My 11pc. mystery gift from Memorial Day — reasonably happy with it as no foil packets & I was making a purchase anyway for redken & the wella sales.
Hair: Bumble&Bumble dryspun texture spray, Living Proof Curl Definer
Skin: It Confidence in a Gel Lotion, Sunday Riley CEO Glow, Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus Eye, Strivectin Contour Restore Face Cream
Makeup: Natasha Denona Micro Blade Liquid Liner, Benefit Porefessional, Urban Decay Primer Potion, MAC Magic Extension Mascara, Kiss Lash Purify

https://imgur.com/a/cdidFl4
Feel Free to dish out some offers as long as they're not lowballs I Want To get rid of Elden ring Collectors edition (NEW) for PS5 to free up some space so ill let it go for $220 Shipped
Game Boy Advance
Dragon Ball: Advance Adventure (CO) https://imgur.com/a/8Xks6xo $100.00
Gameboy Advance Console (Missing Backplate) https://imgur.com/a/yl4jFy6 $55.00
Mario Kart Super Circuit (CO) $20.00
Pokemon Emerald Version (Cartridge Only) https://imgur.com/a/xSEQKRy $185.00
Pokemon Ruby Version (Cartridge Only) https://imgur.com/a/GetLY4n $75.00
Pokemon Sapphire Version (Cartridge Only) https://imgur.com/a/ANQ3SQt $75.00
​
Game Boy
Pokemon Blue (CO) https://imgur.com/a/M33bjn6 $50.00
Pokemon Gold (CO) (NO LABEL) https://imgur.com/a/8Xks6xo $35.00
Pokemon Silver (CO) https://imgur.com/a/0Yj7wle $50.00
​
Gamecube
Legend of Zelda Four Swords Adventure (DISK ONLY) https://imgur.com/a/LjYStvI $60.00
Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/T5fViX4 $110.00
Mario Kart Double Dash (CIB NO MANUAL) https://imgur.com/a/Znd2CrX $75.00
Mario Party 7 (CIB TEAR ON MANUAL) https://imgur.com/a/p368GaZ $58.00
Metroid Prime (CIB NO MANUAL) https://imgur.com/a/iFVJs99 $20.00
Metal Gear Solid The Twin Snakes (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/bXbFudy $115.00
NBA Street (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/pHzQoIL $15.00
NBA Street Vol. 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/ojCb4p0 $28.00
Sonic 2 Adventure Battle (DISK ONLY HAS 3 SMALL DENTS SEEN IN PHOTOS, STILL WORKS) https://imgur.com/a/t1CHtJ1 $25.00
Super Mario Sunshine (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/3Pmjhfe $40.00
​
​
Nintendo Switch
2k Battle Grounds (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/hmFkIrI $15.00
Aegis Defenders (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/mLcAvE5 $30.00
AfterParty (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Mk5WzcV $32.00
Atelier DuskTriology Deluxe Pack (CIB) NEW https://imgur.com/a/9SMInnE $100.00
Baldo The Guardian Owls The Three Fairies Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/a35Dv6f $25.00
Baldurs Gate & Baldurs Gate II Enhanced Editions (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/PksoMPb $45.00
The Banner Saga Trilogy (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/HA3o0pS $12.00
Battle Chasers Night War (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/t1HthQz $18.00
Big Brain Academy Brain Vs Brain (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/dHoUKaa $25.00
BloodRayne Betrayal: Fresh Bites (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/GvkLW0K $42.00
The Caligula Effect Overdose (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Ga6JAgV $80.00
Carto (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/0TpJ5y7 $40.00
Cat Quest (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/pPvnxTX $15.00
Cave Story (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/5KNZtk3 $35.00
Celeste (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/3Dx1hBD $85.00
Chasm (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/V5GrCBQ $39.00
Child of Light Ultimate Edition + Valiant Hearts the Great War (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/PX3rrrk $38.00
Children of Morta (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/dbZciM7 $20.00
Citizens Unite (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Uy9Y0UR $35.00
Civilization VI (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/yrsJex8 $11.00
The Classic Collection DOOM (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/kpzFWWD $40.00
Crash Bandicoot 4 Its about Time (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/3XSqbdG $19.00
Crash Team Racing Nitro Fueled (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/iwX0RDv $18.00
Creaks (CIB) (SUPER RARE GAME SEAL IS BROKEN) https://imgur.com/a/z94UHI5 $49.00
Crypt of The Necrodancer Switch Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/K0CBQGO $18.00
Darksiders War Mastered Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/nBFuqw9 $23.00
Darksiders: War Mastered Edition (CIB) (BLACK SPINE MISPRINT) https://imgur.com/a/1WYriyB $55.00
Darq Complete edition (CIB) $21.00
Deaths Door (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/oe2xri3 $30.00
Disgaea 5 Complete (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/jDWj9rD $28.00
Disgaea (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/FqIoidp $30.00
Disney Classic Games Collection Aladdin-Lion King (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/2c0Ld8Q $10.00
Divinity II Original Sin Definitive Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/HplD9ST $125.00
DOOM (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/9pGCWjh $28.00
DOOM 64 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/pTdw1Tr $32.00
Dragons Dogma Dark Ariser (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/DRciiSv $18.00
Dragon Quest Builders (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/LdD33Us $70.00
Eastward Japanese Version (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/4Tq3ayn $20.00
Eastward (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/8JwoQZ4 $25.00
Fairy Fencer F Advent Dark Force (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Q2FsiAK $40.00
Fifa 18 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/KmTLH6T $10.00
FIST Forged In Shadow Torch (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/VJr4fh5 $25.00
Forager (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/osTqpsA $20.00
For the King (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/gUzijUk $25.00
Forgotten Anne (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/u1YzEKP $45.00
The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/gBRi03a $30.00
Game Builder Garage (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/eamEEjr $12.00
Ghostbusters The Video Game Remastered (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/xkg4FR1 $18.00
God Eater 3 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/6LpIT1k $17.00
Hello Neighbor (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/dynNpS8 $10.00
Katamari Damacy Reroll (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/rQs0uQo $10.00
The Last Kids on Earth and the Staff of Doom (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/6zbUcAy $8.00
Little Inferno (CIB SEALED IN SUPER RARE PACKAGE) NEW https://imgur.com/a/WZG5nZa $50.00
Maneater (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/r3MuYuZ $18.00
Mary Skelter 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/tsguMcv $50.00
Max the Curse of Brotherhood (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/kihAUGy $20.00
Metro Redux (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/zcMcq16 $18.00
Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/bOkLg3h $55.00
Monster Hunter Rise (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/pWL7AMR $19.00
Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/FI9xp55 $20.00
Moving Out (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/HIudHBb $19.00
Mud Runner American Wilds (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/XRhLN9k $20.00
Mutant Year Zero Road to Eden (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/IneqNPO $13.00
My Friend Pedro (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/ZdBwiyI $25.00
My Hero Ones Justice (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/HZinClR $8.00
NBA 2K Playgound 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/vO8XnXI $10.00
NBA 2K18 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/ckD9Rzs $5.00
Neo the World Ends with You (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/cUQtpW7 $19.00
Neon Abyss (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/bfyfLtN $35.00
Nintendo Switch Adjustable Charging Stand (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/9RgpFwe $15.00
Nintendo Switch Fortnite Wildcat Bundle NO DLC CODE (Like New CIB) https://imgur.com/a/TbgUlA2 $230.00
Oddworld Collection (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/xsQtT21 $23.00
Overcooked 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/NcAiK3w $12.00
Pathway (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/nfFIXhe $28.00
Planescape:Torment & Icewind Dale:Enhanced Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/ZjHq7ZZ $21.00
Portal Knights (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/7CnsKzt $16.00
Quake (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/4Mi9u5d $29.00
Rayman Legends Definitive Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/GNGdkt1 $17.00
RBI 19 Baseball (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/0QgUJ1Z $18.00
Resident Evil Origins Collection (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/GDJiG2G $21.00
Resident Evil Triple Pack (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/kLVKRvX $31.00
Return of the Obra Dinn (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Gi9OElv $43.00
River City Girls ZERO (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/8hRlS7q $45.00
Ruiner (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Ro0PDev $44.00
Rustler (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/BNanSSh $15.00
Saints Row the Third The Full Package (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/c4k0WI4 $16.00
Samurai Shodown (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/J7mvVLJ $120.00
Sega Genisis Classics (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/LRajpJz $24.00
Scott Pilgrim VS the World: the Game Complete Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/D5wFwgx $24.00
Scribblenauts Mega Pack (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/4DqC5QG $13.00
Scibblenauts Showdown (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/sQ2OcJm $10.00
Shin Megami Tensei V (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/njpBs7W $27.00
Shinning Resonance Refrain Draconic Launch Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/tVMEZbg $40.00
Shiren the Wanderer The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/jxgUi7o $41.00
Shovel Knight Treasure Trove (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Zjum6eB $29.00
Sine Mora FX (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/BYJXW9o $13.00
SnipperClips Plus (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/cwDtIYV $23.00
Snow Runner (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/5xEgVRg $28.00
Sonic Mania Plus (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/SBWJHpe $37.00
Sparklite (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/K06Zow0 $18.00
Splatoon 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/j1QmVRc $15.00
Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/9vS30oD $15.00
Streets of rage 4 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/cznNyWs $25.00
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/b38hz1H $61.00
Steam World Dig 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/HoCfPSZ $33.00
Story of Season Friends of Mineral Town (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/vhQw7N7 $20.00
Story of Seasons Pioneers of Olive Town (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/VoAcpF8 $22.00
Super DragonBall Heroes: World Mission (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/EVJ2wQs $25.00
Super Mario Party (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/9GNQ68N $33.00
Super Meat Boy Forever (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/cXhABWX $28.00
Tactics Ogre Reborn (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/gH8kxoV $33.00
Tails of Iron Crimson Knight Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/cpoMKRe $25.00
The Takeover (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/x2Xf2Yd $33.00
Tiny Barbarian DX (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/mm65oo8 $25.00
Tiny Metal Ultimate (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/xTFXMDi $45.00
Tokyo 2020 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/yYYpTz1 $13.00
Trials Rising Gold Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/KZwA4xz $14.00
Trine Ultimate Collection (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/jscrkZo $19.00
Ultra Street Fighter II The Final Challengers (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/LGvfkL0 $31.00
Undertale (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/8o4D2GL $29.00
Valkyria Chronicles 4 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/FtM6Az2 $28.00
valkyria Chronicles 4 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/TzkD03X $28.00
Windjammers (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/lSngDJo $29.00
WindJammers 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/dlQHJcr $25.00
Wizard of Legend (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/j0xn64y $40.00
WonderBoy the Dragons Trap (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/1oYHdks $29.00
Wonderful 101 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/eFFM0dS $13.00
Yonder The Cloud Catcher Chronicles (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/R7pU8pl $20.00
Zombies Ate my Neighbors + Ghoul Patrol (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/p6nxsYy $42.00
Game & Watch Color Screen The Legend of Zelda (NEW) https://imgur.com/a/TLkOkTU $50.00
Game & Watch Color Screen Super Mario Bros (NEW) https://imgur.com/a/bGDIRhm $50.00
Sega Genesis Mini (NEW) https://imgur.com/a/aC1htyv $120.00
​
SNES
Super Nintendo Entertainment System Classic Edition (NEW) $150.00
​
​
Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS Console Pink (No stylus comes with charger) https://imgur.com/a/mH0rTZH $45.00
Nintendo DSi XL Dark Red (No Stylus Comes with Charger) https://imgur.com/a/VpnC5sC $80.00
Pokemon Soulsilver (Cartridge Only) https://imgur.com/a/hTfPhZ7 $105.00
Pokemon Platinum (Cartridge Only) https://imgur.com/a/Ox5vump $80.00
​
​
Xbox One
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/h2qZWFp $15.00
Alan Wake Remastered (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/P2mDv2v $15.00
Among Us Crewmate Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/kILJy72 $10.00
Assassins Creed III Remastered (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/0ETrE50 $15.00
Assassin's Creed: The Ezio Collection (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/f7tYN75 $20.00
Assassins Creed Origins (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/gbvWztt $6.00
Assassins Creed Odyssey (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Y3m8sS4 $15.00
Assassins Creed Rogue Remastered (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/RzEQM7b $25.00
Assasins Creed Valhalla (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/sVcyvfC $20.00
Baldurs Gate & Baldurs Gate II: Enhanced Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/BKUd5qZ $25.00
The Banner Saga Trilogy:Bonus Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/T03LtT6 $12.00
Battle Chasers: Nightwar (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/9XS6gcb $5.00
Battlefield 1 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/a87qHTa $5.00
Battlefield 1 Revolution (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/wXSlydj $10.00
Battlefield 4 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/ILycZuA $10.00
Battlefield V (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/wMC2rwe $3.00
Bayonetta and Vanquish 10th Anniversary Bundle (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/dMDh5CN $12.00
Blasphemous (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/RJZvW7C $25.00
BioShock The Collection (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/8wYQcij $15.00
Bloodstained Ritual of the Night (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/e5d4PfI $15.00
Bully Scholarship Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/k2JlYcE $20.00
Cyberpunk 2077 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/osm8Y1o $20.00
Disney Classic Games Collection: The Jungle Book-The Lion King-Aladdin (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/FjD3ZyO $15.00
Disney Classic Games Collection: Aladdin-Lion King (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/VQ9NFQI $10.00
The Division 2 Gold Edition Steelbook (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/a8NtxBS $15.00
Dragon Ball Z Kakarot (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/4SjBLXq $15.00
DRAGON QUEST XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age Definitive Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/3Ukz9Q7 $15.00
Desperados III (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/p0vySj0 $10.00
Destroy All Humans! (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Vxhec0r $10.00
Diablo III Eternal Collection (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/R6iOjOp $15.00
DOOM (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/slPQRI3 $5.00
DOOM Slayers Collection (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/3wvTHOE $15.00
The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim Anniversary Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/EDHOeDA $25.00
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/9UgO2M0 $15.00
The Evil Within 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/nAaIjId $5.00
Fallout 4 Game of the Year Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/cm4i5g4 $12.00
Farcry 4 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/X3du6SM $5.00
Far Cry 5 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/RvEnmbS $10.00
Far Cry Primal (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/quAhrG5 $12.00
FIFA 20 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/9bOI7hm $5.00
Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/GmDv43w $25.00
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/SVSfexg $10.00
Football PES 2021 Season Update (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/41yq69p $5.00
Football PES 2020 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/vEWCGsa $5.00
Forza Horizon 3 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/tAQKXOf $12.00
Forza Horizon 4 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/l0OImhr $20.00
Forza Horizon 5 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/425VG1H $42.00
Gears 5 Ultimate (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/tChmYok $35.00
Gears Tactics (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/0smhLOS $10.00
Grand Theft Auto IV (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/ro1TuSV $15.00
Grand Theft Auto V (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/lPgear7 $20.00
Grand Theft Auto San Andreas (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/eg67Hd2 $15.00
Greak: Memories of Azur (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/hcBTifb $5.00
Hades (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/gaelV8D $10.00
Halo: The Master Chief Collection (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Aqrg2sY $20.00
Hellblade Senua's Sacrifice (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/F47pyxe $20.00
HITMAN 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/QN8THgW $14.00
The Hunter Call of the Wild (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/98guW0W $30.00
Immortal Fenyx Rising (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/PYUMMNl $5.00
Injustice 2 Legendary Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/AoPaOYU $10.00
Inside + Limbo (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/EhbXNSM $12.00
It Takes Two (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/fOF026t $23.00
John Wick Hex (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/3sCiGwS $12.00
Just Cause 3 (NEW) https://imgur.com/a/WANDo0y $15.00
Just Cause 3 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/LmZqmoY $10.00
Just Cause 4 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/YfSWCIP $10.00
Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/PyAErdZ $10.00
Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/dVvDZv2 $10.00
Kingdom Hearts III (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/UKq4CA7 $10.00
The Last Kids on Earth and the Staff of Doom (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/mK6sWBY $15.00
Maneater (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/OXi4loK $10.00
Mafia: Definitive Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/55Jitt0 $15.00
Mafia Trilogy (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/zi0yqJu $20.00
Metro Exodus Complete Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/NCKcZJo $15.00
MLB The Show 2021 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/T3pqFxH $5.00
MLB the Show 2022 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/AJossE3 $15.00
Monster Hunter: World Iceborne Master Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/pS0KlSo $16.00
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/iMcIPMO $22.00
Mortal Kombat XL (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/iE8bRcc $12.00
Mutant Road to Eden Deluxe Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/2d1QWkT $10.00
NBA 2k Playgrounds 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/117I6s2 $5.00
NBA 2K21 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/PsoZLkV $5.00
NBA 2K22 75th Anniversary Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/3Y4I001 $10.00
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/TaNJTeV $15.00
Ori and the Blind Forest Definitive Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/vufFWHl $15.00
Ori and the Will of the Wisps (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/NFJoSiR $15.00
Planescape Torment and Icewind Enhanced Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/gCf7hUn $10.00
Planet Coaster: Console Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/LI4CBXL $15.00
Quantum Break (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/G2AYDGY $5.00
Rare Replay One Epic Collection (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/5ssCc0I $5.00
Rayman Legends (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/DLFWqiJ $12.00
Rise of the Tomb Raider (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Qpc3EWz $10.00
Red Dead Redemtion II (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/9X10dKx $20.00
Resident Evil 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/YgmjQB8 $15.00
Resident Evil 3 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Z2Hjcpf $20.00
Resident Evil 4 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/iOQrXKU $20.00
Resident Evil 5 HD (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/UkVLZt8 $15.00
Resident Evil 6 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/PQnX4E0 $20.00
Resident Evil 7 Biohazard (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/hBXZG1D $15.00
Resident Evil 7 Biohazard Gold Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/VBBYsuU $20.00
Resident Evil Village Deluxe Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/29oJxE4 $30.00
Resident Evil Origins Collection (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/RSmAio5 $17.00
Resident Evil Revelation (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/9hza08p $15.00
Resident Evil Revelations 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/upQJe9s $12.00
Rustler (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/4A7G0jM $10.00
Saints Row the Third Remastered (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/RYBCUkZ $15.00
Samurai Shodown (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/jr3RjJx $15.00
Scribblenaughts Showdown (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/yoW0HZ2 $8.00
Sekiro Shadows Die Twice (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/ZJ3cVfk $30.00
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/AypqTPk $30.00
Shadow Tactics Blades of the Shogun (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/wY9GxPc $10.00
Shenmue I and II (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/1u7rbRb $12.00
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Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/royE9Ki $15.00
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Tony Hawks Pros Skater 1 + 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/Fqlh4oh $15.00
Watch Dogs 2 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/oBx28Bb $5.00
Watch Dogs Legion (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/BEq1D24 $10.00
Wasteland 3 (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/2XtXMEw $15.00
The Witcher III: Wild Hunt Complete Edition (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/LAs12lr $15.00
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XCOM 2 Collection (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/E1ajIy8 $11.00
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​
PS2
Champions of Norrath (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/uc2MHic $40.00
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Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/2TJIcym $10.00
Manhunt (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/bVBqfyp $35.00
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Okami (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/9bdcC3x $20.00
Resident Evil: Code Veronica X (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/TOdjwbi $20.00
Rumble Roses (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/VHXK7xm $35.00
Smack Down Here Comes the Pain! (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/k71BDFO $40.00
​
PS3
Spiderman Web of Shadows (CIB) https://imgur.com/a/ADukeEO $75.00
​
PS4
Batman Arkham City (DISK ONLY) $5.00
Bayonetta/Vanquish (DISK ONLY) $15.00
Bioshock The Collection (DISK ONLY) $10.00
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Crash Team Racing Nitro Fueled (DISK ONLY) $5.00
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Devil May Cry HD Collection (DISK ONLY) $10.00
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Dragon Quest Builders 2 (DISK ONLY) $10.00
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Dying Light 2 Collectors Edition (NEW) https://imgur.com/a/1kWv4lg $160.00
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The Evil Within 2 (DISK ONLY) $5.00
Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age (DISK ONLY) $5.00
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Judgment (DISK ONLY) $5.00
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Valkyria Chronicles Remastered (DISK ONLY) $5.00
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Wonderful 101 (DISK ONLY) $10.00
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​
PS5
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Gran Turismo 7 25th Anniversary Steelbook Edition (NEW) https://imgur.com/a/wBo6PaK $110.00

