Something that I’ve really enjoyed on this subreddit recently has been the new wave of longform mod analysis. A shoutout goes to an excellent analysis of the sub’s current dead horse, 1948: IW by u/Tom1923. Whenever the question is asked “What is the worst mod on the mod loader” there’s a few often given answers. 2000N, which is perfectly functional, interesting and, for its sins, does have something to say. No, that’s not the worst mod. What about 1948: IW? Well I’m not touching that with a ten foot pole. No, the worst mods, in my opinion, are the TNO duology.
Now before I go any further I want to actually give a shout out to the devs behind the TNO mods because they quite clearly love the source material, they made two mods out of it after all, and they very clearly have interesting ideas they want to convey. The issues with TNO 64 and TNO 68 are not, really, super bad issues. Compared to recent controversies there’s no racism, there’s no stupidly broken coding and there’s no issues with the soundtrack. Instead they’re just, frankly, a bit naff.
Part 1: The Last Days of Europe
To begin, let's talk about TNO a bit to give some context and also to reveal a bit of why the mods fall flat, particularly when compared to the source material. The two TNO mods are set in the world of the Hearts of Iron IV mod: ‘The New Order: The Last Days of Europe’. The mod puts the player in a world where Nazi Germany won World War Two. The details of how it won are not the point of the mod but instead the mod deconstructs what the victory of the most evil and vile ideology in the history of humankind would mean for the rest of the world. For the United States, which is what’s most important for understanding the two mods we’re talking about, this is represented in the destruction of the American Party system as the American people grapple with the fundamental question on whether or not the world of the day demands the utter destruction of politics as normal. This dynamic is brought to bear in the mod through the conflict between the Republican-Democrats (RDs) and the National Progressive Party(NPP).
The RDs are a big tent establishmentarian party who believe in slow and steady reform and the protection of the American Sphere of Influence. The NPP are an even bigger tent party who believe in anti-establishment politics, uniting the radical progressives and dixiecrats into one party, who want to avenge the American defeat in World War Two and bring the full might of the American state to bear against America’s enemies, be they Nazis, Poverty, Racism, or ‘Big Government Tyranny’.
Part 2: On the Railroad
So the first of the two mods is 1964 TNO and is, in my opinion, probably the worst individual mod on the mod loader. Again, no offence to the modmakers who, particularly in the writing department, have clearly put a lot of effort in but it commits what is, in my opinion, the single biggest cardinal sin of any TCT scenario, railroading.
This is, admittedly, something that the community has only recently gotten really good at avoiding. Many classic scenarios, including many by Dan Bryan himself, are slowly being re-evaluated and being judged a bit, deservedly, harsher today because the paths to victory are often very narrow or the election results are all really similar. Some of the best mods in recent months have been ones that have allowed the player a lot of space to make their own path to victory and the total spectrum of results have been incredibly wide. In this regard, 1964 TNO completely falls flat.
On top of that the scenario has a massive problem with railroading, which obviously links to the issue of the narrow breadth of results. No matter what you do the electoral map is always going to look really similar and those similarities are, frankly, bizarre. Without a George Wallace side being added it's technically a bit difficult to definitively say what the exact campaign of Wallace in this mod is but, basing his campaign on what information we are given in the LBJ side and what information we get from TNO itself, Wallace runs a very unabashedly racist and sectarian campaign. In light of this, the fact that Wallace, before the scandals around the Nixon administration even come out, sits as the frontrunner in the race, even if by a narrow margin, is nonsensical. This is not particularly reflective of TNO where Wallace is the hardest candidate to elect in 1964 and instead is a slightly baffling decision on the part of the mod makers. It is entirely possible, within the confines of the mod, to have the entire progressive/northern faction of the NPP to defect over to the player but for Wallace to still sweep the midwest and this brings me onto the next topic.
The way the scenario is set up, with the player able to so easily win over many of the big players in the NPP, only makes it more confusing to new players and TNO veterans. The Party system of TNO is already one of the more convoluted and contrived areas of TNO’s lore and so to add in the additional complication of people criss crossing over the party system every question only raises the question of what the hell even is the party system.
These are the big problems with 1964 TNO, the scenario stretches the issues existing in the source material to breaking point by only further complicating the already convoluted party system and the actual gameplay loop leaves the player feeling like they are having no impact on the election whatsoever in spite of the fact that, according to the information they’re being given, they should be doing better than they are.
