science and history teachers, plucky space orphans, crashed spaceship pilots, Dodos, sailors who just want to get back to work, dolly rocker duchesses, Jacobite pipers, Victorian maidens with anxiety, girl geniuses in sparkly outfits, scientists who are too good for this shit, cute blonde girls with hidden spy talents, determined journalists, imbeciles (affectionate), warrior women, gorgeous Time Ladies, boys who can make things out of numbers, space princesses whose planets got nuked, Australian flight attendants, exiled space princes pretending to be schoolboys, American(?) girls who never asked for this, 80s fitness enthusiasts, and girls who invent bombs for fun. 

#susan foreman #ian chesterton #barbara wright #vicki pallister #steven taylor #dodo chaplet #ben jackson #polly wright #jamie mccrimmon #victoria waterfield #zoe heriot #liz shaw #jo grant #sarah jane smith #harry sullivan #leela of the sevateem #romana i #romana ii #romana in general #adric of alzarius #nyssa of traken #tegan jovanka #vislor turlough #peri brown #mel bush #ace mcshane

[shiftertech]

"You are the firewall."

Do you remember making paper airplanes as a kid? How you would take a sheet of pristine white paper, from some orchard habitat within your trade region, and begin to fold it. Each crease another step in a standarized process, building towards a final goal. Maybe you thought your creation should be unique in some miniscule way, so you added a fold here, made a cut there, bent something assymetric to the other side. You made it yours, but it's still the same design underneath, passed along to children from century to century.

And then the time comes to launch it. You know the goal well: go the furthest distance, or avoid an obstacle, or some other idea of a fun challenge. You ready your arm, dialing in your angle and second guessing how much force you need to throw it, assessing the airspace ahead, prior to loosing it. Everything is perfect, your creases and folds, and your posture, and the very energy of the air, anticipation and excitement rolling off you.

You let your creation free.

An invisible gusting downdraft dips the nose hard. A teachers hand, batting it out of the sky with a scold on their lips. A door suddenly opened and obstructing its path without warning.

And in every instance, your creation lands gracelessly on the ground with some manner of damage. It strikes you that nothing you could have done would have avoided this outcome after the moment it left your hands. Despite your little bends in the wing to control flight dynamics, or your shouts to not disrupt its maiden flight, it happened anyway.

(or maybe you got lucky, and it did exactly what you wanted it to do. Congrats, by the way. I'm proud of you.)

Either way, you only had the ability to set the initial variables. That was the extent of your control, during creation. It was its own agent once it left your loving clutches.

If someone wanted to knock it out of the sky, there is nothing you could do to stop it.

If someone wanted to knock an autonomous Mechanized Battle Unit out of the sky, there is nothing we can do to stop it, if they have enough resources and smart minds. Our enemies have this in abundance.

We've done this song and dance before. It starts with them dropping a whole assault fleet. We dump resources to strengthen our security and they pour capital into breaking that in under a month. We build our own counter-drone teams and they redouble efforts to close the holes in their security. Rinse. Repeat.

It was and always will be a stalemate. There's always going to be an opening. No connected system is free of holes. No firewall can protect against fallible minds.

Yeah, open that unassuming document on your workstation baby—I promise it wont bite! If you do, you wont have to worry about anything ever again.

You see the problem, right? No one side could field a drone unit without it dropping like a rock sooner than later. Our prized angels were relegated to hangers, lest we throw them to be swatted down effortlessly by terminal wizards.

So we start fresh with our sheet of paper to fold anew. This time we make it a closed system, no longer receiving commands from an orbital relay connected to some grunt operator in a frigate's frigid battle room. Rather, we carve a space beneath the alloy hull and its angular folds, and put a flesh and bones pilot-operator there, and hook them up to a neural rig directly connected to the existing mechanized intelligence. We establish communications solely with the pilot, and the pilot works with the mech to execute on orders. A biological transciever between strategic commands and machine. The wetware firewall.

So when we throw our angels into the skies, we aren't throwing disposable toys up with the expectation to eventually crash and burn. We're sending predators, who don't fall over with a simple enter-key push, and have deadly instincts, and a strong desire to seek & destroy. There is however some things we didn't anticipate...

You know when you throw your paper airplane, and it does an extra twirl you didn't intend or design it to do? What if the airplane also spoke back to the wind which carried it? What if it became incomprehensibly entwined with the wind.

Fold and crease. A new creation, far off of what centuries of consensus dictated how a paper airplane was to be made. Who even cares about consensus when it flies higher than any one that has come before it.

Will it ever come back down?

#writing #mecha #transhumanism

[mindblowingscience]

The term space plane conjures up all sorts of images and NASA, with their new X-59 (even the name sounds mysterious) they have definitely not disappointed. Their new quiet supersonic aircraft has been designed to minimize the sonic boom it creates when it crosses the speed of sound. It will fly at 1.4 times the speed of sound and is set for its maiden flight later this year.

Continue Reading.

#Science #X-59 #Supersonic Travel #Planes #NASA #National Aeronautics and Space Administration

[corallapis]

#the master #delgado!master #crispy!master #ainley!master #dhawan!master #doctor who #classic who #dw #only tv appearances tho there’s some very cool eu ones i’m sure #also missing the white box from the claws of axos & the house on the beach in the ultimate foe

[wingedblooms]

Bird of prophecy

I’ve talked a lot about Elain’s connection to the myth of Blodeuwedd, a spring maiden transformed into an owl. A long time ago, I also stumbled across the Gamayun in Slavic mythology, which is associated with other bird-maidens (like Sirin, which comes from the Greek Siren). The Gamayun is a half-bird, half-woman of prophecy. She symbolizes knowledge and wisdom and acts as a divine messenger. This bird-maiden originates from the Huma in Iranian mythology. According to legend, the Huma flies invisibly above the earth and its shadow foretells the next king when there is no heir. It is depicted as a combination of creatures like a mighty griffin. It would be fitting if Elain, who is canonically wise and prophetic, traveled like the Huma: a fusion of animal forms and invisible to all. The Cauldron travels that way, and it would be appropriate (and badass) for a divine messenger to mimic the power it gave her. All those with the gift of Sight we’ve met in the Maasverse—Baba Yellowlegs, the oracle, and shapeshifter mystic—also seem to navigate more than one form, even if it only involves iron teeth and claws. Could Elain also possess her own bird-maiden form as a seer? Or will her flight through time and space remain mental? Only time will tell.

#elain archeron #seer elain #prophetic birds #bird of prophecy #Gamayun #slavic mythology #Huma #Iranian mythology #Cauldron #a force shifting form #like the gods #elainarcheronweek2023 #elain archeron week 2023 #day 1 #elainweek2023 #elain week 2023

[xie-xan]

The cursed musician

Synopsis: A ballerina who fell in love with a cursed musician whose playing kills anyone who hears it Pairings: Venti x fem!reader (A/n): This is more of a poem than a story tbh …(￣ー￣) Genre: Angst.

A maiden fair and graceful, with a heart so light, Whose love for ballet was her greatest delight. She danced with poise and beauty, like a swan in flight, her movements fluid and elegant.

Her eyes shone bright with passion, her spirit so free, In the dance, she found her true identity.

Her feet, like wings, seem to fly, As she dances with a gentle sigh, Her movements fluid, like a stream.

With each step and movement, she found her grace, In the dance, she found her perfect place.

The music swelled and soared, a symphony of sound, As she danced, Her love for ballet, a love that would last.

The music swells, and the crowd applauds, As her dance comes to an end. She bowed and smiled as she searched the crowd, looking for the musician who had her heart.

A boy with a dream, a boy with a life, Heard the call of the rhythm and the beat and knew that his heart would never retreat.