My hair is fine but there's a lot of it, so the texture is 'fine' but the hair itself is 'thick'. It's naturally very straight but I prefer bigger, less tight curls than a curling wand would give, plus a flat iron could be used for additional straightening if I wanted that. My hair has a lot of flyaways at the top, so ideally I need something that can help with that too. Which iron would you recommend for my budget?

The entirety of Harry "Truck" Hannah's major league career came with the New York Yankees -- all three years of it. But if you include his participation in the minors, he had a long career, beginning in 1909 with the Tacoma Tigers in the Northwestern League and ending in 1940 with the Memphis Chickasaws in the Southern Association. He is one of only a handful of players to have a hit in five different decades!
Of all the forgotten Yankee with memorable nicknames -- No Neck, Stanky the Yankee, Sailor Bob, Spud, Slow Joe, The Mummy, Birdie, Bump, and Grandma Johnny -- there's something to be said about the sublime elegance of a big, brawny catcher nicknamed Truck.
James Harrison Hannah Jr. was born 134 years ago today, on June 5, 1889, in what was then the Dakota Territory. (It would become the state of North Dakota about five months later.) By age 2, the family had moved to Seattle, Washington.
As a kid, he was called Harry, but by the time he was playing baseball, he was universally known as Truck. There are several stories as to how he got the nickname. Some said it had to do with his imposing size -- he stood 6'1" and weighed a solid 190 pounds -- and others because of the way he could block the plate as easily as a truck could block a street. Other sources say the nickname wasn't comparing him to a motor vehicle but to a horse, or rather a truck horse, as horses that pulled heavy wagons were called at the time. His daughter, Helen, said he got the nickname simply because he was "big and slow."
Another explanation, a little less colorful, was that Hannah paid the bills in the off-season by working as a truck driver!
Hall of Fame Umpire Billy Evans said Hannah was adept at the catcher's trick of distracting the batter with a steady stream of banter while behind the plate:

"Truck Hannah always has been an object of interest to me when catching. Aside from always doing a pretty good job receiving, he never failed to have a line of conversation that would make a bigger hit on the vaudeville circuit than some of the stuff used by some monologue artists. Hannah keeps up a continual chatter from the time the game starts. Of course, his conversation is largely directed at the batter, in the hope that his line of talk will take the mind of the batter from his work, the making of base hits. He seeks to keep the batter from concentrating, and from the many strikes slipped over by the New York pitchers, I would say there was merit in his system. Hannah's conversation is never objectionable. He usually has the batter laughing at some of his talk, rather than sore."

But Hannah used more than just banter to distract batters. As the pitch was being delivered, he would sometimes spit tobacco juice onto a player's shoes, toss pebbles onto the plate, or throw dirt at their hands on the bat!
Hannah got his start in professional baseball as a 20-year-old third baseman with the Tacoma Tigers in the Northwestern League. When the team needed an emergency catcher, Hannah was put behind the plate and stuck there for the rest of his career. Over the next five years he played for five different teams in four different leagues, until in 1914 finally catching on with the Sacramento Wolves in the Pacific Coast League. The PCL at the time was considered by some to be a third major league, or at least the minor league closest to major league competition, and Hannah was regarded as one of the best catchers in the league. He drew interest from several major league teams, including the Tigers, Phillies, and Browns. But it was the Yankees who finally acquired him, paying $4,000 to acquire his rights after he hit .292 in 569 at-bats in 1917.
Truck pulled into the Polo Grounds -- not Yankee Stadium, which wouldn't be built until 1923 -- as the foundation was being laid for a dynasty. Jacob Ruppert and Tillinghast Huston purchased the Yankees in 1915 and immediately set about reversing the fortunes of what had been for years one of the worst-run teams in the American League. The Yankees, as they became known in 1913, had only winning season in the last 10 years.
The new owners set about making changes, acquiring a number of valuable players: Wally Pipp, Home Run Baker, Ping Bodie, Aaron Ward, Urban Shocker, and previously forgotten Yankee Bob Shawkey.
After the 1917 season they made the biggest change of all, firing well-liked manager Bill Donovan and replacing him with former St. Louis Cardinals manager Miller Huggins, who over the next 11 years would lead the Yankees to six pennants and three World Series.
Huggins made another move, acquiring from the St. Louis Browns future Hall of Fame pitcher "Gettysburg Eddie" Plank and veteran second baseman Del Pratt. The latter would be a good player for the Yankees, hitting .295/.348/.394 (106 OPS+) over the next three seasons, but the 42-year-old Plank refused to report and retired instead. In return, the Yankees shipped out five players... including starting catcher Les Nunamaker, who had been with the Yankees for four seasons.
And so, needing a catcher to replace Nunamaker, the Yankees paid the Salt Lake City Bees $4,000 for Hannah. He was expected to battle 22-year-old Muddy Ruel to be the backup to the 25-year-old Roxy Walters, who had been Nunamaker's understudy since September 1915, but Ruel would be drafted into the U.S. Army and Walters broke his finger in an exhibition game 10 days before Opening Day. By the time Walters was ready to play again, Hannah was hitting .288/.432/.356 and had thrown out 19 out of 34 basestealers; over the rest of the season, he would maintain that pace to lead the league in CS% (55%) as well as in double plays as a catcher (16). His batting average would fade dramatically, however, dropping all the way to .220 by the end of the season, but he was still contributing with a .361 OBP in 312 plate appearances. Walters's bat never got started at all, and hitting just .199/.239/.236 in 205 plate appearances.
Technically a major league rookie when he joined the team, the 29-year-old Hannah was treated like a veteran from his four seasons in the well-respected Pacific Coast League. In addition, he was -- literally as well as figuratively, at 6'1" -- one of the few players on the team who could see eye-to-eye with the 6'2" Babe Ruth when he was acquired prior to the 1920 season. When Ruth got into squabbles with diminutive manager Miller Huggins, it was often Hannah's duty to keep the peace.
Yankee shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh, the Yankee captain from 1914 to 1921, described one such incident to long-time Yankee PR man Marty Appel in 1974:

"Once we were leaving Boston after a tough loss, and Babe was drunk, and he said he was gonna throw Huggins off the train! He was heading for his drawing room. On the way he stopped in the men’s room and punched this huge mirror. It fell into a million pieces. Me and Ernie Shore and Truck Hannah pulled him down to the ground and sat on him until he passed out. Truck — a big guy — puts him over his shoulder and moves him to the next car."

At the end of the season, the Yankees were happy enough with Hannah that they traded Roxy Walters to the Red Sox. For the next two years, the catching duties were almost evenly split between Hannah and Ruel, who was back from the Army with the end of World War I.
The "Muddy-Truck" tandem was colorfully named but disappointing, with Ruel hitting .255/.325/.306 (71 OPS+) in 560 PA and Hannah .243/.313/.317 (70 OPS+) in 553 PA. Catcher in those days was very much a defense-first position, and both had good gloves, but the Yankees (even with the newly acquired Babe Ruth having an 11.7 bWAR season) finished three games out of 1st in 1920.
Ruppert and Huston asked Huggins what the team needed to win, and his answer: a catcher.
At the end of the season, the Yankees sent Hannah back to the Pacific Coast League, and traded Ruel to the Red Sox for previously forgotten Yankee Wally Schang, the first in the long line of great Yankee catchers. In his five years with the Yankees, the switch-hitting Schang hit .297/.390/.406 (105 OPS+), and in the 1923 World Series -- the first of 27 won by the Yankees -- Schang played every inning of every game, went 7-for-22 (.318) with a double and three runs scored, and allowed just one stolen base.
Hannah would stay in the Pacific Coast League for the next 22 years as a player, coach, and manager. He had a great year with the Vernon Tigers in 1923, hitting .346 with 23 doubles and 6 home runs in 370 plate appearances. His final plate appearance came on May 19, 1940, when he was managing the Memphis Chicks. Two weeks shy of his 51st birthday, with both his catchers injured, Hannah caught both ends of a doubleheader and went 1-for-6.
Hannah retired from baseball two years later after his St. Paul Saints lost 15 games in a row -- 11 of them by one run! He said he couldn't sleep anymore, replaying every loss in his head over and over, second-guessing every decision he made as manager.
He retired to his ranch in Southern California, but remained active enough in the regional baseball scene that when the Los Angeles Angels played their first major league game in 1961, Hannah was selected to catch the ceremonial first pitch.
Truck Hannah died on April 27, 1982, five weeks shy of his 93rd birthday. His wife, Helen, died in October, a month before what would have been their 70th wedding anniversary.
Keep On Truckin':

• One of the more interesting aspects in researching information about Truck Hannah is in looking for pictures of him, you come across many photos of trucks owned by women named Hannah.
  
• Hannah made his major league debut against the great Walter Johnson. In his first major league plate appearance, he singled up the middle! He popped out his second time up, then struck out. His fourth time up he drew a walk against Johnson, advanced to second on a single, and scored his first major league run on a double, and the Yankees won, 6-3. Not a bad debut against the future Hall of Famer!
  
• According to his SABR biography: "Hannah’s daughter may have led a more interesting life than her ballplaying father. Helen Lorraine (Hannah) Campbell was one of the first women in Los Angeles to enlist in the Marine Corps during World War II, and retired from the Marine Corps Reserve in 1975 after 32 years of service. She was also a chaperone for several years with the Muskegon and Kalamazoo teams in the All American Girls Professional Baseball League, the league that inspired the 1992 movie A League of Their Own. At the age of 75 she went parasailing for the first time and at 78 sailed over Africa’s Serengeti plains in a hot-air balloon. She died in 2013 at the age of 97."
  
• On May 12, 1920, Hannah went 4-for-4 (all singles) with two runs and two RBIs in a 14-8 rout of the Chicago White Sox. Hannah singled twice in a seven-run 6th inning, as did pitcher Bob Shawkey; it was the first time in major league history that a pitcher and catcher each had two hits in the same inning.
  
• That was Hannah's best day as a major leaguer, but he had another four-hit day on September 11, 1920, with a double and three singles in five at-bats against the Cleveland Indians.
  
• Truck Hannah was the first major leaguer born in what would become North Dakota when he made his debut on April 15, 1918. He also is one of three Yankees born in North Dakota: Ken Hunt, an outfielder in the Yankee farm system from 1952 to 1960 who had a couple cups of coffee in the Bronx, and later played for the Angels and Senators; and long-time Cleveland Indians 1B/DH Travis Hafner, who ended his career with the Yankees in 2013. The most famous Yankee raised in North Dakota is Roger Maris, but he was actually born in Minnesota. The family moved to Fargo when Maris was 8 years old. A total of 20 major leaguers were born in North Dakota, and the best, by bWAR, was Angels outfielder and two-time All-Star Darin Erstad.
  
