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creatiview · 1 year

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[ad_1] Editor’s Note: A version of this story appears in today’s Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, CNN’s three-times-a-week look inside the region’s biggest stories. Sign up here. Jerusalem CNN — A shocking 48 hours of violence – bloody even by the standards of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – followed immediately by a fortunately timed flying visit from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, focused the eyes of the world on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week. He looked back without blinking. Sitting down for an exclusive interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, he signaled clearly that it is extremely unlikely Israel and the Palestinians will make any measurable progress toward a long-term peace anytime soon. Netanyahu made clear that while he’s “open” to negotiations with the Palestinians and is willing to cooperate with them on security matters, not much else will move. Netanyahu has never been a full-throated supporter of a two-state solution, weaving in and out of different definitions of what that would mean. But in recent years he’s settled on the idea that he’d be open to a Palestinian state - as long as it has no military or security power, an arrangement that would have no parallel among modern sovereign states. “I’m certainly willing to have them have all the powers that they need to govern themselves, but none of the powers that can threaten us,” Netanyahu told Tapper in Jerusalem on Tuesday. He did provide some new details about his conversations with President Biden on the matter, explaining he once told Biden, “[A]ny final agreement between Israel and the Palestinians would have Israel controlling security – overriding security responsibility in the area west of the Jordan. “I said, you can’t divide who controls the airspace [between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean]. You have to cross it. It takes two minutes for an airplane to cross it. So what, one minute Israel controls it and the other minute the Palestinians? Of course, it’s not workable. “He said to me, as others have said to me – ‘you know, but that’s not perfect sovereignty.’ “And I said, you’re right. But – I don’t know what you’d call it, but it gives them the opportunity to control their lives, to elect their officials, to run their economy, to run their institutions, to have their flag and to have their parliament, but we have to have overriding security control.” Most Palestinians would view that arrangement as a continuation of the current occupation – and an unacceptable starting point for peace negotiations. Tapper pressed Netanyahu over accusations that Israel is engaging in collective punishment of Palestinians in the wake of two shooting attacks targeting Israelis around Jerusalem that killed seven and wounded five. Measures announced by the Israeli cabinet in response included issuing more gun permits for civilians, increasing security for Jewish settlements in the West Bank and pushing draft legislation that would possibly revoke the Israeli residency of families of those accused of engaging in or supporting terrorism. Netanyahu claimed he doesn’t “believe in collective punishment,” although most human rights organizations call actions targeting the families of attackers exactly that. “It’s not targeting family members. It’s targeting family members who were involved in the terror acts or supported it after the act was done … I think that disincentivizes the terrorists,” Netanyahu said. The legislation to revoke residency of families of attackers will likely face legal challenges, something Israeli human rights organization HaMoked has already vowed to do. Netanyahu made clear to Tapper: His priority is normalization with Arab nations before peace with the Palestinians.

After the success of the Abraham Accords, Netanyahu told Tapper he wants to expand the countries in what he calls the “circle of peace,” with his top objective being Saudi Arabia. For years, peace with the Palestinians was seen as a precondition for any normalization agreements between Arab countries and Israel. But Netanyahu argued the Abraham Accords changed the game. “I think that the way we’re going to succeed is not let the Palestinian tail wag the body of the Arab world,” he said. “If we make peace with Saudi Arabia – it depends on the Saudi leadership – and bring, effectively, the Arab-Israeli conflict to an end, I think we will circle back to the Palestinians and get a workable peace with the Palestinians,” Netanyahu said. But with rising and concerning levels of violence from all sides, a far-right Israeli government in place under Netanyahu, and a Palestinian Authority led by an increasingly unpopular President Mahmoud Abbas, that may be an overly optimistic game plan. US cautions Israel on policies, urges Palestinians to improve governance and accountability Blinken on Tuesday called for Israelis and Palestinians to de-escalate, stop violence and reduce tensions after a meeting with Abbas in the West Bank. He cautioned against Israeli moves including “things like settlement expansion, the legalization of [Israeli settler] outposts, demolitions and evictions [of Palestinians from their homes], disruptions to the historic status of the holy sites and of course incitement and acquiescence to violence.” Background: Blinken’s visit comes after Palestinians and Israelis suffered significant bloodshed last week. Thursday was the deadliest day for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank in nearly two years, followed by a shooting near a Jerusalem synagogue Friday night, which Israel has deemed one of its worst terror attacks in recent years. Why it matters: Fears had been growing that the situation in Israel and the West Bank could spiral out of control and Blinken’s visit was expected to calm tensions. Blinken asked senior State Department officials to remain in the Middle East to help assist with steps that both Israel and the Palestinians have suggested to him “to lower the temperature.” Abu Dhabi’s IHC to invest $381 million in Adani Enterprises following damaging short seller report Abu Dhabi’s International Holding Company (IHC) on Monday announced that it would invest 1.4 billion dirhams ($381 million) in India’s Adani Enterprises’ follow-on public offering . The investment comes after the Indian conglomerate’s market value plummeted around $70 billion following a damaging short seller report. Background: This is IHC’s first investment of the year, and second investment deal with Adani Group after last year’s 7.3 billion dirhams ($2 billion) investment in the group’s companies. One of India’s largest multinational conglomerates, Adani and its owner Gautam Adani – one of Asia’s richest men – were caught in the crosshairs of a research firm that accused the conglomerate and Adani himself of pulling off “the largest con in corporate history.” The report and the selloff it sparked erased some $70 billion in market value across Adani Group companies. Adani said it complied with all local laws and had made the necessary regulatory disclosures. Why it matters: The investment deal comes as IHC aims to increase its global acquisitions by 70% in 2023. Abu Dhabi’s largest listed company, IHC’s market value more than doubled last year. It is chaired by Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the influential UAE national security adviser and a brother of the UAE’s president. Iran, Russia link banking systems amid Western sanction Iran and Russia have connected their interbank communication and transfer systems to help

boost trade and financial transactions, Reuters cited a senior Iranian official as saying on Monday, as both Tehran and Moscow are chafing under Western sanctions. Iran’s Central Bank chief Mohammad Farzin welcomed the move. “The financial channel between Iran and the world is being repaired,” he tweeted. Background: Since the 2018 reimposition of US sanctions on Iran after Washington ditched Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, the Islamic Republic has been disconnected from the Belgium-based SWIFT financial messaging service, which is a key international banking access point. Similar limitations have been slapped on some Russian banks since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine last year. Why it matters: Since the start of the Ukraine war, Tehran and Moscow have acted to forge close bilateral ties as both capitals attempt to build new economic and diplomatic partnerships elsewhere. With deepening economic misery, many Iranians are feeling the pain of galloping inflation and rising joblessness. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Monday that the establishment faced “a tangible welfare and livelihood problem” that could not be cured without economic growth. The turnout in Tunisia’s parliamentary runoff elections on Sunday, Reuters cited the country’s electoral commission as saying. President Kais Saied on Monday blamed the low turnout on hatred among voters of the parliament, calling it “an institution of absurdity and a state within the state.” His critics said the turnout was evidence of public disdain for his agenda and seizure of powers, and opposition parties called for his resignation. Passengers were left disappointed last weekend after spending more than 13 hours in the air on a flight that never landed at its intended destination. Emirates airline had to return to Dubai on its way to Auckland, New Zealand, on Friday when the destination city’s airport closed due to flooding. The Airbus A380 superjumbo turned back upon reaching west of Indonesia, more than a third of the way to Auckland, a map from flight tracking site Flightradar24 showed. New Zealand’s biggest city has been inundated with record rain. An estimated 240 millimeters of rainfall (9.8 inches) – equal to an entire summer’s worth of rain – fell on Auckland Friday, making it the city’s wettest day on record. The rain caused widespread travel disruption over the weekend. More than 2,000 people stayed overnight Friday in the airport’s terminals due to the flooding, the airport said. Domestic flights resumed Saturday but the international terminal was not operational until Sunday. Emirates resumed the Auckland route, its longest at 14,200 kilometers (8,800 miles), in December after an almost three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The flight takes between 16 and 17 hours and is among the world’s longest nonstop commercial routes. [ad_2] Source link

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canoesphere1 · 2 years

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Suppose Covids Messed Up Your Travel Plans? Try Moving Into China

China is well known for having strict necessities and high charges for US residents due to reciprocity. If you're planning to fly into Shanghai or Beijing this yr, figuring out the way to get a visa for China is a necessity. BrazilThe agreements signed by Brazilian and Chinese governments on 1 September 2017 paved methods to the issuance of long-term vacationer and enterprise visas. The period of stay is 90 days per entry for both L and M visas. For the visa policy of Macau SAR, see Visa coverage of Macau. For the visa policy of Taiwan, see Visa coverage of Taiwan. The stress of returning to a sick liked one can be distracting and frightening. But when you take note of the required steps outlined by the consulate, the method can be accomplished with ease. Starting from the date of your first nucleic test and stay in your departure city and monitor your health for seven days with a private health monitoring form. Unless canceled or revoked, a visa is legitimate till its expiration date. Therefore, a sound U.S. visa in an expired passport is still valid. If you could have a sound visa in your expired passport, do not remove it out of your expired passport. You could use your legitimate visa in your expired passport along with a brand new legitimate passport for travel and admission to the United States. I will get an INVITATION letter for a z visa quickly and was questioning if i can get it done in hong Kong or i have to go back to my country for that. Is there any approach to get a M visa for Friday or Saturday pickup? It ought to be attainable to vary over to a scholar visa while you’re in China. You’ll want the college the place you’ll be learning to arrange all of the paperwork, I think it’s type JW201. Digital Visa Update System Evus Regularly Requested Questions China codified its adoption legal guidelines and rules in the Current Adoption Law of China on December 29, 1991, which came into effect on April 1, 1992. Under this regulation, a Notarial Adoption Certificate was required in all adoption circumstances, and the lack to obtain a Notarial Adoption Certificate was prima facie evidence that no legal adoption ever occurred. Therefore, adoptions taking place after January 1981 and earlier than April 1, 1999 are considered valid solely with the issuance of a Notarial Adoption Certificate. Additionally, for adoption cases initiated during this period, the date of issuance of the Notarial Adoption Certification serves as the efficient date of adoption. A signed affidavit or authorization certificate from the applicant if someone aside from the applicant applies for the certificate on his or her behalf. The approved individual additionally needs to offer his/her national ID card. Complete the applying kind and submit all required paperwork to the Exit and Entry Administration Department of the Public Security Bureau the place the applicant’s household is registered. Applicants with lively military service must submit the applying to the Exit and Entry Administration Department of the Public Security Bureau the place their department of the navy is situated. Chinese nationwide public servants should provide a statement from the office/bureau of their work place that grants permission to apply for exit/entry paperwork. Passengers who enter the Republic of China via the Taipei Song Shan Airport, the Taichung Airport and the Kaohsiung International Airport shall apply for "temporary entry allow" at Border Affairs Corps of National Immigration Agency . To avoid getting a foul document in Taiwan, the holder of this permit ought to apply for a visa as soon as attainable on the Bureau of Consular Affairs or at both of the department places of work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taichung or Kaohsiung. The holder might need to submit his/her passport, temporary entry permit when applying for the visa. China has determined to briefly droop the entry into China by overseas nationals holding visas or residence permits nonetheless valid to the time of this announcement, efficient from 28 march 2020. Chinese visa application form includes a total of 4 pages. Please submit the finished form to the Chinese Visa Application Service Center. Travelers Sunscreen is not always simply obtainable in China, and local stuff isn’t always of sufficiently high quality anyway. Signs of dehydration and heatstroke include a excessive temperature, lack of sweating, a fast pulse and pink pores and skin. Reducing your physique temperature with a lukewarm shower will provide preliminary aid. Summer outbreaks of malaria and dengue fever occur across southern China, normally in localized areas. Symptoms are comparable – severe headaches, joint pains, fever and shaking – although a rash may also appear with dengue. There’s no remedy for dengue fever, whereas malaria could be prevented and managed with medication; each require quick medical attention to ensure that there are not any issues. If you purchase Basic Economy fares you could now buy extras like upgrades, seats, priority boarding and same-day flight modifications. Who qualifies as fully vaccinatedOpens another website in a brand new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines. View exception requirementsOpens another web site in a new window that will not meet accessibility guidelines. Citizen you have to also have proof of vaccination towards COVID-19 to fly, until you qualify for an exception. Stay knowledgeable with the latest information about Indiana University's response to the worldwide pandemic. International travel by undergraduate college students is subject to approval by the Office of Overseas Study. Protect IU Find the most recent updates and data on IU's responses to COVID-19. If you aren't yet vaccinated, contemplate getting vaccinated prior to journey. Free or low-cost therapy is also out there to at Community Health Centers also called FQHC’s. This therapy is available to you regardless of immigration standing and whether or not you've insurance coverage or not. Immigration Citizenship and Immigration Services requesting a specific type of category visa for a selected individual. If the employer's software is accredited, it only authorizes the individual to apply for a visa; the permitted utility is not truly a visa. The particular person then applies for a visa and is often interviewed at a U.S. embassy or consulate in the native nation. My only option is to keep renewing my vacationer visa each 30 days via my nearest Russian embassy in person which is in Phuket. If you might have no much less than 15 days remaining in your current stamp, you could possibly submit an software for the Non Immigrant O visa based mostly on Thailand. The requirements are proof of marriage, proof of required funds, proof of handle and cohabitation. If you hold a sound vaccine certificates and are getting into Thailand from a low or medium threat international locations, you could be eligible to enter Phuket with out quarantine. This situation will only apply if your vaccine has been permitted by the World Health Organization or the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand and you acquired it no much less than 14 days before the date of travel. When you arrive you must current your certificate to International Port Health Control. They will ask you questions on your stay and its size, and in case your solutions are passable, they will stamp your passport and admit you into the United States. With many world-renowned academic institutions and study applications, the United States attracts tens of thousands of scholars yearly. If you have unlawfully remained in the US for greater than a yr, and you get caught and deported by the US Immigration Authorities, after which again you try to illegally re-enter the country, you will face a lifetime ban. Though you still can reapply for a visa after ten years, you'll nonetheless have it nearly unimaginable to acquire one. However will probably be onerous to convince the consular officer that you'll not overstay your visa once more, so you have to show robust proof for the explanations behind you overstaying, so as to find a way to get one other US visa. If the corporate you work for has a branch in the US and also you wish to switch there, you will need an L1 visa. It is called an intra-company transfer visa, and the situation is that you should have been employed at that firm for no much less than 1 yr inside the previous 3 years. Similar to the H-2A, it's only granted to people if they're of curiosity to the US and only for chosen countries. Those who need to permanently transfer to the United States to live and work there, need to apply for the US Immigrant Visa. Additional sources for Canadian guests to the United States can be found on the us ReviewVisa Denialsfor detailed details about visa ineligibilities, denials and waivers. Visa Guidelines Eased For Recipients Of Chinese Vaccines Test results need to be accredited by your local Chinese embassy or consulate, then introduced upon check-in in your flight to China. There continues to be no word on when international students from most countries will be allowed to enter China, however the loosening of restrictions for South Korean students and up to date promising COVID-19 vaccine information seem to be encouraging signs. 台胞證 whose supposed activities are thought of "essential" normally must acquire a particular invitation letter, often identified as a PU letter, from the Chinese authorities before they can apply for a Chinese visa. For these group of candidates, a proof of a negative Covid-19 nucleic acid take a look at end result and the Health and Travel Record Declaration Form for Visa Application are no longer required, the assertion mentioned. Meanwhile, the airline boarding requirements by China for Certificates of Negative Nucleic Acid and Anti-Body Blood Tests Results remain unchanged. After coming into China, please abide by China’s regulations on quarantine and statement. China’s restrictions have been compounded by selections on visas and entry necessities that can seem arbitrary to these trying to return. Last month, the government announced that foreign and Chinese vacationers coming from greater than two dozen countries must do two weeks of employer-supervised quarantine abroad earlier than they have been even allowed to fly to China. For international locations already weighing the Chinese pictures, the visa coverage might provide another excuse to go forward with them. But it’s unclear how a lot it'll further Beijing’s “vaccine diplomacy,” an effort to improve China’s world standing by dispatching vaccines to countries who would possibly in any other case have to wait longer, since authorities vaccine selections that seem too political could contribute to vaccine hesitancy. Chinese embassies in eight international locations together with the US and the Philippines have additionally posted related notices, although most nonetheless require applicants to have adverse coronavirus and antibody check outcomes or to fill out a declaration kind. Those coming to China for work, their family members and foreign relations of Chinese citizens or permanent residents who come to China for reunions and visiting are included. Our APAC immigration team can help in navigating the landscape and supply recommendations for journey planning. Embassies And Consulates Scheduling Software So make time to routinely take a breathe from your purchasers. Picktime permits you to create break blocks or off blocks in your calendar. Email and sms notifications are despatched to candidates after the reserving is made and proper before the interview as selected by your administration staff. Each group member must full theNonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) formand print the affirmation web page. Please do NOT add any group members / dependents before you've acquired an email saying your group request has acquired approval from the Embassy or Consulate. You will add the group members / dependents after you've obtained the email affirmation only. AllAfrica publishes around seven-hundred reviews a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other establishments and individuals, representing a range of positions on every topic. We publish information and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. This laptop system and data therein are property of the us government and supplied for official U.S. authorities data and use. There is not any expectation of privateness if you use this computer system. The use of a password or any other safety measure does not establish an expectation of privateness. With impact from 1 August 2020, the Chinese Visa Application Service Center at Seoul Square has cancelled the urgent service and continued to provide normal and categorical companies. It is advisable so that you can organize for a reasonable time to submit your utility or collect your visa at the Centre. Take the hassle out of scheduling appointments by allowing candidates to seamlessly book with you based mostly in your calendar availability. Create multiple service sorts and customize their settings. Digital Visa Update System Evus Regularly Asked Questions Canada and U.S. citizens might qualify for a a quantity of entry China tourist visa, legitimate for ten years. Previously, foreigners making use of or reapplying for residency needed to surrender their unique passport for a complete of five working days. New rules require 15 working days to process applications—three occasions the original period. According to Jones, this can put considerable pressure on executives who need to go away the country or journey inside China. Employers, interns, and third-party referrers all ought to pay consideration to the authorized dangers of those arrangements. And what’s the suitable visa for a short-term scholar or scholar? In Guangdong Province, a hotel should instantly report again to the public security bureau if a guest’s passport or visa expires. (Interim Provisions of Guandgong Province on Administration of and Services to Aliens, artwork. 14). Unless I learn my visa incorrect, it certain does state that the visa is legitimate for a year . Hope it may possibly allay some anxiousness of some could be guests nonetheless each case is completely different i guess. Am I eligible for a 5-year residence permit or permanent residence? A friend was told by the PSB in Shenzhen that you have to personal a home or firm to qualify for a 5-year residence allow. The new statute, State Council rules, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs discover don't address whether short-term college students may depart and re-enter China. So the university’s reference to new “regulations” doesn’t make sense to me. If you have concerns about the authorized advice your associate is receiving, you could need to get a second opinion. Another lawyer can review the file and interview your spouse then advise your partner about her choices. Could you please advise me whether it is still possible for me to legally get a visa? StanChart won’t take me in until i have a respectable visa. Secondly is extra for timing consideration, as I am wary of administrative procedures in China in general, and the lengthy time it can take. German Student Visa, Permit, And Necessities Updated For German visas are topic to numerous bureaucratic processes and can usually embody a visit to the German consulate in your home country. Provided you have totally researched every single doc you should have, it shouldn’t be too arduous, but one mistake can maintain up the entire process. Those from different states may nicely want to gain a visa so as to work, search for work or study in Germany. Those visiting for less than three months may have a tourist visa, although Germany has a visa-free settlement with sixty two countries. Portugal Golden Visa Learn all that you will need to know to use for your Portuguese Golden Visa. We reply all your questions and give you an easy-to-follow step-by-step information. Best Time To Travel If you might be planning your trip to Portugal, this in-depth guide will allow you to decide when is the best time to journey to Portugal. Best Places To Visit If you might be plan on visiting Portugal, this expert travel-guide will let you know more about those can't miss destinations. It is possible to reschedule your appointment, however we advise that you simply plan ahead of time in order that it's not needed. Print the affirmation web page that exhibits you could have efficiently completed Form DS-160 and take it to the interview. The J-1 visa has common necessities for all candidates, including demonstrating English proficiency and having appropriate medical insurance coverage. In addition, each program has particular standards that candidates should fulfill. Before beginning the process, make certain that you meet all the necessities. If you've visited the United States earlier than and there were criminal costs levied against you during your visit, otherwise you overstayed your visa for more than 180 days, your J-1 visa software will most probably be denied. See the I-901 FAQ for detailed data on the I-901 SEVIS charge. ICE identifies and apprehends removable noncitizens, detains these people and removes unlawful noncitizens from the United States. Get details about tips on how to verify in along with your local ICE Office right here. Before sharing sensitive information, ensure you’re on a federal government website.