To give some credit alongside all the critiques I do want to actually commend the way some of the questions are set up. Touching on issues like the war in Guyana, the Nazi victory in the Space Race and the South African War are nice ways of showing off some defining moments of TNO in TCT. The problem is that they are often dropped in with little context and the context is what is so important. The reason TNO is so compelling is because you can see the effect that the Nazi victory has had across the world. Every aspect of society across the world is touched and changed and it really makes the world feel alive and interconnected. 1964 TNO, on the other hand, feels stale on a second playthrough and the neglect of important information and some interesting features of TNO like the Organisation of Free Nations (the NATO analogue) is a real shame.
Part 3: America’s First Jewish President
I have titled the section of this ramble on 1968 TNO ‘America’s First Jewish President’ because it is a piece of writing from this mod that really sticks in my mind. Goldwater, for the avoidance of any doubt, was not Jewish. He had, fairly substantial, Jewish ancestry but only rarely identified himself as Jewish and in those instances, as far as I can tell, usually only did so in order to make light of the fact that a western conservative Republican had such unexpectedly strong Jewish roots. I bring all this up because I used to be a member of the TNO dev team and before then was a member of the community. This mod completely unironically ruined Barry Goldwater discourse in the TNO community when it came out.
1968 TNO came out not long into TNO’s existence and it was a really cool thing to see come along and celebrate the mod’s world and unique characters. It was, therefore, understandable that it had a lot of influence. What was less understandable was the fact that a new wave of Goldwater stans were calling him, and this is a direct quote, the “red, white and blue Jew.”
Now, have I made an essay length rant on the TNO mods entirely to talk about that time a piece of unfortunate writing in a TCT mod prompted a community to begin stanning a deeply problematic man with a record of doctrinaire conservatism as a patriotic hero of the Jewish community? No, but also that’s probably a pretty big reason why these mods have stuck in my mind.
I think that piece of unfortunate writing also sums up the mod as a whole. Unlike 1964 the actual gameplay is not bad at all and the coding seems to me, a non-coding pleb, to be solid. It's just that the writing is so sure of itself and declaratory in a way that it does not in any way need to be. Things like calling the three leading members of the Progressive wing of the NPP the ‘troika’. Things like calling Eugene McCarthy a “some sorta leftist Goldwater”. Stuff that just sort of shows that the mod makers really loved TNO and really loved an idea of a TNO mod but just did not want to spend time fleshing it out.
One sentence questions lead to one sentence answers and that’s really the big flaw of the mod, in my view. It introduces the player to perhaps one of the most interesting scenarios TNO can produce. The aftermath of the assassination of President RFK and Vice President Humphrey has led to a nation divided between the most doctrinaire of conservatives and a Democratic Socialist and each has a perfectly reasonable chance of winning. It's a fascinating contest that you will never see anywhere else and instead of really diving into what that means for America or how this situation came about the mod just moves along in a sort of “nothing to see here” fashion. Instead of really digging into the fact that a Socialist and Academic has a real shot at the Presidency and exploring that idea throughout the campaign the mod instead goes “Huh, that’s neat isn’t it, and hey here’s this other thing…”
To call it immature writing sounds harsh but I think that describes it in a very literal sense. The writing hasn’t matured, the situation hasn’t matured. Instead of really digging into the scenario instead it feels like the whole mod is on a speedrun to get through things that could happen in this scenario as quickly as possible. It's a bunch of ideas thrown at a wall and then it puts up a new wall to throw new things at. Sometimes the walls actually look interesting and it sure is impressive that someone put up all these walls but if you actually spent time decorating them you’d have a work of art and not a dishevelled mess. I may be stretching the metaphor.
Part 4: The Laster Days of Europe
Like many I’ve been delighted by the golden age of TCT mods and one of the latest announcements of the golden age has been 1972 TCT which pits Neo-Nazi Francis Yockey against the most unobjectionable man alive George Romney. In true TNO mod fashion it exists completely separate from the other two mods already on the loader (which is probably confusing to hell to people outside TNO) and risks repeating all the many failings of 1964 TNO, 1968 TNO and recent controversies like 1948: IW. This is less a warning and more just a look back at truly two of the mods of all time and asking where they’ve fallen, why I think they stand out as some of the weakest mods of all time and venting my frustration about one tiny line from a TCT mod that has lived rent free in my head for longer than I care to admit.

