#magenta is my safe word for venting

[savage-rhi]

*inhales deeply*

LET'S GET DANGEROUS....

I know I don't owe anyone anything, but I want to be transparent about why I've not been as active lately.

My recent job loss and the discrimination that contributed to said loss had me severely depressed. After coming down a little from survivor/PTSD mode, I needed to take space from everyone and everything. I am starting to feel better, thankfully.

I have been performing odd jobs in my neighborhood so that I am good on cash for bills and housing this month and part of next month. Beyond that, I don't know what to expect.

I am still working on my Ko-Fi shop. This is one of those things I jumped right into thanks to survivor mode, and I didn't account for everything as thoroughly so I'm taking my time with it.

I did speak to a few legal advocates and a couple of lawyers during these past few weeks. Here's the good, bad, and ugly:

Good: Yes, there was illegal discrimination at play. My place of employment didn't handle things the way they should've regarding my excused absences related to disability, and they contributed to emotional duress and screwed over my education prospects.

Bad: I didn't have a paper trail for everything, but I had enough to prove that I did what I was supposed to do on my end when it came to adhering to my place of employments processes. There is sadly nothing that can be done about the third party health insurance company that played a role in screwing me over.

Ugly: Even with the pro-bono stuff that was offered, I'm looking between 20,000-35,000k out of pocket if I wanted to take this to the highest.

Folks...I do not have 20-35k lying around nor the emotional bandwidth to go through a trial/suit. Yes, GoFundMe is an option if I was dead serious on dragging these fuckers dicks through the dirt, but guys, honest to god, I'd rather that 20k-35k go to the following:

Keeping a roof over my head and food on the table until I have stable employment

Ensuring I can afford medical care for my disability, and afford new tests that I'm going to need for long-covid issues

Help me stay in my graduate courses/obtain my therapy licensure

Use it to help out other disabled folks in similar situations

I have closure that I was indeed wronged, that I did everything on my end to the best of my ability, and these dehumanizing assholes aren't going to rob anymore of my energy or time than they already have.

I have appointments to see if covid has fucked up or contributed to anything more serious that hasn't been addressed. I have a secondary PCP now cause of health concerns that have gotten worse. My fibromyalgia flares have been more chaotic since catching covid in January and I'm still figuring out what my new baseline is with that.

Spring Term of my graduate studies started last week, and I'm getting as much as I can done so I have more free time.

I am trying to find motivation to work my fanfics, drabbles, interacting, etc. It's been hard with everything.

My former employer is trying to get out of unemployment benefits and I've been battling that on top of the other stuff.

I need time to rest (like hibernate) and I haven't had the opportunity to do that.

Thank you again to everyone who has checked in on me, asked me how I've been, sent something positive, or donated. I'm sorry I haven't had the hit points to get to everyone individually, but I am trying and I am grateful for the compassion and appreciation.

If you still want to donate before my Ko-Fi shop is up, you can donate at these places:

PayPal: [email protected]

Kofi: KitchenRaptorJ

CashApp: $JayRex1463

If you don't have the means, that's a okay. Take care of yourself first.

If you want to send me comfort things (Ardyn Izunia, Higgs Monaghan, Karl Heisenberg, dinosaurs, dragons, etc.) like art, fanfic, etc. my way, that would be wonderful and I am open to that. I'm still open to a friendly hello or check in, just know I won't respond right away.

Now that all is said and done...

#magenta #magenta is my safe word for venting #i need a vacation at some point #like a quick trip to the coast for a few days in a run down motel or spending the night in my car on the beach with a thing of malibu rum #and a bar of dark sea salt caramel chocolate and the sickest pair of shades known to man with a cigar hanging out of my mouth #please do not ask me to elaborate more on the lawyer stuff it was already a clusterfuck to begin with and i don't have the spoons to comb #over all the little details of what was told to me just know i tried and was dead set on getting answers which i did earn in the end #seriously though i do love you guys that privately DM'd on here and off and asked if im alright even if i didn't say anything back #thank you for being kind #please extend that kindness to yourself as well

[password-door-lock]

My current daydream scenario of choice is video calling with SE Saeran.

It starts because he’s not allowed to leave the bunker. Saeyoung gives him a phone, of course, and his own room, and all manner of basic necessities, but still— Saeran feels trapped. Granted, he’s been trapped all his life, so this is nothing new, but unlike before, he has nothing to focus on anymore. He has nothing to strive for, nothing to do but stare at the ceiling and idly scroll. Saeyoung installs a video call feature on the messenger app almost as soon as Saeran starts using his phone, largely because he gets nervous whenever he leaves Saeran alone in the bunker. It helps his nerves if he can see with his own eyes that Saeran is physically safe, although, as the weeks pass by, Saeyoung’s anxious video calls become less and less frequent. 

You, however, start calling more often. Saeran doesn’t talk to anybody very much, but out of the RFA members, he’s probably the closest with you. That’s mostly because you don’t seem to pity him the way the others do, nor do you seem inclined to bother him by being loud when he needs silence or quiet when he needs a distraction. The first time you call him, you’re at the store picking up groceries to bring to the bunker. You flip the camera around to show Saeran rows and rows of cereal and ask him which one he wants— it’s a small gesture, in the scheme of things, but it shows him that you respect and value his autonomy. He can still remember your words at Magenta all those months ago, when you earnestly told him that it was his decision whether to trust his brother or not. It wasn’t, of course, but still— you’re the only one who seems to be thinking about letting Saeran make his own choices. 

It all sort of spirals out from there. Soon, you start video calling Saeran just to talk to him— but it doesn’t seem like you’re checking in on him, trying to prove that he’s okay just for your own peace of mind. Instead, it feels like you actually want to tell him things. Occasionally, you’ll show him what you’re doing or what you’re seeing in the world outside of the bunker— especially clouds, and though your phone camera doesn’t pick them up too well, Saeran appreciates the sentiment. There’s so much in the world that he’s never seen before and wouldn’t even think to ask about, so it’s nice that you’re willing to introduce him to these things without too much fanfare. If you like to go on walks, you can bring your phone with you, and though he may not be the most talkative walking companion, he enjoys the peaceful escape from the life that he lives inside the bunker. 

Sometimes, you video call Saeran while you’re working— depending on what your life looks like, this might mean you set up your phone so that he can see you while you’re quietly studying, or maybe that you call him while you’re busy with your hobbies. Hell, maybe you hide your phone somewhere out of your boss’s view and engage in a completely silent call with Saeran from your desk at the office. It’s not that the two of you spend all day every day together or anything like that— Saeran likes his alone time, after all.  It’s just that he also likes having your presence nearby, even if you’re not able to be physically close to him. 

Other times, you call him in the evening when you’re home alone. The two of you might talk for a while about what’s been going on in your lives— although, Saeran isn’t really the type to vent out loud, and sometimes, if something’s really bothering him, he ends up texting you about it while the call is still going on. Usually, though, these nights end with both of you laying in your respective beds. Saeran really likes falling asleep with his phone propped up on a pillow while on a call with you, although usually he’s the one that watches you falling asleep first. Although it doesn’t make his nightmares go away completely, he finds that it does help a lot to fall asleep feeling safe. Sometimes, though, he ends the call as soon as you’ve fallen asleep—  he feels comfortable with you, but that doesn’t mean he wants you to wake up to the tell-tale signs of one of his nightmares. 

Even once it’s deemed relatively safe for Saeran to leave the bunker, Saeyoung is still a little bit paranoid about Saeran getting in trouble for driving without a valid license, and if you don’t drive, either, then the two of you may not get to meet in person as often as you’d like. Sometimes, Saeran is too overwhelmed to make the journey out to your apartment, even though he’d like to see you, and a lot of the time, the feeling is mutual. When one or the other of you has bad days, sometimes meeting up in person is just not possible, but it’s nice to be able to see one another face-to-face even under those circumstances.

#I know I've mentioned this before but #it's one of my favorite concepts to think about #Because I feel like hanging out with SE Saeran is going to involve a lot of being quiet together and parallel play #And also just a lot of frustration #Since the circumstances are probably not how either of you would really want them to be #anyway #mystic messenger #mystic messenger headcanon #saeran choi #choi saeran

[olivia200312]

So Long~ Bay! Optimus x Human! Reader (Lemon) *Request*

Requested by the lovely RudyPascall456

Plot: Bayverse Optimus (Tf5) x Human! Reader. They have been through so much. So much that it's impossible to remember it all. Currently, the reader and Optimus in cuddling each other whispering sweet words to the other. Optimus purrs from the warmth of his sparkmate. Primus how he loves her. Optimus pulls her close and kisses her. They share loving kisses, just wanting to show their love for each other in every way possible. Optimus shivers in delight when the reader touches his hips so gently. Optimus says it's been 5 years that anyone who had touched him liked this. The reader kisses him and continues to feel his metal muscles that she missed so much. Optimus lightly kisses the reader down her neck as the reader giggles. The reader then said she forgot how much of a cute mech he could be. Optimus purrs and shares yet another kiss. Optimus then begins to kisses the ready feverish. And says through the kiss he wants to show her how much he loves her. The reader pulls their bodies together making Prime growl. Oh, how he loved skin-to-metal contact. The warm skin mixing with the cool metal. It made it feel special and wanted something of this love that could never be betrayed. Optimus then undress the reader as the reader moans softly. Optimus purred and kissed the reader's breast softly making the reader moan softly. She knew Optimus adored her body he can be so gentle at times and so rough. She loved it either way. In return, Optimus stopped and allowed the reader to remove his codpiece and see his spike. Optimus then smiled and locked their lips into a heated kiss of passion. The reader stroked his spike as Optimus teased her pussy. And from there they fragged. In the end, Optimus says if there was one thing he would ever need in his online it would be her and no one else. The reader said the same goes for you, Opty. Optimus then cuddled with the reader and recharge the reader fell asleep.

Lol, another smutty request from the same user. But it's a human this time. Once this is done, I have other requests to finish since others are old requests and some are new. This book is damn growing fast! When the 100th one-shot is published, then the book is complete! But I will also publish the last one-shots.

Head area: Brain: Processor / Brain Module Head: Helm Face: Face plate Ears: Audio receptors / Receptor Orifice / Audials Nose: Enstril / Olfactory Sensor Eye brow: Optical Ridge Eyes: Optics Mouth: Intake Lips: Dermas Teeth: Denta/Dentas Tongue: Glossa

Chest area: Chest: Chassis / Thoraxal Cavity Back: Hexa-Lateral Scapula Spine: Bipedalism cord / Back Strut

Chest and back armour: Chest plate Back plate Mid-section plating Neck guard Side plating

Arm area:

Arms: Arms / Restarlueus Forearms: Bitarlueus Hands: Servos Fingers: Digits

Arm armour: Gantlets Shoulder pads Arm guard

Lower area:

Pelvis: Pelvis Butt: Aft / Skid-Plate Thighs: Tibulen Calves: Cadulen Feet: Pedes - the high heel bits are called Struts or Heel Struts.

Lower armour: Skirt plates Aft plate / Skid plate Thigh guard Ankle guard

General/Internal components: Muscles: Cables / Pistons - It depends on the area in question. Veins: Fual lines Stomach: Tanks Lungs: Vents - used to stop the con/bot from over heating. Heart: Spark Tattoos: D-con/A-bot Insignias and the lark T-Cog: The thing that allows all Cybertronians to transform, be that their arms or their whole body.

Bonus:

Penis: Spike

Vagina: Valve

Body: Frame

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

Everyone was at the fields of England. The battle was finally over. Optimus Prime was back himself instead of being Nemesis Prime. He was being processor controlled by Quintessa, an evil manipulative femme who brainwashed the Prime and even blamed him for Cybertron's death, which was not true at all! Once Optimus was being controlled, he got send back to Earth to get the staff.

Before The Last Knight story started to play, Cade was being involved, together with Shane, Tessa, and Y/N. If you know the story, then you know what happened. After the Age of Extinction story was over, Optimus said his goodbyes to others, including to his sparkmate, Y/N, and left to find his creators. Everyone was heartbroken, especially Y/N. Tessa took off to college and Shane was with her. Cade and Y/N eventually had to go hiding from the world so they moved into a scrapyard. The Autobots followed, along with some Dinobots. They promised to work together after all when the Autobots freed them. Both Cade and Y/N were known as heroes since they helped the battles like in China and to stop Lockdown for good. Optimus managed to offline him for good.

Do you think that's where the story started? In the middle ages of England when King Arthur was the ruler? Transformers did exist much longer than you think than humans. Primus created the Cybertronians and Cybertron. Everyone was happy when Optimus returned but immediately, his behavior, especially his optics, gave everybody a sign that something was awfully wrong with him. Look at his optics. Instead of gentle blues, it was like purple/magenta. He was being controlled. Bumblebee managed to at least bring him back but however, he was more awake when he saw Y/N... His sparkmate. But after Optimus was awake, he had one thing to finish: destroy Quintessa. Actually, the glitch mysteriously disappeared. It was like out of nowhere. After the battle was over, the Autobots split up to start a brand chapter in their lives. But they promised to stay in close contact for any emergencies. Do you know where Optimus went to live? With Y/N.

After being through so much in their lives, they were cuddling on their two-person bed. Optimus was in his bipedal holoform to not hurt Y/N. He still had to be careful though since he's metal while Y/N was soft and had skin. Optimus was also whispering sweet things into Y/N's ear, causing her to blush and giggle. She was currently in her loose comfortable tank top and lace panties matching Optimus' colors. She was at her home and in bed so why? She became very wealthy when the fight was finally over with Quintessa. Cade also got wealthy so he finally lived in a house instead of a scrapyard with Y/N, the Autobots, and the Dinobots. He also fell in love with a woman named Viviane. She was nice. Since Cade's wife died when Tessa was young, he was single for years. Tessa wanted her father to find love and be happy. Cade finally found a new love while Y/N and Optimus were together for years.

