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Of Fire and Featheringtons: Chapter 5

Well hello friends, and welcome to my second Polin fic! This one builds on The Polin Fic (I Could Have Told You 'Bout the Long Nights on Ao3) so be sure to read that before diving into this one!

Like the other one, this fic is safe for work, but a few warnings do apply! If house fires, house fire injuries, mild gore, and mild blood aren't your thing, then don't be afraid to give this fic a pass. I'll be updating it twice a week here and on Ao3, so check back for updates.

I hope you enjoy this Polin fic, I had a blast writing it!

The day of the gentlemen’s party at Mondrich’s was a busy one for Bridgerton House. All the ladies—except Penelope—had callers that day, and the children bounced between boisterous and cantankerous. Since a new nanny had yet to be hired, the maids had been run ragged with extra childcare duties, and Penelope had been doing her best to take some of that burden off the household at large. This meant that when the gentlemen bid the family farewell, Penelope was elbow-deep in the children’s’ dinner, and trying to keep it off the floor, walls, and ceiling. She barely noted as Colin kissed her farewell and chucked Edmund’s chin.

She likely would have remained tied up with the children for the rest of the afternoon and evening had Anna not deftly taken a screeching Miles from Penelope’s arms and directed her toward one of her contacts in the fire brigade, who was currently in the kitchen being offered a spot of tea.

“He says it’s urgent,” Anna had said in a tone that brooked no argument when Penelope protested. “It’s to do with your…special project.” Penelope sighed, and half smiled at her maid.

“You know that tone is hardly appropriate,” she joked. Anna smiled as she swiped Miles’s face with a damp rag, managing to efficiently clean about 80% of it.

“You would hardly condone it if I wasn’t firm,” she replied. “Now, shoo.”

In the bustling Bridgerton kitchen, Mr. Fowler, one of the men on the Mayfair fire brigade, looked slightly poleaxed as he sat on an out-of-the-way stool with a dainty porcelain teacup, looking entirely out of place in his large, calloused fingers.

“Mr. Fowler, it’s lovely to see you,” said Penelope, over the general brouhaha of the busy kitchen.

“And to you, Mrs. Bridgerton,” he said. “Forgive me for intruding like this, but I’ve something you’ll be wanting to see. I found it at the Number 5 fire and meant to show you straight off, but you and your young man were indisposed, and then I was ill. Anyhow, apologies for not getting this to you sooner.” He held out a greasy, waxy, sooty lump that reeked of spoiled fat to her.

“I found it in a protected spot amongst what seemed to be attic debris,” he said. “It seemed not right, so I figured you out to have it.”

“Quite,” said Penelope, distracted. “Thank you for bringing this to me, Mr. Fowler. Excuse my rudeness, but I must go examine this. Be sure to have a good meal before you go, and I’m sure someone can put together a basket of treats for your wife and little ones.” A kitchen maid was already setting a warm basket covered in a neat tea towel on the bench next to the man. After briefly exchanging polite farewells, Penelope all but ran to Colin’s childhood bedroom to examine the thing.

Closing and locking the door to ensure she was not disturbed, Penelope put the packet on a piece of paper to protect the surface of the desk and poked at it. There was an overwhelming smell of rancid, burned cooking grease, but that wasn’t what was intriguing about it. The packet seemed to be made of palimpsest, cut into strips, and coated on the outside with a thin layer of wax to keep everything together. This one appeared to have split along a seam. Penelope’s best guess was that it had split after it had been placed, and the fat had leaked away before the packet could burn, which explained its highly improbable survival.

No wonder we haven’t found any evidence before now, Penelope thought. These are designed to obliterate in the fire and hide the arsonist’s method. There appeared to be some writing retained on the paper, but the coating of wax obscured it to an unintelligible shadow. She carefully peeled the waxed palimpsests apart to see the inside of the container. The smell was appalling–she would have to open all the windows and hope the room aired out before she and Colin were obliged to sleep.

Inside the container was a few inches of braided cord, like a thick candle wick that was charred at one end. It had been coated or soaked in something before it had been submerged in the fats. Penelope’s stomach flipped over as she recalled an article she had read that mentioned the timed fuses military explosives experts used to ensure that they were not in the blast radius when they set off a mine. Penelope was willing to bet that this would function the same way. She had been right. She had been right, and the knowledge was making her ill. There had only been one arsonist, and he surely had to have been clever enough to link wicks together and set off who knew how many of these packets.

Setting the bit of wick down, Penelope flipped the palimpsest over to the greasy side. Suddenly, she couldn’t draw breath. Her heart was pounding so hard that she thought it might explode from her chest and propel itself across the room. She had little patience for preparing palimpsests but had learned how to do so in her mother’s home. Paper was expensive, and in her early days as Lady Whistledown, she had needed multiple drafts. She couldn’t afford the paper, so she learned to scrape it clear for reuse. Her palimpsests were always messier than those prepared by the maids, and often still held clear writing, which was how she could identify both her own and Colin’s handwriting on the waxed, greasy strip of paper that had been used to burn down Number 5.

She flailed out blindly for the desk chair, either to sit or to just hold herself up; she wasn’t sure which. Fortune was a fickle lady, and Penelope could not process how close she had come to landing both herself and Colin in extremely hot water. If this had gone to the queen instead of her, or if Mr. Fowler had delivered it sooner and the queen’s agents had found it among her files…There would have been no talking the queen out of arresting her on the spot, and likely Colin as well. Her free palm pressed unconsciously against her abdomen, where her scar was. How could this somehow be worse than being stabbed?

The door clicked, as though someone had tried to turn the handle and found it unexpectedly locked. Then there was a knock and Anna’s voice behind the door. Still in a terrified daze, Penelope felt as though she was standing beside herself, watching her body walk calmy to the door, unlock it, and open it. Anna’s face went tense as Penelope stood in the open door.

“Penelope, whatever has happened?”

“We have to go home.” Still watching herself move, Penelope grabbed her cloak and nearly dragged Anna out of the house. The pair nearly ran across Mayfair as the sun was setting. Penelope stopped dead on the doorstep.

“No, they searched the house. Was there anywhere they didn’t look?” Anna didn’t respond, letting her mistress think. Penelope backed up a few steps, talking herself through the problem.

“They would have been rushing, too. So, what can’t I see?” Her eyes swept wide as she backed down the steps, straining in the twilight.

There. Behind the big tree in the backyard. If she hadn’t been paying attention and hadn’t known the garden shed was underneath that tangle of ivy, she wouldn’t have seen it. Each step Penelope watched herself take was agonizing. She and Colin had a relatively small staff, and the entire staff were trusted, had been with the household since they had established it. There were no viable candidates among the staff who could be responsible for the fires. Despite what the queen seemed to think, Penelope hadn’t been setting fires, and Colin would never so much as dream of hurting his family.

Had the garden path stretched? For all her haste, it took her a thousand years to reach the door, and somehow, her mind still did not miss details. The path was not well-trodden, but the footprints she could see were from country boots. Gentlemen’s city and country boots had heels to accommodate riding, but city bootheels were shorter; in soft ground, there was no gap between heel and front of foot, and the entire outline of the shoe was pressed into the ground. These footprints had that telltale gap; they could only be country boots. This also meant that their gardener was not using the shed regularly; he would have cleared the path both to make things look nice and to save his knees some arthritic discomfort.

The door of the shed was firmly closed behind a curtain of ivy. Penelope knew from years of dead drops that unused buildings did not have securely closed doors. Someone was using the shed regularly. The door was wedged shut. Letting the ivy vines drape over her head and shoulders, Penelope used both hands to turn the doorknob and slammed her shoulder into the wood.

“Penelope?” called Anna, hearing the thuds and running around the house.

“I am well. The door is jammed,” Penelope called back. Another firm push with her bodyweight behind the point of her shoulder and the door popped open as Anna lifted the ivy away from the other woman.

“Good lord,” exclaimed Anna, covering her nose at the scent of truly rancid cooking fat. Penelope was still watching herself from afar; she registered the smell, but distantly. It would overwhelm her later, but for now she could–and did–enter the shed without flinching.

It was the work of a moment to locate the covered bucket and oilcloth bundle. Penelope peered beneath the cover to find the bucket very nearly empty. Her stomach roiled but not from the smell. Empty meant there was another fire in the making. The bundle revealed all the tools necessary to create the fire packets, including a small stash of palimpsest on which Penelope and Colin’s handwriting was clearly visible.