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paperfiber7 · 2 years

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Chinese Embassies In No Less Than 20 Nations Announce Eased Visa Policy For Receivers Of Chinese Vaccines

Citizens of most international locations can enter and stay and not using a visa for up to ninety days. From 10 May 2021 to 10 June 2021, applicants can still use the prevailing physical paper application varieties. Starting from 10 June 2021, all candidates will have to submit their software types via the net utility system. For the time being, to be qualified for Embassy's newest discover as quoted in your e-mail, an applicant may get vaccinated legally from a third country where China-made Vaccine is officially permitted and adopted, and can be able to present official certificates of this successful Vaccination. Last month, the government introduced that international and Chinese vacationers coming from greater than two dozen nations must do two weeks of employer-supervised quarantine overseas earlier than they have been even allowed to fly to China. Then, after touchdown, they have been expected to spend two extra weeks at a government-managed quarantine facility. Travelers from these countries are required to take an on-arrival COVID-19 PCR check on the Singapore checkpoint. Once they have entered the nation, they're required to serve a seven-day SHN in either a suitable lodging or a spot of residence. It should be famous that there is no restriction for the work cross holder to work electronically through the period of the SHN. Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Tuesday the move is an exploratory motion that goals to facilitate journey primarily based on full consideration of the vaccines’ safety and efficacy, and it has no reference to vaccination mutual recognition. For vaccine recognition, Zhao mentioned yesterday that China is prepared to communicate with other international locations on mutual recognition and that overseas vaccine producers can apply to relevant Chinese authorities for approval. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries have closed off their borders and international travel has turn into a tough if not nearly unimaginable task. While there were talks about “travel bubbles”, such as that proposed between Hong Kong and Singapore, concrete plans have yet to return to fruition. That is, until most just lately, when the EU announced a model of its “vaccine passport”, underneath which those who can produce proof of vaccination with a quantity of recognised vaccine brands could travel free from quarantine obligations into continental Europe. Visa Software Info If you wouldn't have a U.S. level of contact, you might complete this query by answering “unknown.” If you've journey plans, but don't have a direct U.S. level of contact, you could enter the name of your resort or U.S. tour group level of contact within the “Name” area. Individuals with a valid EVUS enrollment can replace their EVUS type with a U.S. point of contact, present job or tackle data, without having to submit a brand new enrollment. However, travelers with new passports, visas, or those re-applying for EVUS might need to full a new enrollment. The Governments of the United States and China entered into an arrangement on a reciprocal foundation, to concern visitor visas with 10-year validity. Include your full name, tackle and phone number, not necessarily for publication. The holder has been decided on a time for exit, repatriation or deportation from China. Where, a foreigner can't be repatriated or deported immediately as a end result of weather, his or her health or other reasons, he or she shall be detained in a detention house or a spot of repatriation with related legal devices. A .gov website belongs to an official government group within the United States. One passport-sized picture – 2” x 2” will have to have been taken inside the last 6 months. High-tech enterprises, encouraged foreign-invested enterprises, overseas invested superior expertise enterprises, or foreign-invested product export enterprises. The decision to revoke passports and other entry-exit certificates or to declare them invalid shall be made by the unique issuing department or by its greater authorities. The municipal or county bureau of public safety shall, inside 30 days of receiving his/her exit utility; or inside 60 days for out-of-the-way and difficult-of-access locations, decide on approving or disapproving the applying, and notify the applicant about the decision. Chinese vacationers and business vacationers can get a visa for Turkey on-line and visit the country for as much as 30 days. To apply for the Z visa, the applicant shall, in accordance with relevant provisions, submit the work allow and different certification documents. Article 2 The State establishes a mechanism for coordinating the services and administration in respect of the entry and exit of foreigners, in order to improve the overall arrangement, coordination and cooperation on this subject. DHS may present travel authorization as a discretionary benefit of DED for eligible Hong Kong residents. You should file for advance parole if you want to travel outdoors of the United States temporarily. Customs and Border Protection to allow you to return to the United States throughout a specified interval. Momentary Intent This is normally a single entry visa to Thailand valid for ninety days. Like the tourist visa, you possibly can prolong your keep by doing a visa run going to the border or nearby city/country. Obtaining a work permit and opening a checking account is feasible. For British Overseas Territories citizens of Saint Helena, multiple entries and validity of 5 years. H visas are issued to temporary staff in the United States. From November 29, 2016, all holders of Chinese passports who also hold 10-year B visas are required to enroll within the Electronic Visa Update System earlier than touring to the United States. This requirement may be prolonged to other nationalities sooner or later. Nationals of countries within the Entry Permit Waiver Program might visit for as a lot as 30 days without an entry permit. However, if arriving by air, they need to apply online for an electronic authorization referred to as "OK to board" or "OK board", no less than forty eight hours before travel, offering a biometric passport and itinerary. They must also pay a fee of US$20, earlier than travel or on arrival. Would a consular office of a foreign county think about that you've got got a residence within the United States that you do not intend to abandon? Applicants from international locations suffering from financial issues or the place many individuals have remained in the us after finishing their program sometimes could have extra difficulties getting visas. These candidates usually tend to be requested about job opportunities at home after their examine within the United States. The consular officer needs to interview you, not your loved ones. Thus, you must solely convey family members who are applying for dependent visas with you to the interview. If you're a minor and wish your parents in case there are questions, for example, about funding, they want to wait in the ready room, and be available if the consular officer desires to speak with them. Visa Software Nevertheless, all non-Chinese vacationers who want to keep in Mainland China for longer than 24 hours, including visa-exempt citizens and Hong Kong and Macau SAR everlasting residents, must register with the local Public Security Bureau upon arrival. If you want your Chinese visa to be processed urgently, please inform embassy officials when submitting your application at an embassy. As long as there are cheap reasons, pressing processing will normally be granted, although it's necessary to pay a further fee. Regardless of the aim and period of their journey, the majority of foreign residents should obtain an permitted embassy visa from a Chinese diplomatic mission in their country of residence before they'll travel to the People’s Republic of China. Please browse the packing containers below for extra details about vacationer visa necessities for China for your nationality. It ought to be famous that residents of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan cannot instantly use their passports to enter mainland China for tourism. A notarial adoption certificate certifies the authenticity of the unique adoption certificate/adoption registration certificates; and that the photocopy of the certificate is in accordance with the unique. No S visa could additionally be issued without first acquiring the Department's authorization. In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV charge if she or he is participating in a State Department, USAID, or different federally funded instructional and cultural trade program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7). There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an change program sponsored by the United States Government. 3 Russia is included as a European nation here because the majority of its inhabitants (80%) lives in European Russia. Validity of visa starts from the date of issuance of visa. This website is utilizing a safety service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security answer. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed information. For these not making use of in their country of citizenship, a proof of authorized keep or residence standing is required. If your pc meets the minimal configuration necessities and you might be still having technical problems, then this might be a web browser or fireplace wall downside. China Visa Necessities For Us Citizens People visiting China for various functions like research, lectures, cultural interest, and other non-commercial functions qualify for this visa. The F visa was once generally recognized as the Chinese Business visa and accommodated a lot of activities. The visa period is between 30 and 90 days, with single and double-entry options out there. Non-Chinese citizens who want to enter the country for numerous reasons like health, schooling, tourism, conference, transit, etc. should obtain a Chinese visa. There is a provision for Citizens from seventy four international locations (including Canada, the U.S., Mexico, U.K., Japan, India, and other E.U. countries) to enter Macao with out making use of for a visa. Foreign spouses and minor children of ROC nationals holding dependent visas or visitor visa for visiting relations marked TS or OS and TC or OC . The Schengen visa is a shared entry permit that may allow you to enter any of the countries in the Schengen Area— there are presently 26 European member nations on this agreement. Electronic travel authorizations aren't precise visas and their objective is to easily maintain monitor of who enters and leaves a rustic. Because of this, it is unlikely that an utility will be rejected. You need a residence permit to settle in one other country for an extended period. Many countries have visa waiver agreements, which means they permit residents of a select few nations to enter visa-free for short journeys. Frequent guests to Taiwan from these nations also can obtain a quantity of entry visas with validity of two to 5 years. The visa exemption does not apply for holders of emergency or temporary passports, apart from citizens of Japan and the United States. Other visa exempt nationals holding such passports, nevertheless, would nonetheless have the ability to apply for a visa on arrival. Both flights must have no stopovers of any type within Mainland China previous to arrival or after departure on the port of entry, and the outbound flight's first stop or vacation spot must be in a unique country than the inbound flight's. Travels between U.S. territories and the contiguous U.S. are additionally ineligible for 72 or 144-hour TWOV, unless one of their flights has a stopover in a 3rd country or a SAR. The only exceptions to the rule are Hong Kong and Macau, that are thought of as separate nations in this context. 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#台胞證

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robininthelabyrinth · 3 years

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Delight in Misery (ao3) - part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5

- Chapter 6 -

It was strange, Lan Wangji reflected, to be in public again after so long an absence. Stranger still to be addressed by strangers, to be called the Second Jade of Lan, or Lan-er-gongzi –

He wished that they would use his personal title instead. It might reduce the awkwardness.

Though, he reflected, it was likely that nothing would really reduce the awkwardness inherent in the situation, for all its old nostalgic familiarity: his brother walking in the lead, he and his uncle one step behind him, the representatives of the Lan sect in all their glory, beauty, and righteousness.

Looking at their tranquil expressions and sedate pace, one would never know that Lan Qiren was still furiously angry at Lan Wangji for his decision to abandon his sect and family, now made several times over; that Lan Wangji had been shockingly disrespectful by Lan standards in his response; that Lan Xichen had ordered that neither of them were permitted to speak until they could behave civilly (he’d used the term “like human beings”) once again.

It had been a very quiet journey to Koi Tower.

Luckily, even once they arrived, their customary reserve meant that no one noticed the tensions between them – not even the normally astute Lianfeng-zun, who greeted them at the door, much less his father and brother, and certainly not Chifeng-zun, who was listening to another sect leader speak with the stiff and stern expression that, after several years of keeping company with Jiang Cheng, Lan Wangji now recognized as please stop talking to me.

(Lan Wangji briefly considered that he ought to suggest that Jiang Cheng spend more time with Chifeng-zun. They shared a history as young men who assumed control over their sects too soon as a result of the same enemy, and he knew Jiang Cheng highly esteemed Chifeng-zun – but then he rejected the idea as unnecessary and likely full of potential political pitfalls, especially given the Jiang sect’s role in the Jin sect’s current one-sided rivalry with the Nie sect.

As the Second Jade of Lan, he didn’t need to worry about political concerns, or at least not those beyond the basic premise of ‘don’t lose face for the sect’. His uncle and brother handled everything of that nature, just as they always had, holding up the sky for him and allowing him to focus on cultivation and his own interests, only he had been Jiang Cheng’s secret sounding board for too long now to fail to think of the potential problems anyway.

He found to his surprise that he missed it.)

Jiang Cheng would have noticed the tension, but he had yet to arrive – they had agreed that it would make everything easier if he would arrive to the gathering a little late, minimizing the amount of chatter they would need to endure about the two of them before the formal events began.

This would be Lan Wangji’s first discussion conference after having “left seclusion”, as people were calling it – his uncle with notably more sarcasm than usual – and the first test of his new public relationship with Jiang Cheng. They’d settled the public fight aspect with some degree of enjoyment, having a spar that extended throughout the rooftops and alleyways of the Lotus Pier, matching Bichen again Sandu and Wangji against Zidian, and the rumors had run wild ever since then. Finally, Jin Guangyao had intervened in his father’s name to “force” the compromise they’d all agreed upon: that Lan Sizhui would fall under Lan Wangji’s personal supervision, as was his right as the (assumed) father, but that he would remain at the Lotus Pier for most of the year to avoid a sudden and traumatic readjustment.

That this coincidentally would result in Lan Wangji spending most of his time at the Lotus Pier had largely passed unnoticed. Most people were far, far too busy gossiping about Lan Wangji’s mysterious Jiang sect wife, each one adding new salacious details atop the other. Some of the nonsense he’d heard…!

At least, he comforted himself, none of them would be rude enough to actually ask him about it directly.

“Lan-er-gongzi!” a voice called, and Lan Wangji would have stiffened if his back hadn’t already been straighter than a board. His uncle coughed and stroked his beard to conceal his expression of amusement – he probably thought that having to deal with Nie Huaisang, inveterate gossip and useless person extraordinaire, was exactly what Lan Wangji deserved.

He was probably right, too. Lan Wangji had brought this on his own head.

“Nie-gongzi,” he said, very reluctantly, as the Second Young Master of Qinghe Nie showed up with a feckless smile, promptly clutching at his arm and insisting that they go catch up and indulge in nostalgia about their shared school days.

