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Carver's Anarchy
Writings and chronicles of the OOniverse.
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Ganelon
Location: Around Rabiarce or Lasoce
Post by Ganelon » Sat Oct 23, 2010 9:37 am
(This might be the first installment, or it might be the only story about Carver and his crew that I actually get around to finishing. Even just this short story took a few weeks of thinking and rewriting before I felt it's maybe good enough to try and put up here. Oh well, here goes nothing.)
"Aye. Come in, Mr. Sharp." commodore Carver said almost as soon as the first knock sounded on his door. He put down his tablet for a moment and strode across his office to shake hands. "Good of you to come, Mr. Sharp, and right on time you are too, for I'm hearing seven bells striking just now."
Mr. Sharp nodded as he looked around the commodore's office. "Well, I like to try and be punctual, sir. It's not every day you schedule an appointment to see me in your office. As a matter of fact, I don't think I've ever been in here before." His eyes wandered over the small office, pausing to frown in puzzlement for a moment as he noted the motivational posters before his gaze drifted to the wet bar on the sideboard.
The commodore waved toward the bar. "Make yourself a drink, Mr Sharp. And make free with the smokes and eats as well, if'n yer in the mood for such. I'm just finishing up with some charts, I won't be but a minute. Look around, if ye like." The commodore returned to his chair, making a pretense of sorting some charts and notes as he noted the repair tech pouring himself a glass of a good brandy. He nodded to himself approvingly as he watched Mr. Sharp select a cigar from the humidor and fill a tiny cup with a small portion of real tree nuts coated in chocolate. The commodore preferred to rely on people who liked the finer things in life when they could get them. It made crew loyalty a much more stable factor.
He noted that Mr. Sharp was studying both of the motivational posters on the wall again. He shelved the charts and got himself a drink before joining the older man. "Ah, you like me posters, do ye?"
Mr. Sharp shrugged. "Well, they're interesting. Not quite what I expected for decor here."
The commodore nodded. "This one was a gift from my 2nd year teacher when I was just a boy, since I always admired it so." He gestured at the poster showing several men arranged to make one giant figure, one man for each leg and arm, three for the torso with the middle man of the three also being the figure's head. "None of us is as strong as all of us." He read aloud. "Words to live by right there, Mr. Sharp. Words to live by. You can lay to that, sir."
Mr Sharp nodded and pointed to the second poster. "I don't think I get this one."
Commodore Carver nodded and chuckled. "Well, let's mayhap come back to that one in a bit. It may have some bearing in the course of our meeting. But for now, sit thee doon and make yourself comfortable, mister. We have at least one matter of some importance to discuss."
Mr. Sharp sat down in the comfortable chair opposite the commodore's at the desk. He took a sip of his drink and a few puffs from the cigar, obviously a bit nervous.
The commodore took a token sip of his own drink and picked up his vapour hose from the holder on the desk. Adjusting the dial up to medium nicotine content, he took a long drag and exhaled it slowly. The vapour disappeared in a matter of seconds, unlike the smoke from the cigar. The commodore had no objections to smoking, but reserved it for very special occasions, making do most of the time with the nicotine laced water vapour that was allowed on shipboard, even though the air scrubbers here in the safehold were more than adequate to allow for actual smoking.
"It's been nigh unto eleven years that you and your daughter have been with us here, am I right Mr Sharp?"
Sharp nodded. "It will be twelve years this year, commodore."
The commodore considered his words carefully as he studied his drink. "I feel I have always tried to do right by both of ye, and I hope that you are in accord with me on that point? Well, as much as can be, all things considered."
"Considering that this is a pirate safehold in an anarchy system and we are your captives, commodore.. I would still say that we have always been well treated." Mr Sharp continued, "I would say comfortable, even. Far better than I expected at first."
Carver affected a stricken look. "Mr. Sharp.. 'Captive' is such a harsh word to be usin' now. I have always thought of you and your daughter as our guests." The commodore took another puff before adding "Albeit, maybe not willing guests in a standard sort of way. But ye've hardly been kept in chains, sir. You've both had the run of the place in exchange for your good behaviour, and have been provided for in comfort as fair exchange for your participation in our work here. Or at least that's how I be seein' it."
Mr. Sharp simply nodded, beginning to wonder what was up.
"There's a problem with your daughter, Mr. Sharp." the commodore said bluntly, having noted the older man beginning to look either impatient or uncomfortable.
Sharp sighed. "What has Felicity done now, commodore?"
The commodore raised both hands as if to fend off a wave of parental exasperation. "Now, now, Mr. Sharp. It's not as if she'd been particularly misbehavin' or any such. But it's been almost twelve years, and she's not a little girl anymore. She's eighteen, which is above and beyond legal age in this system, and in all but one neighboring system."
Mr. Sharp's eyes narrowed and his lips drew tight as he responded "And what of it?"
"Well" the commodore said, spreading his hands as if that would lay the whole matter out, "you know that she has done well aboard my ship as a crew member for the past couple of years. She's a good engineer. Takes after you in that regard, if I might say so. But also she's a good gunner and is shaping up to be one of our best pilots."
Sharp began to interrupt, but the commodore held up his hand..
"Bear with me and hear me out, Mr. Sharp. And then we'll discuss how to handle matters man to man. But hear me out first."
Mr Sharp nodded, though his reluctance was obvious.
"Miss Felicity has.. 'Filled out', shall we say. And that being so, and also accounting that she has respectable skills, it is natural that the male crewmembers have been.. Shall we say, noticing?" The commodore continued, "It is no help at all that she kids around with them and has gone out drinking with them a time or two, and it is not being a benefit to discipline onboard my own ship, Mr. Sharp."
Mr. Sharp interrupted, his voice cold and formal, "Commodore. Twelve years ago, you promised to drop us off on the world of our choice within this region when Felicity reached legal age. You gave me your word on that, and I demand that you honour your word now."
The commodore held up a hand. "My word is my bond, sir, and if that is what you want after you hear me out, then I will hold to it, you can lay to that!"
The commodore tossed down the rest of his drink and took another pull on his vapour hose. "But consider this.. Your daughter grew up here in the Anarchies. She might have been a little girl of the Corporate Worlds all those years ago, but she has grown up to be a young lady of the Anarchies. Strong. Capable. Proud. She might not want to go back to a 'nice' life in the Corporate worlds."
The commodore set down his glass and put both hands on the desk, leaning closer. "Mr Sharp. You and I are both men. What's more, we're men with some experience of the world. I think we both know what it is your daughter needs."
Sharp growled, looking at the commodore with a scowl as he puffed on the cigar furiously.
"What that girl needs.." the commodore said with a sigh, "Is a ship of her own."
The commodore kept a straight face while letting himself enjoy the sight of Sharp choking on smoke and going into a coughing fit as he fumbled around picking the cigar up off the floor where he'd dropped it.
The commodore laughed, "Throw that one away and let's get another, matey. And another drink to go with it. The look on your face was worth celebrating a bit. Gile's blood, man.. What did you think I was going to say?"
Mr Sharp stuttered, tears still in his eyes as he accepted a fresh cigar and a refill of his drink, "I.. uh.. that is.. I.."
The commodore set down the bottle and facepalmed before breaking down into laughter again. "What.. Did you think I was going to suggest we marry her off to one of the boys?"
Sharp replied in a still strangled voice, "Err... something like that, I suppose.."
The commodore pointed at Sharp, still chortling, "Oh! Or maybe that we'd raffle her off to one of the boys as a doxie? Be serious, matey. She'd cut both our throats if we were to so much as try that. She's earned her respect here, and so her own command in the fleet is the obvious answer to the problem. "
The commodore opened a small case and took out one of the spiced cigarettes he favoured, lighting it and smoking contemplatively for a moment before continuing. "So we are in accord as to the lass needing her own ship, Mr Sharp?"
Sharp nodded and looked a bit uncomfortable. "Well, if any of the hacker kids can access it, I had a bit of money in my bank account back on Reveabe."
The commodore pulled a sour face. "Belay that thought! Good Giles, man. I wasn't suggesting that you buy a ship for her. A ship is a sizable investment. I mean that we provide her with a ship and she can work off what it's worth, and then she'd own it free and clear."
Sharp nodded, thoughtful. "I think we have enough spare parts that I could at least build her something like a Krait within a few months. There are a few items we'd need to get, but I'd have enough to start on it right away."
The commodore snorted derisively. "A Krait? She's a good pilot, Mr Sharp, and I won't hold to risking her neck in less than a good ship." He blew a series of small smoke rings and looked thoughtful for a moment. "I'm thinking more like we can take my second backup ship out of the back docks. The one she took such a shine to when we first brought it in, that old police Viper ship."
Mr Sharp almost dropped his drink. "Your Viper, commodore? That's an awful lot of ship right there!"
The commodore shrugged. "And I haven't flown her in nigh unto three turns either, now have I, Mr Sharp? It makes no sense to have a good ship collecting dust when we have a good pilot in need of a ship, now does it? Besides, when she was a young'un she was always trying to sneak aboard that one to sit in the cockpit and play pilot." He chuckled. "I think she even had a name for it, though I can't recall it now.. Cimmeree? Something like that?"
"Chimera or something, I think", Mr Sharp replied. "But Commodore, that ship.."
"I know, I know, Mr Sharp." Carver waved a hand dismissively. "It's several years old and would need some updating. So what might we be needin' to iron her ass out to the max? Start with the engines. What is the fastest powerplant we can outfit that old girl with? This is for your daughter we're talking, so sparing no expense, what would be the ultimate choice for speed and handling?"
Mr Sharp shook his head. "I'm not even sure, commodore. I never looked at the ship with an eye to tricking it out like that. Usually a Viper is already considered a fast and powerful ship that can mount some serious weaponry.."
"Exactly so, Mr Sharp, exactly to my way of thinking. We want to rev it up so it can outrun anything in space, because this is your daughter we're talking about here. If she has to run, I want her to be able to run, and if she were to have to fight, I want that ship to have some serious bite to it. Exactly right!" He paused, noting with satisfaction the growing gleam in Mr, Sharp's eyes as he was considering the possibilities. "You are just the man for the job, I can feel it in me bones, Mr Sharp. Now what could be done to that old Viper to make it faster and hotter than anything in the spacelanes? What tricks might we pull that Galcop never would even have dreamed of?"
"Well", Sharp grinned as he warmed to the topic, "what some of the chop shops are doing with racers is to cut out part of the steel of the frame and replace it with duranium rods to take down the weight. We also might be able to rework the superstructure a bit to accommodate a bigger reactor and maybe even bigger engines than anyone has done before. We could cut back the hull in some areas to mount some of the newer fin arrays they use on warships for faster cooling. It would drastically change the energy profiles, but she sure would be a surprise to any stock patrol ship in the spacelanes."
"Ah, now you're talking good sense, Mr Sharp!" The commodore beamed. "We can make it the best ship in space for Miss Felicity to pilot." His face darkened for a moment. "But I see a problem."
Sharp raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, commodore? I'm sure it can be done. We have the facilities right here."
"Cost, Mr Sharp." Carver shook his head. "If we mod the Viper out like that, the costs will be so high she'd be longer payin' it off than I think is healthy for a young girl with a new ship." He paused for a moment before continuing. "I wouldn't like to see her in debt longer than at most one turn over this."
Both men were silent for a moment before the commodore spoke again. "Well, damn the cost, Mr Sharp! As you tally up the pricess for what you need to make the upgrades, bring them to me and I'll authorize them out of my personal account. Call it a gift. We will only let her pay as much as the ship would have been worth at base cost."
Mr Sharp was stunned. "Are you sure, commodore? This will end up running probably as much as the ship is worth!"
"Aye. Sure'n I'm sure, Mr Sharp." The commodore refilled both their drinks as he continued. "Your Felicity did most of her growin' up right here in the safehold, mate. She's a brilliant girl, and I've never seen a finer young pilot. She loves to fly? Then we should kit her out with the best ship we can, and make no bones over a bit of cost."
The commodore took another cigar out of the humidor and handed it to Sharp, then lit another cigarette before continuing. "You see that poster there, Mr Sharp? The one such as you didn't quite ken the meaning of earlier?" He gestured at the poster as he spoke, a simple white poster with a picture of a crown in a red circle with a diagonal slash across it.
Mr Sharp nodded. "I still can't say as I get it, commodore."
"What is means, Mr Sharp, is 'No Kings'." Commodore Carver paused before continuing. "These are the Anarchies we live in, mister. This is the Lasoce system, right deep in the heart of the Citadels of Chaos. And the essence of anarchy is that it has no kings. Fact of the matter is that is what the word 'anarchy' literally means. No rulers. It doesn't mean we don't have our rules or leaders, mind you. But any man who leads in the anarchies leads because he sets an example that others will willingly follow."
Mr Sharp nodded, obviously struggling to see how this philosophical point bore on their current discussion.
"It also means that if we want life to be good or fair to ourselves and our families, we have to make it so." Carver continued. "Whether that takes fighting or spending some money or whatever else it may be.. We do it, and we let nobody nor nothing stand in our way!" He calmed himself for a moment before continuing. "As I was sayin'. we have to make life good or fair if that is how we're wanting it. No king or president is going to come and do it for us with just his 'make it so'."
The commodore took another sip of his drink and then continued. "Now, Felicity is your daughter. But onboard my ship, I am her captain. Even after she owns her own ship, I will still be her commodore. Understand something, Mr Sharp. I may not be able to be as proud of her as her own father, no sir. But I am proud of her and I watched her grow up from but a wee thing. If she was to get hurt because I was playin' skinflint and didn't deck her ship as well as possible, well who would be to blame? Me, sir, that's who. I'd never forgive myself if that was to happen because of me bein' too tightfisted when I had the means to do things proper for her, and you can lay to that, Mr Sharp."
Sharp nodded, stunned for a moment. Finally he found his voice. "Still, it's going to be an awful lot of ship for a young girl, commodore."
The commodore nodded, conceding that point. "Aye, I can see yer point on that, Mr Sharp. It surely will be." He paused, thinking for a moment. "It will take a bit of time to get the parts, though. She could fly it stock in the meantime and get used to it a bit."
Mr Sharp nodded, obviously relieved. "I think that would be an excellent idea, commodore."
Carver, getting into the spirit of the idea. "I think I can maybe even do one better, Mr Sharp. Now, a Viper can be crewed by either one or two. While we know Felicity is not going to want to share the ship with anyone, I'll tell ye what I can do. We don't have any pressing business scheduled for the next couple of months, so while you get the parts together, I can co-pilot for her. I'll keep her to safer routes and easy money trips for the next few weeks. Sort of back her up as she eases into getting to know the ship. Keep her out of trouble, like. What say ye to that, eh?"
Mr Sharp nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, thank you commodore! You have no idea how much that eases my mind."
The commodore nodded. "An honour, Mr Sharp, and it'll be my pleasure. So if we have an accord that this is a deal that you can advise your daughter is a fair one, shall we call in Felicity and shake on the matter? Papers can be drawn up on the morrow, after ye've had a chance to give the ship a quick goin' over to make sure there's no major problems we haven't noticed before."
Mr Sharp nodded, and commodore Carver touched the communication stud on his collar. "Page Miss Felicity Sharp to the commodore's office please. Thank you."
The two men enthusiastically discussed possibilities for the Viper's modification for a few minutes until there was a knock on the door.
"Enter." The commodore said, and Felicity came into the office.
She was a tall young lady, lithe of form, with blonde hair cropped short on the left and left a bit longer on the right, after the fashion of some of the younger pirates in the Bebege system. Her crimson permadyed lips were pierced with a few small gold rings, as was her thin aqualine nose. She wore knee-high heeled boots of black patent leather to match her panties and tight bodice. A dagger was strapped to her left thigh, and she was still wearing a cyberlink covering her left eye. her right eye was a natural bright green with small gold rings piercing her brow.