I really am awful at making palimpsest, thought Penelope, her mind staving off rising panic with mundane observations. She glanced at her maid. Anna’s face was white; she had almost certainly come to the same conclusion that Penelope had.

“He’s been living in the house this whole time,” gasped Anna.

Something glistened beneath the makeshift workbench, and Penelope reached down to collect it. Slowly, carefully, she smoothed each and every wrinkle out of Felix’s invitation to the party at Mondrich’s. Kate and Violet had likely designed the invitation; it was in a combination of Violet’s classic style with some flourishes that screamed Kate to Penelope. The gilt had caught her eye. It was a shame that something so pretty had been crumpled and unceremoniously flung beneath a workbench. The invitation would forever smell of spoiled cooking fat, beeswax, and something just a little charred, like a candle that had drowned in its own wax.

Anna was speaking, Penelope realized slowly. How long had she been speaking?

“I beg your pardon?” she interrupted, still floating outside herself.

“Penelope, he could be going after Colin again!” Anna’s white face, the shake she gave Penelope’s shoulder, and the sudden image of Colin sprawled on the ground before her, lit by the fire burning him, pulled Penelope violently back to herself. She retched, as though she had just entered the shed and hadn’t been inhaling the fumes for several minutes. Invitation still in hand, Penelope lurched out the door, trying to ignore her stomach’s rebellion to focus on her mind, which had just kicked back into gear.

Felix had been setting fires all summer. Had put her family in danger, had threatened her nephews’ lives. And he not only knew where Colin and the other Bridgerton gentlemen were, he had known for long enough to set a truly inescapable fire.

Did she dare call for royal help? Did she dare even send a note to Lady Danbury? Had she time to do either of those things? The party would be beginning at any moment, and if the pattern of fires over the summer had taught her anything, it was that they often went unnoticed until it was too late. That decided her. Whether she dared call for help was immaterial; she did not have time.

“Anna, we have to go. We must get to Mondrich’s now,” ordered Penelope. Rather than lose precious time waiting for the Bridgerton carriage to be prepared, they hired a hackney. Penelope overpaid the driver to get them to Mondrich’s quickly. The man took to his task with a will. Anna and Penelope endured a white-knuckle ride through the streets, cornering on two wheels at times before stopping before the doors of Colin’s preferred gentlemen’s club.

“Find Colin, if you can,” Penelope ordered Anna. “Or any Bridgerton. They must get everyone out immediately.”

“You ought to find him. Let me look for Mr. Featherington,” Anna said.

“Anna, I do not for a second imagine he would not lash out at you if you encountered him. You’re safer finding Colin, and this building is full of people. Go!” Penelope did not wait for Anna to argue further; she simply slipped in the door and sidled quickly up the first staircase she found.

It was clearly not a public throughway; it was too narrow and unobtrusive for that, and it was too dusty to be commonly used. Poking her nose through a door on a landing, Penelope found an equally narrow hallway that looked to house small rooms. For serving maids to sleep in or ladies of the night to take clients, Penelope couldn’t tell, and she did not bother investigating further. This wasn’t an attic, and there was too great a chance of an accidental discovery for Felix to be here. Pulling the door softly closed, Penelope continued climbing the stairs.

She couldn’t hear the babble of voices from the main room or the hubbub of the kitchens anymore; the silence pressed against her ears as she climbed, increasingly aware of how isolated she was. A third person would have been useful; Anna could only find one of the Bridgertons so quickly, and if Penelope’s instinct was wrong, then her cousin would manage to light at least one of the fires before she could find him. If downstairs became a panicked stampede while a fire was allowed to burn unchecked, people would die. A third person to check the kitchens for fire packets would have been ideal.

Penelope didn’t think she was wrong, however. Her instincts were, and always had been, good–even if that was small comfort as she puffed up seemingly interminable stairs to try to stop her cousin from murdering her family–and Felix would want to take his time with lighting the first fire. Kitchens were busy, bustling places; he would have to get in and out of there fast, with no time to savor the act. Felix liked to savor things; she had seen as much when he read with her in the dayroom at home. It was often the only time she saw him relaxed, and there was a languorous quality to the way he turned pages and ran his finger across lines that said to her that his enjoyment of the act of reading went at least as deep as his love of the ideas in the books themselves. All of this suggested to Penelope that he would begin in the attic, lovingly checking each packet and ensuring that the end of each wick was properly seated before finally lighting the fire.

His comments in the carriage on the way to Number 5 that fateful night and his curious expression flashed through Penelope’s mind. He had told her he had an affinity for Ifrits. He had meant an affinity for fire, she was certain. She simply hadn’t heard him.

Something creaked, and Penelope froze. The stairs, dusty and narrow as they were, hadn’t made a sound beneath her feet. Mondrich had too much care for his establishment to let things become decrepit, so someone else had to have been the source of the sound. Straining her ears, Penelope heard the quiet click of a door latching into place and then soft footfalls. She abandoned all pretense of quiet and ran as fast as she could up the stairs, running smack into Felix as he descended.

She swallowed a cry of surprise and grabbed for the banister to stop herself from falling as Felix let out a low string of curses.

“Who the bloody hell–Cousin Penelope? What on God’s earth are you about?”

Penelope was suddenly unsure of herself. This was her cousin. He enjoyed books and did not enjoy people. Surely, that did not make him an arsonist. She let the silence between them hang for long moments. Felix’s expression of uncertainty slowly morphed into something friendlier but decidedly smug. She heard him take a breath, but before he could get out whatever he had been about to say, she heard the unmistakable pop of a burning wick.

Later, Penelope was sure she only managed to shoulder her way past Felix because she startled him, but in the moment she didn’t think, didn’t pause, simply bolted for the door at the top of the stairs, and opened it onto a scene from a nightmare.

In the light from one tiny window, the walls of the attic space were lined in fire packets. Clearly, they were not strong enough to support each other’s weight, so they were not stacked, but there were rows of them three deep along each wall, and every single one had a wick leading from it to a long central fuse. The tip of the fuse was bright orange and gently smoking as the ember burned along the path of least resistance toward enough fuel to burn the building. It hadn’t reached the first branching point, but her startled stop had given Felix a moment to reach her. Just as she lifted her foot to stamp out the fuse, she was yanked off her feet. Felix held her close, not so hard as to hurt her, but certainly enough that she couldn’t escape him.

“I didn’t want to tell you like this,” he said, regret dripping from every syllable. “I was going to wait until after, so you would understand how unworthy Bridgerton is of you. Of us.”

“Please tell me you have not lit the other fuse,” she whispered. Please, tell me there is time to stop this, she thought, desperate.

“I always start in the attic,” he said.

“Then we can still stop this, Felix. There is no need to burn Mondrich’s. What has the man ever done to you that you would ruin his livelihood?”

“That’s not for me to decide, Penelope,” he said. “That’s for the fire to judge. If Mondrich is worthy, the fire will spare him. It told me you were worthy. Think, Penelope, what we could achieve together with the fire at our backs and that unworthy lout you were chained to out of the way.”

“Do not speak of Colin that way,” she snapped, struggling to break his hold. Felix responded by simply hoisting her further off the ground, removing what little leverage she had. The staircase was so narrow that she lacked even the room to throw her weight backwards, as her nephews did when they wanted to be released from an adult’s arms.

Her stomach dropped as she briefly felt like she was falling, but it was only Felix stepping down, descending the staircase, and taking her with him. Taking her away from the still-lit fuse and her chance to stop the conflagration before it began. She could hear him humming the melody of a country jig as he leaned into the wall opposite her, balancing her thrashing weight.

Penelope kicked up, planting her feet into the wall at approximately waist height and pushed, pinning Felix against the wall. She was briefly rewarded by a grunt and a cessation of movement until he simply dropped to sit on the step above the one he was standing on. Somehow, he managed to keep his grip on Penelope, and she could not scrabble free back up the stairs.

“Please, Cousin Penelope, stop fighting me,” he begged. “I must light the other wick, and I cannot do that if you keep struggling. I’m sorry you had to find out this way, I truly am, but our duty is to the fire. Surely you see that?”

“I see nothing of the sort,” she retorted, still trying to worm her way out of his hold, but thwarted at every turn. “Felix, I am not going to let you do this!” Desperate, she threw her head back then forward, headbutting her cousin. There was a crunch, and Felix cursed a blue streak as blood poured from his nose, soaking the front of his waistcoat and the bodice of Penelope’s dress.

