I have received so many comments on my original post of MA plans. I appreciate all those comments. Instead of responding to individual comments, I decided to write general responses. First of all, I am not an agent or commissioned person. I am about to enroll Medicare in 2-3 months. When I refer MA plans, they are nationally reputable MA plans offered from the likes of AARP/UHC, BCBS, Humana, Aetna, etc. There are other MA plans offered from small regional providers, but I am not interested in those plans. I am also looking for MA PPO plans with some premium for more flexibility. So, here's my responses.

1. Fair Comparison: When people say Original Medicare (OM) is better than MA plans, they do not make a fair comparison. OM (Part A&B only) and MA plans are not even in the same league. MA wins by a mile. Even OMPD (Part A, B &D) and MAPD comparison, MAPD wins. Then, people say, but, but, but. Hold your breath, and continue reading.
2. FOR PROFIT: When people say OM is better than MA, they actually mean OM plus PD plus supplemental MediGap plans. And, they say MAs are offered by private insurance companies FOR PROFIT. Yes, you are right, but MediGap plans are also offered by the SAME private insurance companies FOR PROFIT. MA additional premium (if any) is much smaller than MediGap premiums. This is because Gov't pays money to private insurance companies for MA plans, but not for MediGap plans.
3. Quality of Care: Most reputable doctors do not even know what their patients insurance plans are. Of course, clinics and hospital know your health plan, but doctors just treat their patients regardless of your insurance. They will make necessary referrals regardless of your plan. Most of reputable MAs will have wide in-network specialists, and MA PPOs do not even need specialist referrals. Of course, you may sometimes need pre-authorizations, but MediGap plans also require pre-authorization for certain procedures.
4. Freedom: OM gives you a freedom of whatever doctors you can choose. Again, most of MA plans have plenty of choices of in-network doctors. I have had HMO and PPOs during my entire working years, and I never felt that my choice is limited. I have a good primary care doctor, who was in my PPO plan, and in fact, he and his clinic also participate in other PPO and HMO plans too. If your doctors and hospitals are in-network, what freedom do you want? If you are still screaming FREEDOM, it's good for you. OM is your choice.
5. Trend: As I mentioned before, 28m people (48%) participates MA plans, and its popularity is increasing. There is a stunning graph from KFF showing its popularity is increasing. You can see it by yourself here: https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/medicare-advantage-in-2022-enrollment-update-and-key-trends/. MA participation rate is projected to reach to 60% in 10 years.
6. Lastly, someone mentions that MA is for poor and uneducated. It is hardly the case. Those who choose MA plans are smarter and better educated. Where do you think those increasing trend comes from? Existing OM participants switching? May be. But, majority of increase comes from the new entrants to the Medicare system. Younger entrants to the system are smarter and better informed, so they are making smarter choice.

Thank you for reading this lengthy post.

Hey Everyone,
I wanted to provide a very brief summary on the basics of Medicare and some FAQs I get as a Financial Planner. Again, I want to stress this is a high level overview for those of you in here who are perhaps thinking about Retirement, but unfamiliar with the basics of Medicare.
Here are the basic components of Medicare:

• Part A is hospital coverage
• Part B is outpatient coverage
• Part C is "Medicare Advantage”
• Part D is prescription drug coverage
• Supplemental Insurance AKA "Medigap"

Part A and B are 2 components that everyone has. This is commonly referred to as Traditional Medicare.
Part C, Medicare Advantage, is likely the one you see commercials about during day time TV. Usually they have an old school celebrity or athlete as a spokesperson. One reason for this is that Medicare Advantage is actually NOT a Government Administered program unlike Traditional Medicare. Medicare Advantage is run through private companies. These companies are paid by the Government when someone enrolls in their Medicare Advantage program (it's one reason why you see statements such as getting money back everyone month from enrolling). While you still will have Part A and B, most of your benefits will be covered by the advantage plan. Advantage Plans can offer additional benefits such as Dental, Vision and more.
Supplemental Insurance (Medigap) is optional insurance that you can pay for to supplement your A & B coverage. A common misconception is that A&B covers all your medical bills and this is false. Medigap can fill the void to limit your out of pocket for various medical services.
Part D provides coverage for prescription Drug costs, this part of Medicare is optional.
Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA) For 2023, the monthly Medicare Part B Base premium amount is $164.90. If you opt for Part D coverage, you'll also pay an additional premium for your part D coverage. Depending on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income from 2 years prior, you may have to pay additional premium surcharges. These surcharges are known as IRMAA. Below is a Table that breaks down the IRMAA surcharges
What You PayWhat You PayWhat Your 2021 Income WasWhat Your 2021 Income WasPart B PremiumPart D SurchargeSingleMarried Couple$164.90$97,000 or less$194,000$230.80$12.20$97,001 - $123,000$194,001 - $246,000$329.70$31.50$123,001 - $153,000$246,001 - $306,000$428.60$50.70$153,001 - $183,000$306,001 - $366,000$527.50$70.00$183,001 - $500,000$366,001 - $750,000$560.50$76.40Above $500,000Above $750,000
FAQs
Which is better, Medigap or Medicare Advantage?
A common dilemma many retirees face is whether to pick a Medigap plan or Medicare Advantage. Medigap, generally has higher monthly premiums associated with it, however you generally have a lot more flexibility in terms of choosing doctors and services. Medicare Advantage, while typically cheaper is more of an HMO structure. If you have ever experienced having HMO insurance, you know it can feel restrictive. From experience, some retirees really don't mind it and like the lower monthly costs. Others would rather pay a little more for more flexibility. As a Financial Planner, when I am doing a financial plan, I always assume a medigap plan will be used unless the client states otherwise.
Does Medicare Cover Long Term Care Costs?
Medicare does not cover long term care costs. If you want long term care coverage, you will need to either pay for a separate long term care policy or self insure.
What if I have IRMAA surcharges but my income is lower now?
There are 8 qualifying life changing events which you can find here: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-44.pdf
. For example if you were working in 2021 with elevated income but have since retired, and have seen a reduction in income, you can file out form SSA - 44 to request that your IRMAA be reduced based on your current income level.
Should I do Roth Conversions or Draw from my Pre-Tax Retirement Accounts if it will incur IRMAA surcharges?
Unfortunately, the answer to this is it depends. For example, when I do a retirement plan for a client, we'll factor in IRMAA surcharges if we deploy a multi year Roth Conversion strategy or opt to delay Social Security and draw from our tax-deferred retirement accounts instead. Based on the analysis it may completely make sense to bite the bullet on IRMAA surcharges, in exchange for reduced RMDs in the future and/or a higher social security benefit. However, everyone's situation will be different. What I will say is that as a CFP, I see far too many retirees let the IRMAA tail, wag the dog. Yes, it is important to keep in mind, but I would encourage you to not write off a particular tax or income strategy purely for the sake of IRMAA.
Copyright (C) 2023 MDRN Wealth LLC All rights reserved. MDRN Wealth LLC does not provide specific legal or tax advice. Please consult with professionals in these areas for specific legal and tax recommendations. The information provided herein is general information. It is not intended to be construed as investment, tax, or legal advice. Information in this article is not an offer or solicitation to purchase, sell, or endorse a specific company, security, investment vehicle or strategy. Investing involves risk and the possible chance for loss of principal. Options carry additional risks than traditional securities which can include unlimited losses. Please consider your tolerance for risk before investing. Past performance is never guaranteed, and future results can vary. Investing in alternative assets can involve higher risks than traditional investments and is suitable only for sophisticated investors. Alternative investments involve greater risks than traditional investments and should not be deemed a complete investment program.

Hey Everyone,
I wanted to provide a very brief summary on the basics of Medicare and some FAQs I get as a Financial Planner. Again, I want to stress this is a high level overview for those of you in here who are perhaps thinking about Retirement, but unfamiliar with the basics of Medicare.
Here are the basic components of Medicare:

• Part A is hospital coverage
• Part B is outpatient coverage
• Part C is "Medicare Advantage”
• Part D is prescription drug coverage
• Supplemental Insurance AKA "Medigap"

Part A and B are 2 components that everyone has. This is commonly referred to as Traditional Medicare.
Part C, Medicare Advantage, is likely the one you see commercials about during day time TV. Usually they have an old school celebrity or athlete as a spokesperson. One reason for this is that Medicare Advantage is actually NOT a Government Administered program unlike Traditional Medicare. Medicare Advantage is run through private companies. These companies are paid by the Government when someone enrolls in their Medicare Advantage program (it's one reason why you see statements such as getting money back everyone month from enrolling). While you still will have Part A and B, most of your benefits will be covered by the advantage plan. Advantage Plans can offer additional benefits such as Dental, Vision and more.
Supplemental Insurance (Medigap) is optional insurance that you can pay for to supplement your A & B coverage. A common misconception is that A&B covers all your medical bills and this is false. Medigap can fill the void to limit your out of pocket for various medical services.
Part D provides coverage for prescription Drug costs, this part of Medicare is optional.
Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA) For 2023, the monthly Medicare Part B Base premium amount is $164.90. If you opt for Part D coverage, you'll also pay an additional premium for your part D coverage. Depending on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income from 2 years prior, you may have to pay additional premium surcharges. These surcharges are known as IRMAA. Below is a Table that breaks down the IRMAA surcharges
What You Pay What Your 2021 Income Was

Part B Premium	Part D Surcharge	Single	Married Couple
$164.90		$97,000 or less	$194,000
$230.80	$12.20	$97,001 - $123,000	$194,001 - $246,000
$329.70	$31.50	$123,001 - $153,000	$246,001 - $306,000
$428.60	$50.70	$153,001 - $183,000	$306,001 - $366,000
$527.50	$70.00	$183,001 - $500,000	$366,001 - $750,000
$560.50	$76.40	Above $500,000	Above $750,000

​
​
FAQs
​
Which is better, Medigap or Medicare Advantage?
A common dilemma many retirees face is whether to pick a Medigap plan or Medicare Advantage. Medigap, generally has higher monthly premiums associated with it, however you generally have a lot more flexibility in terms of choosing doctors and services. Medicare Advantage, while typically cheaper is more of an HMO structure. If you have ever experienced having HMO insurance, you know it can feel restrictive. From experience, some retirees really don't mind it and like the lower monthly costs. Others would rather pay a little more for more flexibility. As a Financial Planner, when I am doing a financial plan, I always assume a medigap plan will be used unless the client states otherwise.
Does Medicare Cover Long Term Care Costs?
Medicare does not cover long term care costs. If you want long term care coverage, you will need to either pay for a separate long term care policy or self insure.
What if I have IRMAA surcharges but my income is lower now?
There are 8 qualifying life changing events which you can find here: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-44.pdf. For example if you were working in 2021 with elevated income but have since retired, and have seen a reduction in income, you can file out form SSA - 44 to request that your IRMAA be reduced based on your current income level.
Should I do Roth Conversions or Draw from my Pre-Tax Retirement Accounts if it will incur IRMAA surcharges?
Unfortunately, the answer to this is it depends. For example, when I do a retirement plan for a client, we'll factor in IRMAA surcharges if we deploy a multi year Roth Conversion strategy or opt to delay Social Security and draw from our tax-deferred retirement accounts instead. Based on the analysis it may completely make sense to bite the bullet on IRMAA surcharges, in exchange for reduced RMDs in the future and/or a higher social security benefit. However, everyone's situation will be different. What I will say is that as a CFP, I see far too many retirees let the IRMAA tail, wag the dog. Yes, it is important to keep in mind, but I would encourage you to not write off a particular tax or income strategy purely for the sake of IRMAA.
​
​
​
​
​
Copyright (C) 2023 MDRN Wealth LLC All rights reserved. MDRN Wealth LLC does not provide specific legal or tax advice. Please consult with professionals in these areas for specific legal and tax recommendations. The information provided herein is general information. It is not intended to be construed as investment, tax, or legal advice. Information in this article is not an offer or solicitation to purchase, sell, or endorse a specific company, security, investment vehicle or strategy. Investing involves risk and the possible chance for loss of principal. Options carry additional risks than traditional securities which can include unlimited losses. Please consider your tolerance for risk before investing. Past performance is never guaranteed, and future results can vary. Investing in alternative assets can involve higher risks than traditional investments and is suitable only for sophisticated investors. Alternative investments involve greater risks than traditional investments and should not be deemed a complete investment program.