"Oh, Optimus," Y/N giggled as she nuzzled her lover.

Optimus, in response, purred as he felt warmth from Y/N. He was the knight in shining armor, Y/N's savior. Primus, he loved her so much. He wanted nothing but to make love to her and keep her safe. He will do anything to protect her. He then cupped Y/N's cheeks in his servos and kissed her with passion. They shared loving kisses as they were lost in pure love. Y/N then touched her lover very lovingly, causing him to purr. He wasn't in fact touched like this 5 years ago when he was starting a relationship with Y/N.

Optimus pulled away from the kiss, staring lovingly into her gorgeous E/C eyes. He stroked her cheek softly as he pressed his forehead against hers, carefully. "It's been 5 years, Y/N. May I make love to you?"

He was so cute when he asked for permission. He was treated with respect by many Cybertronians than you think. He had a kind spark and he was smart as well since he loved to read datapads as Orion Pax. He had good leadership when he was transformed into a Prime. He changed his name or destination (Cybertronian's language) from Orion Pax to Optimus Prime.

Once Y/N heard Optimus' question and permission, she pulled their bodies together, making Optimus growl. "Does this answer you?"

Optimus clearly understood the message. Y/N wanted this. She wanted Optimus to make love to her. It's been 5 years when they had sex or interfaced. So lovingly and romantically, Optimus undressed Y/N until she was naked under him. Optimus remembered the first time he saw her naked. He was so in love, wanting to take her body as his. It was his. They were together. And, oh boy, was Optimus so ready to take Y/N's body again. Once Y/N was naked, she stared into Optimus' optics and saw that it was full of lust. Her eyes were full of lust too. She then moaned when she felt Optimus kiss her breasts as he massaged them and squeezed as well. She felt Optimus suck on one nipple since it got hard like the other one. He was sucking on it like a baby that drank milk. Y/N threw her back in pleasure for a second before she lifted it up and stroked Optimus' helm as he sucked. Eventually, he moved to another nipple and gave it the same attention as he did to others. Sucking it like a baby but also licking and biting it softly. Y/N moaned from the pleasure. Oh, how much she missed having sex as well with Optimus Prime here. Optimus missed having sex too with his human sparkmate.

Y/N's head was very gently pushed back on the pillow as Optimus hovered above her. "Take my codpiece off." Y/N was a bit surprised when he said that. She wanted to secretly take his codpiece off and see his big, hard spike again. She saw Optimus smile and she took his codpiece off. His spike was big and hard, happily in the air. "Such a big boy.~"

Optimus spread Y/N's legs more open to reveal her womanhood that was soaking wet. By the sight, pre-transfluid came from his member. Y/N grabbed Optimus' spike and started stroking it as she felt him tease her pussy with his digits. They both moaned as they kiss each other heatedly. The tongue and glossa made contact with each other. It was wet that was also full of saliva, probably. Y/N moaned the most into the heated kiss as Optimus continued to tease her pussy with his digits. She heard Optimus grunt since she's stroking him. That's when they both stopped and Optimus got between her legs on top of her. Y/N giggled sexily as she wrapped her arms around his neckcables. That's when Optimus just couldn't take it anymore that he slammed himself right into Y/N's pussy. Y/N screamed as Optimus rammed into her like an animal in heat.

"Take me, Opty! T-Take me! Oh, fuck!~" Y/N was talking dirty now. She felt just like in heaven. It had been 5 years ever since they had fun in bed. Optimus watched her expressions as he enjoyed seeing her in pleasure. He enjoyed it, even more, when Y/N talked dirty.

"Look at you... Locked under me, making noises. You'll bear with my sparkling. You'll look perfect with a swollen human tank." Now, it was Optimus who was talking dirty. He was imagining his mate being sparked with his sparkling. Even pregnancy sex was also possible but then the female was pregnant, of course. Optimus was planning to have sex with her while she's pregnant. He was aware that his future sparkling will be half-human or half-Cybertronian. He will still love them dearly just how much he loved his sparkmate.

"P-Put your babies inside me! G-Give them to me! Aaaah!~"

Optimus rammed into her harder he watched his spike for a moment that was turning white because of Y/N's juices. He enjoyed it a lot. He then buried his helm inside of Y/N's neck as he left love bites. Y/N moaned and screamed loud as enjoyed this every second. That's when finally a knot formed into her stomach. "I-I'm cumming!~"

Optimus grunted into her neck in response and he felt Y/N's walls clasp tight into his member. Since he was big, he felt almost nearly impossible to pull out. He thrusts final times before he finally came, hearing Y/N scream as well since she also came. They both panted as Optimus stayed inside for a while to let his hot and sticky transfluid adjust. He then slowly pulled out and laid down next to Y/N, panting.

"That was so good," Y/N panted as she snuggled up to Optimus.

Optimus hummed in agreement as he held her protectively in his arms, spooning her as well. He then laid his servos on Y/N's stomach as they snuggled up and fell asleep together.

#optimus prime x human reader #optimus prime x reader #optimus prime #tf bay #tranformers #transformers 5 the last knight #tf 5 tlk #romance #smut #one shot #x human reader #x reader #reader

[krizaland]

zim x irken!reader based on the trial? the reader being a higher up that wants to save him (the tallest liking them would be an extra point)

Yes!!! I love this!

This came out waaay more angsty than I intended.

Be warned: There’s self sacrifice and attempted execution ahead!

Here’s the song I used btw

You felt your squeedilyspooch churn as you landed on Judgementia.

You didn’t know why you were so surprised.

It was only a matter of time before  Zim would have an Existence Evaluation.

As much as you hated to admit it, Zim was responsible for some of the worst tragedies on Irk.

From causing a massive blackout on planet, Devestus, to nearly annihilating their entire civilization during Operation Impending Doom 1; You should’ve expected this to happen a long long time ago.

Nevertheless, the mere thought of Zim having an Existence Evaluation made you burst into tears.

In spite of his numerous sins, you knew Zim never meant to cause so much trouble.

All Zim ever wanted to do was prove he was worthy of respect.

The life of a short Irken was filed with ridicule and discrimination.  You could never even imagine what it felt like to be as short as Zim.

He was even shorter than Skoodge!

It was a miracle he didn’t end up a Table-headed Service drone nor The Tallest’s personal foot stool.

You thanked your lucky stars you had the privilege to train with him.

Despite all the hateful words flung his way, you quickly learned that all of them were untrue.

From the moment you met Zim, you knew he was someone extraordinary.

He had more passion, determination, perseverance, and loyalty than anyone else.

Zim fought tooth and claw every day just to prove that he was just as worthy as anyone else.

And you deeply admired him for that.

No matter what anyone else said, you always stood by Zim’s side.

You cheered him on during training, you patched up his wounds, you even listened to him vent about his day.

Whenever Zim said he’d be a Tallest someday, you genuinely believed him.

He may have been short, but by god did he have the spirit of a leader.

Over time, you and Zim begun to fall in love.

Unfortunately, due to the drastic height difference, you and Zim had to keep the relationship a secret.

As time went on, you became the highest ranking general the Irken Army had to offer and Zim became an Invader.

You couldn’t have been more proud of him! You always knew he was destined for greatness!

Even after the catastrophe that was Operation Impending Doom 1, you still never gave up on Zim.

Unfortunately, the rest of the Empire didn’t feel the same.

Not one little bit

You thought that once Zim had been banished to the far reaches of the Galaxy he would be safe!

However, Red and Purple had been planning Zim’s Existence Evaluation for quite some time now.

You tried to talk them out if it. After all, Red and Purple adored you. You were so sure they’d listen.

Oh how wrong you were.

Red and Purple simply laughed in your face and thought you were joking.

As much as you wanted to fight for Zim, you didn’t want to upset Red and Purple.

Despite their trashy behavior, Red and Purple were still The Tallest and you had to respect them whether you liked it or not.

And you really really didn’t like it.

Neither Red nor Purple had any business being in a leadership position.

Both of them were arrogant, selfish, and childish.

They didn’t give a sandworm’s last whisker about Irk! All they cared about was snacks and which poor Navigator to yell at.

You always hated being invited to ‘oversee’ their ‘projects’.

You knew damn well that was just code for asking you on a date.

You could usually get away with declining but not today.

Every Irken was required to be present for an Existence Evaluation.

And you were given a front row seat.

You dragged your feet as you slunk inside the judgement hall.

“Hey Y/N! Over here!”

The sound of Purple’s excited voice woke you from your thoughts.

You jumped a bit before scurrying over to his side.

“Ah! Y/N! Glad you could make it. This Existence Evaluation wouldn’t nearly be as enjoyable without you.” Red purred as he floated over to you.

“But it would still be pretty enjoyable. After all, Zim’s totally going to be deleted!” Purple chuckled.

“Yeah! We’ll finally be rid of him!”

Red and Purple burst into a loud fit of laughter while you fought back the urge to cry.

Had they really no shame? Not even the tiniest inkling of remorse?

You held your tongue as you turned your attention to the center of the hall.

The Control Brains loomed ominously over The Spike of Judgement as they waited fir Zim’s arrival.

You always hated those dumb Brains.

Their rules were always so ridiculous! 

In fact it was their very rules that stood in the way between you and Zim!

You tried not to scowl as you took in a deep breath.

FWUMP!

Zim was tossed into the center of the Spike of Judgment.

He looked a bit bruised and confused but other than that Zim seemed fine.

“ZIM, YOUR TIME HAS COME. PREPARE FOR ALL YOU DESERVE,” The first Control Brain bellowed.

Zim jumped a bit as he felt a shudder run down his spine.

“Eh?! Oh! A surprise party?! That’s what this was all about?! I was wondering why I was beaten up and transported from Earth to this place! A party for Zim!” 

Zim sounded cheerful but you knew that nothing could be further from the truth.

You could see the panic radiate from his beautiful magenta eyes.

He was simply in denial to protect his mind from the truth.

“SILENCE! ALL WILL BE MADE CLEAR ZIM.” The first Brain bellowed, almost sounding annoyed.

“Geez this is a party, lighten up!” Zim huffed as he rolled his eyes, “Hey can I make a quick call?”

The guards exchanged annoyed glances before begrudgingly agreeing.

After a few minutes, Zim returned to the center of the Spike of Judgement.

“C’mon hurry up and praise me! Every second I spend off Earth is time lost! Zim time! Because I am Zim!!” 

“IT MAKES NOISES.” The second Control Brain bellowed.

“BOTHERSOME NOISES” Replied the third.

Zim looked over and let out an excited gasp.

“My Tallest! And Y/N! This really *is* a surprise party! You honor me greatly on the most wobbly gelatinous parts of my squeedilyspooch!” 

You let out a whimper as you turned away from Zim’s excited grin.

“That’s Zim! Start already!” Purple commanded.

And with that, The Control Brains plugged into Zim’s PAK and begun the Evaluation.

You watched Zim’s memories playback on a large monitor next to The Control Brains.

While Zim did indeed commit quite a few atrocities, most if not all of them were the result of accidents.

It wasn’t long before Zim realized what was going on.

After a comical escape attempt, Zim was dragged back to Judgementia and plugged back into the Control Brains.

“OUR RULING: ZIM’S I.D PAK IS DAMAGED AND HAS LED TO A CORRUPT DATA PATH. HE IS...A DEFECTIVE!” The first Control Brain bellowed.

“But..I can’t live without my PAK!” Zim wailed.

Purple opened his mouth to speak but you cut him off.

“WAIT!! Almighty Control  Brains! Please spare him!”

The entire room gasped before falling silent.

“IT DARES TO DEFIE US?” Asked The second brain

“HOW FOOLISH” replied the third.

“Y/N ARE YOU CRA-“

“GENERAL Y/N. STATE WHY ZIM’S I.D PAK SHOULD NOT BE DELETED.” The first Brain ordered “YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE”

 You cleared your throat and took in a deep breath.

“Almighty Control Brains, while it’s true that Zim has committed many atrocities, I believe these atrocities to be the result of mere accidents and not the result of a damaged PAK. Therefore I propose that Zim train in my boot camp in order to correct these mistakes!” Your voice was laced with a slight plea as a few tears trickled down your cheeks.

The first Control Brain hummed for a moment.

“YOUR OFFER SOUNDS INTERESTING....”

Both you and Zim lit up but it was way too early to celebrate.

“HOWEVER IT SHALL BE DENIED.”

“WHAT?!” You and Zim exclaimed in unison.

In a last ditch effort to save Zim you cried out.

“If you won’t accept my offer than delete my PAK instead!”

Another gasp echoed throughout the hall as Purple fainted into Red’s arms.

“Y/N NO! ARE YOU INSANE?!” Zim yelped.

In spite of everyone’s protests you continued.

“My PAK data is just as damaged if not more so than Zim’s! I am one of the few Irkens capable of feeling compassion and,” you looked into Zim’s eyes, “.......affection...”

“IT WISHES TO SACRIFICE ITS LIFE FOR THE DEFECTIVE’S?” Asked the second Brain.

“THIS ONE TRULY IS FOOLISH.” The third Brain tutted.

The first Control Brain almost seemed surprised

“GENERAL Y/N, ARE YOU CERTAIN YOU WISH TO SACRIFICE YOUR PAK DATA IN EXCHANGE FOR ZIM’S?”

“Y/N NO-ACK!”

ZAP!

Zim was cut of by a shock from the first Brain.

“Yes! Yes I am! Just as long as you spare Zim!” You pleaded as you looked into the many eyes of the first Brain.

“Y/N NO-“ Red cried out

“VERY WELL. IN EXCHANGE FOR GENERAL Y/N’S PAK DATA, ZIM

SHALL BE SPARED FOR NOW.” The first Brain interjected.