• Hannah is on the All-Palindromic Last Name Team, along with Dean Anna, Toby Harrah, Eddie Kazak, Dave Otto, Glenn Otto, Dick Nen, Robb Nen, Johnny Reder, Juan Salas, and Mark Salas.
  
• In 1917, Hannah was behind the plate for the Salt Lake City Bees in the Pacific Coast League when former New York Giants outfielder Fred Snodgrass came up to the plate for the Vernon Tigers. Hannah, by this time a 28-year-old nine-year minor league veteran and hitting a respectable .292, wasn't impressed. "So you're a big leaguer? I guess you're going to come out here and show us how the Giants used to do it, eh? Let's see if you can hit this one." That off-season, major league teams asked Snodgrass for his opinion on the top players in the Pacific Coast League, and his report on Hannah: "I don’t like him personally, but I must say he is the best all around catcher in this league, and my dislike for him does not blind me to that fact."
  
• George Halas -- who would later be the founder of the Chicago Bears -- was a 24-year-old rookie on the New York Yankees in 1919. He was on the bench sitting next to Truck Hannah during a game against the Tigers, staring wide-eyed as his boyhood idol, the legendary Ty Cobb, strode to the plate. Hannah, maybe pranking the rookie, told Halas he ought to razz Cobb to try to throw him off his game. Halas did as he was told, and to his surprise, got a reaction: Cobb dropped his bat, marched over to the Yankee dugout, and pointed at Halas. "Punk! I'll see you after the game! Don't forget, punk!" Halas, a Navy veteran and a college football player, was no punk but not exactly looking forward to a brawl against the famously irascible Cobb. He stayed in the locker room as long as possible, hoping Cobb would be gone by the time he emerged, but when he finally came out, the Georgia Peach was waiting for him. "I like your spirit, kid," Cobb said, "but don't overdo it when you don't have to." Halas said it was a lesson he never forgot.
  
• Speaking of Cobb, he told a sportswriter he didn't care for Hannah's distracting patter behind the plate: “This fellow Hannah of the New York club keeps me busier at the plate than any other catcher in the league. I don’t like letting a recruit outtalk me, and in my effort to keep my end of the conversation, I had my work cut out for me making base hits off those Yankee pitchers.”
  
• Carl Mays, who had pitched for the Red Sox since 1915, was acquired by the Yankees on July 30, 1919. Delighted to go from the 38-48 Red Sox to the 48-38 Yankees, Mays made the rounds in the clubhouse, shaking hands. When he got to Hannah, he offered his hand, but Hannah shoved him away, then charged after him. Mays backed up until Hannah vaulted over a table and cornered him against a wall -- and only then did Hannah shake his hand. "We're even," Hannah said, grinning. Since the previous season, Hannah and Mays had been feuding. Mays took great pride in keeping his uniform spotless, and hated Hannah's trick of spitting tobacco juice onto his shoes while batting. So every time Hannah came up to the plate, Mays came "up and in" to make him hit the dirt. In April, the last time they'd face each other, Mays plunked him. But now they were teammates and all was forgiven. Ironically, a year later, Mays would kill Cleveland Indians shortstop Ray Chapman with a pitch that hit him in the head.
  
• During the off seasons, Hannah played in the California Winter League, believed to be the only integrated league in professional baseball at the time. Hannah also played against Negro Leaguers when barnstorming with Babe Ruth in 1920 and Dizzy Dean in 1935.
  
• Prior to the 1927 season, Babe Ruth made a silent movie called Babe Comes Home. Based on a short story called "Said With Soap," it had quite the plot: Ruth is Babe Dugan, a ballplayer whose tobacco-chewing habit means his uniform is always stained. He falls in love with Vernie, the laundress who cleans the team uniforms, but she wants him to stop chewing tobacco. Babe then goes into a slump, and finds himself on the bench. Vernie finally relents and gives him a plug of tobacco, and Babe hits a game-winning home run. The movie was filmed at Wrigley Field -- not that one, but a field with the same name in Los Angeles. It was the home stadium for the Los Angeles Angels, and on the Angels were several ex-Yankees, including Truck Hannah. Ruth was much more interested in his old pals than in the movie, and the exasperated director struggled to keep Ruth's attention. Finally, he moved Ruth to a distant park of the stadium, as far away as he could from Hannah and the other ex-Yankees. But Hannah and the others kept mischievously hitting balls in his direction, causing Ruth to botch take after take!
  
• Hannah was in two movies himself, both times as a baseball playing extra. The films are notable because they are both early "talkies". His first appearance was in 1928's Warming Up, about a pitcher (played by Richard Dix, later a star in westerns) who falls in love with the team owner's daughter (played by Jean Arthur, who would later co-star with Jimmy Stewart in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington). A year later Hannah was in Fast Company, about a baseball player (Jack Oakie) who is inspired to greatness thanks to fan letters he thinks come from a beautiful woman (Evelyn Brent) but are actually written by his conniving manager (Skeets Gallagher). In 1940, Oakie was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance as a parody of Benito Mussolini in Charlie Chaplin's The Great Dictator.
  
• Joe DiMaggio, still a teenager, played for the San Francisco Seals in the Pacific Coast League from 1932 to 1935. Hannah, with the Los Angeles Angels, played against him often. Prior to DiMaggio's debut with the Yankees in 1936, a sportswriter asked the former big leaguer for his scouting report on DiMaggio. "They'll be comparing him to Tris Speaker and Harry Hooper and those fellows in a year or two," Hannah said. Truck was right: Speaker and Hooper were both Hall of Fame outfielders, and of course, so was the Yankee Clipper.
  
• In 1936, Hannah was a playecoach for the Los Angeles Angels. Ted Williams, already a legendary hitter (and pitcher) from his exploits at Herbert Hoover High School in San Diego, was being courted by both major and minor league teams. Ted's father, Sam Williams, was acting as his agent, and he arranged a meeting with Truck Hannah to talk about a contract with the Angels. "When my dad went down to talk to him, Hannah said, 'Where's the kid?'" Williams later recalled. "Dad says, 'He's not here.' Hannah said, 'Well, for crying out loud, go get him. He's the one I want to talk to, not you!'" Insulted, Sam Williams walked away. Instead, Williams -- after turning down offers from the Yankees and the Cardinals -- signed with the newly formed San Diego Padres of the Pacific Coast League. Had he signed with the Angels, Williams likely would have been a Cub, as they were a Chicago affiliate. (But Williams, a San Diego native, likely would have signed with the Padres even if Hannah had made a better impression.)
  
• Hannah's mouth almost cost his team another teenaged prospect. In 1934, 16-year-old Steve Mesner went to an open try-out for the Los Angeles Angels, and Hannah was helping to evaluate the prospects. He took one look at Mesner and shouted, "Get out of here, kid! You're too little!" Mesner started walking off the field, but someone told him to go back. During batting practice, he hit three balls over the fence! During a fielding drill, he was handling every chance, and the coach kept hitting them harder and harder, expecting the teenager to boot one. He didn't, and the team gave him a contract. Mesner hit .328 in three years with the Angels before going to the Chicago Cubs and later the Cincinnati Reds.
  
• The winter of 1918-1919 was gripped by the "Spanish Flu" epidemic and, in a scene that would be familiar to all of us today, the players, umpires, and fans in a Southern California winter league wore face masks during the game. A photo ran in the newspaper with the catcher misidentified in the caption as "Trash" Hannah of the New York Yankees!
  
• Hannah is a member of the Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame. Some sources say he was an inaugural member when it was created in 1943; other sources say he was inducted in 1950. Other notable Yankees in the PCL HoF include Frankie Crosetti, Joe DiMaggio, and Casey Stengel.
  
• Hannah's daughter, U.S. Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant Helen Hannah Campbell, went to Whittier High School with Richard Nixon, and later served as a docent the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace in Yorba Linda, California. Richard Nixon, who grew up watching Hannah as a player and manager in the Pacific Coast League, said in a 1983 interview: "I remember Truck Hannah. He was a great catcher and could hit."
  
• In 1925, Hannah helped organize the Association of Professional Ball Players of America, created to assist former professional baseball players who are injured, elderly, or destitute. The APBPA is still in existence today!
  

Near the end of his career, Truck Hannah was interviewed about the rigors of being a catcher. He said during his 30 years in baseball he'd broken every finger on his right hand at least twice. "What the hell, it's all part of the game," he said. "It sure was fun while it lasted. Even with busted hands and fingers and everything else, I wouldn't have missed it for the world."

