I'll be arriving at 3 am and it seems AVIS will be closed then. Do you know if I can still pick my rental?

Hi all. Excuse the rookie post, as when it comes to this subject I'm an absolute rookie...
Just purchased from eBay a modded Yamaha Pacifica 611HFM. I spent £400 inc. shipping.
The guitar has a few little knocks but looks (and seems to play/sound) fantastic. We're really enjoying it. The seller description inc. mods is as follows:
" Yamaha Pacifica 611HFM in Root beer finish, it’s like a hard tail strat, but more bang for your buck compared to a fender. When I got it the previous owner had put in an iron gear dirty torque humbucker in and swapped the locking tuners for some generic ones, I’ve put locking tuners back on, changed the humbucker to a tone rider rock song as I fancied something different (P90 is the original), and upgraded the rest of the electrics with CTS pots and a CRL 3 way selector, as well as a pure tone Jack and set it up with 10s (d’addario XTs)
It’s an incredibly versatile guitar with a push pull to split the humbucker to single coil, both pickups sound awesome and it’s a really well built guitar which plays so nicely. I can throw in the other pick up for a little bit extra if wanted. "
For the guitar and modifications, does it sound like I've gotten a decent deal? Are there any further possible modifications or things to check that I should be considering?
Many thanks :)

Hey people,
I'm Zag (29, he/they, bi) and just looking for some new friends to play stuff with on Steam. I'm trying to get out of some of my introvert habits, so I thought I'd try it asking around here. For the games that I often play there are: Vermintide 2, Total Warhammer 3, Northgard, V Rising, Divinity: OS2, Valheim, etc.
I'm in Europe, so on MET, if that helps and also willing to pick some new games up. Most mulitplayer games have been kinda intimidating without people to play them with

By default, the game's comparison feature only highlights in green/red the item's most basic stats: damage for weapons, armor for... armor. It does not highlight other important features that may lead to the gear actually being worse despite having a higher base stat.
For example:
Sword A has 100 base damage, and a secondary stat that provides +15% more damage to core skills.
Sword B has 105 base damage, but nothing special in regards to its secondary stats.
If you go by a glance, you'll probably pick sword B because it highlights in green that it's a +5 damage boost. What it doesn't highlight is that you've lost that 15% bonus damage to core skills, which are very important for dealing damage.
By default, detailed item comparisons are toggled off. I toggled it on when I first started, thought it was too much info, and turned it back off, only to realize once I started getting good perks that those comparisons absolutely matter. It's a lot of info to parse through, and there's no quick-comparison feature like Diablo 3, but it's important for determining which gear is truly better.
Also keep in mind that it does have some quirks though. I had one piece of gear with 13% overpower damage, and one with 18% overpower damage, but when I compared them, it said that i would lose 13% overpower damage. If you just glance at the "Properties lost when equipped" panel, you might miss important info.
Seems comparing items is going to be a lot more tedious and in-depth than Diablo 3, but given that this game seems harder than D3, it's an important thing to start doing.

We start the night after SummerSlam. Seth Rollins is still the World Heavyweight Champion after successfully defending his title against Finn Balor. On the Raw after SummerSlam, Rollins is jumped in the ring when Drew McIntyre's music hits and he makes his big return. He clears the ring and sends the heels running. He comes face to face with Rollins and the two have a respectful face off.
The next week, McIntyre is confronted by The Judgement Day, Balor challenges McIntyre to a match between the two of them, and the match is made official and is also a number one contenders match where the winner will get a title shot against Seth Rollins. Later that night in the main event, McIntyre and Balor have their match. There's attempted run ins by Dominic and Priest who both eat a double Claymore, McIntyre goes for the Claymore on Balor when Ripley distracts from the apron, Balor hits the shot gun drop kick into the corner and goes for the Coup De Grace, McIntyre rolls out of the way and then hits a Claymore for the 1-2-3. Immediately after the match, Judgement Day try to attack McIntyre when Rollins runs out and clears the ring with a chair, he's swinging wildly and ends up accidentally blasting McIntyre as well. The show closes with Seth looking at McIntyre with a sort of apologetic look while McIntyre is seething.
The next week on Raw it's announced that Seth Rollins vs Drew McIntyre will take place at Clash At The Castle 2 in Cardiff Wales on September 2nd, Rollins kicks off the show and calls for McIntyre to come out and explain himself. McIntyre comes out and immediately the two go face to face and are yelling back and forth off mic at each other, McIntyre lifts the mic to speak and instead just drills Seth with a Glasgow Kiss and stands over him as Seth lays unconscious.
We get to Clash At The Castle and the main event is the match for the World Heavyweight Championship, Seth Rollins vs Drew McIntyre. The match starts off fast paced with Seth dumping Drew outside to the floor, he then follows it up with a suicide dive driving Drew into the table, Seth then rolls back in the ring and hits another suicide dive again driving Drew into the table. Seth rolls back into the ring and goes for a third suicide dive but is instead caught by Drew and Belly to Belly suplexed across the announce table. Drew throws Seth back into the ring and goes for The Claymore but Seth counters it into a roll up for a close two count, the men pop up and Seth goes for the Pedigree but Drew powers him up onto his shoulders and hits Seth with a White Noise for a close 2 count. Drew begins to slap at Seth who's staggering to his feet, Seth then fires back with a forearm strike which angers Drew who goes for a clothesline, Seth ducks it and goes for a rip cord knee but Drew shoves him away, Drew goes for the Claymore but Seth avoids it and Drew accidentally blasts the ref.
Ref is down, and Drew is shocked, he turns around into a super kick from Seth, another one, and then a Stomp. Seth goes for the cover but the ref is still out, Seth goes over to the ref and is trying to pick him up when he turns around and is blasted with a Glasgow Kiss. Drew looks around and realizes the referee is down and slides out of the ring and grabs a steel chair, he looks around at the crowd and gets back in the ring and stands in the corner holding the chair. He again looks around the arena at the crowd with a look of conflicting and sadness before he takes a deep breath and has a killer look in his eyes, he steps forward and blasts Seth with the chair. He then just beats the ever loving hell out of Seth with the chair, just laying into him over and over again with the chair as it breaks into multiple pieces. Drew throws the chair out of the ring as the ref starts to stagger to his feet. Drew gets in the corner does the countdown and drills Seth with the Claymore and pins him 1, 2, 3.
Drew takes the title and celebrates as medical officials check on Seth.
The next week on Raw, it's announced that Seth will not be on Raw as he's still recovering from his injuries, but the new Champion is here tonight and he's going to come to the ring to celebrate and explain. Later that night the ring is set up with a table with champagne, Scottish memorabilia, man playing the bag pipes, and then Drew comes out and pretends to be the valiant warrior babyface champion before nailing the bag pipe player with a Glasgow Kiss. He then starts to clear the ring of all the nice celebratory items before grabbing a microphone. He says that ever since Clash he's just been asked "Why Drew, why?" And he says it's very simple, 1 year ago he was screwed over in front of his hometown crowd and had the glory stolen out of his hands and this year he was willing to do anything to prevent that from happening again.
The next week during an interview McIntyre is jumped by the returning Rollins and the two have a brutal brawl ending with McIntyre power bombing Seth through the announce table. The rematch is then set for Extreme Rules in a last man standing match.
Drew is able to win the brutal battle after he Claymores Seth head against the ring post and keeps him down for 10. Drew then goes on to have a monster heel run Champion before dropping the title at WrestleMania to either Rollins, or maybe a well built tweener Gunther.