“Y/N!!!!! NOOOOO!!!!” Zim wailed as the first Brain released his PAK.

FWIP!

CLANG!

The first Brain latched on to your PAK and dragged you to the center of the spike of Judges.

“Control Brains! Stop this at once! General Y/N is not a defective!” Red pleaded as a few tears trickled down his cheeks.

“THE DECISION HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE. COMMENCING DELETION PROTOCOL!” 

With another ZAP! You felt the life slowly drain from your PAK.

Zim let out a panicked cry and shoved past the guards.

“Y/N! Why...Why would you do this?! Why would you something so stupid?!” 

You gave Zim a sad smile and caressed his face.

“Because I love you....”

With a soft sniffle you gazed deeply into Zim’s magenta eyes.

“One day you will realize...The stars you are chasing shine bright deep inside you...but will you ever let it shine from within... And cast all your fears aside... You’ll see the light but until that day comes...”

Zim burst into tears as he desperately clung to your gentle hands.

You winced but still tried to keep a smile.

“My dearly beloved, be strong I shall be there. Always here beside you. So keep your head held high..”

Zim tried his best to hold you close as you kept singing.

“The shadows of this world will try to steal you away into their arms but you belong in mine...”

You returned the hug and let out a soft purr.

“We are one within a dream, so hold me close and count the stars with me... All our scattered memories... I will find the pieces one by one..”

Zim clung to you for dear life. 

The Control Brains lifted you up in a poor attempt to shake Zim off of you, only fir him to cling tighter.

“Solar flares fly over me... I’ll keep you in my memory...”

You and Zim were gently spinning in the air. 

If Red didn’t know any better he’d assumed you and Zim had planned this as some kind of elaborate performance before Zim was deleted.

“This dream that lives within your eyes, I wish to see it come to life.”

Both you and Zim were in tears as the song continued

“A thousand blades into the sky, reach out and link our worlds, yours and mine. Let the stars rush over you. And one day I know we shall meet again!”

“My dearly beloved, be strong I shall be there. Always here beside you. So keep your head held high. The shadows of this world will try to steal you away into their arms but you belong in mine! ” Zim’s desperate plea melted with your voice.

You pulled Zim into a gentle kiss and sung softly.

“My dearly beloved...”

Just as you felt your last spark of life start to fade-

CRACK! CRASH!

Zim pulled with all his might and tore you free from The first Brain’sclutches.

Wasting no time, Zim scooped you up into his arms, hopped into his Voot and took you back to Earth with him.

Once he made it back to his base, he immediately hooked your PAK up to a medical bay.

After days of tedious labor, your F/C eyes finally opened.

“Y/N! You’re ok!” Tears of joy spilled down Zim’s cheeks as he caressed your face.

“Zim? I... I’m alive?” Your voice was dry and scratchy.

“Yes! So very much alive!”

 You let out a soft laugh.

“I knew we’d meet again...”

“Yes! And I’ll never ever let you leave my side!” Zim sobbed as he gently held you close.

“Don’t worry, I promise I’ll never leave you again, My dearly beloved

#invader zim #invader zim x reader #anonymous #sorry if the formatting is weird I posted this on mobile

[starvonnie]

By The Light Of The Fireworks

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Archive Warning: Major Character Death Fandoms: The Transformers (IDW Generation One), Transformers - All Media Types Relationship: Megatron/Rodimus | Rodimus Prime Characters: Rodimus | Rodimus Prime, Drift | Deadlock, Megatron Additional Tags: Grief/Mourning, Fireworks, Flashbacks

Also on AO3

He should be celebrating. All of Cybertron was celebrating. And there were places he'd be... well, perhaps not welcomed, but at the very least he would be understood.

No. No one would understand. Of all the millions of Cybertronians cheering for the end of an era, he was alone. Mourning what was the beginning of his own era. Their era. Ending before it could even begin.

Rodimus hugged his knees to his chest. His room was dark, but every so often a firework would light up his frame in shimmering colour. If he weren't so tired, and if he felt like he deserved the comfort the darkness brought, he would have drawn the blinds. But he needed the reminder that he should be happy. That this was a good thing. That, less than a decade ago, he would have been out there celebrating with the masses.

What had changed was a matter of spark.

And that spark felt tight. Confined. And yet, incomplete. Empty. The initial pain had long since faded, but Rodimus found the ache worse. Because it lingered.

"Do not grieve for me, Rodimus," Megatron whispered. He'd been whispering all day since Rodimus had been holding him close since they'd awoken. "You have so much more life to live."

"How am I not supposed to grieve?" Rodimus said through tears. He was amazed he still had any left to shed.

Megatron gave no response. He just hugged him tighter.

“Let’s just leave,” Rodimus said.  “We’ll steal a ship and—”

“No.”  Megatron cupped his wet cheek.  “Rodimus… my love… I can’t just let you become an accomplice.  If we’re caught—”

“At least we’d get to be together, still.”

“I doubt you’d be executed.  They’d likely just lock you up.  And I can’t have you spending the rest of your life behind bars just for more time with me.  I’m sorry, Rodimus.  I’m so sorry. But we knew this was coming.”

Rodimus sobbed.  

Megatron did his best to curl around his Prime, though not his for much longer.  Everything was slipping through his fingers.  His spark still beat, but it felt the touch of death.  Counting down the beats.  The bite Rodimus’ love had given him was losing its hold.

“I do need to ask a selfish request of you.”

“Anything.”

Megatron touched his helm to Rodimus’.  "Will you remember me, Rodimus? The way I am now?"

Rodimus nodded fervently. "I don't have a choice."

“I almost wish you would.”

Rodimus shook his helm.  “You freed Cybertron.”

Megatron sighed.  “Sometimes I wish you had been there, fighting at my side.  You wouldn’t have let me tread down this path.  You would have knocked some sense into me, or at the very least left and made me realize how far I had strayed from my ideals.”

Rodimus kissed him, tasting his own tears on his lips. He pressed himself as close as he could without merging.  And his spark yearned for it.  He wanted to know Megatron.  Know him.  He’d always wanted to.  He’d begged and pleaded and reasoned with him, but every time he shut the idea down.  His reasoning would come to pass that evening.  He wouldn’t feel him die.  Not really.

Not how he wanted to.

"Rodimus?"

Rodimus didn’t acknowledge him, but he felt the sympathy in his field as Drift approached.

"Here."

Rodimus spared a glance at the drink Drift offered him. Fizzy, bright magenta, and sure to be way too sweet. Exactly how Rodimus liked it.

"No."

"Please Roddy? It's from a celebration of life for him. Some people were even asking about you. I know you said you didn't want to go, but I think it would be good if..."

Drift trailed off as Rodimus hid his face. He could hide the twin streams flowing from his optics, but he couldn't hide his shaking spoiler and shoulders. He cried into his knees and was vaguely aware of Drift rubbing his back.  He didn’t want to seek his comfort because he knew the next time he’d need someone comforting him he’d find an empty berth.  But he fell against him, despite his better judgement, sobbing into his amica’s shoulder.

“Megatron wouldn’t want you to neglect your health.”

“He can’t want anything!  He’s dead!”

Drift didn’t react.  He just soothed him and said that he was here.  

After Rodimus’ current bout of crying ceased, Drift spoke up.  "I remember the way he looked at you. I remember being so frustrated watching you two be so oblivious to the others' feelings. Half the crew was making bets on how long it would be until one of you just confessed."

"And the other half hated me for it."

"Frag them. You love who you love."

"Yep. And who I loved left me alone and miserable. Sounds about right."

“Do you think I’m deserving of love?” Drift asked.

“What kind of question is that?  Of course you are!”

“Then Megatron is, too.”

Rodimus looked away.  “That’s different.”

“How?  We were both ex-Decepticons.”

“You know why.  Because it’s not about whether he deserves it or not, it’s about what everyone else thinks.  And they’ve clearly made their choice!”  Rodimus gestured to the fireworks display.  “So can you just leave me alone so I can be miserable in peace?”

“Nope.  I’m staying right here.”

“Hmph.  Fine.”

After a lengthy silence, Drift said, “You know he asked me for my blessing, right?”

“What?”

Drift chuckled.  “Well, it was more like him asking if I would kill him if he went for you. I told him I made no promises either way, and that in the end it was your decision and that I would support you either way.”

Rodimus tried to smile.  He nearly managed to, imagining a hunched and humble Megatron before Drift, glancing at his swords as he asked for his blessing.  But then he remembered.  The almost-smile wobbled and fell, and more tears came.  It was all he was good for anymore.

“You know no one would judge you for crying, right?”

“I don’t want to go to a party with a bunch of Decepticons!” Rodimus spat.

“Alright, alright…”  Drift pet his spoiler.  “Then we can have our own celebration of life.”

“No.”

“It helps, you know.”

“No, it doesn’t.”  Rodimus pushed him away.  “He’s dead and no amount of stories or praising his accomplishments is going to bring him back!  You have no idea what it’s like to lose your conjunx and watch the world celebrate.”

Drift sighed.  “You’re right.  On both counts.  I will never understand.  But I also know that holing yourself up in your room crying your optics out won’t bring him back, either.  I know what you’re doing.  You’re punishing yourself.  You hate that you loved him and you’re regretting it among all the grief, but it’s okay that you did, Roddy.  It’s okay that you loved him.  But you need to open yourself up to recounting your happy memories with him.  I don’t want you to bottle anything up or fake how you’re feeling, but if you only let yourself feel sorrow, that’s all your life will be.”

“You don’t know anything!” Rodimus screamed.  He gripped Drift’s shoulders hard enough to leave dents.

“It’s okay, Roddy,” Drift whispered, embracing him once more. “It’s okay.”

The real tears came then.  What he had thought to be a torrent before was just a light shower. This was a hurricane of sorrow that messily spilled from his optics as his vents hitched and caught.  His whole frame shook.  He felt out of touch with reality and all that existed was the yawning hole Megatron had left in his spark.

He needed his comfort.  Drift could try, but he would never make him feel as safe. Megatron had been a formidable grey wall that could shield him from the world, and would have been able to fight off any threat.  

He was exposed.  Vulnerable.  Exactly how he had presented himself to Megatron, hoping he would do the same and finally show him his spark.

He’d hesitated.

He’d regretfully refused.

Despite his need to protect him, his spark still burned. All he had done was deprive Rodimus of a piece of himself that he could always carry with him.  He had to rely on his memories, now.  Memories already greying at the edges.

Rodimus fell into his second state of being since the execution.

Numbness.  

He didn’t cry.  Didn’t move.  Didn’t feel.  He just existed.  His only function was to take up space, and even then, he tried to make himself as small as possible.

Drift was there all the while.  In the present, he wished he would just leave him to wallow, but in hindsight he would be glad that he was there with him.  He wanted to show how grateful he was to have him as an amica, but the only feeling his frame would allow besides sorrow, was anger.

“You don’t have to go to one of the parties,” Drift broke the silence, “but I want you to try and share a nice memory or two with me. Do you think you can do that?”

No.

“I’ll try.”  His voice croaked as if he hadn’t spoken in years.

“That’s all I ask.”

Rodimus swallowed a few times, then tested his voicebox a few more times.  He got half-words and finally actual words, but he couldn’t manage to string any of them into a sentence.  Every recollection felt too painful.  Even the recent memories.  Especially the recent memories.  So he went back, back, way back, to the beginning.  Their love had kindled, but it hadn’t yet taken a full hold of him in frame, spark, and processor.  Megatron was special, important… but had his execution date been set then, it would have been a little easier to move on.

“Did I… ever tell you about our rites?” Rodimus asked quietly.

“No.  I honestly wondered about it.”

“That bastard made me do all the work,” Rodimus said. He managed a miniscule smile.  “And he made it nearly impossible for me to even start the ritus.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah.  We kept going to Swerve’s—his idea, mind you—and sitting in our booth. And since, y’know, he’s not one to just go to Swerve’s, I figured he was finally gonna do the Act of Intimacy.  And then he would hold my hand and my spark would stop, but he’d just keep going on as if it was a normal night.  Because it was, to him.  So, you know me, impatient as ever, I cornered him in our office after hours, straddled him, and told him about, y’know… stuff.”

Drift chuckled.  “I bet you caught him completely off-guard.”

Rodimus managed a little laugh.  “Yeah.  He had his hands up like this.”  He held them up and away from his body as though he were surprised.  He exaggerated his shocked expression, too.  “And he didn’t say a word for like a whole twenty seconds after I finished.”

“What did he say?”

Rodimus laughed.  “He said ‘where’s my gift?’”

“He did not!”

“Well, he was joking.  Mostly.  Only hitch was, y’know, I didn’t actually remember the gift part.”

“Roddy.  There’s four steps and you only have to do three.”

“Hey, I was betting on only having to remember one! By my logic I remembered double what I needed to.”

Drift laughed, shaking his helm.  “Oh, Roddy.”

“I made good on it, though.  Built him a little room on one of the lower decks that was completely shielded and had no cameras.  He got so little privacy, and I just wanted to give him some peace.  Even from me.”  He glanced at Drift.  “I know giving Megatron a room where we couldn’t see what he’s doing wasn’t the greatest idea, but… I trusted him.  I needed him to see that.”

Rodimus’ face fell.

Drift resumed rubbing Rodimus’ back.

“I know he didn’t deserve a second chance,” Rodimus said. “Some days I wish I hadn’t fallen in love with him, but…”  He swallowed around the lump in his throat.  “He made me a better person.”

“You brought out the best in him, too,” Drift said gently. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him that happy.  And the way he looked at you… he looked at you like someone seeing the stars for the first time.”

“Yeah?”  Rodimus attempted a smile, but his lower lip wobbled.  “Do you… think I’ll ever see the stars again?”

Drift’s field embraced Rodimus with love, while he physically held him, too.  Rodimus cried, but quietly.  His tears dripped down Drift’s plating while his shoulders shivered.

