The April day had started out dreary…just like it had been the entire week. Rain…soaking hard rain. Santa Barbara in April was supposed to be sunny, but the weather forecasters forgot to tell the Pacific winds that. As the rain pelted the wooden deck outside the massive brick home at the end of the grounds of the Nelson Institute of Marine Research, the occupants inside went about their normal weekend routine.
Admiral Harriman Nelson sat in his study on one end of the house, grimly pouring over a myriad of paperwork that he'd brought home from his office. The most recent mission of the Seaview had been profitable for all concerned; however, the documentation had to be finished before his budget justification presentation to the Federal Bureau of Marine Exploration in two weeks. Suddenly he looked up and saw his five year old son, Sean, peering over the edge of the desk.
Putting his papers down, he sat back in his overstuffed leather chair and gazed back at the wide-eyed child. "Aren't you supposed to be down for a nap, young man?" He swung his chair around and opened his arms; the little boy came around and climbed into his father's lap.
"Well…it's supposed to stop later on…Maybe if it does, we can have dinner out on the deck. Caitlin will be here…" Nelson assured the child.
"Tatie's gonna be here?" the red headed child's eyes lit up. The mere mention of his older sister always caused the child to smile.
Several adults followed Harriman Nelson to the French doors of the deck at the Nelson home. Everyone had been driven inside by the sudden thunderstorm, and now that the storm had passed, the results of the storm had been found by Sean Pearce Nelson.
"OWW! Stop, R.C. and 'sides, Chief says that there's a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow…and that's a double one!" the younger child declared.
Harriman Nelson smiled over at Lee Crane's son. "Oh, yes, it's a big deal, Robert! Rainbows are rare enough, but double ones are extremely rare." All of a sudden, some of Robert's bravado quietly disappeared in the light of Nelson's words.
Nelson nodded, and the group returned to the Great Room. He seated himself on the large couch, and Sean climbed up next to him. Robert sat on his other side, and the three Morton children sat on the floor at his feet. The other adults found seats around the room; Karen sat on the other side of Sean, near to Nelson. Lee sat in the large easy chair, and Chip and Matty sat on the other couch. Caitlin found a place near Lee, not too close, but close enough for him to be aware of her nearby. Nelson smiled at the group… He knew that he couldn't tell the whole story…not as it truly happened, but what he would tell, would be more in line with what could be told to strangers… He'd have to 'sugar coat' a lot of it for the children and leave out a lot of very pertinent, and sometimes horrifying, details… Hesitating a moment, his memory of that trip clouded with the reality, and what he decided to tell would be a very abbreviated version of the real story.
"Well, this was about twelve years ago. Lee had just celebrated the end of his first year here on the boat….
The facts contained herein may never be revealed… As is with most of Seaview's missions, there are some things that if they were made known, would seriously place in doubt the sanity of her crew and senior staff. Had I not experienced and been privy to them personally, I would also wonder about my own sanity. This boat and this crew have had several truly unique experiences; yet for me, as well as my Captain, Lee Crane, this had to be one of the most terrifying. I will carry with me the full truth…and hope to the God above that I never have to ever be faced with it again.
Lee Crane looked again around the Control Room of the Seaview. They had just finished the shakedown cruise with the new modifications to the boat, and his project, the Flying Sub, had performed well also. He had found a few small problems in the FS1's circuitry, and a minor need for a modification in the joystick control, but all in all it had been a successful cruise. He was pleased, and he knew Nelson was too. Chip Morton and the Chief had been moving about their duties with looks of satisfaction that he knew well… There would be quite a party for this crew, when they docked at the Institute.
Chip approached the plot table, clipboard in hand. He proffered it to Crane.
"Reports on all the new systems. Everything checked out A-ok. Great results on everything. The O.O.M.'s going to be real pleased with all the data. Congratulations, Captain," Chip grinned widely.
"Nope…Incoming from State for the Admiral and me. I'm going to his cabin. You have the Con," he nodded to Chip, then took the clipboard, and headed up the spiral stairs to Officer's Country and the Admiral's quarters.
Lee smiled at his CO, appreciating the scientist's desire to find an answer to 'something'.
"Well, are you going to fill me in…or leave me guessing?" he asked, half seriously.
Nelson was looking in two of the books on his desk, as he waved abstractedly at Crane. "Fine, Lee… fine…I'll meet you in the Nose in an hour or so." Considering himself dismissed, Crane left the cabin, feeling concerned about the boat and the men, with this new mission. And a little puzzled by Nelson's absorption in it. Shaking his head, he muttered to himself… "I have a baaaadddd feeling about this…" as he walked down the companionway.
The Admiral laughed. "There's nothing to worry about, Chief… nothing at all. There's a solid explanation for all of this… and we'll find it!" He looked over at Crane, who was approaching the hatch. Sharkey automatically handed the Captain his jacket.
Both Senior officers laughed, not at the sincerity of the Chief's words, but rather at the unlikeness of them, neither man believing, for an instant, any truth in what he said. Both men continued to smile as they opened the hatch, and descended into the smaller craft. As Crane's head sank beneath the coaming, Sharkey heard him say, "I'll be sure to send you some good luck charms to protect you when the boat heaves to in Ballydonegan Bay!" He pulled the hatch shut, and dogged it shut. Sharkey looked at the hatch horrified, and made a sign against the spirits, then turned and looked at the Exec. He shook his head mournfully, and went to him.
Crane took the Pilot's seat and Nelson, the co-pilot's. They quickly went through the pre-flight checklist, fired up the small reactor, and launched the small boat. Lee took her quickly into the deep ocean, and then set the sub to take off from the water to the sky. Once she breached the surface, he took her up several thousand feet, and began to head to the Irish Sea. Setting the controls on Auto-Pilot, he turned to the Admiral.
Relaxing back in the chair, Nelson shifted the papers on the portable desk in front of him.
"I might have agreed with you if I hadn't seen these pictures." He handed Lee a pile of color photographs. Each one showed different views of an Island, one shot more beautiful than the next.
At 1734 Zulu, the FS1 of the SSRN Seaview made its first sweep over the 'Enchanted Island'. With the video and still cameras rolling, and Nelson making visual observations, Lee spent the next hour and forty five minutes crisscrossing the small bit of land in the middle of the Bay. When Nelson was satisfied that they had completely covered the island, he had Crane take the small sub to furthest, deepest part of the bay, near the small village of Alliles.
They donned SCUBA gear, took their civies in special waterproof pouches, and left the little boat, well secured with the alarm and detection devices well set. Swimming the short distance underwater to the low beach area, they came ashore in an area set apart from the general beach area by several clusters of bushes. They were able to secure their equipment and dress quickly. Both men wore local sweaters and tweedy slacks. Nelson wore a cap, perched jauntily on his head; Crane remained hatless. They wore walking shoes, and carried a variety of devices and materials on their persons, designed to be well concealed, and easily used by the Intelligence community. Using the maps and materials prepared for them, they made their way to the road, and moved toward the town.
They reached the center of the small Irish town, Alliles, looking like so many other townspeople, and went to the office of the Constabulary, as Nelson had been directed. Waiting there were several men, the town doctor, the chief of Police, and two men, agents that had been sent by the Irish Government.
"Almost twenty years, if I remember correctly, Harriman. That escapade with British Intelligence was quite a learning experience. Congratulations on the stars, sir!" he grinned and shook hands warmly.
"Aye, we …ah…shared a mission, in Belfast… t'was a long time ago…" It was evident that the agent was choosing his words carefully, and Nelson felt it best to assure him.
McNally nodded solemnly. "And he knows all the reasons that you're here, Harry?" Lee looked at Nelson, a question on his face.
Handshakes and acknowledgements were made and exchanged, and the men sat down around the large desk that was in the center of the room. Nelson began, "Well, we know that the Island is something that is real and solid. The tests that the various scientific and military groups have done confirm that it has density, mass, and is displacing a million metric tons of water. There's plant and animal life, several water sources, and signs of habitation. In our fly-overs, we saw evidence of fires, and more…here, on this picture, and in these two others, there's at least one group of humans." Nelson put the pictures on the table, the images of the three men, in flowing grey robes. One of the three was definitely a leader, walking several feet in front of the other two. From the photograph the lead man looked to be older, significantly older. He had flowing grey beard, carried a walking stick, and in one picture, where he looked up at the FS1, he seemed to raise the stick in defiance of the invasion of modern man.
"Maybe he does…yer treadin' in areas that ye nay know much about, sir," proclaimed a voice and Nelson looked at the Constable.
Lee grinned at Nelson. None of the men in the room knew what the men and officers of the Seaview had faced in the last year. Much of their adventures had been kept secret from the general public, and much kept from the Intelligence community as well. There were things that had happened that just wouldn't be believed, and they would also affect the credibility of the crew and the status of the Institute itself… so little was said of what really happened on the boat, and the world only knew what the Admiral wanted them to.
Nelson looked carefully at the doctor and the rest of the men at the table… with as much amusement as seriousness, he laid his hands on the desk and rose. He stood at his full height, cleared his throat, and spoke.
Both men rose, the doctor offering his excuses… "I've a babe on the way with Mrs. Mahoney…it's her fourth, and the wee one should be makin' its' appearance in an hour or so, so with that in mind, I'll be goin'. Beggin' yer pardon, gentlemen…" he tipped his hat, and left.
Several hours later, the men left the pub, and made their way to the cottages where they were staying the night. Nelson had offered McNally and O'Flaherty a ride in the FS1 in the morning, and both men had steadfastly refused the offer. Accepting the refusal graciously, Nelson and Crane retired to the cottage, and planned the morning's landing. Both men, tired from the long flight, concluded their plans quickly, and went to their beds, planning on sleeping through an uneventful night.
Crane heard it first. A long low wail, or what was referred to as keening… deep and sad…very sad… and he sat up in bed, at first uneasy. Then hearing the keening sound continue, he rose from his bed, and padded to the window. Looking out, he saw the Island, bathed in an eerie blue glow, and almost shimmering in the full moon… since it was not all that far, he looked hard, and saw what he swore were large bonfires. The sound continued and he watched the Island, almost mesmerized by the sound and the sight of the shimmering mass of land. So captured by it, he started at the sharp rap on his door.
Crane smiled back. "Not at all, sir. Just a healthy respect for the unknown…why tempt fate, so to speak?" Nelson merely smiled back at him, and nodding, turned and went back to his bedroom.
Less than a half hour later, the two men left the cottage, and headed toward the beach where they had stowed their SCUBA gear. McNally and O'Flaherty were waiting for them, both men looking well the worse for wear. The Seaview men, for all their lack of sleep, looked far better than the Irish.