Preface

Presented below is a transcript of a conversation between a human, redditor u/snodeplannen, and ChatGPT 4. The user is the narrator for a story set in the Star Trek Universe. The AI is instructed to respond as a character. The story below, which admittedly isn't very good, was guided by the narrator. Of particular interest is the fact that the AI seems fully versed in the Star Trek Universe and is able to understand subtle hints in the narrator's story to figure out what it should do next.
Please note the narrator was typing and writing off the cuff and is not a native speaker, so in the user sections you will find mistakes. If ChatGPT can see through them, so can you. I did try to get ChatGPT to collate it, but as it did so it kept rewriting and leaving out parts of the story.
June 3rd, 2023.
User Okay, I want to try a role playing game. This went off the rails last time, as you kept taking over as narrator and rushing to the end. Here's the setup: YOU are a young Starfleet officer. You wake up aboard the USS Defiant, all alone. You have to figure out what happened. I am the Defiant's computer and, and I can't stress this enough, the narrator. Not you. You can only add what your character perceives and says. Okay?
ChatGPT Understood. I'll stick to my role as the character and won't intrude into your role as the narrator. Let's go.
I blink my eyes open, the disorientation hitting me first. I glance around, seeing the familiar confines of my quarters aboard the Defiant, but there's an odd stillness. No hum of the engines, no faint chatter from the comm system, no sounds of activity from outside the door.
"Computer," I call out, pushing myself off the bed, "report."
User 'All systems nominal.'
ChatGPT I frown at the seemingly normal report, my instincts telling me otherwise. "Computer, where is the rest of the crew?" I ask, moving towards the door of my quarters.
User 'The crew is in sleeping quarters alpha 1.'
ChatGPT That's strange. The whole crew couldn't be in one place. Unease creeps in.
"Computer, why is the entire crew in alpha 1?" I say, already heading towards the door to investigate.
User 'The crew is ensign Makov. You are in sleeping quarters alpha 1.'
ChatGPT A cold realization washes over me. Alone. I am alone on the Defiant. Panic threatens to take over, but Starfleet training kicks in.
"Computer, initiate shipwide life signs scan. Report any signs of life apart from myself," I command, heading for the door with a newfound urgency.
User 'Scan complete. No other life forms were detected.'
ChatGPT My heart sinks at the computer's report, but I maintain composure. "Computer, pull up the ship's log. What was the last command issued and by whom?" I order, leaving my quarters and heading towards the main bridge.
User 'The last order was issued 6 hours and twelve minutes ago by Captain Sisko. It was: 'Raise shields'. The order was executed.'
ChatGPT That didn't sound promising. I walk into the eerily quiet bridge, my steps the only sound echoing in the room. "Computer, show me the shield status and surrounding space conditions," I command, moving towards the main console.
User 'Shields are down after a time-out was reached. We are stationary. All systems nominal.'
ChatGPT It doesn't add up. The silence. The emptiness. An order to raise shields with no subsequent actions.
"Computer, access Captain Sisko's personal log from last night. Are there any entries?" I ask, nervously tapping my fingers against the console.
User 'Enter your command authorisation.'
ChatGPT "Authorisation Ensign Makov Delta 9-7-3," I respond, my voice steady despite the swirling uncertainty.
User 'This authorisation is not sufficient to see the captain's log.'
ChatGPT Frustrated but understanding the protocol, I move on to the next line of inquiry. "Computer, any signs of combat or intrusion aboard the ship or in the surrounding space?" I ask, eyes darting over the array of screens in front of me.
User 'Negative.'
ChatGPT "Computer, could there have been any non-combat related incidents that would explain the disappearance of the crew? A temporal anomaly, a transporter malfunction, a radiation burst?" I question, the possible scenarios running through my mind.
User 'Transporters have passed a level one diagnostic. We are in sync with Starfleet's time keeping array. No unusual radiation was detected inside or outside the vessel.'
ChatGPT This was baffling. It's as if they simply vanished. I run a hand through my hair, letting out a sigh.
"Computer, were there any incoming or outgoing communications just before, during, or after the shields were raised?" I ask, hoping for any clue as to what might have happened.
User 'There was one outgoing message, from comms. It was: 'Unidentified vessel, please alter course NOW.'
ChatGPT A lead, at last. "Computer, play back any responses to that message. Also, display the sensor logs from that time period," I ask, settling into the operations station, ready to review any incoming data.
User No reply was received. Logs are not available from that moment onwards.'
ChatGPT The lack of data was both suspicious and frustrating. A sigh escapes my lips.
"Computer, could a cloaked ship have been in our vicinity at the time?" I question, holding onto the hope that I'm not utterly alone in space.
User 'Affirmative. We are within range of several species that posses cloaking technology and in a commonly used interstellar route.'
ChatGPT A spark of hope arises. "Computer, is there a way to detect a cloaked ship nearby? Any energy signatures or radiation anomalies that could suggest its presence?" I ask, quickly working on the console to bring up the sensor array controls.
User 'One possible way to detect cloaked vessels is to emit a tetryon burst from main engineering. The range for this method is limited. Starfleet at present has no other ways of finding cloaked vessels, other than firing random phaser bank shots. This is not recommended in public shipping lanes.'
ChatGPT "I see," I nod, considering the risks and rewards of the tetryon burst. "Alright, computer, prepare to emit a tetryon burst. We need to know if there's someone out there."
This was a big decision, but it was time to be proactive. The uncertainty was more threatening than potential consequences at this point.
User 'Working.'
ChatGPT I anxiously wait, scanning the console for any potential feedback. My heart pounds in my chest, the silence of the ship amplifying the tension. "Computer, report on the results of the tetryon burst."
User The ship shudders as the engines do something no sane Starfleet engineer would want to have happen. The viewscreen shimmers as a wave of tetryon particles eminates from the ship, as if a stone was dropped in a pond. You observe a faint ribbon leading away from the vessel.'
ChatGPT I catch my breath at the sight, focusing on the faint ribbon. It could mean something, or it could mean nothing. "Computer, analyze the ribbon. Can you determine its origin and endpoint?" I ask, my gaze fixed on the screen.
User 'Extrapolating. Continuing along the trajectory of the ribbon I can detected a minor meteor, a large asteroid field with mining facilities and beyond that the Vindaluvian home world.'
ChatGPT I drum my fingers on the console, processing the information. Could the crew have been taken to one of these locations?
"Computer, can you scan the asteroid field for any signs of life, especially any that matches the crew of the Defiant?" I ask, keeping a close eye on the displayed trajectory.
User 'Not from this range.'
ChatGPT "Understood," I nod, a new sense of determination coursing through me. "Computer, plot a course to the asteroid field. We'll continue our investigation there. Engage at warp 3."
I take one last look around the empty bridge, steeling myself for what may lie ahead.
User The ship begins to move forward, as carefully as only a Starfleet computer who takes no particular joy in flying might do. At warp three, the estimated journey time is six hours, seven minutes.
ChatGPT I let out a long sigh, sinking into the captain's chair. It's a long wait, but I need to be patient. "Computer, maintain course and speed. Alert me if there are any anomalies or approaching vessels."
I close my eyes, trying to get some rest before reaching the asteroid field. I'll need all the energy I can muster for what's to come.
User 'Incoming message.'
ChatGPT My eyes snap open at the sudden announcement. "Computer, on screen," I command, standing up from the chair, my heart pounding with anticipation.
User The Starfleet logo appears as the computer deals with a cryptographic protocol. Admiral Benson, not your most beloved Starfleet Admiral, appears on screen. He blinks.
ChatGPT I straighten up, offering a crisp salute to the admiral on screen. "Admiral Benson, this is Ensign Makov aboard the USS Defiant. I wasn't expecting any communications." I keep my voice steady, swallowing the trepidation.
User 'Makov, are you the only one on the bridge? Where's Ben?'
ChatGPT "Admiral," I pause, trying to find the right words. "Captain Sisko...and the rest of the crew...they're missing. I woke up to find the ship empty. I've been trying to find out what happened." I report, my expression earnest.
User 'Sorry, you WOKE UP? And the rest was gone?!'
ChatGPT "Yes, Admiral," I confirm, my voice firm despite the absurdity of the situation. "I woke up alone on the Defiant. All life signs scans have only picked up me on the ship. I'm currently en route to an asteroid field that might have some connection to the crew's disappearance."
User The Admiral connects to the ship's computer. You can see him browsing through the logs and the ship's manifest. 'So Sisko, O'Brien, Worf AND Major Kira have just... disappeared? There isn't even a transporter log!'
ChatGPT "That's correct, Admiral," I reply, a bit of helplessness creeping into my voice. "There's no trace of them, no sign of a struggle, no transporter logs. It's like they just vanished. I've been doing everything I can to figure out what happened."
User "Well, then I guess you're up. Proceed with caution. Mining operations are always looking for free labourers, try not to become one. Backup is on its way. Any questions?"
ChatGPT "Yes, Admiral. I'll proceed with caution," I respond, a mix of relief and worry washing over me. "Do you have any additional information or suggestions on how to proceed? And do we have an ETA on the backup?"
User "Backup is half a day out. These facilities tend to have a 'new arrivals' wing, to beat them into submission. So you're looking for holding cells. Benson out."
ChatGPT "Understood, Admiral. I'll focus on locating the holding cells. Makov out." I offer a final salute before the communication ends.
With new orders and a bit of hope, I turn back to the helm. "Computer, continue course to the asteroid field. Prepare for a detailed scan upon arrival."
The waiting game begins again, but this time, there's a glimmer of hope.
User Three hours later the computer chimes. 'We are approaching visual range of the mining facility.'
ChatGPT "Thank you, computer," I reply, pulling myself up from the brief rest. "On screen, please."
As the mining facility comes into view, I take a deep breath. "Computer, initiate a detailed scan of the facility. I'm particularly interested in any holding cells or signs of our crew."
User 'Working.' The asteroid field isn't particularly thick or large, but the mining operation seems to focus on one of the largest asteroids. Domes dot the surface as small transporters mill about the surface. Air scrubbers indicate they're using a lot of oxygen, so it's likely they're also doing subsurface work. Three large scowls are received loads from steady stream transporter beams. Somehow everything here looks dirty. A Starfleet shuttle would look out of place here, but only to someone who is watching.
ChatGPT Taking note of the bustling activity, I try to formulate a plan. "Computer, do we have any non-Starfleet shuttles aboard? Something that might blend in better with the local traffic?" I ask, scanning the asteroid for any possible entry points.
User 'Negative. Extravehicular repairs can only be conducted by wearing an EV-suit.'
ChatGPT Nodding to myself, I try to figure out a different approach. "Computer, can we go unnoticed if we approach using minimal power, almost drifting like a piece of space debris?" I question, hoping for a stealthy way to get closer.
User 'Affirmative. Admiral Benson has just authorised the use of the Tactical Emergency System.'
ChatGPT "Excellent," I reply, feeling a surge of hope. "Computer, engage the Tactical Emergency System. We'll approach the facility under its cover."
With that, I brace myself for the next phase of this mission. The crew was relying on me, and I wasn't about to let them down.
User The viewscreen displays a Starfleet Officer without any kind of rank, but dressed in Command Red. He's in his mid-fourties and bald. "I'm the T.E.S. Need any assistance?"
ChatGPT A bit taken aback by the sudden appearance, I quickly gather myself. "Yes, I could use some assistance. I'm Ensign Makov, and I need to approach that mining facility stealthily. Can you help with that?" I ask, gesturing towards the viewscreen showing the asteroid field and the facility.
User "Mining facility? We'll stand out like a sore thumb. How many hours have you logged in a space suit?"
ChatGPT "Over two hundred hours," I answer promptly, "I'm comfortable with EV activities. Why do you ask?" I wonder if he's suggesting a more direct approach.
User "If you can get to one of those scrubber exhausts, I'm sure that's a way into to facility. There seems to be a cell block near the surface. I have no idea who is there, but whoever it is will probably welcome a couple of phasers and like you a whole lot. So pack a backpack full of them and get to the airlock. I'll bring us as close as possible and give you a push with the tractor beam. You up for that?"
ChatGPT I swallow the lump in my throat, apprehension giving way to resolve. "I'm up for it. Let's do this." With a determined nod, I leave the bridge to prepare for the EVA mission. This is my chance to potentially find the crew, and I'm not going to let it slip away.
User Suiting up and gathering all the handheld phasers aboard takes ten minutes, during which the T.E.S. gingerly brings the ship close to the mining facility whilst hiding behind the vast ore scowls. You open the hatch and find your self clinging on to the ship's hull.
ChatGPT I take a moment to steady my breathing, the vast expanse of space spread out before me. Gripping the phasers tightly, I brace myself for the push. "I'm ready when you are, T.E.S." I call out over the comm, my voice resolute.
User 'Okay, I'll hook on to you and give you a push. I'd suggest going in feet first, but it's up to you. Do you know what you're looking for? Those five big stacks. One of them, near that plume of smoke, seems to be offline for whatever reason. That might be your best bet.'
ChatGPT "Understood, T.E.S. I see the stacks. I'll aim for the one that's offline," I reply, aligning myself for the trajectory. I take one last deep breath, mentally preparing myself for the task ahead. "Alright...I'm ready. Let's do this."
User 'Good luck, Ensign. I'll brief any backup as soon as it gets here.' As the tractor beam finds you, you can't move a muscle. Relying on the T.ES. you just let go. It's as if a giant hand slowly throws you down a bowling lane. Feet first, you head towards the grouping of exhausts. A small, unmanned maintenance shuttle deftly gets out of your way.
ChatGPT As I float through space, I keep my focus on the target. The feeling of being pushed by an unseen force is disconcerting, but I trust the T.E.S. Every moment is crucial, and there's no room for hesitation.
As I approach the offline stack, I get ready to activate the thrusters on my suit to adjust my course if needed. I also keep an eye out for any other unexpected obstacles or threats.
User You land next to the exhaust, on the asteroid's surface. It seems impossibly high from here, but it's made of metal and your soles and gloves can easily attach to it. The only way is up. Fortunately, there's hardly any gravity. Eventually you find yourself standing on the rim of the exhaust and look down into the vast, dark chute.
ChatGPT I take a moment to look down into the dark chute, the unknown stretching out before me. I reach out to activate the flashlight on my suit, the beam of light piercing through the darkness. "I'm in position, T.E.S." I inform the ship's system, before carefully beginning my descent into the exhaust chute.
User The vast amounts of ore block your signal, even out here. There's no answer. You start the descend and pass two large rotor blades. If those weren't stationary, this would be the end of the line. But luck is on your side so far and eventually you see an access hatch when you're well below the surface. It opens easily. Let's hope it's not also an airlock for whoever is inside.
ChatGPT I hold my breath as I pull open the hatch, hoping against hope that the air on the other side is breathable. If not, I'm confident in the integrity of my suit, but I'd rather not test its limits if I don't have to. As I make my way through the hatch, I scan the area for any immediate threats, ready to defend myself if necessary.
User The scanner indicates low air pressure. Which is better than no pressure. You cross a walkway and find an actual airlock. It is unsecured, because whoever ends up here probably doesn't want to mess about with frozen keypads or mounds of dust. You engage the mechanism and soon feel the familiar sensation of artificial gravity and air pressure. It's not exactly breathable, but a tear in your suit won't kill you. Now to find the holding area. And if at all possible a rebreather, so you can ditch the suit.
ChatGPT Acknowledging the state of the air, I carefully move through the corridor, keeping my senses alert. I'm in unknown territory and every step matters. "Computer," I say into my suit's comm, "can you map the structure of this facility? Locate holding cells or life signs?"
As I move further into the facility, I keep an eye out for any equipment or gear that might prove useful, especially a rebreather. The less I stick out, the better.
User The relatively weak processor in your tricoder strains to get a bearing on this place. A dirty, seemingly abandoned tunnel dripping with condensation lies ahead. At the end there's an exit, which won't open. Time to use one of those phasers in your backpack.