Hey Everyone,
I wanted to provide a very brief summary on the basics of Medicare and some FAQs I get as a Financial Planner. Again, I want to stress this is a high level overview for those of you in here who are perhaps thinking about Retirement, but unfamiliar with the basics of Medicare.
Here are the basic components of Medicare:

• Part A is hospital coverage
• Part B is outpatient coverage
• Part C is "Medicare Advantage”
• Part D is prescription drug coverage
• Supplemental Insurance AKA "Medigap"

Part A and B are 2 components that everyone has. This is commonly referred to as Traditional Medicare.
Part C, Medicare Advantage, is likely the one you see commercials about during day time TV. Usually they have an old school celebrity or athlete as a spokesperson. One reason for this is that Medicare Advantage is actually NOT a Government Administered program unlike Traditional Medicare. Medicare Advantage is run through private companies. These companies are paid by the Government when someone enrolls in their Medicare Advantage program (it's one reason why you see statements such as getting money back everyone month from enrolling). While you still will have Part A and B, most of your benefits will be covered by the advantage plan. Advantage Plans can offer additional benefits such as Dental, Vision and more.
Supplemental Insurance (Medigap) is optional insurance that you can pay for to supplement your A & B coverage. A common misconception is that A&B covers all your medical bills and this is false. Medigap can fill the void to limit your out of pocket for various medical services.
Part D provides coverage for prescription Drug costs, this part of Medicare is optional.
Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA) For 2023, the monthly Medicare Part B Base premium amount is $164.90. If you opt for Part D coverage, you'll also pay an additional premium for your part D coverage. Depending on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income from 2 years prior, you may have to pay additional premium surcharges. These surcharges are known as IRMAA. Below is a Table that breaks down the IRMAA surcharges

What You Pay	What You Pay	What Your 2021 Income Was	What Your 2021 Income Was
Part B Premium	Part D Surcharge	Single	Married Couple
$164.90		$97,000 or less	$194,000
$230.80	$12.20	$97,001 - $123,000	$194,001 - $246,000
$329.70	$31.50	$123,001 - $153,000	$246,001 - $306,000
$428.60	$50.70	$153,001 - $183,000	$306,001 - $366,000
$527.50	$70.00	$183,001 - $500,000	$366,001 - $750,000
$560.50	$76.40	Above $500,000	Above $750,000

​
​
FAQs
​
Which is better, Medigap or Medicare Advantage?
A common dilemma many retirees face is whether to pick a Medigap plan or Medicare Advantage. Medigap, generally has higher monthly premiums associated with it, however you generally have a lot more flexibility in terms of choosing doctors and services. Medicare Advantage, while typically cheaper is more of an HMO structure. If you have ever experienced having HMO insurance, you know it can feel restrictive. From experience, some retirees really don't mind it and like the lower monthly costs. Others would rather pay a little more for more flexibility. As a Financial Planner, when I am doing a financial plan, I always assume a medigap plan will be used unless the client states otherwise.
Does Medicare Cover Long Term Care Costs?
Medicare does not cover long term care costs. If you want long term care coverage, you will need to either pay for a separate long term care policy or self insure.
What if I have IRMAA surcharges but my income is lower now?
There are 8 qualifying life changing events which you can find here: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-44.pdf. For example if you were working in 2021 with elevated income but have since retired, and have seen a reduction in income, you can file out form SSA - 44 to request that your IRMAA be reduced based on your current income level.
Should I do Roth Conversions or Draw from my Pre-Tax Retirement Accounts if it will incur IRMAA surcharges?
Unfortunately, the answer to this is it depends. For example, when I do a retirement plan for a client, we'll factor in IRMAA surcharges if we deploy a multi year Roth Conversion strategy or opt to delay Social Security and draw from our tax-deferred retirement accounts instead. Based on the analysis it may completely make sense to bite the bullet on IRMAA surcharges, in exchange for reduced RMDs in the future and/or a higher social security benefit. However, everyone's situation will be different. What I will say is that as a CFP, I see far too many retirees let the IRMAA tail, wag the dog. Yes, it is important to keep in mind, but I would encourage you to not write off a particular tax or income strategy purely for the sake of IRMAA.
​
​
​
​
​
Copyright (C) 2023 MDRN Wealth LLC All rights reserved. MDRN Wealth LLC does not provide specific legal or tax advice. Please consult with professionals in these areas for specific legal and tax recommendations. The information provided herein is general information. It is not intended to be construed as investment, tax, or legal advice. Information in this article is not an offer or solicitation to purchase, sell, or endorse a specific company, security, investment vehicle or strategy. Investing involves risk and the possible chance for loss of principal. Options carry additional risks than traditional securities which can include unlimited losses. Please consider your tolerance for risk before investing. Past performance is never guaranteed, and future results can vary. Investing in alternative assets can involve higher risks than traditional investments and is suitable only for sophisticated investors. Alternative investments involve greater risks than traditional investments and should not be deemed a complete investment program.

Q: A state-of-the-art smart contract platform

Q is a novel smart contract platform on which developers can build and deploy their applications. While it is built on a state-of-the-art blockchain with all the features that developers expect, it boasts additional benefits that cannot be found in other protocols.
This blog post is the first in a short series which summarizes the benefits of building on Q. In this first post, I will describe the generic properties of Q, which apply to all applications deployed on Q. Beyond this, applications building on Q have the option to use and integrate Q’s governance framework, which opens up a whole new options space for decentralized applications. Future blog posts in this series will focus on specific use cases and highlight the benefits for those, particularly as they relate to Q’s governance features.

Basic features of Q

As a state-of-the-art smart contract platform, Q satisfies all the basic needs of developers that want to build on a public, open-source and permissionless blockchain:

• Q is fully EVM-compatible, which makes it easy for developers familiar with the Ethereum ecosystem or other EVM-compatible chains to build on Q.
• Comprehensive tooling and infrastructure is available. This includes a block explorer, a dApp for easy user interaction, mobile wallets for Android and iOS, token bridges to the Ethereum Blockchain and more.
• Great usability: A full SDK and a well-structured documentation package is available. As one would expect, the dApp makes extensive use of the SDK, but a separate Governance Monitoring Service for Telegram also started building on the Q JS SDK to improve ease-of-use for Q System Smart Contracts.
• Solid performance metrics: The Q blockchain offers high transaction throughput (ca. 75 tx/s), fast block time (5 seconds) and low transaction fees (ca. 0.01 cent/tx).
• Q has attractive in-built features, such as in-protocol stake and vote delegation and the ability to earn yield while tokens are locked for governance voting.
• Q’s consensus mechanism is based on a delegated-proof-of-stake framework, resulting in a negligible carbon footprint and making it ecologically sustainable.
• Q has received regulatory clearance from major regulators in Europe.
• Q is admin-key free: all essential upgrades of the system are legitimized by defined governance processes.
• Lastly, in case of technical or other questions, the Q community is there to help. On the Q Discord server, questions are typically answered right away.

Benefits of Q’s unique architecture

Beyond these basics, Q has unique properties that make it particularly sustainable and therefore attractive for demanding and high-value applications:

• Unparalleled security: Q’s unique dual-layer node architecture provides a level of security against malicious chain takeovers and double-spend-attacks that is much higher than that of comparable blockchains. The so-called root nodes, which are comprised of people and entities of the highest reputation, monitor and enforce validators’ compliance with the network’s rules. This means that even though Q’s mainnet has only been launched recently, builders can rest assured that executing transactions on Q is safe.
• Sound economics: Historically, Layer 1 blockchains have relied on two sources of income for their security budget: An inflation subsidy and transaction fees. Typically, the inflation subsidy declines over time and is expected to be replaced by transaction fees. As has been pointed out by many researchers (see for example here and here), whether or not this will work is at least questionable. Q offers a third source of income: Fees of so-called integrated applications, which share all or part of the fees they generate in return for receiving governance services and security from Q. This makes the economics of Q independent of subsidies and transaction fees — a feature that is unique in the crypto space. The result is a level of economic sustainability which cannot be achieved by other Laye 1 protocols. This is particularly relevant for applications with longer-term time horizons.
• Transparent protocol development: With its transparent and enforceable governance, Q provides a clear path for protocol development in the future. Unlike other blockchains where change processes often chaotic and intransparent, stakeholders of Q know exactly what the rules of the system are, how changes are implemented and what the scope limitations of such changes are. This provides three distinct advantages: Firstly, builders can rest assured that there are not negative surprises that compromise or — in the worst case — break their code. Secondly, the core principles are “set in stone” so that developers can rely upon them. And thirdly, everyone can play an active part in contributing to Q’s further development. Together, these properties ensure that Q is future-proof, making it a good choice for demanding and ambitions developers. *

The advancement of ADAS (Advanced Driver Support Systems) is just one of the most substantial technologies in the vehicle market. These systems have actually significantly enhanced road safety and security, enhanced driving experience, as well as have opened up new horizons for any person thinking about computerized driving. ADAS systems rely on vast amounts of information to spot as well as react to driving situations. This data consists of photos, appears, and also location-based details, among others. Collecting and also processing this information has generally been a significant obstacle for auto manufacturers as well as the firms that create ADAS systems. Thanks to AI (Expert System), these data collection obstacles have been addressed, and Datatang goes to the leading edge of making it occur. Datatang is a leading supplier of high-quality information options for machine learning applications. The business's data collection services can aid vehicle producers to build much better ADAS systems. By utilizing AI to accumulate and examine data, Datatang has created a much more effective as well as affordable means of structure maker discovering models. Car manufacturers and ADAS system building contractors can take advantage of Datatang's vast network of data collection agencies to gather and identify data, which they can after that make use of to educate their ADAS systems. The company's maker discovering algorithms ensure that data collection is trustworthy and also consistent, making it simpler for firms to build better ADAS systems.
...
In addition, Datatang's AI Data Collection services create premium data that can give understandings that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. Artificial intelligence relies upon high quality data, and Datatang's solutions can assist business ensure that their data sets are of the best. Finally, AI Data Collection has reinvented the means automobile manufacturers collect and refine data for artificial intelligence applications. Datatang's AI-driven data collection solutions are at the forefront of this transformation, providing automobile suppliers with high-quality, trustworthy, and cost-effective data collection solutions. If you have an interest in overhauling your ADAS systems, Datatang is the location to go!

Hey all,
My wife is an Aussie and we have 2 kids so far and hoping for a third. We're looking at moving to Australia to be closer to her family (Coff's Harbor and Sydney area).
Does anyone have a rundown on the differences between the 2 systems?
I know about the super and I know you can't really pull your money out of it vs an American 401k.
Are there other tax advantaged accounts? How are the deductions, most years with saving and kids we avoid most federal and state taxes (not medicare and social security though)
I'm currently in a tax accounting internship and planning to start testing for my CPA this summer, how's the market for accounting?
She's looking at going back to school to be a teacher. Would an American program and experience translate?
​
Sorry for the 50 questions, we're just trying to plan for a couple years out as it's a huge move and we want to keep our financial goals in place. Appreciate all the help!

More often than not we are forced into circumstances that we don’t want, and our horizon seems limited at times. Men of power already seek opportunities, but sometimes they forgo following a profitable path too early in the name of other considerations. In this kind of example, discouragement sets in and harsh self doubt follows. This is not our way. When power is made available to those like us however, we do not hesitate. The way to empowerment should be known by its pragmatic philosophy and the sharp willpower of its followers, but sometimes the rest of the world disagrees. How they may find disapproval with us depends on judgements that seem to have already been in place for them. Those of us who rely most on our own judgment can best execute our decisions, even if other forces end up getting in our way. To be a man of power is to thrive, while to be caught in the criticism of others is to spend too much time questioning. There is no use in following the standards of others if all we are expected to do is submit and stay put. Therefore, our way of thinking should say that morality is not just irrelevant, but something to question against.
While the rest of the world depends on having a clear direction set for them, the strongest follow their own guidance. It doesn’t matter how long it will take to achieve things on your own terms, it is up to you to decide if it will be more worth it. In truth, despite all of the doctrine of equality, inclusion, frugality, contentment, and security that dominates our social landscape, some know better than to take part in such vague promises. Indeed, hanging onto comfort is an obsession for many, and a primary goal for most. Our question here is whether the individual should follow his life on his own terms, or try to make use of the ethics that others have set for him. Some might say that there is a far greater advantage in trying to uphold ideals of acceptance and passiveness for others, and therefore further effort will not be necessary. The truth is, morality never has more to offer you than how much you yourself expend the effort necessary to uphold it. Don’t spend time exploring the ideas that others want to offer you, but rather look into yourself.
Someone who embodies accomplishment should not only be determined to achieve things in his own right, but also be cautious of the subtle traps that can hold him back. The fact of the matter is, capable individuals already know not to follow the binds and chains of moral righteousness. If anything, a presence of superiority and fairness is more of an outcome than a guiding force, and fairness is a weak one at that. On its own, meek standards of living your life such as this simply offer you no strength. Someone with vision knows how to take risks, and potentially be ready to deal with the consequences if they arise. To follow the directions of the masses, is to take away from your own capabilities without a second thought. Man is better when he doesn’t hesitate yet thinks clearly, than when he submits. As someone who wants to gain more for himself, it is better to be confident in your own methods even if the benefits are not immediately obvious. A sudden and cathartic speech at work, a hard won promotion, an excellent exam score, and an improvement to a commercial product only comes out of your own force. Simply calculating sums on the desk because you don’t want to upset anyone, only means that you invite in angst and hardship for yourself later.
There may be something noticeable about a man who gets along with everybody in his community and takes care to never offend others. At first glance he seems flawless. However, as it turns out he carries no true power beyond a weak image. Not setting limits for yourself when presenting your new ideas at a job fair, or not being forceful enough when trying to earn more clients for your company seems to earn approval as far as mere kindness goes, but it simply doesn’t get the right results. This is why the doctrine of true power is different. Conventions and socially dictated standards of right and wrong may make a favorable presence, but they need not always be obeyed. Someone who can gain power is different. They know how to rely on their own resources, work on their own observations, and form their own set of truth. Men who have something to them can earn money and social influence without trying to use pleasantries all the time. Do not be polite, be respectable. More so, be capable. This is the time to push ahead and form your own path while at a university campus club or finding clients who will hire you for your work. Treat yourself like someone who others will share respect in.
Respectable men indeed choose not to follow the conventions. Those with energy and motivation can make the last things considered become a reality. Soon, others will also share in appreciating this kind of compelling result. Do not be afraid to put the unknown into action, and bring the hidden ideas into a realized form. The moral framework and the standards of behavior that exist behind everyone will eventually fade. Rigid and passive ways of living will quickly become stale. Further action is necessary, so a spirit of powerful momentum and energy needs to first take care of what is most necessary and then save room for even greater accomplishments. It is not fruitful to obey the traditional method of doing things when new possibilities await. To produce a more impressive result takes strength, initiative, and tenacity. It also takes a determined disregard for rules as far as they do not serve you. Weakness may seem preferable for those of a basic character, but the new and profoundly effective path takes fierce and enduring will to put into action. You have more to leave behind than you would believe, and more to question than what time seems to offer you. There is a much greater truth that awaits you than practicing fairness and sitting in perfect alignment with others. Impassioned effort, confidence in the self and an unbeatable strength to complete your goals must become your new morals.
As it is said a strong mind is not necessarily aware of everything that happens, but rather is aware of the few events that are most important. This is an essential truth to follow. Some conditions around you help you to advance your goal, others do not. This can include the empty goals of conformity and equilibrium, seeking to maintain order but ultimately benefiting no one. You likely have been conditioned with a certain mindset from the beginning that you are not even aware of. It may still be within you to desire to please others above all else. Do not think that others' disapproval will bring you suffering, because you must be strong enough to deal with temporary insecurity after that. Break free and move on, because there is only one rule for the man of power. It is to do absolutely everything necessary to make your goal see the light of day, or sit in failure. If you believe that you can earn enough interest for your new business idea or eventually attract a faithful investor all given enough effort, simply don’t hesitate. When there are too many traps in view and all the possible restrictions around you, start by breaking out of your confines. Reality may conspire to force you into submission at first, but it will really come to respect you more if you emerge stronger without any suppression. Keep your promise of a better future firmly in your grasp, and go forward.
It is within truly successful methods of work and living to make the unorthodox come to life, and make the once misunderstood or obscure the new standard. A life worth living is one that includes a practice of first taking risks and then gaining a fuller understanding of the process later on. It is within the nature of the exceptional individual to make reality bow down to his will rather than give up a part of himself for “the greater good”. It is not necessary to become confident in morals that have only expectations for you, but do not describe an end worth pursuing. While other people thrive on their own limitations and embrace their prison, it is up to you to see the chains in place and cut them down one by one. There is much more to your life than simply fostering acceptance for yourself from everyone else, for your individuality will never thrive under such an innocent barrier. Make yourself a man of progress, and understand that a state of tempered chaos that you have caused can potentially rearrange itself into your favor. Understand that you will do better when you select your options carefully. A few out of many is better than too many. When the time is right to defy morals forced on you by events in the political arena or an outdated curriculum you are taught in the university classroom, take the opportunity. Make this world your own through your progress, make your name known, and make your decisions the ones that others follow. The path to morality is faint, while the path to power is almost unlimited.