Nelson nodded, and pulled his mask down, following Crane into the water.
In 45 minutes, they had reached the Flying Sub, changed clothes, and taken the tiny craft to the surface, skimming along until the beach of the Island was in easy eyesight. They turned her off, and took out the two man raft stowed for emergencies, inflated it, then sat out to row the short distance to the Island. As they rowed, they saw a fog roll in and over the entire Island, spreading its' slender fingers toward the water, and them. The air, warm when they had taken the raft into the water, turned chill and clammy, and the beach, bright when they had first seen it, was now grey, and shrouded in silky slivers of mist. By the time they reached landfall, the FS1 was obscured from their view, and the beach, once inviting, now looked to send them away… As they landed, pulling the raft all the way up on the beach, and into the bushes, they heard movement on the far side of the site. Three figures came out of the misty green, an old man, graying, and bearded, and bent over, wearing a loose fitting tunic and shirt, over pants, and soft leather boots. A young boy, of 14 or so, with red hair, and freckles, dressed similarly to the old man, but in brighter colors… And a haunting familiarity about him to both Lee and Nelson. And finally a tiny young woman, perhaps twenty or so, with long blonde hair, piercing coal black eyes, and dressed in a simple green homespun tunic, and overdress. She led the trio to the Seaview's officers, and extended a tiny hand to the Admiral.
"Pleased to be meetin' ya. Me name's Bride…this here is Donal," she pointed to the boy, "and this gentleman, is our elder, Turlough mac Finn." The older man nodded in acknowledgement, and the boy stepped forward.
He waved the blackthorn staff…and lightening cracked, and thunder roared. A hard pelting rain, filled with a mix of hail and ice began to pelt the two humans. Both men now realized that their greeting had been designed to catch them off guard, and make them at ease, unprepared for the reality of the Druid's magic. Through the wind and rain, Nelson looked at his Captain… Crane had a strange look on his face, and he was gazing in the direction of the other two members of Turlough's group. The youth had changed… no longer a lad… but a thin, wisp of a female, and Bride, had also changed, into an older woman… a woman with ivory skin, and long, flowing, jet black hair… and lips that were blood red. Her eyes, black when she met them, were completely coal black with no white showing at all… her nails were long, and thin, each one looking like a razor. Her keening song melded with the wind, and her soft tunic had turned dark black, the neck line a plunging 'V' to a waist, wrapped in harsh, rough cord, the skirt, long strips of black, wrapping themselves around slender legs, that led to tiny feet that hovered above the ground.
"No!" Nelson pushed Crane aside as the evil faerie made a wide pass at him with her long fingers. Crane fell to the ground, and Nelson felt the soft, cold touch of the Faeries' fingers as they brushed him, in the effort to reach Crane. He felt the sharpness as the long nails cut through his sweater, and draw blood. He shivered with the cold… and the effort to protect Lee. And the Sidhe let out a horrific wail of anger, her cold voice crying out that she did not get to her intended victim. Lee had rolled aside, and lay, stunned, by the blow that had saved him... Nelson crawled to his side, aware of the keening, and the laughter from the small sprite that was watching the encounter.
"Aye, but it's mad at ye she is….mad indeed… an 'fer that, she'll be harder on the lad… Harder…fer she wants him, wants ta feed on him, and our Silve always gets them…there be none that kin stop her…" and the laughter rose over the keening, clear and evil as well.
The cold and the wet damp was penetrating and in a part of his mind, Nelson knew he had to move as well if he was going to be successful and get both of them out of this place. He knew they had to get to the beach, the raft and the FS1…but right now, it seemed impossibly far away… Continuing to pull at Crane, Nelson looked around, and deciding that the demons were at the other side of the rocky clearing, he would pull Lee to the wooded area just beyond the clearing. With almost a superhuman effort, he drew Crane to his feet, and pulled and dragged him to the edge of the woods.
Turlough smiled and in the wind, rain, and thunder he laughed, loud and long… He and his people would use these two, and they would be free of their enchantment to live in the real world again!!!
Nelson saw the two female spirits approach. He hunkered down, pulling Crane with him. Lee had been moving with him toward the woods, on his own power, still groggy, but at least aware. They had said little to each other, but joined in the common goal to seek safety, with Lee following Nelson's lead.
The she-thing shrieked in delight as her long nails caressed Crane's shoulders and back, shredding his sweater, and causing rivulets of blood to join the rain rolling off his lean body. Several more passes, and he was shirtless in the cold biting rain, though he was unaware of his condition. Silve moved closer and closer, and then, floating in front of Lee, reached long hands, and pulled him to her, in a carefully planned embrace. Her ivory white skin melded with his, her tongue slowly rolling over his lips and face, as if she was tasting him. She bent her head to his cheek, and moved to his ear, and then down his neck, her tiny tongue sliding , hungrily over him. Her hands were caressing his back, the razor like nails slicing his skin where ever they touched him. And he was oblivious to it all, held in the thrall of her keening, and mesmerized by the powerful images in her eyes.
He was being drawn back to the beginnings, the early times, of battles and blood and war… and he couldn't… be drawn away… Her keening was like a lullaby to his ears, he was lost in the enchantment she had around him. The enchantment was a soft and warm, mellow touch, wrapping his body in the cocoon of the sound. She pulled him closer, her tongue and mouth continuing to explore his face, as the rain continued to fall on them. She moved to his neck, seeking the spot where she could attach and feed. She pulled his body even closer to her. He lifted his arms in response to her, encircling her waist, and tilting his head in such a way as to give her access to his neck… She smiled, and wailed, and sank her fangs deep into the artery of his neck, drawing out the blood she so desperately wanted. He moaned once with the pain of her attack, but did not fight her. As she drank of his warm life force, he slowly weakened his embrace, his arms falling limply to his side. His body began swaying as internal systems fought to stabilize the loss of blood, and the dropping of body temperature, as his body began to chill, and some systems began to shut or slow down. Finally she released him, smiling, as her tiny tongue began to lick lightly at her bloody lips, like she had been with a lover She wrapped her arms around her body, and her keening took on a new sound, one of pleasure…almost sexual pleasure.
And then she looked at Nelson and laughed…laughed long and hard at him. Waving her hands in front of her face, she looked at the Admiral, as he fought his way to Crane, and she called out in the wind…. "He's mine now… all mine… Ye'll ne'er have him again… he'll feed me once more, an' then we'll use what's left o' his shell in the sacrifice…an' then, I'll be keeping his spirit wi' me… fer eternity…fer I'm fond o' him…he's a strong one… his mind keeps fightin' but he won't win… He won't win!!!" And she began to spin around slowly at first, then faster, and faster until she vanished. And with her went Turlough, and the storm, tho' Deirdre remained with them.
Nelson himself had been caught in a spell of his own, unable to move, to help Lee, and the more he fought, the less able he had been to move. Now, suddenly…he was free and he moved up the rocky incline to where Crane's body had fallen.
A small hand on Nelson's shoulder broke his telling of the story. He glanced around the room, and saw Sean's face close to his, looking puzzled and concerned.
"Poppa, were you and Uncle Lee okay? The evil faerie…she wasn't like in Peter Pan, was she?"
Nelson laughed a bit, though uneasily. "I guess so, Sean. We're both sitting here, aren't we? And no…she wasn't….she was a bad faerie…not a good one." Sean nodded solemnly. Nelson saw Robert move closer to his father, and lay a hand on his shoulder. Nelson watched as they exchanged soft words, and then looked over to Lee, catching his eye. Both knew that the story he was telling was the softer version, yet neither wished to remember all the truth. The look between the two men was not missed by Karen and Caitlin, or the Mortons.
Nelson took his son's hand, and laid his on top of it. "Let me finish telling the rest of the story, Sean, and you'll see that it turned out alright." He smiled at his son, and ruffled his curls. "Now, back on the boat…the Chief and Chip were about to have an experience all their own…"
In the brightness of the false day on the SSRN Seaview, Lt. Cdr. Chip Morton ran a hand through his blonde hair in complete exasperation. Chief Sharkey looked as unhappy as his superior officer. Still new to the boat, and the Senior Staff, he was finding it a challenge to get acclimated, and used to the body language of the men in charge. He had been a good friend of Curly Jones, and had mourned his death. He had also been surprised when Harriman Nelson had tapped him for Curley's old position as COB. Sharkey knew he was good at what he did, but Nelson's call had still surprised him. He had a lot of adjusting to do, and of all the Senior Staff, he was having the most difficulty with Morton. He just couldn't read the man, for all that he tried, and found it frustrating. It seemed to him that Chip Morton hid behind an unemotional façade, that he allowed no one to get through… except Curly Jones. The rapport between the two men was well documented, and he was finding it difficult to work with the man. To Sharkey, Morton was stand-offish, and by the book, and the COB didn't know how to take him most of the time.
This time was different, however. Both of them were developing a real concern over the Admiral and the Captain, and Morton was allowing Sharkey into his carefully constructed fortress, his worry for his friends causing the chink in the wall.
"Any word yet, Mr. Morton?"
Chip shook his head, his expression bleak. "No, Chief. Not a peep since we last heard from the FS1, as they were setting her down off the Island. And their contact has reported that they can's see the sub, that the Island is surrounded by a fog bank that extends almost as far as the mainland. I just don't like it at all. And here we are, hung up on the restock." He slammed his hand down in an uncharacteristic display of anger. "Damn!!"
Sharkey started, and then offered, "Mr. Morton, can I make a suggestion, sir?"
Chip looked at the COB, and answered, "Sure, Chief… anything that you can think of that will help."
"Well, sir, we didn't need to take on too many stores, and we don't need a full Crew's compliment. Why not stop the loading now, and go with what we have aboard. At least we're here at Norfolk, and it's only a day, day and a half to the Irish Sea. If you push her, maybe less… and we only have to get to the Skipper and the Admiral… we don't have anything else to do. We don't need a month's worth of stores… the boat's ship-shape, and ready to go…so why don't we just do it?"
"Sharkey, I like the way that you think…" Morton began to look at the COB in a different light. He began to bark orders, "Chief, secure the loading, and make ready to get underway. Mr. O'Brien," he shouted into the mike, "Contact the harbormaster, for clearance. Contact the OD on the dock, and tell him we are leaving port at 1650, and tell the men we're going after the Admiral and the Skipper, so get ready to cast off…ASAP!"
"Aye, aye, sir!" came the simultaneous crisp replies, and the boat, at that moment, still suddenly burst into motion. The intercom crackled with orders and directions, the Control Room and the rest of the boat humming with activity.
The Seaview had come to Norfolk with half her normal crew, and the men on the boat doubled up on their work in order to take her out. In short order, she was at the ready, and Sharkey reported to the XO, "Mr. Morton, the boat is at the ready, sir. We can sail at your word."