🗓 Date: June 6, 2023 @ 5PM
🗺 Location: Long Beach Civic Center 411 W. Ocean Boulevard
📺 LiveStream (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/c/LongBeachTelevision
📺 Live Stream (City Website): https://longbeach.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=84
ℹ️ Details: https://longbeach.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1105633&GUID=B4766DE1-9B6A-41D5-A545-7D151BE969EC&Options=info&Search=
📄 Agenda (PDF): https://longbeach.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1105633&GUID=B4766DE1-9B6A-41D5-A545-7D151BE969EC
🗣eComment: https://longbeach.granicusideas.com/meetings/4014-city-council-on-2023-06-06/agenda_items

Agenda Item

CD4 - Funds Transfer for Partners of Parks

Item #1 • File #23-0553 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• Councilman Daryl Supernaw, Fourth District

Recommendation to increase appropriations in the General Fund Group in the City Manager Department by $200, offset by the Fourth Council District One-time District Priority Funds transferred from the Citywide Activities Department to provide support to Partners of Parks for their Long Beach Charity ProAm event; and Decrease appropriations in the General Fund Group in the Citywide Activities Department by $200 to offset a transfer to the City Manager Department.

CD4 - Funds Transfer for LGBTQ Center Long Beach

Item #2 • File #23-0554 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• Councilman Daryl Supernaw, Fourth District

Recommendation to increase appropriations in the General Fund Group in the City Manager Department by $500, offset by the Fourth Council District One-time District Priority Funds transferred from the Citywide Activities Department to provide a contribution to The LGBTQ Center Long Beach in support of their Black & White Ball 2023; and Decrease appropriations in the General Fund Group in the Citywide Activities Department by $500 to offset a transfer to the City Manager Department.

CD4 - Funds Transfer for Wild West Women, Inc

Item #3 • File #23-0555 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• Councilman Daryl Supernaw, Fourth District

Recommendation to increase appropriations in the General Fund Group in the City Manager Department by $500, offset by the Fourth Council District One-time District Priority Funds transferred from the Citywide Activities Department to provide support to Wild West Women, Inc for their inaugural Long Beach Woman’s Fair; and Decrease appropriations in the General Fund Group in the Citywide Activities Department by $500 to offset a transfer to the City Manager Department.

CD5 - Funds Transfer to Support Community Events

Item #4 • File #23-0556 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• Councilwoman Megan Kerr, Fifth District

Recommendation to increase appropriations in the General Fund Group in the City Manager Department by $2,000, offset by the Fifth Council District One-Time District Priority Funds transferred from the Citywide Activities Department to provide a contribution to: · $500 to Partners of Parks in support of the Long Beach Juneteenth Celebration; · $1,000 to support the Uptown Jazz Festival; · $500 to the Long Beach Century Club in support of the Mayor’s Trophy Charity Golf Tournament; and Decrease appropriations in the General Fund Group in the Citywide Activities Department by $2,000 to offset a transfer to the City Manager Department.

CD4 - Funds Transfer for Rancho Los Alamitos Foundation

Item #5 • File #23-0562 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• Councilman Daryl Supernaw, Fourth District

Recommendation to increase appropriations in the General Fund Group in the City Manager Department by $2,000, offset by the Fourth Council District One-time District Priority Funds transferred from the Citywide Activities Department to provide a contribution to Rancho Los Alamitos Foundation in support of their Summer Concert Series; and Decrease appropriations in the General Fund Group in the Citywide Activities Department by $2,000 to offset a transfer to the City Manager Department.