"You wanted to see me, sir?" She began, but then noticing her father also sitting in the room her tone changed. "Oh frak! What have I done now?"
"Nothing bad, my dear, nothing bad." The commodore chuckled. "Well, leastways not so far as we know yet." He added in an amused tone.
"The commodore and I have just been discussing your future." Mr Sharp said, his speech slightly slurred since another drink had been poured while they had waited for her.
"Oh?" She arched an eyebrow.
The commodore chuckled. "Nothing like that really, dearie. I was just discussing with your father here, who is technically still your legal guardian at least back in the Reveabe system, the possibility of you signing on as a full crew member to work off the purchase of a ship of your own."
She grinned, the bright silver fangs she'd had installed on her birthday last year glinting prettily. "Really?" Then she immediately put on a poker face. "And what ship might we be discussin' here? Whether I'd be interested would depend on the ship, of course. I'm not up for buying just any old piece of junk."
"Your father and I were thinking perhaps ye might find my old Viper acceptable, with a bit of updating and modification to make her faster and meaner." The commodore turned to Mr Sharp. "If ye would be so kind, Mr Sharp, pour a drink for yer daughter here and she can perhaps find a seat."
"Wait.. Let me get this straight.. " Felicity held up a hand. "By your 'old Viper', you mean your backup ship?"
The commodore nodded.
She turned to her father, "I don't know, daddy. Do you think it's a good deal?"
Mr Sharp beamed. "I can assure you, daughter, the commodore and I have been discussing it, and the terms are more than generous. As your father, I can wholeheartedly advise you to take the deal."
Felicity nodded and smiled. "Ok, daddy. If you think it's best." She turned to the commodore and they shook hands.
Commodore Carver beamed. "Ye'll be needin' to think on what ye want to use as a callsign, girl. Pilot of her own ship needs one."
"My call will be 'Fell Kitty'." She replied immediately with no hesitation.
Her father rolled his eyes, but Carver looked thoughtful for a moment and then nodded. "It suits. Register it before you fly again." Then he took his key ring off his belt and removed a small chip. he tossed it to the older man. "Here you go, Mr Sharp. The key to my private dock where the Shimaree has been kept. You may go and give her a quick inspection at your leisure."
Sharp was on his feet immediately. "I'll get right on it tonight, commodore! Right this second." He headed for the door. "Are you coming, Felicity?"
"I'll be along shortly, daddy, I want to go over a few details with the commodore first." She smiled, watching her father hasten out the door. Then she turned to the commodore, her eyes locked on his for a long second. Suddenly she launched herself at him like a wildcat, nearly knocking him off his feet as she wrapped her arms and legs around him, smothering him with kisses.
"Easy now, lass! Don't go breaking my ribs, I may need them later!" The commodore laughed, his actions betraying belying his words as he returned the tight embrace and paid back her kisses.
"The Shimaree? I get the Shimaree?" She bubbled excitedly. "You dear man! I've dreamed of that ship since I was a little girl!"
The commodore chuckled. "Well, I didn't think you were the sort of girl to be impressed with a trinket or shiny gem. You already have enough of those yourself, from being out looting with me and the crew the past five years."
She looked worried. "You didn't tell daddy about that?"
"No, no.. A girl has a right to a few secrets, now doesn't she?" He reassured her, chuckling.
"Damn straight on that, lover!" She laughed, delighted. Then she looked worried again for a moment. "Daddy doesn't suspect, does he? About us?"
"Oh, I think it's safe to say that he doesn't, hotness." The commodore winked. "In fact, he was all for the idea of my taking a couple weeks to chaperone you, as your copilot as it were."
"How in the seven Hells did you manage that?" She asked, astounded. "But... Mmmmm!" she gloated. "A few weeks with just the two of us alone in space on the ship I always wanted. My ship! And it bein' a two seater with a berth barely big enough to sleep one? Neither of us will walk for a week after we get back!" She laughed and unwrapped herself from the commodore and ran over to the bar, pouring herself a glass of Vicious Juice and lighting a megaweed cigar. "This calls for a celebration!"
The commodore took the drink from her hand and stubbed out the cigar. "Belay that. You don't want those on your breath right now. We need to get down to the dock and see to your father who is going over your Viper."
She pouted. "Are ye sure, commodore?" She preened for a moment, showing off her breasts, barely covered by the shiny black leather.
Carver nodded. "We make sure he's well and into the business of going over your Viper and running tests on her engines and such.. And then you and I can come back to my quarters for some private celebration." He grinned and ran his eyes down the length of her body. "I'm in more than the mood for celebratin' and tyin' on more than a bit of a drunk, myself... As soon as we're sure your father is sure'n busy enough for the night."
She giggled. "You old shark, you."
"Damned straight, girl. And you can lay to that."
Sleep? Who needs sleep? Got game. No need sleep.
Wiki Wizard
Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia (mainly industrial, feudal, TL12)
Post by maik » Sat Oct 23, 2010 9:59 am
Nice writing! And a good start introducing characters that I want to hear more about--well done
Sharp Shooter Spam Assassin
Location: Corke's Drift
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Post by Cody » Sat Oct 23, 2010 11:51 am
Good start, Ganelon… as maik says, characters we want to hear more of, and you've got great plot possibilities from there. Just in time for inclusion in Drew's anthology, as well. A caveat… writing 'Oofic' can be highly addictive, and can eat-up months of your life.
Knowledge is a deadly friend, if no-one sets the rules
The fate of all mankind, I see, is in the hands of fools
JazHaz
Location: Enfield, Middlesex
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Post by JazHaz » Sat Oct 23, 2010 1:04 pm
Have added this story and Vakume Danserz to the Oolite Stories page of the Wiki.
Gimi wrote:
drew wrote: £4,500 though! <Faints>
Maybe you could start a Kickstarter Campaign to found your £4500 pledge.
Thanks to Gimi, I got an eBook in my inbox tonight (31st May 2014 - Release of Elite Reclamation)!
Location: In front of a laptop writing a book.
Contact drew
Post by drew » Sat Oct 23, 2010 2:07 pm
I'll see if I can squeeze these two in as well. Great stuff!
Author of the Oolite Saga, the officially licensed Elite: Reclamation and Elite Dangerous: Premonition
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Post by Ganelon » Sat Oct 23, 2010 4:09 pm
Thank you for your kind comments!
OneoftheLost
Post by OneoftheLost » Sun Oct 31, 2010 6:42 am
Those devious piraty-anarchist types!
Very well written! Alot of characterisation(sp?) put forth in such a short little blurb. I feel like I know the three characters very well. Good job, and great writing.
Post by Ganelon » Wed Nov 03, 2010 9:13 pm
Glad you liked it. I'm already working on the next installment.
ClymAngus
Location: London England
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Post by ClymAngus » Thu Nov 04, 2010 12:49 pm
Good Dialogue! Excellent work! This universe just keeps on getting better and better.
It always brings a grin to my face when someone uses the maps we made.
Medusa.HUD NeoCaduceus
Post by Ganelon » Sat Nov 06, 2010 9:05 am
Note to readers: If you prefer to read in pdf format so there is a nice font and first line indents on the paragraphs and all that, I have this instalment done as a pdf. Pm me through the board with an email addy, if you want a copy. Ganelon
Carver's Anarchy, part 2. By Ganelon
"Ten minutes to EPOI, Commander." The navigator remained bent low over her panels, studying the instruments intently.
"Aye, Miss Sabot," Commodore Carver confirmed. "And how's the schedule for the estimated point of intercept? When did we last have a visual, shipmate?"
"Visual three minutes ago, Commander." Sabot glanced up briefly. "They entered our sphere of influence at that time, as confirmed by our scout. If they hold steady on course and speed, they should be in the spoke for about ten minutes after we intercept."
"Thankee, Navigator." Carver looked to the elderly spacer at the controls. "Helmsman. Steady as she goes.
Grigor the helmsman nodded, his shoulder length grey hair tied back with a scrap of black silk. "Steady as she goes, Cap'n."
Mr. Sharp fidgeted uneasily. "Commodore, should I perhaps get down to engineering? I just feel like I should be doing something.."
"Ah, Mr Sharp..." Carver turned to regard the older gentleman. "This is your first time on our command deck here, and as such we be hopin' that yer services may not be required." He checked the timepiece on the nearest panel. "But ye're due for your time at the head." Carver raised his voice to be heard over the low thunder of the engines as the Helmsman kept pulsing them in about a six second cycle, so the big ship could keep ahead of the smaller ships dancing behind in her wake. "Time for a trip to the head, if any have need. Sing out Navigator!"
"Eight minutes to EPOI, Commander." Kari Sabot announced in a loud voice without looking up.
"I'm fine, Commodore." Sharp quietly insisted.
"Well, ye're new to the command deck, matey." Carver chuckled. "Every man and woman has a scheduled time to hit the head each hour, and walk for a minute to stretch and rest their eyes and such. It's an order, friend. A simple part of ship's discipline. Ye can just wash yer hands or take the walk if'n ye have no need of the facilities, but go ye must." The Commodore gestured to the gangway with a nod and a smile.
"Sorry, Sir." Sharp muttered in apology as he unbuckled his harness and stood. He made his way to the gangway, walking somewhat stiffly since he was still unaccustomed to the new suit of gee-armour he wore.
As soon as Mr Sharp was out of sight, Fell Kitty slid from her seat at the gunner station and slid up behind Carver, her arms wrapping around him as she whispered near his ear. "Bad enough that we had to come back home after bare two days o' that time in space ye promised me. But did we really have to bring daddy along on mission?"
The Commodore winced as she nipped his ear rather sharply. "Ow! Lay offa me ear, girl. I may be needin' it later." He chuckled. "And this be neither the time nor the place fer this talk. Parts were available, and so yer father put yer ship into drydock for a few days. Doin' his duty, as agreed. Now git yer fanny back over to stations, girl. We've business to attend to."
Kitty sighed and reluctantly disengaged her arms from around the Commodore, pouting at him for a moment before assuming her post. Some members of the command deck crew hid smirks and Carver allowed a slight smile to show through.
Mr. Sharp returned after another moment, losing his balance as the ship surged and partially tumbling into his seat. "This damned gee-armour is too stiff."
Commodore Carver chuckled. "Non-Newtonian fluid pouches in the inner workin's of the joints and main body areas, Mr. Sharp. They stiffen in response to any sudden moves or impact. Ye just need to get used to movin' a wee bit lazy. Ye'll get accustomed to it fast, matey. But it's some o' the best stuff to keep yer insides in, if anything rough happens. Navigator! When away?"
"Two minutes to point of intercept, Commander."
"Buckle back in, Mr. Sharp. We're comin' up on showtime." He looked to the helmsman. "Ready on the helm, Grigor?"
"Aye aye, Cap'n. Steady as she goes and ready on your command." Grigor flipped a set of switches.
Carver settled his hands onto his set of controls, and toggled a switch. The ship gave a very slight shudder as his controls became active and he took over the helm. "Coded tone message to our ships in space. Have all of them drop back out of sight except for... " Carver studied the scanner for a few seconds. "Number five. Five is in a good position. He can pull ahead with us and make sure they see him."
A short series of musical beeps played for a fraction of a second and the messages were sent, then there was a long moment of tense silence, save for the rhythmic thrumming of the engines.
Miss Sabot broke the silence. "Commander, we have scanner. Two ships. Three. Four. Looks like four total. Identifying."
"Aye, Navigator. I have them on scanner. Confirmed.
Kari Sabot continued, "Looks to be an Anaconda, sir. Two Mambas and a Cobra MK III as escort. We'll be in our sphere of influence in four... three... two... one... We're in, commander."
"Communications!" Carver barked. "Open a hail to the Anaconda. Record mode and put it over ship's speakers."
"Going on speaker, Commander. Now."
"Hail unknown Anaconda. You are in Rahooranian space. We are a duly authorized Rahooranian patrol. Identify please, and state your purpose."
There was a pause, then the reply crackled over the speakers. "Rahoo..uh whatever it is.. Never heard of it, buddy. This is the Lasoce system. Be good lads and bugger off, eh?"
Carver smiled as he steered the ship into an almost parallel course with the Anaconda, letting it slowly drift closer as he kept talking. "Attention, Anaconda. Confirmed this is Lasoce system. Rahooran is a country on Lasoce Prime. Your ship and escorts are in Rahooranian space at this time. Repeating. Identify and state your purpose."
Sharp watched, listening to the exchange. He was tense, his fingers digging into the arm of his seat.
Carver turned to Sharp and grinned as he pressed a button to mute the microphone. "I'll bet ye a glass that this lot won't be easy about this, shipmate." He chuckled.
"And repeat to you, in the ugly ship. We know of no... Rahooray, or whatever it is, and we have no business there. We are enroute to the Galcop station at Lasoce Prime. Now back off, or we'll hull that... junkyard you call a ship."
Carver enabled the mic again. "Actually, she's a prototype Griff Industries Boa. But that makes no never mind. This is the good ship Lady of Fortune, a duly appointed vessel of the navy o' Rahooran. By the authority granted to us from Her Honour the Din-soo of Rahooran herself, we hereby formally order you to stand down your engines and deliver yourselves and your ship up for a records check and a cargo inspection. Failure to comply may result in consequences legal and otherwise." He switched off the mic again, checking the scanner. Lady of Fortune was slowly edging closer to the Anaconda, and Carver switched the main viewer to her portside cameras to watch the ship as it gradually grew larger on the screen, it's escort still holding tight in formation.
"Order refused! Now get your garbage scow freighter and that pathetic MKII Cobby off our scanners or we'll blow you right out of the sky. We give no quarter to pirates, scumball!"
"Communications, open a verbal channel to squadron ship number five. No scrambler, standard ship to ship frequency." Carver nodded to Fell Kitty. "Weapons ready to go hot, gunner?"
"Ready by your command, Sir!" Kitty grinned and checked over her control panel.
"Frequency open to number five, Commander." The brown and white long-haired feline communications officer added, "The Anaconda hasn't sent a mayday yet, sir."
Carver nodded. "Mr Jeeb." He addressed the pilot of number five by name. "Fire a warning shot across the bow of that Anaconda."
As they watched the angry beam of red light sizzle harmlessly over the Anaconda's bow, Carver took a long drag off his vapour tube, letting it out slowly before setting it down and hitting the mic enable switch again. "Well now... If it's pirates that ye lot prefer t' be dealin' with, sure'n we can oblige." He grinned and lowered his voice into a coarse growl as he brought up the mic gain dial to make sure he'd be heard loud and clear. "Stand and deliver, or ye'll be meetin' Lord Giles a whole lot sooner than ye may have been expectin'!"
"Commander! The Cobra has missile lock on us and the Mambas are coming around." Sabot's voice was cool and precise. "Neither the Anaconda nor the Cobra are changing course. They'll be in the spoke for another six minutes at present course and speed."
"Communications, tone coded message to the rest of the squadron. Weapons hot, injectors hot, intercept and engage. Peel off their fighters and leave the Anaconda to us. Send!" Carver hit the injectors and turned the big ship towards a spot just behind the Anaconda. Scanners erupted with activity as a rolling mass of a dozen smaller fighters sped in from the blackness of space. They shot past the Lady of Fortune, injectoring hard towards their targets, assorted colours of laser lancing out.
Fell Kitty sang out. "Anaconda and Cobra are firing missiles!"
"Signal all our ships to ECM every time they score a hit with lasers. Grigor, ECM from us every ten seconds." Carver sped a bit past the Anaconda, then turned and pulled in behind her. The whole deck of the Lady of Fortune throbbed as the injectored engines roared, and then Carver cut injectors, matching the Anaconda's speed, just a little behind and below the more massive cargo ship.
Carver checked the screen, then reached over and nudged Mr Sharp gently on the shoulder. Sharp had been watching the main screen, transfixed, silent and tense. "We have a moment, shipmate. Any questions?"
Sharp swallowed hard. "Uh... Yes. Yes sir." He swallowed hard. "Won't all that ECM disable our own missiles as well?"
Carver laughed... "Ah, that's what I like about ye, sir. Ye be a thinkin' man, and I see yer mind is as sharp as yer name, even in the heat of battle." Carver continued, even as he turned his attention back to the scanner. "Don't ye fret on that, shipmate. This sorry little lot of mollyfrakkers ain't worth spendin' good missiles on. Hang on tight, shipmate. We'll be done in a nonce."
Suddenly there was a shriek and a vibration shuddered through the deck as a laser scored a hit on the Lady of Fortune. "It's that Cobby from her escort, Giles damn his eyes! Communications! Signal all free ships onto that Cobra. Stat!"
As the rapid sequence of musical tones played, sending out the coded order, Kitty spoke up. "Mambas are all neutralized, Commodore! All ships coming to bear on the Cobra."
Carver took a hit from his vapour tube and a sip from his caffeine tube and then nodded grimly at the Anaconda almost totally filling the main screen. "Alright, ye sarky bastages." He growled, "Time to dance!" Smiling grimly as his hands flew over the controls.