Bob O'Brien handed Morton a clip board, "Sir, Clearances are issued. The Harbormaster has cleared us to leave, and the OD gives his clearance as well…"
"Then the word is given, Mr. O'Brien. Take the boat out!"
"Aye, sir. Engineering, take the her out!"
She hummed to life, her reactor's silent strength giving her the ability to pull away from the dock, and head out to the open sea. The men at their stations stood watch, monitoring her systems, and watching gauges, and the great boat slid quietly from her berth into the Elizabeth River and then into the Hampton Bay.
Once they cleared the Bay, they followed the channel toward the openness of the Atlantic Ocean. The men and officers watched the depth as it slowly increased, and as soon as 150 ft was reached, Morton gave the order to dive the boat. After she obtained her cruising depth, they took her speed to flank, and prepared to sail Northeast for the Irish Sea.
The boat now at flank speed, and all systems operational, Chip called Sharkey to the Nose of the boat, closing the crash doors, leaving O'Brien at the Con.
Chip stood at the windows, his arms crossed on his chest, staring out as Sharkey saw that the doors were closed.
"Chief, you and I have a job to do when we get to this Island that the Captain and the Admiral are investigating. We have to meet their contacts in the town of Alliles and then proceed with them to the Island. From my perspective, we have to get to this Island as fast as we can. No one has heard from them in more than 24 hours and we were the last contact. Now…if we push the boat to her capacity, we should make Ballydonegan Bay in 28 hours. I just hope we can find them in time."
"Me too, sir. You know, I didn't like this from the start, and you know how the Skipper can attract trouble… the Admiral, too."
Chip managed a small smile, "You're only with us a short time, but you've already got Lee's number, as well as the O.O.M.'s!!"
Sharkey looked at Morton sheepishly, "Well, Mr. Morton, you can't help but notice…"
Chip held up his hand in mock self-defense… "I know, Sharkey. Believe me, I know…"
The XO of the boat looked at the COB, and said, softly, "Chief, this has been hard on you, and I do apologize. Curly was a friend of many years, and I miss him here, on the boat. But, well, you're doing a fine job, here…Thanks…" He paused. "Now, round up some volunteers for a landing party, and let's pull out all the stops and get to that Island, and the Skipper and the Admiral…."
Harriman Nelson made his way over the rocks to Lee Crane. The Captain lay motionless, in a heap on the rocky incline. When Nelson reached him, he found Crane deeply unconscious. Examining his neck, he found a wound, a bite, oozing blood and fluid, and as he lifted him, he felt and saw the wounds on his back and chest, also oozing blood. Unable to rouse him, he lifted the younger man in a fireman's carry and moved towards the wooded area. The small fairy watched his struggle with his friend, and flew towards them. She moved in front of Nelson, and gestured, directing Nelson to follow. Somehow, he decided to trust the sprite, and shifting Lee's dead weight, followed her. They moved deeper into the wood, and saw a wattle and daub cottage with the thatch roof falling in, and the door and shutters hanging loose. But it was a shelter, a place that Nelson could protect Crane, and see if he could help him.
He kicked open the door, and pushed a shoulder in, looking quickly around… He saw the stone fireplace at the far end of the tiny room. Next to it was a pallet, long abandoned, but a pallet nonetheless. He moved quickly to it, and as gently as possible, laid Lee down on it. He was further disturbed by the lack of response from the injured man as he settled him. Nelson became aware of the presence of Deirdre, and turned to face her.
Nelson was slightly surprised by the sprite's words, and he quieted down, watching her. She raised her hands and spread them widely over the small room. Softly saying words in the oldest of tongues, she flew softly around the tiny space. Waving her hands gracefully a second time, she spun twice more, and there was an immediate change in the room… the fireplace began to crackle, the roof, door, and shutters were suddenly whole. On the hearth, over the fire, a black pot simmered, fragrant odors emanating from it. A cupboard, that had been built into the wall long ago, opened, and blankets, and pillows were visible. Pieces of crockery and utensils lay on a tiny table beneath one of the windows. A bucket of clear water stood nearby a pile of cloths and several crockery bottles. The pallet on which Lee was lying was suddenly plumper. Nelson looked at the Deirdre.
The sprite slide thru the wall, leaving the warmth of the enchantment behind. Nelson didn't know if it was all a trick or not, but at least for the time being he could help Lee. He went to the bucket of water, and the crockery bottles, picking them up, and moving to the pallet where Lee was lying. He knelt next to Crane, putting the materials on the floor around them. He examined the wound on Lee's neck, and taking one of the bottles, poured a small amount onto a piece of cloth. He placed it over the wound, and tore several strips to hold it in place, carefully tying them around Lee's neck. Then he carefully rolled him on his side to get a better look at the wounds on his back, and chest. The she-creature nails were like razors, and had cut many slender wounds in Lee's skin. Nelson took a piece of cloth and wet it again from the bottle, and applied the potion to the wounds. Then he gently wrapped the soft cloth around him, binding it closely, and eased him onto his back. He went to the cupboard, and took several blankets and a pillow and covered Lee, placing the pillow beneath his head. He was disturbed that the injured man did not react or even make a sound during all of his ministrations.
Once he finished settling Lee, he went to the bucket and drew some water to drink, and went to the cauldron, and stirring the delicious smelling mixture, ladled some into a bowl, intending to give it to Crane, if he could rouse him. However, unable to resist the fragrant blend, he tasted and then ate a bowl. Justifying the act by saying he allowed Lee to rest comfortably for a while, he then got a bowl for Crane, and moved to the pallet. His color was still pasty, and his skin still felt cold to the touch, but Nelson thought he looked slightly better. He sat at Crane's side, and slid the bowl next to him. He put down the cup of water he had drawn as well. As he sat there, he watched as a pitcher formed at the head of the bed. Looking into it, he saw a frothy brown mix, looking much like the rich ale that the local populace drank… he poured some into to the stone cup that had appeared next to it, and touched it to his lips. He tasted cautiously, and found it sweet, but refreshing. Wondering, but accepting its appearance, and willing to use it to help Lee in any way, he raise Lee's head supporting it with one hand. Softly, he called his name.
"Here, Lee, try and drink some of this…" Nelson held the cup to Lee's mouth, and he sipped at the mix, slowly , and then more quickly, until he finished the contents. Nelson laid his head back on the pillow… and waited for further reaction. He didn't have to wait long.
"This…" Nelson offered him a spoonful of the stew, and he tasted and took the spoon, finishing the contents quickly. Nelson rose and went to the cupboard, and took the other pillow. He helped Lee sit, leaning back against the pillows, against the wall. The small effort seemed to exhaust him, and he sat, gathering in his reserves. As Nelson handed him the bowl with the steaming meal, he opened his eyes, and amber hazel looked deeply into azure blue ones.
Crane shook his head slowly. "No…I … I remember landing with you on the island. Meeting the locals, and following them for a while. I remember a sound…like the one I heard in the cottage… the druid growing in size, and the other two, changing form… and the woman…dark-haired woman… she was… beautiful… I remember you pushing me away from her… and I don't' remember anything else…" His hand touched the bandage at his neck again.
Nelson nodded. "I'm sure. I don't know how they do it, but I know that in addition to the wounds on your back and chest, she…'took' a lot of blood from you. She's a vampire-faerie, Lee. With her own agenda… hers and Turlough's. When I brought you here, you had barely a pulse. I think that the best thing that you can do is rest, right now… Try and drink some more of that ale, and then sleep. I'll stand guard duty, tho' I don't know how much good it will do against powers that I don't understand… Still, forewarned is forearmed… now, drink this, and try and sleep." He held out another cup of the ale, and Crane drank the potion, looking at Nelson apologetically.
"I'm sorry, sir…jus' tired…so tired…think I will…sleep." He leaned back against the wall, and his eyes quickly closed. "… so…. tired…" he murmured. Nelson leaned over, and helped him lay down, once again easing him onto his side. He slept, drawn into the dark waters of unconsciousness by the weakness of his body from evil's invasion of him. Nelson sat on the at the foot of the pallet, and studied him. His body temperature was lower than normal, and his skin still had a ghastly pallor. He felt for a pulse, and found one immediately, light and thready, but present. He shook his head, saddened. He didn't have a clue how to escape from this… Lee was too weak to run anywhere, and he knew that they would be discovered when Turlough was ready for them. There had to be a way out… he thought that Deirdre was the key… but he was tired, bone tired… and the room was warm, the food had been surprisingly good. He would close his eyes for a few moments….
The adults smiled among themselves, and everyone sat back to listen further….
When the SSRN Seaview surfaced in Ballydonegan Bay, hundreds of eyes were drawn to her sleek, grey form. Within minutes, a small boat, with four men aboard made it's way to Nelson's dream, and Crane's Lady. The small craft made good time, and soon the four men were being ushered to the door in the sail, and below decks….
In the Nose of the great boat, the four Irishmen looked about. The two natives, the constable and the doctor, were awed by the sight from the windows, the two operatives, used to unusual things, were more accepting. The four men waited, as the boat began to shut down her systems to lay at rest in the bay. Chip Morton came down the circular gangway, followed closely by the COB.
Moving directly to the four men, Seaview's Exec was blunt and forthcoming.
A reluctant COB replied, "Aye, sir," and waited at rest behind Sparks for further orders.
Forty minutes later, the locals left the boat, unhappy but with the knowledge that they had done what was best for their government, and the locals… Ten minutes after that, two rafts were dropped over the side, and into the water… an officer, a Chief, and several men in fatigues climbed in and began to row toward the island. Remarkably, the heavy fog bank lifted in one place, and allowed the two rafts through it before it closed around the two small crafts.
The men of the Seaview rowed to the small beach… they were silent, the only sound was the sound of the oars sliding into the water… the swish of the oars, the sound of the men's breathing. As the fog surrounded them and cut off the sight of the boat, they caught a collective breath, and held it. The eerie envelope that the fog made served to heighten their fears, for themselves, and their officers. They slowly released their breath when their rafts made the beach. With landfall, they scurried about, making sure the boats were secured, and attempting to get a lay of the land. Chip had taken copies of the Island pictures that Nelson sent to the boat by satellite relay, and had used them to create a mosaic map. They would head to the center of the Island where the photos showed a large ring of stone.
In the cottage, Nelson had slept thru the night, and into the next morning. Crane hadn't stirred from the place where Nelson had settled him. As he stretched and looked about, he saw the pot on the fire bubbling and a pot of hot water nestled in the coals. Smiling to himself, Nelson rose, and found a dish with a towel wrapped about it on a stool near the fire with a pot of clotted cream next to it. Unwrapping the towel, he found a loaf of fresh baked bread, and looking into the pot, found oatmeal, and tea in the metal hopper next to the water. Moving quietly, he set about fixing the food into a breakfast that would be filling and hold them in good stead for the day. He then went to Crane, and roused him.