CD4 - Funds Transfer for Long Beach Century Club

Item #6 • File #23-0561 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• Councilman Daryl Supernaw, Fourth District

Recommendation to increase appropriations in the General Fund Group in the City Manager Department by $500, offset by the Fourth Council District One-time District Priority Funds transferred from the Citywide Activities Department to provide support to the Long Beach Century Club for their Mayor’s Trophy Charity Golf Tournament; and Decrease appropriations in the General Fund Group in the Citywide Activities Department by $500 to offset a transfer to the City Manager Department.

Arcelia Delgado

Item #7 • File #23-0552 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• City Attorney

Recommendation to authorize City Attorney to submit Stipulations with Request for Award for approval by the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, and if so approved, authority to pay $169,300.13 for Stipulations with Request for Award with a life pension thereafter of $170.04 subject to COLA increases per week in compliance with the Appeals Board Order for Arcelia Delgado. The City of Long Beach is entitled to credit for payments previously paid in the amount of $69,532.31.

Michael Hannan

Item #8 • File #23-0551 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• City Attorney

Recommendation to authorize City Attorney to submit Stipulations with Request for Award for approval by the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, and if so approved, authority to pay $104,182.50 in compliance with the Appeals Board Order for Michael Hannan.

CA - Kayla Jentes

Item #9 • File #23-0557 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• City Attorney

Recommendation to authorize City Attorney to pay sum of $200,000, in full settlement of a lawsuit entitled Kayla Jentes, et al. v. City of Long Beach, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 20STCV29354.

CA - Joel Reyes

Item #10 • File #23-0558 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• City Attorney

Recommendation to authorize City Attorney to pay sum of $399,000, in full settlement of a lawsuit entitled Joel Reyes, et al. v. City of Long Beach, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BC703737.

Martin Romo

Item #11 • File #23-0549 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• City Attorney

Recommendation to authorize the City Attorney to submit two Stipulations with Request for Award for approval by the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, and if so approved, authority to pay 1) $17,545.00, and also 2) separate authority to pay $72,500.00 in compliance with the Appeals Board Order for Martin Romo.

Mario Talavera

Item #12 • File #23-0550 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• City Attorney

Recommendation to authorize the City Attorney to submit two Stipulations with Request for Award for approval by the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, and if so approved, authority to pay 1) $27,695.00, and also 2) separate authority to pay $80,982.50 in compliance with the Appeals Board Order for Mario Talavera.

CC - Damage Claims

Item #13 • File #23-0547 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• City Clerk

Recommendation to refer to City Attorney damage claims received between May 15, 2023 and May 26, 2023.

CM - Federal Lobbyist RFP

Item #15 • File #23-0563 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• City Manager

Recommendation to Adopt Specifications No. RFP CM-23-236 and award a contract to Holland & Knight, LLP, of Washington, D.C., for federal legislative representation services, in a total annual amount not to exceed $130,000, for a period of two years, with the option to renew for three additional one-year periods, at the discretion of the City Manager; and, authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into the contract, including any necessary subsequent amendments. (Citywide)

FM - Coastline Equip. for the purchase of a John Deere 332G skid steer

Item #17 • File #23-0566 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• Financial Management

Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or designee, to execute a contract, and any necessary documents including any necessary subsequent amendments, with Bragg Investment Company, Inc., dba Coastline Equipment, a Long Beach distributor of John Deere Construction Retail Sales, of Moline, IL, for the purchase of a John Deere 332G skid steer, with related equipment and accessories, on the same terms and conditions afforded to Sourcewell, in a total amount not to exceed $153,097, inclusive of taxes and fees. (Citywide)

FM - Coastline Equip-John Deere 310P backhoe

Item #18 • File #23-0567 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• Financial Management

Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or designee, to execute a contract, and any necessary documents including any necessary subsequent amendments, with Bragg Investment Company, Inc., dba Coastline Equipment, a Long Beach distributor of John Deere Construction Retail Sales, of Moline, IL, for the purchase of a John Deere 310P backhoe, with related equipment and accessories, on the same terms and conditions afforded to Sourcewell, in a total amount not to exceed $169,631, inclusive of taxes and fees. (Citywide)

Mayor - Cancellation of July 4th City Council Meeting

Item #23 • File #23-0560 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• Mayor Rex Richardson

Recommendation to suspend Council rule contained in Municipal Code Section 2.03.020 (B) relating to the meeting schedule of the City Council in order to cancel the City Council meeting of July 4, 2023.