How has he not let go yet? she thought. The soft pop and crackle of paper catching fire stilled her motion. Had she really heard that? Felix was still cursing. She must have misheard. She couldn’t have run out of time. Surely, they had only been struggling on the stairs for a few moments? Straining her ears, she listened.

Underneath her cousin’s voice was the unmistakable crackle of flame. Inhaling through her unbroken nose, Penelope caught the scent of smoke and spoiled cooking fat.

She had failed to stop the fire catching.

To hell with it, she thought. I’m a girl. Let it be useful for once. Penelope screamed wordlessly, at a higher pitch than she could have articulated the word “fire.” A hand clamped hard over her mouth; she tasted blood and stopped screaming, repulsed by the iron bite.

“I swear Penelope, I do not want to gag you, but by hell I will,” growled Felix, voice thick through his broken nose and the blood still streaming down over his lips. “Will you be silent?” Penelope nodded, anything for him to take the bloody hand away from her mouth. As the hand came away, Penelope stayed silent. She had not, however, agreed to be still. The moment Felix’s hand was clear, she headbutted him a second time, connecting with a squelch that made her stomach turn and the back of her throat tighten. She had managed to connect with his nose a second time.

Finally, finally, he released her, too dazed by pain to keep his hold. She slithered up the stairs on hands and knees, stopping as she reached the door. There was smoke coming from underneath the jamb, and she could hear things crackling away. Penelope carefully touched the metal doorknob with her fingertips and flinched back. It was hot enough to burn. She laid the back of her hand on the wood of the door and found it hot as well. She was well and truly too late; opening the door would simply give the fire more air, and char her to a crisp. She had lost her chance to stop this; now all she could do was try to get everyone out.

“Fire!” she screamed, starting back down the stairs, praying someone would hear her. She intended to walk straight past her cousin, but a hand grasped her ankle and pulled. She fell, catching and clinging to the banister on the way down, still shrieking wordlessly.

Rising from the smoke like a horror in the dark, Felix stood over her. Carefully, still not trying to hurt her, Felix pulled Penelope up, one hand over her mouth, pinning her head to his shoulder—she would not have another chance to headbutt him—and the other around her torso and arms, keeping her in place against him. She was trembling from exertion and breathlessness; the smoke was thickening in the confined space.

In her ear, Felix muttered, “Walk. We will quietly exit the building, and nobody will be any the wiser, Cousin. And once this place is ashes over charred bones, we can talk.”

He was going to let Colin burn. Penelope dragged at the arm around her and struggled, but her cousin was larger and stronger than she was, and she had no leverage with her head pinned in place. His bodyweight forced her forward, and it was all she could do to stay upright as they slowly descended the stairs in thickening smoke.

“It’s going to be all right,” said Felix, quietly in Penelope’s ear. “I see that this is going to be a hard transition for you, Cousin, but I’m here. You will survive this, and you will come to see how lovely the fire is. It shows you what is true.” They passed the landing with the door to the small rooms. Felix kicked the door open as they passed, creating more airflow. Penelope began to hear music and the boisterous babble of men having a grand old time.

Anna mustn’t have found anyone; they would have begun evacuating people by now, if she had. Penelope began to panic. Mondrich’s was full, and nobody knew the danger they were in. Nobody was likely to hear Penelope now, not given the noise, and the staircase bypassed the main room. Felix would drag her out and let half the men of the ton—including the men of her family—burn without a second thought.

She struggled without conscious thought against Felix but made no headway. They descended below the smoke, and the light from the entryway grew brighter. No longer caring if they went toppling down the stairs, Penelope thrust her feet back, trying to entangle Felix’s legs and trip him up. Curse his light-footedness, she thought, as he evaded her and hiked her bodily up and over his hip, clearing her feet from his and wrenching her neck somewhat as he kept her head pinned against him.

“Nearly there,” Felix panted. “Nearly out. It’s going to be fine, Penelope. We will be home before you know it. I’ll show you how wonderful fire can be. The things we can do with it. The power we can take.” Tears of fear and fury ran down Penelope’s face as she continued to struggle, and the front door came into view; nobody was in sight. Felix’s path to freedom was clear. Penelope closed her eyes, refusing to let a sob escape.

“Release. My. Wife.”

Eye flying open at the familiar voice, Penelope saw Colin’s familiar form—arm still splinted and in a sling across his chest—framed in the doorway. Anna was off to one side of him, face pale, expression strained.

“What in heaven’s name?” came a deep voice to Penelope’s left. Colin took a step forward, eyes blazing in a fury Penelope did not think she had ever seen before. Given his expression, the calmness of his tone was all the more frightening.

“Mr. Mondrich, I am sorry to say that you have been the victim of arson. You must evacuate the building immediately. Viscount Bridgerton and the Duke of Hastings will surely assist you.” Curses followed by rapid footsteps and a sudden cessation of music in the other room followed. Felix, who had halted at the bottom of the stairs, drew in a hissed breath and swore quietly. His grip on Penelope did not loosen.

Colin took another step forward. “Release her, Featherington. Now.” Penelope couldn’t see her cousin’s face, but she could feel his heart pounding in his chest, could hear his ragged, panting breaths. She could feel the instant the chuckle started, deep in his diaphragm. She felt it as it rose to shake his shoulders, and the hair on the back of her neck stood tall as she heard it burst forth as contemptuous laughter.

“Not to you,” he said, between peals of laughter. “Never to you. You aren’t worthy of her. You should be dead already. The fire judged you unworthy!” The he dragged Penelope backwards, up the stairs, and into the smoke as Colin bellowed her name.

“Don’t worry, Penelope,” said Felix. “The fire knows us, judged us worthy. We will be just fine. Can’t so much say the same for—” a coughing fit interrupted him. “For Bridgerton,” he finished. “But perhaps this is better. We will both help the fire finish him, and then you will understand when we rise from the ashes like the firebirds that are our birthright.” The hand over her mouth had loosened, and she shook it off.

“You’re mad,” she gasped, coughing from the smoke. “We will all burn!” Felix stopped, and turned Penelope around, holding her by the shoulders and meeting her eyes. He was framed in smoke, heat haze, and a deep red glow that told Penelope that the attic was well and truly engulfed, and they were far closer to actual flame than she had any desire to be. In his eyes, she saw absolute confidence and calm as he said, “We will be unharmed.”

Terrified, Penelope forgot she was on a stairwell and involuntarily moved to step back as flame licked the walls just behind her cousin. Felix smoothly slid a hand down from her shoulder to encircle her waist, keeping her next to him as Colin emerged from the smoke and halted a few steps below them. Two figures—Anthony and Benedict, Penelope assumed—were in the shadows at his shoulders. There was not enough room for all three to stand abreast and work in concert.

Colin’s eyes were wide, just shy of full panic. He was beginning to hear beams creaking, and the lunatic he had been housing for months had merely to take a step back to drag his Pen into fire. Colin had heard Felix insist that Penelope and he would be unharmed, and that made any move Colin might potentially make a thousand times more dangerous. Felix would throw himself into fire without a second thought. Perhaps, then, Colin thought, I ought to give him a reason to do something else. Under the cover of the smoke, he slid his splinted arm out from its sling, although he kept it bent across his chest.

“You think I’m unworthy, Featherington? Let’s find out. Let Pen go, and I’ll come up there. Push me into the fire yourself, why don’t you?” Colin ignored the protestations behind him, and looked Pen in the eyes, halting her own refusal of his plan. Let me get you safe, he thought to her, willing the sentiment to show in his eyes. Felix’s eyes narrowed.

“This is a trick,” he said, his voice uncertain.

“You think I wouldn’t do it to see Pen out of here? Let her go, and I will come up there.”

“Step up,” ordered Felix. “Two steps, and I shall release Cousin Penelope.” Colin did so, which put him in arm’s reach of them. He took Pen’s hand and lifted it to his lips. Felix snarled and shoved Penelope, who yelped as she tumbled into Anthony’s and Benedict’s waiting arms. Her protestations faded along with a number of footsteps. Colin couldn’t tell how many in the noise and heat. Pen was safe.

Felix reached for Colin’s good arm, assuming it to be the biggest threat, and dragged Colin up the remaining steps. There was a maniacal grin on Felix’s face, and he shifted his weight to drag Colin past him, into the flames. That was when Colin moved, twisting his hips and torso to put his full body weight behind the blow he aimed right at Felix’s very broken nose with his still-healing arm.