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The maw of the moss-wolf chomped down on the treat, its partner patiently waiting its turn, an eye trained on the Human providing the sustenance. Joseph reached into the pouch, counting out what he had left and mentally setting a few aside for the raven-like birds that Scarlet had trained to bother him.
Well, ‘bother’ might be a strong word. They would whistle at him and wait for food. Upon getting their hard sought quarry, they would return to share it with the rest. Surprisingly cooperative, all things considered. Scarlet had apparently been getting them to associate certain short melodies with members of the pack, allowing her to send the avians after whoever she wanted for more snacks.
If they didn’t get any, then they would yell something not dissimilar to a caw until either food was procured, or they grew bored. Given that they had taken to humouring Violet in her attempts to be a mobile perch, that usually took a while.
It drove Nalah nuts, which seemed to be part of the reason the blond-furred female was included in the ritual at all. Harrow was apparently the favourite target of the nuisance when she was outside the base, but he couldn’t say why.
The tell-tale scratching had been somewhat muted since the shift in medium, but Violet’s writing was always something he kept an ear out for, his daughter presenting her tablet excitedly. [It blinked!]
He turned his head to the cow-looking thing, the unwavering stare held until he gave up. “I swear you guys are just messing with me.”
“Or we merely enjoy your suffering,” Sahari suggested with a smirk, the black-furred female standing taller than him for a moment as she stretched her legs out. Settling into a height that was level with him, she attempted to offer the wolves food. Receiving a fearful retreat instead, the black-furred female frowned, the two canines shifting in their enclosure to be closer to Joseph and Violet. “They still seem to distrust any but yourselves.”
He shrugged, taking the scrap from her and giving it to the young Atmo to pass along, her chittering laugh when the wolves accepted the morsel breaking the soft sound of trickling rain outside the barn. “Faye was the one who started this. I guess they treat her like an alpha of sorts, and seeing her bow to the two of us so often told them that she’s lower on the pole. That’s my guess, anyway.”
“That is….rather intelligent of them, if so,” Sahari commented pensively.
The Grand Hunter tipped his head in agreement. If anything, it was an understatement. The six-legged canines were remarkably receptive to taming, though he couldn’t say how much of that was due to Faye taking to his suggestion so seriously. He had only offered it as a passing thought, but she had set to it like their god had mandated it.
He fought back a sigh at the reminder of his placement in the whole thing, his foot kicking the ground to adjust the new sandals he was wearing until Pan finished proper shoes.
One day, he was a divorcee flirting with random women on a cruise ship so that the rejection validated his own self-esteem issues. The next, he was a guy in charge of a settlement nearing one hundred people and had become a manifestation of religion condensed into the form of some random moron.
He snorted at a morbid thought. How would Emma react to his ‘rise to fame?’ His acquisition of more than they had ever thought for themselves back on Earth?
Owning a territory? They could only manage a nice apartment that could fit several times over inside the base. Friends? Hell, he had a group of people who have helped him through some of the worst the planet had to offer. Kids...well, nothing could replace Violet. He doubted Emma would see it the same way, though.
A paw enclosed his shoulder, dragging his mind from more sombre thoughts. It had been quite a while since everything fell through and he had moved on, but it still stung every now and again.
“What ails your mind, Joseph?” Sahari asked with a concerned inflection. He looked over at her, a smile becoming easier after a moment.
“Just wondering how my ex-wife would react to seeing what I’ve turned into. What she’d say to all of this,” he admitted honestly with a wide gesture to everything. She patted his back, a small pride in her gaze.
“You continue to heal, Grand Hunter, but you are still scarred. Your previous mate would curse her decisions were she to see what you have accomplished.”
He snorted, a wide dry grin breaking out. “I’d love to see her face going back with two alien wives and this sweetheart as a daughter,” he teased, giving Violet a thorough rub on the head. She purred, chittering between breaths as she fought off the rough affection playfully while keeping her blades tucked for safety.
The black-furred female tilted her head and shifted her weight to her other foot. “You’ve mentioned that there is a specific procedure for binding the lives of your people, no?”
He blinked, his mind flickering to the two rings he had prepared, yet held some modicum of expectation around before he whipped them out. Not least of all was the foreign sensation of doing it again twice, nor finding an appropriate time to do it. It was hard to pick a picturesque moment when each day was paperwork, punching people in the face during spars, and orchestrating the well-being of such a large group. Given that the closest thing he could get to a romantic occasion was laying down on the grass while Nalah barked orders at the construction crews in the distance, he didn’t feel like it was ever a good time to ask. It was even harder picturing himself doing it to the two of them, as if it cheapened the gesture in some way.
Then there was the part of himself that feared rejection—as stupid as it sounded. They could deny the alien practice, not share the same sentiment, or any number of disagreements that would render him kneeling like an idiot. As unlikely as it was, it could even be too great a commitment for them, the implication of their entire lives being pledged solely to him being a crushing weight, rather than a promise of mutual loving dedication.
Sure, now they were speaking as if it was the case, but the circumstances as they were lent themselves to it being a product of necessity. Who was to say that it would remain the same once they got off this rock and—hopefully—in touch with their own people again. Would they still feel the same way with an entire species back on the table as possible romantic partners? Would he still be enough?
“Joseph,” Sahari called out with worry and irritation in equal parts. “You are making me anxious.”
“Hm? Oh, sorry,” he apologized sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck as he was reminded that more than one person could be afflicted by his emotional state. She placed a paw to her hip.
“Are the proceedings really such a means for strife?”
“Ah, no, it’s just…” He averted his eyes, offering Violet a token smile when she seemed to be concerned about him. He inhaled deeply. “It’s just…I have reservations about it.”
She raised a brow. “I need not a bond to know you care for them deeply enough to toss your life to the Void for them.”
His weak smile faltered further. “Well, yeah. They mean everything to me, but I cant help but remember how things went last time, I guess. There’s a million and one ways it could go up in smoke, and I…” He fell quiet for a moment, Violet pressing herself into his side in an attempt to cheer him up. He rested a hand against her back, the texture comforting in a way. “I want it to be an important moment in our lives, rather than some disposable token that they accept without thinking much. It’s not like they’re swimming in potential romantic partners here, so it feels like they’d be agreeing for lack of options.”
She stared at him with a hesitant expression, her cheek pinched between her teeth and eyes narrowed in thought. “Pan would sooner end her own life than be separated from you, and Tel would end any who so much as suggested such,” she stated finally. “To you, the mark upon your flesh is but a sting that fades. To them, it is their declaration that they have found their reason to live. A declaration that is shown to all others of our people the moment they draw near. Though Pan lacks the means to impart her own, she is rather pleased that another is able to in her stead and treats it as her own for all intents.”
She grabbed him roughly by the arm, pulling him into her breast as she stood to her full height, a surprised yelp stifled by soft clothing and fur.
“Unfortunately for you, openly voiced or not, we all feel as such. Though you bear not the mark of everyone in the den, I assure you that to be removed from you would leave us lesser, regardless of bond.”
He shut his mouth at the last addition. There was a weight behind knowing that people were likely to simply give up on living if you were away for too long. It put the relationship in front of a loaded gun for both parties. They couldn’t afford to break it off from him because existing would become a living hell, and he couldn’t change his mind for any reason because it would be the same as killing them.
What kind of marriage was one built upon such fragile pillars? How could they be happy when every fight was tempered by the threat of the end of everything? What about Sahari? Could she ever pursue her own life with Nalah when she had the bond shackling her to him? How long until that became a stinging poison, rotting away the veins and arteries of her psyche? How long until death became preferable to being around him?
A strong impact to his stomach winded him, though the unnoticed hyperventilating left him little to eject as he fell to his knees. Violet clicked in surprise, the wolves backing away at the unexpected violence.
He coughed, sputtering spittle as he fought the urge to evacuate his breakfast. A pained glance up revealed Sahari still clutching a fist, her expression just as hurt.
“You hear my words and twist them, Joseph,” she chastised softly, crouching to look at him better. “We pledged our lives to you. Not because we had no choice, but because we believed you to be our future. From that moment on, our desire was to remain with you.” Her voice grew weak, almost pleading. She placed her forehead to his, the contact an intimate touch. “Your experiences may suggest our bond a prison, but for us, it is an ambrosia for our soul. It completes us like no equal. Jax and Harrow care for you immensely, Nalah and myself owe you everything that we are, and your mates will fight the Hunt Mother herself if it would mean even one more sun with you.”
He found himself speechless, wading through the emotions behind her words a syllable at a time. The feeling of Violet pressing into his back in an embrace stung as much as soothed, his mind rejecting the idea, yet so desperate to accept it.
“Do not desecrate our affections because you had been scorned by one who did not see within you that which we covet,” she implored sombrely, raw emotion oozing through the confines of speech. “Though you doubt it, none would know how much value you place in the ‘mark’ of your people more than your mates. If merely thinking about the unlikely event that they refuse tortures you so deeply, than the elation they would share with you when they agree would likely see Pan unable to contain herself for many suns after.”
He stayed on his knees, the warmth surrounding him from both sides seeping within and thawing the frozen excuses he held onto to prevent exposing himself to potential rejection. Every step of the way since he had met them, it had made him fearful of losing their company. At first, the thought of being left alone to brave the planet was too much to bear, but he would try. Now? Now he felt like he understood where the minds of those bonded Lilhuns had been. Even considering being away from his new loved ones pulled at a primal part of himself, each tug stronger than the last, each suggestion fanning the flames barricaded behind morals—the depths he would trudge to see it never come to pass.
Sahari nuzzled into his neck for a moment before parting, a somewhat satisfied smile given towards the emotionally fragile Human they had taken to depending on. He returned his own, though it was tinted with a bit of embarrassment.
Violet stepped back to allow him room to stand, the extended joint of her blade asking to be held like he did with her adoptive mother. His expression softening, he did as requested, lightly rubbing the smooth surface with his thumb. It soothed a part of him to be holding his daughter’s ‘hand’ while they watched the wolves slowly approach the front of their enclosure again, now that the momentary intensity had faded.
With a self-deprecating roll of his eyes, he nodded, promising himself to follow through with his small wish the next time the chance revealed itself. It didn’t need to be perfect, but it would be nice if it was at least private. The dull ache in his stomach would be a reminder not to second guess himself anyway.
The wolves yipped, ignoring Sahari as they moved towards the other corner. Joseph glanced at where they were focused, his curious gaze replaced by surprise, then shock.
Raine supported Faye over her shoulder, the deep gold-furred female’s breath short as she rested her weight over her brown-furred counterpart, their black leather coats dripping water onto the floor as it wrapped tightly around them, concealing their armour. A steady trickle of blood flowed from a long gash on Faye’s leg, her free arm clutching across her breast to keep her coat closed.
Without waiting for either to speak, he ran to pick up the Wraith, slinging her across his shoulders and tearing off to the base. He could barely hear Sahari over the rain and his own blood pounding through his ears, his heart hammering in his chest. Though they had established something of a clinic for minor injuries that were sustained constantly, his singular focus was getting Faye into the medbay.
Pack members cleared the way, some jumping to the side as he barrelled through the sparely populated routes between home and workplace. More than one tripped over themselves in shock, the Human never having a reason to go at a full sprint before. He was slower than a Lilhun like this, but he could make it the full distance before them. He didn’t need to slow down.
Harrow pushed open the doors to the hub, her distant expression as she examined thin ironwood tablets perking, his rapid heavy footfalls telling of his arrival before she had the chance to see him. Her eyes lit up, her brows furrowed, and a hurried pull of the door kept it open for him, all in sequence. He didn’t have the spare breath to explain or thank her.
The orange-furred female bolted across the hub, slamming into the crash-bar installed into the facilities wing entrance to force it open, only barely outpacing the Grand Hunter in his rush. She staggered to her feet behind him, rushing to collect herself and assisting in tearing the pants off of the injured female when Joseph laid her on the bed.
Modesty being the least of his concerns, he braced an arm across her pelvis to stop her hips from bucking as Harrow wiped off any dried blood to see the extent of the damage on her thigh.
“What happened?”
He tightened his hold on Faye as his friend tentatively spread the wound to check for debris. “Don’t know. Didn’t ask. Saw her bleeding, rushed her here,” he answered through deep breaths, each strike of his adrenaline-fuelled heart pressing against his lung capacity.
Harrow frowned, grabbing some sterile water to pour over the wound and picking out a stray splinter of wood that looked to be from her missing leg armour. Faye let out a small whine, but didn’t have it in her to talk yet, signs of exhaustion and pain unfocusing her eyes.
The Head of Technology—and current medical expert in the room—pursed her lips against her muzzle. “We need to stitch it. It’s too big for just healroot.”
Joseph nodded, easing his weight off the Wraith and wiping his sweat from his brow. “Pan!”
Noticing the urgency in his voice, he could hear her throw the door to the sewing room wide open and jog to the medbay, her wide eyes steeling as she assessed the situation.
“Idee with you?”
She nodded, ears turned perfectly towards him.
“One of you boil off some palm string, the other sterilize the thinnest quill you can get away stitching a wound closed with. I don’t care who, but we need one of you to close this up.” He glanced at Harrow. “Grab some alcohol. I keep a bit in the closet in my room, next to the old crossbow prototypes. We need to flush this out and kill off anything that might have gotten in.”
The orange-furred female tipped an ear in confusion as Pan took off to do as he asked. “I thought you didn’t have medical-”
“I’ve been around enough workplace injuries, okay? Go!”
His shout jolted her into action, a few steps required to gain traction as she ran out the door. Applying solid pressure to the wound with one hand, he used the other to lightly tap Faye’s cheek.
“Faye? Faye, you with me?”
Her eyes languidly turned to him, slow blinks and meaningless mouthing ceased, a soft smile forming under her pained expression. “Hello, sir.”
He exhaled a relieved huff. “Welcome home, Faye. What happened?”
She seemed confused by his question, glancing down to her leg after a few seconds. With widened eyes, she struggled to sit up, Joseph forcibly pressing her to the bed.
“Stay.”
All resistance disappeared in an instant, her body complying despite the obvious urgency. He hardened his expression.
“What happened?”
She breathed deeper a few times before speaking. Each word was hesitant, as if the memory was hazy and diluted, though he couldn’t tell if it was due to blood loss or exhaustion. “A large grey beast…teeth, large mouth...attacked wolves...”
His brow knitted, Faye’s coat moving. A small whine came from her again…no. Not her.
A small yellow canine head freed itself from the confines of black leather, a weak keening produced from a tiny moss-wolf. Faye looked at him guiltily, a pleading look in her eyes given as she composed herself.
“It lost its parents…”
His protest died in his voice, a distant memory of a wolf being torn in two came to mind. The time before they had even moved to the pod, let alone met the Lilhuns, him and Violet checking snares shortly after his ankle had healed. A time so long ago, yet remained with him under the surface.
“You saved this little guy, huh?” he asked gently, wincing in tandem with her own when he leaned heavier on the massive gash in her thigh. She nodded, averting her eyes. “Did you get the ‘beast?’”
Faye shook her head. “Raine lured it away, but it still remains.”
“That’s fine. You’re back, that’s all that matters right now.”
Harrow bumped into the doorway, failing to shed all of her speed as she returned from fetching a smaller container that Joseph kept in case the rest of the pack burned through their stores of alcohol. Her eyes flicked to the wolf pup before disregarding it to hand him the ethanol. He lifted his hand, Harrow pouring some water to wash off the blood. Volta would be busy later, it seemed.
Gesturing for the orange-furred female to hold the leg down, he poured the alcohol into the wound, grimacing at Faye’s pained gasp. They didn’t have anything for her to bite into, but that would be a future consideration.
Pan and Idee entered the medbay, the former moving like a machine with purpose while the visiting seamstress took a moment to size up the situation. The Paw fetched a tray from the shelf, laying out several strings of softened palm and a few thin quills, threading one and passing it to Idee. The light brown-furred female accepted it, Harrow making room as she stood next to Joseph.
Pan handed him a tough leather strip as wide as his palm. Seems like she saw the problem before he did.
“Open up,” he prodded, placing the leather between Faye’s teeth. “This is going to fucking suck. We don’t have anything to numb you, so you need to stay as still as possible, okay? I’ll be here the whole time.”
The Wraith nodded, staring at him for a moment before closing her eyes in acceptance, her grip on the pup firming.
“Want me to take the wolf?”
She lightly shook her head, him exhaling hesitantly in response. Idee readied herself, looking to him for confirmation, Pan holding Faye’s ankle flat to the bed.
“You’re good,” he responded, pressing an arm to Faye’s chest and hips to hold her down.
The deep gold-furred female managed a quiet muffled groan of pain as the quill pierced her flesh.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
He entered the hub, dropping himself on the couch and ignoring the sweat on his brow. He had only just managed to get the blood off of his hands after Idee finished, but it was still staining his clothing. Pan was off to rinse it out of her fur while Faye slept off her exhaustion. As far as they could tell, she had avoided any infection thanks to Raine half-dragging the female back to them as quickly as she did. The wolf pup was staying with her for now, since—even in her sleep—she refused to let it go. The little guy didn’t seem to be complaining, so they just left it where it was comfortable. Ferra would be by later to check it out, apparently, and he didn’t see a reason to complain; she was their animal expert.
Scarlet offered him some tea, the warm liquid whetting his pallet that had since dried. Sahari had checked on them during the process, leaving to keep anyone who had questions in the loop. Given that half the damn pack either saw or heard about the Grand Hunter running like a bat out of hell, pretty much everyone was worried. Either about some urgent threat that might befall them, or about one of the quiet servants they had grown used to seeing around.
Looked like the Wraiths had taken to offering small services and assistance to people who needed it when they didn’t have anything better to do, so the pack was curious about what had happened. It was a small blessing that the usual armour they wore when ‘on duty’ was covered by the cloaks, otherwise he would have more questions coming that he didn’t want answered.
Raine stood a few paces in front of him, her bowed posture holding a hint of fear under his unwavering stare. He waited for whoever else was going to show up for the report, Tel and Pan insisting that they be involved. Harrow followed behind the two entering from the facilities wing, either because she had gotten wrapped up in the whole thing, or because she wanted to be included.
Pan sat to his left, Tel taking a place behind him to remain standing. Harrow surprised him, her recently elusive presence firmly displaced as she dropped onto the couch to his right, her tail curling around his calf—not that she seemed to notice.
Given that both Tel and Pan trapped a limb or two with their tails regularly, he didn’t stop to put thought into it, the encapsulating appendage crossing him as a common occurrence.
“I don’t know how accurate it was, since she’s still pretty out of it, but Faye said one of those grey bear-deathtraps attacked some wolves before she stepped in to save the pup,” he opened, glancing at Scarlet. The almost black red-furred female was maintaining a surprisingly commanding presence, her attention laser-focused on Raine. The brown-furred Wraith kept her gaze fixed to the floor, too ashamed or nervous to move it.
“I apologize for her error in her stead,” she announced, the slightest of grip in her folded paws digging her claws into her skin. “The fault is also mine for not preventing her misstep. I will accept any punishment for our mistake.”
He exhaled heavily. “I’m not mad that you guys had an original thought, Raine. I’m worried about those iron-maiden-looking fucks being around again, and I’m concerned about you getting hurt.”
“Of course, sir. Forgive me for the arrogance of assuming your priorities.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose, Pan squeezing his thigh in support. Tel rested her head on his, the weight somehow comforting despite the grin at his annoyance. “We can talk about not getting yourselves killed later. Are you injured at all?”
Raine’s ear twitched. “No, sir. I am whole.”
“Good,” he sighed, nodding lightly. “That’s good. Faye’s patched up for now, but she’ll be under observation to keep on top of any possible infection. How did the ‘mission’ go?”
The Wraith perked up a bit, the conversation moving away from her perceived failure. She produced a satchel, pulling a rather thick stack of tablets from it and passing them to Scarlet, the latter ferrying them to Harrow. He thought it was an odd choice, but the orange-furred female started giving him an abbreviated translation of the text.
Line after line of transactions. What was offered and received, any debts and who owed them, as well as small notes about what should be brought next time. It was a comprehensive copy of the ledger that the trading caravan kept. His brows raised at the sheer density of information, and for them getting it from something he was only partially sure existed.
“You managed to get this much?” he asked in disbelief. “Jesus. Were you caught?”
Raine shook her head. “If we were to be seen by them, we would be nothing more than a stain against our Blademaster.”
Compliment or boasting, doing this much was damn impressive. Especially with just the two of them.
“Shit. Well, good fucking job, I guess,” he managed, still reeling a bit from the unintended scope of the task. Harrow continued to dig through the report, though stopped voicing it aloud. Joseph turned his attention back to the Wraith. “Anything else of note? Rumours?”
The Wraith grew pensive. “Though we returned partially through their return trip to Grand Hunter Pernel, we did overhear some conversations. There were discussions of other packs simply no longer occupying their settlements.”
He leaned forward in his seat, dislodging Tel as his elbows rested against his knees. “What do you mean?”
“Some of their usual trade locations were purportedly burned down, others merely abandoned. A few were apparently littered with corpses,” she explained more steadily. “From what we could gather, the reason they came to trade with our settlement at all is that the others along the way were in such states. It seems they intended to restock and head back out immediately to accommodate the loss in trading partners.”
He bit his lip as he thought about it, letting himself fall back against the couch.
“What do you guys think of it?” he asked with a glance to his mates. Pan seemed to be mirroring his own apprehension openly, while Tel kept a more serious expression.
“I believe there is something larger happening,” Tel concluded, taking a few seconds before returning to using him as a headrest. Pan nodded her agreement, but didn’t have much to add to it otherwise.
“It would explain how desperate they were for food,” he mused aloud, raising a brow when Harrow shifted to lean against him, one foot placed on the edge of the seat forcing the posture. “Any details of interest, Harrow?”
The orange-furred female jolted, only just stopping from moving her foot back to the floor before committing to using him as a backrest. She turned back-on fully, stretching her legs over the remainder of the seat and placing tablets she had finished with on her lap.
“It didn’t take very long for the methods you sold to propagate,” she responded, holding up a few of the tablets before laying them in their own pile. “Looks like Pernel has been spreading it around by buying some from places that have bows and snares to sell where they don’t.”
“Supply and demand, or arming people with the tools that would help them survive?”
“Hard to trade with the dead,” Harrow commented dryly, starting a new pile. He nodded in exaggerated fashion.
“What about the Atmo?”
She tapped the small stack she just started. “I’m trying to separate these by inventory type. Give me a bit.”
Deciding to trust the woman in charge of managing this kind of thing while she was on the ship, he glanced back to Raine, the female easily mistaken for a statue if not for the subtle sway of her breathing. “The grey-bear-thing. How far away is it?”
“Too close,” she responded firmly. “We did not get a chance to verify their numbers, but there was evidence of at least that singular beast making our territory its hunting ground.”
“Fuck,” he muttered through gritted teeth. “We’re going to need to hunt that thing down.”
Pan looked worried at the prospect, Harrow stiffened in her sorting. The Wraiths were the only ones who seemed completely at ease with the suggestion, Tel not so much as twitching. Harrow laid down the tablets she had yet to categorize, her gaze aimed at her lap.
“Joe, don’t think that taking one out is easy.”
“We have ranged weapons and more than a few people who can use them,” he pointed out with a breath. “Ideally, we go as a larger hunting party and take the damn thing down through sheer volume of fire.”
“Their skin is tough,” Harrow replied with a shake of her head, her ears pivoting back towards him. “I don’t know if our bows could pierce it as easily as we might like.”
He furrowed his brow. “So, what? Let it close in until it eats everything and starves us out? Until it thinks we look tasty?”
“I don’t know. I’m just saying that this won’t be as simple as firing a few arrows and patting ourselves on the back for a job well done.”
Joseph felt the stiffness of his brow start to hurt from how tight they were knitted. A deep breath centred his thoughts. “We’ll arrange an armoured hunting party soon. Better to take it down before it becomes an issue.”
The orange-furred female nodded, quickly leafing through the remaining tablets and only pulling two more out for the pile she indicated earlier.
“Here,” she said, tapping the stack. “These are records for trading Atmo.”
He suppressed the sigh when he genuinely tried to read the mess they called a language. “How many? Who bought them?”
She hesitated, reforming the copy of the ledger—sans the relevant tablets—and placing it on the floor. The remainder in paw, she held them up over her shoulder, Tel accepting it and going over the contents with an interested tilt of her head.
“From what I can see here, Pernel traded two hundred.”
“Two…” he squeaked, his eyes wide. “Two hundred?”
She nodded, pacing around the couch to stop in front of Pan. “It seems others heard of his willingness to barter for them. He accepted quite a few deals before selling them off again.”
“To who?”
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
The door to the ship closed with a hiss, Willin shaking his head at Nav’s questioning gaze. “Nothing.”
Tech removed her CARDs, storing them in the weapons locker before shrugging off her AMR to place in its own unit. “Nothing living, anyway.”
“That bad?” Nav asked, deflating after yet another failed attempt to contact a settlement. The dark green-furred male stored his rifle, seating it into its receptacle with a click.
“Tell Comms to add another eighty to the count.”
“Four hundred eighty-two,” the purple-furred female supplied as she walked past Nav to enter the ship proper. Willin followed after, hanging his pistol holster on the side of his chair as he dropped into it.
“Thirty were covered in wounds, twenty or so were executed, twenty-five looked to have died of accumulated trauma, and the rest were found with singular cuts to the throat.”
“Not quite,” Tech remarked, interfacing with the systems. “Only eight of the ‘executed’ seem to have been done up close.”
“Sniper?” Comms asked as he entered the room, nodding his greetings and taking a seat at his station. Nav crossed their arms and leaned against the doorway as Tech Ops ran some numbers on her screen.
“Wounds are consistent with Anti Material Rifles, and debris suggest they took the ‘material’ part into consideration with their shots. There were a few holes in the buildings that didn’t quite get removed by the fires.”
“Covering evidence?” Willin mused aloud, receiving a thoughtful shake of her head.
“No, I don’t think so. My guess is that the buildings were already on fire when they did it, based on the splinters around the exit holes.”
Comms’ eyes widened in surprise. “Shooting through a burning building? That is rather impressive.”
“Blades?” Nav suggested. “Avalon is required to act against those who break the treaty, no?”
“Maybe,” Tech allowed tentatively. “If it was them, then that would explain the lack of targets.”
Willin scratched at his ear, furrowing his brow as Comms ran another scan for any communications being made. Though a few suns had passed since they had unwittingly agreed to involve themselves in what was likely the first case of war that this planet had ever seen, nothing was being sent anywhere. Regardless, the male kept the scans regular, just in case.
Nav switched the foot they were resting on. “Why not just dispose of everyone breaking the treaty?”
“Maybe they did,” Comms commented, turning back to the conversation as the program ran in the background. “Blades typically function under strict conditions. If they removed anyone who was commanding the hostile action, then they did as required of them. The moment the attack stopped, they completed the terms of the treaty.”
“Or if the Grand Hunter here surrendered and allowed their pack to be subsumed,” Willin proposed, the others glancing at him in curiosity. He waved a paw dismissively. “If everyone in the conflict becomes a single pack, then any fighting from those who still disagree with it is now an internal dispute, thus outside of the purview of the Blades. Check the notes on Grand Hunter Toril and High Hunter Bratik.”
Tech’s eyes unfocused for a moment as she accessed the system. “Avalon is forbidden from interfering with internal politics. Toril was sheltered by Bratik. Since Bratik was from outside of Toril’s pack, it counted as acting against their right to manage their own affairs. Hasen was given a perfect reason to take over, and it forced Grand Hunter Trill to exile the both of them to adhere.” She looked around the room aimlessly as she thought, her eyes snapping to Willin when he spoke.
“And a perfect loop-hole to exploit. Toril loses his supporters, Trill loses a member of his command structure, and Hasen rises in power while leaving Avalon to grit their teeth.” He shook his head, both impressed and disgusted. “Once he attacks another pack, he just forces a vassalage and subsequently executes the new High Hunter for whatever reason he wants. The Blades can’t act on a technicality.”
“So Grand Hunter Pernel….”
Willin nodded at Comms' unfinished question. “In the count.”
“There was a bit of a weird holding area,” Tech added after a moment. “Seemed like somewhere to hold livestock, but even then, it was a bit big. I’m not sure what used to be there, but tracks suggest carts left with whatever it was not long before everything went down, so probably a trade caravan.”
“Well, at least someone made it out,” Nav sighed, pushing off the wall to resume their station. “Where are we going next?”
Willin toyed with the odd silver tablet in his paw, the two unrecognizable scripts curious and alien. “The only pack left before we see what all the fuss is about. Let’s pay a visit to Grand Huntress Sunundra. Hopefully she knows something we don’t.”
Next
A/N: Been a while since we’ve had a proper A/N, huh. Welp, here’s this one. Patreon is currently set to ‘per post’ because i made the account ages ago. Waiting on support to help me switch it to monthly, then I’ll post the Silva render i have. RR is at 30k views and 100 followers.
Figured I’d ask how you guys are liking this arc, hows Willin’s team coming across, etc.
Final note: I’m thinking about rewriting the first ‘book’ so i can get it edited and published! Problem: i have no fucking clue where to cut book 1, and editors are expensive. Where should book 1 end? All i know is that I’d prob end up adding extra chapters to it, as well as lengthening the OG chaps. RR is a ‘touch-up’, not a final product, so those don’t count!