Will be retiring in September of this year!
Question about shopping for Medicare supplemental insurance. Will be going with traditional Medicare, not an advantage plan. When shopping for plans, do Medicare brokers offer plans for different providers, or are they tied to one company. For example, does a broker only provide plans from United or Humana? Also, are the plans and pricing from AARP good?
Thanks

Before I go inside I will make some camp to rest first.
With the day over and the sun setting on the horizon I make my way to the natural barrier that I was told about. It is a small hole covered by a bunch of sticks, twigs and leaves. Upon removal I see the hole is big enough to comfortably crawl my way inside. I just need to tuck my cloak and make sure my gear doesn't fall off.
Not long after I'm at the end of the tunnel with rocks blocking my way. First I fall silent to check if there are sounds nearby.
Seems there isn't anyone. I have my horror crawl beside me and using his limitless stamina to push the rocks aside.
We enter after a brief struggle.
Next, using my fixed appearance, some sneaking and avoiding people I stealthy make my way into the aboveground right next to Myrick home, it just took a little longer than I would've liked and I had to cover my horror more in clothing to make it pass as a human.
Now, the town itself is pretty big with possibly hundreds of people. I do not give off too much outsider aura from where I stand.
Searching and asking some subtle questions I learned that Myrick is not simply a veteran warden, he is son of the town councilor, which makes my task harder again.
I will have to be more careful, perhaps a cloak and knife assassination is in order?
For the moment I lie in wait outside his house and try to secure some kind of advantage. However it seems the guy is living along with his warden wife and they have yet to separate. I will have to deal with both of them in this case.
Once they leave their home for patrol I try to secure another advantage.
I quickly get inside after they leave and attempt to cast a warding ritual on their bed, if luck is on my side, this will trap them inside when they are without any weapons or armor.
The ward is set, not as strongly as I had hoped but it will be enough.
Unfortunately I hear voices outside, it seems they are coming back.
I hide under their bed.
How agonizing it is to hide on hard ground while they go around their house.
After a while they leave and I leave it then damage their window so it easily opens.
Horror and myself lie in wait until they come back.
The light is falling back as darkness comes, Myrick and his wife have returned and are preparing to sleep after a meal.
Moments later the ward activates as both of them enter it at the same time.
They didn't even notice they became trapped.
After they fall asleep I and my horror get inside and sneak our way there.
Unfortunately the stealthy option fails and the wife wakes up disturbed.
With my fastest speed I and my horror strike the still asleep and just waking up Myrick, my knife throw along with my horror own attack.
The knife pierces his neck in the nick of time. His wife gets up with a scream and we both cut apart her defenseless self, unfortunately she was loud. I have my horror chop off Myrick head and we jump out of the window.
Wardens are coming!
As we run I am hit by an arrow in my shoulder. However we successfully escape by going up an unmanned watchtower and jumping beyond the wall and into the forest.
At last, the task is over.
Without wasting time and increasing chance of wardens pursue I undertake a journey back to Kendrick.
After about halfway through the travel I happen upon a place I think was called Wood Watch, it's a valley, now from what I see turned mystical.
I can faintly sense some kind of mystical phenomenon happening in there. Curious.
It seems I will have to check it out after I return from Kendrick's grave.
After another hour of travel I am greeted by a mine I didn't see before, it seems inhabited. Iron Mines are pretty rare in this region. This will require further scouting later on.
Finally I end up at Kendrick Grave and find out that he digging around his grave in some kind of mystical pattern. I have no idea what is the purpose of that but he told me to not bother him after I left him the head.
I fulfilled my vow and got told a piece of knowledge as a reward, supposedly owls are great mystical companions whose existence could allow me to glean deeper into the unknown.
With this I am to leave him for some time and train or do whatever I want.
So first I remake the magic on my binding ritual which failed recently.
The ritual was pretty stressful to me but it worked. Next I try to use my bestial aspect ritual, which will partly change me into a green wolf, now this is supposed to make me more empathetic and charming, or so the ritual is supposed to do.
This required me to use a bit of the rare plant I had on me, it will last me a few more of these and then I will have to search for more. This reminds me Hirsham is a herbalist, perhaps he could grow this thing for me?
I go to Thornhope and talk to Hirsham regarding this issue.
He welcomes me with open arms for a dinner. After a lengthy talk and my persuasion attempts he agrees to take the plant from me and somehow grow it up for my future needs. I have no clue how it works.
At that comment he smiles and tells me it's not for free. In exchange he asks me to finally learn herbalism from him, it will surely help me in my endeavors in the future and possibly save my life someday.
With a weak smile I agree, recent events made me realize my first aid knowledge and skills were too shallow.
Between my sojourning there and learning herbalism over a whole week I leave the village a new man if I say so myself.
I'm a herbalist now. Right, speaking of Kendrick and me returning to him, this is a priority now but I did also learn that Thornhope has an animal tamer in there who fortunately for me does have an owl. I didn't ask for it as that would surely require another task to be completed but I will keep that in mind when I have time to return here.
With that said I went back to my master.

With no clue how to proceed for the moment I chose to make a temporary camp in the cave since the ward still stands there unbroken.
With horror by my side I sat and tried making the place more livable. I'm in a shoddy state, even with that generous hunter's help and need a place to properly rest.
Well, shit. When I was setting the camp. I mistakenly disturbed the mystical energies holding my ritual together and it dissipated.
I will need to cast it again, safety is my foremost issue.
Fortunately the recreation of it went well and it protects me once again. I also somewhat enlarged the boundary.
Time to try setting up the camp again, and properly at that, but as I set up my old tent I am attacked midway.
It's a boar which tried crossing the boundary. I take out my trusty bone knife and stab its throat before it realizes it can't harm me at all through the protective spell.
With this I secured some food for the next few days I guess.
After I finally had time and peace to set up a camp I laid there while cooking some meat. Horror stood farther away on the lookout for trouble while I had time to finally relax somewhat. My body still hurts and is wounded but I'm not bleeding at least so my mood improved, things are looking better than yesterday at least.
The next morning I tried to gain some advantage for further healing by picking healing herbs. I thought I read earlier that one such grows in this place but I couldn't find it even after several hours.
I tried to do it without the herb but it went horribly and my wound opened up. I had to burn my flesh a bit to close it up. It was painful but I preserved.
Soon evening came and I had to prepare for the night again.
The night was spent eating boar meat along with some herbs I picked up earlier along with a healthy recuperation.
Early on, just as the sun appeared on the horizon I tried to scavenge some supplies. I was running shorter on them.
After a while I realized the surrounding area was even more of a mess than I thought, both the walls of Bleakbarrow as well as the area near it was in a horrible state, trees were broken, rubble around. Wardens were guarding a hole in the wall. It seems the wyvern was mighty not just to me.
I found no supplies for the moment.
It took me whole day of traveling farther away from the settlement but I managed to refill my backpack with herbs and other items.
I was roughly okay in terms of health and as prepared as I could be for danger so I now took my time to return back to the camp.
The following night I gathered my thoughts regarding my vow and tried to come up with ways of killing Myrick.
Soon I realized I may have been too narrow in my thinking. I am a mystic, maybe not a master but still one. I can speak with the dead and even force them to answer my questions. My question is safe way of entering the town as well as identity of this Myrick.
With that I tried to secure an advantage using my knowledge and observation skills. I noticed that one of the gates of the Bleakbarrow had more tracks than the other ones. Observing them thoroughly revealed a pattern.
After analyzing the information I had I decided to try and calculate nearest possibility of the event that may happen soon.
My heart throbs as I hide in the bushes and over the next day realise that I may have thought too naively of this place. At first it seemed like they were transporting the dead to a graveyard which I would've liked to scour for information.
I was wrong, they were taking sacrifices to appease the wyvern in hopes of reducing its wrath.
I didn't follow the wardens escorting people in wooden shackles, they may attack me after I discovered what they do.
Instead I waited until they returned and followed fresh tracks which were effortless to navigate.
Soon I came before a scene of carnage. The bodies of three people lay there dead, gore around and wyvern nowhere to be found, yet the evidence of its feast very visible.
With a sigh I came closer to the three bodies and took whatever remains of them with me to the camp, it was hard but I couldn't remain in this dangerous place any longer.
At the camp I have arrived just as night fell so I set up my camp again.
The night went alright and in the morning I prepared makeshift candles made from bee hives and set up three ritual sites. I no longer expect to just succeed so easily the first time.
With this I started communing with the first deceased, a man in his sixties, or so I can understand from his broken and half eaten body.
Surprisingly the dead spirit rose nearly immediately at my request.
I told him I brought him back for a moment and that I needed his help. With this I tried to gather some information regarding entry into Bleakbarrow first, after all I can't kill Myrick without entering inside first and foremost.
Unsurprisingly the old man didn't know any way to enter the town without going by the wardens first, shame. After that I tried to ask about Myrick.
He told me he knows Myrick, it is an unwelcome information as it turns out Myrick is one of Bleakbarrow veteran wardens, it will be hard to kill him swiftly and I may even be defeated if circumstances align.
I bury him and prepare for the other ritual.
The woman I tried to summon merely released a banshee like screech from the underworld and I had to stop before it hurts my ears.
The third person meanwhile rose with vigor I remember from before, the body was pretty messed up and I don't really understand who it was but moments later I noticed a spectral hand piercing my chest and a wrathful cry with it.
The spirit attacked me at the moment of my disorient.
I suffered a blow, not a physical one but to my mind, my head hurts.
Fuck.
You dare attack me, you pawn of the authority?
Kicking the body I chant forbidden speech, using my most menacing voice.
The voice of the underworld is straining to speak but I endure and summon the spirit again, this time forcefully.
I do not ask. I order it to tell me how to enter this filthy town they call Bleakbarrow and I want it now.
The spirit unable to refuse, tells me everything I need to know and more. I sent it back with a glare.
The entry into the city is by the tunnel that is connected to an underground prison. It seems there was a break some time ago and they didn't have time to block the tunnel completely and instead merely chose to cover it with some natural barrier from the outside and a a few boulders on the inside. Nothing I can't handle.
With this the path to my goal is clear.