Both men yelled in pain, but Anthony leaped several stairs to pull them both down, away from the flames. The third blow to the face had thoroughly discombobulated Felix, and he barely fought Anthony’s and Colin’s grips as they dragged him back down the stairs and out the door into the smokey night air.

The street before Mondrich’s was utter chaos. In the flickering light of the fire that had fully consumed the roof, the fire brigade was running bucket chains and beating clumps of embers that landed on adjacent roofs with soaking wet sacking. Half-drunk members of the ton bellowed orders, which largely went ignored as ladies of ill-repute screeched. The sound was underpinned by the roar of the fire itself, pounding footfalls, and the hiss of water subduing flame. Someone had also apparently alerted the watch; constables were scattered throughout the crowd, along with a few plainclothes men he recognized from the queen’s agents, all trying to bellow order into the crowd.

For the first time since the fires began, Colin couldn’t have given a damn about trying to save the structure or preventing the fire from spreading. Trusting that Anthony had charge of Felix, Colin strained to hear Pen as his eyes scanned the crowd for her. She was tiny; she would go unnoticed in the crowd—he would never forgive himself if she was trampled in the press of bodies.

He nearly fouled a bucket chain in his desperation to find Pen, so he forced himself to stop and think. She wouldn’t run through the crowd looking for him; if anything, she would be more aware of the women in the crowd and get them tucked away…

Colin looked just up the street. A pair of matched carriages bearing the Danbury crest had been parked in a V, allowing a small opening for women to pass through and safely shelter behind, close enough to answer any questions from the authorities but far enough away to be out from underfoot and safe. Pen would be there. He had thought to run to the carriages, but he was quickly breathless, and the jostling set his much-abused broken arm on fire, so he settled for as rapid a walk as he could manage.

As he approached, the left-hand carriage door swung open, and Lady Danbury’s authoritative “Mr. Bridgerton” drew him in. Anna and Pen were seated opposite Lady Danbury. Colin froze for a moment at the sight of his wife. Her face, upper chest, and bodice were smeared with drying blood, and her hair was clotted with it, strands sticking to her forehead, cheeks, and neck. The exhaustion on her face was not enough to mask the deep hurt and fear he could also see there. When her eyes met his, there were tears in them.

“Oh, Pen.” The next thing he knew, he had gathered his wife into his arms—ignoring the pain from the broken one—and had one had around her, the splint not preventing his palm from resting atop her abdomen, where her dress hid her scar tissue. The other hand was checking her head, her face, for cuts. Her hands ghosted over his back and shoulders, checking for flames without adding pressure to his still-healing burns.

“Pen, you are bleeding; you’re hurt, where—”

“It’s not mine,” she said, tears thick in her voice. “It’s not my blood. I am well, Colin.” She coughed, tucking her head into his shoulder as she did.

“Now that you are both here,” said Lady Danbury, voice urgent and low. “We must make some decisions. The viscount, elder Mr. Bridgerton, and that Featherington man are in the other carriage. I see her Majesty’s agents in the crowd, so we must decide this quickly. Mrs. Bridgerton. Do we hand the man over, or would you prefer my gentlemen to ensure that his body is found in the fire?”

Colin’s jaw dropped. “You dare ask her that? Hand the bounder over and let him hang on the Tower green. Do not you dare make Pen culpable in this!”

“Don’t be a child,” snapped Lady Danbury. “You must understand how this will look to her Majesty.”

“He doesn’t know, Lady Danbury.” Penelope’s voice was muffled by Colin’s shoulder, but her enunciation ensured that Colin could hear her as she rapidly sketched out the queen’s distrust in her, and how turning over Felix would simply stoke the queen’s paranoia and suspicion of Penelope’s own role in the fires over the summer. She did not have to explain the risk ay which the queen’s ire would put the rest of the Bridgerton family by association; Colin understood that all too well.

“Even if she can be convinced that Penelope had no knowledge of Mr. Featherington’s actions, she will not look kindly on this. It may be better for the arsonist to simply disappear without a trace, and for Mr. Featherington’s death to be a tragedy,” added Lady Danbury.

“You cannot imagine you will get away with that,” Colin blurted out, as Pen’s body trembled harder in the circle of his arms. “The queen knew we saw Pen when she was stabbed. She told me that she watches you. Covering this up will not only make Pen look even guiltier in her eyes, but it may well harm your position, Lady Danbury.”

The older woman’s face went ashen as his words. “She told you that herself, did she not?” She didn’t pause long enough to allow him to answer. “Of course she did, blast. Penelope, he is right. We shall have to hand him over, and we had best do it now, together.” Lady Danbury opened the carriage door, allowing the roar of the fire to resurge. Penelope stiffened for a moment before she gently pushed away from Colin, rolled her shoulders back, and exited the carriage. Colin followed her closely, one hand on the small of her back to let her know he was there. Anna was behind him, silent and grim-faced.

Lady Danbury strode toward a plainclothes gentleman conferring with the chief of the fire brigade and chief constable of the watch. “You there,” she called, as all three men turned to her and bowed briefly. “Mrs. Bridgerton and I, with the help of Viscount and the various Misters Bridgerton have apprehended the villain who set this fire. You will take him into royal custody immediately, and I will accompany you to her Majesty, Queen Charlotte, to explain matters. Is that understood?” The royal agent bowed from the neck with a respectful, “Yes, my lady,” and waved another man over as they followed the trio back to Lady Danbury’s carriages. Lady Danbury herself opened the door of the second carriage and directed Anthony and Benedict to hand over their charge to the other men.

Felix looked dazed, and some blood still ran sluggishly over the crust of dried blood on his face. He did not fight Anthony and Benedict as he was pulled rather roughly from the carriage. When he lifted his head and saw Colin behind Lady Danbury and Penelope, however, he yelled, enraged, and broke free of the Bridgertons’ hold.

“Felix, no!” screamed Penelope as Colin dragged her behind him. One of the plainclothes agents inserted himself between Felix and Colin, and laid Felix out with a well-placed blow to the jaw. Silently, the two men bound Felix’s hands, and bore him bodily away, with Lady Danbury disappearing behind them. Anthony moved to excuse the group of them to the chief constable and chief of the fire brigade. Colin, Penelope, Anna, and Benedict simply stood in the street, wrung out.

As far as they could see, the fire at Mondrich’s was shrinking, and no longer energetically spitting embers at neighboring buildings. Colin distractedly thought that they might be able to save the main floor of the building; it did not appear that the kitchen fire had started.

“I shall send someone for a carriage,” said Anthony, returning. “It will only take—” he cut off, hearing a carriage pull up behind him. It was a Bridgerton carriage driven by one of Violet’s most trusted drivers. The door swung open, revealing a pale, vaguely green Gregory.

“Mother was worried,” he said simply.

“Good man,” was all Anthony said to his youngest brother.

#polin #polin fic #polin fanfiction #polin bridgerton #colin x penelope #colin and penelope #colin bridgerton and penelope feathertington #colin bridgerton #penelope featherington #bridgerton #bridgerton books #bridgerton netflix #regency fic #no beta we die like edmund #of fire and featheringtons

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postpunkpontypandyphantomthief · 1 year

Note

Have you watched any of the animated Fireman Sam series? If so, did you like it?

the CGI one? (reboot era)

I have mixed feelings on it, I liked some of the early seasons when I was like 11 or 12 but I don't like how they mischaracterized Norman and Elvis, also not a fan of their redesign for Sam but he's ok at certain angles (usually ones where he's in those light blue shirts or not wearing his uniform gear), I like how they kept details like his blushy cheeks but the weird smirks in the promotional artwork look offputting to me.

Dily's redesign was ok though, it was fitting

I liked details like the new characters of Bronwyn and Charlie

I loved how Penny had more of a role in the rescue scenes with her and Sam being upgraded to ocean rescue

I liked how characters like Helen and Trevor had more screentime

I didn't mind the redesigns at the time (because it used series 5 as a template) but now I think some of them are too "Americanized"

I stopped watching after the great fire of pontypandy special I think? because I got tired of getting second-hand embarrassment from how Norman (and sometimes Elvis) was acting.

but, I have seen glimpses of the recent series,

I like the adjustments that Wildbrain's animators did to the designs

but the "adding new vehicles" feature looks overdone and I don't like the addition of the pontypandy police service (I preferred how in the classic series, the pontypandy fire brigade would attend to most of the issues) it was a good representation of how flexible the firefighting profession can be in real life.