Fat Andy Mom said it was my turn today to mention bad allergies. There's lots of pollen. It happens every year at the same time. Recency bias isn't real and the Ricart guy got a curling iron shoved up his ass.
Anyways, $4 a lb Kia Boyz

Have some time to finally write a trip review for Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii for my honeymoon in December 2022 for two weeks. Mid December and left for home on Christmas Day. This was our first time redeeming cc points for anything, so lots of trial and error and lessons learned.
My wife and I had gotten married in October and were actually not planning going on honeymoon until Spring 2023 until we researched further and managed to make December 2022 work in our favor. We started planning and booking reservations TWO months before our trip. We are very fortunate to have done it in that time span and managed to make almost everything work out.
IAD - DTW - SEA - OGG on Delta, First Class One way.

• First time using a lounge ever was at DTW. We had access to the Sky Club there. Pretty good food here, very roomy. No time to lounge in Seattle
  
• only I used points for this one way flight. Transferred 95,000 Amex points to Delta. Wife paid $958 before tax for hers through the Amex travel portal. I think she got a steal as I had written on a note somewhere that the cash cost was $1533 through Delta directly but cannot remember if that was the increased price after purchasing the tickets or at time of purchase, otherwise it would have been 1.61 CPP.
  
• Very nice service in first class. Abundant alcohol and food was very nice as well.
  

Maui
Day 1
Got to Maui late in the night and picked up our rental car, a Chevy Equinox, with Enterprise. Used my Hilton Aspire to get 7x points.
One night at Courtyard Marriott by the airport and paid $500.
It was the best we could do with our timing.
Day 2 - 6
Breakfast and lunch was by the food trucks near Costco. Shopping nearby for supplies for our vacation.
Meals (Costco food trucks):

• Mo 'Ono Hawaii acai bowls
• Da Nani Pirates fish tacos
• fresh coconut water

5 nights at the Grand Wailea - 440,000 HH points
Left to check into our resort the Grand Wailea in Wailea. Both the wife and I are Hilton Diamond members. Mine through the Hilton Aspire and she has status through actual stays. We booked these nights through her account and using all Hilton points. Each reward night was 110,000 points and we got the 5th night free. So 440,000 points total.
This resort was huge and immaculate. Words can describe how nice this place is and the customer service is SUPERB. Literally, the best we have ever experienced. You only have to see and experience it for yourself. My wife and I still talk weekly about the Grand Wailea.
We booked the Terrace View - 1 King Bed as the Standard Night Reward and upon arrival we were upgraded to the Deluxe Ocean View - 1 King Bed in the Molokini wing. Breathtaking views! Avg cash price so this room type is around ~$988 before taxes, fees so it comes to 0.89 CPP (if not including taxes, fees in the total). All meals, incidentals, shopping, and experiences were put onto my Hilton Aspire. Daily food and beverage credit was $25 each for the two of us and used usually at their divine but pricey breakfast buffet. No resort fees charged for booking with points which saved us hundreds of dollars. We immensely enjoyed ourselves at this resort and the lush, manicured surrounding area.
Meals:

• Lineage Maui. A favorite in the Wailea area
  
• Morimoto - Maui. Getting the sticky ribs is a must. As well as the ishi yaki buri bop. The guy won Iron Chef because of that, apparently
  
• Wolfgang Puck's Spago at the Four Seasons. Got the best seat in the house here. Get the "Poke" cones and Hawaiian snapper
  
• Mama's Fish House. Literally the hardest restaurant to get on Maui. Must reserve 4-6 months in advance. I called two months before our trip and managed to get a table for the two of us for late lunch. We arrived and we got the best seat in the house overlooking the water! Shout out to Mike for his superb service.
  
• Lahaina Grill. Another favorite for tourists and locals
  

Experiences: renting a cabana at the Grand Wailea pool, spa day at the Four Seasons with outdoor hale beachside, Wailea Beach, hiking Twin Falls, Baby Beach, Haleakala National Park
Day 7 - 8
Two nights at the Hotel Wailea, Relais & Chateaux using Amex FHR.
Paid total ~$3400 for the One bedroom, Luxury Suite, Ocean View. Unfortunately, no upgrade upon checking in. Hotel was sold out. Daily breakfast in the form of $30 credit per person and $100 food/bev credit given through the FHR. This stay triggered the $200 FHR credit for my wife's Amex Plat
Quiet, small resort, adults only. We enjoyed our stay here and loved our room. Bed was harder than what we were use to and it was far from the beach. Otherwise we loved the restaurant and the ability to "get away". One of the top hotels in Maui and all of Hawaii. Price tag to boot.
Meals:

• The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea. Another great dinner watching the sunset
  
• Leoda's Pie Shop. Any pie is great, get the banana cream though. Lines out the door
  
• Merriman's Maui. Another top-notch restaurant with hard to get reservations. One of my personal favorites the whole trip. Another sunset dinner favorite
  

Experiences: cabana and pool day at Hotel Wailea, spa day at Montage Kapalua Bay. Outdoor hale with hot tub.
Big Island of Hawaii
Day 9 OGG - KOA (Big Island) round trip booked with Hawaiian Airlines. $106 for each of us before baggage fees. Booked direct using wife's Amex Plat.
Arrived to the Big Island and rented a Toyota Prius though Budget. Paid using Hilton Aspire.
Day 9 - 15
We booked the Hilton Waikoloa Village using all Hilton points, 6 nights in total with one night free. 350,000 pts in total used, 70,000 each night. Initially the standard room redemption was for the Palace Tower Resort View - 1 King Bed and was going for ~$540 a night before taxes/fees so CPP was 0.77. We realized even before our trip that the Palace Tower and old, needed a refresh, and was terribly far from the beach and the parking lot. We asked for an upgrade when we checked in and was given the option to move to the Makai Tower - Ocean View 1 King Bed for an additional $75 per night. We promptly took this offer. This room runs ~$694 per night before taxes/fees and if I subtract the $75 per night, I calculate this to be 0.88 CPP. The Makai tower was much better, our room overlooked the ocean and part of the resort. Frankly, Palace looked like dogshit. Daily F&B credit was $18 for each person. Incidentals again went onto my Hilton Aspire.
Towards the end of our stay, we stayed at the DoubleTree Hilo using 50,000 pts. Room rate was $308 before taxes/fess. CPP was 0.61. This was on the other side of the island and very far from Hilton Waikoloa so we decided to stay overnight there after hiking Volcanoes NP instead of driving to the west side in the middle of the night.
Meals:

• Brown's Beach House - at the Fairmont Orchid
  
• Kilauea Lodge
  
• Merriman's - Big Island
  

Experiences: Kauna'oa Beach, Mauna Kea sunset and stargazing (this is a must!!), Captain Cook monument snorkeling, Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National historical park, Punalu-u Black Sand Beach, Volcanoes National Park, Akaka Falls.
Trip home: OGG - LAX - IAD. United, First Class One way.

• Used 220,000 Chase UR rewards to redeem this flight for the both of us. Cash price of each ticket was ~$1485 before taxes/fess. CPP was 1.35
• Service was fine, food in 1st class was not very memorable.
• Did not have time to get into the Centurion lounge at LAX

Overall, an EXCELLENT trip. We were amazed and thrilled to do so much in two weeks and in such short notice. Again, only two months to plan once our dates were finalized. Between my wife and I, we have the Amex Plat and Gold, Hilton Honors and Aspire, and CFU, CSP. Each card strategically used during our trip. The FHR credit triggered for my wife, and my Aspire triggered the $250 resort credit. If I had to guess, we saved ~$15,000 or more by redeeming CC points. Hope this data point helps some of you trip planning, happy to answer any questions.