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Chapter 30
Subject: Staff Sergeant Power
Species: Human
Description: Mammalian humanoid, no tail. 6'2" (1.87 m) avg height. 185 lbs (84 kg) avg weight. 170 year life expectancy.
Ship: USSS Liberty
Location: Tanar {plentiful harvest}
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"I hate this fucking planet," Private First Class Brint said over comms.
I immediately turned to him and gave him the sign to shut the fuck up. Comms security was a priority on this assignment. The gont insurrectionists may have comm trackers, and if they do the boot had just given them our position. He winced and signaled his understanding.
Brint's the only gont on my squad. But not the only boot. We were down to 8, but got enough fresh graduates to fill our ranks back up to the classic 13 man model. Ten humans, one gont, one alumari, and the stereotypical knuknu medic. All five of the replacements are PFCs, which doesn't bode well for my mental health. Mental health is a luxury in the Marine Corps, though.
The humans on the squad are myself, Private First Class Boyle, PFC Reinhardt, PFC Johns, PFC Rogers, Lance Corporal Higgs, LCPL Livingstone, LCPL Hart, Corporal Chang, and Sergeant Gruff. The Alumari is SGT Intornathalogi, Int for short. The knuknu is Corpsman Yunk. Int, Yunk, and Gruff had been on the squad nearly as long as I had.
Squad 1, 120A Battalion, 13th Marine Regiment. We'd been in the shit since the insurrectionist's coup attempt. From planet to planet we'd been fighting them, digging them out of caves and freeing the locals from their terrorist tactics. Early on we even had some boarding action. Looking around this backwater planet in the Hran system, I sorely missed the boarding.
Each squad has 3 fireteams and one medic. I lead fireteam Alpha, Gruff leads Bravo, and Int leads Charlie. Squads are normally led by a lieutenant, who also leads fireteam Alpha. Things get complicated once you hit the grinder, though.
Our LT, First Lieutenant Harold Riggson, had been hit by an antiarmor grenade about six months back. He should've been dead immediately, but the guardian suit kept him alive long enough that no amount of counseling will ever get his death out of my head. Ribs splayed open like fingers, lungs... God. The corpsmen are known as the angels of death, and that day had demonstrated why perfectly. Yunk had held Riggson's hand as he turned off the life support on his suit.
From that moment on I was in charge. Command had not seen fit to grant us a spare officer, so it's up to me to lead these shitheads into the fire and try to make sure they make it back out in a big enough piece to continue to the next fire. After a week of on-base leave we got five new PFCs to fill our ranks.
These privates were running me ragged though. I sent them a knife hand and gestured for them to increase their spacing. They signaled understanding and complied. Dumbasses. It's instinct to stay close to each other, but it's an instinct that's better served in cattle.
I felt sorry for Gruff. His entire team was now made of boots. He jokes that it's what he gets for surviving. Griping aside, though, things could be worse. At least the recruits are trained, for the most part. Not like the gont regimentals we had to serve with earlier on in this war. THEY didn't even have the excuse of being new to the job.
The training makes all the difference. Marine corps training is the most grueling in all the galaxy. Probably. I had heard that we had made first contact with some new aliens, and I don't know about their training. It's pretty unlikely that it's tougher, though.
We go through 8 months of basic training on Hellwurld, then even more training depending on our MOS. As infantry we go through a full 14 months of training, minimum. Other specialties get to go to different planets to train, but we grunts stay on Hellwurld.
If you're one of the gen-alts, like me, you have to go through 18 months of training and genetic therapy. There are a lot of reasons to get the gene therapy. First, it allows you to use the advanced guardian armor, which increases strength and speed by a lot. Second, it helps you be absolutely jacked and tall as all hell. I'm 7'3", and on the shorter side of the gen-alts. I'm also more ripped than I have ever been, even when I was bodybuilding as a teen. Third, you get higher pay, lifetime pay and benefits, and more career prospects when you retire from the corps.
Seriously, if you're a gen-alt with a brain the sky's the limit. Even with a dishonorable discharge you've got more career prospects than a civilian who hasn't had the therapy. Considering how difficult it is to get the therapy outside of the armed forces, it's a pretty distinct advantage. One that I am not dumb enough to turn down. There are two catches, though. You have to join infantry for 10 years, and it can kill you.
The training for infantry is as intensive as it is long. The first month deprives a recruit of sleep to ensure they sleep when they're told to. Months 2 through 4 are disciplinary training. Drill, formation, call and response, and even how to shave, eat, shower, and shit like a marine. 5 through 6 is weapons theory, 7 through 8 is weapons practical. You learn what the guns do, and then how to make them do it.
For infantry, 9 through 11 is tactical theory, and 12 through 13 is tactical practical. Squad formations, camouflage, enfilade, defilade, and the military crest are all covered and practiced. They don't cover proper spacing for some fucking reason. Month 14 is the crucible and then graduation. From then on you're a Marine.
Months 15 through 18 are only for gen-alts. The first two weeks are the actual gene therapy, genetically altering you until you're what most species would consider a super-soldier. You get over that particular fantasy the first time you do CQC with a gont, though.
The next two weeks are learning how to move again with your new body. Breaking cups and doors is common. The next month is physical training to get the most out of the genetic alterations. The last two months are learning to utilize the advanced guardian armor.
Persons other than grunt do a more condensed version of infantry training before they go off to learn their real jobs. They learn the same things we do, but not as in-depth. A prime example is that POGs aren't trained on sidearms. They also don't know how to defend against a breach and clear. Despite my disdain for the boots in my squad, I'm still glad they aren't POGs.
The ground crunched to signify a change in the terrain. Tanar is a gont farming world, with rock deserts scattered throughout the otherwise temperate terrain. Of course, it's got jungles and arctic zones and shit like that, but the grasslands and deserts are the only thing I've seen on this shithole.
Int says that the rocks are the precursors of sand, but I ain't a geologist. All I know is that somewhere in this pebble pile is a cave that's acting as a base of operations for a particularly nasty set of dog-taurs that need to be put down. And they're ready for us. I was tempted to do a weapons check, but I'd already done one before we set out and I wasn't about to let them catch me with my pants down.
I hefted the C21B to the ready position and double checked the safety. Weapons have to be condition 0 on patrol, but sometimes the movement of the rifle can fat-finger the switch. It only takes a tenth of a second to fix, but a tenth of a second is the difference between who shoots first. I glanced around, making sure everyone was covering their sectors. The boots were sulking, but otherwise doing their jobs. Good.
I heard a soft bing from my helmet and felt a soft jab in my lower lip. Chow time. As I chewed the nutrition stick I thought about how grateful I was for the notification. Without it, I would have jumped. Being poked in the face will do that to you. I took a sip from my helmet's straw as I finished the chow. The nutrition sticks are an important part of a Marine's balanced diet. They'll keep you going for up to a month without an actual meal. A month and a half for gen-alts.
A lot of marines would rather starve to death. The sticks taste terrible and have a waxy texture that sticks to your teeth. There have been many attempts to make them more palatable, but it usually ends up with a new terrible taste and the same nasty texture. The taste is like ramen that's been cooked and dried several times with way too much salt and sugar and some sort of chemical compound. Like bleach or something.
The nasty taste has led to the belief among some of the dumber marines that the guardian suits recycle our shit to make the sticks. In actuality, the suits feed our shit to our reactors and recycles our piss into water. Each suit carries one gallon of water and 60 nutrient sticks. The fact that engineering doesn't let us "reload" our own suits doesn't help the rumors.
I sighed to myself as the grass behind us faded from view. Command believes that the gonts have antivehicular measures, so we were having to hoof it. I'm of the firm belief that this is a managerial overthink, but it's not like I can bitch about it to my squad. So I just had to internalize my frustrations and wonder what possible type of anti-vic could take out guardian suits along with a vehicle.
They'd dropped us 20 miles from the gont base, which was about 10 miles more than necessary. Whatever, we'd already marched 12 miles, so we'd be there soon. The humans on the squad are still looking fresh, like we're just out for a Sunday stroll. But that's because we were all gen-alts. Aliens could go through the program as well, but the benefits weren't as pronounced and the risks were greater.
Int, Yunk, and Brint are looking tired. The only reason they made it this far is because of their guardian suits. I think I should call a rest, we don't have much farther to go and we'll likely be better off if everybody is fresh.
ZZT ZZT ZZT
A familiar and unwelcome sound. The sound of a directed energy weapon hitting shields.
"CONTACT RIGHT!"
"COVER YOUR SECTORS!" I shouted while aiming toward our right flank.
Everyone hit the deck facing the directions that they were supposed to. Even the boots. Good on them. I scanned for our target, who was under the mistaken impression that we were their target. The terrain was mostly flat, but there were berms in the distance. Barely close enough for laser fire.
I increased my magnification and saw some rocks tumble down the berm. Bingo. I gestured toward the berm to apply a ping, letting the rest of the squad know where to look. Once I saw the waypoint, I checked the squad's vitals.
It was Higgs who had taken the hit, so he had to have called the contact. Lasers are invisible unless you're using infrared or smoke. The Directed Energy Rifles fire in short bursts to make it more difficult to trace them back. Which is why our suits have damage indicators.
I closed the status screen once I saw his shield begin to regenerate. The three hits had knocked him down to a quarter. That means they're using OUR fucking lasers. The furry fucks can't even play with their own toys.
"Staffsarnt Power," Chang said, gesturing to his MK48 grenade launcher.
"No, those are thermobaric and we'll need them for the cave. We're going to do this the good ol' fashioned way. FIRETEAM BRAVO! RUSH!"
"FIRETEAM RUSH AYE!" Gruff, Boyle, Reinhardt, and Brint answered.
Gruff and Brint began firing their C21Bs at the berm while Boyle and Reinhardt rose and began to charge. After three seconds of sprinting they hit the deck and began firing while Gruff and Brint began their rush. It was a very old and very effective technique for bypassing enemy cover. That berm that was covering the gont fucks was about to become their doom.
As Bravo was rushing, one of the gont popped their head up to take a shot. Their guardian helmet almost instantly vaporized, leaving a pink and red mist in its place. One shot, which means they don't have shields on their armor. The C21B fires .52 CAL SLAP rounds, which are brutally effective against armor. They're pretty effective against energy shields as well, but it takes two shots to break a shield, and a third to open the can. Gruff and Brint crested the berm and began firing. It was all over within three seconds.
"Contacts down," SGT Gruff said.
"Roger, regroup," I responded. Once they returned, I gestured at PFC Brint and said, "See, that's why you don't chatter over comms during a mission."
"Aye aye, staffsarnt," came the reply.
I gestured to Gruff asking how many contacts there had been. He held up a hand with all five fingers spread. A whole ass fireteam, probably with medic. The medic means that they expected to win this fight. Dumb and sad, but that's the insurrection for you.
Once bravo caught back up I gestured for us to continue. A rest would have to wait, we couldn't stick around here after contact with the enemy. They'd definitely called it in, and we'd be idiots not to expect more resistance. Worse, the enemy might bug out and run, which would be a problem. I was debating whether or not we should double time it when I got a call.
"Shocker Actual, this is Overlord."
I really hate my callsign. At least it kind of made sense though.
"Overlord, this is Shocker Actual. Go ahead."
"Shocker Actual, new orders. Return to LZ for extraction immediately. A development has occurred, we're taking care of this another way. You'll want to double time it, over."
"Roger that. Shocker Actual out."
I gestured for a halt. I tried desperately not to show how pissed off I was as I gestured the about face. 12 confused helmets stared blankly at me until I did the gesture again. When we began moving I gestured double time, feeling very sorry for Int and Yunk. Less so for Brint. As we jogged Gruff came closer and triggered his helmet radio.
"What's the word, staffsarnt?" he asked.
"Bird's gonna pick us back up. Something happened so they're going to take care of the cave a different way. We're running because they told us to, and you know what that means."
"Fuuuck. Whatcha think, A3 or A2?"
"Definitely A2. I'm pretty sure the Liberty is out of A3," I replied.
"Yeah, we've used a lot of them," Gruff laughed as he returned to his position.
Despite the exhaustion of three of our members we were able to make good time back to the landing zone. The shuttle was waiting for us, with its defense turrets deployed. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. This was unusual. Something's off. Command changes its mind about our missions all the time, but a pilot waiting groundside? What the hell happened? I gestured a halt and ran up to the back of the bird, weapon ready but not raised. The pilot looked back at me.
"Ey, get the fuck in. I've been waiting for you, and we've got to get the hell out of here. Let's go, Marine!"
I gestured for everyone to load up as I took my seat nearest the hatch. I felt dumb, but I've learned the hard way that it's better safe than sorry. Plus it's likely that the something off I detected is much higher up than I can see. I did a headcount as my marines passed me to take their seats. Twelve plus me is thirteen. All here.
"We're loaded, let's go," I told the pilot.
The engines whirred up, a silent hum followed by a slightly louder whir and whoosh. It would've been quieter had the pilot closed the hatch.
"Why's the bay door still open, sir?" PFC Rogers asked the pilot.
"What, you don't wanna watch the detonation?" The pilot asked with a tone of amusement.
Thirteen guardian helmets immediately turned towards the bay door as the shuttle rose. I increased my magnification, looking for the cave we'd been trekking toward. I saw a fiery object head towards the ground from the sky moving very quickly. When it reached the ground everything went dark for half a second and we all saw the tell tale sign of an artificial event horizon.
"You were right, staffsarnt. It was an A2," Gruff said with awe in his voice.
"Damn, that's an A2? The hell do they need us for if they've got that?" asked Reinhardt.
"We're cheaper," replied Int. "Way cheaper."
"Even with the suits?" asked PFC Johns.
"Especially with the suits," HM Yunk chimed in. "Marines last far longer, leave less collateral damage, and you tend to get more bang for your buck. Plus you don't need an admiral to give the go ahead to launch marines."
Yunk was technically part of the navy, but like all corpsmen was an honorary marine. He continued his explanation as the event horizon vanished and the bay door closed.
"A WMD like the A2 costs three times as much as training and equipping an entire battalion of marines. And it costs twice as much as the lifetime payouts if all of those marines died or were crippled. The A3 is cheaper, but still more expensive than just sending us in to deal with it..." he paused. "Staffsarnt, why'd they change their mind?"
"Beats me." I said.
"You think it has to do with the attack on Sol?" asked PFC Boyle.
"Sol was attacked? By who?" I asked. I had basically locked myself down during leave and hadn't paid attention to the news.
"Yes, staff sergeant," Boyle replied, stiffening under the attention. "I don't know who exactly, but it's some sort of robotic thing. Like, a rogue VI or something."
"That's not it," Brint interrupted. "It's a first contact scenario with a hostile machine intelligence. We've also made contact with another galactic government called the Republic. They're supposedly helping us defend Sol, because they dragged us into their war with the robots."
"Yeah, that's right," Livingstone said. "The machines are called the Omni Union or something."
"I see. Dumb name. But yeah, that's probably it. We'll likely learn more when we get back to the ship," I said with a yawn and a wave that signified my intent to catch some shuteye.
I turned off my visor and closed my eyes as the other marines chattered amongst themselves. I slept the entire ride, and woke when the shuttle jerked from the docking clamps. When I turned my visor back on I saw that Gruff was the only marine awake. He nodded to me and I gestured a "shh".
I keyed my comms, "RISE AND SHINE MARINES! WE'VE ARRIVED AT THE BLESSED LANDING DECK OF THE U TRIPLE-S LIBERTY!"
Every one of the PFCs nearly jumped out of their suits, but the non-coms were nonplussed. They were used to my antics, not that it spoiled my fun at all.
"Five more minutes, staffsarnt," CPL Chang said.
"Abso-fucking-lutely not Chang. Get your ass out of my shuttle and stow your gear," I said, kicking his boot.
I chased the marines off the shuttle, smacking helmets and shouting the entire way. As I followed them down the gangway I spotted our platoon leader and company commander waiting for us. Shit. All thirteen of us stopped and saluted.
"As you were, marines," Captain Michaels said as he returned our salute.
"Y'all go get some chow or something. Staff Sergeant Power, a word please," Lieutenant Vasquez also returned our salute.
My marines walked away, each of them looking back at me. I could tell they were wondering if I had got into trouble or something. So was I, for that matter. It's not as if you find yourself talking to the company CO as a squad leader for any other reason very often.
"Don't worry, staffsarnt, you're not in any trouble," Captain Michaels said with a knowing smile. "We've got a special operation. Lieutenant?"
"Yes, sir. Power, your squad is to report to the command room at 0800 tomorrow for briefing. I want a gear check done tonight, everything needs to be cleaned and reloaded ASAP," Vasquez said.
"Aye aye, sir."
"Excellent. As you were."
I saluted once more and after returning my salute the two officers turned away. I felt like I dodged a bullet only to land on a grenade. I jogged to catch up to my squad and passed along the word. After saying "I don't know" to a bunch of questions I found myself alone with my thoughts. Special Operation? How did the big green dick plan on fucking us this time?
​​Previous First
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Digital Health Solutions: Adapting to Evolving Demands