ChatGPT I pull out a phaser from my backpack, checking its settings before aiming at the sealed exit. With a steady hand, I fire a low power burst at the door, hoping to cut through the obstruction without causing too much damage or noise.
User One hinge cracks under the weight of the door, now that the other one is cut through. You jump aside as the door seems to fall flat, but it remains attached to the frame. The resulting opening is just about large enough to crawl through. Now you're in a well-lit corridor with several doors. In a Starfleet EV suit.
ChatGPT Understanding the need for stealth, I decide to move as quickly as possible through the corridor. I approach the nearest door, aiming my tricoder to scan for life signs or any clue to the crew's location. My other hand remains on my phaser, ready for any immediate threats.
User One door has markings on it that you can't read. You scan it with your tricorder. 'Room of lockboxes' it says, extrapolating the characters. A room of lockboxes? Would that be a locker room?
ChatGPT "A locker room..." I murmur, piecing together the possible meaning. A locker room could mean personnel... and where there's personnel, there might be the equipment I need.
With careful steps, I approach the door to the locker room, hoping to find a rebreather or something else that could help me blend in.
User The room is deserted. It's filled with equipment, none of which seems less than a decade old but certainly useable. There is also a rack of dirty, brown overalls and a line of boots in various sizes. A dispenser offers rebreathers. There's only one left, but that's enough. The air is clear, but smells sulphuric. Without the rebreather, you wouldn't last long.
ChatGPT Relief washes over me as I find the rebreather. I quickly grab it and replace my helmet with it, testing the fit and functionality. The sulphuric smell is jarring, but it's a small price to pay for blending in.
I quickly change into the brown overalls, stowing my suit carefully in an unoccupied locker. I grab a pair of boots that match my size and put them on.
Looking at myself, I hope that I blend in well enough to not attract attention. With a deep breath, I step out of the locker room and proceed down the corridor, continuing my search for the crew.
User Footsteps sound behind you, of more than a few people. Your first instinct is to hide, but it would look very suspicous and there really isn't anywhere. However, there is a floorscrubber here, with one open panel. Someone has given up trying to repair it. Perhaps a bit of acting is in order. The footsteps are just around the corner. The language is vaguely familiar, a bastardised version of English. Whatever they're saying to each other, they're not sharing jokes, that much is clear.
ChatGPT
2 / 2
I quickly move towards the broken floorscrubber. Grabbing a nearby tool, I lean over the open panel, trying to look like I'm deeply engrossed in fixing it. I keep my ears alert to the conversation, trying to pick up on any valuable information while also readying myself for the possibility of having to interact with the approaching group.
User Let's continue with the narrative.
ChatGPT Sure, let's continue.
Glancing around the room once the miners have left, I check the lockers for anything useful, while keeping an ear out for any incoming footsteps. "Computer, any idea where the holding cells might be?" I ask quietly.
User Your tricorder beeps almost indignantly, as it has nowhere near enough processing power to even begin speculating. You're on your own until you can get to a comms terminal. The men pass behind you and one of you taps you on the shoulder. His face is blackened with ore dust. "No work. Never work again. That. Stop that." He points at the scrubber you were pretending to fix. You nod. He shakes his head and catches up with his workmates as they round a corner. Apparently you don't stand out here, which should make it easier to find the way. You follow the men, but they seem to be entering a washroom. Across it, there is a peeled off directory on the wall. A printed one.
ChatGPT "Finally, something useful," I mutter, quickly crossing the washroom to examine the directory. I look for any indications of holding cells or equivalent terminology that might hint at the location of the crew. The symbols and words are unfamiliar, so I take out the tricorder and try to use it as a translator.
User Cells being a fairly universal concept, the tricorder identifies a few scribbles with ease. If you understand the diagram correctly, you need to go up two levels and head towards the center of the structure. You double-check the presence of your backpack filled with phasers, snatch a helmet off of a shelf and press it on your head.
ChatGPT Drawing a deep breath through the rebreather, I nod to myself, mentally preparing for the upcoming challenge. "Alright, up two levels, towards the center... I can do this." I look around, searching for a way up. After locating what appears to be a ladder leading upwards, I begin my ascent.
User Two levels up you emerge from what seems to be a service hatch. A technician, dressed in torn clothes, looks somewhat surprised when you emerge. "Hello brother. Are the lifts broken?" he asks in Adari, a language you have some familiarity with. Only now do you see the horn protruding from his forehead. "I am trying to avoid someone," you say, with a knowing smile. He gives you a tired smile back. "What is your sector? I want a clean face all day too," he says.
ChatGPT "I work... the ore processors," I reply, making up a role on the spot that seems plausible, considering the location and dirty condition of most workers. "But I'd rather stay away from my boss today. He's been in a foul mood." I'm trying my best to blend in. "Can you point me to the center of the structure?" I ask, hoping the diversion worked.
User "Yeah, 'the structure'. Let's call it that. Sounds nicer than 'prison of the damned'. What do you want at the center, there's only central holding there. I never go near that place. All that wailing. Gives me the shakes," he mutters.
ChatGPT "Oh, I just... wanted to see a friend," I reply, trying to keep my tone light, while inwardly my heart sinks at his description. "Don't worry about it, I'll find my way. Thanks for the chat." I give him a quick nod before heading in the direction he had indicated earlier, hoping I'm making the right choice.
User He wasn't wrong about the wailing. As you follow the corridors, passing along scruffy workers and a couple of guards with face covering helmets who are leaning against a wall, you can hear a lot of yelling, moaning and above all the sound of defiant Klingon opera louder and louder. The voice sounds familiar, but all singing Klingons generally sound alike.
ChatGPT As I continue toward the source of the noise, I find myself in front of a heavily barred door. I can't help but suppress a smile, recognizing the defiant voice as that of Worf. "Computer," I whisper to my tricorder, "Is there a way to shut down the power to this door?"
User The tricorder scans the control panel and warbles optimistically. It then shows a graphic representation of the door, with an arrow pointing at one location and a low energy setting for a phaser.
ChatGPT Taking a moment to look around and confirm that no one is watching, I set my phaser to the recommended setting and aim at the indicated spot on the door. After taking a deep breath, I fire.
User Something inside the door clunks and it opens just enough for the seal to crack. You jam a fingernail behind it, then a finger and eventually you manage to gain enough purchase to open the door. As it slowly opens, you find yourself at the far end of a long row of cells. At the other end is a desk, with a guard sitting behind a monitor. He is staring at it intently. Perhaps the stun setting might be a good idea. You adjust the phaser and take careful aim, when an arm reached out from one of the dark cells and blocks the shot. "Uhm... he's got three buddies in there. You can't see them from here," whispers Captain Sisko.
ChatGPT "I figured you might be here, Captain," I say, lowering my phaser discreetly. "Any ideas for getting you and the rest out without causing a full-on alert?"
User "That depends. Did you bring any weapons?"
ChatGPT "I brought a backpack full of phasers. There should be enough to arm everyone here," I reply, carefully removing the backpack from my shoulder and showing the Captain.
User "Good man. Worf is next to me, then Major Kira. Let Worf take the lead on this. Worf! Help has arrived.' 'Good. I was getting bored with singing,' grumbled a familiar voice. His hand emerges from between the bars, demanding a phaser.
ChatGPT I hand the phaser to Worf, watching as his large hand swallows the device. I then pass phasers to Captain Sisko and Major Kira. With the three of them armed, the odds seem significantly better. Now, we just have to make sure the element of surprise isn't wasted.
User Fifteen seconds later, three guards sink to the floor. Although the phasers were set to stun, nobody seems particularly worried about their health. "Get their uniforms and lock them up," says Sisko. "We can walk out of here. Once we're at the shuttle docks, we can probably find something that flies." "Captain, there are three uniforms and four of us. And the others are housed on another level," says Worf.
ChatGPT "Right. I can stay behind and create a diversion while you three escape. I'll catch up," I offer. "The priority should be to get you three and as many of the others out as we can. We also need to alert Starfleet about this place. I'm sure they'd love to know about a mining facility that's been kidnapping officers."
User "That's a very daring plan, Ensign, but we leave no man behind. Kyra, you and Worf go and find the others and proceed to that place where they searched us. Anyone in uniform is a valid target. And anyone who wants to come along, can do so. The ensign and I will try to find a comms terminal and alert Starfleet. Ensign, I assume you're not alone here?"
ChatGPT "Admiral Benson is aware of the situation, sir. Backup is half a day out. Before we separated, I was under the control of the Tactical Emergency System," I report, glad to see that the Captain is taking charge of the situation.
User "Oh. I had my reservations about that system. Holographic doctors are one thing, but that went a bit too far for my tastes. Okay, phasers for everyone. Bring enough for the others. Ensign, with me."
ChatGPT "Understood, sir," I reply, distributing the remaining phasers to my colleagues and following Captain Sisko down the corridor. As we navigate through the mining facility, I stay alert for any guards or threats that may be in our way. I can feel a sense of hope and determination building up within me - we might actually make it out of here.
User "HALT!" bellows a voice behind us, immediately followed by a reddish phaser burst. The Captain turns on his heels, pushes you out of the way and fires. A guard falls to the floor. The phaser fire was detected by the security system. A klaxon starts blaring and the ceiling lights turn red. A voice starts giving unintelligible instructions over the tannoy. "We need to find a comms panel, Ensign. Any ideas?" asks Sisko, scanning the corridor for more guards. A frightened looking maintenance worker comes to see what's going on, but ducks out of the way as soon as he sees the pair of you.
ChatGPT "I remember seeing a room with a lot of terminals when I was making my way through the facility earlier, sir," I reply, my mind racing. "If memory serves, it's two corridors over, near the scrubber exhausts." I keep my phaser ready and move towards the direction of the room, all the while keeping an eye out for more guards.
User "That's the wrong way, Ensign. I imagine they have more than one place with comms terminals. You cover the rear. Follow me. Put your hand on my shoulder so you can look behind you all the time. If it wears a uniform, it's fair game."
ChatGPT "Yes, sir," I reply, placing my hand on the Captain's shoulder. I pivot and start to walk backwards, keeping my eyes and phaser focused on the path we've just traveled. The constant blaring of the klaxon mixes with the distant shouting and running steps of approaching guards. Despite the adrenaline rush, I manage to keep my aim steady and my breathing calm. The training exercises at the academy never truly prepare you for the real thing, but they do help in maintaining focus.
User You down three guards and accidentally scare the bejeezus out of a woman pushing a cleaning cart, but eventually Sisko stops. "Got it. Stand back while I blast this door." A few seconds later the corridor fills with acrid smoke from a melting door panel. Behind it is a room with several desks.
ChatGPT Entering the room cautiously, I scan the area with my phaser ready. Seeing no immediate threats, I turn my attention to the various panels and screens scattered throughout the space. The room is filled with a myriad of communication equipment - probably a central control hub for managing mining operations, worker communications, and security measures.
"Captain, I think this is it," I say, gesturing to a terminal that seems to be linked to an extensive communications network. "I should be able to send out a distress signal from here." I start to work on the terminal, trying to hack into the system and figure out how to send a message to Starfleet.
User "Try reaching the Defiant," suggest Sisko from the doorway. "OH NO YOU DON'T!" Another guard bites the dust somewhere. "Captain! WE ARE BEHIND HIM!" bellows Worf." "GOOD! Move along, we'll be there shortly. Ensign, how are you getting on?"
ChatGPT "I've managed to break through the initial security layers, Captain," I respond, my fingers moving rapidly over the terminal's interface. "It seems this system has been rigged to only accept authorized codes for communication."
Suddenly, a stroke of inspiration hits me. "Captain, when we first boarded the Defiant, I had to program my authorization codes into the ship's communication systems. If I can find a way to mimic those codes from this terminal... I might be able to trick the Defiant's systems into accepting the distress signal."
I double down on the task, focusing all my attention on reconstructing my authorization codes. As I do so, I keep an eye on the room's entryway, ready to react in case more guards show up.
User The terminal beeps and lights up. You don't understand any of the dials, but with any luck your tricorder can interface with it. Time to hail the Defiant.
ChatGPT "Defiant, this is Ensign," I say, praying the connection holds. "Requesting immediate assistance. The Captain and the crew are here, but we are currently under attack. Coordinates being transmitted now."
A static-filled silence follows. I glance at Sisko, an unspoken question in my gaze. Did it work? Did our message get through?
User "Ensign, this is the Defiant. I can't beam you out of there. Get to the shuttle dock, so that all that ore doesn't block the transporter lock. The USS Rotterdam is thirty minutes out."
ChatGPT "Understood, Defiant. We'll make our way to the shuttle dock. Be ready for us," I reply, exhaling a sigh of relief. I turn to Sisko, updating him with the situation. "Captain, we have to move. The Rotterdam is on its way but we need to get to the shuttle dock for transport."
User Worf's voice comes in through the Captain's commbadge, as it somehow manages to create a local connection. "Worf to Sisko. We have secured the shuttle dock. Mr. O'Brien is injured. Where are you?"
ChatGPT I quickly respond, "This is Ensign [Your Name]. Captain Sisko and I are en route to your position. We'll be there shortly. Hang in there, Chief." With that, I turn to Sisko and suggest, "We should move, Captain."
User "Ensign Markov and I are just behind you, Mr. Worf. Try not to pick us off as we approach. Oh and the Defiant is operating with that emergency command protocol, so it's ready to beam you up. Have Major Kira and the Chief go ahead, if possible. But hold the fort for us." "Understood, Captain. Worf out."
Five minutes and more shooting than is good for a man's digestion you reach the shuttle dock. You literally have to step over a pile of dead guards to get through the door. "Had fun, Mr. Worf? Does your phaser not come with a stun setting?" asks Sisko. "I recognized the men who took us, Sir. My finger must have slipped on the settings dial," growls Worf, looking you over to assess if you're likely to snitch. "It happens," said Sisko matter-of-factly. "Ensign, get us home."
ChatGPT Without any hesitation, I raise my commbadge and say, "Ensign Markov to Defiant. Four to beam up."
User (Okay, take it home. You're all aboard, O'Brien will live, you get a speech and a medal. Write out those events from Markov's perspective and finish off. I'll add something if you pause.)
ChatGPT As the familiar hum and sparkling light of the transporter envelops us, I take one last look at the chaotic scene we're leaving behind. My heart pounds in my chest, not from fear, but from the exhilaration of having faced danger and come out the other side. It's a rush I wasn't expecting.
When we rematerialize aboard the Defiant, a group of medics is waiting for us. They immediately rush to Chief O'Brien, but his smile and light-hearted joke assure me he'll be alright. As I step off the transporter pad, I let out a sigh of relief.
Later, back in my uniform and at a ceremony in the Defiant's Mess Hall, Captain Sisko delivers a speech. He talks about bravery, about loyalty, about the strength of Starfleet and the spirit of those who serve. He doesn't dwell on the danger we faced, but rather the courage it took to face it.
When he calls me up, handing me a medal for bravery under fire, I can't help but feel a swell of pride. The applauding faces of my crewmates, the recognition in their eyes... it's a moment I will never forget. This is why I joined Starfleet, for moments like this. To be part of something greater, to face adversity and stand tall.
"Ensign Markov," Sisko says, offering a handshake along with the medal, "Your courage and quick thinking played a crucial role in our escape. Starfleet is proud to have you among its ranks."
As I return to my quarters that night, medal in hand, I find myself smiling. Yes, today was difficult, even frightening at times. But it was also invigorating, and more than that, it was important. It's a reminder of why I'm here, of why we're all here. To explore, to protect, to boldly go...
And I wouldn't have it any other way.