“There are an infinite number of galaxies, full of billions upon billions of stars, with millions of planets to see constellations you’ve never even heard of.  So yes, Rodimus.  You will see the stars again.  But it won’t be the same stars you can see from Tarn.”  Drift hugged him tighter when his crying became a little more audible. “And you can always stop there, and look up.  It will be bittersweet, and it’s going to hurt, probably for a long time.  But someday, that sky will be something you can remember fondly.”

Fireworks went off right next to the building.  The joyous celebration drowned out Rodimus’ sobbing while the tears falling from his optics glittered in the rainbow of colours outside the window.  The colours that paid no mind to those grieving.  To those left alone.

To those who lost.  

#megarod #rodimegs #megatron #rodimus #megarod week #mtmte #starvonnie writes #oops i made a sad

[rancoeur-the-unfortunate]

Pills (Chapter 18)

(3128 WORDS!!!!!! 😍😎😀😆)

(Also sorry for my poor action sequences. I suck at them. A little out of my comfort zone. 😅)

Dib found himself unable to sleep despite his best attempts. So he sat up and grabbed his laptop and hotspot device. He powered both on and just web-surfed for a bit. After an hour or so Dib received a notification on the families chat room labeled 'Hey Dibshit'. Automatically knowing it was his sister Dib sighed and opened the notification icon. 

-Big Brother joined-

"Hey Gaz, what's up?"

"U didn't tell me u had ppl after u"

Dib found himself sighing again, yeah that was his sister always straight to the point.

"Didn't think it mattered."

"Usually it doesn't but when a flying moose thing tells me I think u get my point"

"Wait Zim's moose thing talked to you? At the house?"

"No, his dumb robot thing dragged me to Zim's house told there might be dumb aliens after you two so I checked your computer and found several notifications from that Swollen Eye thing you always try to be secret about"

"WAIT, you KNOW about the Swollen Eyeball?!!"

"That seriously all you took from that?"

Dib took a moment to reread the text and almost screamed.

"You went through my COMPUTER?!"

"OMFG DIB!"

Dib paused, read it once more and realized his mistake.

"Oh god."

"Yeah. The moose and I are preparing Zims house thing so it would probably be best for you to to stay wherever the heck you are."

"Uh yeah, thanks Gaz."

"Shut up Dib."

-Little Sister sighed off-

Dib sighed rereading all of the texts one more time before shutting off his computer and hotspot. He rubbed the bridge of his nose and let out a huff. Were Zim's Tallest after them now?

God for once in his life could things just be easy?

He laid down and let out a deep breath keep calm and carry on, he thought.

He turned over and faced Zim. The alien seemed to be back in his relaxed state, his features were soft and calm. Just listening to the alien's soft breathing was enough to lull Dib to sleep.

When Zim awoke he was in another unrecognizable and yet so familiar place. Like he had been here before but could not remember where. He stood in what seemed to be in an Irken dropship. This Zim recognized, the Irken Milica used these to dispense Irken soldiers straight into the battlefield. However Zim didn't recall being in one simply because he wasn't an on-field soldier, he was a trained Invader.

Zim was in the front of the ship near the cockpit surrounded by other Irkens dressed in Vort armor. They all looked at him with expressions mixed with bravery, uncertainty, and fear. Couldn't have been more than 20 of them in that ship. Some seemed to at least 10 Irken years old.

"Commander Zim, you ready?" The pilot asked.

Zim turned to Skoodge strapped into the pilot's seat.

"Yeah just give me a minute."

Zim took a deep breath and examined his men.

In the beginning, they had more than 500 soldiers who were ready to die for the Irken dream. Now their numbers had dwindled so low that Zim wondered if there was any point to it. But he knew not to give up, not when they were so close to winning. But those looks of uncertainty on his men made Zim's skin crawl.

Zim pushed a step ladder in front of the small crowd and stood up before them.

'Attention!

'Sir, yes, Sir!'

The soldiers each soluted him.

'At ease'

Their hands went down in unison.

'Men, how long have we been fighting this war?'

'Since the day we were born sir!' They all quoted.

'And why is that?'

'Because we were born short sir!'

Zim nodded.

'Yes, that's true.'

Zim examined his men again. Most were pretty short though they used to have tall Irkens before their numbers started dwindling. Zim shook his head.

'But you remember this. Just because you happen to be small does not make incompetent. If that were true would we even be here right now?'

The soldiers whispered amongst themselves.

'We've gone through many hardships because if those moronic assholes whose sole reason to bully us is because we're smaller then them. But today and the days that follow we will show them that we are a mighty army and won't back off until justice is served on a steaming hot platter!'

The soldiers nodded and cheered

'We will break into the controls brains' base and FORCE them to give us the same rights as any other tall Irken, and if they don't? We'll kill them!'

The men roared in approval.

'We have lost so many good men and women to this war whether they were KIA or LIA. But I promise you this my Irken soldiers that their lives will NOT go to waste when we WIN this war!!!'

The men howled and shot their fists in the air as they chanted.

'THE TALLER THEY ARE, THE HARDER THEY FALL!!!'

'We all set to go Skoodge?'

Skoodge gave him a thumbs up.

'Then let's show those Tall bastards how much of a big problem us little guys are.'

The men whooped and the dropship took flight. Zim sat in the co-piolets seat and smiled at Skoodge and received one back.

'That was amazing, they really needed that.'

'Yeah, I did too.'

Skoodge patted Zim's thigh and gave him a reassuring click with his antennae.

'Trust me, after this, we won't have to fight anymore it'll all be worth it and this will just be a memory.'

Zim nodded and sighed.

'You remember the plan?'

'Wait here until you come back and if you don't... leave and contact Lard Nar.'

Zim nodded.

'Good as soon as things look bad you leave. Don't wait for me.'

Skoodge nodded, though the worry in his face went unmasked.

'Promise me you'll make it though.'

Zim took Skoodge's hand and rubbed his gently against his forehead.

'I promise.'

The short Irkens smiled and continued to piolet the ship in silence.

When they arrived at the control Brains' base it was pitch black night. The building stood tall and proud and vaguely resembled a giant magenta box though up close it was lear the walls were covered in pipes, docking area, vent, etc. in all kinds of colors and shades. They had been spying this place for so long they knew everything about the outer defenses and just enough of the inner ones to succeed. There were so many risks however and Zim just knew that they were going to lose some people and that made him want to back out, but he COULDN'T he just couldn't. They cloaked their ship and set up their disrupters to stop any Irken tech. from tracking them.

Zim stood and turned to leave before Skoodge grabbed his tunic.

'Please just don't die out there.'

Zim smiled and pressed his forehead to Skppdge's.

'Everything's going to be alright. I promise.'

With that Zim stood and left the cockpit and joined his crew.

What happens next will be written in Irken history Zim thought to himself and smiled and got himself suited up and leading his soldiers out of the ship and towards the alien structure. There was an old ventilation system long abandoned that could take them inside undetected. Zim turned on his cloak and his soldiers followed suit. The cloaks, however, couldn't hide much when moving so the Irken's had to jump from cover to cover in order to get to the closed-off vent. Zim used hand signals once they crossed the borderline. The borderline was the technological barrier off what the control brains could see outside the building it was like an advanced security rat detecter. But with the Vort armor, the control brains wouldn't be able to detect them. As long as no one uncloaked or spoke they would be safe. Zim could be himself shutter once they passed it, this was it. This was the final push and this war would finally be over. Running and jumping from cover to cover the group finally made it to the vent two engineer Irkens managed to take off the cover and all 20 of them crawled in. The air Zim noticed was different here. It was supple at first but after a bit, it seemed like the air was almost higher here. Once the passed the inner barrier the borderline effect was gone, Zim let out a sigh of relief. He leaned into his walkie-talkie.

'Skoodge can you hear me?'

'Loud and clear.'

'Good. We're out of the barrier and are ready to begin phase 2 get ready to release the static pulse.'

'Aye, sir.'

They continued crawling through the vent till they reached a drop. Zim was the first to jump down and scan the area. Empty seemed to be some kind of storage unit.

'All clear.'

The sound of 19 more stomps came after that. They traversed the area ray guns in hand in case they come into contact with a drone or a guard. The room was clear. They grouped up and uncloaked. 

'Alright, all of you remember your parts?'

The soldiers nodded in unison.

'Alright, go!'

With that, the soldiers split off. Zim ran towards another vent and crawled in. From here the group had split into groups of two. Zim's partners was a stubby Irken named Bob though despite his size Bob had more fortitude than Zim.

It was a good thing too because this vent was so small the two had to army crawl through it. It took them about an hour before they reached their destination. Of course, there wouldn't be a direct vent to the Control Brains but that was fine that wasn't what they were after anyway. No, they were after something much more important. 

Finally, they reached it, the surveillance room. They had to activate there plan between the shifts so no Irken guards were around however there were still drones buzzing around. Carefully they undid the hatch and climbed out and scanned the area. The vent was on the ceiling and gave them a perfect view of the room. Two drones were manning the room. The room in questions wasn't too big, it was meant to be small and hard to find and had it not been for their spies they would have most likely gotten lost three turns ago. Zim slipped down using his PAC legs as to not make a sound. Bob followed suit through his PAC legs weren't as long. Silently, they crawled behind the drones and blasted them this their pulse guns. This sent a wave of electricity through the drones and overloading them causing them to collapse. Zim scanned the room and let out a sigh of relief.

'We're all clear. Bob, you man the door I'll administer the port.'

The soldier nodded.

'Yes sir'

Zim stood in front of the control panel, took a deep breath, and turned on his comlink.

'Is everyone in position?'

'Yes sir'

'Affirmative'

'Yeah'

'All set'

'Ready to go'

'Ready'

'All good here.'

'Let's get rolling'

'Yup.'

Zim nodded to Bob to let him know.

'Alright everyone when this pulse goes off we'll have exactly 30 minutes to get into our next positions do not and I repeat DO NOT stay near the explosives you will die. As soon as you hear it, activate the explosive and get to your spots.'

'Sir yes sir!'

Zim smiled and plugged the bug port into the panel.

'Skoodge.'

'Yes, Sir?'

'Activate the pulse.'

'Initationing pulse in 3, 2, 1'

Suddenly all the lights went out and Zim and Bob booked it out of there. 30 minutes was all they needed to run through the hallways past now broken bots and disoriented guards all the while explosions were going off in the background.

Zim and Bob ran into another storage room where they were set to hide with 5 minutes left to spare. The plan was to wait for the guards to go in a frenzy trying to find them or fixing the now destroyed docking stations while the Soldiers snuck into the unguarded Control Brains' room and confront the Control Brains there.

'Alright did everyone get to their spots?' He asked his comlink however he received no answer.

He tried again.

'Did everyone get to their spots? Hello? Is anyone there?' Zim could feel his heart start to race.

'Uh, Commander Zim?' Bob called from behind him.

'Wha-?' Zim turned and immediately froze. in the center of the dark room was a lone spotlight that shown an Irken, The Doctor.

'Why hello there Zim.' Zim could feel his blood run cold.

Out of all the Irkens, they could have run into, it had to be him. The doctor how his white lab coat his yellow eyes covered by his blue goggles. His left antenna was missing Zim noticed.

How could this had happened?! He had this whole place mapped out. He couldn't have messed this up.

'Why don't you have a seat.' Another spotlight turned on shedding light on a chair The Doctor gestured to it.

It was at this time did Zim notice Bob was gone. He tried to run but the door was shut tight. He couldn't believe it. He was locked in a room with HIM.

'Now don't be difficult.' A bot came out of the darkness and grabbed Zim by the arms. Zim fought but he was in such a panic-induced frenzy that he couldn't think of a logical way out.

He was sat in the chair and cuffs were latched on him holding him to the chair.

'I knew about your for awhile Zim. I have to admit it was a pretty well thought out plan. But you didn't think those spies of yours wouldn't get caught would you?'

Zim struggled, trying with all of his strength to break free but to no avail.

'All they needed was a little medicine and they were right back in line.'

Zim snarled at him.

'You sick demented FREAK!' Zim yelled.

'Now that's not a way to talk to me Zim especially with all the trouble your in. Heck if the control brains hadn't seen you as a valuable asset you would be dead by now just like the rest of your team.' The doctor laughed.

Zim froze. No... no, they can't be dead. They can't be.

'You're lying!'

'Oh am I?'

Another spotlight turned on and there they were. 4 of his soldier lay in gell filled tubes.

Zim had to stop his breathing to hold back the tears as he bit his lip.

'I know this isn't all of them but we'll find them soon enough.'

Suddenly Zim heard something on his comlink.

'Zim? Come in Zim? Some of the crew came back. Said they were ambushed. Are you on your way?' Skoodge's frantic words made Zim's eyes tear up.

'Aw what's wrong Zim? Did you finally realize that this is the line? That's okay Zim.'

The Doctor got closer and rested his hand on Zim's shoulder.

'Don't worry. After you take your medication you won't even remember this.'

He kneeled down to meet Zim's eyes.

'It might even make you taller you know. You'll make a fine General.'

With that Zim jolted and headbutted the Doctor. Said Doctor fell back and groaned in pain. He lifted his hand to cover his face, and when he pulled back he found blood and a missing tooth. He snarled and glared at Zim who was in the process of knawing off his own hands. Irkens had the ability to regrow limb though not many Irken's knew this. So, of course, Zim didn't mind losing his hands in order to get to Skoodge. Zim jumped up and kicked the Doctor to the ground knocking him out while Zim searched for a way out of this hell.

He used his PAC leg lasers to cut a hole through the door and booked it down the hallway while turning on his comlink.

'Come in Skoodge can you hear me?!'

'Loud and clear, are you okay Zim? Bob just came back saying you were in trouble.'