His fingers danced on the strings so fine, As he coaxed out the melodies divine

His passion burned like a shining light for in the music, he found his peace a place where he could be himself, And let his soul take wing and soar.

His passion pure, his soul on fire, to play the notes, was his greatest desire.

But alas, a curse he did obtain, whoever heard his melodic strain, would meet their end, his gift is a burden, a deadly grace.

He played for none, his talent hidden, His music silenced, his dream unspoken, For fear of losing all he held dear, His life remained a secret.

But still, he played, in secret places, His music echoed, through empty spaces, hoping that one day, a cure he'd find, to break the loneliness that filled his heart.

After years of suffering in sorrow, he found her, he fell in love with a ballerina whose grace and beauty left him in awe.

Her feet were like petals of a rose in bloom as he watched her dance on the stage And in her eyes, a light did play.

His melodies were like a spell that captured her heart and made her fall. His fingers danced on the strings as if by magic, her heart did sing

The love they shared, was a fragile thing, That could be shattered with a single ring.

But still, their love was a flame, that burned so bright. For in each other, they found solace and a love that would never lose its hold.

His music, though it brought her pain, She could not help but love his gift.

And so she danced to his tune. Their love was doomed from the start, a fatal attraction, a broken heart.

The musician, swore to never touch an instrument, in hopes of saving their love, but what misery could be worse than the ballerina whom he had loved had numbered days?

And so she chose a better way to leave, she danced in his music, her body flowed with the cursed rhythm, yet she found solace in her lover's music.

The musician, whose tears fall upon each key, as he watched his lover dance. With the final twirl, the music ended and with her final bow, she fell.

He cried in agony as he held her close, her body lay in his arms on the very stage where she would capture the audience's gaze.

"Am I just a cursed musician who killed his lover, or a mere unlucky human, who was not loved by anyone? From this time on, I swear on your grave, oh darling, that I will never touch my instruments ever again, for they took you away from me."

"Oh the love of my life, I wish I could tell you how good you are at music. Your music holds the power to return a soul to the place from where it came from, hence giving it eternal peace. My love, it is your music that has brought me peace, it made my final dance more meaningful, I wish I could tell you how lucky I am to love you, I wish I could tell you that your music was the most beautiful piece I have ever heard. I shall await the time when we will meet again, and when that time comes, I will happily dance to your music and love you all over again."

#venti x reader #genshin x reader #genshin impact x reader #venti x y/n #venti genshin impact #genshin fanfic #venti angst #genshin barbatos #genshin impact fanfics

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

New SpaceTime out Monday....

SpaceTime 20240408 Series 27 Episode 43

Discovery of the faintest known star system orbiting the Milky Way

Astronomers have detected an ancient star system traveling around our Milky Way galaxy which has set a new record as the faintest and lowest-mass satellite galaxy ever discovered.

Bowen Orbital Spaceport open for business

Australia’s first privately operated orbital launch facility has been formally opened at Abbot Point near Bowen on the Queensland tropical Pacific coast.  The complex is expected to undertake its first launch next month with a Gilmour Space Eris rocket to fly on its maiden flight.

Southern launch getting ready for its next test flight

Southern Launch says its Koonibba Test Range on South Australia’s Eyre peninsula is almost ready for its next test launch in just a matter of weeks.

The Science Report

Warnings that Australia could soon see megadroughts lasting over twenty years.

Discovery of a strong link between Alzheimer's and the daily consumption of meat and processed foods.

A new study claims the earliest dinosaurs experienced rapid growth rates.

Skeptics guide belief in psychic powers

SpaceTime covers the latest news in astronomy & space sciences.

The show is available every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through Apple Podcasts (itunes), Stitcher, Google Podcast, Pocketcasts, SoundCloud, Bitez.com, YouTube, your favourite podcast download provider, and from www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com

SpaceTime is also broadcast through the National Science Foundation on Science Zone Radio and on both i-heart Radio and Tune-In Radio.

SpaceTime daily news blog: http://spacetimewithstuartgary.tumblr.com/

SpaceTime facebook: www.facebook.com/spacetimewithstuartgary

SpaceTime Instagram @spacetimewithstuartgary

SpaceTime twitter feed @stuartgary

SpaceTime YouTube: @SpaceTimewithStuartGary

SpaceTime -- A brief history

SpaceTime is Australia’s most popular and respected astronomy and space science news program – averaging over two million downloads every year. We’re also number five in the United States.  The show reports on the latest stories and discoveries making news in astronomy, space flight, and science.  SpaceTime features weekly interviews with leading Australian scientists about their research.  The show began life in 1995 as ‘StarStuff’ on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s (ABC) NewsRadio network.  Award winning investigative reporter Stuart Gary created the program during more than fifteen years as NewsRadio’s evening anchor and Science Editor.  Gary’s always loved science. He studied astronomy at university and was invited to undertake a PHD in astrophysics, but instead focused on his career in journalism and radio broadcasting. He worked as an announcer and music DJ in commercial radio, before becoming a journalist and eventually joining ABC News and Current Affairs. Later, Gary became part of the team that set up ABC NewsRadio and was one of its first presenters. When asked to put his science background to use, Gary developed StarStuff which he wrote, produced and hosted, consistently achieving 9 per cent of the national Australian radio audience based on the ABC’s Nielsen ratings survey figures for the five major Australian metro markets: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.  The StarStuff podcast was published on line by ABC Science -- achieving over 1.3 million downloads annually.  However, after some 20 years, the show finally wrapped up in December 2015 following ABC funding cuts, and a redirection of available finances to increase sports and horse racing coverage.  Rather than continue with the ABC, Gary resigned so that he could keep the show going independently.  StarStuff was rebranded as “SpaceTime”, with the first episode being broadcast in February 2016.  Over the years, SpaceTime has grown, more than doubling its former ABC audience numbers and expanding to include new segments such as the Science Report -- which provides a wrap of general science news, weekly skeptical science features, special reports looking at the latest computer and technology news, and Skywatch – which provides a monthly guide to the night skies. The show is published three times weekly (every Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and available from the United States National Science Foundation on Science Zone Radio, and through both i-heart Radio and Tune-In Radio.

#science #space #astronomy #physics #news #nasa #esa #astrophysics #spacetimewithstuartgary #starstuff #spacetime #galaxy #nasa photos #jwst

[livingforstars]

The Delta Clipper - October 28th, 1995.

"The Delta Clipper experimental rocket, or DC-X, was intended as a development vehicle to pave the way for a reusable single stage to orbit rocket. Shown here, in an artists conception, it has made several successful test flights since its maiden voyage in August of 1993 - taking off like a rocket, hovering and moving horizontally, and landing tail first on a designated landing pad. The DC-X is actually too heavy and underpowered to achieve orbit, but as part of NASA's Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology Program, lessons learned operating the DC-X may help provide science and industry cheaper access to space."

#nasa #space #cosmos #universe #astronomy #astrophysics #astrophotography #rocket

[asimperingswannsong]

Abject Devotion

Part 2

Lady Alcina Dimitrescu (RE8)/Hetaera Hofer (OFC)

Summary/Notes/Warnings: The lady gets to know the maiden. Mention of suicidal ideation and canon typical violence.

——————

Alcina moved slowly within the confined space stepping to the side of the maiden. She reached into the bedroom nearby and pulled the quilt from the bed. Moving back, she scooped the girl in wrapping her arm beneath her ass.

She backed out of the small farmhouse and stood to her full height. The girl wrapped her arms around her neck to keep from falling. Alcina wrapped her in the quilt and with a shift of form her large black leathery wings returned. She took flight. Now she smelled the fear spike in the maiden's blood.

"So, she can feel fear, she just didn't have any when I attacked the man earlier," she thought to herself, "curiouser and curiouser." She cupped the back of her head and urged her to bury her face in her neck. The girl complied and nestled close. "I won't drop you little one," she whispered in her ear. She smelled the fear begin to subside.