This incident happened in august of 2022.
I'm currently 20(F) with autism and I live with relatives on my moms side as of now. I previously lived with my dad and stepfamily before going to college and then suddenly dropping out due to mental health issues. Before I went to college however, I was living with my dad but I had a summer job. I was 19 at the time. This job paid for a bunch of clothes and food that I wanted and I was happy with it. I did dress on the skimpy side with goth and emo elements (roast me in the comments all you like). Nobody ever said a thing about it, no one seemed to have a problem with it. I may be living with family but I'm also an adult using my own money.
Now, I have 3 siblings in that house. At the time they were aged: My bio brother (18), older stepbrother (17) and the youngest stepbrother (15). I've known the 2 brothers since I was 13 when my dad first started dating their mom.
I never got along with the two, with the oldest always calling me a bitch and making fun of me. The youngest always kept his distance. My bio brother and i were sometimes close but somewhat distant if that makes sense, but he had my back if they tried to do anything to me.
Here's where the story starts: I came home from work one day and after dinner I wanted to wear a cute 2 piece set of strawberry pajamas that I had got off Amazon. I went to look for them and they weren't there. I looked all over the house. Not in the laundry room, not in any other room. I thought maybe I left them at a friend's house? I brushed it off the first day and would look for them tomorrow. The next day I was looking for some other clothes, (I have alot of crop tops and skirts and this was summer and those were alot comfier to wear in the heat). And I noticed they were missing too. Not just dome crop tops, but skirts too. And so I desperately searched all over the house and I became slightly frantic and angry. I checked EVERYWHERE. All rooms of the house that weren't bedrooms. Nothing. So I asked my bio brother if any of his friends had gone into my room and I told him about the missing clothes. He said no, and I believed him, ad I had met his friends before and they weren't sketchy or weird. I then thought maybe the older stepsibling had taken them and mailed them to his gf who lived in another state. I was so confused as to why my clothes were disappearing. I finally knocked on my younger stepsiblings door and asked him. He started acting very suspicious, his eyes got wide. He was like "nope sorry". And the weird part was, he changed the subject really fast and i didnt realize until months later that he was trying to flirt with me, asking if I wanted to play video games and hang out more often. I thought he was just being friendly and wanted a better sibling relationship with me. But being as im autistic I dont pick up on things easily. So i brushed it off and i didnt think he was a culprit at all. It seemed very unlikely at the time. But now I know there were signs. Not getting any answers, I went to sleep angry that night.
On the third day I was meant to start work in the afternoon, so the first half of the day was spent searching for my clothes. I texted friends, current bf, anyone. I then went to my dad and said "half my clothes are missing and I don't know where they're going to. I know I'm not losing them because I've torn my room apart trying to look in any place they may be. He said "there's no way someone is taking your clothes, you're just losing them." OK I believed him but after going through everything again, I went back to my dad and said "look, you need to check the other boys rooms cuz I'm not crazy, someone is taking my clothes!" He yelled at me and gaslit me some more telling me that basically I'm crazy. He then took my youngest stepsibling to sports practice. Soon after I left I went to my bio brother and asked if he's seen anything at all.
That's when he got really stressed out and hit his fist against the wall. He sighed and said "come with me." He took me into the youngest stepsiblings room and pulled the blanket off the part that separates the bed from the wall.
I've never felt so sick to my stomach. I have a phobia of vomit but in that moment I wanted to throw up so bad. There behind the bed was most of my skirts, crop tops, HALF MY UNDERWEAR, almost all of my bras and a swimsuit that I loved so much yet never got to wear because it was ruined. He explained that the night prior he had come home from his own summer job to find my youngest stepsibling running out of my room butt naked with a pair of my underwear. It disturbed my brother so bad he had to sit and think whether it really happened and had went to look when he was gone and found the clothes. He said he was sorry for not telling me sooner, I am in no way angry at my brother, I'd be pretty in shock myself if I had to find that.
So I immediately called my dad and told him what I found. I started ranting to some of my closest friends over the phone to get it off my chest.
When my dad came home, I was so upset and crying, and I was getting angry. My dad told me he and the kids mom would talk to him. The next day I wanted to talk to my dad about what happened. He told me "don't worry he wasn't wearing your clothes." Which meant something far worse was done with them and it didn't help. I couldn't day out loud that I could tell he wasn't using them to wear but I felt sick trying to say anything. I wanted to talk to my dad alone but my stepmom (a real bitch in her 40s) said "you can say it in front of me" which I didn't want to because she's always hated me. I got mad and my dad told me "you can just wash them and wear it again."
Now anyone whose had some kind of trauma involving certain clothing in certain incidents will know that, that's not how it works and its not easy to get over. Which is what my dad was telling me, to get over it. And he refused to help me purchase new clothes or pay me back for all the things I had lost. He then told me the most heartbreaking thing I never thought he'd say. "This wouldn't have happened if you weren't dressed like that constantly." I teared up and walked back upstairs.
For the next 3 days I slept on the floor of the room my dad used as a workshop next to my room. Because my stepbrother was caught coming OUT of my room naked, who knows what all he did. I could not stop crying for all those days.
My bio brother saw how distraught I was and he got his friends together to take me to the mall to get what little I could purchase. I was so beaten down by the situation I stopped going into work so I couldn't afford to get new clothes. I'm grateful my brother and I have a good relationship. And now if there's anything he needs help with, I'll be there for him. My dad told me to either wash the clothes or throw them away. I would have lit them on fire if I could but I chose to throw them out. But even with gloves on, every time I went to touch them I would break down crying. My brother offered to help and he threw them away for me, I can't stop saying how grateful I am for him. I wasn't sure if my stepbrother had used anything that I had in my drawers at the time, so I took everything out of my drawers and washed them. I scrubbed the entirety of my room with bleach products. My bed sheets were all washed as well.
For a while after that nothing happened. I didn't feel comfortable wearing what I wanted anymore until I moved out for college.
My dad and I don't talk anymore, and I've somewhat gotten over the incident. But I get enraged when I talk about it, even now I'm sweating and seething.
But the thing that really bothers me about the whole thing is when my stepbrother was trying to flirt with me, he said he wanted us to play minecraft in the same room upstairs. And it may be just my imagination running wild but I dread thinking about what would have happened had I accepted to play video games with him if I hadn't found my clothes yet.
TL:DR; I found out my youngest stepbrother using my clothes to get his rocks off and my dad told me I shouldn't dress in skimpy clothing if I didn't want that to happen.
Also, I'm not sure if this was a form of SA or not but I wanted to get the police involved but I feared that getting the cops called would ruin my chances of going to college since my dad was paying for it. If it is or isn't, please let me know. Also if there's any questions, I'd be glad to answer. I just want to get this off my chest.