There was a sudden flash from off screen, and Sabot announced, "Cobra is neutralized, Commander."
"Communications!" Carver barked. "Order all ships to retreat to a safe distance immediately. Send!"
Carver turned his head, cracking his neck, and then pressed the button on his console for the ship's intercom. "Attention all hands... This is your captain speaking." His tone was suddenly calm and congenial. "We apologise for any inconvenience, but we are about to experience a wee bit of... turbulence, shall we say. Hang on tight if ye please, and of course we thank you for flying Anarchy Spacelines." He chuckled as he switched off the intercom.
"Communications, announce maneuvers on my mark. Gunner station ready?" He glanced towards Fell Kitty.
"Hot! Ready on your command, sir!" Kitty replied, her hands waiting on the assorted switches as she peered intently at her screens.
"Right then. Maneuever on my mark. Zaria Pinwheel, larboard e' starboard! All hands ready?"
Each person on the bridge replied "Ready.", and since most of them knew what was coming, they grabbed hold of their seat or a strap or anything handy. Grigor added in a quiet moan, "Oh, I hate this one.."
Mr Sharp decided to follow the example set by the others and gripped the arms of his seat tightly.
"Weapons fire on my command. And it's three... two... one... Mark!" He hit the injectors for a few moments as he pulled the ship, sliding in just over the Anaconda's top deck at close range.
"Fire!" He barked as he took the Lady of Fortune into a hard clockwise roll over the larger ship as he held her steady and at close range.
Sharp wasn't sure who was switching the main viewscreen to keep the Anaconda in view as the Lady of Fortune spun on her axis, but his jaw dropped as he saw the effect of the maneuver. Mounted on the top and keel sides of the Lady of Fortune as well as her port and starboard sides were plasma turrets. Slow firing and only really capable of causing much damage at close range, such weapons were usually used mostly to deal defensively with incoming missiles by the few ships equipped with turrets. But at near point-blank range, and with the ship rotating so that all four of the turrets got to fire in the time it usually takes for a single turret to fire and recharge, the effect was devastating.
Blood red plasma balls in a constant close range barrage literally bathed the top of the Anaconda in a bright lurid glow, and within seconds he could see her hull plates starting to buckle.
"Cease fire!" Carver shouted, as the lady of Fortune dropped back behind the wounded Anaconda, still being careful to avoid the bigger ship's rear lasers, if she actually had them.
"Please don't kill us! Let us escape!" came the message from the Anaconda over the ship speakers. In the background, one could hear alarm klaxons and hectic noise and chatter.
Carver chuckled and took his hands off the controls, letting the Lady of Fortune cruise along behind and just under the Anaconda, which was already leaking plasma. He took time for a leisurely puff off his vapour tube and blew a few rings before responding. "Well..." He began. "Seein' as how ye'r in a bit of a fix and I be a far more reasonable man than you yourself was a few minutes ago... If'n ye stand down yer throttle to zero, we'll allow ye the use of escape pods. Pods will not be fired upon, ye can lay to that." He paused for a moment and then continued. "If'n ye lack sufficient escape pods, let us know and we will attempt to rescue. So long as your people are unarmed and in clear sight when we board, they will not be fired upon. You have my word on it."
"We have enough escape pods. Confirming agreement. We are throttling down... now."
Carver adjusted speed to stay in position as the sputtering engines of the Anaconda went dark. Less than a minute after the message, the tiny bright lights of several escape pods slid out and away from the now dark hulk of the Anaconda.
Carver turned to Sharp and grinned. "And that be that, shipmate. All over. You can unbuckle and head down to the lounge if ye'd be so kind. I'll be along in a moment and we can talk, as I'm sure ye have a dozen questions." He raised his voice enough to be heard. "A good job! Commendations to all hands. Call in our rescue and salvage teams, and we'll stand guard here over operations. I want every pod scooped, and a preliminary damage and casualty report on my pad within 5 minutes." He turned to the navigator. "How's our sphere, Miss Sabot?"
She checked a readout and punched a few numbers into her pad. "Safe, Commander. We still have forty seconds before the spoke passes."
"Excellent, Miss Sabot. I'll be in the lounge if I'm needed. Grigor, you have the con. Shall we go, Mr. Sharp? Nothing intoxicating or flammable until we get back to port are allowed, but I could do with a cup of real coffee right now." He started for the gangway.
Sharp nodded a bit numbly and followed.
The lounge of the Lady of Fortune was fairly spartan, just a few dispensers and some comfortable slings one could clip into. The two men got their coffees in insulated vacuum pouches and settled into slings near the large viewscreen where the early stages of the salvage operation were already underway. It would be hours yet before the Hognoses would arrive to tow the Anaconda and the larger bits of debris back to the cove, but the fleet's Cobra Clipper SAR was just finishing up scooping the last of the escape pods and the Anaconda's cargo was already being transferred to other ships.
"So, shipmate," Carver began, "Now ye've seen a patrol mission and encounter, I'd lay that you have some ques..." He broke off as his tablet chimed. Taking out the tablet, he whistled low. "Well, now. Quite the load in that cargo hold, indeed. And some of it be in high demand to certain friends of ours." He skimmed his thumb down across the small screen, scrolling through the reports. "Mr. Sharp. Would ye be so kind as to have a look at the status report on the Anaconda? One of our ensigns thinks they may be able to power her up and we could limp her on back to the cove under her own power." He handed the small tablet to the older man.
Sharp looked through the data briefly before handing the tablet back, nodding. "Only the one plasma coupling looks to be severely damaged. If they keep that shut down and don't fire the engines up to more than maybe 25%, they could get her underway and probably make it back to the cove. Damage to hull plates looks worse than it is, and she needs some work before she's really spaceworthy again, but the engines look like they're in good enough shape to make it back to the cove, if they watch them closely for any signs of hidden damage that a preliminary inspection might have missed."
Carver nodded, tapping in instructions for a few seconds before putting the tablet away. "Sorry for the interruption, but we're out of our sphere, Mr. Sharp. The quicker our 'perfectly legal rescue and salvage' operation is done and out of here, the better."
Sharp nodded. "I really don't understand any of that. I heard you and the others talking about spokes and spheres and I don't know anything about that."
"Well, Mr. Sharp," Carver unclipped and went over to a set of cabinets near the beverage dispensers. He returned with a couple of recyclable prepackaged vapour tubes, handing one to the older man as he opened the other for himself. "It's a matter of legal points, it is. I can explain the very basics, if'n ye like. But Miss Sabot, our navigator, she'd be the one to really ask about it." He took a couple drags of vapour and another sip of coffee before continuing. "Or the hacker boys and girls, now they really know the fine points of the maths and laws and such. But basically it is a matter of what may be called jurisdiction. One of the nice sounding things Galcop does is to guarantee each country of a world like Lasoce Prime their very own bit of space."
The Commodore held up his coffee pouch and pointed to a spot on it to illustrate the point. "Now, if ye can allow that this here spot is a small country... Why, that country's chunk o' space would be what's right overhead. Since worlds like this one haven't any globally agreed laws regarding space, it's easiest to just extend the idea of their airspace out into actual space. All the way to the orbit of the system's outermost planet, even. It sounds good and fair enough, and they'll usually agree to that readily."
Sharp nodded, taking a sip of coffee and a cautious puff off his vapour tube. He grimaced at the taste.
Carver chuckled and continued. "All those territories extend out into space like the spokes of a great huge wheel." He shrugged. "Well, except fer the fact that it's three dimensional and more of a globe, o' course. But anyway, Galcop guarantees them their very own piece o' space, each and every little country on a world like this. It's a way of getting them to be more agreeable to allowing a Galcop station in their orbit, y'see."
Sharp nodded. "I get the idea. But what can they do with that space?"
Carver nodded, chuckling. "Ah, ye're a quick one, mate. That you are, indeed. Since most of those countries have no actual spacer capability and certainly no space navy of their own... Well, it's a nice sounding thing that costs Galcop nothing to give and almost never is any inconvenience, y'see." He nodded, sipping coffee. "A cheap and impressive sounding concession to appease the local planetary governments, but that actually costs Galcop nothing at all."
The Commodore continued, after checking his tablet screen briefly. "However, once in a great while, one of those little planetary governments will make an agreement with some independent contractors. That's where we come in, y'see. A private force agrees to act as a sort of space navy to protect the interests of one or more o' the planetary governments in exchange for... " He paused thoughtfully for a few seconds. "Certain concessions on both sides. A mutually agreeable contract o' sorts. Then that there government, they issue a formal statement that goes on record, that the private force are acting to protect and forward the country's interests in space. The term for such a force is privateers. That's what we be, mate. Privateers."
Sharp frowned and shook his head. "I don't see how that could possibly work on any practical scale. Planets rotate on their axis, so this useless 'territory' each country gets in space would be constantly changing."
Carver beamed and punched the older man lightly on the shoulder. "Right ye are, matey! Exactly so! Ah, but you're a bright one, and don't let any man say otherwise! Now, y'see... mostly that constantly changing territory is sweeping through useless chunks of empty space. But in our case, once every Lasocian day, it happens to sweep right near the main spacelane between the witchspace beacon and the Galcop station. And that is when we have what we call our sphere of influence. That's the time when we can act as the navy of the country Rahooran of Lasoce Prime."
Sharp looked incredulous. "So you're trying to tell me that we are actually legal? 'Privateers', rather than a band of pirates?"
The Commodore looked thoughtful for a moment and and then shrugged. "Well... In a manner of speakin', matey. Ye have to bear in mind that Rahooran is a very small country. She has only a bit less than half a percent of the planet's total populace, and is one of the very poorest countries there are on that world. So if we make a planetfall in her borders, why we're her royal navy droppin' in fer a visit. But if we was to land most anywhere else on Lasoce.." Carver leaned close and grinned and growled in a low voice. "We'd be nothin' but a scurvy lot o' filthy pirates... And ye can lay to that, mate."
The door slid open and Fell Kitty strode into the room. She handed a coded tablet to Carver and plucked the vapour tube from his hand as he keyed in a security code. She took a couple of long drags off the black tube before he could recapture it. "Giles, but I could do with a proper smoke. How long afore we be haulin' our iron out of here, Cap'n?" She nodded to Sharp. "Hi Daddy. What did you think of yer first taste of combat?"
Carver snorted. "Hardly worth callin' that a combat, girl. Those poor green boys barely knew their afts from holes in the ground."
"It was over almost as soon as it started." Sharp agreed. "But it was something to see, certainly. I had no idea our fighters were that good."
"Don't be too impressed so soon, mate." Carver warned. "This is an easy one, so far. Most are more than a might more difficult." He handed the tablet back to Kitty. "We'll be haulin iron outta here by the top of the hour, girl. Now be a dear and run along and be gettin' escorts and such set up for the trip home. I need to have some words with yer father, here. But pass word that I said we're all lookin' at fat shares this time. Advances have already been posted."
"Aye aye, Cap'n." Kitty grinned and strode from the room.
Sharp's tablet beeped and he took it out, frowning and tapping in the presses to check his massages. "Six hundred credits have been deposited in my account? Why?"
Carver chuckled. "You were crew today, mate. Crew always gets paid. That's an advance, though. Precise numbers won't be posted till a wee bit later today after a better inventory is done. But I know fer a fact that it'll be summat over six hundred a share for crew on combat vessels."
"But I didn't do anything!" Sharp protested.
"Not true, mate. Ye consulted on the engines of that Anaconda and you were aboard the flagship as crew during battle. In an emergency, ye would've done some duty, I'm sure. No arguments, it's the way we do such things. Take yer share and don't shout about it." Carver scrolled through his own tablet. "Now I further want ye to take a gander at this, if'n ye'd be so kind." He handed the tablet to the older man.
Sharp studied the tablet silently for a few minutes before looking up. "It appears to be a combination of a large scale ship repair and building dock with an engineering lab." He handed the tablet back to Carver. "I'd need to put it on a bigger screen to make much sense of the diagrams."
"Right ye are, mate. And smart as paint besides, as usual!" Carver chuckled. "That be the original plans of a chop-shop in G-4. Some say the best chop-shop in all eight galaxies. I aim to have something belike, within the next few years."
Sharp nodded. "Well, that's a risky business, but I'm sure you know the demand and market better than I. Would I be working there under the chief engineer?"
Carver pulled a sour face. "Fer a smart man, ye can be daft some days, mate! I'd like you to consider taking the post as senior engineer." Carver held up a hand as if to ward off protests. "No answer right now, mate. There's more to discuss, and we'll be havin' a talk tonight on that and a few other matters. But I wanted ye to know what was at stake for you personally and for you to have money in yer pocket before we speak further on it." Carver unclipped from the sling and set his feet to the deck, the heels of his magboots glowing as they activated. "Right now, we have business to attend to."
As he made his way to the door, he paused and glanced back to Mr. Sharp, who was still unclipping. "Now if ye insist on feeling useful this trip, matey... Drop by engineering and get a look at the place. Check the damage reports and do as ye see fit for the good of our ship. Get the feel of the place, so to speak." Carver smiled to himself. "Oh, and mate? Since I get the feeling that you maybe doubt me as to some matters, we'll be takin' ye along when we make planetfall at Rahooran in a couple o' days. I think it's past time fer ye t' be hob-nobbin' with some dignitaries. We'll need you kitted out with a decent dress uniform."
Carver chuckled and strode through the doorway, leaving Sharp standing alone in the lounge and looking somewhat stunned.
Post by Cody » Sat Nov 06, 2010 7:43 pm
A good plot brewing there, Ganelon… I like your idea of how an anarchy system might operate… clever.
Ganelon wrote: If you prefer to read in pdf format so there is a nice font and first line indents on the paragraphs and all that, I have this instalment done as a pdf.
I'll pass on that... I hate indents.
Post by Ganelon » Sun Nov 07, 2010 2:13 pm
Well, the world is kind of divided on the matter of indents. They're sort of a holdover from printed books, but a lot of us have gotten more used to reading without them due to places like this. I figure it's nice to offer the option. Part one is also available in pdf format now.
Thank you, El Viejo. I've felt for a while that pirates and anarchy systems tend to be a bit lacking in dimension so far as the fiction goes. In most discussions on the forum, pirates are basically targets and anarchy systems are rough places one can run through to find bunches of them. So I've been giving some thought to what the circumstances of life might be like for people who live in anarchy systems and why people/characters would end up being pirates.
I even started a new game in a fresh copy of Oolite with different OXPs and such to play as Carver. My usual Oolite identity, Ganelon, is more of a "mostly clean" legal rating sort of character.
That's why it's taking a while to get sections written. The hours of playing as a pirate, which are uh.. purely for research purposes, of course. Yeah. That's it.
Post by Cody » Sun Nov 07, 2010 2:30 pm
Ganelon wrote: I even started a new game in a fresh copy of Oolite with different OXPs and such to play as Carver. My usual Oolite identity, Ganelon, is more of a "mostly clean" legal rating sort of character.
Yeah, don't you just love that 'research'… be warned though, running illegal can be habit-forming.
I'll be on the look-out for a new member called Carver… 'zap on sight' rules of engagement will apply.
Well, but.. If you already have 'fugitive' status, then there's no point in not running guns and narcotics at least. The local system patrol cops are going to try and shoot at you anyway...
As Carver might say on the matter:
"Well, now.. If'n they'd really been plannin' on collectin' their pensions, then they'da headed the other way when they saw us comin'. Eh, shipmate?"
I don't know about there being a new member of the forum named Carver, though. Somebody where "Every day is 'Talk like a Pirate Day'" might get tedious fast in discussions. LOL
Ganelon wrote: The local system patrol cops are going to try and shoot at you anyway...
So will every two-bit hunter that thinks they can take you for your bounty and cargo… many have made that mistake with Rolling Thunder, and most end-up as just another digit on my kill count… contrabandistas rule!
Return to "Fiction"