"I suspect that our friend, Deirdre had something to do with this…" Bending over Crane, he helped him sit up. A hiss of pain escaped from Crane's lips. Once he was sitting, Nelson asked, "Let me take a look, there's more of the balm that she left for us to use, and I can tear up some more of the linen." Crane didn't say anything, but allowed Nelson to care for his back, and chest. When the older man moved to touch the neck wound, Crane held his hand up.
Not wanting to spur an argument with the injured man, Nelson dropped his hand from Lee's neck, and just nodded. He then rose, and gathered the simple bowls, and cups and fixing food for the two of them, brought it to the side of the pallet.
He handed Crane the bowl and proceeded to help himself to the rest of the food the sprite had left them. He watched Lee surreptitiously, and was pleased to see him slowly drinking the bowl of broth.
Nelson's reply was immediate. "Of course, Lee… a few minutes more shouldn't make a difference…" and he helped the injured man lie down, noting that Lee was asleep as he stretched out on the pallet.
There had been times in his own childhood that he had been visiting with his relatives here in Ireland, and they had filled his young head with all the tales of the otherworld; of the Firblogs, the Tuatha da Dannan, of Tir na Nog, of the Faeries, Leprechauns, Pookahs and the like. They had him believing in the Banshee and the Coche de Barre. What the elders didn't tell him, his younger cousins did, and he learned what so many American Irish didn't at the time. He learned of the darker side of the myths and legends, and of all of them, the tales of the Lhiannon Sidhe, the evil female spirits that sucked men dry, that stole their souls, and if they let them live, stole their hearts so that they would never love another.
He had learned that they were vampire-like creatures, that took their victims, and had no care for the shells of the men that they left.
He sat, thinking and watching… he didn't know what their next move would be, but he knew that the forces out there were holding all the cards, and that he had to play the game with Lee's life at stake. He would fight 'til he gave his last breath, but he did not want Lee to become one of the spirits so unhappy in this world. Then and there, he resolved to kill Lee himself if he saw such a thing happening. Jiggs Stark's words came back to him… "One day, you'll be sorry Harry…' Jiggs was wrong, he wasn't sorry, never would be, that Crane was his friend… He sat up, as the room became noticeably darker, and colder… the look of the cottage was no longer warm and welcoming, but the colorless, bleak room the sprite had led them to the day before. The food disappeared, all the bedding, pots, etc. One thin blanket remained in a heap by Lee, who now lay on the poor pallet of the earlier day. Strangely enough, the bandages remained. The door lay inside, on an angle…the shutters hung off their hinges… the enchantment was gone.
Nelson bent over Lee Crane, and woke him… the glaze in Crane's eyes told the Admiral that the help the enchantment had given Lee was also gone. Lee was again in pain, and now there was nothing that could be done about it.
In the windswept circle of stone at the top of the tor, Deirdre stood defiantly in front of the chief Druid. She knew what her fate would be, and she didn't care… she had helped a good man and his friend, and if it kept them from Silve and Turlough, if only for a bit, then she was glad. Very glad.
Lightening cracked, and thunder roared, and the remains of the faerie dust were spread to the four points, assuring she would never again have mortal form….
Turlough smiled a satisfied smile, believing that the fates would be good to him and his people, giving them the way they needed to reclaim what they had lost eons ago.
Nelson helped Lee to rise, and they made their way to the doorway of the cottage. Stopping for a moment to get his bearings, Nelson took the younger man's arm, and began to guide him towards what he believed was the way to the beach and the FS1.
His voice was drowned out by a crash of thunder, several bolts of lightening driving into the ground around them. A low keening hummed in his ears. Nelson looked at Lee, and saw what little color there was drain from his face, and his eyes take on a glazed look. He shook him, but to no avail. Nelson looked up and saw Silve hovering above them, her face a masque of evil desire. And Nelson knew then that the evil faerie desired Crane for more than his blood. He dove at her, and she laughed, rising above him, so that he was unable to reach her, and he fell forward, his momentum carrying him away and causing him to fall and roll down the hillside.
Silve slowly moved toward Lee Crane. Smiling, she extended her arms toward him. He stood, immobile, caught once more by the enthrallment of the keening. She circled him, like a hunting animal, teasing her quarry. Lee offered no resistance, merely standing, eyes watching but not seeing. Her keening increased, and she dove at him, floating in front of him. At eye level, she circled again, her hands flying about him. The bandages fell from his body, as her long nails raked them into little more than shreds. Fresh blood, from new and old wounds, mixed with the old, and she laughed. She halted in front of him, and looked into his eyes, raising the pitch of her keening, and running her tongue around her lips in anticipation of her feeding. One finger snaked out, and cut the strips holding the bandage to the wound on his neck, and it fell… around them, the wind began to rise, whipping her black garment about and causing his body to shudder in the cold. She moved closer, reaching to pull him into an embrace, and he went. She planted her lips on his, and kissed him, deeply. Then she kissed his cheek, his jaw, and then she kissed the wound on his neck. She raised her head, looking again at his face, and smiling, plunged her fangs into the wound, drawing the blood from him once again.
Harriman Nelson watched the attack, unable to do anything to stop it. He had scrambled up the hill, and reaching the top of the hillside, found himself unable to move further. It was as if an invisible bond had dropped itself around him. He could see, and hear, but could not move. He watched, horrified, as Silve once again used Lee to satisfy her unearthly hunger. He watched as she circled, teased, and tortured him. He watched as new wounds bled along with the old, and as she fed on him, he cried out, "NO!" in useless protest. When she finished, she let his body drop to the ground, and flew towards Nelson, laughing.
"He is mine, now… Mine!!!!! Your puny ways cannot save him…He belongs to me and mine, and when the ceremony is over, you will be, too!" Her laughter, and her keening melded in a terrifying sound, and Nelson scrubbed at his eyes, for in the distance, he saw what he thought was the Banshee, waving her hands toward him, bidding him to join her in the Coche de Barre and wailing the wail of impending death. Silve dissolved into the clouds, the Banshee slowly faded, and Harriman Nelson shuddered, and watched as six women, in druid robes moved to Crane, and lifted him to his feet. He watched as they supported him, and began to lead him away. Suddenly the invisible bond released him, and he started towards Lee, when several pairs of strong hands gripped him, and then blackness took over.
The blonde XO and the Seaview men watched the ritual unfold, but because of their newness to the Island, they were not caught up in the enchantment of it. They watched, appalled at what they saw, at what was being done to their Captain, and carefully set about getting to him, and Nelson. In a rush of the encampment, they stopped the final part of the ceremony, and managed to hustle Nelson and Crane away, before the shock of the interruption caused the beings to seek and destroy them. They quickly bundled the two men in blankets, and carried them to the rafts, making for the FS1 as the small sub was closer than the Seaview.
On board the boat, Jamison worked feverishly to save Crane's life. His body had been depleted of more that two-thirds of its blood supply, and Jamie had to push fluids into his body, both whole blood and saline solution What blood was left held a mix of things that Jamie had only read about in books. Primitive drugs, hypnotics, narcotics, hallucinogens, and many more that he cared not to speculate about. There were markings on his body that no one could explain, and two wounds, one on his neck, on the artery, and one in his chest, a deep stab wound. He had many, many long slender cuts all over his torso. There was also a strange wound, almost like a brand on his lower torso. Jamie hoped that if the Captain survived he could help fill in the explanations. Unfortunately, Will Jamison himself wasn't sure of the outcome.
Nelson was nowhere near as bad off. He was deeply unconscious, but Jamie believed that was due to a blow to the head. The tox screen had also shown a number of substances in his blood that Jamison didn't recognize. Nelson also had several wounds on his back like Crane's, but nowhere near the number of them. He stabilized both men, did what else he could for Crane, and then sat back to wait it out.
Later that night, Chip stole into Sick Bay. Jamison was asleep at his desk… several monitors clicked and pinged, for both men, and Corpsman Frank Lerner moved between the two gurneys, watching. He nodded to Morton, who pulled a stool to Crane's bedside to begin his vigil.
"Admiral!" his voice was one of surprise and pleasure with Nelson's awakening…"How are you feeling?" Chip moved quickly to Nelson's side, and stood by the gurney.
Chip nodded and went into Jamison's office, placing a hand on the doctor's shoulder. He sat up with a start.
Scrubbing his eyes, he rose from the chair. "I've got quite a few questions for him, and you, as well…." He walked into the main cabin of the Sick Bay, and stopped at Crane's gurney, checking the IV lines, and the monitors. He called softly to the corpsman, who was in the corner of the Bay. "Frank, set up another two units of blood… we're going to need some volunteers for donors on the next watch. Make the arrangements. And get those two units hung now." Lerner nodded, and moved about briskly and efficiently doing his tasks, and Jamison moved to Nelson's bedside.
Nelson nodded. "I want to sit with him." And he attempted to rise, only to find that firm hands kept him lying down on the gurney.
Jamison left the bedside. "I'll be checking on you in a couple of hours, Harry. This had better not be trick on your part," he warned. He checked on Crane again, making further notes on his chart, and went back to his office, leaving Morton and Nelson alone.
Morton was about to say more, but held his tongue. He knew that he would find out the whole story in good time. So he waited until the Admiral was sleeping, and then he moved back to the stool next to Crane's gurney.
The next 48 hours were touch and go for Lee. Several times during that period, his systems seemed to go into a decline, and Jamison fought to bring him back. And eventually, his systems stabilized, his blood pressure began to rise, and he turned toward recovery. Most of the marks on his torso had begun to fade, and the neck and shoulder wounds began to heal. The other wound worried Jamison because of its location, but eventually that, too, began to heal. Now all the boat was waiting for the final sign that things would again be right, waiting for his return to consciousness.
They had to wait yet another 48 hours until he began to show signs of that return.
"End of story? I don't even know what the story was, Admiral."Nelson laid a hand on Crane's shoulder. "When you're feeling better, Lee… I'll tell you the story. But not now… just rest, and recover. When we get home to Santa Barbara, there'll be plenty of time for stories….
Karen smiled at her husband, and the adults in the room, and children were gathered, good nights said, and the Nelsons were soon putting their own son to bed.
"Yes, Karen… Someday…" he answered, though he wasn't sure that even she would ever really understand.
Years before… in another plane of existence, a horrific storm raged… thunder rent the skies, and lightening tore at the sky and ground alike. In the midst of the storm, shrieks of rage and pain cried out, mixing with the loud keening of many voices. And in the midst of it all, a louder cry was heard… the cry of a newborn child, and with the cry, the keening grew louder, and laughter was heard above all the sound….
* Irish Wonders, by D. R. McNally, Jr., Weathervane Books, N.Y.
Linda Delaney and Jane Daffron, 2001. All rights reserved.