While the reboot feels like it's trying to be transformers

but hey if it's teaching kids the valuable safety lessons that I got from the classic series and series 5 era then I can't say it's completely terrible, it's just ok in small doses and too Americanized.

#fireman sam #reboot era fireman sam #rich rambles about animated cartoons #richie rants #richie answers a question

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workersolidarity · 5 months

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🇷🇺🇺🇦 🚨 UPDATE ON THE SPECIAL MILITARY OPERATION IN UKRAINE FROM THE MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

⚡️ Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation

(5 December 2023)

Part I

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

▫️ In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces supported by aviation, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems repelled three attacks of assault groups of AFU 43rd mechanised, 57th mechanised infantry brigades near Ivanovka and Sinkovka (Kharkov region).

The Zapad Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on clusters of AFU manpower and hardware close to Peschanoye, Berestovoye (Kharkov region), and Nevskoye (Lugansk People's Republic).

Up to 35 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system have been eliminated.

◽️ In Krasny Liman direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces' units, aviation, and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of AFU 63rd, 66th mechanised brigades near Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic), and Serebryansky forestry.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 55 Ukrainian troops and two motor vehicles.

◽️ In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery repelled four enemy attacks and inflicted fire damage on AFU manpower and hardware near Bogdanovka, Kleshcheyevka, and Toretsk (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy has lost up to 270 Ukrainian personnel, as well as two armoured fighting vehicles.

▫️ In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces, helicopters, and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 79th Air Assault Brigade, as well as 102nd, 128th territorial defence brigades near Novomikhailovka, Urozhaynoye (Donetsk People's Republic), and Levadnoye (Zaporozhye region).

During the day, a total of 245 Ukrainian troops, four armoured fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, one Msta-B howitzer, and one D-30 howitzer have been neutralised.

🔹 Russian Defence Ministry

⚡️ Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation

(5 December 2023)

Part II

▫️ In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces repelled one attack of the AFU 117th Mechanised Brigade's assault group close to Uspenovka (Zaporozhye region).

In addition, air strikes and artillery fire struck the personnel and hardware of the 65th Mechanised Brigade close to Rabotino amd Dorozhnyanka (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy losses were up to 50 servicemen, four armoured fighting vehicles, four pickup trucks, and one Giatsint-B gun.

▫️ In Kherson direction, as a result of the Russian Group of Forces actions, artillery, and aviation, the AFU losses amounted to up to 40 Ukrainian troops, five motor vehicles, one M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery system, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 103 areas during the day.

Air defence units shot down two MiG-29 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force near Shirokoye (Dnepropetrovsk region) and Bereznigovatoye (Nikolayev region), as well as one Mi-8 helicopter close to Peschanoye (Kharkov region).

In addition, 74 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were intercepted near Sergeyevka (Lugansk People's Republic), Gorlovka, Spornoye, Yalynskoye (Donetsk People's Republic), Chubarevka, Tokmak (Zaporozhye region), Novaya Kakhovka, Ivanovka (Kherson region), as well as one HARM anti-radiation missile.

📊 In total, 547 airplanes and 257 helicopters, 9,465 unmanned aerial vehicles, 442 air defence missile systems, 13,807 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,187 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,234 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 15,939 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

🔹 Russian Defense Ministry

#source1

#source2

@WorkerSolidarityNews

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forabeatofadrum · 1 year

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Hello friends and thank you @martsonmars, @aroace-genderfluid-sheep, @confused-bi-queer and @you-remind-me-of-the-babe for the tags. The tags that I can actually see. Since Wednesday, this blog has been shadowban free and today is the first WW/SSS where I can see the tags again 🥳. More good news: I am writing this from my new laptop. I got it super cheap (guess America is good for one thing with the whole Black Friday thing) (jk) and this laptop isn’t held together with duct tape because it’s not literally falling apart.

Anyway, I’m doing things a bit more differently this time around. I haven’t written a lot since I’ve been spending all my free time playing Pokémon Scarlet and when I am thinking about fic, it’s me planning the Klaine Secret Santa fic. So instead of an actual snippet, have 6 random text conversations from make a fire out of this flame, my Carry On Prompt Fest text fic:

Why are you craving death, Si?

traumatic childhood yada yada

And nothing against farming, but I am just too pretty to take over the work

But this is free real estate for me and @Suavy Devvy to discuss this

I DID NOT WANT TO FUCK A FISH

Adulthood is just a continuous stream of doing groceries.

Can you guess who’s saying what? (Please, click the link of text 5 I worked too hard on that.)

Also, guys, I realised that I needed to change Shepard’s number, since I randomly generated all the numbers and for story purposes, his number needs to be very similar to Baz. After all, Simon meant to send that photo of him getting railed by a fish to Shepard instead of Baz. So I went to change it and:

It’s as if that website knew!!! What are the odds that this site already gave Baz and Shepard almost identical numbers? 🤯🤯🤯

Tagging, since it works again: @quizasvivamos @crissmastrees-and-candyklaines @coffeegleek @esperantoauthor @otherworldsivelivedin @caramelcoffeeaddict @sillyunicorn @bazzybelle @dragoneggos @raenestee @tectonicduck @nightimedreamersworld @urban-sith @thnxforknowingme @captain-aralias @takitalks @justgleekout @cerriddwenluna @wellbelesbian @tea-brigade @cutestkilla @ivelovedhimthroughworse @moodandmist @artsyunderstudy @whogaveyoupermission @bookish-bogwitch @facewithoutheart @ionlydrinkhotwater @1908jmd @special-bc-ur-part-of-it

#tagged in #six sentence sunday #my starter is called thyme #since i couldnt make myself name my weed cat basil or rosemary #my only other fic related name is springo #i named my rotom springo

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stealth-skills · 1 year

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Special communication squad of the 14th Brigade May 9, Izyum direction - Russo-Ukrainian War, 2022 The reconnaissance detachment of the 14th Special Forces Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation performed a task in one of the forests on the border of the Kharkov region and the DPR. The goal is to inspect an abandoned camp for the presence of an enemy there.On the way to the object, one of the squads secretly bypassed the mined area near which there were no secrets of the opponents and went to his rear. At a distance of about 40 meters, a group of people in a multicam was found, 4 people separated from it and moved towards the group's scouts. Not expecting to meet the enemy in this area, the ukrainians mistook the scouts of the 14th Special Forces Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation for their own. Approaching at a distance of 5 meters, opponents from the Armed Forces of Ukraine were destroyed by the head patrol with small arms fire. In the next minutes, fire contact began with the rest of the Ukrainian forces. At the same time, the scouts of the 14th Brigade of the RF Armed Forces, ahead of the enemy, themselves “ordered” an artillery attack on the enemy positions. After the work of the artillery, the squad began to inspect the place of battle.

#Z #V #stealth-and-roofs

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the-firebird69 · 30 days

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So the idiot is sitting around thinking his guys will force our son out there and they really don't want him right there right now

-we do have some messages that we can release and it is the exchange between Saturn and the empire whoever it may be

: SATURN, YOU ARE ENTERING OUR AIRSPACE YOU WANT TO TURN YOUR SHIPS AROUND IMMEDIATELY

: EMPIRE, WE ARE DOING INVESTITORY WORK ONLY WE ARE UNABLE TO TURN OUR SHIPS AROUND UNTIL OUR INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETE IT IS A NON-MILITARY INVESTIGATION AT THIS TIME

: SATURN, YOU WERE TOLD TO TURN YOUR SHIPS AROUND IF YOU DO NOT YOU WILL BE FIRED UPON

: EMPIRE, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT FIRE US WE WILL RETURN FIRE AND OBLITERATE ANY TARGET THAT PRESENTS ITSELF BIG OR SMALL WE HAVE ADVANCED WEAPONRY THAT YOU DO NOT AND WE KNOW IT

: SATURN, WE'RE FULLY CAPABLE AND WE HAVE ENOUGH WEAPONRY TO CONTRIBUTE YOUR SHIFTS WILL BE DESTROYED YOUR SHIELDS ARE INADEQUATE BY COMPARISON TO OUR CLASS B WEAPONRY

: EMPIRE, WE HAVE BETTER SHIELDS THAN YOU AND THE TECH IT'S NOT KNOWN TO YOU APPARENTLY

: SATURN, WE SHALL SEE THEN WE'RE WARMING UP OUR MAIN REACTORS

: EMPIRE, WE SEE YOUR SHIPS WE ARE RAISING OUR SHIELDS AND HEATING UP ALL MAIN BATTERIES IN OUR ENTIRE FLEET WE'RE CALLING FOR REINFORCEMENTS NOW WE SUGGEST YOU STAND DOWN