Which ones, Lan Wangji wasn’t sure – Nie Huaisang had attended his uncle’s classes three times over before passing, and whether or not that final pass had been fairly earned or whether his uncle had simply yielded to his desire never to see Nie Huaisang’s face in his classroom ever again, Lan Wangji remained unsure.

Still, it suited him not to be forced to make nice with all those sect leaders pretending that they weren’t gawking at him, and so he permitted Nie Huaisang to drag him off to some unoccupied garden he had somehow managed to uncover, the other man chattering in his ear like a magpie the entire time.

“ – supposed I really should call you Hanguang-jun now, but that just seems so formal, though at least I remember it. I barely remember anyone’s title. Though now that my big brother’s sworn brotherhood with your big brother, I could probably just get away with calling you Wangji-gege –”

“No.”

“You’re so mean!” Nie Huaisang wailed. “Aren’t we old friends?”

“No.”

“Well, we’re close enough to count, anyway,” Nie Huaisang said. “Jiang Cheng’s my friend as well, you know; you can’t keep him to yourself just because you’re angry at your family! That’s just selfish. Aren’t there Lan sect rules against being selfish? I assume so, though I admit I’ve forgotten more of them than I’ve learned…don’t tell your uncle that, I’m afraid he’ll revoke my sympathy pass.”

Lan Wangji reflected briefly that it was good that Nie Huaisang was self-aware enough to recognize that the pass mark had likely been given out of sympathy rather than for merit, but then returned to the more critical point of what Nie Huaisang had said.

“Why do you think I’m angry at my family?” he asked. And what was that about Jiang Cheng?

It was critical that Sect Leader Jin, among others, not suspect that Lan Wangji and Jiang Cheng shared a closer relationship than apparent – even Jin Guangyao had agreed with that – and if they had been sussed out so quickly, and by Nie Huaisang…

Nie Huaisang rolled his eyes at him. “You may be an unreadable stone wall, my – er, acquaintance, but do you really think I can’t tell when your uncle is upset? Me, of all people?”

This was a good point.

“And if your uncle’s upset at you, again, of all people, and you haven’t apologized or made up to him yet, that means you’re the one that’s angry,” Nie Huaisang concluded. “And anyway, why else would you agree to stay for so long at the Lotus Pier if you weren’t angry? You and Jiang Cheng must drive each other up the walls.”

Lan Wangji relaxed minutely. That was a reasonable explanation.

A moment later, he tensed up again – he was abruptly convinced, albeit without any logical basis, that the explanation was too reasonable, meant to put him at ease, designed to allow him to move on with the conversation without thinking too much or questioning too deeply. No one else had put the facts together the way Nie Huaisang had, and, most notably, Nie Huaisang hadn’t yet asked a single question about Lan Sizhui, who was, without making an appearance, the main subject matter of the day.

But then, a moment after that, he relaxed again, somewhat unwillingly – this was Nie Huaisang, who’d been born useless, grown up useless, and remained useless. It was a little absurd to suspect him of having figured out something that had duped the entire rest of the cultivation world.

As Nie Huaisang said – of all people…

“What do you want?” he asked, shaking his head a little to try to clear it. It must be the oppressive atmosphere of Koi Tower, gilded and rotten, that was affecting his thoughts.

“What do I always want?” Nie Huaisang asked philosophically, and then helpfully answered his own question: “Attention.”

Lan Wangji was starting to remember why he’d avoided Nie Huaisang so thoroughly in their youth.

“I’m not telling you anything about Sizhui,” he said.

Nie Huaisang pouted at him. He was still clinging to Lan Wangji’s arm, and Lan Wangji wondered whether it would count as ‘losing the sect face’ if he threw him out a window.

(He wished Jiang Cheng were around so that he could mention the thought to him - he suspected it would make the other man turn purple with suppressed laughter, and probably get some sort of comment about it being the only sort of flying Nie Huaisang could manage, with or without a blade.)

“Fine,” Nie Huaisang said sulkily. “Turns out you’re still no fun, even after all these years. I’ll have you know, Jiang Cheng’s a lot nicer than you. He appreciates all the things I bring to the table.”

Lan Wangji seriously doubted it – unless perhaps if Nie Huaisang was speaking literally, referring to fine foods and liquor – but his mood improved a bit nonetheless at the compliment. Given the Jiang sect’s relatively isolated political position, with all the smaller sects looking at it hungrily, just waiting for it to trip up and give them a chance to snatch away the title of being the fourth Great Sect, it was only good that the second young master of Qinghe Nie had a positive impression of the ever-prickly Jiang Cheng.

“Oh, that reminds me,” Nie Huaisang said, and dug something out of his sleeve. “Give this back to er-ge for me, will you?”

Lan Wangji stared blankly. “His passage token for Koi Tower?”

He had planned to ask his brother later if he could borrow it – perhaps not that night, since it was the first day of the discussion conference and he suspected his brother would want to visit with his sworn brothers, but in the next day or two. That was the only reason he had agreed to go to Koi Tower at all, agreed to visit Lanling at all: so that he might try to steal away at some opportune moment to visit Mo Xuanyu unattended, before anyone noticed where he’d gone, and talk to him about the request for safe harbor that he had made of Jiang Cheng.

Lan Wangji had still been thinking over how he would phrase the request for the token without giving away his suspicions of the boy’s mistreatment, which his brother would likely take as a slight against Jin Guangyao even though it was fairly obvious to everyone that Sect Leader Jin was keeping Mo Xuanyu as a weapon against Jin Guangyao. He hadn’t yet managed to think of a way to do it.

And now – how had the token ended up here, in Nie Huaisang’s hands?

“Well, yes,” Nie Huaisang said. “I wanted to talk to you privately, without everyone eavesdropping, so I asked him for it. Da-ge never lets me use his, he says I’m a menace to both people and property, and for some reason san-ge never lets me take his. Probably because he’s always so busy all the time.”

That sounded – very much like all three of them, in fact. Nie Mingjue, bluntly refusing; Jin Guangyao, politely eliding; his brother, yielding in utter capitulation to the first bit of begging, confident enough in his own righteous reputation to not worry about the consequences…

An idea appeared in Lan Wangji’s mind.

It was not the sort of idea that might naturally come to a member of the Lan sect. Perhaps his uncle was right in saying that he’d been lingering at the Lotus Pier for too long.

“Nie-gongzi,” Lan Wangji said, looking at the token. “You are right.”

“I…what?” Nie Huaisang frowned. “Are you getting sick, Lan-er-gongzi? I’m never right.”

“I am angry at my family,” Lan Wangji continued, deciding to ignore him. He did not specify why he was angry – let Nie Huaisang assume, as everyone else assumed, that it was because they had not retrieved Lan Sizhui earlier, and for sticking him with the ‘compromise’ of having to stay at the Lotus Pier, no matter how far that was from the truth. “I have not had the opportunity to vent my feelings.”

Nie Huaisang blinked at him. “You…vent feelings?” he said, sounding doubtful, but a moment later he brightened, as Lan Wangji had expected he would. “We could play a prank on somebody! That always makes me feel better – something petty and ridiculous, so that they won’t get really angry, but still know that you’re upset.”

Lan Wangji nodded.

Nie Huaisang appeared somewhat dazed by his agreement. “We could do so many things,” he marveled. “I mean, the possibilities are countless. We could throw paint at something, we could put water on top of a door, we could…”

“I do not want to be publicly associated with it,” Lan Wangji said.

Nie Huaisang pouted, but tapped his fan against his cheek, thinking. “That makes things harder, but not impossible, I suppose…oh, I know! Why don’t we pretend that you’re your brother? You two look like peas in a pod, but for the color of your eyes and your expressions – if I’m hanging around and calling you er-ge and no one looks too closely, they would have no idea it was you involved.”

That was precisely the idea Lan Wangji had hit upon, and the one that he had hoped to lead Nie Huaisang towards suggesting. He had gotten to the point much quicker than Lan Wangji had thought he would; it seemed, useless as he might be, Nie Huaisang was still apparently capable of accepting at least some guidance.

(Unless perhaps...but no. It was Nie Huaisang.)

“This evening?” he suggested, and Nie Huaisang nodded.

“That’ll give me time to think of a proper prank,” he said happily. It was as if he’d never encountered a care in his life, Sunshot Campaign or no. “Don’t you worry, Wangji-gege! Leave it all to me!”

Lan Wangji returned to the main hall, the token tucked into his sleeve, and said nothing when his older brother smiled at him, faintly apologetic, nor when his uncle turned his face away from him. By that point, Jiang Cheng had arrived, scowling as usual, and he was mingling, speaking with the smaller sect leaders with a stiff and stern expression that said please don’t talk to me – Lan Wangji really would have to see about convincing him to invite Chifeng-zun to the Lotus Pier, politics or no politics – and he and Lan Wangji stared at each other briefly before turning away from each other, whispers sprouting up around them like grass.

Why must we put up with people? Jiang Cheng’s expression eloquently conveyed, and Lan Wangji didn’t disagree in the slightest. Life was so much easier in his little room back at the Lotus Pier, where he could shut the door and not let in the world – sometimes he wondered if all of this was really worth it.

Later that evening, he was reminded that it was.

Mo Xuanyu had been invited to the opening ceremonies, sitting in the main row with the important people of the Jin sect – directly beside Jin Guangyao, as if everyone didn’t know his purpose already – but he hadn’t spoken at all, keeping his face down and demeanor as withdrawn as possible. Sect Leader Jin had found an opportunity to praise him for his humility and obedience, and even Lan Wangji, who did not like Jin Guangyao, was indignant on the man’s behalf in the face of such obvious humiliation.

Etiquette dictated that no one could intervene in another man’s family affairs, but Chifeng-zun had rather loudly remarked to Lan Xichen – as if only just remembering – that it must be good to have his brother (subtext: notable for being humble and obedient) out of seclusion at last, inquiring as to whether Lan Wangji was planning on attending any night-hunts in the near future and, if so, whether he would be bringing his son, for whom he cared so deeply, along.

Lan Wangji was accustomed to being the other person’s child, held up as a positive comparison to the annoyance of the person being compared, and it took Jiang Cheng’s eyes crinkling with barely concealed laughter for him to realize that the person he was being compared favorably against this time was Jin Guangshan, absent father extraordinaire, and not poor Mo Xuanyu.

Later, when his brother slipped away to meet with his sworn brothers, as Lan Wangji expected, and Jiang Cheng was gone reluctantly to take Jin Ling to visit with his grandfather, Lan Wangji headed out with Nie Huaisang, who had come up with some prank involving feathers and glue that Lan Wangji wanted nothing to do with.

“But it would be funny,” Nie Huaisang argued.

Lan Wangji blamed Jiang Cheng for the fact that he even considered it.

“We can simply walk around in the guise we agreed,” he finally said, banishing that unhelpful part of him that loved chaos a little too much – the Wei Wuxian part, perhaps. “That will be confusing enough.”

“Oh, all right,” Nie Huaisang said. “But the feathers are hidden in the linen closet off the main guest hallway if you change your mind.”

With Nie Huaisang complaisant, it was easy enough to gradually make their way through Koi Tower, seeming to stroll without any apparent goal but in fact edging closer to Lan Wangji’s destination: the Jin family quarters.

“Wangji-gege – oops, I mean, er-ge,” Nie Huaisang said after he had exhausted at least three other pointless topics. “Why don’t you trust me?”

Lan Wangji looked at him, surprised by the question.

Nie Huaisang was pouting. “You clearly have a goal,” he said. “I know I’m not much, you know, but I’m not nothing. I could still help. If you wanted.”

Lan Wangji opened his mouth to refuse on instinct – the idea that Nie Huaisang could be helpful to him in any way seemed utterly absurd, utterly impossible – but then he paused.

Attempt the impossible, he reminded himself. After all, was it really so long ago that he himself had done what he had never dreamt he could do and chosen to leave his sect behind?

For a life at the Lotus Pier with Jiang Cheng, no less?

Maybe even Nie Huaisang could overturn expectations.

“I want to speak with Mo Xuanyu,” he finally said. “And, if he is unhappy, remove him from Koi Tower. Is that something in which you think you can assist me?”

Nie Huaisang blinked at him, just once – he did not appear nearly as surprised by the request as Lan Wangji thought he probably should be – and then smiled.

#mdzs #lan wangji #jiang cheng #nie huaisang #my fic #my fics #delight in misery

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aidanchaser · 3 years

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Everyone Lives

Table of Contents beta’d by @ageofzero, @magic713m, @ccboomer, @aubsenroute, @somebodyswatson

Chapter Twelve The Wandless Witch

Lily gingerly turned the page of the charred book in her lap. Regulus had salvaged the book from the library, and had suggested that it might be intriguing to her. Judging by the tight, old-fashioned script, the book must have been as old as Hogwarts. Deciphering it in the early morning light was a challenge, but the content was well worth the effort.

The title, no longer legible on the blackened cover but neatly scripted above the table of contents, read, The Sigilic and Somatic Secrets of Sorcery. Lily had never heard the word somatic before, but after a few days decoding the book, she understood that it meant something to do with hand movements for spell casting. It had been strangely thoughtful of Regulus to give the book to her, damaged and ancient as it was.

Ever since the duel at the Diggorys’ had cost her her wand, she had been working hard to use magic without one. Her memory of the Chamber of Secrets was ever-present these days. She had failed to protect Harry then, had been helpless against the diary and the basilisk without her wand. She would never let herself be that helpless again.

Lily set the book down on the tea table and focused on the pocket watch resting beside it. Locomotion Charms had always come easily to her, so it was what she had decided to start with. She bit down on her lip and focused, stretching out her hand and her mind to the watch, willing with all her might for the watch to fly into her hand.

But focus was so hard to come by, especially here in the parlour. Her mind was stretched across too many fears and too many worries. There was Harry and James, Remus and Sirius, Tonks and Picksie, Regulus and Petunia, and the Weasleys and the Prewetts and the Longbottoms and, and, and…

With a long, tired sigh, Lily picked up the pocketwatch.

The face of James’ watch was almost entirely red, with only the tiniest golden crescent on its edge, representing the last vestiges of the waning moon. The golden numerals illuminated against the bloodred backdrop showed that it was hardly past noon, and James had told her she was not allowed to panic until three.

She hated waiting. She had hated it in the first war, both waiting to be grown up enough to fight and then having to hide away from it all. Now here she was, waiting again, for James to come home and for Harry to confide in her.

At least Harry had not left Grimmauld Place yet. There was some small comfort in that.

Sirius had been by a few times, but he spent most of his time with the Tonks. In the last month, the Order had settled into something fairly stable, at least when compared to any point since Dumbledore’s death. Moody and the Diggorys were tucked away with Arabella Figg, who had a lot more room in her home since the Ministry had seized her Kneazles and revoked her breeding permit. Lily, James, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Regulus were more or less stuck in Grimmauld Place, though James and Regulus slipped out for information, using their Animagus forms when they could. Harry had offered James the Cloak, but James had refused. He had said that Apparating onto the top step was challenging enough and he didn’t want to worry about keeping the Cloak over him each time he did it.

Lily had left exactly twice, both times to check on her sister. Hestia Jones was employed as Vernon’s new secretary, so that he could still go to work and have someone watching him. Picksie and Emmeline stayed at the safehouse with Petunia and Dudley, and discussions about how to get Dudley back to school safely were growing more tense by the day.

“I thought you’d have this wrapped in a week,” Petunia had sniffed last time she was there.

“James and I spent nearly two years on the run last time.” Lily tried so hard to be patient, but she had lost patience for her sister many years ago. “It’s not like I can just wave a wand and make it all go away.”

“I still don’t understand why you can’t just do magic.”

“That’s not how magic works —”

“I mean why you can’t do magic at all. I see that — what did you say she is? An elf? — She does magic all the time. She certainly doesn’t use a wand. Must be nice to wave your hand and have the dishes clean and the beds made.”

“Elf-magic is different,” Lily had protested, but with far less energy than her earlier arguments.

Lily had bought that wand at eleven years old. Petunia had come along for that trip to Diagon Alley — her first and last trip. The Evans family had walked into Ollivander’s shop, eyes wide at the stacks of boxes lining the walls from floor to ceiling.

“I suppose we just pick one out?” her father had asked and reached for one of the boxes.

“Don’t, dear, you’ll knock them all over,” her mother had warned.

A cough had startled them, and when they had turned around, a wizened old man had limped out from the back of the shop.

“Welcome, welcome!” he had said, and surveyed each of them. “Now, which of you lovely ladies will be chosen by a wand today?”

Lily dabbed at the corner of her eye as tears welled up alongside the memory and reached for the old, damaged book. She remembered how dismissive they had all been with Remus when he had lost his wand a few years ago, and she regretted that attitude now.