Alcina alighted on her balcony shifting her wings away and resuming her fully human form. She opened the door and bent down depositing the maiden just outside the threshold.

The girl stepped inside Alcina's quarters allowing the quilt to fall unnoticed as she wandered slowly gazing at the sumptuous surroundings in awe. Her fingertips lightly traced along the back of the overstuffed vanity chair, the gilt vanity, the ornately carved wooden bed frame, and the silk and damask bedding.

Alcina allowed herself a moment to enjoy the sight of a beautiful nude young maiden exploring her quarters with a look of unconcealed wonder on her face before her conscious pricked at the impropriety of her here in this state when she didn't even know her name yet.

She washed her hands in a nearby basin and stepped to her wardrobe. Opening it, she removed a silk dressing gown she'd bought for Bela years ago. "Here my pet," she held the robe open for her. When she stepped inside Alcina turned her and tied the belt loosely around her waist.

Remembering her own state as she noticed the girl regarding her closely, she said, "I'm going to finish washing up. Feel free to further explore my quarters, here and in the adjoining sitting room, but don't venture beyond just yet. Understand my pet?" The girl nodded and Alcina left to bath and wash the dried blood from her face.

When she returned, she found the girl asleep on the couch in the sitting room in front of the fire with an open book on her lap. Alcina picked her up and brought her to bed tucking her in before joining her there.

Hetaera woke the next morning enveloped in warmth and comfort she'd never known before. She stared at the gathered damask fabric of the large bed's canopy above her. She wondered how long this comfort would last before the tall vampire like lady killed her. She'd expected torture and death not bliss.

She turned her head to find the strikingly beautiful woman sitting in a wingback chair nearby reading the newspaper. "Good morning sweetling," she said pulling the paper down from her face. She rang a small bell, and, in a moment, there was a light knock at the bedroom door.

"Come in." A woman in a maid uniform entered. "Good morning my lady." "Good morning, Katya." The girl greeted Hetaera as well. "Good morning." She approached her with a breakfast tray in her hands. "Would you like assistance with your pillows mistress?" "Oh, no. No, I can manage. Thank you."

Hetaera pulled herself up and adjusted the pillows behind her back. The woman placed the tray over her lap. She exited. "Did you sleep well my pet?" "Better than I ever have before. Thank you." Alcina smiled at her, "Enjoy your food, sweetling, and then I'd like to talk."

"Yes miss." "Lady Alcina Dimitrescu. You may call me Alcina, sweetling. And you?" "Hetaera Hofer...no Baciu. Sorry." Alcina quirked her brow at the girl's confusion. "Well, a pleasure to meet you Ms. Baciu." "Oh no, Hetaera please. Or Taera if you like."

Alcina smiled, "Well, Taera, please enjoy." She ate like she was starving. She'd never had such a large plate all to herself before. It was odd not having any younger siblings around to guilt her into giving them the best bits.

Alcina continued reading. "Would you like something?" Hetaera asked, pointing to her tray. "No, thank you, draga. It's all yours. Enjoy." When she noticed the plate was empty, she rang the bell again and the maid reappeared to take it away.

"Katya, can you find something else Taera may be able to wear?" "Of course, my lady." The maid returned with three dresses. "I thought one of these might work, my lady." "Thank you, dear." The maid hung them in the bathroom. "You may change if you like sweetling and help yourself to the amenities."

Hetaera stepped into the room refreshed and wearing a sun dress of the softest fabric she'd ever worn. Alcina was sitting on the balcony smoking when she noticed the maiden return. She stood coming back inside. "Feeling better my pet?" "Yes, miss." "Alcina draga." "Alcina."

She sat down in a large wing back and gestured for the girl to approach. She walked over and stood awkwardly next to her. Alcina had not invited her to sit in the chair opposite. She hesitated and just as she decided to sit, Alcina scooped her up and into her lap. "Is this alright my pet?" "Oh, um, yes, mi...Alcina."

She hummed at the girl. "Can you explain something for me sweetling?" "Yes, of course." "When I arrived in your home, who was the man thing I attacked?" "...He was my husband." Alcina's eyes widened in surprise.

"But we hadn't even...we were just married that morning and then he'd left to work the farm after that and..." She trailed off uncertainly. "That makes your response all the more confusing. Why didn't you scream and run away and why were you not frightened?" "Why did you offer yourself to me?" she asked more quietly.

The girl didn't answer. She stared down at her feet as they dangled from the side of Alcina's lap. She placed her finger beneath the maiden's chin and lifted it making eye contact. "Sweetling? Can you talk to me?" The girl's bottom lip wobbled, and she began to sob.

"I wanted you to kill me. I wanted to die." Alcina was once again shocked. She gathered her into her arms, cupping the back of her head, and pressing her face to her breast. "Hush, sweetling. Don't cry."

She rocked her and caressed her back soothingly. "Did he hurt you?" "No, I just didn't want to be his wife. I didn't want to have nine children so he could use them as labor on a farm too small for us. I didn't want to struggle to feed them for the rest of our lives. I'd rather die!" "Shush now my pet." She continued to rock her.

Eventually the girl's sobbing stopped but she continued to hug tightly to Alcina's sides and remained buried in her chest. She decided that if the girl wanted to be cradled, she'd indulge her. Alcina had been alone since losing her girls two years ago. She missed close physical contact of this kind.

"Now that he's gone and you're released from you obligation to him, do you think your outlook may improve?" "No, I have nothing without him. But I still didn't want to be with him." "Do you not have family remaining? Do you wish to be returned to them?" "No," the girl sobbed once more, "They'd only sell me off again." "Alright, little mouse. It's alright."

Her sobs continued. "None of that sweetling," she whispered to her. "So, you weren't afraid of me because you longed for death?" Alcina was oddly hurt to discover the reason for her peculiar response to her. "No!" the girl lifted her head to stare up at her. "Well, yes, but also no."

Alcina was confused. She knit her brow. "I did hope you would kill me, but I also found you beautiful and interesting." "Beautiful?" her eyes widened again. "Yes, beautiful and unique." "Me now or..." "Both, both versions of you." "You thought my other form was beautiful?" she asked suspiciously.

"Yes." Alcina looked doubtful. "Why do you seem as though you don't believe me?" "Little mouse, I am a monster. I cause the villagers to huddle in fear. I hunt them and feed on them." "You are not a monster."

Alcina started to argue. "Those people you hunt like to hunt and kill other living things for food just like you." "I don't just kill to feed sweetling. I enjoy it." "So do they. And they have too many children almost without thinking like mindless animals. There are so many of them they can't sustain themselves. They'd die without you hunting them. They die of want or they become drunk and mean from want and they fight and kill each other. The only difference between you is you're the only one of you I've ever seen, and you are beautiful." She reached up and caressed Alcina's jaw with her fingertips.

"Do you wish to stay with me?" she said the words almost without realizing it. She hastily started to try and back track. "That is...I..." "Yes," Hetaera reached up cupping her face in her hand, "Please. I want to stay."

Alcina gathered her up further into her arms and began to rock her again. Since the mutations she'd undergone after the cadou, she was sensitive about her appearance.

She'd always been vain about her looks, but the dramatic change in her height had led to whispers and derogatory remarks. That fool Heisenberg had been one of the worst at drawing on her insecurities. It was one of the many reasons she'd so enjoyed being a mother. Her girls had no memory of their previous lives and they had accepted her unconditionally. They'd adored her.

To hear someone speak of her with awe and warmth was causing her to develop a soft spot for the maiden. "I'll arrange for Katya to order you some more clothes. Would you like me to have her arrange a room for you, my pet?" The girl nestled in against her neck. "May I stay here with you? I'm not used to sleeping alone. I always shared a bed with my sisters at home."