I'll be landing in LA, picking up the vehicle there, then my route looks like this: LA > Joshua Tree > Death Valley > Lake Tahoe > Yosemite > San Francisco > Monterey/Carmel/Big Sur > Santa Barbara > LA. Here's a map to show exactly the route for each leg of the trip: Link My initial plan is to hire a car through Turo, I'm not sure what the roads are like for where I'll be driving and whether something like a Ford Mustang would be suitable for the roads on some parts of the trip, or if it would be better to play it safe and get a reasonably sized SUV. I'm also a huge petrolhead and love my fast cars, and as this is going to be the solo trip of a lifetime, part of me thinks maybe I should hire a sports caconvertible. With a big chunk of the trip being scenic (The Pacific Coast highway and a lot of driving on the Highway 395 through the Eastern Sierras), I want to make the drive as comfortable but as fun as possible. The total miles I estimate to be around 1500-2000. Motorhomes/RV's appear to be out of the question as the cheapest option seems to be about $5k for the month, and could make driving in some of the locations a bit difficult/stressful. (SF as an example) The two main options I've been considering: 2016 Ford Mustang EcoBoost (approx 26mpg) $1000 for 28 days 2019 Jeep Compass (approx 32mpg) $900 for 28 days maybe best of both worlds and rent a SUV in LA that i can use through LA > Joshua Tree > Death Valley > Lake Tahoe > Yosemite and then drop off in San Francisco? Then picking up a sports caconvertible that i can drive through San Francisco > Monterey > Santa Barbara > LA?
I've also listed below the places where I'll be using an airbnb/accommodation and the approximate cost, if anyone has any suggestions for alternatives, or where to avoid or try out I'd appreciate it! LA 1 night approx $200 (airbnb) Joshua Tree 3 nights approx $450 (airbnb) Death Valley 1 night approx $300 (The Inn Hotel) Lake Tahoe 3 nights approx $1000 (airbnb) Yosemite 3 nights approx $450 (Heated Canvas Tent Cabin onsite) San Francisco 1 night approx $200 (hotel with secure car parking/airbnb with parking) Carmel 3 nights approx $1000 (airbnb) Big Sur 1 night approx $300 (The Madonna Inn) Santa Barbara 2 nights approx $500 (airbnb) LA 1 night approx $200 (airbnb) A huge dump of information I know, but I've never been to the USA and want to make sure I get it right. Thanks for taking the time to read my post!