'Skoodge I don't think I'm going to make it.' He ran into his third dead end.

'What?! What do you mean?'

'I mean I'm lost and being hunted Skoodge. You're going to have to leave me.'

'No! You need to get here Zim. I'll send in some soldiers.'

'No Skoodge it'll put them in danger. Just leave me ok.' The blood loss was getting to Zim and he was starting to feel tired.

'Please, Zim I can't leave you!' Zim could hear Skoodge crying on the other side of the com.

'It'll be ok Skoodge. You need to contact Lard Nar. He'll know what to do. Call 777 he'll give any technology you'll need.' Zim sat down at his 7th dead end too tired to keep going. 

He lifted up his wrist and typed in the launch code on his wrist device with his tongue. A contingency plan that would make the dropship go on autopilot and fly to Vort in case Skoodge wouldn't be able to fly.

'Wait, Zim, NO!'

'It's okay Skoodge.'

'NO NO NO I don't want to leave you! Please!' 

'It's okay'

Skoodge hiccupped.

'Please, I can't do this without you!'

'Remember what you told me? You can do it Skoodge.'

Zim could hear voices in the distance, the guards were getting closer.'

'Remember what we were fighting for, to begin with, Skoodge.'

'Oh, Zim.' Zim could barely hear Skoodge's sobbing now, his vision was getting blurry and he could see the silhouettes of the guards. 

'I love you Skoodge.' Zim clicked his antennae and whispered before finally passing out.

'Zim? Zim!'

'He's ours now.'

Zim awoke with the concerned gaze of Dib looming over him.

"You okay Zim?"

'Yeah, I'm fine human.'

"Huh" Dib tilted his head.

Zim corrected himself, realizing then he was speaking Irken tongue.

"I said I'm fine."

"Oh uh okay. You looked like you were having another nightmare."

Zim paused.

"I... was."

"Do... you want to talk about it, Zim?"

"I don't know. Do you think it would help?"

Dib shrugged he had never been so concerned for Zim. It was weird.

"Maybe, but only if you want to."

Zim sat up and looked down at his gloved claws.

"It was so strange. I really don't know how to start. It was so real like it was just a memory, but I don't remember any of it happening and I-" Zim cut himself off and placed his head in his hands.

"That's okay Zim." Dib hesitated before patting the aliens back.

"Just start from the beginning."

#invader zim zadr #invader zim #zadr #zim x dib #a bit more ZASR then usual #action #romance #heartbreak #and all that good shit #nightmares #Gaz

[arconn]

I remember how much I used to do these in high school/my early 20s, I wish I could do an old one and compare responses. Here's one for today, 06/21/21

1) Sexuality? Pansexual, meaning I don't have a preference of what you're working with and I don't exclude those who identify as nonbinary/agender.

2) If you could meet anyone on this earth, who would it be? Russel Crowe

3) Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 23, give me line 17. with a stock of white, forearms tattooed in black Borean ink- the black dragon that marks him as an outsider. - Witches of America by Alex Mar

4) What do you think about most? That people want to be good and be happy but also very much have the opportunity to cause the opposite

5) What does your latest text message from someone else say? Hope you have today off...

6) Do you sleep with or without clothes on? Usually with but it depends on what time of year it is

7) What’s your strangest talent? Being able to guess poeple's zodiac signs pretty accurately.

8) Girls…. (finish the sentence); Boys…. (finish the sentence) should be treated the same

9) Ever had a poem or song written about you? Yes

10) When is the last time you played the air guitar? I don't even remember honestly.

11) Do you have any strange phobias? Preying mantasis, they absolutely terrify me and are bore deep into my psyche

12) Ever stuck a foreign object up your nose? Yes

13) What’s your religion? I identify as an omniest, meaning I find truth and beauty in all religions and also as a pagan witch- a woman who loves and respects the earth, her elements and the way it effects us. I read tarot and look for divine guidance primarily from a central collective consciousness/energy and divinity that is in us all.

14) If you are outside, what are you most likely doing? Hooping, going on a walk

15) Do you prefer to be behind the camera or in front of it? Behind

16) Simple but extremely complex. Favorite band? Like a whole band with instruments and multiple musicians? Either Born of Osiris of August Burns Red

17) What was the last lie you told? That I was okay when I wasn't

18) Do you believe in karma? Absofreakinglutely

19) What does your URL mean? That I'm one tough bitch ;)

20) What is your greatest weakness; your greatest strength? My quickness to trust someone and be vulnerable and shutting myself off or down when I realize I shouldn't have. And loving other people and things, when I'm at my best I aspire to emulate loving goddess energy and make others feel safe and seen.

21) Who is your celebrity crush? I honestly am not a big fan of most celebrities

22) Have you ever gone skinny dipping? Honestly, no.

23) How do you vent your anger? Usually to a friend or through hooping

24) Do you have a collection of anything? Crystals, metaphysical books, tarot decks.

25) Do you prefer talking on the phone or video chatting online? Through messenger

26) Are you happy with the person you’ve become? Yes, though there is a lot I am still working hard on.

27) What’s a sound you hate; sound you love? The sound of people chewing or brushing their teeth and I love the sound of deep low frequency bass and my bunny Winston "purring"

28) What’s your biggest “what if”? What if a certain relationship worked out and I hadn't left and we stayed together

29) Do you believe in ghosts? How about aliens? I believe in the possibility of everything but also that anything can be debunked. I say yes to both.

30) Stick your right arm out; what do you touch first? Do the same with your left arm. Left- my phone, right-a bag of cashews :)

31) Smell the air. What do you smell? A candle burning nearby.

32) What’s the worst place you have ever been to? Probably the part of Bahrain we got dumped in while waiting for our ship. Of course, at the time I had never been to or lived in Philly or Baltimore, but it was a lot and was absolutely not safe.

33) Choose East Coast or West Coast? East coast, but I haven't been to the west coast yet.

34) Most attractive singer of your opposite gender? Anderson Paak *heart eyes* thats my BAYBEEEEE

35) To you, what is the meaning of life? See #13

36) Define Art. Expression

37) Do you believe in luck? I believe in divine blessing

38) What’s the weather like right now? Absolutely beautiful and 70 something outside

39) What time is it? 2:51

40) Do you drive? If so, have you ever crashed? Yes, though I don't have a car right now. And no I haven't, only been rear ended once.

41) What was the last book you read? Been reading Witches of America by Alex Mar lately as well as some study astrology material.

42) Do you like the smell of gasoline? Love it.

43) Do you have any nicknames? Mana

44) What was the last movie you saw? The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It... it was absolutely amazing

45) What’s the worst injury you’ve ever had? Dislocating my knee, it went all the way to the backside of my leg!!

46) Have you ever caught a butterfly? Oh yes

47) Do you have any obsessions right now? Learning my job and getting better at it, smoking weed, getting these next couple milestones together that are coming up.

48) What’s your sexual orientation? Pansexual, see #1 for an explanation

49) Ever had a rumor spread about you? Oh yes

50) Do you believe in magic? Definitely

51) Do you tend to hold grudges against people who have done you wrong? Nah, I wish I could sometimes, but I'm actually pretty bad at it, to my own demise.

52) What is your astrological sign? Aquarius sun, Scorpio moon, Capricorn rising

53) Do you save money or spend it? Spend it. UGH.

54) What’s the last thing you purchased? A smoothie

55) Love or lust? Love

56) In a relationship? Not currently, no.

57) How many relationships have you had? I don't even know anymore... that would be a lot to count out.

58) Can you touch your nose with your tongue? Yes

59) Where were you yesterday? Work and then home and in my bed sleeping for almost 13 hours.

60) Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you? Yes, a hula hoop

61) Are you wearing socks right now? Nope

62) What’s your favorite animal? Rabbits and octopus

63) What is your secret weapon to get someone to like you? Look at them very intently with my eyes and show genuine care/focus on them

64) Where is your best friend? I don't really have a best friend right now, my closest is in Maryland right now, but I haven't seen her in over a year.

65) Spit or swallow?(; Always swallow

66) What is your heritage? Irish/Scottish

67) What were you doing last night at 12 AM? DEAD ASLEEP

68) What do you think is Satan’s last name? Gon'getcha

69) Be honest. Ever gotten yourself off? What kinda question is this? Duh. Society is so weird about sexuality it's kind of gross. *shudders*

70) Are you the kind of friend you would want to have as a friend? Yeah!

71) You are walking down the street on your way to work. There is a dog drowning in the canal on the side of the street. Your boss has told you if you are late one more time you get fired. What do you do? Yell for help, save the dog. Take pictures once the rescue is a success and try and explain it to my boss, if they let me go, they let me go.

72) You are at the doctor’s office and she has just informed you that you have approximately one month to live. a) Do you tell anyone/everyone you are going to die? b) What do you do with your remaining days? c) Would you be afraid? I tell everyone I care about, yes. I would spend the rest of my time with my family and saying goodbye to certain friends. I'd try to fit in as much live music as humanly possible as well and maybe take a few days trip abroad, probably somewhere where I could be on the beach.

73) You can only have one of these things; trust or love. Love, because if it's true, you get both

74) What’s a song that always makes you happy when you hear it? Touch by Hybrid Minds

75) What are the last four digits in your cell phone number? 1***

76) In your opinion, what makes a great relationship? Trust, over communication, taking time for the cute and little things

77) How can I win your heart? ^

78) Can insanity bring on more creativity? Absolutely

79) What is the single best decision you have made in your life so far? Letting things go in order to gain

80) What size shoes do you wear? 8 1/2 or 9

81) What would you want to be written on your tombstone? EVERYBODY LOVE EVERYBODY! C'MON! -WILL FERREL

82) What is your favorite word? Fuck

83) Give me the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word; heart. Swell

84) What is a saying you say a lot? "The road to suffering is paved with expectations" -The Buddha

85) What’s the last song you listened to? Loan Shark by Commodo

86) Basic question; what’s your favorite color/colors? Lavendar, royal blue, deep purple, light magenta, neon red, burnt orange

87) What is your current desktop picture? $uicideboy$

88) If you could press a button and make anyone in the world instantaneously explode, who would it be? Oh boy, I don't think I'd want that to happen to anyone because they could be with other people like their family and shit. That would be so horrible.

89) What would be a question you’d be afraid to tell the truth on? Haven't found one yet.

90) One night you wake up because you heard a noise. You turn on the light to find that you are surrounded by MUMMIES. The mummies aren’t really doing anything, they’re just standing around your bed. What do you do? Slowly look around and see if I can find a weapon, then quickly get to it and make a quick exit, defending myself from the mummies if need be.

91) You accidentally eat some radioactive vegetables. They were good, and what’s even cooler is that they endow you with the super-power of your choice! What is that power? It's a tie between teleporation and being able to heal others/myself.

92) You can re-live any point of time in your life. The time-span can only be a half-hour, though. What half-hour of your past would you like to experience again? My wedding day.

93) You can erase any horrible experience from your past. What will it be? Early memories in the barracks at Fort Meade

94) You have the opportunity to sleep with the music-celebrity of your choice. Who would it be? Al Ross or $crim

95) You just got a free plane ticket to anywhere. You have to depart right now. Where are you gonna go? India

96) Do you have any relatives in jail? Not that I know of

97) Have you ever thrown up in the car? Yup, but it was into a bag every time

98) Ever been on a plane? Many times

99) If the whole world were listening to you right now, what would you say? EVERYBODY LOVE EVERYBODY, c'MON!

[black-strike-otp]

part 101

Some returning cast members for ya’ll to peek in on~

“How’s ‘Cade doin’, doc?”

Passing a shrewd expression upward while flinging his helm back, the medical officer gave an aggravated huff. His cross look turned away from the massive figure standing to his backside to the mech sitting with patience in front of him instead.

“He’s doing better,” the physician scolded quietly. “Must you come every day to hover around while I work?”

Sliding his optics over to Venus as she shrugged passively, Blackout grinned sadistically. He shrugged himself in response. It wasn’t like he came here to give the medic a hard time, though he didn’t care one way or another if he was.

“What kind of a friend would I be if I didn’t come to check up on the slagger who tried to eat me?”

“He tried to eat everyone.”

Blackout produced an infuriated growl in the back of his throat as the words escaped the medic. The last time he checked, this bot wasn’t on a friendly level with Barricade to joke around like that.

Not that he sounded like he was teasing, anyway. He sounded judgmental and annoying.

His optics were drawn to Venus as she gestured lightly with her servo to him for calamity. With a vent, he turned his optics away with a vague pout of displeasure.

“Doctor,” the eye-catching femme purred, leaning across the edge of the examination table to slid her servo against his arm. “Thank you all your help. We appreciate it. I’m sure you can make an exception for friends to see long-time friends, right?”

The medic’s optics grew wide as he visibly swallowed; one of the cables against his throat moving. He turned his gaze swiftly away from the alluring femme and her exquisite curves and dark armor with fascinating magenta optics all but too sensuous for him to look at for long and coughed roughly.

He choked out an unsteady vent as he muttered, “While I don’t mind your presence, milady, the other is a nuisance.”

“That ‘other’ happens to have saved me from drinking your energon like a frosty slurpee,” Barricade cut in venomously, reaching out to wind his arm around the stunning femme at his side’s back. “And you can stop eyeing my sweetspark like she’s a piece of candy, before I decide to bust your helm open you-”

Whatever else he had planned to curse and threaten the doctor with came out muttered and indistinguishable as Venus leaned close, pressing her lips lightly against the corner of his mouth. A smile tugged against his lips as he turned his helm just enough to be able to press a kiss in return against her whilst she laughed softly in her chassis.

Deeply humiliated now, the medic bowed his helm to avoid looking at the couple as he focused once again on his scanner. His optics seemed neon-bright with shame as he ducked low and cleared his vocalizer.