text:
ARTCMediaARTC Continues East West Tonnage Record in November
ARTC Continues East West Tonnage Record in November
Download this article in PDF format
In November Australian Rail Track Corporation Ltd (ARTC) carried on its East West rail network the third highest tonnage on record at 3.25 billion gross tonne kilometres (bGTK) David Marchant Chief Executive of ARTC said today.
"The November figure is 10% higher than November 2005 and 46% higher than in November 1998."
"For the last 4 months in a row, tonnages have been in excess of 3.2bGTK." Mr Marchant said.
A record 3.3 billion gross tonne kilometres (bGTK) was carried during October which followed on from record volumes of 3.20bGTK and 3.27 bGTK in August 2006 and September 2006.
Rail freight volumes in 2006 between the eastern states and Perth in the months August, September and October were up 9% when compared to the same period in 2005.
These results have been achieved in an environment in which grain and bulk goods have fallen in volume.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
David Kestenbaum David Kestenbaum is a science correspondent for NPR. His job allows him to combine his extensive background in physics with his love of broadcast journalism.
David Kestenbaum
Listener: Why Can't We Compare Doctors?
September 30, 2009 • Andy Wardlaw writes: "Doctors' success rates aren't recorded and compared? So how is there competition in the marketplace?"
Medicare Data Could Cut Health Care Costs
September 29, 2009 • Economists say one of the biggest obstacles to making health care cheaper is a lack of information. Some consumer advocates want access to a Medicare database so patients can compare physicians' performance. That has led to a lengthy court battle over doctors' privacy.
Op-Ed: The Lehman Collapse Didn't Start The Crisis
September 28, 2009 • Two economists look back on the financial crisis and argue speeches by Ben Bernanke and Henry Paulson did more to spook the markets than the failure of Lehman Brothers.
Morning Quote: Bair and Bamboo
September 22, 2009 • The NYT reports that the FDIC may borrow money from healthy banks to replenish its insurance fund.
Obama Economics (In English)
September 18, 2009 • Obama economic adviser Austan Goolsbee talks (in english!) about the past year and what lies ahead.
Economists Debate 'Public Option' On Health Care
September 17, 2009 • The idea of creating a government-run health care plan to compete with regular insurance companies has received mixed grades among economists. The debate is over whether the plan would eliminate waste in the system as advertised.
The Pain of Knowing
September 17, 2009 • Unlike with many diseases, we know a lot about which places that treat cystic fibrosis do a good job, and which don't. Economists say that kind of information is good, but it does create some painful situations.
Health Reform - The Senate Version
September 16, 2009 • The proposed bill does not include plans for a government-run insurance plan.
Obama Gets A-/B- on Health Care Test
September 15, 2009 • Princeton health care economist gives President Obama an A- on his health care speech overall, but a B-/C+ on the economics of his argument for a public plan option.
My Traffic Court Judge Is Not An Economist
September 11, 2009 • A judge says she's not in the business of making more for insurance companies. David Kestenbaum wonders whether that makes sense.
The Derivatives They Call "I-Kill-You-Later"
September 4, 2009 • Investors in China are angry about derivative investment sold to them by western banks as "accumulators" for the wealth they could generate. Locals now call them "I-Kill-You-Later" for the harsh provision that kicks in that can trigger huge losse...
Fixing Health Care By Altering Patient Behavior
September 2, 2009 • Economists have long said health care, as a market, is a strange animal. One reason is that patients don't act like regular consumers.
At Restaurants, Don't Split The Bill
September 2, 2009 • Economist Russ Roberts argues that when your dining out, splitting the bill evenly can have disastrous consequences.
My Mechanic, My Doctor
August 31, 2009 • Economists say the jobs of doctors and car mechanics share some peculiar economic elements. We have proof.
Onward! (And Backward!) The Weird Economics Of Craigslist
August 27, 2009 • Defenders of the free market have a little explaining to do when it comes to technology. A website like Craigslist is so barebones, Wired writes, that it's an absolute mess. And yet it has no real competition.
More from David Kestenbaum