Their exchange carried them through the week-night 'til the sun turned red. The big blaze was setting on Bull Creek, & they had gotten drunk enough to prove it. Turner hunched over his hickory countertop, ice rattling in his empty glass. His Stetson hung low, his gray fuzz suspended over the table's fine wooden ridges.
At his home that evening was kindred spirit, Digby Jones, running the opposite end of the counter. Another old man clinging to the dark hair of youth. He sat back on the creaky barstool, lifting up his pint to polish off a bit more whiskey. Alcohol was hard on the ol' liver for Jones, ever since he cleaned up his act. He was still soaking up his rye.
"Awful nosy people 'round here, then." Turner muttered. Jones fought to keep him grounded. "Ain't that the truth. Either that, or ya really do got some'n fancy in that ol' hatch."
The banter caught a coy wheeeeeeeeeeze from the man, pulled from his mix of pondering & drunken stupor. Jones beamed at his grin. "No, I ain't got nothin' in that cellar. Just more of this shit!" Turner raised his glass for emphasis. Jones laughed, his bud backtracking into offended confusion.
"Now-- who's even sayin' all that? Who's got business in my floorboards?" He waved a perplexed hand. Jones pressed his palms into the hickory, tapping the table as he leaned in. "Isaac reckons it's some'n to do with Dean Whitley's daughter!" He reeled his head with a cackle. Turner pounded the counter with a balled fist.
Gruff teeth-grinding spat out his mouth. "Damnit, I knew it. I done told that boy..."
"Oh Lawrence, say it ain't so! You, with the paper-man's daughter?"
Rolled eyes. "C'mon, Digs, it's not like that." Jones' laugh drug on & dried up. "I know, I know. It doesn't sound like you anyway, Lawrence. Not with your Catherine expecting, now." His burned-out chuckles left in a sigh. But Turner had said nothing. By then, he was clasping the countertop with both hands, pinning Jones' attention with dry eyes.
He had already given up his oath to secrecy.
"Do you really wanna know?"
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The wooden cut-out raised, peeling back on its iron hinges. A lantern passed through, carried by two boot sets. The hatch closed.
They stepped past crisscross shelves with moonshine décor. In a corner, Jones outlined rods & a bucket hat sat on a barrel. Remnants of Turner's fishing days in the south-east. He trailed in pace with the brother, stepping 'round a wood beam here, over a canyon portrait there.
The journey stopped with the lantern sat atop a dresser. Jones stood over Turner's side. His wrinkly fingers slid the top nook back, unveiling a patterned chest in the dim gas-light. The top lifted off, & he gently plucked the contents of a red bandana, sitting it by the lantern.
There was silence. Still, Turner lifted a finger to his lips. Shh.
"What am I looking at?" Jones whispered.
His buddy unfolded the bandana wrapping, a six-piece tucked inside.
He buried his suspicions within. "...Hell of an iron."
"You act like you've never met her."
"...Met her?"
"Yeah, Digs." A piercing, oiled gaze. "It's Catherine."
--------------------------------------------------------------------
His Stetson hung from its hook, his gray fuzz rocking back 'n forth in the hickory chair. His constant movement, the homeostasis of drunken restlessness. A sandy breeze tumbled in their far-off gaze. And Jones was frozen, nails curled 'round the end of each armrest; an anxious slouch in his chair.
Their eyes were best left apart. Under the lantern glow and moonlight, they instead peered into the desert. It was like a pebbled ocean. A long beat sat in the air; the saddle of confession.
"...You told us she went to see her mother, up north."
The soft whale-sound of the bellowing night wind.
"I did."
Sweat drunk in his scalp, watching the old coot finger with the frame. Just as, wind chime kisses rang overhead.
"...Why her?"
It came out like a demand.
"She bit my shoulder."
An avian dot curved in the black sky.
"...I don't understand."
Turner rocked. And rocked. And stopped to think for a moment.
"Life's complicated, Digs."
And he rocked. Crickets sounded in the dunes. Jones tried to lighten the mood, in denying disbelief.
"...Shoot her any?"
"Fuck no."
Another injection of adrenaline to Jones' system. He clamped his eyes shut.
"...Why not?"
Another end to Turner's rocking. Even he pondered on his quick response. A perverse stare mapped out each ridge of the sidearm. Wherever he was looking, he arrived.
"Lord knows I hate to give her away."
Jones lifted a hand to sponge the liquid caking his cheek.
Turner lifted the muzzle, pointing its tip like a compass into the night.
"Y' see it?"
Eyes scanning the deep.
"No sir, I don't." Jones panted.
The wasteland's belly groaned, and the aching was the wind.
"It rides at bedtime. A posse like thunder. Horses without hooves..."
The man leaned forward in his chair with a squint.
"They're wranglin' somethin' out there."
Jones was out of questions. He didn't want to know anymore. He nestled his temple in his palm. By then, he had just been speaking on Turner's accord.
"Is that right, Lawrence?"
Turner's index coiled onto the trigger, his thumb fingering the hammer.
"Yeah."
The hand over his head had become a mask for his eyes. Jones offered a final inquisition.
"What are they wranglin' on, Lawrence?"
Catherine clicked. Her voice was a gargling of blood. Her intonation said she had accepted that bubbling red long ago. By now, she only tasted moonshine.
"The spirit of Dean Whitley. It's out there, in that desert. Maybe it's the hooves."

Not sure the amp of each curling iron but it didn’t trip the 20 amp breaker but the circuitry downstream of gfi isn’t turning on anymore. Tried tripping and resetting multiple times, didn’t see green light from the gfi that I normally see.

Timestamp: https://imgur.com/a/0zKVVxo
Selling KAC skyscraper (has little very thin rattle can overspray) with box-$220 shipped KAC sr15 takeoff iron sight set (front and rear) -$220 shipped KAC 3 prong-$50 shipped

Timestamp: https://imgur.com/a/0zKVVxo
Selling KAC skyscraper (has little very thin rattle can overspray) with box-$220 shipped KAC sr15 takeoff iron sight set (front and rear) -$220 shipped KAC 3 prong-$50 shipped

So, about a month and a half ago, not exact but close enough to when this happened, anyway, I burned myself with a curling iron on purpose. It's my first burn on purpose and I thought it would just blister, scab or something then go away so I did on my index finger. I could easily pass it off as I just burned myself on accident while doing my hair. Now there is no scab, no blister no nothing but just a redish pink mark where I did. Is this a scar? I really hope it's not but I'm new to burns so I don't know if this is a scar or not. I really hope it's not, because it's on my finger, and every time I look at my finger, I don't want that to be something I have to think about. I don't want for people to ask me why there is a redish pink mark on my finger. Please someone tell me it's still healing and that this is not a permanent thing that is forever on my hand.

I (M/25/5’10”/190lbs) am going on a hard cut for a short time (2lbs a week or even 2.5) want to add a little more to my total calories to get my phosphorous and potassium up (% are based on US daily values). Let me know if you have any general feedback too! Thanks.
Daily macros Calories 1550 Total Fat 21g -saturated fat 9g Total Carbs 169g -dietary fiber 11g -Sugar 16g Protein 168g Vitamin A 170% Vitamin C 170% Vitamin D 125% Vitamin E 150% Thiamin (B1) 160% Riboflavin 170% Niacin 160% Vitamin B6 178% Folate 180% Vitamin B12 360% Biotin 483% Panthenoic Acid 390% Phosphorous 50% Calcium 151% Iron 92% Iodine 130% Potassium 38% Magnesium 129% Zinc 260% Selenium 100% Copper 220% Manganese 150% Chromium 100% Lycopene 300 mcg

Out of space on my selling pile! I need to stop being lazy and list things as well. Help me clear space so I can immediately fill it with more manga!!
Lots of manga and a ton of anime for sale! Most should be in G3-4 condition, some might be like new. Ideally, I’m not splitting any series lots.
Shipping $75+ is free Under that, depends on how many books 1-2 books $4 3-5 books -$5.50 6+ books- $6.50
Timestamp: https://imgur.com/AKfebpt

Series	Vol	Price	notes
Act Age	2	$30
Alchemist Who Survived manga	1, 2	$10
Aria Masterpiece	2	$40
Atom the Beginning	1	$8
Beginning After the End	1	$12
Can't Stop Cursing You	1, 2	$15
Children of Mu Town	single vol	$20
Choujin X	1,2	$15
Entanged With You, Garden 1000 Grasses	single vol	10
Fist of the North Star Master Ed	1,4	40 ea/ 70 both
Ghost in the Shell	1, 1.5	$50	Dark Horse ed., sticker on front
Grandmaster Demonic Cultivation	1	$12	manhua version, not novel
Heaven's Door	single vol	$12
Hellbound	1,2	$25
In This Corner of the World	single vol	$15
Jujutsu Kaisen	0, 8-19	$100 (shipped)
Kemono Jihen	1	$8
Let's Play	3	$5	spine smooshed at top, paperback
Nabari no Ou	1-6, 13	$110	inc shipping, 2 has spine crease
Oh My Sweet Alien	single vol	$16
Pandora Seven	1	$8
Romantic Killer	1	$10
Seraph of the End	27	$6	oops, new duplicate
Shonen Note: Boy Soprano	1	$8
Show-ha Show-ten	1,2	$12
Tomb Raider King	1	$12
Tsubaki Chou Lonely Planet	1	$7
YAOI/18+
Barbarities	1	$12
Future Lovers	1,2 complete	$25
Golden Sparkle	single vol	$8
Magician A	single vol	$20
Midnight Rain	single vol	$8
Moon and Sun	1	$8
Twittering Birds Never Fly	1, 2, bluray	$30	bundle w/ bluray, vol 2 in shrink
You & Me, Etc	single vol	$30

Timestamp: https://imgur.com/md8CvY2

anime series	format	price	pics/notes
Dororo (old series)	DVD	$20
GaoGaiGar complete series (sets 1+2)	DVD	$45	litebox sets
Good Witch of the West	DVD	$1
Gunbuster	DVD	$5
IGPX	DVD	$40
Mazinger Z Impact	DVD	$15
Moss	DVD	$1
Outlaw Star	DVD	$1
Windy Tales	DVD	$5
Bird Boy	Bluray	$10
C Control	Bluray	$5	has box
El Hazard Magnificient World	Bluray	$15
Gimgar	Bluray	$10
Gundam Iron Blooded Orphans complete	Bluray	25	has teeth marks on the paper sleeves because my cat is evil. discs are like new
Thousand and One Nights	Bluray	12
Voltes V	Bluray	35

Dipcon at Dixiecon results from last weekend:
Dipcon - Diplomacy Tournament

1. Mikalis Kamaritis 392
   
2. Doc Binder 372
   
3. Steve Cooley 368
   
4. Doug Moore 356
   
5. Peter Yeargin 356
   
6. David Miller 352
   
7. Andrew Goff 344
   

8 Tanya Gill 340

1. Jason O'Donnell 336
   
2. Johnny Gillam 332
   
3. Brian Lee 320
   
4. Zachary Moore 320
   
5. Jason Bennett 316
   
6. Adam Silverman 300
   
7. David Maletsky 288
   
8. Emmett Wainwright 288
   
9. Alex Maslow 220
   
10. Jaromir Sulja 220
    
11. Ben Durfee 216
    
12. Chris Barfield 202
    
13. Karthik Konath 202
    
14. Mark Franceschini 193
    
15. Ben Kellman 192
    
16. Jonathan Strange 190
    
17. Todd Craig 188
    
18. Andrew Zick 176
    
19. Brian Ecton 172
    
20. David Harshbarger 169
    
21. Hal Schild 162
    
22. John Darges 158
    
23. Jack Craig 156
    
24. Tim Richardson 154
    
25. Ian Rudnick 152
    
26. Cameron Higbe 151
    
27. Ryan Rutledge 147
    
28. Hudson Defoe 136
    
29. Luke Cronin 130
    
30. Ed Turnage 89
    
31. Jason Mastbaum 82
    
32. Jeff Pierce 82
    
33. Claude Worrell 44
    
34. Emily Turnage 43
    
35. Nick Koehler 43
    
36. Chris Kremer 32
    
37. Steven Hogue 30
    
38. Nicholas Spencer 24
    
39. Brad Blitstein 14
    
40. Tarzan 10
    
41. Mitch McConeghey 0
    

IN Rick Desper (only one round)
IN Keith Worstell (only one round)
IN Andy Bartalone (only one round)
Diplomacy Team Tournament

1. Doc Doc Goose (Gill, Binder, Goff)
   
2. Three Stooges (Konath, Z.Moore, Gillam)
   
3. Team Shylock (Miller, Maletsky, Blitstein)
   

Iron Man Tournament (nonDip gaming)

1. Kevin Brown
   
2. Bruce Duewer
   
3. Eric Erikson
   
4. Adam Sigal
   
5. Dan Mathias
   

Best Countries
A Steve Cooley
E Mikalis Kamaritis
F Doug Moore
G Steve Cooley
I Peter Yeargin
R Karthik Konath
T Doc Binder
I Got Hammered - Steve Hogue
Golden Blade - Johnny Gillam
The Brick - Hudson Defoe
Players Choice - Emily Turnage

LF:

• HA Dream Ball Hisuian Sneasel (HA is Pickpocket)
• HA Dream Ball White Stripe Basculin (HA is Mold Breaker)

Note: If you don't have them in Dream Balls, but have them in other Balls and want a specific HA Dream Ball I own, I'm also open to other offers. I'm definitely down for Basculin in a Dive/Lure/Net Ball.