PRM/PW - Capital improvements at El Dorado East Regional, El Dorado Park West, Houghton, and Stearns Parks D4,9

Item #33 • File #23-0582 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• Parks, Recreation and Marine
• Public Works

Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to accept and expend grant funds from the California Department of Parks and Recreation for capital improvements at El Dorado East Regional, El Dorado Park West, Houghton, and Stearns Parks, in an amount not to exceed $15,400,000; Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department by $342,000, offset by grant revenue; Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department by $342,000, offset by a transfer of California Department of Parks and Recreation grant funds from the Capital Grants Fund; Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $15,058,000, offset by grant revenue; and Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $15,058,000, offset by a transfer of California Department of Parks and Recreation grant funds from the Capital Grants Fund. (Districts 4,9)

Resolution

CC - Destruction of Records

Item #14 • File #23-0548 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• City Clerk

Recommendation to approve the destruction of records for the Health and Human Services Department; and adopt resolution.

FM - Ray Gaskin Service for for the purchase of one Ford F-550 refuse truck

Item #16 • File #23-0565 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• Financial Management

Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or designee, to execute a contract, and any necessary documents including any necessary subsequent amendments, with Ray Gaskin Service, an authorized distributor for New Way Trucks and Scranton Manufacturing Company, of Fontana, CA, for the purchase of one Ford F-550 refuse truck, with related equipment and accessories, on the same terms and conditions afforded to Sourcewell, in a total amount not to exceed $167,457, inclusive of taxes and fees. (Citywide)

FM - The Quinn Co. for the purchase of 4 Caterpillar 430 backhoe loaders

Item #19 • File #23-0568 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• Financial Management

Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or designee, to execute a contract, and any necessary documents including any necessary subsequent amendments, with Caterpillar Inc., through its local dealer, Quinn Company, of City of Industry, CA, for the purchase of four Caterpillar 430 backhoe loaders, with related equipment and accessories, on the same terms and conditions afforded to Sourcewell, in a total amount not to exceed $1,016,512, inclusive of taxes and fees. (Citywide)

DS - Noise Element

Item #22 • File #23-0564 (Details, PDF)
Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record and conclude the public hearing; Adopt resolution approving and certifying the Environmental Impact Report EIR 03-20, State Clearinghouse No. 2019050009 and associated findings;

DS - Noise Element

Item # • File #23-0585 (Details, PDF)
Adopt resolution replacing the current Noise Element with the updated Noise Element of the Long Beach General Plan; and

ED - 702 Anaheim Shelter – LB Rescue Mission and First to Serve D3

Item #24 • File #23-0584 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• Economic Development
• Health and Human Services

Recommendation to receive and file Contract No. 36576 with Long Beach Rescue Mission Foundation, Inc., a California public benefit corporation (Lessor) and the City of Long Beach (Lessee) and Contract No. 36578, a Sublease between the City of Long Beach (Sublessor) and First to Serve Ministries, Inc., a California nonprofit corporation (Sublessee), or its assignee, for approximately 17,000 rentable square feet of space at 702 West Anaheim Street, for use as an emergency shelter, made pursuant to Chapter 2.85 of the Long Beach Municipal Code (LBMC) and in response to the emergency proclaimed regarding homelessness. (District 1)

FM - Transfer of FY 23 gross operating revenue, from the Harbor Fund Group to the Tidelands Operating Fund

Item #25 • File #23-0569 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• Financial Management

Recommendation to adopt resolution requesting that the Board of Harbor Commissioners approve the transfer of 5 percent of Fiscal Year 2023 (FY 23) gross operating revenue, from the Harbor Fund Group to the Tidelands Operating Fund Group, with a true-up adjustment, if necessary, to reflect the final gross revenue amount upon issuance of the Harbor Department’s FY 23 audited financial statements. (Districts 1,2,3)