Of course, were Ollivander’s shop still an option, she would have replaced her wand without hesitation. It hurt to lose the wand she had carried since childhood, but it was more painful to be utterly useless in a war that her husband and son continued to fight in. Still, she could have had more patience with Remus. It seemed that Lily was always having to learn patience, from the time she had fallen down the stairs before she could quite walk, just to keep up with Petunia, to nearly forty years later, sitting in this ancient house, waiting for James to come home.

The light in the parlour continued to shift east as Lily pored over the ancient text, read theories on how blood might channel magic as easily as a wand. It was full of pureblood drivel, which she supposed should not surprise her from a text in the Black family library, but if she could read past that, she might find what she needed to hone her wandless casting.

Despite her intense focus, the sound of a chain rattling in the doorway broke Lily’s concentration. She abandoned the book and watch and hurried down the stairs. She reached the entryway just in time to hear James murmur, “I didn’t kill you,” and the ghostly figure of Dumbledore dissolved into nothingness.

She threw her arms around him and kissed him.

“Morning, Lils,” he murmured into her cheek and kissed her back. His unshaven face was scratchy, but she didn’t complain. She was just glad to have him.

“You made it past the crowd outside.”

He grunted. “There’s about six or seven out there. Surprised they didn’t bring You-Know-Who himself. I mean, what do they expect? We’re just going to take Harry down to King’s Cross like everything’s normal? Like they aren’t out for our blood?”

“Maybe they think we don’t read the paper.”

“I wish we didn’t have to.”

Lily looked down at the rolled up paper in his hands. These days, the Daily Prophet told them at least as much as they learned from the Order, even if they had to read between the lines to understand it.

“I’m afraid to ask how things can get worse than suggesting that Harry is a murderer and rounding up Muggle-borns for questioning.”

“I don’t know if it’s worse, but…”

James waited until they were settled in the parlour to show her the front page. Lily had hardly sat down when she shot to her feet.

“Snape?” she spluttered. “How? Where’s McGonagall —”

“It certainly puts the mandatory Hogwarts attendance policy in a new light,” James said. “And the Carrows have been named as professors for Muggle Studies and Defense.”

Lily paced the parlour, unsure what to do with the rage burning in her. A Death Eater, in charge of Muggle Studies? What were the students going to learn? And what would happen to the Muggle-born students? She wondered if they would simply be separated from the others, or sent off to Azkaban.

Lightning danced between Lily’s fingertips and she itched for something to do with her hands, something to hold onto. She itched for her wand.

James leaned back into the sofa and watched her pace. His steady gaze only added to her anger.

“How can you be so calm about this?” she spluttered.

“I’m not calm,” he said evenly, “I’m absolutely furious. I keep picturing Snape sitting in the Headmaster’s office, with Dumbledore’s portrait behind him.” James paused, and she watched his fingers tap against the arm of the sofa before following the familiar path through his hair. “There’s nothing we can do, Lily. We can’t take over Hogwarts anymore than we can take over the Ministry.”

“Why not?” she snapped, fully aware of how foolish a question it was. “Why can’t we just take the Ministry back? I’ll depose Thicknesse the way I did Lockhart and Umbridge.”

She wasn’t exactly joking, but James smiled.

“Sirius asked me the same thing.”

Lily paused, her anger momentarily tempered by concern for their friends. James took advantage of her hesitation and gestured for her to sit down beside him.

She went, both willingly and reluctantly. He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her against him. She could hear his heartbeat, pounding as quickly as hers.

“How is Sirius?” she asked, though saying anything that did not address her anger felt reaching down her throat to pull rocks from her stomach.

James ran a hand through his hair again and glanced out the parlour window. “Alive.” His adam’s apple bobbed and she imagined he was reining in his anger as much as she was trying to rein in hers.

“Has he done something to upset you?”

“No, not Sirius.” He bit down on his thumb. “I think you and I should visit Remus this week.”

Lily frowned. “We’ve talked about this. It isn’t safe. The Ministry is watching them, hoping Ted will come home. If they catch sight of me or Harry —”

“Remus isn’t with Tonks and Andromeda.”

“Where is he?”

“Sirius thinks he’s back with Frank and Alice, which would make sense. They have the largest space, probably are under the least suspicion, and there’s no reason for the Muggle-born Registration Commission to stop by.”

“Certainly an easier place for us to drop by,” Lily said. “But if Remus didn’t feel safe with Andromeda and Tonks, why not come here? Why not stay with us?”

James hesitated, and the way he would not look at Lily made her nervous.

“Tonks is pregnant.”

As it so often was, Lily’s first response was anger. It flared in her chest, hot and heavy. She struggled to douse it, struggled to remind herself how just an hour ago she had tasked herself with being more patient, especially with Remus. She decided that, for the moment, the best thing to do was to focus on Tonks.

“How far along?”

“In Sirius’ unprofessional, self-taught opinion? About ten weeks.”

She evaluated her anger and attempted to at least keep it out of her voice, even if she couldn’t banish it entirely. “How long has Remus known?

“He found out after the wedding. I think that the day Ted left was the day Tonks told everyone, more or less. But I’m getting all of this second hand through Sirius, and you know how dramatic he can be.”

“And we’re only just finding this out because…?”

James shrugged. “Because Sirius didn’t want us to worry? Because he hoped Remus would come to us? I didn’t ask.”

Lily was unable to hold her anger in any longer. “What is Remus thinking? Surely he remembers what it was like for us with Harry! How could he think that Tonks —”

“I don’t think he does remember,” James said, so softly that she almost missed it. “He wasn’t really there for most of it. It was Sirius and Peter who saw us most. We saw him for the New Year and… that was it.”

“So you’re defending him?”

James looked at her, and she could read quite plainly that he didn’t appreciate the jab. And in his defence, it wasn’t a fair one. Of course he understood her anger. He always did.

“He’s scared,” he said, “and I want him to know he isn’t alone. That we’ve been through this before. I think we can help.”

Lily bit down on her lip and looked down at her hands. She tried, desperately, to set aside her anger. She had never understood how James could appear so calm, even in his anger. He said it came from his mother’s etiquette lessons and from hours spent with old ladies at garden parties. Sirius had once said it was because James’ temper was a glacier, cold and smooth on its surface, but hard and unforgiving underneath.

Lily tightened her fingers in his and squeezed, as if she might take some of his coldness to abate her own fires. She needed a bit of his patience.

Last summer, she had lost her temper on Remus, and had accused him of avoiding Tonks because he was a werewolf. She had claimed to understand his fears because she was Muggle-born. And it was true that there were times she and Remus understood one another, times they both knew what it was to be an outcast. But there were also times that she had no idea what he was going through. She might brew a potion for him monthly, and she might help with his burden, but she could never bear it for him, and would never truly know what he went through.

“I know you care about him, James,” she said, “so please trust that I say this with love, not anger, but I think Remus is alone in this.”

He pulled his hand away and got to his feet. It was perhaps a harsher rejection than shouting might have been. “How can you say that? We know what it’s like —”

“We don’t, James. We’ll never know what it’s like to be Remus. We will never live with fear the way he does. I don’t know that we can help him with this.”

James shook his head. “Remus is family, Lily. He doesn’t get to do this alone.”

“When Remus is ready to talk to us, he will.”

“He’s too stubborn for that.” He ran his hands through his hair and let out a slow, deep breath. “Do you remember why we only saw Remus a few times during the first war?”

“He was doing missions for Dumbledore. We were on the run. He and Sirius weren’t speaking. It was an unfortunate constellation, but there was nothing we could do about it.”

“But this time we could do something about it.”

Lily picked at the hem of her skirt, rearranging it and flattening it unnecessarily. But it was easier to look at her skirt than to look at James. “Do you remember what I said to you last time, when you asked why we couldn’t spend more time with Remus?”

James was quiet. She wondered if it was stubborn anger or reluctant acceptance. She risked a glance at him, but his hard face didn’t give her any clues.

The door creaked, startling Lily. She searched her pocket instinctively for her wand before remembering she no longer carried one.

Though James, too, reached for his wand, neither of them needed it. It was only Harry who pushed the door open.

His dark hair was tousled and his eyes tired, but he smiled at them. “Dad, I thought you were out for the Order today.”

“Just for the morning,” James said. “You have me for the rest of the day.”

“Oh — that’s perfect then.” Harry glanced between them. “Er — is everything alright?”

There was only the briefest hesitation. “Of course,” James smiled, “well, except for what’s in The Prophet but that’s never good news.”

Harry eyed the paper on the tea table. “Is that Snape on the front page? I expect he hasn’t been arrested, or the two of you wouldn’t look so murderous.”

James looked to Lily, as if he were asking her permission to share their conversation, or perhaps he was asking her to do it for him.

“Why don’t we all take lunch together,” Lily suggested. “Bad news goes down better with food.”

“Yeah,” Harry said, eyes still on the paper. “Ron, Hermione, and I have something to share with you, too.”

Lily’s eyebrows shot up and her heart leapt, too. She was afraid to hope, but hope came anyway.

“Food sounds excellent,” James said. “I’ve been out since before the sun and would love a bite to eat.”

“I’ll find Regulus,” said Lily. “I’m sure he’ll want to hear our news, too.”

The current residents of Grimmauld Place reconvened in the kitchen beneath the house. It was cooler down here, which made it the most popular room in the house — or it had been, before Hermione’s library had taken over the table.

She had stacked up several of her rune dictionaries to make space for food. Rolls of parchment were piled on one side, along with a quill and ink. Lily cast a cursory glance over the notes, but she didn’t glean anything unusual in them, nor any clues about what Harry wanted to share with her and James.

While James helped Kreacher in the kitchen, Lily gave everyone the good news of Tonks’ pregnancy and the bad news of Snape’s promotion.

As Ron and Harry protested, Hermione snatched the paper from Lily. Her lips trembled as she read.

“They won’t stand for this,” Ron said. “McGonagall and Flitwick and Sprout — they were all there with us. There’s no way they’ll accept Snape as —”

Hermione shot to her feet. “I’ll be right back.” And she disappeared upstairs. Ron watched her go with raised eyebrows.

Harry pulled the article towards him. “The Carrows?” Their name dripped from his mouth like poison.

“Who’re they?” Ron asked.

“They were there when Snape killed Dumbledore,” Harry said through gritted teeth. “They’re teaching Defense and Muggle Studies? How could anyone let this happen?”

“No one let it happen, Harry.” Lily hoped her words were comforting.

“No,” Regulus said, “someone certainly did. Every time someone let a comment about Muggle-borns go unchecked, even the harmless ones, they let this happen. Every time someone was allowed to separate and divide, to ignore truth, they let this happen.”

His words hung in the air as thickly as the smell of cooking sausage, and Lily didn’t quite know what to say. All of them, even her, must have let a comment slide once or twice. Ignored for pride, or to keep peace. Regulus, with his background, was likely the worst offender of them all.

Hermione broke the uncomfortable silence by running in, out of breath, and lugging a portrait half her size.

Regulus got to his feet. “What are you doing?”

Hermione pulled her beaded bag off the table and put it on the floor. With some difficulty, she placed the corner of the empty painting inside the bag and began to push. “I had only just remembered,” she said. And though it took some doing, the painting disappeared into her bag.

“Phineas Nigellus,” she explained. “He was a Headmaster at Hogwarts, and Snape could use him to spy on us. But let him try it now and all he’ll get is the inside of my handbag.” She sat back down at the table with a rather smug smile on her face.

Regulus stared at her with an open mouth. Finally, he said, “Surely a curtain would have sufficed.”

“He’d still be able to hear us.”

“But — you can’t just take the portrait —”

“I’ll return it when Snape’s no longer Headmaster.”

Regulus glanced around the table, and perhaps sensed he had no support in this fight. He sank back into his seat and looked down at his lap. Lily thought he looked rather like a sulking toddler.

“What did you want to tell us, Harry?” James asked, as he and Kreacher set out plates.

Lily was glad that he asked. She had been restraining her curiosity, afraid her eagerness might make Harry change his mind.

Harry and Hermione exchanged a look.

“I still think it’s a bad idea,” Hermione said. “He’ll be expecting us to go there!”

“That’s why we’re inviting them,” said Ron.

“Inviting us where?” Lily asked.

“We think —” Harry started, and Hermione coughed. Harry rolled his eyes. “I think it would be a good idea to visit Godric’s Hollow.”

Lily frowned. “Whatever for?”

“Dumbledore grew up there. And it’s the place I first defeated — well, Peter did, I mean, but he thinks it was me — and I think there might be something important there.”

James raised an eyebrow. “You think You-Know-Who left something in Godric’s Hollow.”

“Maybe. Or Dumbledore did.”

Lily pursed her lips. “But you won’t tell us what you’re looking for.”

“I don’t even want to tell you that we’re going,” Harry said, “but Hermione thinks it would be better if we had the Order with us.”

“I think it would be best not to go at all,” Hermione corrected. “I think You-Know-Who is waiting for us to show up there and it’s dangerous, but I’ve been outvoted.”

“You’ve agreed to a compromise,” Ron said. “The compromise is we bring backup.”

Lily looked over the three of them in search of any clues about the quest they had been handed. It hurt that it had not been Harry’s idea to involve her and James, but she was grateful for the chance to protect him.

“When did you want to go?” James asked.

“Tomorrow,” said Harry. “The sooner we go, the less time the Death Eaters have to prepare, if it is somewhere that they expect us to explore.”

James stared down at his breakfast, and Lily knew that he was thinking of Remus. She reached over and squeezed his hand.

Years ago, when Harry was only days old, James had asked why they couldn’t make the brief outing to see Remus.

“I’m worried about him,” James had whispered, afraid to wake the baby in his arms.

“Remus is an adult,” Lily had whispered back. “He can take care of himself. Harry’s the one who needs us. Harry comes first.”

Now, Harry was an adult, but he still needed them. And as long as Harry needed them, for however much longer that might be, Harry would come first.

“Of course we’ll go with you, Harry,” said James. “I wish you’d tell us a bit more about what we’re expecting to find.”

“I wish we knew a bit more about what we’re supposed to find,” Ron snorted.

“I still think this plan is foolish and unnecessary,” Regulus said. “But I have given you my opinion on where you should be looking, and I will not repeat it.”

“But you’ll come with us,” Harry said.

Regulus looked down at the Daily Prophet and avoided Harry’s gaze. “I think I would be better served pursuing other avenues,” Regulus said. “You are not the only one who was given a task to do.”

“We would appreciate the backup,” Lily said, as James, simultaneously said, “We can take Remus instead.”

Lily took a moment to weigh her anger against her compassion. She had vowed to be more patient, after all. “If Remus will come,” she said, “I know I’d be glad to have him.”

“Remus would be good back up,” Harry said, and turned to Regulus, “but that doesn’t mean you can’t come, too.”

Regulus folded up the newspaper and got to his feet. “I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to join you. Thank you for the news.”

As soon as Regulus had gone, Ron shook his head. “Why does he do that?”

“He’s always been like this,” James said. “I suppose when you grow up with Sirius, you learn very quickly to choose your battles carefully, and that the easiest thing is to walk away before an argument even starts.”

Lily did not understand why Harry leaned so heavily on Regulus, who seemed no more supportive than a two-legged stool, yet refused to lean on her and James. But she held her tongue. Lashing out at Harry would not work — had not worked. She drummed her fingers against the table. “If the five of us are going to —”

“Six,” James corrected.

She sighed. “— Six if Remus comes — are going to leave here tomorrow, we’ll need to be very well prepared.”

“Harry should be under the Cloak,” James said. “If we’re discovered, you’ll be protected.”

Harry shook his head. “I won’t run —”

“You’re no good to us or the Order dead.” James’ voice was firm and unflinching, though Lily’s stomach twisted at his words. “If we’re caught, you run. You can always arrange an Azkaban breakout later.”

Harry glared at James, but Lily did not think that Harry could win this fight. She remembered being seventeen, facing down a war and swearing to die beside her friends. She had not been much older than Harry was now when she had stood between Voldemort and Harry’s cradle. She had nearly died to protect Harry. And then what would have happened? Voldemort would have killed her, only to kill Harry?

A wave of sorrow crashed over her for a brief moment, as she realised how unfair it was for Harry to live the very life she and James had fought to protect him from. She took in a deep breath to steel herself.

“It’s a hard lesson to learn, Harry,” she said, “but sometimes you need to run.”

“You should be under the Cloak,” he said. “You don’t even have a wand.”

It was so tempting to rise to Harry’s temper. She swallowed down her frustration, reminded herself of the many, many times she had admonished Sirius for meeting Harry’s anger with anger.

“I’ll be fine without one,” she said, in as even a tone as she could manage. “You’re the one they want, and we’ll all be safer if they don’t know you’re with us.”

Harry’s fierce glare shifted between her and James.

“Fine,” Harry snapped. “I’ll wear the Cloak.”

It was a small concession. It wasn’t everything Lily wanted. It wasn’t secrets and answers, but it was something. It was a promise that Harry would do his best to stay safe. It was a promise that Harry would live.