Sonictrainer's Extremely Long List of Dream Balls FT

Single Ability Dream Ball Pokémon Breeding List

• #92. Gastly (Levitate)
• #114. Misdreavus (Levitate)
• #479. Rotom (Levitate)
• #602. Tynamo (Levitate)
• #615. Cryogonal (Levitate)
• #633. Deino (Hustle)
• #692. Clauncher (Mega Launcher)
• #741. Oricorio (Dancer)
• #775. Komala (Comatose)
• #778. Mimikyu (Disguise)
• #874. Stonjourner (Power Spot)
• #875. Eiscue (Ice Face)
• #949. Toedscool (Mycelium Might)
• #963. Finizen (Water Veil)

Starter Dream Ball Breeding List

• #4. Charmander (HA: Solar Power)
• #133. Eevee (HA: Anticipation)
• #157. Cyndaquil (HA: Flash Fire)
• #159. Hisuian Typhlosion (HA: Frisk)
• #172. Pichu (HA: Lightning Rod)
• #501. Oshawott (HA: Shell Armor)
• #503. Hisuian Samurott (HA: Sharpness)
• #650. Chespin (HA: Bulletproof)
• #656. Froakie (HA: Protean)
• #722. Rowlet (HA: Long Reach)
• #724. Hisuian Decidueye (HA: Scrappy)
• #815. Scorbunny (HA: Libero)
• #818. Sobble (HA: Sniper)

Regional Variant Dream Ball Pokémon Breeding & Evolution List

• #50. Kantonian/Alolan Diglett (HA: Sand Force)
• #52. Kantonian Meowth (HA: Unnerve)
• #52. Alolan Meowth (HA: Rattled)
• #52. Galarian Meowth (HA: Unnerve)
• #58. Kantonian Growlithe (HA: Justified)
• #58. Hisuian Growlithe (HA: Rock Head)
• #79. Kantonian/Galarian Slowpoke (HA: Regenerator)
• #88. Kantonian Glimer (HA: Poison Touch)
• #88. Galarian Glimer (HA: Power of Alchemy)
• #128. Kanto Breed Tauros (HA: Sheer Force)
• #128. Combat/Blaze/Aqua Breed Paldean Tauros (HA: Cud Chew)
• #194. Johtonian/Paldean Wooper (HA: Unaware)
• #211. Johtonian/Hisuian Qwilfish (HA: Intimidate)
• #215. Johtonian Sneasel (HA: Inner Focus)
• #549. Hisuian Lilligant (HA: Leaf Guard)
• #571. Unovan/Hisuian Zorua (Single Ability is Illusion)
• #628. Hisuian Braviary (HA: Tinted Lens)
• #705. Hisuian Sliggo (HA: Gooey)
• #713. Hisuian Avalugg (HA: Sturdy)

Pokémon with Multiple & Unchangeable Forms Dream Ball Breeding List

• #422. East Sea/Blue Shellos (HA: Sand Force)
• #422. West Sea/Pink Shellos (HA: Sand Force)
• #669. Blue Flower Flabebe (HA: Symbiosis)
• #669. Red Flower Flabebe (HA: Symbiosis + Only 3 Egg Moves: Copycat, Endeavor, & Tearful Look)
• #669. Yellow Flower Flabebe (HA: Symbiosis + Only 3 Egg Moves: Copycat, Endeavor, & Tearful Look)
• #931. Blue Plumage Squawkabilly (HA: Guts + 4 Egg Moves: Double-Edge, Final Gambit, Flatter, & Parting Shot)
• #931. Green Plumage Squawkabilly (HA: Guts)
• #931. White Plumage Squawkabilly (HA: Sheer Force + 4 Egg Moves: Double-Edge, Final Gambit, Flatter, & Parting Shot)
• #978. Curly/Orange Tatsugiri (HA: Storm Drain + 3 Egg Moves: Baton Pass, Counter, & Rapid Spin)
• #978. Droopy/Pink Tatsugiri (HA: Storm Drain + 2 Egg Moves: Counter & Rapid Spin)
• #978. Stretchy/Yellow Tatsugiri (HA: Storm Drain)

Kanto Dream Ball Pokémon Breeding List

• #48. Venonat (HA: Run Away)
• #54. Psyduck (HA: Swift Swim)
• #56. Mankey (HA: Defiant)
• #81. Magnemite (HA: Analytic)
• #90. Shellder (HA: Overcoat)
• #96. Drowzee (HA: Inner Focus)
• #123. Scyther (HA: Steadfast)
• #129. Magikarp (HA: Rattled)
• #147. Dratini (HA: Marvel Scale)

Johto Dream Ball Pokémon Breeding List

• #174. Igglybuff (HA: Friend Guard)
• #181. Mareep - (HA: Plus)
• #187. Hoppip (HA: Infiltrator)
• #191. Sunkern (HA: Early Bird)
• #198. Murkrow (HA: Prankster)
• #203. Girafarig (HA: Sap Sipper + 2 Egg Moves: Double Kick & Wish)
• #204. Pineco (HA: Overcoat)
• #206. Dunsparce (HA: Serene Grace)
• #214. Heracross (HA: Moxie)
• #225. Delibird (HA: Insomnia)
• #232. Phanpy (HA: Sand Veil)
• #234. Stantler (HA: Sap Sipper)
• #316. Larvitar (HA: Sand Veil)

Hoenn Dream Ball Pokémon Breeding List

• #278. Wingull (HA: Rain Dish)
• #280. Ralts (HA: Telepathy + 2 Egg Moves: Mystical Fire & Shadow Sneak)
• #283. Surskit (HA: Rain Dish)
• #296. Makuhita (HA: Sheer Force)
• #298. Azurill (HA: Sap Sipper)
• #302. Sableye (HA: Prankster)
• #308. Meditite (HA: Telepathy)
• #322. Numel (HA: Own Tempo)
• #324. Torkoal (HA: Shell Armor)
• #325. Spoink (HA: Gluttony)
• #331. Cacnea (HA: Water Absorb)
• #333. Swablu (HA: Cloud Nine)
• #335. Zangoose (HA: Toxic Boost)
• #336. Zeviper (HA: Infiltrator)
• #339. Barboach (HA: Hydration)
• #353. Shuppet (HA: Cursed Body)
• #357. Tropius (HA: Harvest)
• #361. Snorunt (HA: Moody + 4 Egg Moves: Disable, Icicle Crash, Rollout, & Switcheroo)
• #370. Luvdisc (HA: Hydration)
• #371. Bagon (HA: Sheer Force)

Sinnoh Dream Ball Pokémon Breeding List

• #396. Starly (HA: Reckless)
• #401. Kricketot (HA: Run Away)
• #405. Shinx (HA: Guts)
• #415. Combee (HA: Hustle)
• #417. Pachirsu (HA: Volt Absorb)
• #418. Buizel (HA: Water Veil)
• #425. Drifloon (HA: Flare Boost)
• #434. Stunky (HA: Keen Eye)
• #436. Bronzor (HA: Heavy Metal)
• #438. Bonsly (HA: Rattled)
• #442. Spiritomb (HA: Infiltrator + 4 Egg Moves: Ally Switch, Destiny Bond, Disable, & Pain Split)
• #443. Gible (HA: Rough Skin)
• #447. Riolu (HA: Prankster)
• #449. Hippopotas (HA: Sand Force)
• #453. Croagunk (HA: Poison Touch)
• #459. Snover (HA: Soundproof)

Unova Dream Ball Pokémon Breeding List

• #549. Petilil (HA: Leaf Guard)
• #551. Sandile (HA: Anger Point)
• #574. Gothita (HA: Shadow Tag)
• #585. Deerling (HA: Serene Grace + 4 Egg Moves: Agility, Headbutt, Synthesis, & Worry Seed)
• #590. Foongus (HA: Regenerator)
• #610. Axew (HA: Unnerve)
• #613. Cubchoo (HA: Rattled)
• #624. Pawniard (HA: Pressure)
• #627. Rufflet (HA: Hustle)
• #636. Larvesta (HA: Swarm)

Kalos Dream Ball Pokémon Breeding List

• #661. Fletchling (HA: Gale Wings)
• #664. Scatterbug (HA: Friend Guard + Only 2 Egg Moves: Rage Powder & Poison Powder)
• #668. Litleo (HA: Moxie)
• #672. Skiddo (HA: Grass Pelt + 4 Egg Moves = Defense Curl, Grassy Terrain, Milk Drink, & Rollout)
• #690. Skrelp (HA: Adaptability)
• #701. Hawlucha (HA: Mold Breaker)
• #702. Dedenne (HA: Plus)
• #703. Carbink (HA: Sturdy)
• #704. Goomy (HA: Gooey)
• #707. Klefki (HA: Magician)
• #712. Bergmite (HA: Sturdy)
• #714. Noibat (HA: Telepathy)

Alola Dream Ball Pokémon Breeding List

• #734. Yungoos (HA: Adaptability)
• #739. Crabrawler (HA: Anger Point + 4 Egg Moves = Endeavor, Focus Punch, Superpower, & Vice Grip)
• #744. Rockruff (HA: Steadfast)
• #744. Rockruff (Special Ability: Own Tempo)
• #747. Mareanie (HA: Regenerator)
• #749. Mudbray (HA: Inner Focus)
• #753. Fomantis (HA: Contrary)
• #757. Salandit (HA: Oblivious)
• #761. Bounsweet (HA: Sweet Veil)
• #765. Oranguru (HA: Symbiosis + 4 Egg Moves = Dream Eater, Extrasensory, Last Resort, & Yawn)
• #766. Passimian (HA: Defiant)
• #769. Sandygast (HA: Sand Veil)

Galar Dream Ball Pokémon Breeding List

• #819. Skwovet (HA: Gluttony)
• #821. Rookidee (HA: Big Pecks)
• #833. Chewtle (HA: Swift Swim)
• #837. Rolycoly (HA: Flash Fire)
• #840. Applin (HA: Bulletproof)
• #843. Silicobra (HA: Sand Veil)
• #846. Arrokuda (HA: Propeller Tail)
• #855. Sinistea (HA: Cursed Body)
• #856. Hatenna (HA: Magic Bounce + 4 Egg Moves = After You, Mystical Fire, Nuzzle, & Quash)
• #859. Impidimp (HA: Pickpocket)
• #870. Falinks (HA: Defiant)
• #871. Pincurchin (HA: Electric Surge)
• #872. Snom (HA: Ice Scales)
• #876. Indeedee (HA: Psychic Surge)
• #878. Cufant (HA: Heavy Metal)
• #885. Dreepy (HA: Cursed Body)

Hisui Dream Ball Pokémon Breeding & Evolution List

• #899. Wyrdeer (HA: Sap Sipper)
• #900. Kleavor (HA: Sharpness)
• #901. Ursaluna (HA: Unnerve)

Paldea Dream Ball Pokémon Breeding List

• #915. Lechonk (HA: Thick Fat + 4 Egg Moves: Endeavor, Stockpile, Spit Up, & Swallow)
• #917. Tarountula (HA: Stakeout)
• #919. Nymble (HA: Tinted Lens + 2 Egg Moves = Counter & Skitter Smack)
• #921. Pawmi (HA: Iron Fist)
• #924. Tandemaus (HA: Own Tempo)
• #926. Fidough (HA: Klutz + 4 Egg Moves: Copycat, Howl, Sweet Scent, & Wish)
• #928. Smoliv (HA: Harvest + 4 Egg Moves: Memento, Strength Sap, Synthesis, & Weather Ball)
• #932. Nacli (HA: Clear Body)
• #935. Charcadet (HA: Flame Body + 3 Egg Moves = Disable, Destiny Bond, & Spite)
• #938. Tadbulb (HA: Damp + 3 Egg Moves: Muddy Water, Parabolic Charge, & Soak)
• #940. Wattrel (HA: Competitive + 4 Egg Moves: Spit Up, Stockpile, Swallow, & Weather Ball)
• #942. Maschiff (HA: Stakeout + 4 Egg Moves = Destiny Bond, Endeavor, Play Rough, & Retaliate)
• #944. Shroodle (HA: Prankster)
• #946. Bramblin (HA: Infiltrator + 4 Egg Moves: Beat Up, Block, Shadow Sneak, & Strength Sap)
• #950. Klawf (HA: Regenerator + 4 Egg Moves = Ancient Power, Crabhammer, Endeavor, & Knock Off)
• #953. Rellor (HA: Shed Skin + 3 Egg Moves: Memento, Recover, & Weather Ball)
• #955. Flittle (HA: Speed Boost + 3 Egg Moves: Ally Switch, Hypnosis, & Roost)
• #957. Tinkatink (HA: Pickpocket + 3 Egg Moves: Ice Hammer, Feint, & Quash)
• #960. Wiglett (HA: Sand Veil + Only 2 Egg Moves: Final Gambit & Memento)
• #962. Bombirdier (HA: Rocky Payload + 4 Egg Moves: Feather Dance, Roost, Sky Attack, & Sucker Punch)
• #965. Varoom (HA: Slow Start + 4 Egg Moves: Haze, Parting Shot, Torment, & Toxic)
• #967. Cyclizar (HA: Regenerator + Only 4 Egg Moves: Aqua Tail, Iron Tail, Knock Off, & Power Whip)
• #968. Orthworm (HA: Sand Veil + Only 3 Egg Moves: Coil, Curse, & Metal Burst)
• #969. Glimmet (HA: Corrosion)
• #971. Greavard (HA: Fluffy + 4 Egg Moves: Destiny Bond, Disable, Howl, & Yawn)
• #973. Flamigo (HA: Costar + Only 3 Egg Moves: Double Team, Quick Quard, & Sky Attack)
• #974. Cetoddle (HA: Sheer Force)
• #976. Veluza (HA: Sharpness + Only 2 Egg Moves: Recover & Thrash)
• #977. Dondozo (HA: Water Veil)
• #996. Frigibax (HA: Ice Body)

Note: I do have other stuff besides Dream Balls, just ask and I'll see if I have it