As the world continues to grapple with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare organizations have been forced to rethink their digital strategies and develop solutions that facilitate virtual healthcare delivery. Digital health companies now offer more convenient and accessible solutions that have revolutionized many patients’ ability to receive high-quality care and manage their health. However, despite record-level digital health investment in 2021 ($29.1 billion), many companies have struggled in recent years to navigate challenges including saturated markets, insurance coverage issues, labor and supply shortages, and data privacy concerns.

The State of Digital Health in 2023

With the rapid evolution of digital health solutions, 2023 is set to be a pivotal year for the industry. The adoption of digital health solutions is increasing at an unprecedented rate, and the market is forecasted to reach $639.4 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 23.6% during the forecast period. The industry is expected to focus on expanding access to care via an integrated experience and on generating data that can improve patient and population health.

The Advantages of Digital Health

Digital health solutions have numerous advantages, especially in the context of the pandemic. One of the most significant benefits is the ability to provide patients with remote access to healthcare services. Telehealth has gained a lot of attention over the past year, allowing doctors and healthcare providers to deliver care without the need for in-person consultations. This solution has been crucial in minimizing the risk of exposure to the virus while ensuring that patients receive the care they need.
At-home testing and prescription delivery services have also gained popularity, providing patients with a more convenient way to manage their health. These services have revolutionized the healthcare industry, allowing patients to receive high-quality care from the comfort of their homes.

The Challenges Facing Digital Health

Despite the numerous benefits of digital health solutions, the industry has also faced significant challenges. One of the most significant challenges is the saturation of the market. Many digital health companies are offering similar solutions, making it difficult for new entrants to differentiate themselves and gain market share.
Insurance coverage issues have also been a significant challenge for the industry. Many insurance companies do not cover digital health services, making it difficult for patients to access them. Labor and supply shortages have also been a challenge, making it difficult for digital health companies to meet the growing demand for their services.
Data privacy concerns have also been a significant challenge for the industry. Digital health solutions rely heavily on patient data, which must be handled with care to protect patient privacy.

The Future of Digital Health

Despite the challenges facing the industry, the future of digital health is bright. Digital health solutions will continue to evolve and provide patients with more convenient and accessible healthcare services. The industry will focus on developing integrated solutions that connect various stakeholders and generate meaningful health data.
Digital health technologies this year will likely face higher scrutiny over their ability to measure success and demonstrate differentiated value. However, there is still strong momentum in digital health that’s driving the adoption of new solutions. The industry is poised for continued growth, and the adoption of digital health solutions will likely increase as patients seek more convenient ways to manage their health.

FAQ

Q: What are some advantages of digital health solutions?
A: Digital health solutions provide numerous advantages, especially in the context of the pandemic. One of the most significant benefits is the ability to provide patients with remote access to healthcare services. Telehealth has gained a lot of attention over the past year, allowing doctors and healthcare providers to deliver care without the need for in-person consultations. This solution has been crucial in minimizing the risk of exposure to the virus while ensuring that patients receive the care they need.
​
Q: What are some challenges facing the digital health industry?
A: While digital health solutions have numerous advantages, there are also several challenges facing the industry. One of the biggest challenges is navigating the complex regulatory environment, especially when it comes to data privacy and security. There is also the challenge of ensuring that digital health solutions are accessible to all patients, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographic location. Another challenge is the need to integrate digital solutions with existing healthcare systems, which can be difficult due to the lack of interoperability between different systems.
Q: How do digital health solutions impact patient outcomes?
A: Digital health solutions have the potential to significantly impact patient outcomes by providing patients with more convenient and accessible healthcare services. Patients can use digital solutions to monitor their health, track their progress, and communicate with healthcare providers remotely. This can lead to earlier detection and prevention of diseases, improved management of chronic conditions, and better overall health outcomes. However, it is important to note that digital health solutions should not replace traditional in-person care and should be used in conjunction with other healthcare services.
Q: What is the future of digital health?
A: The future of digital health is bright, with many exciting developments on the horizon. As digital health solutions become more advanced and sophisticated, we can expect to see even more innovative and transformative solutions emerge. These solutions will likely focus on expanding access to care, improving patient outcomes, and generating data that can be used to improve population health. We can also expect to see increased investment in digital health companies and technologies, as well as greater collaboration between different stakeholders in the healthcare industry. Overall, the future of digital health is promising, and we can expect to see continued growth and development in this field in the years to come.

reading time - 10 minutes
Chapter 1: Reincarnation as Hitler
It was a peaceful evening in Seoul when suddenly everything went black. The last thing I remembered was a blinding light and a sharp pain in my head. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself standing in a dark room. It took me a moment to realize that I was not alone. There were several other people in the room with me, and they all looked just as confused as I felt.
"Where are we?" I asked, looking around the room. The walls were made of concrete, and there were no windows or doors.
"I have no idea," one of the other people said. "I was just walking down the street when everything went black."
Suddenly, a bright light shone down from above, and a voice boomed out.
"Welcome, my chosen ones," the voice said. "You have been reincarnated into the bodies of historical figures from Earth's past. Your task is to change history and create a better future for all mankind."
I felt a chill run down my spine as the voice spoke. Was this some kind of twisted game show? And why did I have the feeling that I was about to be given a role I didn't want?
"You," the voice said, pointing directly at me. "You are Adolf Hitler."
My heart sank. Of all the historical figures I could have been, I had to be the most infamous dictator in history. I could feel the eyes of the other people in the room on me, and I knew that they must be thinking the same thing.
"Your task is to win World War II and create a new world order," the voice continued. "Only then will you be able to return to your original body and life"
I swallowed hard, trying to wrap my head around the situation. How could I possibly win a war that had already happened? And even if I could, did I really want to be responsible for the deaths of millions of people?
But as I looked around the room, I could see that the other people were already starting to accept their roles. Some of them were even excited at the prospect of changing history.
I took a deep breath and tried to steel myself for what was to come. If I was going to survive this, I would need to be strong, ruthless, and willing to do whatever it takes to achieve my goals.
"I accept," I said, gritting my teeth. "I will become Hitler and win World War II."
And with those words, I felt a strange energy coursing through my body. I closed my eyes and braced myself for whatever lay ahead, determined to make the most of this chance to change history.
Chapter 2: The Rise to Power
I woke up in a small apartment in Vienna, Austria. As I looked around, I noticed that the room was sparsely furnished with a small bed, a desk, and a chair. A wave of confusion and panic washed over me as I realized that I was indeed in Hitler's body.
I quickly gathered my thoughts and reminded myself of my goal. I had to win World War II to return to my original body and life. But before that, I had to climb to power in Germany and gain control over the Nazi party.
I spent the next few days reading up on the Nazi party's history and the political climate in Germany. I knew that I had to be careful and strategic in my actions. I couldn't just barge in and take over the party. I needed to gain the support of the party members and the people of Germany.
I started attending party meetings and rallies, and I slowly started to build a following. I was careful not to show my true intentions and instead focused on the economic woes of the German people. I promised them jobs, food, and a better life.
As my popularity grew, I began to gain the attention of the party's leadership. I was invited to speak at larger rallies, and my speeches were well received. My charisma and ability to connect with the people set me apart from the other party members.
It wasn't long before I was appointed the leader of the Nazi party. I was now in a position of power, and I had the support of the party members and the people of Germany. But I knew that my ultimate goal was still far from being achieved.
I began to focus on expanding the party's influence beyond Germany. I reached out to other countries and started building alliances. I knew that I needed to build a strong army and gain control of key territories if I was to win the war.
As I worked towards my goal, I felt myself becoming more and more like Hitler. His thoughts and beliefs started to seep into my own, and I found myself embracing his ideology. It was as if the more I acted like Hitler, the more I became like him.
But I couldn't let myself be consumed by this persona. I knew that I had to remain in control if I was to achieve my goal and return to my original life.
And so, I continued to climb the ranks of the Nazi party, building my army and alliances, and waiting for the right moment to strike. The road ahead was long and treacherous, but I was determined to see it through to the end.
Chapter 3: The Road to War
As I continued to build my power and influence in Germany, tensions between nations began to rise. It was clear that war was on the horizon, and I knew that I had to act quickly if I was to achieve my ultimate goal of winning World War II so I began to make strategic moves, expanding the German army and forming alliances with other countries.
Strengthening Germany's position in Europe was essential but as I looked around me, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The world was becoming more divided, and it seemed as if everyone was preparing for war. I knew that if I didn't act soon, Germany would be left behind.
And so, I began to take more aggressive actions. I annexed Austria and then moved on to the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia. The world watched in horror as Germany began to expand its borders.
But I knew that these actions were necessary. I was not just fighting for Germany; I was fighting for my own survival. I had to win the war to return to my original life, and I would stop at nothing to achieve that goal.
As tensions continued to rise, Britain and France attempted to negotiate a peaceful resolution. But I knew that their attempts would be in vain. War was inevitable, and I was prepared to do whatever it takes to win.
And so, on September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. The world erupted into chaos as nations chose sides and prepared for war. It was clear that this would be a long and bloody conflict, but I was ready.
As I watched the events unfold, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. I had built my power and influence from nothing, and now I was leading a powerful nation into war. But I also knew that this was just the beginning. The road ahead would be long and difficult, and I would have to make many sacrifices if I was to emerge victorious.
But I was willing to do whatever it takes. I was Hitler, the leader of Germany, and I was determined to win World War II and return to my original life. The fate of the world rested in my hands, and I was ready for the challenge.
Chapter 4: Blitzkrieg
The invasion of Poland marked the beginning of World War II, and it was time for me to put my plans into action. I had spent years preparing for this moment, and now it was time to show the world what Germany was capable of.
Our strategy was simple: blitzkrieg. We would strike hard and fast, overwhelming our enemies before they had a chance to react. And it worked.
This strategy relied on fast-moving tanks and motorized infantry, supported by air power. The goal was to penetrate deep into enemy territory quickly and create chaos, allowing us to gain control of key locations and cripple our enemies before they had a chance to mount a defense.
The German army moved quickly, taking Poland in just over a month. We then turned our attention to France and the Low Countries. We launched a surprise attack through the Ardennes Forest, catching the French off guard. Our tanks and infantry quickly penetrated deep into France, cutting off supply lines and dividing the French army.
The world watched in disbelief as German tanks and troops swept across Europe, taking territory after territory. The Blitzkrieg was a devastatingly effective tactic, its success due in large part to our coordination and organization. We were able to coordinate our forces on a massive scale, ensuring that our tanks and infantry moved together and provided mutual support.
But our success was also due to our innovative tactics. We used radio communications and air support to coordinate our attacks, and we made use of armored units to penetrate enemy lines.
But I knew that this success would not last forever. The Allies would regroup and come back stronger, and we would have to be ready for them.
And so, I began to focus on building up our defenses and preparing for a long war. We continued to expand our army and improve our weapons and technology. I knew that we had to stay ahead of our enemies if we were to have any chance of winning.
But the success of the blitzkrieg had given us a significant advantage. We now controlled most of Europe, and our enemies were struggling to hold their ground.
As I watched our army march triumphantly through the streets of Paris, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. We had accomplished so much in such a short amount of time. But I also knew that this was just the beginning.
As I watched our success unfold, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. The world had underestimated Germany, and we had proven them wrong. The world watched in horror as Germany continued to expand its borders, but I knew that this was the only way to achieve our ultimate goal. We were fighting for our survival and I was fighting for mine, and we would stop at nothing to emerge victorious.
Chapter 5: The Betrayal
As the war raged on, I began to feel a sense of complacency. The success of the blitzkrieg had given me a false sense of security, and I began to believe that victory was inevitable.
But I was wrong.
One of my officials, a man named Claus von Stauffenberg, had become increasingly disillusioned with my leadership. He saw the horrors that the war was causing and believed that I was leading Germany down a dark path.
And so, he hatched a plan to assassinate me.
On July 20, 1944, von Stauffenberg placed a bomb under the table during a meeting I was attending. But the assassination attempt failed. While the bomb went off, I survived with only minor injuries.
The attempted assassination was a wake-up call for me. I realized that I had become too complacent and that my enemies were always watching, waiting for their chance to strike.
I was caught off guard and it was revealed that he had been working against us for months. His actions slowed down our progress and jeopardized the entire war effort. We had lost valuable time and resources, and I knew that we had to act quickly if we were to have any chance of winning.
But the betrayal by one of my officials hurt me the most. I had trusted von Stauffenberg, and he had repaid me with treachery. It made me realize that I could trust no one, that even those closest to me could turn on me at any moment.
I knew that I had to be more vigilant and ruthless if I was to survive the war. I began to take more aggressive actions, ordering the execution of those suspected of being involved in the assassination attempt.
But even as I cracked down on dissent within Germany, I knew that the war was far from over. The Allies had gained valuable information, and they began to mount a counterattack. Our progress slowed, and we struggled to hold our ground, our resources were beginning to dwindle. We were in a fight for our survival, and we could not afford to make any more mistakes.
The betrayal had shown me the true cost of war, the betrayal and loss of trust. And I was determined to emerge victorious, no matter what it took.
Chapter 6: Victory
As the war entered its final stages, Germany's victory seemed inevitable. We had fought hard and endured many sacrifices, but it had all been worth it.
Our enemies were on the brink of defeat, and we were poised to emerge victorious. The world watched as Germany's military might dominated the battlefield, and our enemies struggled to keep up.
But as the war progressed, I found that I had become increasingly assimilated with Hitler's persona. I had been so focused on winning the war that I had lost sight of my initial purpose – to return to my previous life.
I barely remembered who I was before I became Hitler. The only thing that mattered to me now was victory. And as Germany's victory drew closer, I felt a sense of satisfaction and pride that was almost overwhelming.
But as I looked back on the past few years, I couldn't help but feel a sense of regret. I had lost myself in the persona of Hitler, and I had become a monster. I had done terrible things in the name of victory, and I wasn't sure if I could ever go back to being the person I once was.
But none of that mattered now. Victory was within our grasp, and I was determined to see it through to the end.
We launched a final assault on the enemy, and it was over in a matter of days. The world watched in horror as Germany's military might swept across the battlefield, crushing all who stood in our way.
And then it was over. The war was won, and Germany emerged victorious. I was hailed as a hero, a champion of the German people.
But as the celebrations continued, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had lost something important along the way. I had become Hitler, and I wasn't sure if I could ever go back to being who I once was.
The victory was bittersweet, and I was left to ponder the price of success. But as I looked back on all that we had accomplished, I knew that I had done what needed to be done. I had won the war, and that was all that mattered.
Chapter 7: Back to Reality
As the celebrations continued, I couldn't help but feel a sense of emptiness. I had achieved my goal of winning the war, but at what cost? I had become Hitler, and I wasn't sure if I could ever go back to being who I once was.
But then, it happened. I found myself transported back to my original life. I was back in the present day, and everything was as it was before.
At first, I was elated. I had finally returned to my normal life. But as the days passed, I began to feel out of place. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.
I had seen and done terrible things as Hitler, and it had changed me. I wasn't the same person I was before I had become him, and I wasn't sure if I could ever go back to being that person.
And so I began to rebuild my life, piece by piece. I reconnected with old friends and family, and I tried to find my place in the world again. But even as I struggled to adjust to my old life, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. I knew that I had done terrible things as Hitler, but I also knew that I had achieved great success.
And as the days turned into weeks and the weeks turned into months, I began to feel a creeping sense of dread. I knew that I had changed, and I knew that I couldn't go back to who I once was.
But even as I struggled with my own sense of identity, I couldn't help but feel a sense of inevitability. I had been given a taste of power and success, and I knew that I would do whatever it takes to achieve it again.
The story of how I became Hitler may have come to an end, but the legacy of my actions would live on. I had seen the dark side of power, and I knew what was needed to achieve it again.
The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear – I was no longer the person I once was, and I would never be the same again. The thought was daunting, but I knew that I couldn't let it go. I had been given a second chance, and I had to make the most of it.
So, I started to toy with the idea of rising to the top once again, this time in my own world.