“The new armor enhancements fitting correctly?” Blackout rumbled, also trying to ignore the two bots as they snickered against each other’s mouths while stealing swift kisses.

The medic nodded. “The vast majority. Whatever corrupted his original frame structure and caused it to change like it did also created new layouts to his chassis design, making the underarmor thicker. He’s probably going to have a bit of a bulkier shoulder and chassis width and build from now on because of it. I’ll need to test how he can transform with the new additions, but he’s going to need more time to recover still.”

“And the infection?”

“Subdued, for the time being. Even being surrounded by damaged bots and fresh energon, we haven’t seen any signs of his more feral nature. His blood still shows mutations from the virus that plagues him; so I can’t say what’s changed without further tests. Even then, without any idea as to what caused the dead to rise in the first place, we may never have the answers.”

“He’s flawless, just the way he is,” Venus chimed in with a sing-song voice, reassuring her mech proudly.

“Babe,” Barricade whispered with awe. His talons gripped her waist as he forcibly dragged her on the berth.

Captivating giggling escaped the femme as she was propped up on her aft beside the cop. He nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck as her laughter only grew louder.

“Sweet talking me when you’re the fetching image of a queen who could slay my weak aft just by a glance,” he growled nipping at the cables where her neck met her shoulder.

Blackout met the medic’s impassive faceplate with his own stoic one.

“Someone tell me I’m not this fatuous around Novastrike,” he inquired blankly.

Still laughing, Venus gently pushed her servos into Barricade’s chassis as he kissed along the underside of her throat, remarking through her giggles, “Are you asking because you’re embarrassed or jealous that you’re not on the same game as ‘Cade’s open sentiment?”

“Jealous?” the obsidian giant snorted. “I don’t think I want to blind everyone with my romantic flair.”

“What flair?” Barricade muttered through kisses.

“Frag off.”

“Primus, I wish.”

The medic turned his mouth into his elbow and coughed loudly at the awkeness.

“Doc,” grumbled the dark-armored titan, “can’t you, I don’t know, make him to keep his servos to himself during examination?”

“I’d rather keep my own servos intact, thank you,” the medic hissed.

Snickering, the violet-toned mech glanced his way with a vain grin. Blackout narrowed his optics slightly and turned slightly.

“If there’s anything I can do-”

“For the millionth time, no,” the medic exhaled slowly. “Now quit stopping by every few joors to check up on your friend. He’s fine. I’m busy with all these other patients as well, and don’t need you sitting around all day.”

Swiveling around his chair, the bot stared Blackout in the optics as he added on with a bit more dignity and kindness, “He’s in capable servos. You’re not a medic; you’re a solider. Go help elsewhere, because you certainly aren’t helping here.”

Hues of vermilion in the former Hound’s gaze grew lighter as he darted his optics away. He hadn’t meant to hinder the work of others. Specifically, when that work was there to help one of his closest friends.

“Don’t worry about him, Blackout,” the beautiful femme spoke calmly, catching his optic as she smiled. “I’ll be here. Just tell Novastrike and Scorponok we said hi, and we hope they can stop by soon.”

He gave a short nod to the femme. “Sure, Venus. Novastrike wished her best, but she really wanted to work on the broadcast with the crew and Scorponok’s been so busy...”

“We know,” the fuchsia highlyed femme assured him gently. “If there’s any way we can help-”

“Just make sure he’s back on his pedes soon,” Blackout replied, smirking. “We still have a score to settle for the scratches he put on my armor.”

“Will do,” she agreed quickly with an encouraging half-smile.

Nodding respectfully to the femme, he twisted back around and made to exit the med-bay in a few strides. Behind him, he could hear the medical officer already trying to get the pair to settle down as they returned to canoodling with rather expressive, loud laughter.

Even their playful kisses flowing out of the closed doors and out into the hall. A bit charismatic and over the top, but Blackout could tell they were purposefully now trying to irritate the medic.

He could only shake his helm, sniggering as he continued down the corridor.

~

Shuffling back and forth, he spotted the multiple-pronged metal scorpion in rapid motion on his thin legs. Carrying tools and supplies across the space of the entrance to the underground rogue hideout feverishly, the small mech was aiding bots hard at work to repair the unstable structure. There was still rogues just as busy at work trying to help pick up some of what remained from the collapsed sections of the doorway and clear it for more space to allow bots in and out.

During the confrontation a little over a week ago with the Terrorcons, the entrance to the base had caved in. Although it had saved countless lives inside that managed to destroy what dark energon resurrected managed to come up from beneath them, there had been swarms more just outside their doorstep.

No bot was sure if the collapse had been intentional or not, but it had served a good purpose, even if now it left a lot to be done.

Pressing carefully past those at work, Blackout stepped out of the way as much as possible as he made his wayaround. His optics swept over Scorponok to observe his route as he passed around the area. Picking up on the pattern of the tiny mech’s deliveries, he slid himself in the way of the bug as he came scurrying back around to another group.

Scorponok came to a slight pause, chirping up to him.

“Trying to make me look like a lazy aft for not helping, huh?” he taunted, leaning down to pat the minion on the helm.

The bug chattered with laughter in response. He bumped his helm against Blackout’s digits lightly as he whirled pleasantly, moving his four golden optics up an endearing gaze.

Grinning wide, the ebony colored mech stroked his servo down his partner’s backstrut. He gave a whistle of delight as he shook his body back and forth. Blackout could only chuckle at the bot’s glee, shaking his helm.

“Would it be alright if you recharge here at the colony tonight?” he rumbled softly, arching an optic ridge as he offered a pleading smile.

“Where you be?” the minicon asked uncertainly.

“Elsewhere,” he snipped a bit defensively, sliding his optics off to the side. “Someplace safe and secure, you have my word. It’s private.”

Confusion shifted across Scorponok’s optics for a moment. After a nanoklik, they began to shift into a sly, accusing look of understanding as he narrowed the shutters across his vision. His tail shifted thoughtfully back and forth as he gave a nod of his helm.

“Call if trouble?”

“Of course Scorponok.”

Blackout drew his servo off of the minicon and stood at his full height. The bug inclined his helm slightly and went to shuffle around him and get back to work as he returned the slight bow of his own helm to the minicon.

A strangled vent escaped Blackout nervously. He pressed a servo to his throat as he swallowed at the anxious lump that felt like it was lodged somewhere inside him. With a forced grin, he strode out of the camp.

It was no big deal. There was nothing to feel distressed about. Everything was fine.

With the base of the tower in his sites, Blackout moved his optics across the area as he approached. A large majority of the construction bots had returned to check up on the transmitter after all the scuffling, and were repairing any damages it had been blown from the fighting and bots literally clawing their way from the planet.

He moved his glance over to the monitor station and spotted what he’d been searching for. Tension in his shoulders melted away quickly. The smile that had been so forced on his faceplate grew more genuine as his optics softened in their scarlet spectrum range.

Blackout advanced slowly upon the bots grouped together, deep in conversation. His audios adjusted to tune out some of the background noise; drills, power tools, conversating bots, and focused on the discussion going on right in front of him as he approached.

“... and we should add in these frequencies and expand our bandwith of projection,” the white-armored femme spoke confidently. “Data said she spoke to a friend that worked in communications, and they had a good idea how we could better get our information across in a common code to add in more requests. We need to get an answer to Nighthawk too that his message was received and we’re working on having a ship assembled to meet him.”

She beamed from ear-to-ear as bots seemed to mutter in agreement with her. Blackout felt his spark squeeze at the sight of the femme’s smile as he stopped short and placed a servo against his hip while watching quietly.

Whatever the bot was saying to her that she nodded her helm enthusiastically to completely went over Blackout’s helm. He couldn’t seem to help himself from simply staring. It surprised him she never took up a role as a leader. He was willing to bet as a commanding officer of any faction or non-faction, bots would could easily swayed by those brilliantly glowing optics and the feverish passion in her voice. She spoke with such energy and spirit, such belief and delight, it drew you in like a moth to a flame.

Pit, she could probably talk a bot into throwing themselves into a smelting pit, and they’d thank her before doing so eagerly. How could you stare into those optics and the purity of her face and not want to please?

With a suddenness, her audio stacks suddenly stood tall. They moved around in a wide range before pinpointing his location like radar.

Novastrike shone with absolute joy to see him. It was like a punch to the gut; all the air choked out of Blackout as he gave a quirky smile to her own radiant one.

“Excuse me for a moment, will you?” she said lightly to the bots around her.

They all mutely responded with what Blackout had to assume was an understanding ‘alright’. It was a bit hard to distinguish against Novastrike’s words and the eratic pulsing of his spark somewhere in his throat. Each strike pounded into his audios, ringing with the aftereffects of his singing spark that brewed a dark orchestra.

Panting as she jogged up to him, Novastrike grinned as she huffed a, “Hey there, you.”

Blackout grinned a bit wider. Damn, did she have to look at him with so much adoration?

“Hey to you too,” he softly replied.

Holy Primus, he felt sick and elated all at the same time. The twinkling of her optics had the light of the cosmos itself glimmering inside of them.

Roughly grunting in the back of his throat, he spoke with a slight waver in his softened voice: “I’m sorry for intruding on your work. I had just come to ask you if you’d want to go out this evening.”

Nova raised an optic ride slowly. “Like, on a date?”

“Yes...” he hedged nervously.

“What a lovely idea,” Nova sighed, pressing a servo over her chassis. “I can’t even remember the last time the two of us just got to go out together. Wait- is Scorponok coming? I should have-”

“No,” Blackout coughed uncomfortably. “It would just be the two of us.”

“Oh, I hope I didn’t sound too rude there,” she gushed nervously, audios blushing. “I mean, I love Scorp- I just- aheh. Well, where are we going?”

“Someplace... new.”

“Like...?”

“You’ll see when we get there,” he offered innocently, grinning. “Or do you not trust me anymore?”

Although still smiling, Nova pressed her servos to her hips as she purred, remarking teasingly, “You know very well I do. I just have to ask. Your romantic gestures just seem to always take me off guard. Different plants, star systems I’ve never seem, crazy utopias made of glass and crystals...”

“What can I say? I have an optic for beauty,” Blackout snickered.

“Heh,” Nova breathed as her ears flushed brighter. “Smooth move.”

“So, can I assume that’s a yes?” he inquired, leaning down slightly so that his shadow fell over Nova.

A flash of her fanged derma glinted in the darkness. The shadows cast upon her armor almost made it seem to glow like moonlight as her optics shimmered dangerously eager up to him. Pressing her lips to her palm, she blew a kiss up to him as she winked.

“That would most definitely be a yes.”

~

~Some trillions of light-years away...~

Paranoid, the mech whipped his helm around as the door opened into the control room. His optics were deranged and wild, with a sharp contrast from light blue to dark. There was a furious scowl upon his faceplate as his helm craned around and tilted.

Light cascaded down his sides and gave his twisted faceplate demented, hard lines of light.

“What is it?” the mech snapped.

“Sir,” the bot tiredly responded with an apologetic tone. They winced, dropping to a single knee and bowing their helm low.

“We picked up on the strange blip of a signal on radar again.”

“It’s still following us?”

“It would seem so, sir.”

Sneering, the mech turned his optics back to look out the viewing screen in front of him. His digits drummed against his side for a moment until he finally allowed a vent to escape him. By the time he turned back to the messenger, his posture was a bit more relaxed.

“Keep an optic on it,” he advised. “Have the scanners broadened to see if we can’t catch it again.”

The courier bowed their helm a bit lower. “Understood, sir.”

“You’re dismissed.”

Wincing, the bot pushed upward on his knees to stand. They limped out of the room without another word, the doors closing behind them.

A groan from the other side of the otherwise empty room captured the lone bot’s attention. He rolled his optics around, glaring daggers at the figure laying chained off to his left.

“Must you be make such an insufferable noise?” he fumed.

Blinking her optics, the femme glanced around the room slowly. She looked to the empty chairs that once seated bots hard at work. Moving her gaze around to the broken chairs, the cracks in the panes of glass in the front of the ship. Finally, she rested her optics on the hideously mad faceplate boring down at her.

There were malformations to the mech’s chassis in front of her. Dramatic inclinations of armor smashed inward and never cared for. As he moved to look to her, he moved stiffly on his legs like it pained him to do so. Though his faceplate was relatively in one piece with but scratches here and there, hardly noticable, there were gouges in his neck and throat. If one looked close enough, they could make out the structure of his voice box transmitter. She knew well, too, that if you looked upon his backside, there were areas where his spinalstrut were clearly still visible and his protoform and underarmor was so damaged and warped he had trouble managing to even sit.

It was a constant life of misery and pain. As a doctor, she should feel inclined to help.

But no amount of threats had gotten her to life a digit for this bot.

“You psychotic piece of scum,” she rasped, her throat aching from lack of energon.

Hobbling over, the mech gave a quiet ‘tut tut’ sound as he forced himself to lean over. His servo grasped her roughly by the chin as he looked into her optics.

“That’s no way to talk to your superior, and the bot that saved your life.”

Narrowing her optics, she bit into her derma into his servo. As he recoiled, dripping energon she spat what little collected on her glossia into his face.

Reeling his servo back, the mech hit her hard enough to black out her vision and cause an instant supernova of pain to her helm. She fell to her side, moaning with pain.

“I saved your pitiful existence, and this is how you treat me?” he whispered.

“Frag you to the deepest Pits of hell Neutroboost,” the femme hoarsely responded, glancing up to him.

Grinning, the Commander reached up to rub at his neck. He flinched as sparks fluttered off of his throat, coughing weakly.

“I understand, medic,” he smoothly responded. “Not all of you can be so loyal and well-behaved. But you forget: the majority of the ship sides with me.”