text:
De Graffenreid to take post as SVP of Communications
Nathan Murphy Needle
Effective Feb. 1, Ellen de Graffenreid will assume her position, announced last semester, as the new Senior Vice President for Communications. Her appointment by President Fred Lawrence will replace former Associate Vice President for Communications Bill Burger. Andrew Gully served as the previous Senior Vice President for Communications before leaving.
De Graffenreid comes to Brandeis with experience in both higher education and the private sector. She previously served as director of communications for both the University of Louisville Health Sciences Center as well as the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of North Carolina, at which she engaged donors and oversaw marketing and social media. Additionally, De Graffenreid worked on marketing and product development at Hewlett-Packard prior to entering education and has also worked as a private consultant.
Lawrence announced the appointment in mid-December.
"In her new role at Brandeis, Ellen will oversee all university communications initiatives, including media relations, government relations and public affairs, public relations, advertising, Web services and publications," Lawrence wrote in an email last week. "She will report directly to me."
Burger served as interim senior vice president after the departure of Gully in June. Gully now serves as worldwide director of communications for Sotheby's and Burger has moved to a new position as vice president for communications at Middlebury College.
"I will be engaging the staff, as well as others across campus, in looking at the communications program's challenges and opportunities and Brandeis' overall needs to chart a course for the future," De Graffenreid said. "I am already meeting with members of the communications staff and I am impressed with their knowledge of the university and their commitment to Brandeis' mission and culture."
While adjusting to her new role, De Graffenreid plans to spend a good deal of time getting to know the university. "I am most excited about meeting the faculty, staff, students and alumni, understanding what they are excited about, issues and programs they care about, and I'm looking forward to working together to communicate very broadly about Brandeis' strengths and successes," said De Graffenreid.
"Brandeis is a distinctive university and, as a communicator, those points of distinction provide outstanding opportunities to differentiate Brandeis from peer institutions."
"One of the reasons that I like the field of communications and marketing is that there are always opportunities to improve on and build on what has been done before," said De Graffenreid. "You can always do something differently or better."
In addition to her resume, De Graffenreid has also done a great deal of pro bono work through organizations like Planned Parenthood and the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program. "I like doing pro bono work with organizations that see a problem and take steps to address it," she said.
"Not only does the Brandeis community discuss big issues—something that is common at universities—but at Brandeis individuals and organizations also take concrete steps to address issues on both a local and global level," she said.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Monica Murrell and Desirée Hopper
Ask anyone in a healthy long-term partnership or marriage and they'll tell you: the secret to success is a having that special blend of like-minded thinking and different (yet complementary) skills and traits. You have to share the same values, integrity and vision for the future, and you need to be able to pick up where the other leaves off.
For Monica Murrell and Desirée Hopper, this unique chemistry was immediately evident when they met at a third-party management company more than a decade ago. Monica was in operations and Desirée in sales, and when they partnered together, their shared appreciation for the importance of extreme attention to detail, exceptional customer service, detailed planning and uniquely memorable experiences made clients take notice.
Monica and Desirée founded planning MODE in 2009 and have led it to become one of Dallas's most trusted and sought after event management companies for planning and executing corporate conferences, events and incentive travel programs.
And as they've grown their team and their roster of clients over the years, they've retained their seamless compatibility of shared vision and complementary skills. Which is pretty important when you've got that compatibility baked right into your company's name:
MO (Monica) and DE (Desirée).
Fun Facts About Monica
Loves to cook, especially her homemade spaghetti and meatballs that her husband claims was a big reason that he fell in love with her.
Reads an average of about 50 books per year, all accomplished while drying her hair.
Passionate about The University of Texas, from attending all of the home football games to fundraising for scholarships.
Along with the dog Abby, she lives in a house full of boys: Jackson and Hayes (the little kids), and her husband David (the big kid).
Fun Facts About Desirée
Completed four marathons (New York, San Diego, Orlando and Dallas), but these days she tries her best to get on her Peloton bike or practice yoga.
Loves the music of Ryan Adams, Bruce Springsteen and Josh Rouse almost equally. Knows the words to every light rock hit from the 70s and 80s.
On Sunday nights, after trying out a new recipe with her husband and putting the kids to bed, you'll find her on the couch with a glass of red wine, ready to watch her favorite Netflix/Showtime originals, aka her "programs."
Lives in a house equally divided—three girls (Desirée, daughter Savannah and Rosie the dog) and three boys (husband Travis, son Briggs and Ocho the cat).
Making a big impression
by focusing on small details.