A train horn sounded in the distance as the two of us held eye contact. My mind felt blank. I wasn't thinking of death, of home, or of tomorrow. I was isolated in a moment that could be one of my last. I looked at Tovin not just as a friend, but as an island. He was the only thing out here that held any sense of familiarity. The idea of letting him just die out here was unthinkable to me.
"Gill. We need a plan."
"... I know," I said, glancing around for anything we could use. "We should probably draw them into the room. Our best bet is a fight in close quarters, I think."
"You don't want to mow them down with a few spells?" he asked. "Why the sword?"
"I told you before," I said as I moved for the window. "My magic reserves are small. I don't know how many of them are coming. Conserving whatever mana I can is always part of the plan."
"I guess I understand," he said, scratching the back of his head. "But having extra mana won't be useful to you if you're dead. You should use it for threat elimination."
"And I will if I have to," I said, closing the curtains. "But there's no need to overcomplicate it." I turned to him and smiled, "Pointy metal stick still hurt human."
"I wish I had kept my pointy metal stick," he said, looking down at his hatchet. "Hey, you got any useful spells I can use? Now would be the wrong time to hold out on me."
"No, I don't," I shrugged. "I told you all I know. Sorry."
"Can't you create them?" he pressed. "You know, like you created the other one?" He stared at me expectantly. I was about to come clean and tell him Featherfall was his own creation when there was suddenly a noise downstairs. I could hear Mr. O'Malley hollering about something. We exchanged glances and I hurried for the door.
"I'm going to draw them into my room," I called back to him. "When you hear the fighting start, run down the hall and hit them from behind."
"That's your plan?" he blurted out. "Gill, wait!"
I left his room and bent over the railing. I looked down into the lobby to see Mr. O'Malley hopping up and down, holding his foot as he cursed up a storm. In front of him was a cardboard box tipped over with paper spilling out of it. I sighed with relief before returning to the doorway to let Tovin know it was a false alarm. I set my sword against the wall and made my way down the steps to help him get his paper back into the box. It was incredible how uniform the pages were. They were all consistent in color and the exact same size; not just close, but exact.
"Oh, thanks a million, Dufraine," said Mr. O'Malley from behind me. "Hard to get down on me knees anymore. Frightfully painful."
"No problem at all," I said as I lifted the box. "Where's it going?"
"Oh, right over there is fine," he said, lifting his cane slightly to point toward the desk, and then quickly falling forward on it. He shambled after me and I dropped the box of papers next to his little number machine.
"Not many raised right like you anymore, no sir," he said, coughing as he made his way around to the other side of the counter. "Kids these days could learn a thing or two."
"You're too kind," I said with a chuckle. "But I've got to tell you something."
"Hah?" he leaned in.
It was only just at that moment that I realized something.

"You may be hard at hearing," spoke the deep-voiced man. "But I know you heard that."