“Those that stand with you are survivors of the Revenge II,” she taunted, throwing him a dark glare. “Anyone else only listens because they’re desperate to-”

“To what? Survive? You stupid femme, that’s what I’m helping you all to do,” the mech cooed. “I saved you all from the burden of a monster. You’re welcome.”

“Everybot knows you killed Guard-”

“I did what was best for the ship!” Neutroboost roared, slamming his fist upon the nearest console. “He was another pawn to that beast’s ploys!”

Tears glistened in the femme’s optics as she shook her helm slowly, her lip quivering. “Blackout wasn’t the monster. You are.”

Bots standing outside of the command center and walking down the hall came to pause and look to the dual doors as a loud, gurgling scream escaped the room. A few passed exhausted, pained glances to each other. Their optics dull, lifeless. Just as undernourished and lacking as the last. There was nothing left to fight for. They knew they were all bound to offline out here, lacking fuel, ruled by a mech that none dared to stand against with his cronies owning the ship.

Ripping his digits free of the femme as she panted loudly, Neutroboost flicked the energon off and on the floor. His lip curled up in a sneer as he growled furiously at the femme.

“You’re time is coming to an end,” he threatened. “If you choose to support me, and fix my frame, maybe I’ll reconsider.”

“Go offline... in a hole...” the femme gasped quietly. “If that sweet femme... and Blackout live... I hope they... make you beg for death...”

“Very well,” he shrugged nonchalantly.

Stepping aside, Neutro walked around the medic as she grasped for his ankle. He stomped on her pede, causing her to wail once more.

He picked up the cannon first offered to him lying before the head seat of the room. It was just as heavy as it had been the first day he wielded it. His digits gripped it firmly as he raised it, looking up and down the weapon that had brought an era to an end upon the Rising Star and placed him as the sole commander in charge.

Fear glittered in the medic’s optics as he turned to her with a sadistic grin.

“Tell Guard ‘hi’ for me.”

~

Nighthawk flinched, his servos tightening around the controls of the Jaguar as he breathed out steadily. The vessel coasted behind the planet before them slowly, using it’s magnetic disturbances to their advantage to remain concealed. The only trouble was that it made for flying blind around its astral rings a big hazardous as gravity tried sucking them inward.

Behind him, the scrap of claws lightly upon the floor approached.

“Everything okay, boss?” Infiltrator inquired softly, his optics dim.

“Fine,” he gritted, swerving around an asteroid. “Just concentrating.”

The dragon didn’t look convinced, but turned to shuffle away anyway and leave him to his work.

What a strange feeling. For a nanoklik there, he imagined he almost felt a cold feeling press through him. There were legends that sometimes sparks returning to the Well would move over bots they were akin to and held relations.

The sensation left him unnerved.

Rolling around more space debris as he pulled away from the planet’s gravitational tug on the ship, Nighthawk grimaced and shook off the feeling. He had to keep his attention on what he was doing, or they would be sucked in to the planet and crushed by the pressure.

Or worse, they’d catch the Rising Star’s attention before it was time.

“Strap yourself in, Infiltrator,” he called back. “The ride’s about to get a whole lot bumpier.”

#quid pro quo au #OTP AU #OTP Lit #Cute OTP #Sad OTP #OTP Friends

[mischiefandspirits]

Liars and Lyres

Peter Quill is not what you'd call the average Terran. That was clear from the moment he grabbed the infinity stone. Of course, everyone just passed it off to his father's heritage.

No one ever thought to consider that Meredith Quill wasn't the average Terran either. No one besides Peter that is.

Part 3: Sunshine

Sunshine.

That was Yondu’s first thought.

He felt warm and happy and energized.

The feeling sunk into his bones, making him think of the time before Ego when he was still part of the main ravager factions and he and the boys would head down to Solaria for shore leave. He could feel the warmth from the moon’s three yellow suns raining down on him as he relaxed on the sandy beach to drink and gamble on the wave races.

He almost could have thought he was there, except instead of feeling soft sand underneath him, he felt hard metal and instead of the sound of laughter, waves, and engines, all he heard was a soft voice singing in a language Yondu’s translator didn't recognize.

The voice sounded familiar, safe, but he couldn't place it. His mind felt hazy, drugged. He tried to move, to open his eyes, but all he could manage was the slightest twitch of his limbs.

He barely noticed the pain that shot up his leg at the movement because almost immediately the singing stopped and a small hand -- sun warmed sand and golden light -- settled gently on his leg just above where the pain was radiating from.

There was a few moments of silence only broken by Yondu’s deep slow breaths, what he had to assume were the singer’s faster ones, and the faint rumbling of a ship’s engines that was almost unnoticeable after years in space.

Yondu’s focus started to drift towards the pain in his leg that was slowly growing -- claws digging into his flesh and bone, dragging him out of his stupor -- before finally the hand left his leg and the singing resumed. Alongside the unfamiliar words returned the warm sunshine feeling that washed away -- magenta waves lapping at azure banks -- the pain and the drugs were able to retake his mind.

He tried to focus on the words, pick out some sort of pattern, but the only set of repeating sounds he ended up picking out was something along the lines of up-owl-oh… Uh-pow-lo? Uh-paw-lo? No, that wasn't it either.

Whatever.

What was going on?

Where was he?

Who was singing?

Was it some form of torture?

If it was, it wasn't very good. The song wasn't even annoying, let alone torturous. It was actually kind of soothing, like the crap on Quill’s music box had become over time. Not that it'd take anything less than actual torture to get him to admit it.

Peter…

“Captain?”

Yondu opened his eyes, then realized he could open his eyes. He also realized the singing and warm feeling had disappeared at some point during his musings.

Or had it just been a dream?

He could now see he was in one of the rooms near the infirmary set aside for medical use. The chief medic, a Krylorian that only went by Doc, hovered over him.

“Morning, Captain,” they called pulling back to check the screen next to Yondu’s bed. “How are you feeling?”

“Like shit,” he huffed. His head was killing him. What did he get up to last night? He'd guess a nice round of drinks, but that didn't explain Doc’s hovering. He sat up and Doc yelped.

“Hold on, sir. You’re gonna hurt you-” they cut off, staring at Yondu’s legs.

Yondu looked down with a frown. His left pant leg was cut off just over the knee, revealing bloody bandages that had been sliced open.

Memories filtered in. Him, Kraglin, and Quill had been on a mission. They'd gotten ambushed by some bounty hunters. One of the idiots tossed a grenade before Yondu’s arrow had gotten him. Quill had shot it out of the air, but a piece of shrapnel caught Yondu’s leg. Big piece of metal. Thin, but half as long as his calf. Sunk straight into the bone. Lots of blood. Kraglin had had to help him walk back to the m-ship before, despite Yondu’s protests, sending Quill up to pilot and fussing over the captain. Sure, the twelve-Terran-years-old had taken to flying just as quick and easy as he did shooting, maybe more so, but that didn't mean he needed to be piloting Yondu’s personal ship. And Yondu definitely didn't need to be fused over.

Although, he couldn't actually remember anything past bleeding out on the floor of his ship so maybe a little fussing was in order. He'd still need to yell at Kraglin later though.

Back in the present though, there’s no shrapnel. Just a faint line where his injury had been. Barely even a scar really.

“How long was I out?”

“Only a few hours, according to Kraglin.”

“A few- Doc, I know you’re good, but I remember that injury. No way you fixed me up this good in a few hours.”

Doc shook their head and grabbed a bioscanner. “Don’t make sense,” they muttered, scanning his leg. “No sense. Don’t make sense.”

“Doc?”

“Impossible!” They turned back to the screen next to the bed. “Can’t be…”

“Doc! What’s going on?”

“You’re leg, it’s completely healed.”

“I can see that.”

“No, but your bones were fractured! One was nearly sliced clean through! Now… the fractures are still there, but they’ve healed. Somehow, your injuries aged weeks in the short time I was gone checking the stores for stitches. I've never seen anything like this. Are you on any sort of experimental drugs I should know about?”

“Doc, you're the only one I get drugs from. So unless you’ve been getting up to something…”

“Respectfully captain, I'm not stupid enough to believe I could get away with going behind your back to experiment on anyone on this ship, let alone you. If I do find something worth experimenting with, I'd bring it straight to you with the recommendation of using those halfwits we picked up in Wailod as test dummies.” Doc paused, then tilted their head to the side. “That said, I wouldn't say no to a blood sample if you'd be willing. It'd be best to be sure this isn't some warning sign. A miracle hiding a monster, if you will.”

“Just make it quick. If I'm reading you right, then I'm free to go.”

Doc hummed an agreement as they dug out a syringe. “Your leg was my only worry. You took a hit to the head, but not anything bad enough for more than a headache. Still, all the usual. If the headache lasts too long, any nausea or vertigo, you know I'll be discreet.”

“It's what I pay you for.”

Doc chuckled and rolled up his sleeve. They paused to pluck at a bandage on his forearm and Yondu caught sight of a small cut sluggishly bleeding before they fixed it back.

“Curious, it seems like your leg was the only thing healed. Arm out, if you will?”

Yondu watched the needle sink in. “How are the boys?” He didn't remember either being hurt, but he'd also been a bit distracted.

“Kraglin had a minor burn on his shoulder, but it's nothing to worry about as long as he keeps it clean. So if you'd keep on him about that…”

Yondu snorted. “I ain't his mama.”

“I'm well aware of your gender, captain.”

Yondu glared as Doc tucked away the blood sample and started cleaning up. “I ain't his da’ then.”

They just nodded their head. “Quill was the better of you three. Just a couple scrapes. He seemed pretty shaken up though so you might wanna check on him.”

“I ain't his da’ either.”

“Of course, Captain. If you'll excuse me, I need to prepare Sym for a supply run. We're running low on a few things and I never did find those stitches.”

“Doc, you're lucky you're a good medic and can be trusted to keep your mouth shut, outside of privacy at least, or I would have tossed you out the airlock years ago.”

“I'm well aware of my worth and exactly how much I can get away with because of it, Captain, but thank you all the same.” Doc bowed their head slightly before disappearing out the door.

Grumbling, Yondu headed towards his quarters to clean up and change clothes, then he could check in on the bridge. Wouldn't do for rumors to be getting out that the captain is anything except hardy.

“What the hell?” he growled when his door opened, revealing a shrimp Terran curled up on his bed. He shot a glare at the vent, only to see that it was still welded shut after the last time the brat had snuck in. Which meant he'd hacked the door lock.

Yondu marched up to the boy and jabbed him in the side with a finger.

Quill let out a yelp, jerking up into a sitting position. He looked up at Yondu with sleepy (Exhausted, really. What had the kid been getting up to in the past couple hours that he was that tired?) eyes. “Yondu?”

“While I'm glad you're getting better at breaking into places, you aren't supposed to be practicing on your captain’s room.”

“Doc let you out?”

“Don't need to be let out, but yeah, Doc fixed me all up. If you were thinking you could stay in my room because I was gone…” Yondu trailed off with wide eyes as he realized the boy was tearing up.

“‘M sorry.”

“You should be, but it ain't anything to cry over, boy.”

“Not about the room. Was waiting for you, didn't mean to fall asleep.”

“You shouldn't have come in here in the first place!”

“‘M sorry about you getting hurt. Was my fault. Shouldn't a shot that grenade. Kraglin said you'd be fine before he sent me off, but you lost so much blood and I snuck back and Doc said we just barely got you back in time and that thing had nearly cut your leg in two and you’re an ass but I don't want- Didn't mean- Was all my fault!”

Yondu stared as the kid broke down into full blown sobs, completely lost. It'd been years since he'd had to deal with Quill crying. Kid had never been a crier really, and the few times he did, it was either because of a bad injury or over his mama. But the kid had mostly grown out of the first and the second had been carefully hidden behind closed doors or inside ventilation. At least, as long as Yondu’s suspicions were correct and the boy hadn't actually outgrown those as well like Kraglin thought.

Sighing, Yondu knelt down in front of him and patted his shoulder awkwardly. “Hey now, wasn't your fault.”

“Was… Shot… grenade.”

“And if you hadn't it would have blown on top of us, and then I really would have been dead, alongside you and Kraglin.”

“But you nearly-”

“But I didn't. I'm fine, boy. See, good as new.” Yondu patted his leg. “I'm here, alive, and so are you and Kraglin. That's what matters. You did good, Peter.”

“Mean it?” the boy sniffed, scrubbing at his face.

“Yeah, kid. Now stop your whimpering. Ain't befitting a ravager.”

Quill nodded, then threw himself at Yondu.

“You hugging me, boy?”

“‘S a chokehold,” he muttered, tightening his arms slightly. “Reverse chokehold.”

“Sure, brat.”

“Dickbag.”

“Who's been teaching you to curse? They suck.”

“Been watching you. Guess you need to step up your game.”

“Careful boy or I'll let the crew eat you.”

“‘M crew.”

“True, don't change your edibility none though.”

Quill burrowed his face further into Yondu’s shoulder. “‘M glad you're not dead,” he muttered, “even if you are a mean, kidnapping asshole.”

The ravager captain didn't know how to respond to that, so he just wrapped his arms around the boy. He held him close for a moment before shoving him away. “Right, ‘nough of that. Get outta my room and don't let me catch you sneaking in here again.”

“But ‘m tired,” Quill whined, and he looked it. Whatever energy he'd regained during his nap had clearly been wiped away by his crying.

“Then go sleep in your own room,” Yondu snorted and stood up to head into the bathroom. “You best be gone by the time I get out!”

After his shower, the ravager captain dressed himself in clean clothes, swallowed a pain reducer for his headache, tucked a blanket over Quill, sent a message to Kraglin to have him tell Piq to assign the brat extra latrine duties, then headed up to the bridge to yell the crew into shape.