Alcina hummed. "Of course, you may stay if you like, little mouse."

#my fic #original female character #fluff #alcina dimitrescu #lady dimitrescu #re8 lady dimitrescu

[lonestarflight]

Space Shuttle Columbia stands poised for its maiden flight, STS-1.

Date: April 9, 1981

Space Shuttle Columbia stands poised for its maiden flight. 1981-04-09. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. Accessed 26 Jun. 2023.<https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/8706>

#STS-1 #Space Shuttle #Space Shuttle Columbia #Columbia #OV-102 #Orbiter #NASA #Space Shuttle Program #LC-39A #Kennedy Space Center #KSC #Florida #April #1981 #my post

[laurel-finch]

'I Don't Bite' S1.Ch15: Coven

Summary: An uncomfortable exchange pushes the reader back toward the Winchesters... Referenced Episodes: S1 E20 "Dead Man's Blood" CW: None, unless you hate exposition. Word Count: 7033 words. Recommended Song: Flight of Icarus -- Iron Maiden Previous Chapter -- Masterlist -- Next Chapter

I held an ice pack to my bruised cheek, my legs dangling limply off the side of the counter I perched on. I winced a Sasha wiped antiseptic on my arm, feeling it sting the wounds on my upper arm. The kitchen was silent, save for the occasional rustling of bandages as Calliope fumbled with them. No one had said a word since the end of my fight with Caeden.

I reached a quivering hand to the base of my neck, resting my fingertips on a spot that seemed to thrum under my touch. It felt as though electricity was humming from my neck and down my spine. It was nothing I had ever felt until now and began shortly after seeing what I assumed were Caeden's memories.

I could feel him. He was confused and nervous just as I was. What had happened to us?

I jumped as the back door was thrown open, banging harshly against the wall, and was sure to leave a mark. Sasha lurched backward and dragged the antiseptic harshly down my arm, drawing another wince from me. I pulled the ice pack from my bruised cheek and turned my tired eyes to meet Marcus's seething, veridian ones.

"What the fuck did you do to him?" Marcus snarled, his tone low, dangerous, and full of wrath. It brought prickles down my spine and an instinctive warning growl from my lips. "What the fuck did you do!?" he demanded, stomping forward. Calliope was quick to jump to her feet and block Marcus's path. She placed her hands on his chest, pushing him back gently.

He growled ferally and gripped her wrists tightly, yanking them away from him and shoving her to the side. Calliope stumbled into Sasha, who caught her and helped to steady her much taller friend.

Marcus stormed towards me and snatched the front of my shirt, gripping it tightly and pulling my face towards his. "You could have killed him!" he spat. I grimaced and laced a hand gently atop his.

"Marcus, he was trying to kill her!" Sasha countered, a pleading tone in her voice. "We all saw it- he looked like he was out for blood!"

Marcus's eyes stayed focused on mine as he thrust a hand towards Sasha, gesturing for her to shut up. "Caeden doesn't kill people. He wouldn't-"

"Yes, he does. He tried to kill that hunter, and I know why, Marcus," I uttered. "I know what the hunter did. I saw it happen." His eyes widened to the size of saucers, anger dissipating into shock. And just as quickly as it had gone, the rage flooded back into his eyes.

His curled fist released my shirt and lunged for my throat, thumb pressing against the side of my throat. I gasped and reached for his wrist, digging my nails into his skin in fright. "How the hell do you know about that!?" he demanded. His green eyes glowed and he looked to be seconds away from bursting into his fur.

My grip on his wrist tightened and I glowered at him. "Get off of me," I hissed out, punctuating each word with a harsh growl. His grip waived for a moment at my tone. My hand lurched forward and I dug my thumb into the space behind his collar bone, a sensitive pressure point. Marcus winced, his shoulder sagging and grip loosening, but not enough for me to escape.

And suddenly a force like a raging bull crashed into Marcus and tackled him to the floor. I gasped, air filling my lungs once again. Marcus hadn't been trying to kill me, but he had certainly deprived me of needed oxygen.

I turned my furious gaze back toward the blond. Marcus snarled and thrashed beneath Booth who had him pinned to the floor by his neck and shoulders. "Let him go, Booth," I said as I slid off the countertop, my bare feet touching the cold wooden floors. Booth's cold gaze surveyed me with concern before he stood, relinquishing his hold on Marcus.

I placed my palms flat on the counter behind me and glowered darkly at Marcus. He wheezed and stood shakily on his feet, propping himself up against the opposite counter, and avoided my gaze.

"I don't know what happened," I began. Marcus's eyes rose to meet mine, surprise swirling amongst the wrath. "One moment I thought he was going to kill me, and the next-" I stopped, shutting my mouth. What had happened next? Visions? I turned my gaze towards Booth. "How is he?" I inquired.

Booth shrugged and crossed his muscled arms over his broad chest. "He's in the bunkhouse. Andrew's patching him up."

I nodded and pushed away from the counter. My eyes locked with Sasha's frightened pair and then flitted towards Calliope's. The pair were gripping each other as if they were their last lifelines. "Keep an eye on Marcus," I said softly. "Make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."

Calliope nodded and her blue eyes trained on Marcus, whose head was bowed in defeat, fists clenched in subdued rage. I spared him one last worried glance before making my way to the bunkhouse, Booth not too far behind me.

For once I detested the walk to the bunkhouse. My joints were protesting throughout the rather short walk and I couldn't help the occasional stumble. The weak muscles that had been slowly regrowing after the recent Daeva attack were complaining the most.

The door to the bunkhouse was slightly ajar, likely from when Marcus had stormed out with Booth close behind, neither bothering to shut it behind them. I reached forward, fingertips brushing the wooden edges cautiously. With a deep sigh, I pulled the door towards me and nervously poked my head in. Light cascaded into the dark room, illuminating the dust that drifted softly through the air.

My eyes fell on Andrew's hunched form, his back to me. He fumbled with his medical supplies, his hands obviously trembling. He turned his head towards me upon hearing the door creaking open, red curls bouncing and brown eyes full of worry.

Behind him was Caeden. The older man was slumped forward, head hung low and an arm draped surreptitiously across Andrew's lap, a bandage loosely draped across his forearm that I was sure the redhead would apply momentarily. His deep brown eyes were closed and an odd, almost pained expression rested on his features.

Andrew pursed his lips and scrunched his eyebrows together, looking as though he wanted to say something. Instead, he turned back to the slumped male in front of him and continued his work. I stepped lightly into the room and padded towards them, the floorboards creaking quietly beneath my bare feet.

Booth stood motionless in the doorway, leaning against the frame in a way that he could see both the back porch and into the bunkhouse, depending on how he turned his head. My gaze flitted back towards his, and he nodded reassuringly.

I sat and pulled my knees to my chest, eyes dancing between Andrew's reproachful eyes and Caeden's exhausted features. The room was silent, save for the rustling of bandages – it appeared to be a common theme today.

"Did you get Marcus sorted?" came Caeden's quiet voice, breaking the silence. I jumped, having thought that maybe he was asleep, or at the very least had no intention of talking to me.

"He's with Sasha and Calliope," I murmured, wringing my hand. "They're keeping an eye on him."

"Good," he chimed softly. "You ran out of here in a hurry. I figured you'd be able to handle it." I chuckled softly and dropped my gaze to the floor, a slight smile rising on my lips. I jolted once again as Caeden started to speak. "I don't suppose you know what happened?"

I shook my head. "No. I was hoping you might."

Caeden chuckled almost morbidly. He slowly lifted his arm from Andrew's grasp – the younger boy seemed like he wanted to protest, but remained quiet. Caeden inspected the bandages and quietly thanked Andrew, ushering him away. Andrew stood on shaky legs and left without bothering to collect his things, Booth following him and shutting the door, leaving me in semi-darkness with Caeden.