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Big thanks to u/Killsode-slugcat and u/cliche_-_bartender for helping me with proofreading and editing.
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SUBJECT-DESIGNATION: Admiral Marcus Miller
LOCATION: Earthen Orbit, Atlantic Citadel
DATE: EARTH-TIME [Wednesday, August 23, 2186]
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I stood above Earth, gazing down upon her bright blue brilliance from the comfort of my personal quarters.
It was odd to think that just five hundred years ago, humanity had been scared of the darkness that lingered at the forest’s edge. I couldn’t imagine that those born during that time could have ever imagined the heights which we would rise to. My only hope was that our vast distance from the ground of primitivity wouldn’t lead to a devastating fall.
Already it felt like a lifetime ago that my crew and I had braved our own dark forest—the endless expanse of space beyond our system’s heliopause. Now we knew of the devils that rested at the edge of those shadows. The fires of Sol and the shield of our Oort cloud were all that now stood between us and them. At least in the process of our journey, we had met another group of weary travelers. We now knew that we were not alone.
The reaction to our discovery of the Khimrox—or perhaps their discovery of us—had actually gone over quite well with the global population, though some fringe groups chose to remain skeptical for reasons I couldn’t fathom.
Following the acceptance of the Khimroxian people as refugees, I was rather quickly promoted to the position of admiral. Despite it being an honorary title for the time-being, it was one that I wore with pride. Besides, considering how things were currently going among the leadership of the UEN, it was my guess that we would soon need all of the fleet commanders we could get.
Being separated from my crew though, it was certainly an ordeal. For over a year, we had trained and prepared for our journey aboard the Challenger, all the while forming a strong bond—the bond of a crew. It was them who had kept my mind from plunging into the hopeless darkness that threatened to envelop my mind back aboard the ruined wreck of our exploratory vessel.
Liz and Garth had been reassigned to finally fulfill their true calling as biologists. Together, they dove head-first into in-depth studies of Khimroxian anatomy and physiology. Sid had opted to assist in the deconstruction of the Ignis, allowing its analysis by a team of scientists that included Lee. As far as I was aware, they had so far produced staggeringly impressive results in regards to potential military applications. Jake was probably the wisest among us, choosing to enter an early retirement, which I quite honestly considered the smartest move. Each member of the Challenger had essentially become an influential celebrity overnight. If any of us chose to, we wouldn’t need to work another day in our lives.
Nia had taken an extended leave of absence following our return and chose to take up temporary residence within the Khimrox colony. Darius was perhaps the only one that had stuck with me. Due to my request, he was to be the chief navigational officer of a brand new fleet that had been promised to me—an experimental UEN fleet by the name of Vengeant Dawn.
Though word hadn’t yet officially been released, some part of me could sense the storm approaching on the horizon. War was coming. The only questions that remained were when and how it would be waged, one of which we were currently working to answer.
Some remained skeptical, but me, I had been waiting since the day I first heard of that wretched name, the one which hid behind a thin and lustrous coat. They would pay in blood for what they had done to our Khimroxian friends and to all of the scion species that they considered beneath them.
Speaking of those pricks… I turned from the window to look back at the objects of interest.
We had already begun to install improvements and replacements for our own technology from what we had researched so far. The holo-table of my room was one such improvement.
Atop it, hovered three ire-inspiring figures—the bastards of the Orion Arm.
One was what looked to be a molluscoid. Twelve long and winding tentacles stretched from its body. The creature’s skin could possess a wide variety of colors, but this one took on a dark shade of blue. Atop its head—or back, I still wasn’t entirely sure—was a large circular shell that spiraled backwards. The shell itself was fairly reminiscent of an ammonite, with the notable exception of its golden sheen. A green pair of eyes with slitted black pupils could be found at either side of its face. At the end of each of its limbs were a strange bunch of contraptions that were barely recognizable as the manipulators they were. To support its spineless body—and perhaps its brazen cowardice—was an exoskeleton which covered the length of its tentacles, allowing it to rise to an ironically respectable height. The Dodektopi.
The second was a shape that made no sense according to what little we apparently knew regarding the formation of life. The figure of flames was somewhat humanoid in shape, but distinct enough to separate it from ourselves. A frenzy of dancing plasma licked across the surface of its shape, occasionally whipping out from its body in flares of solar activity. Centered within the fiery specter’s face was an unfamiliar symbol forged out of a sleek black metal that did not burn with the being’s body. Its hands and feet that connected the body were made of similar steel and seemed to hold the shape together with the help of the head. The Novari.
Last but most certainly not least was a chillingly familiar shape. It was an ancient and terrible legend made manifest. The draconic figure before me bore ebony-black scales. A wicked pair of gold curling horns rose from the tyrant’s skull, covered in rings of that black metal that wrapped around them. Cryptic runes—whose mere existence denoted their ancient nature—were etched into the bone of these very same horns. Surrounding its head were countless quills that reached back behind the skull. From its oddly placed back pair of shoulders sprouted leathery wings that curled around the body, nearly encircling it in a hug. A long tail whose spiked end was covered in yet more of those sleek black rings fell behind them. The creature wore nothing more than a red ornamented kilt, bearing the same symbols as those etched upon its body across the sashes which held it in place. Its imposing physique was proudly put on display and an amber pair of greedy eyes rested behind its black maw of terrible teeth.
At the second and frontward pair of stubby shoulders, a shimmering pair of auric arms, engraved with yet more of those runes. I could have recognized their design anywhere. They bore an uncanny similarity with those utilized by our Khimrox friends. The three primary differences between those of them and those that belong to our friends were the sheer quality of the design, the notable exception of their shimmering sheen and their lethal talons that had been sharpened to a shining point. The Aeryvyn.
The terrible triumvirate mocked me with their mere presence, but I couldn’t tear them away from my sight. It’s fortunate that something else did it for me.
A ping that rained from the speakers in my ceiling heralded the incoming message. “All UEN personnel with alpha clearance please report to the briefing room.” Two more times, the soft and purposefully inoffensive voice repeated itself.
With a sigh, I shut off the display and marched to don the new garb that matched my position. When my door slid open, I saw several others stride through the long hall of yet more doors that matched my own.
The familiar scent of ozone had been a relief following the unnaturally clean air of the Ignis. That ship was no longer the home of the Khimroxian refugees, so I had little care for its continued existence. By now, it was a skeleton of alien alloys.
Our straight, gray walls and steel-vented floors were showered in warm light. Compared to the Ignis where the too-white surface where wall and floor blended together, the scenic viewing ports and recognizable craftsmanship felt like the warm embrace of a long-lost friend.
Speaking of friends, I wonder if I’ll see Saffan. Weeks had passed now since I last saw the captain-ambassador. His new position ensured this was so.
A stream of gray-coated senior staff flowed through the doors to the briefing room. At the entrance, a full complement of soldiers outfitted with Styx suits stood guard. That generation of armor would soon be outdated in comparison to the schematics I had seen prepared.
My heart warmed involuntarily as I entered the room. Saffan’s bright eyes of perpetual wideness stared back at me. I shouldered my way through the convening crowds of admirals. Each spoke with a weight of self-importance that I couldn’t have cared less for.
When I finally reached him he called my name. “Marcus!” The captain extended a hand. Wait, what? I wasn’t sure whether to be more confused by his use of the gesture or his new set of arms. They were admittedly simple compared to the prior pair and they were coated with a blue shine that matched his eyes. The digits no longer took the shape of those reptilian claws, instead forming an approximation of human fingers.
The hands locked perfectly with my own. “Saffan, good to see you again. How are things going?”
“Wonderfully. Though I must say, you humans seem to have more countries than you know what to do with.” Saffan folded his arms. “I’ve visited thirteen nations already and I still have over a hundred that have sent me visitation invitations.”
A scoff escaped my throat. “Yeah, that’s us for you. Needlessly overcomplicated.”
I took a step forward and placed a hand on a brilliant blue arm. “And these! When did you get these?” Saffan practically beamed at my inquiry.
“Elizabeth and Garth actually helped design them! They’re exceptionally lightweight compared to my last pair and they can fold to not hinder flight.” As he said this, the two artificial limbs pressed up against his body as he fully folded his wings in a similar manner. With both arms and wings folded, he would have looked like a great horned owl if not for the obvious discrepancies of his size, his horned head and the swirling patterns that covered his wings.
“That’s enough about me though, how have you been? What have you been up to?”
“Ah, not much,” I said, rubbing the back of my head. “Paid the family a visit a week back for the first time since the Challenger. For the most part though, I've been training on the battle sims these last few weeks. If I’m to be an admiral, may as well try to play the part.” Saffan slowly nodded. I got the feeling that he too sensed the approaching storm.
“This family of yours, I’d love to meet them some time.”
“Oh, I’m sure they’d love to meet you I…”
“Attention!” The stern sound cut me off. The rippling chorus of speech died down almost immediately as the call demanded our undivided focus. I could’ve recognized that voice anywhere.
“Thank you for joining me, my friends.”
“You’re a smart bunch of people, so I’m sure you’ve gotten the sense for what’s been going on by now.” Redd took a deep sigh and looked around the room at the entirety of the UEN navy’s command structure.
“Ever since the Khimroxians arrived, we’ve been faced with a choice—a choice that must not be taken lightly.” The captain turned our way and gave Saffan a nod.
“When the brave souls aboard the Ignis saved the crew of the Challenger, they showed the true character of their people. They were faced with hard decisions—for our people and theirs—but they chose to push forward and in so doing, saved not only the lives of those aboard the Challenger, but all of Earth from falling subject to their lords. After due deliberation with the council-members of the United Earthen Nations, we have decided to follow in the footsteps of our friends and take such a risk.”
“As of right now, we are at war with the Alliance of the Aurum Arm.” The room fell into deafening silence.
“Each member-state of the UEN will alert their people in due time, but for the moment, not a single word heard within this meeting must be uttered outside of this room.”
Admiral Sturm, the very man who had been my commander not all that long ago, spoke up. “With all due respect, Director, we don’t have the means to wage such a conflict.”
“That's why we’ll create the means. For once, I’m glad to say something good came out of the Kuiper War.” This derived a few nervous laughs from the audience. “With the production facilities appropriated from the Aedavis Corporation, and a few adjustments, we have the potential to create the most powerful fleet of human-made ships to ever enter space.”
“Unfortunately however, we do not have the means to reproduce the white hole drives utilized by the Aurum vessels, or even the dark matter used to stabilize the damned things.”
“Saffan, this is where you and your people will come in. If we are to stand a chance of waging war on such a scale, we will need intelligence and lots of it.”
“As difficult as it may be, we need information; without it, we’re dead in the vacuum of space. We will need volunteers to go behind enemy lines and retrieve plans, schematics, layouts, anything that we can get a hold of that may provide us an advantage both strategically and technologically. Would your people be willing to go to such lengths?”
All eyes in the room turned to the ambassador-captain. “I—I don’t know. I will consult with them, but do I have your permission to speak freely about what you have told me?”
The aging man rubbed his orange-brown beard. “Yes. Yes that would probably be for the best wouldn’t it. Very well, just do your best not to allow it to reach other ears.”
“Yes sir.”
“As for the rest of you, allow me to detail the plan we have so far.”
“Though most of the security council members are not tacticians, they have agreed to the plan that I and a few of my most trusted consultants have prepared. Right now, the nearest sector with a habitable planet is known as Mortamis. This was the last jump point for the Ignis before it intercepted our distress signal. The tentative plan is to begin our expansion across their territory with the capture of this world to act as the staging grounds of our forces. However, until we receive more information regarding the exact layout of their defenses, we cannot commit to such an invasion.”
“From there, we will split up the UEN fleets into separate groups across the Orion arm and take out these tyrants by bleeding them of their most precious resource. Scions. Every world we take is an addition to our numbers, our production capacity, and our ability to fight.”
“Our end-goal is to capture the planet-capital of the alliance, Petris, and demand liberation of all species under control of the Aurum Alliance.“
“We do have a few major concerns however. According to the information provided to us by the Khimrox, a majority of Aurum vessels contain some form of scionic crew complement. Under no circumstances unless express consent is given by the command admiral of the fleet are we to attack a vessel with the intent of destroying it. We must first weaken and disable the ship’s defensive systems before boarding and liberating the captives.”
“I know that this flies in the face of all conventional battle tactics, but this is no conventional enemy that we’re fighting here. If we do not adapt, we will fail and all of humanity will be forced into scionship.”
“Keep in mind, this is a very brief version of our prepared plan. Each and every aspect of it is subject to change. We will discuss this in further detail later, but for now, that is all. Any further questions?” Once again, silence. “Very well then. This council session is now adjourned.”
Other than the shuffling of feet exiting, all was silent. We had known it was coming, but to hear it confirmed…
“Marcus.” The director approached, placing a heavy hand on my shoulder. “Go ahead and join Ambassador Aeax, why don’t you? Might help some of those Khimrox to see a human face that they’re familiar with.”
With a snappy salute, I responded with, “Yes sir.” His words were certainly a surprise, but a chance to join the Khimrox that had saved us was not one I would pass up easily. He may as well have just given me a week of leave considering the excitement that bubbled up within me.
Together, I and Saffan made our way to a nearby shuttle bay headed directly to the Khimroxian colony. Surprisingly, I hadn’t yet paid a visit to the settlement placed within the province of Hunan, but I had seen some images on several media platforms.
The trip was a quick one. Our transport plunged into the atmosphere, kicking up flames all around the outside of the cabin. Soon enough though, the flames of our descent died out and were replaced by the darkness of night.
Even with the slight turbulence, Saffan seemed deep in thought as his eyes stared at nothing in particular.
“Hey, you good?”
That seemed to snap him out of it. “Wha—oh yes, sorry.” A look of focus still remained on his face. For a moment, he continued in his silence before posing a question. “What if my people decide not to volunteer? This entire plan could fall through in an instant.”
“You don’t give your people enough credit, my feathered friend.” Saffan gave me a narrow-eyed look before letting out a cluck of a chuckle. “Redd was right in what he said. I’m sure your people will make the best choice for all of us.”
“For both our sakes, I can only hope that you’re right.”
Our Harpy gently sailed over mountains and treetops, slowly sinking to a stop within a secluded area of trees that were foreign to me.
Only I and Saffan left from the Harpy’s bay and stepped off onto the tarmac. Behind us, the cargo-door closed with a hiss. As we stepped out from underneath our cover, light droplets of water pattered against my skin.
Seconds later, the Harpy’s thrusters kicked in and the ship took flight. The heavy hum and glow of burning hydrogen accompanied the bird as it flew away. In mere moments, it was gone, though the distant boom of it breaking the sound barrier was audible enough.
Looking around, I saw a few of my fellow men and women unloading supplies from a parked Harpy onto a militarily designed transport truck. Dimly lit orange lamps shone down and around us, illuminating nearby hangar bays with their closed doors and rounded ceilings of corrugated metal.
“Let’s get going. I’m sure you don’t want to stay in the rain long.” The rain was enough to notice, but it wasn’t unpleasant. I gave a brief nod and we set off on the nearby road.
Though clouds of rain covered us, the light of the moon joined us as we walked to the village. The setup looked pretty standard from what I knew of modular UEN architecture. It was clear however that great care had been put into its construction. The rain kept most of the residents indoors for the time being, but through the windows of nearby buildings, I saw the illuminated interiors of cozy hostels where families and friends gathered together.
We passed another Khimrox while wading through the rain—one who held its head and horns high, walking with a cheery gait despite the gloomy weather. Compared to the stale and oppressive atmosphere aboard the Ignis, the settlement brimmed with life, even amidst the darkness of both night and storms.
Saffan led me forward to a quaint home with a metal awning that covered the railed porch. We walked up the steps and Saffan rapped on the door with his cobalt colored knuckles.
I hoped for Nia’s sake that her time away from the military had treated her well. Lord knows she deserved some respite. The door opened and Nia's face peeked out to greet us. “Saffan! Marcus! What are you two doing here?”
Saffan answered as I silently sat by. “Oh we were just passing through. Thought it might be a good idea to stop and pay you a visit.”
“Well don’t make yourself strangers. Come on in!” Saffan sat behind as I walked forward and gave his whole body a shake. Droplets flew from his body and slid off his slick feathers.
The home was a simple one, consisting of a main living room joined together with a kitchen. In the back of the home was a short hall leading to a middle door that stood between a pair of two others. In the living room, perched Tokieran, the same physician who had plunged into my mind to extract our language.
Immediately, he rose from where he rested and turned to face Saffan, “Captain!”
“Can’t be a captain without a ship, Toki.” The former captain waved away the words with a hand. “Saffan will do.”
“Oh. Uh, well, it's good to see you again, Saffan.”
“Likewise my friend. I’m certain you haven’t seen much of me considering your position during our time on the Ignis. It’s a shame we didn’t brush wings more often. You seem like a fine fellow.”
As the two avians got to talking, Nia gave me a light punch on the shoulder. “So, how’ve things been going for you admiral?” It was at this moment that I realized I was still in full military dress. Rather sheepishly, I pulled the hat from my head.
“Fine.” I muttered “You?”
A smile met her face. “Best I’ve felt since I enlisted.” She gave a look towards the two conversing Khimroxians. “It's still hard to believe any of this is real sometimes, ya know?”
I nodded. “Yeah. The Challenger, the Ignis, all of it. Feels like a dream now.”
Nia’s eyes stayed upon the owl-folk. “One of those dreams you don’t really want to wake up from.”
I gave a grunt of agreement. “I only wish all of the Khimroxians could share it with us.” This turned her towards me. Her smile curved down somewhat and she gave a slight nod.
What the hell. She’s going to learn it soon enough anyways. Rubbing the rim of my hat, I spoke softly. “Maybe soon, that will be possible.”
“What?”
“The council’s declared war.”
Her eyes snapped to mine, the smile fully gone. The room fell silent. I hadn’t hoped the others would hear me, but those Khimrox had an impeccable sense of hearing. I shouldn’t have expected any less from them.
All eyes turned to me. “The Aurum Alliance is a threat to humanity, the Khimrox, and all of the other scions that we haven’t even met yet. I think we both know this was inevitable”
“No, I get it, it's just… Wow.” The woman ran a hand through her black, tied-back hair as she heaved a sigh.
This facade dropped almost immediately and Nia’s mouth turned into a wonderfully devilish grin. After a few light chuckles, she said, “Better late than never I suppose. Those spineless sons-of-alien-bitches’ll never know what hit ‘em!”
The expressions on the faces of both Saffan and Tokieran showed no less resolve. Even the formerly jumpy physician proudly displayed a newfound sense of will. “The triumvirate operates under the expectation that we won’t fight back,” said Toki. “They see us as little more than animals and It's time we took full advantage of that fact.”
“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” remarked Saffan.
If these willing warriors were in any way representative of the entire Human-Khimroxian collective, the battle against these golden tyrants would be over before we knew it.
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