FM - Velocity Truck Centers for the purchase of 7 CNG powered Crane Carrier LNT-26 trucks

Item #26 • File #23-0572 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• Financial Management

Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or designee, to execute a contract, and any necessary documents including any necessary subsequent amendments, with Los Angeles Truck Centers, LLC, dba Velocity Truck Centers, an authorized distributor of Crane Carrier trucks, of Whittier, CA, for the purchase of seven CNG powered Crane Carrier LNT-26 trucks, with New Way rear loader refuse bodies, on the same terms and conditions afforded to Sourcewell, in a total amount not to exceed $2,951,446, inclusive of taxes and fees. (Citywide)

FM - Velocity Truck Center-10 CNG Crane Carrier Roto-Pac side loader refuse trucks

Item #27 • File #23-0573 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• Financial Management

Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or designee, to execute a contract, and any necessary documents including any necessary subsequent amendments, with Los Angeles Truck Centers, LLC, dba Velocity Truck Centers, of Whittier, CA, an authorized distributor of Crane Carrier trucks, for the purchase of 10 CNG Crane Carrier, Roto-Pac side loader refuse trucks, with related equipment and accessories, on the same terms and conditions afforded to Sourcewell, in a total amount not to exceed $4,765,507, inclusive of taxes and fees; and Authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute a lease-purchase agreement, and related financing documents, with Banc of America Public Capital Corp, of San Francisco, CA, for the financing of Roto-Pac refuse trucks, payable over a seven-year period at an interest rate to be determined when the agreement is executed. (Citywide)

FM/PW - Velocity Truck Center-20 CNG Crane Carrier side loader refuse trucks

Item #29 • File #23-0574 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• Financial Management
• Public Works

Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or designee, to execute a contract, and any necessary documents including subsequent amendments, with Los Angeles Truck Centers, LLC, dba Velocity Truck Centers, of Whittier, CA, an authorized distributor of Crane Carrier trucks, for the purchase of 20 CNG Crane Carrier side loader refuse trucks, with New Way side loader refuse bodies, on the same terms and conditions afforded to Sourcewell, in a total amount not to exceed $9,322,091, inclusive of taxes and fees. (Citywide)

PRM - Reso w/LAFCO-LA for final District Boundary Map

Item #31 • File #23-0581 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• Parks, Recreation and Marine

Recommendation to adopt resolution in support of the formation of the Lower San Gabriel River Recreation and Park District; direct City Clerk to file the resolution with the Local Area Formation Commission - Los Angeles (LAFCO-LA); and, authorize City Manager to approve the final District Boundary Map on behalf of the City. (Citywide)

PRM/DHHS - Accept grant funds for Wrigley Greenbelt and Multi-Service Center D7

Item #32 • File #23-0577 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• Parks, Recreation and Marine
• Health and Human Services

Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or designee, to execute any necessary documents including subsequent amendments, to accept grant funds from the California Natural Resources Agency for capital improvements at Wrigley Greenbelt and Multi-Service Center, in an amount not to exceed $5,200,000. (District 7)

ABC License

PD - ABC License - Tacomasa D3

Item #20 • File #23-0576 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• Police

Recommendation to receive and file the application of Tacomasa 1 LLC, dba Tacomasa, for an original application of an Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) license, at 4740 East 7th Street #130, submit a Public Notice of Protest to ABC, and direct City Manager to withdraw the protest if a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) or Conditional Use Permit Exemption (CUPEX) is granted. (District 3) Levine Act: Yes

PD - ABC License- Northern Café D3

Item #21 • File #23-0575 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• Police

Recommendation to receive and file the application of TCRY Incorporated, dba Northern Cafe, for an original application of an Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) license, at 4911 East 2nd Street, submit a Public Notice of Protest to ABC, and direct the City Manager to withdraw the protest if a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) or Conditional Use Permit Exemption (CUPEX) is granted. (District 3) Levine Act: Yes

Ordinance

DS - Noise Element

Item # • File #23-0586 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• Development Services