I'll be landing in LA, picking up the vehicle there, then my route looks like this: LA > Joshua Tree > Death Valley > Lake Tahoe > Yosemite > San Francisco > Monterey/Carmel/Big Sur > Santa Barbara > LA. Here's a map to show exactly the route for each leg of the trip: Link My initial plan is to hire a car through Turo, I'm not sure what the roads are like for where I'll be driving and whether something like a Ford Mustang would be suitable for the roads on some parts of the trip, or if it would be better to play it safe and get a reasonably sized SUV. I'm also a huge petrolhead and love my fast cars, and as this is going to be the solo trip of a lifetime, part of me thinks maybe I should hire a sports caconvertible. With a big chunk of the trip being scenic (The Pacific Coast highway and a lot of driving on the Highway 395 through the Eastern Sierras), I want to make the drive as comfortable but as fun as possible. The total miles I estimate to be around 1500-2000. Motorhomes/RV's appear to be out of the question as the cheapest option seems to be about $5k for the month, and could make driving in some of the locations a bit difficult/stressful. (SF as an example) The two main options I've been considering: 2016 Ford Mustang EcoBoost (approx 26mpg) $1000 for 28 days 2019 Jeep Compass (approx 32mpg) $900 for 28 days maybe best of both worlds and rent a SUV in LA that i can use through LA > Joshua Tree > Death Valley > Lake Tahoe > Yosemite and then drop off in San Francisco? Then picking up a sports caconvertible that i can drive through San Francisco > Monterey > Santa Barbara > LA? I've also listed below the places where I'll be using an airbnb/accommodation and the approximate cost, if anyone has any suggestions for alternatives, or where to avoid or try out I'd appreciate it! LA 1 night approx $200 (airbnb) Joshua Tree 3 nights approx $450 (airbnb) Death Valley 1 night approx $300 (The Inn Hotel) Lake Tahoe 3 nights approx $1000 (airbnb) Yosemite 3 nights approx $450 (Heated Canvas Tent Cabin onsite) San Francisco 1 night approx $200 (hotel with secure car parking/airbnb with parking) Carmel 3 nights approx $1000 (airbnb) Big Sur 1 night approx $300 (The Madonna Inn) Santa Barbara 2 nights approx $500 (airbnb) LA 1 night approx $200 (airbnb) A huge dump of information I know, but I've never been to the USA and want to make sure I get it right. Thanks for taking the time to read my post!

I am a huge hockey fan and to me, when hockey players are on ice, it's like a form of art ; it's fantastic how they move around on skates. At 26, I decided to learn how to ice skate and play hockey. It made me appreciate the sport that much more. Now I'm a mom to a wonderful 3 year old boy and I enrolled him into learn to skate class. My family was very upset with me for this claiming he's not ready. All the children in this program are his age, many already know how to stand on skates and get up from a fall. Well, today, it was my sons first time. Like a moron, I didn't bring him mittens so my poor baby kept licking his hands after they'd touch ice to warm them up. He was crying the whole time and I wanted to pull him out so badly but the director of the program said it's totally normal and to give it time. His little hands kept teaching to coaches to pick him up as he sat there crying and I couldn't help him. He doesn't speak yet so he d couldn't express to them how he feels ( or to me). I feel like a failure of a mother and that I somehow harmed my baby. Have any of you started your children this young in ice skating? Do you guys think maybe I should hold out a couple of years?

When I play ARAM as Swain I tend to build rylai always so I took it upon myself to take Font of Life + Revitalize to heal my ally as it lends his HP scaling to his teammates as well, usually healing by 3k+ at the end of the game. Presence of Mind makes up for Swains' mana usage for the most part in ARAM and has Conqueror.
One thing I've been struggling with though is mythic item choices. I know Liandry's overall is a strong pick for him but I can't help but look to Riftmaker for Swain as I'd build Imperial Mandate and I believe the passive from Riftmaker would also benefit Imperial and Demonic.
My 4 core item build usually ends up being Rylai -> Imperial Mandate -> Riftmaker -> Demonic. Liandry for vs 3+ tanks. Is this a bad build? I've also been meaning to test it for support Swain as well.