“We’ll leave at dawn, then,” said James. “I’ll get word to Frank and Alice to expect us shortly before that. You can all be ready to leave as soon as I get back with Remus?”

Hermione, Ron, and Harry all nodded.

“I’m coming with you,” Lily said.

She could see in his eyes that he wanted to protest, but she returned his stubborn gaze. She was not going to sit here and hide. She was tired of waiting. Besides, he was the one who had said they should both talk with Remus.

James’ shoulders slumped. “Fine.”

Hermione packed her books and parchment back into her bag while Harry and Ron did the dishes. The house was quiet, a sort of quiet Lily remembered from the first war, a familiar calm before the storm.

Despite the quiet, she did not feel especially well-rested when she and James stepped out of Grimmauld Place in the dark hours of the morning. She surveyed the park across the street and the few streetlamps illuminating the walkways.

“How many do you think are out there?” she whispered as he took her hand.

James followed her gaze and grimaced. “Hopefully less than half of what there was this morning. And hopefully less where we’re going.” He squeezed her hand. “We’ll have to be quick when we arrive. Are you ready?”

She nodded and together, they Disapparated.

The magic pulled on her body, collapsing her into James and unfolding her in a single breath. Her feet hit the ground and she had hardly gotten her bearings when James hurriedly pushed her inside a large iron gate then down near the attached wall. She crouched low against the stone as footsteps pounded up the path behind them.

“I heard someone Apparate!” a voice shouted.

Lily held her breath and wished her heart would stop pounding. She was afraid it would give her away.

“There’s nothing here,” someone else said.

A light swept over the pathway, inches from James’ feet. She couldn’t exactly fault him for being unable to draw his ungainly legs up against the brick as tightly as she had drawn hers, but if his tall form was going to be the thing that got them into a duel tonight, she might have some words for her younger self and her fixation on lanky men.

“The gate’s still shut,” the second one said. The light swept away from the house and their hiding place. “Maybe they ran off that way.”

James and Lily listened as the footsteps faded away. They waited until the night was silent once more to even breathe.

James stood and pulled Lily to her feet.

“How did we get in without opening the gate?” she whispered.

“Alice Transfigured a couple of the bars to be flexible,” James replied, voice barely audible.

James Muffled their footsteps as they walked the rest of the way up to the house. Instead of approaching the large red doors, however, James led Lily along the side of the house to a back entrance. He knocked twice, paused and knocked a third time.

Lily did not even have time to register who opened the door when she was yanked inside and drawn into a hug.

“Oh!” Alice squealed, high-pitched but restrained, as she squeezed Lily. “I’m so glad you’re alright.”

Lily smiled and hugged her back. “It’s good to see you, too.” Though she couldn’t see much; it was as dark inside as it was outside.

“Is Frank here?” James asked.

“He should be home soon. He took a late shift so he could see Neville off to Hogwarts yesterday.”

Lily may not have been able to see the worry on Alice’s face, but she could hear it plainly. “You let him go?” she asked.

“Neville was rather insistent, especially when he saw the paper.” Alice took Lily’s hand and pulled her through the dark room and down a corridor where there was at least light coming from a sitting room, though Alice did not take them into the room. “He said he wouldn’t let us risk our positions at the Ministry. Said we were too valuable to the Order. He’s a good one. I don’t think Frank and I deserve him.”

“Neville will be alright,” James assured her.

“Of course he will,” Alice said. “He’s my son, after all.”

Even in the dim light, the pride etched into Alice’s sadness was clear. Lily wondered if Neville knew just how much his parents adored him.

“Remus is upstairs,” Alice said. “I’d keep your wands dim as you go up, though. The last thing we need is to give the Ministry an excuse to search us.”

Lily imagined an unexplained light sweeping over a curtain was the exact sort of excuse the Ministry could use to barge into the Longbottoms’ home. At least the Longbottoms had some pretext of protection.

She clung to James’ hand, trusting him to guide her through the dark, and trailed her other hand along the wall until they reached the entryway to the Longbottoms’ home and the grand staircase that led up.

“I assume you know where we’re going?” she whispered.

James didn’t answer, or he nodded and she didn’t see it in the darkness, but he did lead her upstairs, to the right, and down another corridor. James knocked softly on the door.

It creaked open and Remus’ voice, full of bitter and melancholy, greeted them. “Alice mentioned you were coming by.”

Lily swallowed down a sarcastic, “Good to see you, too,” and followed James inside without comment. She heard the rustle of curtains, then a small light, no brighter than a match, appeared in the center of the room. It was dim, but after so long in pure darkness, Lily had to blink to adjust to it.

In the low light, Lily could make out the scant furniture of Remus’ room: the shadow of a bed and a bedside table, a heavy curtain pulled closed over the window, and the tall dark shape of a wardrobe. Next to the wardrobe, Remus’ trunk sat open, its contents spilling out of it in messy piles.

James took a seat on the floor by the wardrobe and Lily slipped into the space between him and the trunk. There was something about the darkness, the small room, and the secrecy that reminded her of being teenagers again, sneaking around behind professors and prefects, but this time the fear of being caught did not provide excitement like it had then. This time the fear was overwhelming.

As Remus joined them on the floor, the light lowered until it, too, rested on the rug.

After a moment where no one spoke, Remus said, “I know what you’re here to say, so say it and go.”

Lily bit down on her tongue. She wanted nothing more than to tell Remus how of course she wanted to be with Harry, how she had tried to talk James out of this visit because Harry came first, and that Remus ought to take a page out of their book and show the same devotion to his own child, but she didn’t. She took in a deep breath and decided to let James do most of the talking.

But James hesitated, almost as if he had been relying on Lily’s temper to start the conversation. When she didn’t start, he said, “I guess if you know what we’re going to say, we don’t need to say it. So why don’t you tell us why you’re here.”

Remus kept his eyes on the closed curtains, almost like he was watching for light or movement. But the moon was dark tonight. The low light in the room cast harsh shadows across his face, and his scars stood out in sharp relief, shimmering silver lines across his nose.

When Remus finally spoke, his voice was faint and raw. “You were there, at the World Cup. You were there in Azkaban. You’ve witnessed hundreds of transformations. You’ve had at least a glimpse of what it’s like. You tell me what I deserve, for giving that life to someone else.”

Lily’s temper flared, hot and bright. She bit down on her tongue and steeled herself against it. She turned her words over in her head, tumbled the rocks of her anger in the waves of her compassion until their edges were smooth, until she was certain that she could speak without sharpness.

Finally, she said, “No one deserves to be a parent. No one deserves the power to give life so freely, to have such control over another human being. None of us are perfect, and we will inevitably pass our flaws on no matter how hard we try to instill our graces. I also know that it isn’t an easy job to do alone. When you proposed to Tonks —”

“I didn’t.” Remus ran a hand over his face. “She asked me because she knew she was pregnant. She didn’t even want to get married, she never wanted any of this…”

“You know that isn’t true.” Though James’ words were soft, his tone was firm. “We’ve all agreed that Tonks is pack now. She’s family.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out two small gold rings. He slid them across the floor and to Remus.

“Before your dad arrived and ruined our plan, Sirius had me make these. The inscription was his idea, though I did the Charm work myself. I never was as good as you at getting the Call-And-Response Charm to work, so it’s a bit simpler than your handiwork on the map.”

Remus looked down at the golden rings. They were nothing but plain bands, with no indication of magic or intrigue.

“What’s the incantation?” Remus asked.

“You’ll figure it out,” James said.

Lily took in a deep breath and tried to mimic James’ gentleness. “You said that James has had a glimpse at what things are like for you. If your child is like you, don’t you want them raised by someone who knows what they’re going through? Don’t you want to make sure that they don’t have to feel alone?”

“She has a point,” said James. “You can’t expect your kid will get lucky enough to find school mates willing to break Wizarding law just to turn themselves into Animagi out of sheer arrogance.”

If it was supposed to make Remus laugh, it didn’t work. If it was supposed to make him cry, James came very close. His lips trembled and he pressed them into a firm line. He blinked a few times and managed to compose himself before the tears could quite fall. Lily couldn’t help feeling a little jealous of how even his voice sounded when he spoke again.

“You don’t think I made the wrong choice, choosing Tonks?”

Lily did not know how to answer. She looked at James, who kept a steady gaze on his hands as he twisted his wedding band around his finger.

“You know I can’t answer that for you,” he finally said. “No one can. But if you’re that worried about it, talk to her. Talk to both of them. Don’t shut yourself away like this. We’re family, Remus, all of us.”

The silence in the wake of James’ words was heavy, but Lily hoped it was a good sort of heavy. She was proud of herself for not losing her temper, and proud of James for listening to Remus, rather than pushing for solutions — a flaw she and James both struggled with, especially when dealing with Remus and Sirius, who more often than not just needed to be heard.

When it was clear that Remus had nothing more to say, Lily decided it was appropriate to change the subject, and she recounted Harry’s request to Remus.

The melancholy on Remus’ face faded slowly as she spoke, giving way to worry and confusion. “Why Godric’s Hollow?” he asked.

“He said Dumbledore’s left something there,” James said, “or You-Know-Who has. They aren’t entirely sure, and wouldn’t say more, but they’re involving us, so that’s progress.”

Remus rubbed his jaw and stared down at the small light between them. “You haven’t any idea what they’re looking for?”

“None.” James ran a hand through his hair. “I still don’t know why Dumbledore would keep anything from us… or Harry, either.”

There was pain in his voice, so disparate from the bitterness that Lily felt towards Dumbledore. She took his hand and squeezed it. She was angry with Dumbledore for this secret, and angry with Harry for choosing to keep it. James, however, was hurt, more than she truly understood.

“I suppose it’s possible there’s some clue left behind in the wreckage,” Remus murmured. “Didn’t the Ministry scour it pretty thoroughly?”

“I couldn’t care less what the Ministry has or hasn’t done,” Lily snapped, grateful to have an appropriate outlet for her anger. “Besides, I’m sure Harry, Ron and Hermione know to look for something the Ministry doesn’t.”

“You’ll come with us, won’t you?” James asked.

Remus nodded, though his gaze was still distant, still puzzling over the plan. Perhaps James was right to invite Remus, to give him something to do other than wallow in misery and self-loathing. Maybe this was the best way to nudge Remus back to his friends. Certainly it would be more effective than a sanctimonious outburst from her.

Lily stood. “We’ll let you get together what you need, then.”

She and James left Remus to gather what little he had, but before the door closed, blocking out all light, Lily caught sight of James’ small smile. It was the same fond smile he had given her during an Herbology class in their sixth year, when she had excitedly announced that her Flitterby bush was blooming. It was the smile that had finally convinced her that she was officially in love, though it would take her a few more months to admit it to anyone else. It was full of pride and love, the sort of smile Lily wanted nothing more than to kiss.

So she did.

He laughed softly as her mouth touched his, and he broke the kiss but pressed his forehead against hers. “Thank you,” he whispered, “not just for being patient with Remus but for understanding why I needed to bring him with us.”

“I imagine Sirius already did most of the scolding,” she said. “I was happy to just listen.”

This time he kissed her, and laughed too.

When Remus was ready — he did not have much in the way of things to pack — they whispered good-byes to Alice.

They left by the door they had come through and crept around the house with muffled footsteps. It was difficult to see with no moon to light their way; they had only the faintest grey on the eastern horizon and the occasional light of a fairy drifting from one bush to another to mark the path.

They stopped as they reached the gate. James easily found the pliant iron bars, and once he had, he helped Lily through.

They moved more slowly this time, choosing caution over speed, and trusting silence and the darkness to protect them. Lily would regret that choice for the rest of her life.

Remus was halfway through the gate when Lily heard footsteps coming up the path again. She turned, unsure if she should shove Remus back or yank him through. There was no time for a decision as a light landed on the three of them and someone shouted, “There!”

A red spark would have struck Lily in the chest if she hadn’t stepped to the side.

Remus cursed as he reached for his wand and stumbled out of the gate. He drew just in time to put up a Shield Charm, providing cover for James. Two charms crashed into it, the sound loud against the otherwise silent night.

Their attackers were running towards them now, and it was not a question of whether Remus’ Shield could withstand their blows, but a question of if they could Disapparate in time.

Lily grabbed James’ hands and pulled him through the gate.

“Remus!” She clung to James with one hand and reached for Remus with the other.

The shield dropped and Remus grabbed her hand. She felt herself fold into James as he Disapparated the three of them, her body compressing with the familiar pressure — and then an unfamiliar pressure struck her.

She didn’t have time to realise what was happening until they reappeared on the top step of Grimmauld Place and she saw that one of their assailants had grabbed her leg at the last minute.

She kicked the man in the face, dislodging him and sending him backwards down the stairs.

“Oh no,” she gasped, as a pair of cloaked Death Eaters emerged from the park across the street.

“They’re there!” the man shouted and pointed. “They’re —”

“Silencio,” Remus whispered, and the man’s words died in his throat.

“That won’t buy us enough time,” James hissed, wand already pressed to the door, undoing the locks.

“I’ll buy you time,” Remus said.

Lily grabbed his arm. “No — if you’re caught —”

The door swung open and James pushed Remus and Lily inside. “I’ll take care of it.”

“Finite!” one of the Death Eaters shouted.

“No!” Lily shouted, reaching for James’ hand to pull him inside.

“There!” the man shouted. “Can’t you see them? They’re still standing on the steps of number twelve!”

“It can’t be you or Remus.” James pulled his hand away and Lily choked down a sob. “Take Harry and go.”

The thick black door closed, and Lily hardly felt the Tongue-Tying Curse wash over her. She was already choking, already fighting down every piece of rage and sorrow that surged within her.

If someone had asked her an hour ago what James had said to her on that Halloween night sixteen years ago, she might have been able to guess, but hearing it again in his voice, in the same anxious pitch, triggered the memory of that night as clearly as if she had fallen into a Pensieve. Her chest was tight and her breath came in short spasms, but his words also spurred her into action.

She ignored the distorted, ghostly image of Dumbledore rushing towards her, and left for Remus to deal with. She passed right through it and mounted the stairs two at a time. She threw open the door to Ron, Harry, and Hermione’s room.

“We’re going, now!” she shouted.

“What’s happened?” Ron asked. He was only half-dressed and hastily pulled a shirt over his head. “I thought we had said dawn —”

“Death Eaters are here.”

That got them moving.

She leaned over the bannister and shouted down to Remus, “Have you seen Regulus?”

“He was in the study,” Remus said. “He’s taking Kreacher.”

Lily cursed. Of course the house-elf would have been the easiest way out and of course Regulus would take Kreacher for himself, rather than offering all of them the quick Apparition trip. Then again, maybe it was for the best. Kreacher might intentionally Splinch any one of them.

“Kitchen window?” Remus suggested.

Lily’s lips trembled and she looked back over her shoulder. Harry had his glasses on and was pulling the Cloak over his shoulders as Hermione fumbled with her beaded bag.

“Follow Remus to the kitchen,” she told them.

“Mum —”

But Lily was already running down the stairs. She crashed into the wall, knocking over a portrait and waking up Walburga. Lily ignored the screams and hurried for the door.

She didn’t know what she was going to do. She didn’t have a wand. She couldn’t do as much as lift a pocket watch.

As Lily wrenched the door open, she recalled the author’s words on intention and focus being the keys to casting, which she also remembered from her studies in Charms. When casting, she had always envisioned what she wanted to happen. The book had suggested there was a need greater than the effect of magic. She needed to picture the cause.

James had not gone far; he defended the bottom of the steps valiantly. Though he had never been able to produce a sizeable Shield Charm the way she and Remus could, he was quicker than either of them, able to deflect and return fire with an admirable accuracy. A red spark shot towards his left, and he stepped aside while returning fire with a matching curse. His target crumpled into the pavement.

Lily was not going to be helpless. She focused on her magic, on the spark inside of her, on the things she felt when she cast — anger, love, fear, and joy, the things that filled her and fueled her. She imagined her magic sparking in her fingertips, like flint igniting tinder. She focused on that power, on that fire, and stretched her hand out to the nearest Death Eater.

There was a loud bang and he stumbled backwards, robes ignited. The flames were easily doused by the Death Eater’s partner, but it gave James the time to Stun them both.

He turned back to her with his eyes full of wonder and a stupid grin on his face.

“Have I ever told you how amazing you are?”

“Maybe once or twice,” she smiled.

“Where’s Harry?”

“I’m right here.” Harry pulled the Cloak down, and Lily jumped.

“Merlin, Harry, I told you to go with Remus —”

“You ran off without a wand, Mum. I wasn’t going to let you fight alone!”

James sighed. “Harry, you promised us you’d run if —”

“Incarcerous!”

Lily had not seen the Death Eater recover from James’ Stunner, but she saw the ropes spring from his wand and yank James down into the pavement. He hit the ground with a crack and she stretched her hand out to —

To what?