Declare ordinance implementing associated amendments to the Noise Ordinance, Long Beach Municipal Code Chapter 8.80, read for the first time and laid over to the next regular meeting of the City Council. (Citywide)

CM - Ordinance Amending LBMC 5.92

Item #35 • File #23-0532 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• City Manager

Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by amending Chapter 5.92 to reinstate language related to the operation of adult-use dispensaries in mixed-used buildings in Downtown Long Beach, read and adopted as read. (Citywide)

Contract

FM - South Coast Fire Equip. for 10 Pierce Enforcer Triple Combination fire engine pumper trucks

Item #28 • File #23-0571 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• Financial Management

Recommendation to adopt Specifications No. RFP FS22-175 and award a contract to South Coast Fire Equipment, Inc., of Ontario, CA, for the purchase of nine Pierce Enforcer Triple Combination Fire Engine pumper trucks, and one Pierce Enforcer Triple Combination Rescue Engine pumper truck, with related equipment and accessories, in a total amount not to exceed $11,328,555; and, authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into the contract, including any necessary subsequent amendments; and Authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute a lease-purchase agreement, and related financing documents, with Banc of America Public Capital Corp, of San Francisco, CA, for the financing of fire engine pumpers, payable over a 10-year period at an interest rate to be determined when the agreement is executed. (Citywide)

PRM - Great Scott for as-needed tree trimming

Item #30 • File #23-0579 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• Parks, Recreation and Marine

Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to amend Contract No. 35545 with Great Scott Tree Service, Inc., of Stanton, CA, for as-needed tree trimming and removal services, to increase the annual contract amount by $1,949,030 with a 15 percent contingency in the amount of $292,355, for a revised total annual contract amount not to exceed $3,211,410. (Citywide)

PW - As-Needed Architectural Services

Item #34 • File #23-0583 (Details, PDF)
Sponsors:

• Public Works

Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to amend Contract No. 33926 with Architects McDonald, Soutar & Paz, Inc., of Long Beach, CA; Contract No. 33912 with Kardent, of Long Beach, CA; Contract No. 33913 with Mary McGrath Architects, of Oakland, CA; and Contract No. 33917 with Alomar Rania, dba RA-DA, of West Hollywood, CA, for as-needed architectural services, to extend the contract terms for an additional one-year period through July 19, 2024; Authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to amend Contract No. 33498 with Hirsch & Associates, Inc., of Anaheim, CA, and Contract No. 33504 with RJM Design Group, Inc., of San Juan Capistrano, CA, for as-needed landscape architectural services, to extend term the contract terms for an additional one-year period through August 1, 2024; Authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to amend Agreement No. 34375 with AKM Consulting Engineers, Inc., of Irvine, CA; Agreement No. 34376 with AndersonPenna Partners, Inc., of Newport Beach

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✨ Features: 🛍️ Dive into our bustling Shopping District and indulge in thrilling trades and unique treasures. 🏙️ Immerse yourself in the thriving Town District, collaborating on grand building projects and forming lasting friendships.
⚡ Fresh Start Ahead! ⚡ Prepare for the ultimate reset! Our server is scheduled for an exciting update to version 1.20, giving everyone a fair and equal ground to start their adventure anew. 🔄
⛔ Rule the Realm: 🚫 No PvP unless mutually agreed upon. 🚫 No stealing, respecting everyone's property and effort. 🚫 No griefing allowed, fostering a positive and secure environment. 🚫 Cheating strictly prohibited. We ensure fair play and integrity. 🔓 Embrace the spirit of sharing, respecting public resources. 🚫 Lag machines are a big no-no. 🔞 Players must be 16 years old or above.
💻 Game-Changing Commands: ✨ Set and teleport to your home with ease using /sethome and /home. ✨ Request to teleport to other players with /tpa and /tpahere. ✨ Get valuable information at a glance with /chud toggle. ✨ Instantly return to the central hub with /spawn. ✨ Track playtimes and locate Deadchests with /playtimetop and /dc list. ✨ Mark yourself as AFK with /afk. ✨ Explore exciting warps and engaging mini-games.
🌟 Unleash Your Support: Unlock exclusive perks with our Supporter Rank:

• Flaunt the prestigious Supporter prefix.
• Get creative with the /hat command and wear anything on your head.
• Experience a new level of excitement by riding on various mobs.