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text:
Q: deleteNode have problems my question is about a exercise in lintcode which requires delet node, but for some reason my simple program won't work.
For example, input (1->2->3->4->null, 3) should output (1->2->4->null), my idea is delete next node and "copy" its value to input THIS node.
/**
 * Definition for ListNode.
 * public class ListNode {
 *     int val;
 *     ListNode next;
 *     ListNode(int val) {
 *         this.val = val;
 *         this.next = null;
 *     }
 * }
 */
public class Solution {
    /**
     * @param node: the node in the list should be deleted
     * @return: nothing
     */
    public void deleteNode(ListNode node) {
        // write your code here
        ListNode pnext;
        if (node != null) {
            if (node.next != null) {
                ListNode tempnode = node.next;
                if (node.next.next != null) {
                    pnext = node.next.next;
                }
                else {
                    pnext = null;
                }

                node.next = null; //delete next node
                node = tempnode; // give next node to THIS node
                node.next = pnext; // link next
            }
        }
        else node = null;
    }
}

I am very confused about giving value to node, does node1 = node2 even work? I know node.val can. Can anyone simply guide me please?

A: You are complicating it unnecessarily and it is not that tough. As I see, you are just taking the ListNode as the parameter and not the data which you want to delete. Also, since you are using if and not while or for, you'll never end up iterating the whole list.
You should modify your function to take both the node as well as the data and start using a loop to iterate the complete list.
Here is the code snippet:
private void deleteNode(ListNode node, int data) {
    while(node != null && node.data != data) {
        node = node.next;
    }

    if(node != null) {
        System.out.println("Deleted Node With Data: " + node.data);
        node = node.next;
    }
}

A: You did not include in your post what actually happens, and you did not include the part where you create your list, so I can only assume what happens is that you do not delete 3, but delete 4? Or does it not delete anything at all?
So you have a method that should delete a Node, and the Node you want to delete is given as a parameter. But as your list is only linked one way you have no way of determining the node before it (which holds the reference to the node you want to delete). Actually the delete method should be as easy as this:
public void deleteNextNode(ListNode node) {
    if(node == null || node.next == null) return; //nothing to delete
    if(node.next.next == null){
        node.next = null;
        return;
    } else{
        node.next = node.next.next;
    }
}

Although I did not test it. As long as you don't store any other references to your nodes this is sufficient, otherwise you need to call next.null explicitely in the else part.
Edit: My function deletes the Node that follows the Node you pass, but you want a function that deletes the Node you pass it. The problem here is that the previous node stores the reference to the Node that you want to delete, but you have no way of determining that Node with only the reference to the Node you want to delete. So either you use this function and always pass the previous node, or you make a wrapper function and run through the list and always safe the previous Node and call the function with that node:
public ListNode deleteNode(ListNode start, ListNode deleteMe)
{
    ListNode prev = start;
    if(start == deleteMe) return start.next;
    while(prev.next != null) {
        if(prev.next == deleteMe)
            deleteNextNode(prev);
        prev = prev.next;
    }
    return start;
}

Note that I made the function return a ListNode, this is always the first Node of the List (in case you decide to delete the first node).
I hope this helps

A: I think by:
node = tempNode; // give next node to THIS node.

You meant:
node.val = tempNode.val; // give next node value to THIS node.

That way, the next node's value is copied into the current node.
Next you would want to also do:
node.next = tempNode.next;

This way, the node effectively becomes the tempNode. I think this was your intention.. ?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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The real estate field has grown from a small field to an enormous one where it has been necessary for the authorities to charge property tax. A country or a state is the one that gives the rates in which property tax is assessed on buildings and on property. There will be an appointed authority that will be mandated to collect the property tax in places where the tax is. Different countries and states will asses property tax based on their own criteria, however, many of the states will follow the equality principle of taxation.Property tax is one of the main forms of government revenue that accrues a very small percentage of revenue as said through statistics. Land, the immovable, personal and the intangible property are the main branches that can be classified under property tax.
different states and countries will name property tax differently where in some countries it will exist and perform different roles from the others. property tax will vary in time in that it will always be calculated as per the market value at that time in question. market value is never a constant figure but it is a value that will keep fluctuating as it is controlled by the forces of the market that is supply and demand.Property tax is sometimes negotiated between the owner of a property and the authorities of a place to come to a said amount or rate.
one can appeal to a property tax rate that has been given to you by the authorities which may be way above the market value as at that time or which one may feel uncomfortable paying. In most countries the people who will govern the appeal are the tax tribunals where they will try and create a common ground for the property owner and the authorities. schools, health and so forth will benefit from the property taxes since it is a source of revenue from the government.
It is very crucial to know the rates that a country charges as property tax before buying from the country so as to decide whether to buy or not.Many developed countries will push for the property tax as it is said that it increases the country's stability and development towards the real estate field.


Join us for the 5th annual session of ACIMGE on April 19-21 2019!
ACI Model Government Europe is a proud affiliate of Yale Model Government Europe, Europe's premier European Union simulation conference organized by the Yale International Relations Association.
-Applications are now open! Apply to be a part of the ACIMGE 2019 family!
On behalf of the organizational team and advisors, it is our utmost pleasure to welcome you all to the fifth annual session of Açı Model Government Europe, hosted by Açı High School in Istanbul, Turkey from April 19 to the 21st.
As an affiliate of Yale Model Government Europe, we carry out a unique format unlike most conferences in Turkey. Our conference is based on a crisis format and this urges ministers to think on their feet.
This year ACIMGE will celebrate its 5th year with the help of its honorable sponsors, sincere supporters and most distinguished participants. ACIMGE was founded for the first time five years ago with the inspiring work of an incredibly hard working club. Since then, our conference has grown and evolved with newcomers to our family each year. The executive team works hard to create a friendly environment that inspires attendees to work hard, make quick decisions,and develop their own ideas.
ACIMGE aims to inspire, innovate,and collaborate. During the conference, delegates will try to raise awareness about current world issues. While this is being done, delegates will focus on team work and find a solution for these major issues. The innovative crises will support these innovative solutions.
This year, for the first time, we will entertain two special committees in ACIMGE 2019. While this novelty excites us all, it also sparks the idea that ACIMGE has not only evolved truly throughout the years but also has become one of the notable conferences of Turkey.
This year, we have focused on topics that define international borders, terrorism, maritime disputes and so on. This year's conference we decided to focus on topics that require effort and action. We believe that this conference will allow all those participating to widen their horizons and come up with beneficial solutions that will no longer just revolve around the European Union, but the entire world.
With all said, join us for the 5th annual session of ACIMGE for a pressing yet unforgettable experience and take a part in becoming a member of the ACIMGE family!
Keep up with the ACIMGE team and the conference via social media!


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package edu.pitt.apollo.exception;

/**
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 * @author nem41
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public class TranslatorServiceException extends Exception {