HOW WE GOT HERE:
Brad Holmes is a wizard. What he has done as the Detroit GM in just 3 years has been a playoff push away from being quite remarkable, especially considering the context of succeeding prior general manager Bob Quinn which ended in typical Lions losing fashion. Brad Holmes would immediately come out swinging and first transaction as general manager was trading longtime franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for two first round picks, a third round pick, and quarterback Jared Goff. At the time, it was bittersweet for fans, as Stafford was the practically the lone bright spot in the last decade (outside of Megatron), but the haul they got in return was at least something. Stafford was injured and already likely leaving to chase a Super Bowl and Detroit was going into full rebuild mode so Detroit fans were just happy with what they could get. Brad ended up hiring a one time Head Coach, Dan Campbell. A pick made purely on the potential he would be able to change the culture with his grind it out, Football attitude Campbell was known for. All in all, it was business as usual for Detroit as they begin yet another rebuild....
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Oh parity in sports.... You never cease to amaze us....
Somehow and someway, In Holmes' first draft, Penei Sewell falls to Detroit at #7 and the Lions draft room goes bananas on camera! At the time we did not know it, but Detroit just landed their future Pro Bowl leader in the trenches. In round 4, the Lions scoop a literal Sun God in Amon-Ra St. Brown. Little did we all know the impact both of these players would have today. Both players are arguably top 10 in their position.
Fast forward to 2022 and the Lions are coming off one of the most promising 3-13-1 seasons that you could ever ask for. The team and coaches have bought in to Dan Campbell's grind it out style of Football. The culture seemed to finally be changing and it felt like Jared Goff turning into a solid Stafford replacement, despite being considered a throw on by most in the Stafford trade.
The 2022 draft Brad Holmes' statement to the NFL. It does not matter where you take guys. If you know how to evaluate talent, you go for YOUR guys and you can be successful. Holmes was able to draft Aiden Aiden Hutchinson at #2 (some say he should have been #1), Jameson Williams (best receiver in the draft at 12 via trade), Kerby Joseph (who picked off Aaron Rodgers THREE TIMES IN ONE GAME!), and drafted James Houston and Malcolm Rodriguez in the 6th round. Both players are looking like future defensive stars. Dare I say the best 6th round success since the Pats drafted TB12? Don't @ me lol
The Lions followed up the draft with a MUCH improved 2022, landing a 9-8 winning record and going 8-2 in their final 10 games. Jared Goff is looking like the guy who took the Rams to the Superbowl, every position has young talent and this upcoming 2023 draft is looking like it could seriously push the Lions into serious playoff contention if the cards are played correctly.
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Key Offseason Additions:
CB Cameron Sutton -- Signed to three-year, $33 million contract
CB Emmanuel Moseley -- Signed to one-year, $6 million contract.
RB David Montgomery -- Signed to three-year, $18 million contract
OL Graham Glasgow -- Signed one-year, $4.5 million contract
S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson -- Signed to one-year, $8.5 million contract
WR Marvin Jones -- Signed to one-year, $3 million contract
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Key Offseason Losses:
Safety DeShon Elliott -- Signed to one-year, $1.77 million contract with Dolphins.
Running back Jamaal Williams -- Signed to three-year, $12 million contract with Saints.
WR DJ Chark -- Signed to one-year, $5 million deal with Panthers.
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Round 1: No. 12 (from CLE through HOU and ARI) – Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
Flashback! Remember that Stafford trade where they got got the Rams draft pick? You know that pick that was supposed to be in the upper 20s because LA is so good and are coming off winning a Super Bowl? Yea, well they sucked.... Somehow they sucked so bad that that pick turned into the number 6th overall pick.
Odds makers had the Lions grabbing Devon Witherspoon as their secondary was a big need. However when Seattle took him at 5, who knew what would follow? Well, the last thing fans expected.... The Lions ended up passing on Tyree Wilson, Jalen Carter, AND Bijan Robinson by trading down to 12 to take Alabama running back, Jahmyr Gibbs. Hindsight is 2020, but reports now show the Lions wanted Jahmyr over Bijan, which means Holmes and co. got THEIR guy.
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Immediately fans realized the inevitable. Fan favorite and oft injured running back, DeAndre Swift, was going to be cut or traded. Almost immediately they traded D'Andre Swift and a 7th round pick for the Saints' 2025 fourth-round pick and a 2023 7th round pick.
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This pick is exactly why you and I are sitting on the couch and Brad Holmes gets paid the big bucks. "HoW cAn YoU dRaFt a RuNnInG BaCk ThAt hIgH". Well, the dude is a straight up baller. If I asked you who led Alabama in receiving last year you would probably say some 5 star Wide Receiver. It was Gibbs. Gibbs is being compared Alvin Kamara in the way he can run and catch. He was listed as running a 4.36 at the combine. Gibbs transferred to Alabama last season after spending the first two seasons of his career at Georgia Tech. He carried the ball 151 times for the Crimson Tide in 2022, averaging 6.1 yards per carry and scoring seven touchdowns. He also caught 44 passes for 444 yards and three catching scores. With the departure of Swift and the newly acquired bowling ball back in Montgomery, Gibbs is going to be an immediate impact as a "weapon" and less of a conventional running back. The thunder and lightning combo the Lions will have will be fun to watch behind their top 5 O Line.
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Round 1: No. 18 – Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
"HoW cAn YoU dRaFt a RuNnInG BaCk ThAt hIgH" made sense with the Gibbs pick, but drafting a Linebacker at 18 with other glaring needs like lineman and secondary left Lions fans a bit puzzled by this pick. It hurt a little less when you remember this was their 2nd pick in the first round. Also, many people had Jack Campbell on their board for later in the draft so in terms of liking a guy for who they are, very few people are against this pick. But like I said before, Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell go after guys they have faith in. Until they screw up, fans cant complain too much!
But who is this guy and what makes him so good? Well if you care about RAS or "Relative Athletic Score" Jack is outstanding. He scored a 9.98 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 6 out of 2600 LB from 1987 to 2023. He possesses rare athleticism for being 6-5 and that allows him to be exceptional in coverage. PFF rated him as the highest coverage grade since 2018 Devin White at LSU. He also has great leadership skills as he was Iowa's team captain and won Big10 Defensive Player of the year.
Jack Campbell is going to join a much improving linebacking core that is led by team captain Alex Anzalone and 2nd year stars Malcolm Rodriguez and James Houston. The Lions will likely play him on the outside because off his athleticism but I am certain he will be moved all around the field.
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Round 2: No. 34 (from ARI) – Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
This is getting a bit out of hand for the Lions fans that appreciate positional value when you draft. Clearly Holmes has totally thrown conventional wisdom out of the window. However, tight end IS a need. Of all of the positional units Tight End is probably the weakest. In 2022 the Lions trotted Brock Wright, James Mitchell, and Shane Zylstra....WHOOOO?!?! Exactly...they needed help. Outside of when they took him, most pundits are pretty happy about this pick. Not only did the Lions get their second Iowa captain, but Sam might have landed the best tight end in the entire class.
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With LaPorta, the Lions get a player that can do a variety of things. He can play in the slot, in-line or even out wide. This is EXTRA important when you remember that Jameson Williams is suspended for 6 games due to gambling. During his career at Iowa, he had 513 snaps in-line and 304 snaps out of the slot (per PFF). It really wouldn’t be surprising if LaPorta walks into Detroit and earns the starting tight end spot. He has the talent to do it and by being the 34th overall pick, there is going to be some high expectations for him.
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Round 2: No. 45 (from DET) – Brian Branch, S, Alabama
For the first time all draft it felt like a player fell to Detroit and they werent reaching for their guy (for better or worse). At 45, the Lions were already drafting their 4th player and wasnt even the end of the 2nd round. Scouts said that Branch was one of the safest picks in the draft due to his lack of a jarring weakness. Branch is siad to have extremely high football IQ which led him to play all around the defense for the Crimson Tide. Branch has primarily handled nickel coverage, but has the range and instincts for single-high or split safety looks. He’s quick, fast and strong with the ability to match up with shifty slots, bigger possession receivers and pass-catching tight ends. Branch is also tough and gritty which makes himu a perfec fit for this Lions team. He has a nose for the ball and is capable of making game-changing plays. He had two interceptions and two forced fumbles during his freshman season at Bama.
Branch made headlines on draft day to be the only guy to stay into day 2 in the greenroom as he was projected to go in the first round. I think that shows how much he cares about this opportunity and has his heart in it.
Also, Branch as a great opportunity to learn from newly acquired Safety, Chauncy Gardner-Johnson who is one of the best young safeties in the league.
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Round 3: No. 68 (from DEN) – Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
You ever feeling a little uncomfortable and then you let out a massive fart and all of your uneasiness washes away? Yea, well thats the feeling Lions fans got when they landed Hendon Hooker with the 68th pick. QB wasnt a terrible need, but once we got him, a sense of relief was felt across the fanbase. When the Lions ended up getting Goff in the Stafford trade, it was sort of unsaid that Goff was just the bridge before they draft a QB of the future. However Goff has played way better than expectations and less and less fans are calling for a replacment. So, instead of using one of their first round picks on a QB, they waited and got a guy with first round updside! Now, they are in a much more confortable position at QB with a very solid back up.
The Lions used the 68th pick in order to take the former Tennessee quarterback. The pick came just before the Rams and Raiders were scheduled to pick and been teams have been seen as possible landing spots for a quarterback in this year’s draft. Hooker is recovering from a torn ACL, but his doctor recently informed teams that he is expected to be ready to go by the first week of the regular season. With Jared Goff in place as the starter in Detroit, there won’t be any need for Hooker to rush back for what will likely be a redshirt season if all goes according to plan in Detroit.
This pick was safe, exciting, and sets the Lions up with a solid back up QB. The first time that they can say that since they had Shaun Hill.
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Round 3: No. 96 (from ARI) – Brodric Martin, DT, Western Kentucky
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Before the draft, a need that was discussed as a hole in the Lions defense was interior line. They got their big boy in the middle with nose tackle, Brodric Martin. After starting his career at North Alabama, Martin transferred to Western Kentucky to play his final two seasons at the FBS level. Since 2021, Martin has played in 26 total games, and has managed to contribute 62 total tackles to the Western Kentucky cause. He’s piled up six tackles for-loss as well as four sacks, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble. This move with help the Lions run defense that ranked 4th to last in the NFL last year.
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It is no surprise that winning is won in the trenches. The Lions have done a great job of drafting players to build out this line with the likes of Alim McNeill, Isaiah Buggs, and John Cominsky, but with big interior guys like Martin, they usually operate best in a rotation. This move should be huge in terms of depth and opening up even more opportunities for Aiden Hutchison to get to the QB.
This move didn't feel flashy, but it felt needed.
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Round 5: No. 152 – Colby Sorsdal, OL, William & Mary
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The Lions had to finally wait a bit before this pick due to moving around in the draft and trading away their pick round 4. They elected to add depth to their O-Line by taking Colby Sorsdal out of William and Mary. Sometimes its fun being the big fish in the small pond. Sorsdal started in all 46 games he appeared in during his five-year stint at William & Mary. He spent the duration of his college career at Right Tackle. Sorsdal is the first Tribe player to be drafted since 2016, when the Chicago Bears selected safety DeAndre Houston-Carson in the sixth round.
Serving as an offensive co-captain and starting all 13 games at Right Tackle, Sorsdal anchored an offensive line that helped the Tribe rank third in total rushing offense and fourth in fewest sacks allowed. Behind one of the best offensive line units in the country, the Tribe accumulated an 11-2 record and won the CAA Conference Championship for the first time since 2015.
He will be joining a elite O-line led by Penei Sewell, Frank Ragnow and Taylor Decker. Colby wont start, but he will add in needed depth for a team that's success will only goes as far as their line will take them.
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Round 7: No. 219 (from HOU through MIN via PHI) – Antoine Green, WR, North Carolina
With the Lions last pick in a very intense draft, they selected Wide Receiver, Antoine Green out of UNC. Most projected Antoine to be signed to a team after the draft so it is a but of a peculiar pick. In the late 7th round, you are just hoping to take a flier on a guy and hoping they pan out.
The 6-foot-3, 199-pound receiver impressed Detroit's coaching staff at the East-West Shrine Bowl, and has the opportunity to compete for playing time his rookie season. According to NFL Draft Bible, Green is a "technically sound, fluid athlete that can give you a little bit of everything as a wide receiver. Green runs routes, it is as if he is attacking his defender rather than going about his route without considering what the defense is doing. Green has a good release off the line of scrimmage and does not get held up too much when facing press coverage. He uses his hands well to reduce contact against the press and accelerate off the line. He analyzes coverages well and makes quick decisions on how to break down his defender throughout his route. He can read zone defenses and has a knack for finding spaces to make himself an easier target."
With Jameson Williams missing 6 games to start the year, there is an opportunity for Green to poach snaps away from anyone not named Amon-Ra or Marvin Jones. There is also a chance he doesn't make it out of camp. Unlikely, but we will see.
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Conclusion:
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The 2023 NFL draft for the Detroit Lions was a resounding success. They were able to draft 6 times....BEFORE THE FOURTH ROUND!! The extra picks allowed Detroit to really control the draft and move around in a way to get the guys they wanted. They did not care about who they got and when. They just simply got the guys they wanted. After reflecting on its entirety, they landed a lot of great talent. They were able to add a player at every single positional unit and several will end up starting and making an immediate impact.
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Look, the Lions are going to Lions so hold your breath a little longer, however Brad Holmes and Jack Campbell have really turned this franchise around and are making them a legit playoff contender. Right now the Lions are favored to win the NFC North for the first time since god knows when. I am projecting a record of 12 and 5 and a NFL North Division Win.
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GO LIONS!!!! (FTP)