text:
Family Law issues range from custody to prenuptial agreements
On behalf of The Law Office of Lisa A. Vance, P.C. | May 2, 2014 | Family Law
Family Law is a multifaceted practice, covering issues ranging from domestic abuse to prenuptial agreements, from divorce and custody to adoption and child support. In recent years, Family Law has begun to have an impact for an entirely new demographic of people: same-sex couples. The gay equality movement continues to gain momentum across our country, with seven states legalizing same-sex marriage in the last year alone. If same-sex married couples move to a state that does not license same-sex marriage, they could find themselves facing more than one complex issue, especially if same-sex couples ever decide to get divorced.
One Texas couple currently suffers through these issues, as their divorce and child-custody proceedings have been halted by a state appeals court. This happened only two days after a ruling that the case could continue after it was determined that the Texas gay marriage ban was unconstitutional. The Attorney General requested the stay while more extensive legal action was explored to ensure that the ruling was not erroneously understood to be an endorsement for same-sex marriages.
It can be difficult for same-sex couples in Texas to receive fair treatment in Family Law cases, but it is not impossible. Strong legal assistance can help same-sex couples navigate the turbulent waters of Texas Family Law to ensure that they are given fair representation.
Of course Family Law benefits extend to all types of families, not just same-sex couples. Whatever your Family Law needs may be, including grandparents' rights or post-divorce modification, effective legal counsel may be able to ensure that you are treated fairly and justly in court. Families are important to everyone involved, from grandparents to children, and the importance of Family Law should not be taken lightly.
Source: Statesman.com, "Texas appeals court halts ruling in gay-divorce case," Chuck Lindell, April 24, 2014