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}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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Microbial Pathogenesis
Microbiology Annual Retreat
Microbiology Research in Progress
Microbiology Graduate Program Seminar Series
Microbial Sciences Institute Events
2016 Microbial Pathogenesis Symposium
Microbial Pathogenesis Annual Party and Hike
Courses & Lab Rotations
Exams & Requirements
Research in Progress Seminars
Primary Faculty
Secondary Faculty
Lab Support Staff
Choukri Ben Mamoun, PhD
Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) and of Microbial Pathogenesis; Affiliated Faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health
Michael Cappello, MD
Department Chair and Professor of Epidemiology (Microbial Diseases); Professor of Pediatrics (Infectious Disease) and Microbial Pathogenesis; Associate Director, MD-PhD Program; Affiliated Faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health
Michael Cappello MD is Professor and Chair of the Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases at the Yale School of Public Health, and Professor of Pediatrics and Microbial Pathogenesis at Yale Medical School. He graduated from Brown University with a degree in Biomedical Ethics and received his MD from Georgetown University in Washington, DC. After training in adult and Pediatric infectious diseases at Yale, Dr. Cappello joined the faculty in 1995, where he oversees a laboratory and field based research program focused on global health, tropical medicine and molecular parasitology. He is a 2007 recipient of the Bailey K. Ashford medal, awarded by the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene "for distinguished work in tropical medicine." In addition to research, Dr. Cappello provides clinical care as an Infectious Diseases specialist at Yale New Haven Children's Hospital. He is co-founder of the Yale Partnerships for Global Health, an initiative that advances scientific knowledge, promotes international understanding, and builds human capacity through collaborative research and training. From 2007-15, Dr. Cappello directed the Yale World Fellows Program, a multi-disciplinary, campus-wide initiative whose mission is to cultivate and inspire a global network of leaders committed to positive change. From 2016-21, he chaired the Council on African Studies at the Whitney and Betty MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies and was faculty director of the Yale Africa Initiative. Dr. Cappello is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and serves on the Academic Advisory Council of Schwarzman Scholars Program at Tsinghua University in Beijing.
Jason Crawford, PhD
Associate Professor of Chemistry and Associate Professor of Microbial Pathogenesis
Associate Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine) and of Microbial Pathogenesis; Director, Center for Pulmonary Infection Research and Treatment (CPIRT)
Dr. Dela Cruz completed his research training through an MD/PhD program in the area of immunology and virology from University of Toronto and Yale. Clinically, he is trained in internal medicine, and specializes in pulmonary and critical care medicine and is currently an Associate Professor at Yale University in the same department. He is also the founding director for the Center for Pulmonary Infection Research and Treatment (CPIRT). www.cpirt.yale.edu. His laboratory is interested in studying the role of respiratory infection in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic lung diseases. Specifically, his work focuses on how lung infection contribute to inflammation, injury and tissue repair in the lung. This has allowed the lab to carefully study the molecular and cellular responses of several novel mediators in the lung.His laboratory focuses on two main research programs. (1) Studying novel immune regulators in the lung during respiratory infections. (2) Studying the effects of cigarette smoke (CS) exposure in the pathogenesis of airway and lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using preclinical genetic mouse models and human biosamples. The goal of the lab is also to be able to confirm and translate the findings using biospecimens from the established and establishing cohort of human patients with various lung diseases.COPD is a composite entity that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is a leading cause of death in the world, and is a disease that is in need of new treatments. One of the goal of our laboratory is to investigate the interaction between CS and respiratory virus infection in the pathogenesis of COPD and identify novel therapeutic targets for this respiratory disease. It has been long thought that the frequent respiratory infections in COPD patients are due to their depressed immune function. Our studies have revealed that CS-exposed hosts have an over-exaggerated immune reaction to viral infections. Frequent acute COPD exacerbations correlate with increased rate of disease progression and more loss of lung function in COPD especially if it is due to viral infections. Our studies have shown that CS exposure has an impressive ability to regulate the innate immunity in the lung after influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. CS enhances the inflammation, alveolar destruction and airway fibrosis caused by influenza virus and RSV. These effects are mediated by type I interferon and RIG-like helicase antiviral innate immune pathway. CS exposure also results in the induction of interleukin-15 in the setting of these respiratory infections. We hypothesize that these novel mechanistic pathways may explain the heightened inflammatory response and worsening lung functions in COPD patients with multiple virally-induced exacerbations, and the chronic lung inflammation seen in stable COPD patients. We have also translated our findings by studying these immune mediators in patients infected with various respiratory viruses and have thus far collected >300 human biosamples.YCCI Scholar 2011
Erol Fikrig, MD
Waldemar Von Zedtwitz Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) and Professor of Epidemiology (Microbial Diseases) and of Microbial Pathogenesis; Affiliated Faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health; Section Chief, Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine
My laboratory investigates vector-borne diseases. Studies are directed toward understanding Lyme disease, flaviviral infections including dengue and West Nile viruses, and malaria. Efforts on Lyme disease include exploring immunity to Borrelia burgdorferi, selective B. burgdorferi gene expression in vivo, and the immunobiology of Lyme arthritis. Flaviviruses and Plasmodium are used as models to understand the molecular interactions between pathogens, their arthropod vectors and their mammalian hosts. Finally, we are developing new approaches to prevent ticks and mosquitoes from feeding on a vertebrate host, thereby interfering with pathogen transmission.
Raymond Johnson, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) and of Microbial Pathogenesis; Director ID/Rheum Research Conference, Internal Medicine
I received my M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). My Ph.D. was from the Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology on the pathogenesis of Herpes simplex virus; followed by medical residency and Infectious Diseases training was at Washington University in St. Louis where I was a Howard Hughes Research Fellow. I joined the Indiana University faculty in 2001 to work on Chlamydia pathogenesis, which remains my research focus to the present day.
Barbara Kazmierczak, MD, PhD
Gustavus and Louise Pfeiffer Research Foundation M.D.-Ph.D. Program Director and Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) and of Microbial Pathogenesis; Professor, Microbial Pathogenesis; Director, MD-PhD Program, Yale University
Dr. Kazmierczak received her Ph.D. from Rockefeller University (1993) and her M.D. from Cornell University Medical College (1994), both in New York City. She completed an Internal Medicine residency and Infectious Diseases fellowship training at the University of California, San Francisco, and joined the Yale faculty in 2001. She is currently a Professor of Medicine and Microbial Pathogenesis, and Director of the MD-PhD program at Yale.Dr. Kazmierczak's research program is broadly focused on bacterial and host factors that allow opportunistic infections to occur. Using Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a clinically relevant model, her lab addresses fundamental questions of how cell-envelope spanning bacterial machines - the Type 3 secretion system, Type 4 pili and polar flagellum - are assembled, regulated, and used during infection. She has also identified host responses directed at components of these virulence associated structures, in particular those mediated by the NLRC4 inflammasome. Inflammatory responses to bacteria are also a focus of her work on microbiome-host interactions in infants with Cystic Fibrosis, where her lab has used longitudinal data acquired over five years from cohorts of patients and controls to understand gut microbiome composition and the inflammatory and metabolic responses at this site. Dr. Kazmierczak has been recognized as a Burroughs-Wellcome Fund Investigator in the Pathogenesis of Infectious Diseases (2007), a Donaghue Investigator (2002), and a Hellman Family Fellow (2002). She is a Fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and an elected member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation and the American Academy for Microbiology.
Priti Kumar, PhD
Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases and of Microbial Pathogenesis; Director of Graduate Admissions, The BBS Microbiology Track; Director, Yale Predoctoral Training Program in Virology, Virology Laboratories; Chartered Member, Study Section: NIH: NIAID- AIDS Discovery And Development Of Therapeutics, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Dr. Priti Kumar received her PhD in Immunology from Indian Institute of Science in the year 2002. After completing her postdoctoral studies from Harvard Medical School, she joined as an Assistant Professor at Yale University in the year 2008. Currently, she is Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases at Yale University School of Medicine. Her laboratory conducts translational research with a focus on treatment of diseases caused by RNA viruses. For the last 12 years as faculty at Yale, she made key contributions towards the development and testing of gene therapy and cure based approaches that overcome in vivo biological barriers to enable the use of next-generation biologicals like nucleic acids such as siRNA, nucleases such as recombinases and CRISPRs and antibodies with effector function for their therapeutic potential against viruses like HIV-1, West Nile virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, dengue and now, SARS-COV2. Her laboratory is well-recognized for studies on HIV-1 in state-of-the-art humanized mouse models that allow characterization of virus pathogenesis in the context of a human immune system. Her laboratory also conducts pioneering research on live-imaging pathogenesis of infectious viruses in small animal models.
Maudry Laurent-Rolle, MD, PhD, BS
Dr. Maudry Laurent-Rolle received her B.S. from Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus in Biology in 2001. She then obtained her MD and PhD from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Her dissertation research was funded by an NIH pre-doctoral fellowship, which allowed her to examine the molecular mechanisms by which flaviviruses inhibit host innate immune responses. She completed residency training in Internal Medicine at Albert Einstein/Montefiore Medical Center in 2016 then joined the Infectious Diseases Fellowship program here at Yale University. Her research focus is on vaccine design and development of antivirals. She is originally from the beautiful Caribbean island of Dominica, known for its many rivers, tropical rainforests, and natural hot springs.
Richard Sutton, MD/PhD
After finishing his undergraduate studies at Brown University, Dr. Sutton enrolled in the MSTP at Stanford, where he obtained his PhD degree with Dr. John Boothroyd, working on African trypanosomes. He then completed a categorical residency in internal medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and a fellowship in infectious diseases at UCSF. After post-doctoral stints with Drs. Harold Varmus, Dan Littman, and Pat Brown in which he worked on HTLV cell binding and entry and the development of HIV-based gene therapy vectors, he joined the faculty at Baylor College of Medicine. In 2008 he was recruited to Yale to continue his work on HIV replication and lentiviral vectors. Dr. Sutton spends approximately 50% of his time at the research bench and 25% in the clinical setting, both out-patient and in-patient. He is also the chief of ID at VACT in West Haven, which takes up ~24% of his time.
295 Congress Ave. New Haven, CT
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text:
Fiancé of missing Texas mother found murdered in trunk of car wants answers in alleged baby-snatching plot
By Jessica Schladebeck
Shane Carey was reunited with his infant daughter, Margot, after his fiancée, Heidi Broussard, was found dead in the trunk of her close friend's car. (Nightline / ABC)
The fiancé of a murdered Texas mother is demanding answers from the woman who allegedly kidnapped his bride-to-be as part of a heinous plot to steal the couple's newborn daughter and pass the 3-week-old off as her own.
Heidi Broussard and her infant daughter, Margot Carey, were reported missing on Dec. 12, after she failed to pick up her son from Cowan Elementary School in Austin. When her future husband, Shane Carey arrived home later the same evening, Broussard's vehicle was still in the driveway, but she was nowhere to be found.
Authorities discovered the mother of two dead inside the trunk of a car a week later. It was parked outside the home of a long-time friend, Magen Fieramusca, who was arrested on charges of kidnapping and tampering with evidence.
"I want to look her straight in the eyes and ask her why. That's all I want to say. There's no reason for any of this," Carey said of the suspect during an appearance on "Good Morning America."
A quick search of Fieramusca's home immediately turned up baby Margot, who was uninjured. She was reunited with her father, who had been in a relationship with the victim for 10 years, just on time for Christmas.
[More News] Texas woman tases husband after catching him with girlfriend: cops »
"It just makes me angry and these beautiful kids don't deserve this. She didn't deserve this," Carey said on Thursday.
"She was the best mom, the best person you could ever meet. She had like 25 best friends because everyone wanted to be her best friend. I don't understand what happened still. I don't understand why."
Magen Fieramusca was charged with tampering with a human corpse and kidnapping.Magen Fieramusca was charged with tampering with a human corpse and kidnapping. (Harris County Sheriff's Dept.)
While no official motive has been listed, authorities now believe Fieramusca — who met Broussard at bible camp a decade ago — orchestrated a scheme to steal her pal's newborn daughter.
[More News] Passengers using a WiFi network named 'Remote Detonator' was booted from a flight: report »
Carey, in a previous interview with authorities, revealed both women were expecting in 2019 and would often talk about the possibility of delivering babies around the same time. According to an arrest affidavit, Fieramusca arrived at the home she shared with ex-boyfriend, Chris Green, with a baby she claimed was his a day after Broussard's disappearance.
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When approached by authorities with missing posters for Margot, Green confirmed that she was the same infant as the one Fieramusca brought home. He said that while he believed she was actually pregnant last year, he could not say for sure because he never saw her without clothing following the alleged conception.
Heidi Broussard and her infant daughter, Margot Carey were first reported missing on Dec. 12, after she failed to pick up her son from Cowan Elementary School in Austin. (Austin Police Department)
It's not clear whether Fieramusca had actually been carrying a child, but authorities have said there have been several discrepancies in her account. In the affidavit, it's noted that the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit said the she meets the profile of someone who would kidnap a child out of "maternal desire."
[More News] Driver arrested for allegedly ramming car carrying six teens off California road, killing three »
Carey has speculated that Fieramusca did not work alone and that she had some help committing the crime.
"I believe somebody talked her into it. I mean, from knowing Magen, I would never imagine it. I don't know what happened," he said. "Heidi is way stronger than Magen. There has to be a second person. There is no way Magen was by herself."
Police have so far not yet mentioned another suspect in the alleged baby-snatching plot or Broussard's death, which is still under investigation. There have been charges filed in connection with the mother's murder.
Latest Crime
Texas woman tases husband after catching him with girlfriend: cops