She did not have the accuracy needed to free James. She could perhaps Conjure an explosion, blast the Death Eater away —

The Death Eater rolled up his sleeve revealing a bright red brand on the inside of his forearm. He grinned at her — no, not at her, at Harry — as he pressed his wand tip to it and the brand turned black.

What was it she had said to James all those years ago?

Harry comes first.

She did not know if it would work without a wand, but she did not know what choice she had. She wrapped her arms around Harry, closed her eyes, and focused on her destination: Godric’s Hollow.

#lily evans #lily potter #harry potter and the deathly hallows #harry potter everyone lives #hp everyone lives #everyone lives au #hp fic #dh

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toxickimi · 3 years

Text

CH9 New World

Once on the ground, Kimikyo wondered the rest of the way to the Castle. She heard distant buzzing that got closer and closer. She turned to see Stingwings getting closer to her. She took of running towards the Castle but ended up tripping over a root. She went to get up but her dress was snagged on on the same root. "Curse these dresses!" Kimikyo looked up to see the Stingwings getting closer and closer. She looked around before grabbing a stick. She stood, shaking in fear as she's never been in any real combat. She soon heard the sound of a gun firing. She watched as the Stingwings fell to the ground. "You know, a stick that small wouldn't have worked Princess." Kimikyo looked behind her to see Preston. "P-Preston..." Tears formed in her eyes, as she feel to her knees crying. Preston walked over to her, helping her get free from the root. "Come on. We'll get you some better clothes for here. As you said, curse these dresses." Kimikyo wiped her tears, nodding at his words. "Mama th-thought I should wear it..."

Preston led Kimikyo to the Castle where she was taken to the storage room. "There should be something in here for you to wear." Preston began looked through the boxes, pulling out a pair of pants and a plaid shirt. "Here you go. These should fit you.” Kimikyo took the clothes before looking at Preston. “Just knock when you’re changed.” He quickly left the room, shutting the doors behind him but stayed in front of the door. Kimikyo quickly changed into the clothes. Kimikyo lightly knocked on the door to which Preston opened it. “Hm...a little baggy, but they’re better then the dress. Come on let’s get you a weapon.” “A weapon?” ”I’m afraid so. If you’re going to be in the Commonwealth then you’ll need a gun and how to shoot it.” Kimikyo followed him out to the main court yard. “So what bring you all the way out here and alone at that?” “I’m here on official ambassador business. Mama asked me to bring these papers to you and Maxson. It’s for rations of food and water from us to you.” Kimikyo handed Preston a copy of the same papers. “Well we’re always looking to help others so the more food and water, the better.” Preston took the papers. “You’ll have to talk to the general though, she should be back soon.” “You’re..not in charge?” “Only when she’s away but I’d like to run this by her first.” Kimikyo nodded at his words.

While they waited for the General to return Preston find Kimikyo a 10 mm pistol and was teaching her how to shoot it. Soon enough the general arrived. “General, this is Princess Kimikyo, I’ve told you about.” The woman held her hand out to Kimikyo. “Name is Nora. Nice to meet you.” Kimikyo took her hand, the two shaking hands. “I’m here to provide papers in offers for rations...mama-the queen would like to help out and send some.” Preston handed Nora the papers. She read over them then signed them. “We’ll be happy to accept any help from anyone that is offering.” Nora gave back the papers to Kimikyo. “How long are you staying with us?” “Only the night. I will be leaving tomorrow. If all goes well, I might be permitted to stay longer.” “Well where are you staying? You said you had papers for Maxson, I can take you to him.” Kimikyo shook her head, lightly. “I was already there and I’m not sure where I’m staying. I should probably get going back. I kind of snuck off while Danse was chattering.” “Well I’ll escort you. This place can be dangerous if you don’t know where you’re going.”

Before they two had left Nora had braided Kimikyo’s hair. The two had began the journey to the airport. "So what brings a princess of magic to are humble world?" "I'm an official ambassador." "Shouldn't you be queen? You're a princess right?" Kimikyo shook her head. "That's my sister. She's being groomed to take over mama's place even since Kai died and Azumiral's title was revoked. I suppose if something were to happen to Kigra then I'd be groomed but she's too hard headed that I think even after death she'd still come back." The two laughed lightly before Nora looked at Kimikyo. "So you're the youngest right? You just turned twenty-one?" "Sort of. I'm technically five hundred years old but my body has turned twenty one. Our bodies age slower due to the magic of our land. No matter where we are so long as our land stays filled with magic so will we." "What if that portal closes?" "I'm still connected to the land. There's been plenty of portals opened and closed then new ones open and the people who went through were the exact same, didn't feel any different in the time they where stuck." Nora went silent before speaking softly. "Can..others--" "No. You must be born of magic. People who simply move there can't gain magic or live longer. Some blessing from the gods of that land. I see it as a curse though." "Curse? You get these powers and live forever..." Kimikyo stopped and looked at Nora. "Since knowing everyone from here it's been a curse. I will have to watch you and everyone I care and love for die while I grow old. I can die from natural causes, say disease or my throat getting cut. We're not immortal and it's just as easy for us to die we just age slowly. That's the curse and Azumiral will have to go through it too..." Kimikyo began walking again, lingering behind Nora. The two were silent for a long while. "You said you had someone you love here. Who is it?" Kimikyo looked up at Nora. "I love my friends I've made here. Piper, Preston, Danse.." "Maxson?" Kimikyo turned red as she looked away. "I-I would say th-that I love him. I mean we hardly know each other!" Nora couldn't help but laugh at Kimikyo. "But you just met all of us and hardly know us." "Th-that i-is true."

Nora walked over to Kimikyo, patting her head. "Don't worry I won't tell anyone about your crush." The two continued to the airport, only running into a a pack of mongrels on the way. Kimikyo had actually landed a hit on one of them, which caused her to panic and guilt wash over her. "I'm afraid this is the dark side of this place. It's killed or be killed here." Nora patted Kimikyo's back. The two finally made it to the airport where they saw Danse and Haylen. "Danse! There she is!" The two ran over to Nora and Kimikyo. "Where have you been?" "I told you, I had to go see Preston." Haylen crossed her arms. "Well thanks to you running off Elder Maxson has the whole place on lock down with scouts searching for you.." Kimikyo looked at Nora. "Why didn't you just tell him, she told you two where she was going?" Haylen went silent, allowing Kimikyo speak up. "You didn't want to get in trouble?" Haylen nodded. "Danse wanted to say something but...I mean Elder Maxson talks so passionately about you, I was worried what he might do to him..." Kimikyo opened her mouth then closed it. She turned to leave before turning back around. Nora tried to hold back her laughter. "He...he uhm talks passionately you say?" Haylen nodded, not noticing the enteral crisis going on with Kimikyo. "Well when he first came back he referred to her as rose water, not really being able to say her name. Then when he left and came back he wouldn't stop talking about a dragon and was wanting books about them. It wasn't until Danse said something that we all learned she was the dragon." Haylen finally looked over at Kimikyo who was sitting, facing away from them, with her knees pulled to her chest as she was drawing circles in the ground. "Is she okay?" Nora looked over and laughed. "She's just being a teenager in love."

Kimikyo was escorted back to the Prydwen to meet Maxson. "Where were you?" "I went to see Preston. I had paper work for him too." "Why didn't any one go with you!?" Kimikyo flinched at his voice. "They were slacking off no doubt. I'll see that they-" "I went by myself. I'm an adult am I not? I had work to do so I did it. You should know better than anyone here the importance of duty. It was my duty to deliver paper work. I couldn't find Danse so I went by myself. The person flying got me as close to the Castle as they could and Nora escorted me back." Kimikyo glared up at him. "I'm not...I'm not a child. I don't need looking after all the time." Maxson walked up to her. "What happened to your dress?" "It got snagged on a tree. Honestly dresses are not for this world. Preston gave me a change of clothes....though he didn't have shoes in my size she I'm stuck with these cursed heels." She looked up at him before taking a step back. "If you needed a change of clothes we have plenty." "You just want to see me undressed again." Kimikyo stuck her tongue out at him before blushing at what she just said. This also caused a faint blush to cross his face. "That is not my intent!" "Right! Sorry! I'm going to go home now, bye!" Kimikyo rushed to the vertibirds and quickly had them take her to the portal. Kimikyo rushed through the portal and into the castle, much to everyone's shock.

Haku escorted Kimikyo to Aiko who was surprised to see her back so soon. "Oh my! What happened?! I thought you were staying the night. Were you attacked?!" Kimikyo shook her head but remained silent. She handed Aiko the papers from Preston and Nora. "M-Max-Elder Maxson do-doesn't need any..." Kimikyo rushed to her room and curled up under her blankets, thinking back on what she said and what happened. Azumiral entered her room after a few hours. "Kimikyo?" Kimikyo flinched but then tried to stay still. "I know you there. Come out and talk to me. What happened? You were so excited to stay the night there." Kimikyo shuffled from under the blankets, her face still red with embarrassment. "Maxson..Elder Maxson of-offered me clothes right? I mean I already had a change, Preston gave me some, but I-I-I-I told him if-if he wanted to-to see me un-undressed a-aga-in all he had to d-d-do was ask! MaxsonnotPreston. " Kimikyo hid in her pillow this time as Azumiral held back her laughter. "So it's clear you like him?" Azumiral looked at Kimikyo who peeked at Azumiral from the pillow. "That's the issue....I'm just going to end up hurt again. Just like with Prince Alistar..."

Azumiral's smile faded at Kimikyo's words. "I..don't believe he will act that way. You have to think Maxson comes from a land of war. He knows scars, as to where Alistar came from a world of silver spoons and caviar, plus he was a major jerk." Kimikyo put the pillow down but didn't look at Azumiral. "It wouldn't work anyways...there's no way mama would allow it as I'd have to live there or he move here. I don't want him to give up his land and ideas for some weak and pathetic princess." "Kimikyo...you are not weak and pathetic. You turned into a dragon when you saw I was in danger. You. Not Kigra. Not mother. You. Not anyone can be a dragon just like not anyone can be the phoenix." Azumiral placed her index finger under Kimikyo's chin, lifting her sister's head up to smile at her. "Stop being so hard on yourself love. I'm sure Maxson would tell you the same."

#fallout4 #preston #fo4 fanfic #au #magic #nora #paladin danse #scribe haylen #elder maxson

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fallenfurther · 4 years

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Maintenance man

Post Series 1 Episode 11: Skyhook. This rescue did a lot of damage to two of the Thunderbirds, with Virgil having to be flown home in a limping Thunderbird Two. At least his brothers are willing to come to his rescue. Enjoy!

**********

Brains deflated as he looked at the readings on his monitor. He loved the Tracy boys and maintaining the machines he’d designed was still one of his favourite things to do, but he was only one man. There was some serious electrical damage to Thunderbird Two, Thunderbird One’s engine needed to be checked over just in case the sprites or low oxygen levels had damaged the metal, and then there was the inevitable damage Thunderbird Five had taken. Thunderbird Two would have to be done first as it required most frequently. Brains was always a little on edge when Thunderbird Two was out of action, jumping at every emergency call and hoping the specialised equipment only Two could carry wasn’t needed. Thunderbird One wasn’t the highest priority as he knew there was likely to be very little, if any, damage, but Scott seemed to push her limits more often than Brains liked. A quick check, hopefully before the next rescue, would just settle Brains’ nerves and let him sleep peacefully. Thunderbird Five was the one that worried Brains the most. Although not required directly for rescues, it contained and sustained John Tracy. Space was a dangerous place and John had just pushed the space station beyond her intended purpose. There could be so much unseen and subtle damage that only a good inspection would pick up. He would send a request to Scott to call John down for safety reasons, though they might have to send Alan up to retrieve him. Brains’ didn’t want to risk the space elevator until he had thoroughly checked it. Today it had been tested beyond its design and unlike Langstom Fischler, he cared for safety.

Pulling up the Thunderbirds flight plans and locations, Brains noted both were on their way home. Scott had managed to catch up and overtake Virgil and was due to get home much sooner. With Thunderbird Two’s front landing struts down and all controls being directed through the helipod, there was no way to get the rear two down. Thunderbird Two couldn’t land without snapping the struts. Brains could tell that Gordon was struggling to fly Two with the Pods controls, the erratic path the craft was taking being all the evidence Brains needed, but that also meant it would be even harder for him to land. Wracking his brain, a solution came to mind. Pulling up the island's controls, he set the automated trolley to pull the modules out of storage so that Module Two was in the centre of the vast cavern. A tap on his comm and Scott was floating before him.

“I’m almost home, Brains.”

“I know. I need you to meet Alan at Module Two when you land. Gordon is in need of s-some assistance.”

“FAB.”

A quick motion with his hand, as the low rumble of the swimming pool retracting filled the room, and Scott was replaced with Alan.

“Alan. I need you to head down to Module Two and prepare two elevator cars.”

“FAB Brains.”

Alan vanished in a flurry of movement and Brains moved to focus on some calculations before relaying the plans to Gordon, and subsequently Virgil, who was currently trapped in the cockpit.

****

Scott jogged up to Module Two and headed inside. Alan waved happily from the seat of an elevator car and it didn’t take much thought to know the second one was for him. Alan’s grin contained a hint of mischief, setting off some brotherly alarm bells. Looking up at his car, he shook his head before climbing in. Of course Alan would be in the Master car! Once settled, a glance at his still grinning brother caused a smile to cross his own face. He wouldn’t begrudge Alan his moment today. Scott revved the engine, letting Alan take the lead as they headed out to the runway. It appeared that Alan was following the same instructions as he was, and drove the pod to the coordinates displayed on the dashboard. Here they waited, though Scott made a quick call to the GDF to give them a heads up about the report he was going to be submitting, including a complaint against Fischler Industries. He’d been happy to hear that they were already in the process of revoking his space operations permit. The sound of Thunderbird Two approaching caused Scott to end the call and turn his eyes to the sky.

Thunderbird Two came into view, her movements looking more like that of a pod that a thunderbird. Sudden worry for his brothers rose from his stomach. He hadn’t realised how badly affected Two had been. He knew that Gordon was flying her from the helipod, making her virtually useless in a rescue setting, but he hadn’t realised how hard it would be to keep her straight. The fact that they had made it home was a relief. It also explained Brains’ plan. The elevator cars were going to become her new landing struts, just as they had tried to do for the Fireflash. At least this time Gordon could come in slowly, though it would still take some teamwork to land Thunderbird Two. Brians and Gordon both popped up before him, though surprisingly it was Brains who spoke first.

"Okay, I'm going to instruct Gordon down. Scott, Alan, you two need to be ready to move, but keep the cars in a low gear."

"FAB." Scott replied, noting Alan had spoken the same phrase a second behind him.

"Okay, guys, this is not going to be the most graceful landing. You better do your best to not scratch her though, Virgil with a broken Two is bad enough."

"Let me worry about Virgil, you just concentrate on not snapping those struts."

Gordon gave Scott a grateful nod, before Brains took over, directing everyone. Gordon got a little frustrated towards the end but he visually deflated once Thunderbird Two was safely down. Scott had been required to move forward a little along with Alan, and the bounce and whump of Thunderbird Two hitting them had been a little unnerving, but the cars held and all was okay. Putting his car into park, he climbed out and waited for Virgil to manually override the underside hatch. A rather relieved Virgil stood on the runway before turning to look at the green behemoth above them with a sigh.

"It's not that bad, Virgil." Gordon cheered, obviously not worried about retaliation. "It's nothing you and Brains can't fix. At least you don't have Fischler on board!"

They had all heard John's request for rescue, and now Thunderbird Two was safely grounded, they could spare Alan for a quick pick up.

"Alan, think you could go retrieve Fischler and his crew from Thunderbird 5?"

"Sure Scott!" The excited teenager chimed before running towards Thunderbird There's silo. His younger brother's enthusiasm brought a much needed smile to his face.

"Come on, Virgil." Scott placed a hand on the man's shoulder, "Let's get changes and grab some food before you tackle her. Let Brains do a diagnostic first."

"Fine." Virgil nodded, allowing Scott to drag him away, though Scott knew he'd be back as soon as he could. Virgil hated it when International Rescue wasn't ready to launch. It made them all edgy, more so when their Thunderbird was the reason for it.

*****

Brains had packed all the supplies needed into Thunderbird Three. There were a few things that needed replacing, including some of the toughened outer glass. EOS's scans had confirmed Thunderbird Five required a few large repairs alongside some smaller ones John could do. Unfortunately, she found that the satellite's operations were unaffected and thus John stayed in orbit. Brains would have preferred to take Thunderbird Five out of operation temporarily but had to suffice with a later maintenance trip. It'd taken a few days to source the required parts, but Thunderbird Two and One kept him busy. Thunderbird Two had taken just thirty two hours to get ready for launch. There had been so many different aspects to check but with Virgil's constant help they had powered through it. Thunderbird One had taken under a day, and Brains only changed a few components which were due to be replaced in the coming months, saving him a future job.