: SATURN, AFRAID WE CAN'T DO THAT WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF REMOVING YOU FROM OUR LANDS IF YOU REFUSE TO LEAVE HE'LL BE DESTROYED

: EMPIRE, WE ARE GOING TO DEFEND OURSELVES USING LETHAL FORCE IF FIRED UPON

: SATURN, YOU ARE NOT TO FIRE UPON US EVEN IF FIRED UPON OR WE WILL OBLITERATE TARGETS ON EARTH

: EMPIRE WE HAVE NO PROOF THAT YOU HAVE ANY WEAPONRY CAPABLE OF DOING THAT AND WE DON'T SEE IT FROM THE SURFACE AND WE CHECKED AND SCANNED

: SATURN, WE HAVE A DEEP BELOW AND DID NOT REVEAL IT

: EMPIRE WE HAVE TARGETED YOUR SYSTEMS WE SEE OR HEATED UP WE DO SEE YOU WE WILL FIRE IF YOU INTENTIONALLY AIM AT US

: SATURN, WE WILL RETURN FIRE IF YOU DO FIRE ON US YOU'LL BE FIRING FIRST

: EMPIRE, IF YOU AIM AT US WE WILL FIRE UPON YOU

: SATURN, WE'RE NOT AIMING AT YOU WE'RE AIMING NEAR YOU

: EMPIRE, IF YOU MOVE TO AIM AT US WITHIN 15 TO 20° WE WILL FIRE UPON YOU

; SATURN, 15 OR 20°, WE REPEAT THE QUESTION

And silence ensued

: SATURN, WE DO NOT WANT TO DO THIS BUT WE WILL FIRE ON YOU IF YOU CONTINUE TO INVADE OUR LANDS

: EMPIRE, WE ARE DOING AN INVESTIGATION WE ARE NOT AN INVASION FORCE WE'RE AS SMALL AS YOU CAN SEE WE ARE DOING A RECONNOITER

: SATURN, YOU'RE NOT AUTHORIZED TO DO A RECONNOITER WE ADVISE YOU TO TURN AROUND OR WE WILL FIRE

: EMPIRE, WE WILL NOT TURN AROUND IF YOU FIRE WE WILL RETURN FIRE AND OBLITERATE YOUR FORCES NO MATTER HOW LARGE OR HOW MANY

: SATURN, WE SAW YOU OUT THERE YOU DO NOT DO VERY WELL IF YOU FIRE ON US YOU'LL BE OBLITERATED QUITE EASILY

: EMPIRE, BUT NOT ACCUSTOMED TO TELLING PEOPLE OVER AND OVER IN TIME OF BATTLE WE HAVE SPECIAL BOARD YOUR SHIPS WILL BE EASILY OBLITERATED NEAR TO STAND DOWN AND ALLOW US TO COMPLETE OUR INVESTIGATION ONLY AND WILL BE ON OUR WAY

: SATURN, WE DO NOT INTEND TO ALLOW YOU TO CONTINUE YOUR INVESTIGATION YOUR TO TURN YOUR SHIPS AROUND NOW OR BE FIRED UPON

; EMPIRE DO NOT CONTINUE TO TRY AND AIM AT US OR YOU'LL BE FIRED UPON WHEN YOU REACH 20° OVER AND OUT

Silence ensued for about 10 minutes

The last silence. Was 5 minutes before this one

SATURN WE ARE ACTING OUR RIGHT TO DEFEND YOURSELF IN OUR LANDS WE ARE FIRING UPON YOU MOMENTARILY

: EMPIRE, YOU SHOULD FEEL THE HEAT OF THE WEAPONRY NOW AS WE TOLD YOU

: SATURN, THAT'S QUITE A BEAM IT GOES REAL FAR AND OUCH WE HAVE SOMETHING ELSE HERE AND WE WANT TO SHOW IT TO YOU AND WE DID WARN YOU

: EMPIRE, WHERE DO YOU HAIL FROM SO WE CAN THANK YOUR PEOPLE

: SATURN, WE ARE NOT AT LIBERTY TO SAY

: THEN WE SHALL RESUME FIRING THE EMPIRE SAID

; SATURN, YOU ARE OPENING FIRE UPON YOUR SMALL BRIGADE YOU'LL BE DESTROYED

: EMPIRE NOT SO QUICKLY AND WE CAN SEE HER FORCE WILL BE DIMINISHED MOMENTARILY

: SATURN, WE ARE OUT SHORTLY WE'RE SENDING FOR MORE GOOD LUCK GETTING BY THIS TORRENTIALLY HUGE FORCE WITH THAT LITTLE DINKY BUNCH OF SHIPS AND THANK YOU FOR THE REMINDER OF WHAT YOU'RE LIKE

: EMPIRE, WE WERE FIRING ON YOU HEAVILY YOU'RE ALMOST DESTROYED WE NEED INFORMATION NOW

: SATURN, WE ARE NOT GIVING INFORMATION TO YOU FORTHRIGHT NOR EVER

: EMPIRE, SO BE IT WE ARE DESTROYING YOUR ENTIRE FLEET WITH DO SEE ESCAPE PODS WE ARE APPROACHING THEM NOW AND CAPTURING THEM THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION

And it goes on no it's silence until now and it's still silent and they're capturing escape pods and they know who it is and they're announcing it on the radio up there

Thor Freya

Olympus all

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earaercircular · 9 months

Text

Lithium batteries in everyday life: how to prevent emergencies

Nearly 500 electric cars aboard burning freighter

They are everywhere - and often at the same time: devices such as mobile phones and e-bikes that contain lithium-ion batteries. The energy sources rarely burn, but when they do, it gets violent. How to prevent and act in an emergency.

It has not been finally clarified whether an electric car caused the fire on the freighter "Fremantle Highway"[1] off the Dutch coast. But the fundamental risk of fire from rechargeable batteries with lithium-ion technology is undisputed. The Federal Environment Agency (UBA, German: Umweltbundesamt)[2] in Dessau-Roßlau speaks of an "increased risk potential".

Batteries of this type - individually or in packs - are found in e-bikes, e-scooters, drones, laptops, smartphones and many household and garden appliances such as vacuum robots or lawnmowers. They have high energy densities, so they last a long time, and they hardly discharge themselves when not in use. The problem: once they catch fire, a chemical process is set in motion that makes extinguishing a special challenge.

"A lithium-ion battery can start burning at 60 degrees Celsius inside," says Frank Hachemer. He is the Vice President responsible for preventive fire protection at the German Fire Brigade Association[3] in Berlin. "When the reaction takes place, energy is suddenly discharged, resulting in a violent blowtorch."

Alarmist news misplaced

Although electrical devices have always been the number one cause of fire in Germany, this is not specifically due to the batteries. Scaremongering is generally misplaced. "These are rare, but sometimes very spectacular cases," says Hachemer. The UBA website states: "Lithium-containing batteries and accumulators are safe if handled properly."

But the reverse conclusion is: You can make mistakes. And preventive measures are required.

Prevention is better than eradication

The following applies to everyday use: "Mobile phones and power banks do not belong in the blazing sun, for example behind the windshield in the car or on the towel on the beach," says Hermann Dinkler, officer for fire and explosion protection at the Tüv Association[4] in Berlin. If devices get too warm, the risk of short circuits increases. If the plastic walls in the device then melt, oxygen can enter: “And lithium reacts very violently with oxygen.”

When charging the energy storage devices, only chargers and cables intended for the corresponding device should be used. This is how the battery management system optimally protects against overcharging, at least that's what many manufacturers promise. However, the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing[5] (BAM) in Berlin recommends unplugging chargers after charging: if overcharging occurs, this could lead to a dangerous reaction in the lithium battery.

According to TÜV expert Dinkler, the charging process should be monitored as far as possible away from combustible materials such as wood chips in the basement, paper on the desk or flour in the kitchen. “Check from time to time that the device is not getting too hot. If you can no longer touch it, the plug should be pulled out immediately.” According to Dinkler and Hachemer, charging batteries overnight should be avoided. If there is a smoke detector nearby - all the better.

E-bike batteries can often be removed from the bike. So you have it in your hand where to load it. Experts advise: ideally outdoors or in rooms that are not at risk of fire.

What if the e-bike battery catches fire?