Caeden swallowed and winced, instinctively reaching a hand towards his mouth. "That was a clever move. Cutting the inside of my mouth," he said. His words were almost slurred, as though he was trying not to put too much pressure on the roof of his mouth. "I'll have to remember that."

I grimaced and fiddled with my fingertips, cleaning dirt and dried blood out from underneath my nails. "I don't know why you would be impressed by that," I said. Caeden's eyes opened slowly and his face turned towards mine. "It was barbaric. I didn’t want to do it."

"Fighting is barbaric. Self-defense isn’t," he countered and leaned back on his elbows, eyes glued to the ceiling. The room fell silent again. What was I supposed to say? I had so many questions I wanted to ask but had no clue how to present them.

Caeden sighed and ran a hand through his thick curls. His hair was always kept short, but thick, coarse curls still made it a pain to deal with. "So what'd you see?" he questioned, his voice surprisingly tender. I jolted upright, eyes swiveling to meet him.

"What do you mean?" I asked, my voice shaking with each word. He chuckled softly.

"When you did that... thing," he clarified. "What'd you see?"

I paused and draped my arms over my knees, hugging them closer. "Who says I saw anything?" I asked, sounding more defensive than I intended. My eyes dropped to the ground and I pursed my lips. I hadn't meant to sound so rough.

Caeden sighed and sat up straight, his deep brown eyes meeting mine. "I can't have been the only one."

It took me a few seconds to register what he had said. The words bounced around my mind as I struggled to understand their meaning, and then suddenly it clicked. I whirled on him, my knees dropping to the floor as I turned to face him. "What did you see?"

Caeden smirked and rested his crossed arms on his knees, eyes twinkling with a knowing, triumphant look, as though he was pleased to know that he had been right. And suddenly that confident look fell and he was left looking worried and puzzled. "A lot," he said, his tone almost wistful. "You, mostly."

I inhaled shakily and turned to face him fully, crossing my legs and leaning forward ever so slightly. "I saw you, too," I spoke gingerly, my tone low. "I saw..."

"My life?" he inquired. I shut my mouth tightly and nodded as he turned his head once more towards me. "Yeah, me too." The room was silent again and I stared at him, tracing his features, searching for any clue as to what he might have seen of me. Finally, he spoke the question I had been hoping to ask him. "They were memories, right? Your memories?"

I shrugged. "I assume so." I picked at my fingernails absentmindedly, running through all the images I had seen. "I saw... your packs," Caeden winced. "And when you were turned... Meeting Marcus..."

"Milestones," he whispered out. He knitted his fingers together and dropped his gaze, pondering. "Major moments in my life." I nodded. He breathed out shakily. "I saw them too. Some of yours." I inhaled sharply, my eyes snapping upwards, hoping to meet his gaze, and instead met with his cold profile. "The first time you shifted... Your parents... Your-" he gulped and his head sagged a bit. "Your boyfriend and what happened to him," he whispered out. "I saw your mom, and your dad... leaving. I saw..." he sighed and his eyes met mine. "I'm sorry about your uncle," he murmured. "I know he meant a lot to you."

My eyes dropped. "Yeah..." I breathed out. "And I'm sorry about your pack... your alpha and that girl." Caeden gulped and stared unmovingly at the ground. "... What else did you see?" I pressed.

"Chikaltio. The Winchesters. That... hillbilly boy..." He sighed and rubbed his arm roughly over his shirt, a clean shirt that wasn't stained with blood, and then propped his chin in his hand, looking perturbed. "What you did wasn't your fault, you know?"

I bristled and whipped my head towards his, glaring. "Like hell, it wasn't. I lost control and killed someone. I nearly ate a human's heart. That was me, no one else."

"I saw how you feel about it," he countered, his tone holding a rising note of defensiveness. "How guilty you feel. It wasn't your fault. You were protecting-"

"Protecting someone doesn't give me the right to eat someone," I hissed back through gritted teeth. "And what in God's name makes you think that the man who tried to kill me is going to make me think any differently?"

Caeden winced and turned away from me, looking crestfallen. "I wasn't trying to kill you," he snapped, his voice filled with irritation.

I scoffed. "Sure didn't seem like it," I snapped, my voice dripping with unexpected malice. "If you weren't trying to kill me then what the hell were you doing? What are you playing at?"

Caeden fell silent, his fists curling and uncurling reflexively, as if all he wanted was to reach out and hit something. I understood the feeling, as that's all I really wanted. At that moment, I wanted to reach over and strangle him, just as Marcus had tried to do to me.

"I wanted to prove to Marcus that we didn't need a pack," he grumbled through clenched teeth. He sounded unwilling to speak like it was being pulled forcefully from him. "I never wanted a pack, and I wanted to show him we didn't need one."

I growled and pushed myself to my feet, shoulders taut with anger. "And you thought that by, what, showing everyone I was weak was the way to do it!?"

"Well you are, aren't you!?" he snarled back and hopped to his feet. He towered over me, anger evident in his dark eyes. I shook with rage as he spoke. "An alpha that can't shift isn't an alpha!"

"If you can't stand having me as an alpha so much, leave!"

"I can't!" he bellowed back. "If we had this argument three hours ago, then maybe I would have but now-" his voice cut out sharply and he drew back his lips and snarled. "Now I can't leave, even if I wanted to!"

"And why the fuck not!?" I screamed back.

"Because I can feel you!" he shouted. "Here!" he snapped, raising a dark, calloused hand to touch the base of his neck. "Every time I think about leaving, I get dragged back! Every fucking emotion you feel, I feel too! Every pain, every feeling, every thought! You're in my fucking head, and for the life of me I can't get it out!" I froze, my eyes gradually widening as he spoke, my wrathful gaze dissipating into one of shock. "It was the same in my previous packs," he roared, tossing his hands up in the air angrily. "And no matter what I try and how many times I think about escaping, I get dragged right back here to you, to where something in my head is telling me to stay put and listen to what my alpha tells me! And I hate it!"

I blinked rapidly and reached a slow hand up to the base of my neck, pressing my fingers gingerly against the skin. "You can't leave?" I questioned.

Caeden's chest heaved, rising and falling with labored, angered breaths. He shook his head, the rising blue dying down and revealing the tired, soulful brown ones. "Whatever you did, it's got me stuck here- whether I want to be or not."

"If you want to leave," I started, drawing in tight breaths, "then go. I'm not going to keep you here." I folded my arms over my chest in agitation, waiting for him to turn on his heels and leave, walking out of my life. I half expected him to, though a part of me wished he would stay. I wished that part of me would shut up.

Caeden stood silently for a few moments, save for his heavy breathing that was gradually returning to normal. "I can't," he said. "I-" he took a deep breath. "I don't want to."

I quirked a brow and lurched back slightly in surprise. "You just said you would leave if you could."

"And something else is telling me to stay!" he growled. "Some... tiny voice in the back of my mind, saying I should stay. That it's safe here. That I trust you to take care of us, to take care of Marcus."

My brows rose. "Instinct," I offered, more of a statement than a question. Caeden paused as if he didn’t quite believe that was it. Maybe it was more, like those whispers that plagued me?

"Whatever you did... it's got that part of me tied to this pack. That part of me," his gaze dropped, and despite his dark complexion, I could tell his cheeks were flushed. "It's telling me to stay. That the fact you were still able to beat the shit out of me, despite not having shifted, makes you..." He trailed off with a deep scowl.

"How'd you know I couldn't shift?" I asked, my jaw tightening. I hadn't told anyone in the pack about my predicament.