Now he was to take Thunderbird Five out of action for at least a day, and John was reluctant. Scott had put his foot down on the matter, but that wouldn't stop John from getting annoyed and grumpy if the work overran. Brains' seat clicked into place in Thunderbird Three and Alan started going through the launch sequence. It'd been a while since Brains' had been in space, much preferring to stay on the ground, particularly the island he now called home. Unfortunately, needs must and no one knew Thunderbird Five quite like its designer. He swallowed as the rumble beneath them began and soon he was in orbit. It had definitely been a while since he'd been in space, gagging and swallowing as space sickness took hold of his stomach. Every time. Every time he had to readjust. Alan continued on as if nothing had changed, guiding the ship towards International Rescue's satellite. Once docked, John welcomed them in, EOS following and watching his every move. EOS was incredible, but there was still something about her that set Brains on edge. He'd spoken to her before and knew she was using the camera to view the world, but in person it was unnerving.

"Right, one of the outer screens needs replacing. Let's get in with that first as Grandma is available and it means we can be operational again sooner. EOS, I've backed you up, but you'll be offline when Thunderbird Five is powered down."

"Thank you, John. I shall see you once the repairs are complete. I will start the shutdown protocol once you are aboard Thunderbird Three."

"Thank you, EOS. Sleep tight."

"I do not require sleep, John. I shall simply be powered down."

"It's a turn of phrase, EOS."

Brains watched as John shook his head before pulling on his helmet. The interaction between man and AI was not like anything he had been expecting. Pushing himself back through the airlock, Brains couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive about leaving the shutdown to the AI.

*****

Brains' collapsed onto the sofa in his apartment with MAX watching his movements eagerly. He was tired, and the four days in space had been enough. They'd managed to get Thunderbird Five fully operational, apart from the space elevator, in a day and a half. Alan's help in passing tools and his ease of movement in zero-G helped immensely, allowing for a shorter down time. Living with EOS for the next two days had been an eye opener. Brains had been glad that she didn't end up following him around as he'd feared she would. She settled down and even helped him out a few times as he set about dismantling and repairing the elevator. Its bearings had taken a beating and although functional, Brains could not guarantee their reliability or function anymore. Fresh parts were given to the mechanism, a good layer of grease was applied and every inch of the cable was inspected and scanned for tears or breaks. To Brains' delight the cable was in perfect condition as the moving parts had taken the brunt on the force when retrieving the weather station. After a few test deployments, including sending down the broken and spare parts he hadn't needed, Brains was the first test subject. As expected, the ride was smooth and uneventful, just the way he liked it. Pleased with his work and happy all the Thunderbirds were in working order, he'd headed to his apartment for some much needed rest. His body was still adjusting to gravity, even a few days in space messed him up, but he was glad to be back Earthside with MAX again.

"We'll get started on that new project tomorrow, MAX."

Brains got familiar bleeps back as a response and a smile crossed his face. A glass of water floated before him and he took it.

"Thank you, MAX."

Taking a sip his comm bleeped and Gordon floated before him. The man was in his uniform and was scratching his head in a manner that sent worry through Brains.

"Uurgh...Brains. I think something has gone wrong with Thunderbird Four. You would mind having a look when I get back?"

"Of course, Gordon. W-what's your ETA?"

"Ten minutes, and thanks Brains, you're a lifesaver."

Brains turned to MAX, then back to the glass in his hand. So much for an early night. He drained the glass and headed to his lab, MAX on his heels. He might as well check the readings and get a head start on trying to fix whatever problem Gordon had found.

#thunderbirds are go #TAGrewatch #Brains #John Tracy #alan tracy #Scott Tracy #Gordon Tracy #Virgil Tracy #rescue #fix them up #maintenance #Brains will fix it!

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sword-dad-fukuzawa · 4 years

Note

hi there! i'm the same anon who asked for chuuya personality analysis. hope ur doing well. don't forget to take a break. i'm so excited for ur book reviews on Dazai Osamu's No longer human. I was wondering if it wasn't too much trouble for u to explain Natsume's Tripartite system. i'm just a bit confused on that aspect. anyway hope u have a wonderful day/night!

Hi hi! I did take a break, and I’m still kind of on break, because I do want to try and spend some of my summer vegetating. I ended up watching the second season of K as well as the entirety of Assassination Classroom. Both of which, coincidentally, Dazai’s VA voices a character. I swear. You’ve got regular Dazai in BSD, blue salty fuckboi Dazai in K, and orange teenage Dazai in AC.

And Ango’s VA is in both, too. I headcanon that Ango eventually quits being, you know, the whole government, dyes his hair Tachi-orange, to become a gangster with a skateboard. Then...went into assassination, I suppose? ANYWAY, sorry, got off topic. Tripartite system!

Basically, Natsume-sensei wanted a way to keep Yokohama from imploding on itself. It seems to be a city that attracts trouble, considering the Arahabaki incident, the fact that the Port Mafia set up shop there before the tripartite system was put in place, and the sheer number of ability users running around. Why? Who knows, it hasn’t been explained. But as it stood, Yokohama was a hotbed of danger and intrigue, and Natsume wanted a way to keep it from breaking.

It’s basically impossible for the government, responsible as it is for the entirety of Japan, to be able to concentrate upon Yokohama alone. So in his great and infinite wisdom (what the fuck, Natsume) he decided to set up three parties in both opposition and cooperation with each other.

The government, as, well, the government, supervises the legal side of things. Or the “day”. The PM, as a borderline illegal organization that does some very shady shit that wouldn’t fly if a bureaucrat did it, has the “night”. But sometimes, bad things happen outside of either jurisdiction.

The PM, after all, doesn’t have a vested interest in the day to day of the citizenry. They’ll protect the city if it’s on the brink of destruction, such as during Q’s rampage, because it is their base of operations. Outside of that, the citizens are hindrances at best and means to an end at worst. Akutagawa blows several of them up in the first few episodes, for example.

And sometimes, the government can’t interfere simply because of their status. The Guild had diplomatic immunity--but they were a threat to Yokohama, just not enough of one that the PM would really care to step in. That’s why the ADA takes the “twilight”. The transition period, the grey area, the liminal spaces between the by-the-book-laws and full on criminality. It belongs to the ADA.

Between the three entities, they’ve got all the threats to Yokohama covered. The government oversees the legal side of things. The PM makes sure no other illegal organizations muscle in on their turf, which as the added benefit of keeping out unknown and uncontrollable players. The ADA takes whatever slips through the net.

To make sure none of them become too powerful, they all have checks on each other’s power. The PM can’t do any outright, super illegal shit without the government coming down on them and revoking their permit--same thing for the ADA. The PM can’t take down the ADA, they just don’t have the firepower to do so without casualties. The ADA can’t eliminate the PM either, because they don’t have the numbers.

And the government needs the PM and ADA, as evidenced by the Guild arc and the incident with Mimic. So the three organizations prop each other up while making sure no one entity gets too powerful, and defend Yokohama from threats.

Whew, that was long. Hope it made sense and was helpful, anon! Apologies if I’m not top of my game.

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callumlacks-blog · 4 years

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commercial pilot license12

There are millions of Persons around the world, who have learned to fly. Some of them do it just for fun, others use it as a way to travel to work and there are others who become career pilots to earn a living.

If you are starting to do research on how to learn to fly, it can sometimes become an overwhelming task, but stay calm it is not as hard as it looks!!! There are 9 different types of basic certificates. In successive order of qualifications they include student, sport, recreational, private, instrument rated, commercial, certified flight instructor, airline transport pilot and designated pilot examiner.

This system of certificates, together with a set of add-on ratings is used to specify the different types of flying a pilot may do. To successfully acquire a certain certificate, a pilot must complete ground school, written examination, oral examination and flight test. The good thing is that these certificates never expire until they are surrendered, suspended or revoked. However to be able to fly the pilot is required to remain current in certain things such as to hold a valid medical certificate and to fly a certain amount of hours per year.

Let me explain to you each certificate in more detail. Note that this information is based on FAA rules. The rules imposed by the Regulatory Agencies of your country might be slightly different, commercial pilot license however in context they are pretty much the same.

Student Pilot

This is the starting point for everyone who wants to learn to fly. It is also the point where you will know if you will like flying or not. This can happen as early as your first flight. In my case, on the first flight I felt like I was the King of the World. Student pilot privileges are very limited, however they provide enough freedom to allow you to learn all of the basics, including cross country flying and interaction with ATC. When you are starting to learn how to fly, you complete all of your flights with a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) on board. If you have reached the age of 16, have a valid Class III medical and have mastered the basic skills and educational topics of flight, you can make your first solo (Make a flight normally at an airport with low traffic, the location may vary from CFI to CFI, without an instructor or other certified pilots at the controls). As a student pilot you are allowed to operate only near to your "home-base" and with a sign-off by your CFI you can travel to other local airports to practice your cross country skills. You may only fly in good weather during the day and night. You may think "I have a CFI on board and if weather gets worse he can fly back". In general terms that is true, but it would be a waste of your money, since those hours do not count towards your certificate. I personally do not recommend it, but hey, it is your money. As a student pilot you are not allowed to carry passengers or fly for hire. Flying on busy Class B airspaces is usually not permitted without a special permission from your CFI.

Sport Pilot

Sport pilots fly in aircraft that fly at low speeds - less than 100 mph. The sport pilot certificate created new medical standards for pilots. These pilots usually do not require Medical Certificates. The only proof they need is to have a current valid driver's license. To get this certificate you must be at least 17 years old and have a minimum of 20 hours of flight time. This includes 15 hours of flight training and 5 hours of solo flight. As a Sport pilot you may fly cross-country; however, you cannot operate at airports or airspaces that require ATC communication unless you receive the proper training and endorsements from a CFI. You are also not allowed to fly after dark and with more than one passenger on board. Every 24 months the pilot is required to revalidate their certificate by undertaking a flight review with a CFI.

Recreational Pilots

Recreational pilots are primarily people who learn to fly for fun, with little interest in becoming professional pilots or using airplanes as a practical means of traveling from place to place. Recreational pilots must be at least 17 years old and have a minimum of 30 hours of flight time (the real-world average is more than 40 hours), including a minimum of 15 hours of flight instruction. Recreational pilots may not fly more than 50 nautical miles (about 58 miles) from an airport at which they have received instruction, unless they receive appropriate cross-country training and a special instructor's endorsement. Recreational pilots may not carry more than one passenger at a time, and they may not fly for hire or at night. They are not permitted to operate an aircraft on any charity flights, nor in connection with a business or their employment. They may fly only single-engine airplanes that have fixed landing gear, no more than four seats, and an engine of no more than 180 hp. They may not fly in airspace where communication with air traffic control (ATC) is required unless they receive the appropriate training and have a special endorsement from a certificated flight instructor (CFI). As a result of these restrictions, the vast majority of people studying for their recreational pilot certificate continue to earn their private pilot certificate. Because of this, there usually are only about 300 pilots with the recreational certificate each year. Recreational pilots must have a current Class III medical, which they must renew every 24 or 36 months (depending upon age). They must revalidate their pilot certificates every 24 months by undertaking a flight review with a CFI.

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girlactionfigure · 4 years

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MASA!

The News on the Israeli StreetPalestinian terror in the last 24 hours . . .

On the Gaza border:

Even though we do not report it every day here at OneIsrael, Palestinian terrorists in Gaza continue sending bomb laden “balloon clusters” into southern Israel every day. Here are two photos from yesterday of the same cluster:

This balloon cluster was carrying an “airplane”.

A closer look at the airplane’s “cargo”:

Imagine living in a place where bombs like this one are flying overhead all the time.

In Judea and Samaria:

Two Palestinian terrorists attempting to infiltrate the community of Talmon were captured.

Palestinian terrorists threw Molotovs and “rocks” at Israelis at the Ofra Junction, the Nili Junction, Al-Aruv, Psagot, and at a least a dozen other places.

Palestinian terrorists set fires in multiple locations in the Rosh Tzurim Forest in Gush Etzion.

A stabbing was thwarted with a knife-wielding Palestinian terrorist was captured at the entrance to Ariel.

The news from Iran . . .

The Iranian government revoked the entry permits for nuclear inspectors into the country this morning. This refusal came on top of the Iranian announcement a few days ago that it has begun enriching uranium to 5% at its top-secret underground nuclear plant at Fordow.

Also this morning, the Iranians announced that three of their oil tankers have been attacked in the Red Sea.

TODAY’S BLOG:

MASA!

(OneIsrael thanks Ilan Levinsohn of Ynet News for elements of today’s blog)

An amazing event took place in Ra’anana last week.

Part of the large crowd of MASA volunteers in Ra’anana last week (photo Ynet)

2,500 young Jewish volunteers in Israel from all over the world met in what was described as “Israel’s largest-ever single gathering of Diaspora Jews volunteering and working in Israel.”

They were there because of MASA.

Some MASA volunteers.

If you are unfamiliar with this remarkable organization which provides volunteers to such programs as a therapy farm in Bat Yam for children with special needs to would-be bloggers interning at Jewlicious to volunteer English teachers at schools throughout Israel (these are just 3 of 160 possible volunteer/intern possibilities), here is a description from its website:

“MASA Israel Journey is the leader in immersive international experiences in Israel for young adults (18-30). Our diverse portfolio of study abroad, internship, service learning, or Jewish studies programs help you grow—as a person, a professional, and a leader— while also developing a robust global professional network. Since its founding in 2004 by the Prime Minister’s Office of the Government of Israel, together with The Jewish Agency for Israel, over 150,000 young people from more than 60 countries have participated in Masa Israel programs.”

At the meeting last week, MASA Chairman Ilan Cohen expanded on this:

“MASA was born from (former Prime Minister) Ariel Sharon’s and the Jewish Agency’s vision, wanting Jewish young people from all around the world to spend a significant time period in Israel, regardless of whether they go back to their countries or decide to stay.

A young person who lives here for half a year or a year will not be the same as before. We want participants to live here – study, work or do an internship. A young person who has a job here, a bank account, friends, a person who travels the country or goes to an Ulpan to learn Hebrew – is someone of who truly knows Israel.”

MASA CEO Ofer Gutman added this:

“Today we are celebrating 15 years of MASA and some of the main things we celebrate today are the sense of community and diversity. There are participants from over 60 different countries here tonight, each coming from their own community.

When they see other Jewish young people, who come to Israel and are interested in Israel, they feel like they’re a part of something bigger and it empowers them.

One of our main goals is to empower them as leaders. We want the participants to stay in Israel, as roughly 30% of them choose to do, but we also want Israel to stay a part of the Jewish identity of those who go back to their communities and give them tools to become the next generation of Jewish leaders in their communities.”

If you want to learn more about MASA, click here.

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yourreddancer · 2 years

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AP Fact Check

GASOLINE PRICES

SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL: “Nobody buys Democrats’ efforts to blame 14 months of failed policies on three weeks of crisis in Europe. Inflation and gas prices were skyrocketing and hurting families long before late last month. The White House needs to stop trying to deny their mistakes and start fixing them.” — tweet Tuesday.

HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER KEVIN MCCARTHY: “Democrats want to blame surging prices on Russia. But the truth is, their out-of-touch policies are why we are here in the first place. Remember what happened on Day 1 with one-party rule? The president canceled the Keystone pipeline, and then he stopped new oil and gas leases on federal lands and waters.” — March 8 remarks.

THE FACTS: The Republican leaders of Congress are overstating Biden’s ability to influence energy prices and the impact of the canceled Keystone pipeline.

Gasoline prices have been rising in tandem with oil prices since spring 2020 because demand has grown faster than worldwide production as economies try to shake off the pandemic. More people are driving and flying, and businesses are returning to pre-pandemic levels of activity, leading to more energy consumption, which pushes prices higher.

The price of oil is set on the world market. Even the leading producers – the United States, Saudi Arabia and Russia – don’t get to set the price, although they might try by adjusting production up or down, a process that takes time even when it works. U.S. production dropped sharply in 2020, but it wasn’t because of anything that then-President Donald Trump did; it was because the pandemic crushed demand, causing producers to idle some of their wells rather than sell their oil too cheaply. U.S. oil production has doubled since 2011, but that didn’t stop oil from hitting and surpassing $100 a barrel.

U.S. oil production dipped about 1% from 2020 to 2021, not the dramatic drop portrayed by some of Biden’s critics. The nationwide average gasoline price is up about 80 cents from a month ago, and analysts attribute nearly all of that to the prospect of limiting Russia’s oil exports. McConnell and many other Republicans pushed to ban U.S. imports of Russian oil even before Biden acted.

The Keystone XL pipeline was designed to carry up to 830,000 barrels of oil a day from Canada and North Dakota to refineries along the Gulf Coast. The United States consumed nearly 20 million barrels of oil a day last year, and global consumption was close to 100 million barrels, so the pipeline – which was far from completion when Biden revoked a permit – would have contributed less than 1% to the world supply of oil.