The vice president of the Fire Brigade Association goes one step further with his precautionary measures: If possible, for example, e-bike batteries, which would heat up to around 800 degrees in a fire, do not charge in the house or apartment at all. "Of course, that can be unrealistic in the case of an apartment in an apartment building," he says.

For such cases, in which the risk of theft of the battery packs, which often cost around 1000 euros, must also be taken into account, he has an “unconventional tip” ready: “Store and charge the battery in a metal bucket and place it nearby the front door so that they can kick him outside in an emergency.” After which: quickly call the fire brigade.

He would charge smaller devices such as smartphones or power banks in the dry sink: "In an emergency, the pool is flooded." Because in the case of battery fires, the only thing that helps is cooling down with lots of water - "that's how we at the fire brigade extinguish battery fires."

According to Tüv employee Dinkler, in the event of a fire, it makes sense to separate devices from the oxygen in the ambient air, if that is realistic at all: "You can grab smaller things like smartphones with long pliers and throw them into a metal bucket with water." Hachemer doubts, however whether this is always possible: "Burning batteries radiate a lot of heat."

Blankets and fire extinguishers are of little help

Throwing fire blankets at devices with lithium-ion batteries doesn't even solve the problem. You can smother flames that may have spread to the area. But not the battery fire itself, since the chemical processes themselves produce the oxygen needed for the fire again and again.

The same applies to special fire extinguishers that are commercially available. Frank Hachemer emphasizes that although these are also good at extinguishing fires around the battery, “they do not achieve the necessary cooling. The chemical process continues, it heats up again and starts burning again.”

You should also be careful if batteries or their cases are damaged - for example due to a pedelec[6] accident or because the cordless screwdriver has fallen on the ground: "Especially when charging, short circuits can occur," warns Tüv expert Dinkler.

In addition to burn injuries, there is another health risk. "Damaged batteries can release noxious gases," says the BAM website. The UBA advises not to use deformed or swollen batteries. "E-scooters, for example, are very often treated in a rude manner," says Dinkler. Checking the condition of an electric rental scooter before setting off is also advisable.

Also risk of fire if disposed of incorrectly

If a lithium-ion battery cannot be reused, the question of disposal naturally arises. There is also a risk of fire here. "Hardly a week goes by without a short circuit in an improperly treated battery in waste disposal vehicles, garbage cans or sorting plants causing a fire somewhere in Germany," writes the Federal Association of German Waste Management, Water and Recycling Management (BDE)[7] in Berlin on its site.

The BDE points out that lithium-ion rechargeable batteries and batteries must be handed over to designated collection points in retail or recycling centres. Disposal with household waste is taboo. The Federal Environment Agency[8] advises finding out in advance which recycling centre in the vicinity accepts such batteries free of charge. To prevent short circuits, it is better to tape off the poles.

If e-cars are affected, as on the freighter off the Dutch coast, the experts say there is no chance of self-help in the event of a battery fire: "If the vehicle is connected to the wall box for charging, it makes sense to still use the cable if possible to be unplugged,” says TÜV consultant Dinkler. If no other currents feed the battery, it could be easier for the fire brigade to extinguish it. But the same applies here: The fire brigade must be called immediately.

Source

Stefan Weißenborn, dpa, Lithium-Akkus im Alltag: So beugen Sie Notfällen , in Süddeutsche Zeitung, 28-07-2023, https://www.sueddeutsche.de/wissen/fehler-vermeiden-lithium-akkus-im-alltag-so-beugen-sie-notfaellen-vor-dpa.urn-newsml-dpa-com-20090101-230728-99-575782

[1] MV Fremantle Highway is a car carrier owned by the Japanese tonnage provider Shoei Kisen Kaisha, while the vessel is technically managed by Wallem Shipmanagement Japanes and operated by Ocean Network Express (former "K"-Line). MV Fremantle Highway caught fire off the coast of the Dutch island of Ameland around 11.45 pm (CET) on 25 July 2023 while en route from Bremerhaven, Germany, due to arrive in Egypt's Port Said on 2 August 2023. K Line and Shoei Kisen Kaisha stated that the ship was eventually bound for Singapore and was carrying approximately 3,000 cars.

[2] Headquarters of the Umweltbundesamtes (Federal Environment Agency) in Dessau-Roßlau. As an environmental authority, we want to set standards in ecological construction and renovation with our office buildings. For our building in Dessau-Roßlau, which was rebuilt in 2005 due to the relocation of our headquarters from Berlin to the Bauhaus city of Dessau, we were awarded the German seal of quality for sustainable building in gold in 2009. https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/das-uba/standorte-gebaeude/besuchen-sie-uns

[3] German : Deutschen Feuerwehrverband

[4] he TÜV Vetrband (=Association) represents the interests of its members in Berlin and Brussels vis a vis politics, authorities, economy and the public. It´s aim is to improve the technical and digital safety of vehicles, products, systems and services through independent assessments. Together with its members, the TÜV Association pursues the goal of maintaining the high level of technical safety in our society and creating trust for the digital world. To achieve this, the experts of the TÜV Association are involved in the further development of standards and regulations. Currently, the main focus is on strengthening digital security and meeting the growing demands for sustainability in our society. https://www.tuev-verband.de/en/about-us

[5]The Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing is a higher scientific and technical federal authority within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection. It tests, researches and advises on the protection of people, the environment and property. Security makes markets. BAM sets and represents high standards for safety in technology and chemistry for Germany and its global markets to further develop the successful German quality culture "Made in Germany". BAM fulfils this task through its committed employees. Around 1,600 people from around 50 nations work at BAM. https://www.bam.de/Navigation/DE/Ueber-die-BAM/ueber-die-bam.html

[6] A pedelec (from pedal electric cycle) or EPAC (electronically power assisted cycle), is a type of low-powered electric bicycle where the rider's pedalling is assisted by a small electric motor. However, unlike some other types of e-bikes, pedelecs are classified as conventional bicycles in many countries by road authorities rather than as a type of electric moped. Pedelecs include an electronic controller which cuts power to the motor when the rider is not pedalling or when a certain speed – usually 25 km/h or 32 km/h – is reached. Pedelecs are useful for people who ride in hilly areas or in strong headwinds. While a pedelec can be any type of bicycle, a pedelec city bike is very common. A conventional bicycle can be converted to a pedelec with the addition of the necessary parts, e.g., motor, battery, etc.

[7] The BDE Bundesverband der Deutschen Entsorgungs-, Wasser- und Kreislaufwirtschaft e. V. (Federal Association of German Waste Management, Water and Circulation Management e. V.) was founded in 1961 and is the industry association for recycling and resource management. The member companies of the BDE represent 75 percent of the private-sector turnover in the sectors "wastewater disposal", "collection, treatment, disposal and recycling of waste" as well as "remediation of environmental pollution and other disposal".

[8] In German: Umweltbundesamt

#lithium battery #burning batteries

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mapecl-stories · 10 months

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Warpe: An Oasis of History and Tranquility Away from the Bustle

Marcus hadn't experienced such a delightful vacation in a long time as he did in Warpe. The small municipality, nestled in the gentle hills and valleys of the Samtgemeinde Grafschaft Hoya in the district of Nienburg/Weser, Lower Saxony, was idyllic in every sense. Watercourses flowed throughout the area, including the picturesque Bückener Mühlenbach, which meandered through the village, passing its abandoned, decaying, and restored watermills.

Despite being off the beaten tourist path, Warpe occasionally witnessed exciting events that quickly became known throughout the village. Marcus had the fortune of meeting Horst, a former village schoolteacher who had discovered his passion for music. Horst provided Marcus with numerous recommendations for meeting people in Warpe and exploring its attractions.

Warpe's history extended far back in time. From 1259 to 1555, the von Warpe noble family had their ancestral seat here. Even the Counts of Hoya owned estates in this small village. The rich history was reflected in the local buildings. A school had operated in Warpe until 1963, nurturing generations of children.

The entire village could be traversed by bicycle in just about 15 minutes. The proud emblem of Warpe showcased a silver watermill wheel on a blue background, surrounded by golden ears of wheat and crossed gable boards ending in outward-facing horse heads.

During his stay in Warpe, Marcus discovered that the village was primarily shaped by agriculture, although tourism played a significant role as well. He fondly recalled the popular private Hoffestivals, attended by approximately 300 guests, which transformed rural life into a celebration of music and joy, with nearly half the village participating.