#pjo #Guardians of the Galaxy #peter quill #yondu #yondu udonta #l and l

[jacewilliams1]

Going Mach 0.3 with your hair on fire

The day dawned as so many had in the early summer of 2018 in Georgia. Scuzzy clouds draped over the landscape, a hangover from the previous day’s rainstorms, and with no major frontal system approaching, the clouds threatened to loaf around until late in the morning.

On the ground at Kaolin Field in Sandersville, Georgia (KOKZ), a dozen planes rested, bathing in the dew on their wings, waiting for the ceiling to lift, for the pilots to come to the flightline and for their engines to fire up with the first throaty rumbles of race day. Inside the FBO, the pilots themselves sat, fidgeting, ducking outside every five minutes to check the weather, chatting with each other – some as old friends, some as nervous newcomers – and endlessly reviewing the race course and plotting their strategy around it.

Welcome to the Sunrise 100.

This race, along with a dozen or so others every year, is put on by the Sport Air Racing League. “Racing for the Rest of Us” the website says. “The Sport Air Racing League (SARL) exists to promote open course air racing for experimental, production and vintage military aircraft.” If you’re thinking about the vaunted Reno air races, with planes zooming wingtip to wingtip around an oval track, requiring precision formation flying and high speed maneuvering, then you’re not quite right. Well, except for the high speed maneuvering part.

There are dozens of classes in the SARL.

Sport Air Racing events are more like timed rallies around a fixed course. They are open to any pilots and most any planes, as long as those planes have a propeller. The courses vary from race to race. Most are single-venue events that start and stop at the host airport, with a number of turning points along the track. Some, in concert with Sun ‘n Fun and EAA AirVenture, are point-to-point and give pilots extra motivation to go fast on their way to those fly-ins. And to keep things fun and competitive, there are several different classes that any plane can race in, from the Unlimited (yes, even a P-51 can compete) down to a Cessna 152.

This year’s Sunrise 100 was scheduled as a preview event before the annual race down to Sun ‘n Fun, but weather forced a postponement until later in June. This proved fortuitous, as my schedule had not allowed me to compete in April but did open up for the June contest. It would be my third race in as many years with my Mooney Ovation 3, and I looked forward to building on past experience to see how much I could increase my speed.

Make no mistake. While SARL is mostly about regular pilots flying regular airplanes, it still draws a cadre of people who, as Rickie Bobby would say, “wanna’ go fast!” SARL racers test their limits in whatever way they deem most appropriate. Pilots in the experimental classes can soup up their engines with high compression cylinders, advance their timing, add fairing and airframe modifications and any number of other enhancements to gain that extra knot or two of airspeed.

Flying the production classes, we have fewer options for airplane or engine mods as we are constrained by the Type Certificate, but there are still methods at our disposal. Critical is reducing all types of drag as much as possible. This means a smooth paint job with high quality wax, closing all vents during the race, and as one couple has done with their beautiful red and white Grumman Cheetah, covering up all vents with “race tape” for each event. They claim that even on a 125 knot aircraft, this gives them a knot or two extra.

Aircraft loading also plays an important role. More weight means more drag, so you want to carry only as much gas as needed for the race and proper reserves. But carrying less gas in most planes also means you have shifted the center of gravity forward. In flight, this means the horizontal stabilizer is working harder, creating more drag. So experienced pilots know to put some extra ballast in the back to lessen this force and reduce drag even further. Again, a knot or two extra, and it all helps.

And then there are in-flight tactics. The races are judged by time around a course, or between two points. It’s not all about the raw speed of the aircraft, as wind and weather can play a role. For the longer point-to-point races, careful analysis of wind and altitudes is critical to get the best groundspeed. For the shorter races around a course, altitude does not factor in as much; each course leg is generally only about 20 miles, and the turns have to be made at pattern altitude over the waypoint so spotters can identify every racer. These races tend to be flown at around 1,000 ft. AGL no matter what the winds.

But even with these constraints, in-flight tactics play a role. The courses are laid out most often with FAA-designated airports as each turning point, so it’s easy to plot the course into your GPS navigator and follow the magenta line. But racing is racing, whether it’s on skis, in a car or flying a plane. The shortest line with the fastest speed wins the day. Learning to take the fastest line through each turn is critical to seeing your best times.

Shallow turns are not that difficult. But it is important to remember that just like a ski racer has to turn around the outside of a pole, an air racer has to turn over or outside the designated waypoint. Spotters are there to check this, and each racer has to make a radio call at the waypoint for verification. So if you let your GPS lead the turn as many of them will, you risk taking an inside track and getting disqualified. Because of this, most racers will hand-fly the turns for greater precision.

Acute turns, hairpins with up to 180 degrees of direction change, these are where your inner fighter pilot gets to surface. Steep turns are fun, but they have negative consequences. While there is some risk of stall if taken to the extreme, the bigger problem for racers is that steep turns create drag and cause deceleration. This effect varies across planes, of course. A sporty RV with short wings and faster roll rate won’t notice it as much. But Mooneys, while famous for speed and efficiency, are not noted for their agility.

The answer for maintaining speed (and reducing stall risk) is to unweight the wing in the turn. It’s a common technique in aerobatics, and it allows the wing to execute the turn without building up drag. Just lower the nose and perform the steep turn while maintaining about one G on the wing. Airspeed stays up, the turn is tight, and you have made the shortest line around the marker. And for just a second or two you can pretend you’re flying an F-18 rather than your regular bug-smasher.

Racers, Start Your Engines

After an hour’s delay, the ceilings started to lift and pilots came together for the safety briefing. While SARL does allow racers to test their limits, there are still strict protocols in place to ensure a safe outcome. The safety briefing included a final review of the course, frequencies to use at each check point, passing techniques, and special procedures to use in case of mechanical difficulty. But after that, the air boss spoke the magic words: “Racers, start your engines!”

Being a timed race, planes are positioned for start based on their expected flying speed. For the Sunrise 100, I was put into second position, behind a Lancair IV with a history of smoking the field. There was an RV-8 behind me in third position, which gave me some concern. This plane was in the RV-GOLD class: put something bigger than a 360 cubic inch engine into a sportster like that and it’s bound to go very fast. So that became my challenge for the day… stay ahead of THAT guy.

We took off in 30 second intervals. The rules require crossing the departing runway threshold before proceeding on course, at which point you give your first call out.

“Race 103, start,” I said on the radio as the threshold disappeared below and I started my first turn on course. Two other decisions are critical when starting the race: how high to go, and how hard to run the engine. Since this was a closed course with roughly 20nm legs, I chose to climb to 1600 feet, or about 1000 feet above the ground. Wind was not a big factor, but turbulence was. The air was choppy. Not exceptionally rough, but more like the washboard effect you get on dirt roads that haven’t been graded recently. Bumpy, but manageable.

I consider engine management my primary task in a race. While I want to go fast, I also want to use this plane for everyday purposes and I don’t have a bottomless budget to fix an engine blowout. So in my first race I stayed very conservative, running at wide-open throttle and 2500 RPM. In my second race I bumped that up to WOT and 2550 RPM. For the Sunrise 100, I pushed it again, to WOT and 2600 RPM. Fuel flow I set to rich of peak, at a level to maintain cylinder head temperatures in the 360 degree range. Probably somewhat below best power setting, but cool running for safety.

Some airplanes just look fast sitting on the ground, including the RV-8.

Engine and altitude set, on course for the first checkpoint, it was time to set the radios. Just like IFR flying, it’s important to stay ahead of the airplane to fly an efficient race. This means dialing in the frequency you need at the checkpoint, rehearsing your callout, and reviewing your turn point so you can visually identify it. It’s amazing how quickly 20 nm goes by when you are crossing the ground at more than 3 nm per minute.

And that’s how fast I was going. My true airspeed readout showed 192 knots, give or take, and my airspeed indicator was solidly in the yellow. Normally in bumpy air I would back off the speed, but the chop wasn’t too bad, and I had no passengers to worry about. I chose the calculated risk of maintaining maximum speed. It’s one of the many little tradeoffs you have to make on race day.

I was about two minutes away from the first checkpoint when I heard the Lancair in front of me. “Race 3, Turn 1” he called out. Dang, after only 23 nm he’s already gained a minute and half on me. He really is burning! But I never had a hope of staying with him. My concern was Race 27, the RV behind me.

And sure enough, not long after crossing Turn 1 I heard a radio call: “Race 27 is passing the Mooney on the right.” I looked below, and the familiar planform of an RV-8 passed on my right, about 200 feet below. And it was at this point I realized my mistake. I had climbed just a bit too high and suffered some airspeed loss as a result. That’s what allowed him to overtake. But that also meant I had some altitude I could convert back to speed. I lowered the nose to drop in behind him and the game was afoot!

And here is where my inner fighter pilot got to shine for the first time in this race. A year earlier I had installed an ADS-B transponder, which provides traffic readouts to the big G1000 PFD in front of me. With synthetic vision turned on, the RV’s traffic blip now appeared directly in my gunsight – er, my syn-vis Highway in the Sky boxes. All I had to do was keep that blip centered in my crosshairs and chase him down.

Turn 2 was the biggie, a nearly hairpin left turn from a heading of 111 degrees to 318 degrees. But with Race 27 still directly in front, I executed the steep turn to perfection, circling cleanly over the checkpoint and rolling out on the heading with no loss of speed. We were halfway through the race, with only one more turn to go.

Prepping for Turn 3, I reviewed the aerial graphic of the airport and surrounding landmarks to get a sense of my best line. The fastest course would take me outside the checkpoint to turn across it toward the finish line. But the day was still hazy, and the airport was blending in with surrounding farmland. And loath as I was to admit it, Race 27 had increased his lead by a slight margin. I could still see his traffic blip, but I no longer had sight of the plane itself.

To avoid disqualification, I decided to overfly the airport on a straight line so I could see it and then make my turn. No doubt this cost me perhaps a mile of extra flying time. But after that I was on the final leg and had one more trick up my sleeve.

I had carried a bit of extra altitude to start the race. One reason was for the tight Turn 2 where I planned to lose about 200 feet. But the other reason was to make the final leg one big downhill run. So that’s what I did. I started a 100 foot-per-minute descent just after Turn 3 and pointed the nose straight to the finish line. There are no altitude restrictions at the finish line other than standard FAR requirements, so I planned to cross it at 500 ft AGL. High speed pass, Mooney style.

Not far into the last leg I heard the Lancair call out “Race 3, finish” so he had gained almost six minutes on me in just 100nm. But the RV was still in my sights, and I was running deep into yellow on the airspeed indicator and showing 199 knots true. As I neared the line, I heard the RV call out “Race 27, finish” and then about 15 second later I did the same.

“Race 103, finish.” I zoomed back up to pattern altitude, pulled back the power, and did an extended downwind to cool off before coming back to land. The Sunrise 100 was over for me… now to await the results.

The Tally

First place among factory airplanes – not bad for the third race!

Results are calculated by measuring each racer’s total time across a designated surface track. For the Sunrise 100, the actual distance between each of the checkpoints, from start to finish, was 102 nm. But SARL adds a standard distance for each turn, so the official length for this race was 109.67 nm. The final results were tabulated to show the calculated speed around the course (in MPH, not knots). The top three finishers were:

Race 3 – Lancair IV – 266.57 MPH

Race 27 – RV-8 – 225.92 MPH

Race 103 – Mooney M20R – 224.77 MPH

My speed translated into 195.45 knots, very close to the factory-stated max cruise speed of 197 knots. Each race I have improved, from 180.34 knots in my first race, to 190.47 knots in the second, and in the third, all the way to Mach 0.3! My hair perhaps wasn’t on fire, but my pride sure was. For the third race in a row, I upheld the Mooney reputation and took home First Place in the Production Class.

I’ll never catch that Lancair, to be sure. But there are a few more things I can try to go after the RV. I’ve still got 100 more RPM before redline. I can shave a few hundred feet off initial cruising altitude. Maybe carry a bit less gas, or add a bit more ballast in the luggage compartment. Pay better attention to my line.

And oh yeah… where can I get me some of that race tape?!

The post Going Mach 0.3 with your hair on fire appeared first on Air Facts Journal.

from Engineering Blog https://airfactsjournal.com/2019/01/going-mach-0-3-with-your-hair-on-fire/

[savage-rhi]

Magggennnttaaaa!

#before the pandemic i sold a lot of original paintings and such at conventions and shows in my area #well some locals at a gathering today kindly informed me someone has been selling copies of my plague doctor piece #and some of my mini prints and presenting them as their own same with stickers #its not only ai we gotta worry about now even the damn locals are doing this shit #i got a show in may coming around the corner and I'm thinking i might not even sell paintings and stuff anymore if this is going to happen #im a creator that loves collaboration and thinks art should be free to enjoy #if this person approached and asked if they could sell my work i wouldn't give a fuck personally provided they give me credit and or a link #back to my stuff hell if people want to print my work if they cant afford it go for it #but fuck dude you don't just claim you did all that work as if it was yours #this was disheartening news #and several other local artists found out too at this venue that their work had been turned into stickers that vendors bought off amazon #ill hop off the soap box in a minute #still scrambling to get kofi stuff set and donation links prepared #thanks for your patience everyone #im getting out of a depressive funk too with what happened at my work place #and im gonna be speaking with a legal aid rep next week #magenta is my safe word for venting

[savage-rhi]

Magentttaaaaaaaahhhh

#it's probably covid brain and feeling inadequate because of my body not functioning the way it should #but am i a good writer? #by good I mean okay #am I an okay writer? #I know I haven't churned out as much stuff lately cause of grad school work and recovery mode #but its been decent right? #i don't normally feel this self conscious but man it's killing me #dont get it wrong i write for myself at the end of the day #but i do wonder if anything ive done has touched somebody #even if it royally pissed them off to no end #imma sleep now #magenta is my safe word for venting #if anyone needs it too i love you #i know there's some weird shit floating around in the world right now that folks can feel #we'll be okay #somehow we will