"I saw inside your head, remember?" he retorted, looking frustrated by what he thought was a stupid question. "I saw how much that hill billy screwed you up. I know that, even now that you're not scared of shifting, you still can't."

I narrowed my eyes at him and furrowed my brows. "So you're not going to leave?" I asked, returning to our original conversation. Caeden shook his head.

"Not without Marcus, and I know he won't agree with it. He's beyond pissed about whatever you did, but he's still too stubborn and happy here to leave. Even if he was up for it, I don't think I could." He sighed and ran his hand through his hair, bruised knuckles apparent in the dim lighting. "I'm happy here, with the others. I like them, even Booth, even though he's a hard ass. I just-" he grumbled and turned his eyes on mine, their message clear, "I hate that there's an alpha. Nothing personal."

I scoffed. "Right, you hating my existence isn't personal." I wasn't pleased with his anger, but I could understand it- hell, I could feel it. That link went both ways. I knew he had little trust for authority anymore, and that he was used to having things his way, rather than listening to someone else. Had I been in his position, I would have felt the same way. In fact, if I had suddenly been thrust into Chikaltio's pack and made to listen to someone I didn't trust after having only ever responded to myself, I would have reacted just like him.

I sighed. "I get it," I started and he seemed to perk up a bit. "I get why you don't like me- or at least my title. But don't you dare undermine me in front of the rest of the pack," I hissed out warningly. "I'll skin you and hang your hide the next time we play capture the flag."

Caeden grimaced and looked as though he wanted to argue, then stopped himself. Instead, he nodded. "Fine," he said. He was sinking back into his usual blunt stoicism. It dawned on me that this was the longest conversation I had ever had with him. Funny how it seemed that many of my ice breakers revolved around something utterly insane happening.

I inhaled deeply and fixed my eyes upon Andrew's mess of medical equipment. "I guess we should take that back to the main house, huh?" I asked, already reaching to scoop up supplies. Caeden followed closely behind, his stony features back in their usual place. It was odd how quickly that mask came up again, as though he didn't want me to know what he was thinking.

He followed me back to the main house, walking shoulder to shoulder and utterly silent. The house was eerily quiet, not a peep coming from any of the inhabitants as I gingerly pushed the back door open. My eyes scanned the room and landed on the pack, all seated at the dining room table near the door. Five sets of eyes flitted towards me and then immediately tore off in different directions, hoping to not meet mine or Caeden's gazes.

I placed the medical supplies gently on the table, as far from the edge as I could manage. Andrew reached for a roll of bandages and fiddled with the edges of it.

"I think we've still got some catching up to do," I mused, seating myself at the head of the table. Booth nodded off to my right as Caeden seated himself to my left. Marcus reached out a shaky hand and placed it on his partner's shoulder, more to reassure himself than his boyfriend. "Caeden's nose is still looking rough," I said, gesturing to the mess of blood that stained his upper lip and his nose that was clearly not where it was supposed to be.

Caeden laughed breathily and gestured towards my own face. "You should take a look at yours." I grimaced and turned my head away from his. I knew I probably looked like a mess, covered in bruises and dried blood. I didn't want to look in a mirror any time soon.

Without being told, the majority of the pack busied themselves with something. Calliope made herself useful by fetching whatever Sasha and Andrew might need to patch us up and occasionally lent a hand. Marcus stayed by Caeden's side, refusing to meet my eyes.

I winced as Sasha corrected my nose and cleaned any dried blood she could get off my skin. I'd need to take a shower later, and I wasn't looking forward to all the scrubbing. My ankle was a tattered mess, but to my relief, I sported no broken bones. Sasha simply cleaned and dressed the wounds and most of them didn't require any more attention than that.

No doubt, I would be sore the next day.

The bustle eventually died down as the sun dipped behind the trees. The sunset dappled the clouds with brilliant pink and orange colors that gradually disappeared as it set, leaving an afterglow in its wake.

It was getting late and everyone seemed exhausted from worry. Sasha and Andrew had both bid everyone a good night and headed to the bunkhouse. They both looked frazzled and stressed from the afternoon's events. Calliope looked exhausted, although she refused to leave before anyone else.

Booth couldn't help but chastise Caeden and me for our brutal fight, although he remarked with pride on how well we had handled ourselves. "I've seen a lot of fights in my time," he said with gentle laughter, "but never anything quite as impressive as that. It was like something entirely new was happening before you could even register what had just occurred."

I laughed and lifted my beer to my lips, taking a large swig of it and placing it back on the table. "I've gotta say, you fought well Caeden," I said. Caeden chuckled and pulled his own beer closer to him. "Don't think I've ever had the pleasure of fighting someone like that."

"And hopefully you never have to again," chimed Calliope. She took a sip of her beer and grimaced at the taste.

Booth huffed quietly and grinned. "With this life, she'll probably have another big fight next week." He raised his beer high in the air. "Here's to not dying in the next fight," he offered. The five of us smiled softly and clinked the ends of our bottles together, each taking a long swig.

I placed my nearly empty bottle back on the table, a soft smile on my face. The day's events hit me hard, making my shoulders sag, but I knew it was nothing I couldn't handle.

I hoped one day Caeden would come to accept the group. I knew now that he wouldn't be leaving anytime soon, but I hoped he would never be miserable here. He'd had enough happen in his life. He didn't need anything more.

I would have liked to ask him more about his life before meeting us, but I knew now wasn't the time. Perhaps in the coming months, when things had calmed down and perhaps he had forgiven me for doing whatever I had done.

For now, all I wanted was to sleep and wake up in the morning to Andrew making pancakes and just forget that any of this had happened.

My phone rang, humming loudly in my pocket, and everyone at the table jumped in surprise. Who could possibly be calling now of all times? I glanced towards the analog clock in the kitchen, registering that it was just after 7pm.

I pulled my phone from my pocket and flipped the screen over and read the contact number.

Winchester 3.

"You've got to be kidding me," I mumbled. The group turned to me quizzically, and I held up a finger, silencing the already silent table. I answered the call.

"Hello?" I asked. I heard Sam’s voice call my name from the other end of the phone. "Yep," I affirmed, running my finger over the rim of my bottle. "What’s up?" I struggled to hide the exhaustion in my voice.

I could practically hear his grimace from the other end. He hated that nickname from anyone other than Dean. "Listen, we've got a case here in Colorado. I think maybe you should come down." I frowned and hit the speaker button on the phone, placing it on the table beside my nearly empty beer.

"What kind of case are we talking about here?" I asked. I heard rustling from the other end and then Sam spoke.

"A big one we think. Hunter was killed, guy by the name of Elkins." I quirked a brow. I didn't recognize the name. My eyes drifted up to meet the pack, and they all shrugged. "We think we're onto something here," he continued. "Something to do with the thing that killed mom. There's a letter here we found in a post office box addressed to 'J.W'. We're thinking maybe it's-" I heard a faint knocking from the other end and the sound of a car door opening.

"Sam?" I pressed, hoping he'd continue.

"Dad?" I heard Dean's voice from the other end. "Dad, what're you doing here? Are you alright?"

I stood from my seat abruptly and turned off the speakerphone. My pack looked at me with wide eyes as I paced away from the table and up the stairs to my loft, leaving them questioning just what in the hell was going on.

"Is that your friend you got on the phone? " I heard John's quiet voice in the background, almost imperceptible. I heard a click from the other end and recognized that I was now on speakerphone. "Good," said John. "I read the news about Daniel, I got here as fast as I could. I saw you two at his place."

"Why didn't you come in?" I heard Sam ask as I flopped down on my bed.

"You know why. Because I had to make sure you weren't followed.... by anyone or anything. Nice job of covering your tracks by the way," their father complimented.

"Would someone please tell me what the hell is going on?" I grumbled, "I'm not a fan of being left in the dark, you know."