Il primo Comenius dell'IPS "Albe STEINER"
OBST - Overcoming & Breaking StereoTypes.
This project is aimed at exploring national and gender stereotypes in order to arise students' awareness towards them and help to overcome. First students will identify and highlight those closest to their interests in the medias and in their everyday life, then they will share and compare their results with the other partners.


Well another Advertising Week has come and gone and this year there was no shortage of competing programming. There was MIXX, SM2, MMS, OMMA and millions of other events like the Girl's Lounge dinner and the MediaLink event at the Whitney.
Kimye sightings aside, we at AUSAM kept it OG and copped passes to the classic Advertising Week conference - and we were NOT disappointed.
Adweek content this year was probably the best of the past six years we've been attending. It was wonderful to find a classically technology, data and feature-obsessed crowd get back to basics. Common themes this year focused on measurement, brand storytelling, better understanding consumers and engaging with them on their terms (AKA how do we stop ad blocking) and of course: video, video, video!
The great thing is you can stream EVERY PANEL from adweek at your leisure. Our suggestions below. Happy binging!
From Hack to Indispensable: Long Live Header Bidding - FINALLY a panel about the use of Header Bidding beyond "increasing yield"
Newer PostIs Messaging Finally Heating Up?


text:
class UsersController < ApplicationController
  skip_before_filter :authorize, :only => [:new, :create]
	def index
	end

	def show
		@user = current_user
		@trigger = Trigger.new
		@supporter = Supporter.new
	end

	def edit
		@user = current_user
	end

	def update
		@user = current_user
		respond_to do |format|
		  if @user.update(user_params)
		    format.html { redirect_to @user, notice: 'User was successfully updated.' }
		  else
		    format.html { render :edit }
		  end
		end
	end

	def new
		@user = User.new
	end

	def create
		@user = User.new(user_params)
		@user.daily_reports << DailyReport.new
		@user.last_active = Time.now
	  if @user.save
	  	session[:user_id] = @user.id
	    redirect_to get_started_path
	  else
	  	@new_user_errors = @user.errors
	    render :"welcome/index"
	  end
	end

	def destroy
		@user = User.find(params[:id])
		@user.destroy
		respond_to do |format|
			format.html { return redirect_to root_url, notice: "User was successfully destroyed."}
		end
	end

	def moods
		@check_in = CheckIn.new(quantitative: params['quantitative'])
		current_user.daily_reports.last.check_ins << @check_in
		render nothing: true
	end

	def toggle_twitter_triggers
		current_user.toggle_twitter_triggers
    	render nothing: true
	end

	def toggle_google_triggers
		current_user.toggle_google_triggers
    	render nothing: true
	end

	def specific_toggle
    	trigger = current_user.triggers.find(params[:trigger_id])
		current_user.toggle(trigger)
    	render nothing: true
	end

	def get_started
		@supporter = Supporter.new
		@trigger = Trigger.new
		@user = current_user
	end

	private

	def user_params
		params.require(:user).permit(:first_name, :last_name, :password, :password_confirmation, :phone, :gmail, :twitter)
	end

end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


If you're like most people, you probably like to keep your home private from the neighbors. Most people like to feel safe and secure in their home, and no one wants to feel like they're being watched when they're relaxing in their backyard. We see more and more requests for privacy fence installations for a number of reasons.
Here are three of the most common reasons that our team at Greenhill Fencing, Inc., one of the top fencing companies in Philadelphia, believes that homeowners want to install a privacy fence in their yard.
Protection for small children. Any parent can tell you that kids tend to wander off. Taking your eyes off a toddler for as little as a few seconds is enough to let themselves get into trouble. A privacy fence helps to keep families safe by preventing children from wandering off your property.
Noise reduction and protection from pets. Do your neighbors have a dog that just won't seem to stop barking? What about a cat that enjoys taking a stroll into your lawn to agitate your pets? Privacy fencing provides better noise reduction from loud pets and will prevent stray animals from being able to enter your yard.
Pool safety. If you have a pool, common sense dictates that you need a fence to keep your home and neighborhood children safe. A privacy fence prevents tree-climbing animals from jumping into your yard and pool, while also providing a barricade that keeps neighborhood children from accidentally falling into your pool.
No matter what your motivation, our team at Greenhill Fencing, Inc. can provide you with the fencing that you need to keep your home and your family safe and comfortable this season.
If you are in need of fence installation in Philadelphia, don't hesitate to give us a call today at 267-329-3005 or fill out a contact form on our website for fast and professional service.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized on November 2, 2017 by greenhill.


text:
Q: Is it possible to define an implementation template specialization as typedef of another type? I have a class template for which I want to introduce several template specializations. Those template specializations identical to some existing type. Conceptually I would like to implement them as aliases/typedefs.
The following example code should show what I want to do:
template<class T> class Common {
    /// general implementation
};

class TypeZ;

template<> class Common<Type1> = TypeZ; // <<< how to do this?
template<> class Common<Type2> = TypeZ;
template<> class Common<Type3> = TypeZ;

Is the above possible in some way in C++ (or C++11)? It would be great if I didn't have to implement Common<...> as a class that inherits TypeZ - the actual code is more complex than shown above and inheriting TypeZ is not a good idea there.

A: Yes you can, by using type aliases:
template<typename T> using Common = TypeZ;

See the link for more examples of what is possible. using can be used anywhere typedef can be used, plus in template aliases like the above, so I recommend using using over typedef everywhere you write C++11.

If you need a more complicated mapping, you can use some simple template metaprogramming using std::enable_if or std::conditional combined with std::is_same.
For example, if you need to specialize for 3 types only, use this:
#include <type_traits>

class Type1 {};
class Type2 {};
class Type3 {};
class Type4 {};

class TypeZ {};

// Implementation 1
template<typename T>
constexpr bool is_Type123_func()
{
  return std::is_same<T, Type1>() || std::is_same<T, Type2>() || std::is_same<T, Type3>();
}
template<typename T>
using Common_byfunc = typename std::conditional<is_Type123_func<T>(), TypeZ, T>::type;

static_assert(std::is_same<Common_byfunc<Type1>, TypeZ>(), "");
static_assert(std::is_same<Common_byfunc<Type2>, TypeZ>(), "");
static_assert(std::is_same<Common_byfunc<Type3>, TypeZ>(), "");
static_assert(!std::is_same<Common_byfunc<Type4>, TypeZ>(), "");

// Implementation 2
template<typename T>
struct is_Type123 : public std::conditional<std::is_same<T, Type1>() || std::is_same<T, Type2>() || std::is_same<T, Type3>(), std::true_type, std::false_type>::type {};
template<typename T>
using Common = typename std::conditional<is_Type123<T>::value, TypeZ, T>::type;

static_assert(std::is_same<Common<Type1>, TypeZ>(), "");
static_assert(std::is_same<Common<Type2>, TypeZ>(), "");
static_assert(std::is_same<Common<Type3>, TypeZ>(), "");
static_assert(!std::is_same<Common<Type4>, TypeZ>(), "");

Both implementations are equivalent up to a name and the fact you have to use a function call operator () or the member accessor ::value in the std::conditional.

A: Assuming only certain specialisations of Common are aliases of TypeZ then you can do:
template<class T> class Common {
    struct type {
        /// general implementation
    };
};

template<> class Common<Type1> { using type = TypeZ; };
template<> class Common<Type2> { using type = TypeZ; };
template<> class Common<Type3> { using type = TypeZ; };

template<class T> using common_t = typename Common<T>::type;

Then you use common_t<T> rather than Common<T>.
Just to entertain the inheritance idea, have you tried this?
template<> class Common<Type1> : public TypeZ { using TypeZ::TypeZ; };
template<> class Common<Type2> : public TypeZ { using TypeZ::TypeZ; };
template<> class Common<Type3> : public TypeZ { using TypeZ::TypeZ; };

Then you don't need to use a nested type alias.