It wasn't jewelry or some kind of fashion statement. It was some type of Diesel machine that helped him to hear. In Galgia, if your hearing started to go, the best you could do was cast a spell called Treble. It wasn't easy to cast, and it only lasted a few minutes. A device like the kind Mr. O'Malley was wearing would improve so many lives back home. It also became immediately apparent that he hadn't covered for us on purpose. He'd misheard us entirely when we gave him our names.
"Mr. O'Malley," I spoke more concisely. "Those men from earlier– the ones who threatened you."
"Oh, don't ye worry about me, lad," he waved his hand dismissively. "I'm a fighter. Always have been."
I leaned forward on the counter, making purposeful and direct eye contact with him. "I overheard them talking outside of the building. They might come back. And when they do, they plan to kill you."
His expression softened a bit and he blinked a couple of times before leaning in closer. "Hah?"
"I know you heard me," I said sincerely. "I don't want to see anything bad happen to you. Can you do me a favor and just... take the night off?"
His eyes wandered away and he fell silent for a moment. "You're certain of what ye heard?" he asked. "You're totally certain?"
I nodded. "They're bad men. Please just get out of here before they come back. I have no doubt you're a fierce fighter and all, but they're not going to fight fair. They'll gang up on you. Think of your grandson."
"Me grandson is already a man," he chuckled and wheezed. "He doesn't need this old phantom hanging around any longer." He pulled his glasses off and cleaned them on his shirt. "Besides, I ain't a runner– not with these knees anyway!" he yelled suddenly, slapping the counter and laughing at his own joke.
"I'm not going to be able to convince you am I?" I asked. "Look, you don't have to hide, but just don't give them a reason."
"Aye, but they've given me a reason. They're fixing te make a mess of me property," he said, jabbing me in the chest with his bony finger. "Dying on a battlefield was always me first choice. I don't believe in gods, but I do believe in an afterlife. I want te go where me muckers went. A place where warriors go."
A place where warriors go. I looked past his shoulder and saw an old photograph on the wall, yellowed with time. A young man in a Diesel uniform, not unlike the kind we found in the cellar of the cabin, stood smiling widely next to four other young men dressed the same. Above their heads were dates added in ink. I let my eyes fall back to Mr. O'Malley and caught a twinkle of determination in his eye. I let out an inaudible laugh and shook my head.
"You're a bit like my brother, Mr. O'Malley."
"Hah?"
I patted him on the shoulder once and smiled at him. "Thanks for everything."
"No, thank you," he called after me as I started up the stairs. "For showing me there's still quality among the youth! I can die knowing me country is in good hands."
I hoped he would be in his office when they returned. Maybe they'd just breeze past him and forget their stupid vendetta. As I returned to Tovin's room, I thought about the people I'd met here. Aside from Mr. O'Malley, I also liked Officer Bradley, and even Lacy, the ticket lady. There were good people even in the Diesel. They weren't all evil the way we were taught in school. It even seemed that the populace wasn't fully aware of the slave trade in their country. Maybe if they knew what was really going on in those camps, they'd be against it.
Maybe the Deisillians weren't monsters.
Tovin's door was still open when I reached his room. I picked my sword up on the way and walked inside to find him sitting cross-legged on the bed eating some of the jerky from one of our field rations. I leaned against the dresser and inspected my sword. It was in bad shape– nicks, cracks, and chips along the length of it. I had smithed it myself long before I was ever accepted to ENU. If I were back home, I would consider making a new one over the winter break. I liked the heat of the forge during the chilly weather that the winter brought with it. I lost myself in memories for a moment before Tovin brought me back to reality.
"Well?" he asked. "What was it?"
"Oh," I smiled. "Mr. O'Malley dropped a box on his foot."
"Huh."
"Yeah."
"Gill?"
"What's up, Tovin."
I looked up to see him staring down at the mess of crumbs he'd made around himself on the bed. He looked out the window and squinted. The sun was pouring through the glass on its way over the horizon.
"I..." he paused, turning his eyes back down to the bed. "I don't remember what I wanted to tell you," he admitted. "I just know I want to tell you something."
I sighed and watched as his eyes scanned the comforter. It was painful watching him struggle. I had never dealt with this kind of thing before. Both of my grandparents were sharp as a whip, and my great-grandfather still had it together too.
"Dammit, I just can't remember," he said, his face puckering up in anger. "Why the fuck can't I remember things?" he snarled, swatting the trash from the ration off the bed. "This is so aggravating!"
It was difficult to say I understood. But learning what little I did of Mr. O'Malley and seeing his resolve shine through his eyes– it was becoming a clearer picture. They were both prepared to die because they'd lost so much. The old man wanted to see his friends again. Tovin just wanted to remember. Axle had shared something with me once. He said that at the end of our lives, all we have is our memories; our stories. Without our memories, who were we?
In our case, we were whoever Vega wanted us to be.
"Oh!" sounded Tovin from the bed. I looked up and met his gaze. "I remember now! Gill, I don't like your plan."
"Huh? My plan?"
"Yeah, you're right. Plan is a strong word for it," he said, leaning forward on his knees. "Your intention was to be a human distraction and let me strike safely from behind, right?"
I rolled my eyes. "Come on, man. It's not like that."
"No, that's horse shit," he shook his head. "I can fight." He pressed his hand against his chest. "I might not have my magic, but I've got a whole lot of fucking rage."
"Alright, alright," I lifted my hands and set my sword down on the dresser. I folded my arms, "Then what's your plan, smart guy?"
He resisted insulting me– I could see it in his preliminary mouth movement. "I think you were right about leading them into an enclosed space," he said finally. "But I think both of us should be in the room."
"That's a lot of bodies in a space as small as this," I reasoned. "Gonna be hard for me to swing my sword if I'm worrying about hitting you."
"Who asked you to worry?" he barked. "I didn't."
I hung my head and closed my eyes. His brain wasn't working right. He still had all of that Tovin pride knocking around inside of him, and it was clouding his judgment. I didn't know how I was going to get him out of the inn alive when he was riled up like this. I chewed on my knuckles as I thought about what was soon to happen. It was like the quiet before the storm.
Then came the crack of thunder from the lobby. I jumped and snatched my sword up. Tovin scrambled out of bed and grabbed his hatchet off the bedside table. I shoved my tome in my bag and strapped it to my back.
"Wing it?" I asked.
"Wing it," he affirmed as he passed me on his way to the door. There was a second bang, louder than the first as we emerged into the hall. I rushed to the balustrade and saw one of Mortimer's men lying sprawled across the lobby floor bleeding heavily from his forehead; dark blood. There were five others and they'd flipped the metal tables on their sides for cover. They carried with them the same long metal tubes I had seen the night of the prison riot. I leaned over to see Mr. O'Malley taking cover behind his desk. He was holding a similar weapon, but it had a wooden finish and smoke billowing from the tip.
"You piece of shit, old man!" shouted one of the men.
"You're dead!" screamed another.
"Been dead since I came home!" O'Malley responded stubbornly before popping up and aiming the tube at the tables. They were using projectile weapons I was sure of it now. The smoking tip of the weapon indicated some sort of fiery or combustible ejection. I was beginning to piece it together. One of the men popped up and took aim at the old codger, but got caught in the shoulder by O'Malley first. The crack of the weapon stung my ears and coaxed a jump out of me. It was so much louder the closer you got. In one instant, O'Malley's deaf ear made all the sense in the world. But we hadn't learned anything about these weapons in class. Had I simply slept through the lesson?
"Tovin," I said, not taking my eyes off of the action. "I'm going in."
"I'm right behind you," he affirmed.
I climbed up onto the balustrade and spoke the words for Featherfall before pushing off with all my might. I aimed for the spot high above the front door where the ceiling met the wall. One of Mortimer's men followed me with his eyes from the cover of the table. He was in a state of disbelief as I sailed over their heads, staring in such a way that I was sure he'd never seen magic before.
He wasn't holding one of the projectile tubes; he was clutching a long knife and I could tell he wanted to say something, but all he could do was point and vigorously shake the man next to him. He was too busy fiddling with his weapon to notice, and I decided to capitalize on this break in their defenses. I turned and kicked off the ceiling, propelling myself directly toward them.
As though perfectly on cue, Tovin caught their attention as he hurried down the stairs. Their focus was now split between O'Malley, Tovin, and me, which gave us a much-needed advantage. I swung my sword, letting loose an Aeroslice that vibrated through the air toward my target– the only one to have noticed me. I saw the panic on his face as he confirmed I was a mage, but it was too late. The spell ripped through him like a saw, severing his arm from his body completely and opening his chest. He screamed in a way that drew everyone's attention to him. His partner who'd been fiddling with his gun looked over at him, then up at me– but like his partner, he was too late.
I plunged into him with my blade, running him straight through; I felt my sword clash with the metal table behind him as his warm blood spilled over my hands. There were three now: one to my left, and one to my right, both of whom had taken notice of me, along with a third who was writhing on the floor holding his shoulder.
Everything slowed down the way it always did when I had to make a quick decision. I hadn't thought any further ahead than this. I ripped the blade out of the man, and turned left, diving forward and bringing my sword down in a vertical arc. He turned his weapon sideways and blocked the attack with the metal tube.
I heard a crack behind me and looked over my shoulder to see another one of Mortimer's men with his weapon aimed straight at me– I was actually looking straight down the barrel. His eyes were unfocused and he fell straight forward. Tovin stood behind him with a bloody hatchet in hand; he'd hacked the back of the man's head open in the nick of time. A thunderous sound rattled my chest and I turned to see the man in front of me slump to the ground. O'Malley had caught him while he wasn't paying attention.
"On the ground!" came a throaty order from my left. I turned to see men in blue uniforms running through the front door clutching sabers. "Police! Get on the ground right now!"
"They're on Mortimer's payroll!" called Tovin from behind me as more of them poured through the door– about five or six of them so far. I wasn't about to be arrested and served up on a platter to Mortimer DuPonte. This was do or die. There was no time to think; only to act. The closest uniformed officer to me lifted his saber. He didn't seem interested in taking me peacefully. I Fortified myself and prepared to intercept him. He attacked, and I ducked beneath the arc of his blade before driving my sword up through his midsection with all the force I could generate. He coughed blood on my face and his saber clattered to the floor.
I yanked my sword out of him, but not in time to block the incoming attacks to my left and right. The crack of O'Malley's weapon dropped the man on my right, and the one on the left chopped me hard with his sword– but the defensive spell held fast against its edge. My clothes had split, but it felt more like getting struck hard with a cane. An expression of bewilderment fell over him as sailed gently across the room from the force of his strike– Featherfall was still active. Tovin was fighting on his back foot up the stairs. I didn't even have time to process the fact that O'Malley was actually fighting against his own town guard, or for what reason. I couldn't question it at the moment; only be thankful.
I turned around and used the side of the turned-over table as a springboard to launch myself up to the balustrade. I landed on the railing just as gravity resumed its lifelong tug on me, and vaulted onto the walkway. I finally had a moment– even if only mere seconds, to assess the situation. Tovin was fighting off one of them on the stairs to an impressive degree while two other officers were dealing with the crazy old gunman behind the counter.
The last two were trapped behind their partner on the narrow stairway. How Tovin had held him off with a hatchet all this time was beyond me, but he needed help. In the end, Tovin was right. This last spell would take everything I had left and maybe a little more. I reached the top of the steps and yanked Tovin down by his shoulder as I shouted the name of the last spell I'd be able to cast today.
"Starspear!"
I hefted my sword forward and a spike of radiant light energy leapt from the tip and ripped through all three of them, skewering them straight down the middle. I looked down to see Tovin staring wide-eyed at the waterfall of blood that flowed like a river down the wooden steps. I felt the familiar cramp of overexertion and grew dizzy for a moment. I caught myself on the railing as the magical spear of pure light energy dissipated, sending all three of them down the steps.
"A-amazing," Tovin said as he got to his feet. "Magic..." he muttered. "It's incredible..."
"Get to your room," I said as I struggled to catch my breath. "Pack your bag. Fast. There'll be more."
"Yeah," he said as he turned and ran past me. It was the first time he'd just straight-up listened to me. No sass, no question, no insult. Maybe he'd decided he wanted to live after all. I leaned against the railing and looked over the side to find that the police had managed to restrain Mr. O'Malley.
"Did you think you could take on the entire police force?" yelled one of them as they fitted his wrists with manacles.
"Aye, and I'd have done it too if me gun hadn't run outta bullets," he shot back. "The lot of ye work for that pig of a man, Mortimer. Ought to be ashamed of yourselves. How do ye look at yourselves in the mirror?"
"Sarge, one of them was a mage," said the other in a wavering tone. "We're gonna need backup. Soldiers, even."
"We can't let him get away," responded his partner. "This is a matter of national security now. Follow me, come on, let's go."
"Without guns?" he protested. "Are you out of your mind? That's a mage up there! We'll be set ablaze; Torn to pieces by cyclones; blasted to bits!"
"Get a hold of yourself, Winston," he growled as he stood up and stepped over O'Malley. "They're not gods. Stay close behind me, I'm counting on you."
I let out a shaky sigh as the two of them rounded the counter and made for the stairs. It was just me and my sword arm now. I took a couple of weary steps back as they charged up the steps. I stumbled into my room and shut the door behind me, turning the lock as I did. I heard the first one hit the door and try the knob. I watched it jiggle in place as their voices carried over from the other side.
^{"Come on. At once now."}
I took a step back as the two of them barreled into the door from the other side sending cracks across the wall. The instant I thought about heading for the window, they broke through the door sending splinters flying in every direction. I locked blades with the first one of them to reach me, but he caught me with a kick right under the ribs that sent me to the floor. I dropped my sword and landed on my back. I scrambled to get to my feet, but the man threw his entire weight on top of me, pinning one of my arms under his knee. I struggled and kicked but once his partner pinned my other arm, it became a pointless struggle.
I was worn out.
No magic left.
Sword out of reach.
I looked up at the two of them as they exchanged glances. They were probably both surprised at how easily I went down. Surely they were expecting a fight after what they'd just seen downstairs. What they couldn't have known was that Starspear was my most expensive and powerful spell. My mana wouldn't be restored until tomorrow afternoon at best.
"Filthy Galgian," growled the one with the handlebar mustache. "You killed good men down there." I breathed heavily as he pulled a knife from his hip. "You're under arrest. And Mr. DuPonte will do as he pleases with you. But I'm gonna give you a little something to remember me by."
"W-wait," I managed to spurt out as he brought the knife to my face. "Hold on!"
"Sarge," his partner said softly.
"Shut up," he looked him in the eyes before returning his gaze to me. "DuPonte never said anything about delivering you undamaged."
I turned away from the knife as it inched closer to my face. I pushed with all my might but I was completely spent. The sharpened steel pushed into my cheek under my eye and he began pulling the blade along the length of my cheekbone, splitting my flesh as I screamed out in pain. I could actually feel the elasticity of my skin snapping apart, burning like a flame against my face. A nearby train horn drowned out my cries I attempted to kick them off of me.
And then–
An explosion rocked the entire room. I was bathed in intense heat and my hearing was reduced to a shrill ringing. I turned my head to see the entire outer wall of the room had been destroyed. Fire licked at the contours of the broken wall and I turned to see Tovin standing in the doorway with both of his arms out, the straps of his backpack wrapped tightly under his shoulders. He stole a glance behind him and then looked back at me. His lips were moving and his body language was frantic, but I still couldn't hear a damn thing. He rushed over to me and began lifting me. I gripped the side of the dresser and got to my feet as the many sounds around me began to creep in.
Voices downstairs. Shouting. The crackling of flames. And finally Tovin.
"We have to go!" he yelled as he shook me. "There are dozens more downstairs, we have to move now!" He then pointed past me, and I turned to see the tops of train cars slowly moving by beneath the roof of the inn. "The train," he called out. "Gill, let's go!"
He pulled me by my arm as I watched more uniformed men rush into the room. I turned and leaped through the dancing flames out onto the roof. If I'd had a moment to think about it, I wouldn't have jumped. By the time reason caught up to me, however, we were already midair between the roof of the inn and the passing train. It would have been nice to land in any of the train cars that didn't have coverings, but we weren't that lucky. We landed with a heavy slam onto a cold metal roof. I landed on my stomach and nearly knocked the wind out of myself from the impact.
Blood dripped from the open wound on my face onto the roof below me, wobbling and running sideways as we picked up speed. I turned over on my back and saw police standing on the roof of the inn watching us as we sped away.
I let my head fall back and laughed to myself. I opened my eyes to find Tovin kneeling over me yelling something inaudible; the train was just that loud. He began pointing to something behind him. I looked over to see what appeared to be the top of a ladder built into the train car. I wanted nothing more than to lie there a little longer, but the sky was beginning to darken and it was getting colder. I followed him to the ladder and the two of us climbed down it to find an empty train car accessible from a little door on a platform between where the cars connected.
Whatever the train had been carrying in this specific car, it had completely offloaded. The interior was empty and there was a side door that was open, allowing us to see outside as the landscape rushed past us. I walked to the opposite side of the open door and sat down against the wall. Tovin did the same, taking his backpack off and opening it up.
"You're bleeding a lot," he said as he began taking things out of his bag and setting them aside. "I packed some first aid equipment. There was a box in a cupboard under the sink at the hotel."
I was finally coming off of my adrenaline high as he pulled a red case with a white plus sign on it out of his bag. He popped two latches on the top and opened the box. "I'm going to have to stitch that."
"Aw, shit," I whined, resting my head against the wall. "This is gonna suck isn't it?"
"Could have been worse," he said coldly as he produced a bottle of antiseptic. "I'm going to have to sterilize it first. This'll burn."
It did burn. Having the wound stitched was far worse, however, and he never missed an opportunity to tell me I was being a bitch. After the wound was stitched and dressed, he packed all his things back into the box just the way he took them out.
"Thanks, Tovin," I said. "Not just for stitching me up, but saving me back there."
He stayed quiet until he'd fully packed everything away. He then took a seat a few feet from me and rested his back against the wall. "I don't know... how I knew to do either of those things," he said finally. "If I hadn't stopped to pack the stupid trauma kit, we wouldn't have needed it in the first place."
"Just accept my damn gratitude," I said in an annoyed tone. "You really came through. You've saved me twice now, you know that?"
"I'm the one who put you in danger in the first place," he turned and looked at me. "I should have just agreed to an escape route. Instead, I chose to stay and fight... and you're the one who paid the price."
He really was incapable of accepting compliments, which was strange considering who I was talking to. I never knew how hard he was on himself. Prior to losing his memories, he loved being complimented and adored– even if the compliments and adoration were coming from himself most of the time.
"Eh," I shrugged. "It was fun. Besides, I got a girlfriend back home who digs scars. She's gonna love this when we see each other again."
He scoffed. "You're unbelievable." He looked back out at the passing landscape. "I'll admit it was invigorating. But without the old man, it would have been a different outcome, surely."
"I don't think anyone had more fun than him," I laughed. "I got a chance to talk with him before it all went crazy."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yep. He was itching for that fight."
"Even against the police?" he asked.
"I don't know," I shrugged. "Maybe he didn't hear them announce themselves. His vision was bad too, so I wouldn't be surprised if he just thought they were more of DuPonte's goons."
"No shit?" he laughed.
"I shit you not," I answered as I took my bag off and set it down in front of me. I opened it up and pulled my tome out, setting it down next to me. I reached back into the bag and pulled out one of the field rations. I opened it up, passed the cigarettes to Tovin, and immediately shoved the old biscuit in my mouth. He lit the cigarette and took a long drag, the two of us sharing the silence as we watched the sunset over the hills that raced across the open doorway.
It was only now sinking in, the events of the day. I had potentially killed four or five more people. Unlike the kid I had killed during our escape from the camp, however, I held no sympathy for these people. Mortimer DuPonte wanted us dead. Kill or be killed; it felt different. I hoped they'd take it easy on Mr. O'Malley, though. I had to wonder if the Diesel revered their elders the same way we did back home. I thought about what he'd said when he was being restrained.
He called his weapon a gun. It was another weird word. The projectiles inside had to be what he was referring to when he said the word bullets. If that were true, then it brought to mind a new question. The uniformed men that had come to the mines that morning– those uniforms were far different than the ones the police had been wearing. On top of that, they were armed with guns while the police weren't. What had they been at the mine for that morning that would have required guns?
I finished eating and Tovin put out what little remained of his cigarette. He turned over on his side, placing the bag under his head. "I'm exhausted. Don't wake me up."
I was tired too. I went to place my tome back in the bag when I noticed something. The red bookmark was sticking out of the top. Had it been like that when I summoned it? I opened the tome to the bookmarked page to find that ENU Gill had written back.
Not all of it was his handwriting either.
And they'd written a lot.
Writing Prompt Submitted by u/My-Last-Hope