"Friend of dad's was killed in Manning, Colorado," Dean started. "A hunter by the name of Daniel Elkins. We scoped out his place earlier, the house was a mess. Definitely a scuffle. Whatever showed up there broke through the windows, knocked over furniture." He sighed and the line was silent for a moment. " Listen, now that dad's here, maybe we don't need- "

"We'll take all the help we can get," John interjected, silencing Dean. I scowled – that didn’t seem typical for John… "If it is what I think it is, we're going to need the extra hands."

"What do you think it is?"

"We can go over that once you get here," John replied. I rolled my eyes again.

"It's about a twenty-hour drive from here to Colorado, maybe eighteen if I cut out bathroom stops," I started. "I don't know if I'll be able to make it in time to be of any help to you boys."

"I don't care how long it takes," John continued. "Just get here." I bristled at the audacity of his statement. Who in God's name gave him the right to order me around, and why the hell did he want me?

"I'll see what I can do, John, but no guarantees," I said through gritted teeth, hoping my voice didn't show the irritation I felt. And with that, I hung up, not waiting for a reply from the cantankerous hunter or his sons. I shut the phone and dropped it on the bed next to me, running a hand down my face and groaning into my palm.

I nodded again and stood from my spot on the bed, stretching languorously. I dragged myself upright off the bed and padded back down the stairs with a deep set scowl. As expected, the pack was still seated around the table, minus Sasha and Andrew. I breathed deeply and moved to stand at the head of the table.

"An emergency came up," I began. "I'm going to have to leave and help the Winchesters with a case. Hopefully for no longer than a few days, maybe a week tops."

The table was silent for a few moments before Calliope spoke. "It's about their father, right? Weren't they looking for him?"

I nodded. “Yeah, they were. Seems John found them and is helping them with this case. An old friend of his was killed, apparently."

"By what?" inquired Booth as he took a sip of his second beer.

"Not sure," I said with a shrug. "John said he has an idea, but won't tell me till I get there."

Booth scoffed and slammed his beer roughly onto the table. "So you've got no clue what you're walking into? What if it's a trap?"

"I think I can handle it," I said with a mischievous grin. I had no doubt that with my uncle’s arsenal and his pickup, I would be already, even without the ability to shift. "I've got enough weapons to take down an army."

"What if one of us tailed you?" Booth offered. "Keep our distance, but still keep an eye out?"

I shook my head. "No, I don't need anyone following me. Just stay close to a phone and I'll call you if something goes bad." Booth fell silent with one last grumble and I continued. "I appreciate you guys offering to help, but really, I can handle it. It'll be a quick hunt, get in and get out. Anything more and I'll head home. Frankly, I don't want to be away for too long anyway."

The group nodded and cast worried glances around the room. Finally, Booth pushed his chair away from the table and stood, drawing the attention of his seated companions. "I suppose we should help you pack then," he grumbled and gestured for Calliope to follow him. "Cal, come help me get the weapons ready. I'm sure some of the guns and blades need cleaning – who knows when they were last used."

—

I was never a fan of driving. Why drive when I could just run there? It was so much more entertaining, and I didn't have to worry about falling asleep at 2am on an interstate.

It took me seventeen exhausting hours to make it to Manning, and I still had another hour's drive to make it to a crime scene. The boys had said they would meet me there and go over the case. I grumbled to myself, clutching the wheel tighter. All I wanted was to meet them back at the motel, maybe get some sleep before they came crashing in.

My eyes flickered to the small digital on the beaten, old radio. 1:35pm. I groaned and felt the urge to smack my forehead against the steering wheel. God, all I wanted was to sleep.

I sighed and slackened my grip on the wheel, readjusting my hands. The minimal bathroom breaks had left me feeling sore and like my ass was glued to the seat. I had a feeling my legs would feel numb the moment I stepped out of the worn pickup.

My finger tapped idly against the side of the steering wheel, pondering as my gaze flitted around the road. There were few people on this road, to my surprise. It must not have been heavily trafficked, which of course would make it the perfect hunting grounds. I wondered what I would be hunting? Certainly not the monster that killed Mary Winchester – a demon, if John was correct.

I chuckled to myself. If he truly had found something that could kill it, he was beyond lucky. To my knowledge, demons were unkillable.

But, in his defense, everything had a weakness. Hell, my father had told me stories about humans struggling to kill skinwalkers. Supposedly, it wasn't until settlers in North America arrived and began mining that they realized silver was poisonous to us.

I pursed my lips tightly in thought. To my knowledge, silver was the most effective way to kill a skinwalker, and several other things for that matter, but it wasn't the only way. A monster could kill another monster – I had experienced that first hand a number of times already. It made me wonder what else I was vulnerable to.

An image of Caeden flashed briefly in my mind before I could suppress it, an image of his fangs buried deep in my throat. I reached a hand up to stroke the edges of my neck.

I still didn't trust him, but a part of me told me he would never hurt me now.

Why?

I shook my head and gripped the steering wheel tighter. He hadn't earned my trust back – he may never be able to after the stunt he pulled. But, my success in the fight, despite my lack of shifting, had given me confidence. I felt I could beat him should he try to hurt me, or anyone in the pack, again.

My life had been thrown upside down after meeting the Winchesters. Not only was I dragged back into a life of hunting, dredging up old memories that I didn't necessarily want to relive, but I also was experiencing odd things, some that I had never even heard of before.

Voices.

Dreams.

This odd separation of instinct and body.

And now this uncomfortable connection that neither Caeden nor I understood.

As if on command, I felt a twinging at the base of my neck and reached up to touch that cursed spot. It was as though I could sense him next to me, though he clearly wasn't. He was calm as of now, but that didn't stop my heart from hammering.

How would I even start going about understanding all this? I hadn't heard the whispers in a month now, so that was clearly a dead end. And that dream... I was beginning to think it really was just a nightmare. I couldn't help but shiver at the thought of those red eyes boring into me like they were ready to pounce at a moment's notice.

My eyes darted down the road, seeing several cars pulled over along the side, and one car sat in the middle of the highway, driverless, cold and empty. My eyes scanned the row of cars until they landed on a familiar shape.

The Impala.

A grin slowly spread across my face as I pulled my old beater towards the edge of the road and parked it, pulling the keys from the ignition excitedly. I tossed the door open haphazardly, ignoring the groans and creaks of protest from the old vehicle, and excitedly made my way down the road towards the row of cars.

My eyes settled on two familiar figures, their backs to me as they watched the state police inspect the car. Sam turned his head slowly towards me and I grinned excitedly as recognition flashed in his eyes. He nudged his brother and whispered something to him. Dean whipped around faster than a bullet to face me, a wide grin rising on his handsome features.

An unexpected blush dusted my cheeks, and suddenly I felt self-conscious. My bruises were likely still apparent, and I didn't doubt they were scuffed and a pretty shade of blue. I felt almost embarrassed by my beaten state.

And still, he grinned and jogged towards me, his smile never faltering as he called my name. "You made it!"

"Of course I made it, Winchester," I teased. "Wouldn't miss it for the world." His grin only seemed to widen, and then promptly disappeared.

He lifted a calloused hand to my jaw, running the pad of his thumb softly over the bruise that decorated my cheek and jaw. "What happened?" he asked softly. My eyes widened slightly at his sudden touch.

I glanced around him briefly, looking at anything else other than his face. I cracked a small smile as I saw John making his way back towards us. "I'll fill you in later," I said quietly and flashed him a reassuring smile.

I stepped around him and made my way to Sam, who threw open his arms, practically demanding a hug. I obliged and was nearly lifted off the ground by the force of it.

"Nice seeing you," the younger Winchester said. "Dean's been pretty grouchy without you, you know."

"I have not!" Dean challenged. "Been grouchy cause we were trying to find dad."