Asked whether the Keystone XL cancellation is the cause of high gas prices, Tom Kloza, analyst for the Oil Price Information Service, said: “A political talking point. Has nothing to do with 2022 price surge.”

Biden has announced decisions to release more oil from a strategic reserve, but those releases have been too small to have any effect on pump prices.

___

Koenig reported from Dallas. Associated Press writers Fatima Hussein and Hope Yen in Washington contributed to this report.

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catearautine-blog · 6 years

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Texas Open Container Regulations

A lot of men and women consider open container legislation regarding forcing; although the ones bill undoubtedly exists, also, there are laws regarding drinking and alcohol at the roads and parks. As the directing principles supporting that legislation are alike, the particulars may fluctuate significantly from authority. 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Other nations have special receptive container legislation because of all these preferences, along with offenses are broken up into two types: an open container to the motorist's particular individual or you only from the automobile. The two infractions typically share those standards:The car had been functioning over the public highway.The container comprised alcohol as it had been identified with the officer.The container seal has been busted up, or any of that alcohol was taken off.As a way to activate an open container to the motorist's man or woman law, the tank has to have now already been maintained by or positioned inside of reach of their traveler whether or not she had been still driving. In general, the officer will not need to show the motorist has been drinking out of your container to mention this infraction. But a lot of officers may administer any either DUI or DWI examination should they guess accordingly.A motorist might even be mentioned to get an open container found everywhere within the car, which include within the trunk. Bottles from the back area issue, and also a few authorities offer leniency for vehicles. They can enable saving alcohol throughout transportation supplied the container is more inaccessible to your travelers. In case the tank is on a passenger particular man or woman, equally the passenger, as well as the motorist, could be mentioned for being the drink while within the vehicle.Prices Linked to Alcohol Used at Public Areas Places in Texas Even authorities with wide open vessel legislation frequently inflict new community quality of life legal guidelines closely associated with alcohol usage. Some instances are:General Community Infection and Allergic vulnerability Disorderly behavior Sounds ordinance offenses Flying under the sway DUI/DWI expenses are sometimes a close affair with the high priced criminal proceeding and likely prison time. Even a DUI/DWI certainty may result in also a revoked permit and also insurance fees.Manifesto Illness Legislation may additionally take longterm impacts based on the precise temperament of this circumstance. By way of instance, if kids are found, it might result in your sex crime certainty and addition within a nation's sex offender registry.Contesting Open Container CitationsAn open up container citation may cause fines and other penalties. Insurance businesses may likewise think drivers using open container citations to become in a higher risk to get a DUI/DWI cost. You might need to competition open up container citations to define if special activities violated a law. A legal defense lawyer, notably anyone with DUI instance encounter, may examine the important points about an instance and supply guidance regarding the most appropriate plan of actions.Talk into a Knowledgeable Open Container Violations Attorney Now This short guide is designed to be an informative and helpful article. However, everyday legal things may get stressful and complicated. A professional open container offenses law firm can manage your legitimate wants, make clear that the regulation, and then stand for you. Just take the very first step today and get in touch with a community open container offenses legal professional to speak about your particular legal circumstance.

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khalilhumam · 3 years

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The looming US withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty

New Post has been published on http://khalilhumam.com/the-looming-us-withdrawal-from-the-open-skies-treaty/

The looming US withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty

By Steven Pifer The Trump administration’s antipathy toward arms control will strike again on November 22, when the United States withdraws from the Open Skies Treaty. That is a mistake. While Russia has violated the treaty, the United States has reciprocated. NATO allies support the treaty — which focuses first and foremost on enhancing European security — and wish the United States to remain a party. Whether the treaty can continue following the American departure remains to be seen and will depend on what Russia does. When it takes office, the Biden administration should consider reentering the agreement, though that may require some creative international lawyering.

The treaty

The Open Skies Treaty, which entered into force in 2002, permits countries to fly unarmed aircraft with cameras and other sensors over the territory of the treaty’s other 34 members states. Based on an idea advanced by Dwight Eisenhower in the 1950s, Open Skies provides for the collection of imagery of military installations and activities in order to foster transparency. Each party to the treaty has two annual quotas: the number of flights it may conduct over other treaty-parties (active quota), and the number of overflights that it must accept (passive quota). Aircraft are inspected before conducting an Open Skies flight, and personnel from the country to be overflown are on board during the flight. The treaty offers several advantages. While the capabilities of U.S. reconnaissance satellites are superior to those of Open Skies aircraft, all 34 treaty-parties have access to imagery from the flights (whereas satellite imagery is highly classified). The treaty gives U.S. allies and partners, who lack sophisticated imagery satellites, the opportunity to gather confidence-building data. Moreover, aircraft offer greater flexibility than satellites in flight plans and can fly under cloud cover. Open Skies flights can also be used to send political signals: After Russia instigated the conflict in Donbas in 2014, for instance, the United States targeted flights at eastern Ukraine and the bordering Russian territory in order to send a message of U.S. support for Kyiv. By 2019, the 34 parties had conducted a total of more than 1,500 overflights. During the treaty’s first 15 years of operation, the United States conducted 196 flights over Russia and Belarus (the two are paired for treaty purposes), while Russia conducted 71 flights over the United States. Unfortunately, Russia has violated the treaty by imposing restrictions on certain flights over its territory. In response, the United States imposed reciprocal restrictions on Russian flights over U.S. territory. While the Russian violations are problematic, Washington has not declared that they constitute a material breach — that is, a violation that vitiates the central purpose of the treaty. Nevertheless, on May 21, Secretary of State Pompeo released a statement saying that, unless Moscow returned to full compliance, Washington would leave the treaty in six months’ time. The U.S. government provided formal notification of its intention to withdraw to the other treaty parties the following day; hence, the U.S. withdrawal will take effect on November 22.

A serial killer of arms control?

By all appearances, the Trump administration sees little value in arms control and nonproliferation arrangements. In 2018, President Trump decided to withdraw from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action that limited Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Iran can produce the fissile material for a nuclear bomb in a much shorter time today than three years ago. Meanwhile, the United States stands isolated, with close allies such as Britain, France, and Germany staying in the agreement and ignoring Washington’s requests to apply sanctions on Tehran. In 2019, the Trump administration withdrew from the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty, an agreement signed by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev that banned an entire class of missiles. Russia had violated the agreement by deploying a prohibited missile, but President Trump’s team showed no interest in preserving the treaty, eschewing military and political measures that could have pressured Moscow to return to compliance. In 2020, administration officials reportedly considered conducting an underground nuclear test. That would violate a long-standing test moratorium observed by the United States, Russia, China, Britain, and France (the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, which would prohibit all nuclear tests, has not entered into force). A U.S. nuclear test would open the door to tests by others, eroding the nuclear knowledge advantage the United States enjoys from having conducted more tests than the rest of the world combined. Happily, the 2010 New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) appears safe. True, the Trump administration could in its final days give notice of an intention to withdraw, but the intention could only be carried out three months later. President-elect Biden supports New START and supports its extension; he would revoke any such notice. However, Open Skies looks to be the outgoing Trump administration’s next — and last — victim.

What next for Open Skies?

The Open Skies Treaty focused on strengthening confidence and security in Europe, one reason why the Trump administration should have given the views of its allies greater weight. A major question now turns on what Moscow will do, given that the U.S. departure will mean that Russia can conduct flights over European territory and Canada but not the United States. If Moscow decides to withdraw from Open Skies, perhaps citing the treaty’s decreased value because it can no longer overfly American territory, the treaty will collapse. NATO allies will see little point in overflying other allies or partners such as Sweden and Finland. Alternatively, Moscow could decide to remain in the treaty, at least for a time, in part to score propaganda points over the U.S. withdrawal. At a November 12 press conference, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that, if the treaty continues to operate, Russia would insist that, when conducting flights over other treaty-parties, its aircraft could overfly and take pictures of U.S. bases and facilities located on their territory. Lavrov added that countries remaining in the treaty would have to commit not to transfer Open Skies imagery or other data to the United States. His demands do not appear unreasonable. The treaty makes no provision for a country to deny another treaty-party the ability to fly over U.S. facilities on its territory, and the treaty provisions provide that imagery and other data gathered from overflights shall be shared only with other treaty-parties. These conditions will put U.S. allies in Europe in an awkward position — something that Lavrov no doubt relishes. If, however, the treaty can be sustained into 2021, the Biden administration could consider reentering. The advantages offered by the treaty remain valid, despite Russian violations. Doing so, however, could require creative work by international lawyers. Were Washington to re-sign the treaty, it then would have to resubmit it to the Senate for consent to ratification. However, with at best 50 Democratic senators (assuming far-from-certain wins in both of the Georgia run-off races), consent to ratify would still need 17 Republican votes. It is difficult to see that many Republicans consenting to ratify a treaty from which a Republican administration has just withdrawn. Alternatively, the Biden administration could consider rejoining the treaty on the basis of an executive agreement, perhaps one approved by simple majorities in the House and Senate. Such a mechanism would require the agreement of the other 33 treaty-parties. Hopefully, the Russians would not choose to be spoilers. When it takes office, the Biden administration should seek to rejoin Open Skies. The treaty serves U.S. interests. That is what NATO allies want. And within the treaty, Washington can push to get Russia back into compliance while continuing restrictions that deny Russia the full benefits of overflying the United States. The new administration should make clear its intention to rejoin the treaty and put some clever lawyers to work figuring out a way to make that happen.

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wsmith215 · 4 years

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What a U.S. Exit from the WHO Means for COVID-19 and Global Health

US President Donald Trump has announced that he is “terminating” the country’s relationship with the World Health Organization (WHO), and that the US will redirect funds intended for the agency to other global health projects. During the announcement at a news briefing 29 May, Trump reiterated accusations that the WHO is too lenient with China.

Because the United States became a member of the WHO through a joint resolution in 1948, Trump may need Congressional approval to exit the agency, says Jennifer Kates, the director of global health & HIV policy at the Kaiser Family Foundation in Washington, D.C. But she adds that previous presidents were able to withdraw from treaties without Congress stepping in. “This is murky legal territory,” she says.

Trump’s announcement follows a steady ramping up of blame and accusations hurled at the WHO that culminated last week in a sharply worded letter to the agency’s director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. In it, Trump threatened to make permanent the US freeze on WHO funding that began in April, unless the organization “can actually demonstrate independence from China” within 30 days. He also said that he would reconsider the United States’ membership in the organization.

Now, experts in health policy are contending with repercussions that could range from a resurgence of polio and malaria, to barriers in the flow of information on COVID-19. Scientific partnerships around the world would also be damaged, and the United States could lose influence over global health initiatives, including those to distribute drugs and vaccines for the new coronavirus as they become available, say researchers. “This will hurt,” says Kelley Lee, a global health-policy researcher at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, Canada.

Proposals for new US-led initiatives for pandemic preparedness abroad do little to quell researchers’ concerns. Some say these efforts might even add incoherence to the world’s response to COVID-19, and global health more generally, if they’re not connected to a fully-funded WHO. “It’s surreal to even be having this conversation, since it’s so hard to get one’s head around the massive implications,” says Rebecca Katz, director of the Center for Global Health Science and Security at Georgetown University in Washington DC.

The rift is poorly timed, given the need for international coordination and cooperation to contend with the coronavirus. “In this pandemic, people have said we’re building the plane while flying,” Katz says. “This proposal is like removing the windows while the plane is mid-air.”

Balance due

Trump’s letter, which he tweeted on 18 May, alleges that the WHO intentionally ignored reports that COVID-19 was spreading between people in Wuhan, China, in December. “I cannot allow American taxpayer dollars to continue to finance an organization that, in its present state, is so clearly not serving America’s interests,” he wrote. A few of Trump’s points were immediately debunked. For example, he claimed that the medical journal The Lancet had published on the new coronavirus in December. The next day, the journal issued a statement calling the claim factually incorrect because their first reports on COVID-19 were published on 24 January. The journal also refuted other allegations in the letter, concluding that the claims are “damaging to efforts to strengthen international collaboration to control this pandemic.”

Tedros has reiterated his commitment to a comprehensive and independent evaluation of the WHO’s response to COVID-19, and an assessment of the organization’s operations in the first part of 2020 is already public. But when reporters asked Tedros about additional, immediate investigations in response to Trump’s allegations at a WHO press briefing, he said, “Right now, the most important thing is fighting the fire, saving lives.”

Trump does not need Congressional approval to withhold funds from the WHO, and global health researchers say the gap left by the US is a big deal. Last year, the US government gave the WHO roughly US$450 million. Nearly 75% of that was voluntary, and the other quarter was mandatory — a sort of membership fee expected from the 194 member countries, adjusted by the size of their economies and populations. The United States is the biggest donor, representing about 15% of the WHO budget. So far this year, it has paid about one-quarter — $34 million — of its membership dues, according to a WHO spokesperson. Voluntary funds are more complicated because a large portion were paid last year, however the spokesperson says that the freeze has put a hold on new agreements, meaning that the full-blown effects of the decision will be felt in 2021.

The US government provides 27% of the WHO’s budget for polio eradication; 19% of its budget for tackling tuberculosis, HIV, malaria and vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles; and 23% of its budget for emergency health operations. If these initiatives shrink, researchers say, death and suffering will surge. David Heymann, an epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, says this will also amount to squandered investment for the United States, particularly for polio. Gains won through vaccination campaigns that cost hundreds of millions of dollars would be lost, he says.

New initiatives

Trump says that the US government will continue to fund global health through aid groups and its own agencies, instead of the WHO. In fact, proposed legislation suggests that the US government may be considering alternative ways to fund health overseas. Last Friday, Devex, an online platform focused on global development, reported that the US State Department is circulating a proposal for a $2.5 billion initiative that would oversee national and international pandemic responses, called the President’s Response to Outbreaks (PRO). And late last week, a proposed bill for a ‘Global Health Security and Diplomacy Act of 2020’ was introduced to the Senate. The bill, obtained by Nature, would authorize $3 billion for an international initiative to contain epidemics at home and abroad, to be overseen by a presidential appointee from the US State Department.

Amanda Glassman, a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development, a think tank based in Washington, DC. says that she and her colleagues welcome a US effort dedicated to fighting pandemics worldwide. “But it has to collaborate with the WHO, and it should come with increased obligations to the WHO,” she adds. Those requests aren’t assured in the proposed legislation, and if the US rolls out parallel efforts, Glassman and others don’t expect them to be very effective because it takes years to build partnerships with countries. Lee agrees. “You can’t just show up in Afghanistan and start vaccinating people.”

Furthermore, the WHO works in several countries where there is little other international presence, adds Glassman. For example, during the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the US government relied largely on the WHO because of ongoing violence that kept away US agencies and most international humanitarian groups. Marcia Poole, a WHO spokesperson, says: “There are certain areas where we are the provider of last resort, and US funding supports these operations.”

Even in countries where the United States has long run programmes to tackle HIV, malaria and other health issues, the WHO still coordinates efforts. Without such organization, Glassman says, “we’d see a lot more incoherence in global health”, which would end up wasting some of the $11 billion that the US spends on global-health programmes each year.

A rift between the WHO and researchers at US agencies could also weaken long-standing collaborations. Scientists from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health often rotate through the WHO’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Around 180 epidemiologists, health-policy specialists and other staff members at the WHO are from the United States, and dozens of other Americans work at the organization as visiting scholars and interns. Most of their jobs aren’t directly tied to US funding, but they could be affected as the relationship between the United States and the WHO is strained, says Lee. There could also be impacts on about 80 official WHO collaborating centres in the United States.

Going it alone

More than the money, researchers worry about the loss of collaboration. “The US relies on multilaterals to work in countries where diplomatic ties are almost non-existent,” says Suerie Moon, a global-health researcher at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva. That includes China; US scientists were permitted to tour the country in mid-February as part of a WHO mission to learn from its COVID-19 response.

US epidemiologists also rely on information obtained through their WHO colleagues around the world. Glassman points out that this is especially important to US security interests as the pandemic escalates in Latin America. “We need something like the WHO to manage relationships and keep information flowing, whether that’s genomic sequences or standards of care,” she says.

The WHO will survive a US funding freeze over the short term, say researchers, because other donors will help to compensate for the financial gap during the pandemic. For example, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged $2 billion to the coronavirus response. Still, Trump’s move will sting for both the WHO and the United States, says Lee. And over time, the United States would lose its influence abroad. Even if Trump does not revoke US membership, a failure to contribute voluntary funds means that the country will have less influence on what the agency does. And if the United States pays nothing at all or terminates its relationship with the WHO, it will lose its voting rights. Currently, only three countries — South Sudan, Venezuela and the Central African Republic — are in this category.

With that loss, the United States will relinquish its ability to shape health agendas around the world, says Lee. Ironically, that is exactly what the Trump administration is complaining about. “If the US pulls out and leaves a vacuum, it will be filled by other countries, like China,” she says. “You’ll see a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

This article is reproduced with permission and was first published on May 29 2020.

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