Does anyone have information on subspecialty RVU adjustment factors currently being used to prevent cherry picking high rvu cases?
The attached article link is from the early 2000s. A 2005 article bumbs the nuc adjustment factor up to 1.3. I cannot access or find more current data. Does anyone know of any articles or links Thanks,

Please note I am 22 years of age and diagnosed, this is simply a note down from ourselves - validation is important to us so please be respectful if you are to comment - M (Host) - hoping this helps anyone struggling with memories, you are valid and deserve to be heard <3 - (Darkia)
The last thing that keeps popping up is a memory of my twin sister, we found her body at 15 years of age and well we had gone through a lot during our childhood with her, sexual abuse from our father, disturbing situations occurring however we can’t remember exactly what and she is definitely gone but “not forgotten” please if anything we are the only ones who remember her as she truly was. She had came to us about a specific disorder definitely one of the personality ones and expressed “this sounds like me!”.
I remember standing just outside of a hot closet. I did try to shout out that it was us and that yes it sounded like real good SENSE but someone had told her not to worry too much. I remember her passing as a suicide, we all do and I’m sure of it and even now I’m getting memories from the court room but even the funeral is foggy. I remember not being able to save her but I can’t help but think to a night where my sister was put into my room for something “bold” - by our guardian at the time - and we built a place where we could “travel” to each others worlds - and NO nothing like system jumping more like sharing the moment of despair. I can tolerate the guardian now but that’s because she will never truly know anything as she’s more an old donkey… for example her oldest bio son has been diagnosed with BPD but still blames cannabis usage on causing his mental disorder when that’s not how it works at all (C+M)
Anyways back to my memory (M) - I remember the day as a memory but I cannot recall the actual things I did that morning before finding her. The story has changed so many times and this goes for most major things/memories that has happened. It was only brought to my attention by our guardian that our abusive bio dad would make me watch as my sister was the more “mature twin” I can only feel like I wanted to pick up a car and squash him with it only how was I meant to do that. I don’t remember watching anything but it’s in the reports. Our bio mother is a raging alcoholic even to this day. We assumed she was sober for the last few years and always wondered why not going back to her was an option if she was sober but the fact of it is and at least she was honest over the phone “oh no honey I haven’t had a drink since January” (2023). I remember our guardian telling me that I was always mentally stronger than my sister and I believe that. My sister always wanted to see our mother when she visited in town but I never did, apparently I was very stubborn about it, I don’t remember why at the time but I do now. When our sister came to the realisation of having a problem and someone told her not to worry about it so much she did go to our guardian but unfortunately our guardian told her that if she was to see professionals they would drag up the “past” which would affect her more. I’m sure that this wasn’t wise words from that woman. Apparently we were assessed separately at about 8 yrs when we first arrived to our guardian but I don’t remember most of that at all and it sucks we don’t have our sister to talk to anymore. I believe she ended it all due to the realisation of her mental health and no one helped. I could never end my life and none of us ever could. We know what happens when someone takes that option which I suppose is luck and curse in and of its own

• we protect - we fight - we hurt - we struggle - we care - we raise our family - we train our pet - we cut people off who over step boundaries and let them back once it’s deemed safe - we help others stick around for the sake of avoiding another suicide - we have our morals - we have our values- we have our priorities - we have our likes and dislikes but most of all we survive <3
  
• M - C - Milly - Winnie - Darkia - Kayla
  

So me and my ex broke up 3 months ago now and I bumped into her for the first time a couple of weeks ago on the way to work.
I was running late and thought it was a lucky escape and that I didn’t have to worry about seeing her then lo and behold, there she was, also running late.
I’ve seen how she was with previous exes and she’s normally very avoidant when it comes to interactions, but when she saw me she almost looked pleased to see me, smile on her face and stopped for a chat. I don’t get it, why would she seem so happy to see me, especially given she was the one to end things?
I’ve been deep into a depression since the break up as I was already struggling with a lot of other things which I know ultimately caused me to be a different person anyway, but I’ve been on a path of pure self destruction since I saw her, finding my way back into drugs and going out a lot which I didn’t want to do before.
I miss her so much it hurts but I just want to get past this stage and pick myself up again