A: I am not sure that is allow or not in C++ standard about code on this question.
In my opinion, 'using' will create a new datatype, see the sample code below.
using TypeZ::TypeZ; to inherit the constructor.
#include <iostream>

template<typename T>
class Base { using type_universal = T; };

//e.g. Normal template specialization
template<> class Base<int> { using type_int = int; };

//Target:
class TypeZ {public: int I_am_typeZ = 1; };

//Alias:
template<> class Base<double> : public TypeZ { using TypeZ::TypeZ; };

int main() {
    Base<double> instance;
    std::cout<<"Base<double>.I_am_typeZ = "<<instance.I_am_typeZ<<std::endl;

    return 0;
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
FSU Football Season Ticket Sales Drop, Projected Football Ticket Revenue Decreases $8 Million: Report
By Ira Schoffel – WarChant.com // July 4, 2019
23,758 Season Tickets sold from the 40,000 available seats
Florida State's football season ticket sales, which have been declining every year since 2014, have slid into a free fall this offseason and will cost the Seminoles' fiscally challenged athletics department several million dollars. (FSU Image)
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA (WARCHANT.com) – Florida State's football season ticket sales, which have been declining every year since 2014, have slid into a free fall this offseason and will cost the Seminoles' fiscally challenged athletics department several million dollars.
According to numbers obtained by Warchant.com through a public records request, FSU is in danger of selling less than 25,000 of a possible 40,000 "main bowl" season tickets for the 2019 season. (Those numbers do not include tickets sold in suites or the Champions Club — although those numbers appear to be tracking downward as well.)
If FSU finishes with 25,000 or less as expected, that would mean a drop of more than 7,000 season tickets — more than 20 percent — from last season's total, which already was the worst in several years.
CLICK HERE TO READ FULL ARTICLE ON WARCHANT
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE FLORIDA STATE FOOTBALL SEASON TICKETS
Selling season tickets is a grind right now for college football programs across the country. For Florida State in 2019, it's much more difficult than most: https://t.co/ZTakpbv4Ad
— Ira Schoffel (@IraSchoffel) July 1, 2019
Spectrum Stadium Expansion Features 800 New Seats For UCF Football Games, Limited Seats Available


On March 20th 2010 Eagle Music were proud to host Banjo 1000 with Greg and Janet Deering and The Kruger Brothers. A celebration of our sales of over 1000 Deering, Vega, Tenbrooks and Goodtime Banjos. At this great all day event for banjo enthusiasts Steve was overwhelmed to receive another award from Greg and Janet Deering alongside a special gift of a gold plated, limited edition, 001 serial number model of the new Deering Eagle Banjo. We offer our heart felt thanks to Greg and Janet, here's what is written on the engraved wooden award plaque.
Selling Deering Banjos really means teaching the world that Deering's actual product is the "Magic" of the music brought to life in the beautiful sparkling voice of the banjo. You have created an environment of trust and joy as customers continue to buy Deering Banjos from you.
Customers intuitively know what is true and real, and they communicate their trust in a Deering Banjo Dealer with their purchase. The level of trust you inspire every day clearly illuminates EAGLE MUSIC as one of the most loved and respected Deering Banjo Dealers in the world.
Though words and awards are inadequate to communicate the depth of our appreciation, please know that we recognize and dearly appreciate this magnificent accomplishment and thank you for continuing to raise the standards for Deering Banjo Dealers world wide.
Fantastic footage of Jens Kruger leading an impromptu group rendition of Dueling Banjos at the Eagle Music Shop BANJO 1000 EVENT. On this great video you will see Jens & Uwe Kruger, Joel Landsberg, Greg Deering, Steve Noon and many more banjo playing friends of Eagle Music. This really was the fun highpoint of a great day for banjo enthusiasts, many thanks to all who came, we hope to see you soon.


MEGE has more than 100 staffs and most of them have over 10 years of working experience.
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We have many successful cases and projects such as Dazong Lake Campsite, Guangzhou Container Screen, Lu Lake Campsite, Nalihuakai Park, Lingnan Starlight Camp, Haibin Park. We design and produce beautiful container swimming pools, container hotels, caravans, container toilets, container apartments. Some of them have become landmarks in some cities.
Do you have some excellent ideas on container houses?
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Founded in 2000, MEGE is an expert in container houses manufacturing.
MEGE products have been widely applied to military, petroleum, meteorological, environmental protection, mining, commercial, tourism and other industries.
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MEGE controls more than 80% of the weather shelter market in China.
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the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain.


text:
Found at Unherd
Newspaper Watch
It's not a new idea; our tax system used to tax all income equally from 1988 to 1998, when Nigel Lawson was Chancellor.
Lawson resigned in 1989. Which is about all we need to know about Unherd really.
previousQuite amazing economics
nextDoesn't follow, does it?
14 thoughts on "Found at Unherd"
Rob February 6, 2018 at 3:29 pm
And Labour won by a gigantic majority in 1997, so unlikely they went for a coalition cabinet in 1998.
Written by 18 year old ignorant student trots?
BraveFart February 6, 2018 at 3:47 pm
The famed "teenage scribblers" write an article about the man who coined the terminology
John Fembup February 6, 2018 at 4:12 pm
I think I get it. The law should prohibit work that springs from anyone's private idea of "getting ahead" – or even "getting" anything,
No, work should be only for people to maintain a subsistence- level life.
"Everything within the state, nothing outside the state, nothing against the state."
But . . . hasn't that already been tried?
tomo February 6, 2018 at 4:28 pm
Chairman of the IPPR in concert with the Conservative MP for Weston Super Mare are the proclaimed authors… somebody might be taking the piss?
I just saw the IPPR Commission on Economic Justice – unfortunately I cannot unsee it… but my … they are up themselves in quite grandiose fashion.
Andrew M February 6, 2018 at 5:35 pm
"all income should be taxed the same"
A flat tax? Bring it on!
To be fair, I have some sympathy for the idea of charging National Insurance on pensions. But only until I reach pensionable age.
dearieme February 6, 2018 at 6:07 pm
"our tax system used to tax all income equally": pah! Schedule A was scrapped in 1963. And of course the existence of different income tax bands itself makes a mockery of the statement, at least in its ripped-out-of-context form. Then again, PEPs, TESSAs, pensions, etc, etc.
I know someone who owns so many Premium Bonds that he gets a roughly steady monthly income in small prizes. All untaxed, of course, as they have been since 1956.
allthegoodnamesaretaken February 6, 2018 at 7:17 pm
Must be a tiny income: http://monevator.com/are-premium-bonds-a-good-investment/
"Must be a tiny income": a tickle over 1% p.a. so quite OK in the present interest rate environment.
Rhoda Klapp February 6, 2018 at 7:54 pm
You didn't have to be rich to get your income from dividends. Not if you had a ltd company of whatever size, or shares in one.
Pcar February 6, 2018 at 9:00 pm
Lefties ignorance of dates and numbers is endemic.
BBC Question Time 25 Jan 2018
Green MSP shrieked: "You signed for a PFI hospital in Edinburgh.
Lord Forsyth: "See what I mean?"
WikiP
The replacement hospital had been built on a mostly green field site in the south-east of the city, with the contract signed in August 1998.
The secret is out: "Michael Forsyth was Health Secretary in Blair's Labour Gov't" says Green MSP :facepalm
Diogenes February 6, 2018 at 11:01 pm
Did the Scotch people want to build the hospital?
John Galt February 7, 2018 at 2:52 am
Yes, but with the English paying for it. I believe that is how it works…
Pcar February 7, 2018 at 10:39 pm
Don't know, but more relevant is most Edinburgh people did not – replace city centre hospital with one in the middle of nowhere.


Ever since we decided to visit Panama, I had this vision of hiking in a rich rain forest. And today, that dream came true. We did a little over 6 miles of hiking in Soberania National Park.
We saw frogs, lizards, butterflies, spiders a couple of snakes and even a Spider Monkey perched high up in a tree. We caught a really good glimpse of one exotic (to us, anyway) bird. Though, by far the most impressive creatures we saw today were the ants. Specifically the Leafcutter ants. Our photos just don't these guys justice: imagine a 10+ foot line of ants, each one schlepping a neatly cut piece of leaf. It was almost like something out of a cartoon.
As our hike finished up, I remarked to Shira that it hadn't rained yet. And sure enough, within 10 minutes, the skies opened up and we got drenched. This actually completed the jungle experience nicely. As the rain was pounding down, there was thunder crashing and not too far off in the distance some howler monkeys were making a racket. At least I think they were howler monkeys. Whatever animal it was, it was loud and not pleased by the rain.
The tricky part of the day wasn't the hike; it was driving to and from the hike. Slowly but surely we're learning to traverse the streets of Panama. Shira has no problem with the traffic or roads, it's just that the maps in our GPS are woefully inaccurate, so it just can't give us sane instructions. It's constantly trying to persuade us to go right when there's no obvious road to turn right into. Add to this the lack of tourist (read: English) friendly signage, and it's not pretty. For example, it took us 3 attempts to pull into the grocery store that had construction surrounding it. At this point, what I'm craving is a high quality set of street maps, yet I've not been able to find them.
We finished up our afternoon with a dip in the pool and then on to dinner. We definitely had a unique and fun time today. And again, I'm proud to report that our 8 year old was a real trooper. 6 miles isn't a whole lot for Shira and myself, but for him to do all that without complaining is nothing short of amazing.


This copper drain is perfect for high-end and commercial applications. The bronze square or round grate are casted from nickel and bronze. Great for tile and concrete applications. Weep holes incorporated into the design allow moisture to drain. Strainer can adjust in height from 1" to 3".