"And it seems like he found you, Dean," I teased and pulled myself away from Sam. I heard John chuckle from behind me and spun to see him come to a halt. I waved nervously to him, "How've you been, John?"

"Better than you by the looks of it," he quipped and leaned against the side of the car. "How'd you get those bruises?"

"A case," I offered. "Couple days ago. Nothing I couldn't handle." It was a lie, but with how quickly I healed it wouldn’t surprise me if the bruises looked three or four days old by now. John nodded, accepting that answer. "So, you mind telling me what we're dealing with now?"

"Dad's thinking vampires," Sam said. My brows rose in surprise. I had never heard of a vampire case before – my uncle had thought they were extinct. "Yeah, we were just as surprised," he said with a chuckle.

"Daniel was a vamp hunter," John added. "He thought he wiped them out, but... he must've missed a few." He sighed and scratched his cheek, running his fingers lazily over his beard. "They took something when they killed him. Something that might help us kill the demon."

My eyes widened at this in shock. "You actually think you can kill it? With what?"

"A gun," John said nonchalantly like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Special bullets. Said to be able to kill anything."

Anything?

I leaned against the side of the Impala, bracing my palms on the top of the trunk. "Wow," I whispered out. John nodded.

"So, what'd you find out?" Dean asked, moving to stand by my left, a serious look on his face now that a chance at revenge was finally in sight.

"It was them alright," John answered. "Looks like they're heading west. We'll have to double back to get around that detour."

"How can you be so sure?" Sam asked, and Dean flashed him a warning glance. In all honesty, I was curious as to how he knew as well. I had thought for sure that vamps were extinct. But then again, John thought that I was extinct.

"I found this," John replied, handing something small and white to Dean. Dean opened his palm as his father dropped whatever it was into it. He stared at it quizzically and then grinned geekily at it, holding the object up to the light.

"It's a... a vampire fang," he said, looking awestruck. I leaned forward to inspect the tiny piece of enamel between his fingertips.

"Not fangs, teeth. The second set descends when they attack," John corrected. I pinched the tooth between my thumb and forefinger, taking it gently from Dean and inspecting it. It was translucent and had an almost pearlescent sheen to it. "Any more questions?" I heard John ask, sounding cold and defensive. There was no response. "Alright, let's get out of here," he said, more of an order than a suggestion. The brothers hustled to their car and Dean pulled his car door open before being stopped by John. "Hey, Dean, why don't you touch up your car before you get rust? I wouldn't have given you the damn thing if I thought you were going to ruin it," he called to his oldest son before sliding into his pickup.

I struggled to hold back my laughter at Dean's startled and ashamed expression. He whipped his head towards me and glared, which only made me laugh harder. I waved at the brothers and made my way towards my beaten pickup. I slid into my seat and followed the Winchester convoy down the road and presumably back to the motel.

It seemed as though this would be a quick case, and that they, for the most part, had it handled. Maybe this would be an open and shut hunt after all.

#supernatural #john winchester #yuck #spn #dean winchester #dean winchester fic #dean winchester x reader #sam winchester #supernatural fanfiction #supernatural x reader #fluff #angst #slow burn #cross posted on ao3 #cross posted on wattpad #monster reader #Monster #original characters #original monster characters #x reader #female reader

[enterprisewired]

NASA Targets 2024 for First Flight of X-59 Experimental Aircraft

https://enterprisewired.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/NASA-Targets-2024-for-First-Flight-of-X-59-Experimental-Aircraft.jpg

Share Post:

LinkedIn

Twitter

Facebook

Reddit

NASA’s Quesst mission has postponed the inaugural flight of its X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft to 2024. The X-59, an extraordinary experimental aircraft, has posed intricate engineering challenges for NASA researchers collaborating with the primary contractor, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. Apart from its unique design, the X-59 incorporates innovative technology and components from various established aircraft, including its landing gear from an F-16 and its life-support system adapted from an F-15.

Additional time is required to integrate systems into the aircraft

Given the complexities involved in developing this exceptional aircraft, the Quesst team is diligently addressing several technical issues identified during the course of 2023, when the X-59 was initially slated for its maiden flight. Additional time is required to seamlessly integrate systems into the aircraft and ensure their proper functioning. The team is also resolving intermittent problems with some of the safety-redundant computers that oversee the aircraft’s systems.

Over the past year, Quesst has made consistent progress towards flight readiness. The team completed the finishing touches on the X-59’s tail structure, allowing them to finalize its electrical wiring and advance to critical ground tests. They also moved the aircraft from its assembly facility to the flight line for structural testing.

The X-59’s primary objective is to demonstrate the capability to achieve supersonic flight, exceeding the speed of sound, while minimizing the typical disruptive sonic boom to a subdued sonic thump. NASA intends to conduct flights over several communities to collect data on how people perceive the noise it generates. This data will be provided to U.S. and international regulators to potentially revise regulations that currently prohibit commercial supersonic flight over land.

Lockheed Martin X-59 finally unveiled in hangar rollout

Fully committed to a meticulous review and testing process

NASA places paramount importance on safety and mission success. For Quesst, this entails ensuring the X-59’s safety before it takes flight and ensuring its long-term reliability during the community test phase. The aircraft is currently undergoing comprehensive integrated testing, which must be successfully completed prior to its inaugural flight. Following this stage, the aircraft will proceed to a flight readiness review, during which NASA will unveil a more specific timeline for the first flight.

Quesst represents a mission with the potential to transform commercial aviation travel by significantly reducing travel times. Safely and reliably deploying the X-59 is crucial for NASA to realize the benefits of this mission. The agency is fully committed to a meticulous review and testing process to ensure the mission’s success.

Read More: New Asteroid Search Algorithm Detects Its First Dangerous Space Rock

#nasa #space #spacex #astronomy #science #universe #moon #cosmos #galaxy #earth #mars #astronaut #Youtube

[adventuressclubamericas]

Adventuresses We Remember

Christa McAuliffe’s interest in space started when she was young. After John Glenn orbited the planet, she reportedly told a classmate, “Do you realize that someday people will be going to the Moon? Maybe even taking a bus, and I want to do that!” She’d get her chance when she was selected from more than 11,000 applicants to be NASA’s Teacher in Space. She was assigned to the STS-51-L mission aboard Space Shuttle Challenger.

Judy Resnick was selected as part of NASA’s Astronaut Group 8, the first group to include women. She’d develop the software for the space shuttle’s robot arm and the deployment system for tethered satellite systems. On August 30, 1984, she flew aboard STS-41-D, the maiden voyage of Space Shuttle Discovery, becoming the 2nd American woman in space. In 1985, she was assigned to the STS-51-L mission aboard Space Shuttle Challenger.

Kalpana Chawla’s interest in flight started as a child watching the planes with her father at local flying clubs in India. She’d go on to earn a PhD in aerospace engineering, obtain her commercial pilot’s license and certification as a flight instructor. In November 1997 she flew on Space Shuttle Columbia as part of STS-87, becoming the first Indian woman in space. She helped work on the space station progress before being assigned to another shuttle mission, STS-107, once again aboard Space Shuttle Columbia.

Dr. Laurel Clark rose to the rank of Captain in the United States Navy where she’d served as a Naval Submarine Medical Officer, Diving Medical Officer, and Flight Surgeon over the course of her career. She became part of NASA’s astronaut corps in 1996 and flew aboard the STS-107 mission aboard Space Shuttle Columbia.

Christa McAuliffe and Judy Resnick, and their crewmates, died on January 28, 1986, when a series of events led to Space Shuttle Challenger breaking apart shortly after takeoff. Kalpana Chawla and Laurel Clark, and their crewmates, were killed February 1, 2003, when Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart during re-entry.

#adventuresses #adventuress #adventuresses we love