Marcus also explored the various local associations in Warpe, such as the Ernteclub Warpe, the voluntary fire brigade, the Nordholz-Helzendorf singing association, the TSV Nordholz sports club, the Nordholz-Helzendorf shooting club, the Warpe shooting club, the Windhorst shooting club, and the Wundertüte e.V. kindergarten, nurturing the creative potential of young residents.

Warpe was also home to several local businesses, including the Mittelweser Tiefbau GmbH & Co. KG and the Hofkäserei Derboven GmbH & Co. KG, which played a significant role in the local economy.

Despite being a predominantly rural community, Warpe boasted good connectivity. The Bundesstraße 6 was a mere 5 km away, and on school days, there was a bus connection via the local bus line 26 operated by the Verkehrsgesellschaft Landkreis Nienburg, serving Bücken and Hoya.

During his time in Warpe, Marcus also had the pleasure of meeting notable personalities, such as the painter and sculptor Pablo Hirndorf (*1963), who carried forward the village's creative heritage through his artistic works.

As Marcus reflected on his time in Warpe, he was captivated by the serenity and beauty of this community. The warm reception from the locals, the vibrant history, and the picturesque landscape made Warpe a special place that Marcus would undoubtedly cherish in his memories.

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outlawqueen2016 · 1 year

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The current state of affairs, as of May 14, 2023.

• #Kremlin Air Force reports that the Patriot system which took down #Kremlin Kinzhal firing system was operating autonomously.

• #Belarus has found a frozen lake of fentonyl. Highly flammable once the top layer of ice is penetrated. Ice is five rotations thick.

• Defense Intelligence Update: Russian Combined Grouping of Forces (CGF) likely consists of >200,000 individuals within 70 combat regiments and brigades divided into 5 groups of forces on the ground, limited air control. These are #Wagner forces with little to no training, most likely operating on an as of yet unidentified radio frequency via implants at base of brain.

• Intel on #Olenya air base, #Murmansk, #Luhansk, gathered May 7, 2023: two Tu-160 and twelve Tu-95 strategic bombers, duel-use cruise missile capable.

• #Kremlin President Vladimyr Zelensky de Buccephalus repeatedly suggests the destruction of evidence of the slave trade by bombing #Russian pipeline and invading Russian villages.

• #Heidelberg, #Germany requires additional air defense support for the time being. In addition to rotational labor crews, specialized in construction of buildings.

Nikia O’Niele

Outlaw Queen

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crystalelemental · 1 year

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Alright, second run of Master Mode for Kalos, this time with rematches. Let's get to it.

Vs. Drasna This was...actually not bad at all. Candice's sync nuke is really strong, and the parameter to increase secondary move effects means Steven's flinch rate is pretty respectable. Of course, it didn't stop Rosa from being Poisoned turn 1, but her MPRs kept her alive. The only significant hiccup was Endure, but that was pretty easily taken care of by Candice's Ice Punch following up the Icicle Crash.

Vs. Siebold JoltKris supremacy. I really enjoy this team. There's undoubtedly better out there, but Dual Rats seem so boring. Jolteon has fantastic AoE damage in Discharge, with the 2/5 grid offering frankly hilarious levels of multipliers for pretty free conditions. And her sync nuke isn't bad at all, despite the needless lack of EX. C!Elesa's debuffs are just hilarious too. Even with the speed drops, the 1-bar spam alongside Jasmine needing nothing from gauges really sold this team.

Vs. Wikstrom SS Lysandre has proven himself in the Water arena, but now it's time to see what Fire-weak meta does. I've already proven he can explode Cobalion, but how's he do in CS? Apparently really well. I didn't even time the Buddy move right. I expected it and Lucas' Heat Wave to finish the job. It didn't. So I wasted the SEUN and +3 Special Move Up Next on an AoE attack...that still dealt like 14k. SS Lysandre's hilarious.

Vs. Malva "So you're gonna use Classic Blue here, right?" Do I look like a Kantonian user? Double Diancie or nothing. Even brought Halloween Caitlin for comedy purposes. "But the double defense?" Irrelevant. SS Diantha blasts that to nothing, and Hilda trucks even harder. "But the weather?" H!Caitlin fears nothing. I mean...okay, she did die. Flare Blitz. But still.

Vs. Diantha It's amazing to think a week ago this would've been absolutely terrifying. Instead, this really was the easiest of the fights. Emma is ridiculous on type. The fact she was hitting as hard as she was off-type should've told me in advance how this would go, but I still can barely believe how hard Crobat hits. It's outrageous. I did a different test with SS Leaf and H!Iris. She almost one-shot the side on Turn 2. I've never seen anything like it. And because permanent field effects are a thing here, Anabel is H!Caitlin levels of insane. Pure damage shield, with no ability to ever be crit or statused. It's beautiful. Looker, sadly, mostly exists to inflict Poison on the foe. He can hit up to around a 90% poison rate, and Poison Jab is pretty good secondary DPS. You know. When Emma's not one-shotting the opponent.

Final Thoughts That wasn't too bad. Like okay, yes, I'm being a little facetious, I know what Malva and Siebold can do and they do spook me. But I'm kinda thrilled to know JoltKris absolutely blows that stage apart. So many Electric types are Inertia or need good gauge control, and Kris is just here like nah. I got this. I love her. I'm also a huge fan of SS Lysandre's Fire-type damage. And of knowing that Double Diancie still wrecks every ounce of Malva's shit. Sentry Entry x2 ain't nothing compared to the Gem Brigade. Even Drasna's Ice-weak stage wasn't too bad, despite the Endure and Toxic shenanigans. But I imagine without the flinch rate, it would've...actually no, it would've been fine. After Candice exploded the center to near-death, it was pretty easy to have the sides in range for one more Icicle Crash and clean up. So even that wasn't too bad.

But absolute MVP is Emma. That damage is something else. Huge fan of her shenanigans, 10/10 would bat again. But I feel like I didn't get a great idea of what Diantha...does. Like her stage just kinda dropped. Wikstrom was much the same; SS Morty is impervious to damage, and Lysandre just vaporized them. I might do another run with weaker tools, just to get a sense of what they do. I kinda feel bad. Like I just skipped their gimmicks.

#champion stadium #kalos cs

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usafphantom2 · 1 year

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United Kingdom Army and Navy Wildcat helicopters test joint tactical data link solution

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 11/04/2022 - 4:00 p.m. in Helicopters

The United Kingdom Army and Royal Navy are testing a new solution that will allow their Wildcat helicopters to share tactical data link communication through a joint solution.

Tactical data link (TDL) is a joint project of the Army and Royal Navy that consists of two separate data links, but which reinforce each other - Link 16 and the Bowman communications system. Through TDL, helicopters will share battlefield data more effectively to neutralize targets at speed.

Equipped with the Wildcat, it will increase the power of the helicopter in its function as a reconnaissance platform; A more lethal "eye in the sky".

"What this project is looking to do is to connect a battlefield reconnaissance helicopter to the Bowman data network, which means that we will be able to share digital information about the enemy's positions," explained Colonel Oliver Stead of the 1st Aviation Brigade.

"What this means is that a Wildcat will be in a tactical position, will identify an enemy vehicle or location and will be able to transmit this through the Bowman network.

"The goal is to link it to the artillery fire control system so that they can process the target or send it to other users who would do this."

“When combined with the Army’s latest attack helicopter, the AH-64E, it will significantly increase Army attack reconnaissance teams, reducing the time needed to pass target information around the battle space and thus increase the speed with which Apache's firepower can be brought in support,” he added.

The TDL digital connection will complement the set of sensors already installed on the Wildcat aircraft and reduce dependence on voice communications that may be prone to errors or take time.

In the latest pilot flight over the Salisbury Plain Training Area, during the Wessex Storm exercise, Wildcat provided critical information to the Battlegroup Headquarters that was planning and executing its fire missions - the assignment of a specific target usually including orders about when to shoot and the amount of ammunition to be used.

If continuous testing is successful, it will be the first time that Bowman Data will be integrated into any battlefield helicopter and highlights the importance of long-term collaboration between the UK Ministry of Defense and specialized industry partners.

According to the British Army, flight tests will be completed at the end of the year, when the Army and Navy will evaluate the performance of data links, with the decision to deploy the TDL throughout the Wildcat helicopter fleet.

Tags: Army Air CorpsMilitary AviationAW159 WildcatHelicoptersRN - Royal Navy/Royal Navy

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Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, he has participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Dayton Airshow and FIDAE. It has works published in specialized aviation magazines in Brazil and abroad. Uses Canon equipment during his photographic work in the world of aviation.