Choice of: Small, Regular, Large, White bread roll, Wholemeal bread roll, Dark wholemeal bread roll and more.
Choice of: Grapefruit, Citris en vlierbessen, Lemon en lime or Zwarte bessen.
Choice of: Green, White or Black.


text:
using Newtonsoft.Json;
using System.Collections;

namespace Jiguang.JMessage.Message
{
    class CustomMessage
    {
        [JsonProperty("msg_type")]
        public string Type { get; } = "custom";

        [JsonProperty("msg_body")]
        public MessageBody Content { get; set; }

        public class MessageBody
        {
            public IDictionary Extras { get; set; }
        }
    }
}


text:
Wedde (Westerwolde), een plaats in de Groningse gemeente Westerwolde
 Wedde (loon), het salaris van een militair (Nederland), het loon van een leraar of ambtenaar (België)
 't Wedde, recreatiegebied in Voorschoten, met onder andere de Voorschotense Golf Club

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Survivors california high school recall moment heard gunman open fire
Students can go back to school: Minister
Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son said that gradual reopening of schools is a necessity as Vietnam's vaccination rate is high, drugs for Covid-19 have been improved, and anti-pandemic conditions and people's awareness have improved. Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son Also, localities now have more experience in pandemic prevention and control. "With recommendations by international organizations and experience of other countries, it is now the right time to make decisions on reopening schools in a safe way," Son said. Stronger decision expected Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son said at a webinar on January 19 that nearly 100 percent of people have had two vaccination jabs and the proportion of vaccinated students aged 12-17 is relatively high. Vietnam is among six countries with highest vaccination coverage in the world. The Ministry of Health (MOH) agrees with the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) on resuming offline … [Read more...] about Students can go back to school: Minister
Filed Under: feature school reopening, new normal, vaccinations, Vietnam education, Vietnam students, Vietnam children, Vietnam education reform, vietnamnet bridge, english news, ..., school goals for students, high school goals for students, the chicago school of professional psychology current students, medical school in usa for international students, jobs school student, physics articles for high school students, hospital volunteer work for high school students, summer calculus courses for high school students, online calculus course for high school students, calculus projects for high school students, how to be a good student in high school, how to be a good student in middle school, how to be a good student at school, organizational skills for high school students, organizational skills for middle school students, which prime minister started residential schools, new schools minister, children's minister schooling, youth minister schooling, school teacher and school student
Teenager drowns, three others remain missing in Ha Giang river
October 7, 2021 by dtinews.vn
A teenager has died and three others remain missing after their boat capsized in a river in the northern province of Ha Giang. Three teenagers have gone missing on the Gam River in ha Giang Province According to reports from local authorities, eight high school students were going on a boat on the Gam River at about 10.30pm on October 5 when the boat suddenly capsized. The students were returning home after going to help a friend's family harvest rice at their farm. Four managed to swim ashore while four others went missing. Rescue forces found the body of a student the next morning. Chairman of Yen Phu Town People's Committee, Le Thanh Nam told the media on October 7 that rescue forces were still searching for the three missing students. The students aged between 16-17 were all students of Bac Me High School. … [Read more...] about Teenager drowns, three others remain missing in Ha Giang river
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VinFuture prize winners officially announced at grand ceremony
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (second, right) award the Vinfuture Grand Prize to Professor Katalin Kariko (first, right), Professor Drew Weissman (third, right) and Professor Pieter Rutter Cullis. — VNA/VNS Photo The long-awaited winners of the first Vinfuture Prize has been officially announced at an award ceremony held in Ha Noi Opera House. The event, held yesterday, was attended by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Vingroup President Pham Nhat Vuong, world scientists and other high-ranking officials. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Prime Minister emphasised the importance of science for development. "In the development history of mankind, scientists have changed the world", the PM said. "Today we honour the winning works, honour sciences contribution to mankind and honour scientists who spend their lives on research with exceptional minds, passion and great service. "In Viet Nam, sci-tech development is a priority, a breakthrough strategy to develop economy and … [Read more...] about VinFuture prize winners officially announced at grand ceremony
Filed Under: Uncategorized Vinfuture Prize, Hungarian-American Professor Katalin Kariko, American Professor Drew Weissman, Canadian Professor Pieter Rutter Cullis, COVID-19..., nobel peace prize winner, recent nobel peace prize winners, Noble Peace Prize Winner, prize winners, grand prize winner, Physics Nobel Prize Winner, Nobel Prize Winner in Medicine, pulitzer prize winners, prize winner, Grand Prize Winners, nobel prize winner, 2016 booker prize winner, Malala Nobel Prize winner, economic nobel prize winners, man booker prize winner, economics nobel prize winners, economist nobel prize winner, pulitzer prize winner, 5 bengali nobel prize winner name, nobel prize winner in economics
Make-in-Vietnam key to making VN a digital powerhouse
"Make in Vietnam" is an initiative/slogan launched by the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) in 2019, aiming to promote development of the domestic ICT industry. It calls on businesses to design, create and manufacture products in Vietnam instead of outsourcing them to help solve the nation's problems and boost its global presence. A teacher in Hanoi at an online lesson. Such home-developed platforms like Azota is very convenient and effective for teachers, especially for online learning. The teacher with the Lang Thuong Primary School in Hanoi's Dong Da district said it took a lot of time because she had to download, grade the work and send it back to her students. Of late, however, her burden has been considerably eased by home-developed platforms like Azota, designed specifically for generating questions and exercises. "This application is very convenient and effective for teachers, especially for online learning. For online exams, the … [Read more...] about Make-in-Vietnam key to making VN a digital powerhouse
Filed Under: Uncategorized Make in Vietnam, vietnamese platforms, digital transformation, MIC, Ministry of Information and Communications, Vietnamnet global, Vietnamnet news, Vietnam..., security digital key, what is the digital key, what is a digital key, whats a digital key, what is digital key, penalties making tax digital, when was making tax digital announced, digitization key points, vn hax key generator, who digital vietnam, digits 6th grade answer key, digits 7th grade math answer key, vietnam 3 digit country code, brad can make 4 key chains, ryobi tek4 digital key lock box, mists of pandaria digital deluxe key, how to make jiggler keys, make typewriter keys, olympus vn 1000 digital voice recorder
Award to entertainer convicted of child molestation in US sparks fury in Vietnam
An award granted last week at a national festival to an entertainer who was jailed in the U.S. in 2016 for sexually molesting a minor has caused an emotional uproar across Vietnam. Many people have expressed their shock and dismay after Hong Quang Minh, aka Minh Beo (or Fat Minh), was presented with a silver medal at the closing ceremony of the 2021 National Drama Festival in Ho Chi Minh City on January 17. At the event, Minh Beo was honored for his role in a play, 'Thi The Thu Tu,' in which he took the starring role of an criminal disguised as a close friend of a policeman's family while evading an international warrant. In 2016, Minh Beo was sentenced to 18 months in prison in the U.S. for sexually assaulting a young boy and attempting to commit a lewd act upon a fictitious minor. He was convicted of one felony count of oral copulation of a minor and one felony count of attempting to commit a lewd act upon a child under the age of 14, the Orange County District Attorney in … [Read more...] about Award to entertainer convicted of child molestation in US sparks fury in Vietnam
Filed Under: Uncategorized Vietnam Life - Award to entertainer convicted of child molestation in US sparks fury in Vietnam, TTNTAG child molestation, TTNTAG Minh Beo, child cancer entertainment book, 2009 child of the year award gypsy, molestation of a child charge, convict child names, convicted child molestors near me, youtuber convicted child, molested child symptoms, 2016 mbc entertainment awards, spark design awards
January 20, 2022 by www.sggpnews.org.vn
At the conference The PM spoke this statement at an online conference about healthcare work in 2022 with the participation of leaders of 63 provinces and cities this morning. He said that learning from Ho Chi Minh City's experience, other localities must be faster in vaccination rollout. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that in 2021, Ho Chi Minh City was the country's largest epidemic center. The southern largest city faced difficulties because it is the most populous city. During this time, the city prioritized the administration of vaccines, medical equipment, and human resources. Subsequently, the epidemic in Ho Chi Minh City is under good control now. He emphasized that Ho Chi Minh City has been open for nearly a month now with the number of cases and deaths from Covid-19 decreasing sharply. The city has turned out the green zone. This achievement resulted from good administration of the Covid vaccine, which is an early priority for the city. The Prime Minister … [Read more...] about PM urges localities to accelerate administration of Covid vaccines
Filed Under: Uncategorized Prime Minister Pham Minh, Covid vaccines, international visitors, covid-19, Health, dekina local government administrator, additional local administrators on azure ad joined devices, administrator local account windows 10, accelerated hep b vaccine, routes of vaccine administration, accelerated hep b vaccine schedule, administration of hepatitis b vaccine, route of administration of hepatitis b vaccine, shingle vaccine administration
Vietnam – a magnet for Singaporean investors: Ambassador
January 20, 2022 by en.vietnamplus.vn
Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency on the threshold of the Lunar New Year (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam remains an attractive destination for foreign investors, including those from Singapore, thanks to the Government's concerted efforts and measures to improve business climate and the expansion of free trade agreements, according to Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam. In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency on the threshold of the Lunar New Year, the diplomat highlighted that Singapore has been the leading source of foreign direct investment (FDI) into Vietnam for two consecutive years, with money injected into a wide range of areas such as financial and insurance services, manufacturing, real estate, and whole sale and retail trade. The Vietnam – Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP) are the cornerstone of Singapore's economic engagement with Vietnam, he said, adding they have attracted … [Read more...] about Vietnam – a magnet for Singaporean investors: Ambassador
Filed Under: Uncategorized Vietnam, Singapore, strategic partnership, attractive destination, Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam, Jaya Ratnam, VSIP, economic engagement, digital economy, ..., singaporean need visa to vietnam, singaporean to vietnam need visa, vietnam ambassador in sri lanka, singaporean investor, investors vietnam, singaporean stock investor, ambassador vietnam, singaporean visa to vietnam


text:
Ray - Manta Ray	Photos, Pictures, Images
Image: 1 to 48 of 164 - Page: 1 2 3 4 NEXT>>
Stock Photo ID: 58M2711-01D
Reef Manta Ray (Manta alfredi). Also known as Devilfish and Devilray. Found throughout the Indo-Pacific in tropical and subtropical waters, but also recorded in the tropical east Atlantic. Photo taken at Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Australia.
© Karen Willshaw / OceanwideImages.com
Reef Manta Rays (Manta alfredi). Also known as Devilfish and Devilray. Found throughout the Indo-Pacific in tropical and subtropical waters, but also recorded in the tropical east Atlantic. Photo taken at Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Australia.
Divers observing Reef Manta Ray (Manta alfredi). Also known as Devilfish and Devilray. Found throughout the Indo-Pacific in tropical and subtropical waters, but also recorded in the tropical east Atlantic. Photo taken at Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Australia
Butterfly Ray
Cownose Ray
Electric Ray
Fiddler Ray
Guitarfish & Shark Ray
Sawfish Ray
Shovelnose Ray
Stingaree
Thornback Ray


text:
Херсонский — хутор в Усть-Лабинском районе Краснодарского края России. Входит в состав Братского сельского поселения.

География
Хутор расположен на берегу реки Средний Зеленчук (левый приток Кубани), в 1 км к юго-востоку от центра сельского поселения — хутора Братского.

Население

Примечания

Населённые пункты Усть-Лабинского района