Savings gap is described by the World Economic Forum as the estimated shortfall in pension saving. This has been calculated after analysing publicly available data on the level of funding of government-provided first pillar systems and public employee systems, the funding of employer-based systems, and the levels of individual pension savings. The aggregate level of savings across these has been compared to expectations of average annual retirement income needs and life expectancies.
UN World Urbanisation Prospects, 2018.
Bank of America Merrill Lynch. The Silver Dollar-Longevity Revolution Primer, June 2014, Euromonitor, Oxford Economics, NLIRI. The longevity economy encompasses both the economic activity that serves the needs of the 50+ global population, as well as directly purchased products and services and the knock-on economic activity that generates.


text:
Replacement chemicals may put pregnancies at risk
Newer chemicals, which replace those phased out decades ago, may have harmful effects on pregnancy, says Liping Feng.
Exposure to so-called forever chemicals may increase a woman's risk of pregnancy complications, according to Liping Feng, M.D., from Duke University School of Medicine and Duke Global Health Institute, in a Jan. 7 NIEHS lecture.
Feng studies the mechanisms of pregnancy complications associated with the placenta during infection, inflammation, oxidative stress, and chemical exposures. (Photo courtesy of Steve McCaw)
Feng presented research linking exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are industrial chemicals found throughout the environment, with an increased risk of a pregnancy complication called preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is increasingly common and a leading cause of maternal and infant illness and death.
Placental damage sets the stage
Although scientists do not know the causes of preeclampsia, recent studies suggest that chemicals in the environment may modify risk for the condition.
Feng shared evidence that a common substitute for perfluorooctane sulfonate, or PFOS, may not be a safe alternative. Her studies linked pregnant women's exposure to the substitute, known as perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS), with preeclampsia and overall hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
PFBS may impair the ability of cells to form a fully functioning placenta, setting the stage for the development of preeclampsia, Feng explained.
National Toxicology Program (NTP) scientist Sue Fenton, Ph.D., introduced Feng. "We have known for many years that PFOA [a PFAS no longer made in the U.S.] was associated with preeclampsia in women," Fenton said. "Now, Feng and her colleagues have reported that similar associations occur between preeclampsia and a PFAS that many assume is less harmful."
Uncertain safety
As Feng explained, we are exposed to more than 80,000 chemicals every day. PFAS, a complex and ever-expanding group of man-made chemicals, are used in carpets and upholstery, nonstick cookware, food packaging, and a multitude of other products. Safety concerns prompted U.S. manufacturers to voluntarily phase out early versions of PFAS, now called legacy compounds.
European countries announced a plan to phase out toxic chemicals by 2030. I think it is time for us to act as well. Liping Feng
Replacement compounds are now detected in the environment, Feng said. The health effects of most of them have not been well-examined. For example, Feng found only 18 published studies on the health effects of PFBS. Only seven of those studied effects on pregnancy or reproduction.
The paper by Feng her mentor, Jun Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., of the Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in Shanghai, compared adverse pregnancy outcomes with levels of eight different PFAS in umbilical cord blood of 686 pregnant women.
Of the eight chemicals, only PFBS showed a significantly increased risk of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension. "Now we are looking for confirmation in other studies," said Feng.
Underlying mechanisms
In addition to assessing the impact of PFBS and other PFAS exposures on human pregnancies, Feng looks for explanations of how these exposures might lead to preeclampsia. Specifically, she studies special types of placental cells.
Extravillous trophoblasts help the placenta develop and then anchor into maternal tissue.
Syncytiotrophoblast cells form the placental barrier between maternal and fetal blood.
In unpublished research using these cell lines, Feng found that prenatal exposure to PFBS could cause placental cells to function improperly. Impairments include inadequate blood flow to the placenta and changes to production of hormones and angiogenesis factors, which influence blood vessel formation.
Fenton, who heads the NTP Reproductive Endocrinology Group, has shown that PFAS may be responsible for numerous health outcomes. (Photo courtesy of Steve McCaw)
These dysfunctions can lead to problems in the maternal endothelium and systemic inflammation, which, in turn, could lead to preeclampsia. "Our results not only echo our epidemiology data, but also provide underlying mechanisms," said Feng.
Fenton added, "Dr. Feng's findings may be the spark to an important area of research in women's health, as we have observed adverse effects on the placenta in PFOA and GenX exposed mice, and our colleagues at UNC [University of North Carolina] Chapel Hill can measure PFAS in the placentas of women."
Feng concluded with a nod toward policy implications. "European countries announced a plan to phase out toxic chemicals by 2030," she said. "I think it is time for us to act as well."
Citation: Huang R, Chen Q, Zhang L, Luo K, Chen L, Zhao S, Feng L, Zhang J. 2019. Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and the risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Environ Health18(1):5.
Interest across NIEHS
During her day at NIEHS, Feng met with scientists and staff members from across the institute.
Jackie Bangma, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow at the UNC Gillings School of Public Health.
Bevin Blake, NTP predoctoral researcher in Fenton's group.
Abee Boyles, Ph.D., NIEHS program lead for the Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Program.
Darlene Dixon, D.V.M., Ph.D., head of the NTP Molecular Pathogenesis Group.
Kelly Ferguson, Ph.D., head of the NIEHS Perinatal and Early Life Epidemiology Group.
Jean Harry, Ph.D., head of the NTP Neurotoxicology Group.
Mimi Huang, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow in the NTP Systems Toxicology Group.
Ann Marie Jukic, Ph.D., head of the NIEHS Fertility and Reproductive Health group.
Tracy Manuck, M.D., associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UNC.
Alex Merrick, Ph.D., head of the NTP Molecular Toxicology and Genomics Group.
GenX Exposure Study reports results back to the community
Chemical toxicant contributes to low birth weight, can damage placenta
Liver injury linked to PFAS exposures, NIEHS grantee says
PFAS, worker safety, data sharing, and more on tap at Council meeting
Plant-based material can remediate PFAS, new research suggests


Millions of baby chicks are ground up alive every day around the world. Since male chicks will not grow to lay eggs, the egg industry kills them all on their first day of life.
This is the sad reality behind eggs, whether they come from a factory farm or a farm that prides itself on having better welfare conditions.
All commercial egg farms buy their laying hens from industrial hatcheries such as the one exposed in this video. Since they kill their laying hens when their egg production declines, they need to 'replace' all the hens new every few years.
These hatcheries breed the chicks who will grow to live miserable lives in egg farms. Since the hatcheries can only sell the females, the males get killed in horrible ways such as being shredded alive.
To learn more about this investigation from Aussie Farms & Animal Liberation, visit the website EggsExposed.com.
Aussie Farms is a nonprofit animal liberation organization based in Australia. Established in 2014 by Chris Delforce, Aussie Farms run multiple campaigns to expose the systematic torture of animals across Australia.
The organization aims to break down the secrecy and deception used by industries that exploit animals for profit.
Among others, Aussie Farms is behind The Aussie Farm Repository, in addition to filming, directing & producing the 2018 feature-length documentary, Dominion.
Animal Liberation is a nonprofit organization located in Sydney, NSW, Australia.
The organization was founded in 1976 by Christine Townend and acts in several fields, including undercover investigations, open rescues, public campaigns and virtual reality outreach.
Animal Liberation's mission is to improve the lives of all living benigs through consumer advocacy, action, legistlation and humane education.