When I started out selling in insurance, I never dreamed I would get to the level of income that I enjoy today. As in most professional sales careers, when you perfect your sales and prospecting techniques, your ability to earn a great living will follow. But, even then, you are still far from the peak of the mountain top in income potential.
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The traditional growth path for most agents who eventually become MGA's, IMO's, etc, has been to learn and perfect their sales and prospecting techniques over time, then take the next step to position themselves to earn additional income from teaching other newer agents what they have already learned. However, getting to the point of qualifying for an MGA or other marketing type contracts for multiple carriers can take years to accomplish. In addition, the start up overhead expenses and required resources can be very costly.
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What if you had available to you right now a complete system that provides all the products, resources, training, compensation structure and opportunity to due exactly what I am talking about right now. Start creating Leverage today, even before you've perfected your own sales and prospecting, even though you do not have any MGA, IMO, FMO or NMO sales contracts.
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My father recently updated his auto insurance to Hartford, as he can benefit from the AARP discount.
I looked at his policy limits and advised him to increase his coverage limits since he only purchased the required minimum for the state of Texas.
I carry 250/500/100 coverage plus 250/500 underinsured coverage. In addition to that, I have an umbrella policy. I carry this level of coverage to mitigate my risk of being personally liable despite not owing a home.
My father insists coverage beyond the state minimum wastes money for the following reasons.

• He claims your primary residence in Texas can't be seized for the court judgment.
• In a few months, his only income will be social security and distributions from his retirement account, neither of which can be seized.
• He is on Medicare, and they will take care of the cost of all medical services.
• More insurance coverage makes you a bigger target for lawyers and injured parties.

I think he should increase his liability coverage and his underinsured coverage.
I think I made some progress on changing his mind about the underinsured coverage since that would benefit him if an accident occurred, that the insurance money may provide flexibility to pay for additional medical services that may be harder or more complicated to receive from Medicare, like short-term at-home care from a nurse.
I'm lost. I don't know if his points are valid in Texas or the US. But I need some good reasons to change his mind because I don't know how to counter them.
Can anyone help me figure out an argument to justify increasing liability coverage?

(AN: Heya, guys. I'm recovering from a surgery at the moment and don't really feel like writing a new chapter for a little while. However, the day before my surgery, I created some flags and lore to post instead. I tried to post it the day before my surgery, but it was removed for not being long enough. Do be advised that while I consider myself good at writing, I'm in no way a graphic designer or visual artist and I'm still finding my way around GIMP, so the flags might be a little rough. And one of the flags is just for fun [you'll know which.] Have fun!)
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CAST
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The Coalition of Aligned Solar Territories was founded in 1949 as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO. Meant to serve as a bulwark against the forces of the Soviet Union and the greater Warsaw Pact, NATO expanded over the years to incorporate many, if not most of the nations in the Warsaw Pact's western periphery. In 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed, but NATO did not dissolve with it, becoming a major peacekeeping organization of the Western world, involved in conflicts such as the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, the Yugoslav Wars, the War in Afghanistan, the Libya Intervention, the Syrian Civil War, and the Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
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NATO was among the first nations to act following the nuclear war and collapse of all organized Middle Eastern government that heralded the Scorch. As oil prices skyrocketed, a massive peacekeeping mission was launched to restore order to the region and reestablish the oil supply, and while they were successful in ending the anarchy and creating the Interim Government of Mesopotamia, a government controlling the entire region, the oil fires caused by the atomic blasts were impossible to extinguish, eventually burning away every last drop of oil in the Middle East.
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NATO would next see action during the Turkish Civil War of the 2050s, in which NATO-aligned rebels engaged in brutal street fighting with Russia-backed government troops, all while battling a resurgence of Islamist terrorism. Several times, a ceasefire was attempted, but to no avail, and the one time there seemed to be hope at a lasting peace, one of the terrorist groups detonated a nuclear warhead stolen from Israel's defunct nuclear arsenal in Ankara, causing the fighting to become more brutal than ever before.
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Things came to a head when Russia decided to bring a decisive end to the civil war and invaded the nation directly on the behalf of the government. However, nobody expected the rebels to invoke Article Five, claiming themselves to still be a part of NATO, and nobody thought that NATO would answer their call, marking the beginning of World War III. The fighting was long and bitter, second only to that of World War II, and the world teetered on the brink of nuclear annihilation almost the whole way through, but somehow, NATO emerged victorious.
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When the war was over, NATO forcibly incorporated all those who fought against them into itself, changing its name to the Earth Security Treaty Organization, or ESTO. For the next decade, it spent its time using soft power and threats of military force to incorporate most of the Earth's nations into itself, and when the warp drive was perfected in the early 2070s, it would be ESTO, now CAST, that would lead the way into the stars.
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CAST's flag is black and white, symbolizing the light of civilization piercing the black void of space. The large star represents unity, while the small ones stand for the eight "majors" of the Coalition: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, Japan, Italy, and Canada.
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AHINT
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The All-Hominid International is very new on the world stage, but its idea is older, perhaps, than NATO. It had its beginnings in the Third Communist International, founded in 1919, which, following World War II, would later become the Warsaw Pact, to which the People's Republic of China would be closely tied until the Sino-Soviet Split in the late 1950s. From then on, the Soviet Union and China would be close rivals until the former's collapse and the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact.
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Later, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, or CSTO would fill the shoes of the Warsaw Pact, but China wanted nothing to do with it for quite a long time. It was only after the abortive invasion of Taiwan in 2027 that they realized that they would need allies to beat a victorious West, and they slowly drew closer and closer to Russia, staying just short of a military alliance to avoid being involved in Russia's increasing aggression.
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At the outbreak of World War III, China remained neutral, refusing to intervene as Pakistan took India's northern territories in a surprise attack and North Korean forces flooded across the DMZ. However, this neutrality was not to be mistaken for docility, as they were massing their forces for one great blow to secure their hegemony over the Earth. As the Russians tried and failed to repel NATO's counterattacks, they launched themselves into the war, all but repelling NATO's forces from eastern Russia and eventually laying siege to Hawaii and Alaska. For a moment, they seemed ready to force America to admit its inferiority, but it wasn't to last.
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For the first time since World War II, the economies of the West mobilized entirely, with militaries around the world given blank-check budgets to procure whatever they needed. This wasn't enough to outnumber the tide of Chinese equipment reaching the fronts, but it was enough for NATO's technological advantages to cover the gap. Eventually China was forced to fight a series of delaying actions, trying to postpone the end as long as possible at the cost of millions of men. The tactic worked, and their political leadership remained in power, even though they were forced into NATO.
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Under CAST, things became more and more desperate. Its membership was a stain on China's pride, forced to act as the economic lapdog of the West. Political near-omnipotence was promised to anybody who could orchestrate China's exit without restarting the war. At the beginning of the Poslushi War, they saw their opportunity and took it, starting a mass resignation from the Coalition that effectively restricted CAST to the Global North.
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In order to secure their position as a superpower once more, China created AHINT as a rival to CAST, intent on fighting their own war on the Poslushi. However, they aren't fighting to show the Poslushi the ways of democracy or communism, not like CAST. Instead, with the resources of the greater galaxy at their fingertips, they'll finally have their sweet, cherished power over the rest of mankind.
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The flag's red and yellow colors symbolize the spreading revolution, while the star rising on a yellow trail symbolize China's rising status geopolitically. The other four stars symbolize AHINT's other founding members: Vietnam, Iran, Pakistan, and Myanmar.
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FPA
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Dissent in the Combine has existed for as long as the Pos Dynasty has. Ever since the great conqueror Sunsword of the Pos Brood united all the Poslushi (trivia: Poslushi is an amalgamate of the words Pos and Lush, meaning Pos-realm, while the suffix -i is used to refer to a person, making Lushi mean realm-person or subject. This is why Poslushi means subject of Pos, while Poslush means realm of Pos) under her rule, there have been people who dared to challenge the Dynasty's domination. However, it never worked. Whenever a rebellion rose against the Combine, it was swiftly crushed by other subjects eager to earn the favor of the Dynasty. The Dynasty was masterful in its self-control, never allowing the species to expand further than they could manage. Thus, in the past, any rebellion was crushed swiftly, the mutineers stung and sent to work the Imperial Gardens mindlessly for the rest of their lives.
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This continued even as Dynasty rule expanded to encompass the entire planet, and then looked to the stars. When other species were encountered and colonized, they were alone and unable to repel them, and any rebellions would be met with either brutal reprisals, as with the Ovinis, or downright genocide, as with the Irrilings. Neuroforming was used often and liberally, rendering even the most fanatic rebels docile and obedient subjects of the Combine.
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However, as the Combine encountered the forces of humankind for the first time, they finally found themselves facing an enemy of almost-equal, if not comparable strength in battle. Those who wished to rebel against the Dynasty defected to CAST, alongside those "broken" by their propaganda, such as Spatha of the Oxolini brood, who would later become the Free Poslushi Army's leader.
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In order to enable these soldiers to fight without being citizens of the nations they fought alongside, CAST established the Free Poslush Armed Forces, a legion of turncoat Poslushi and other species, with the intent that they would form the core of a collaboration government after the Poslushi defeat.
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In Poslushi society, purple signifies honor and old custom, while blue represents change and reform. The Golden Sun in the center of the flag represents the Poslushi themselves. It all comes together to symbolize that the FPA doesn't wish to completely remake their civilization, but rather adapt and change it for the better.
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Astraxis
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(AN: Disclaimer: this one's just for fun, and I created it as the Axis victory rite-of-passage that all alternate-history authors must make at some point. I don't espouse any of these views. If anything, this is satirical, showing how I feel about some of the more fanatical of the "humanity first" stories of this subreddit. Thanks for listening.)
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In 1932, the American people were well and truly fed up with their political system. The Great Depression had thrown the country into a death spiral, and the confused, frenzied actions of elected officials only made things worse. However, a glimmer of hope was on the horizon, that of General Douglas MacArthur and his newly-established National Syndicorporate Party of America. His promises of change under a doctrine of near-omnipresent but heavily regulated capitalism quickly won him the position of President of the United States, and from then, it was a simple task to organize a self-coup that dismantled democracy in the country altogether and instituted a distinctly-American form of fascism in its place.
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Many of Europe's fascist regimes were covertly assisted in their rise to power by the newborn National Syndicorporate States of America, or NSSA, such as Hitler in Germany, Sima in Romania, and Franco in Spain. It was a founding member of the Axis Powers, alongside Germany, Italy, and Spain, and at the outbreak of World War II, the NS Army stormed across Canada, while the Marines cooperated with Japan to seize Britain's colonial holdings. France was quickly overrun by Germany, while Britain could not stand before the combined might of Germany, Italy, and America. Both fell within two years.
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With the Western Front of World War II won, the Axis turned its attention to Russia and China, carving their way through both in a five-year slog that killed millions on both sides. In 1947, with the war won, the victorious Axis powers carved the world up for spoils. The NSSA secured its control over the Americas under a fanatical Munroe Doctrine, while Germany took control of Europe and Africa and Japan took Asia and Oceania. A string of coups and invasions effectively reduced the other fascist countries in Europe to puppets of Germany.
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The Astraxis Coalition was formed in 1969 following the NSSA's moon landing as the Union for Equitable Resources, with the intent of coordinating Axis exploitation of the Solar System. By the year 2000, the rocky planets were colonized, with outposts formed in all major locations of the Solar System by 2020. However, this prosperity was not to last, as the UER soon butted heads with a race of peaceful, democratic space travelers, who, horrified by what they saw in the dominant powers of Earth, attempted to flee, only to be caught and obliterated in a hail of nuclear hellfire. What little remained of their craft was studied by Axis scientists and engineers, and in 2050, the first interstellar-capable spacecraft were launched forth under the newly-formed military alliance of the Astraxis Coalition, ready to spread humanity into the galaxy in the names of American exceptionalism, the master race, and the glory of the Emperor.
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The flag of the Astraxis Coalition is, for obvious reasons, a combination of the flags of Germany, Japan (or the military mission assigned to it), and America. For America, blue no longer symbolizes equality, but rather exceptionalism.
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Here are the basics. My wife has worked for a hospital full time for many years. She is now going to part time in mid april. I have been covered by her insurance. We are both collecting FRA social security benefits.
We had assumed that she would lose her health benefits so we have both signed up thru a broker for medicare but havent decided between Part b + medicap + part d OR A 0$ premium advantage plan.
Today we learned that she can still be covered for health, dental and vision thru her employment but at an approx 32% increase in premiums.
Now i am even more confused on which to choose. If we choose to continue the company benefits she will bring home less money (from going part time) and also pay more for coverage. How much is too much insurance ? I am inclined to decline the company benefits and go with what we had already assumed but would like to know what other folks think. Thanks for any input.