🔮 Elevate Your Experience with Quantum Rank: Take your support to the next level with Quantum Rank:

• Ascend to the Quantum rank, standing out among supporters.
• Command attention with dazzling Player Particles presets.
• Transform your appearance to any player, including legendary figures like Notch.

🔒 Join our Discord Server and apply for Whitelist: 🔒 Join our Discord community using the link below to connect and interact with our players. Whitelist applications are available in our Discord server. 👉 Discord Link: [https://discord.gg/xKFpxxCHKf]
🗺️ Dynmap: Explore our Server Map 🗺️ Get a sneak peek of our vast world and plan your next adventure by visiting our Dynmap: 🔗 [http://play.quantumvibe.online:8123/]
🌐 Website: Learn More About Us 🌐 Visit our website to discover more about our server and community: 🔗 [http://play.quantumvibe.online/]
Join us and embark on an unforgettable Minecraft journey! Claim your spot in our vibrant community and make lasting memories. 🎉

Welcome, Neighbors!

Looking for a mature and friendly Minecraft community?
HomesteadCraft SMP is an adult-only server that's been public for over two years, and we're excited to welcome you to your new home!

Where to Find us:

IP: HomesteadCraft.mcserver.us

Live Map

Discord

As an RPG-based server, we've got a unique gameplay experience that's tailored to players who enjoy building, crafting, and exploring. Our community is made up of players from all over the world, and we've got a large number of regular players who enjoy playing together.
Our main goal is to provide a fun environment with an old-school feel, where both long-term fans and new players can all get together and have a good time. We pride ourselves on our tight-knit community, and can't wait to see how we continue to expand.
We believe in building a place where everyone can enjoy the game together. We've got a no-map-reset policy, which means you can build and explore without worrying about losing your progress, but we continue to expand the world border with each major update.
We also have a claims system in place to protect your creations, in addition to regular world and inventory backups just in case of issues.

Speaking of some of the plug-ins we use, here's a few more you'll find on HomesteadCraft that helps make us special:

Aurelium Skills - Introduces skills and stats into Minecraft. Such skills includeAgility, Excavation, Enchanting, and even Sorcery. Some of the stats include Strength, Regeneration, and Luck.
Acuteloot - This one adds in literally BILLIONS of new and unique items you can find. There's things such as specially named items, items with particle effects, and a few unique ones that add some fun mechanics to the game. You can find Acuteloot items in naturally spawned chests, or you might get lucky while enchanting.
In addition to the usual server accoutrements, we also have an active Discord community where players can chat and hang out. Our in-game chat is also linked to the main Discord channel, so even when you aren't at your computer, you can stay connected! Here, you can chat, share builds, post shop ads, and stay up-to-date on all the goodies and news.
​
Now the nitty-gritty- The rules. We don't have many, and most of it boils down to...
Rule #1. Don't be a jerk!
Rule #2. 21+ only. We are an adult community for many reasons.
Rule #3. We do NOT tolerate ANY hate speech or derogatory languange. Full stop. If you have to ask if it counts, it probably does.

So, if you're looking for a unique Minecraft experience with a mature and friendly community, then HomesteadCraft SMP is the server for you. Join us now and become a part of our amazing community!

​
https://preview.redd.it/d836mpgtzf2b1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=b19e0dddebf79fbb52b457b8eba4eb3c330bf450
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https://preview.redd.it/6ngn0ugtzf2b1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=ca9972eb8480af1b7a60d65f328b72396c772737

The event's schedule may change without notice so this thread can be out-of-date by several minutes. Please check the event's website for the most accurate reference.
Don't gild the thread, donate the money instead! ^_^
This thread is powered by the thread updater using data from Games Done Quick, Speedrun.com, and the contributors to the VOD site. Thank you to the volunteers that keep this thread running!

Links

• New: Watch and submit VODs on the VOD site
• Watch Summer Games Done Quick 2023
• Donate to Doctors Without Borders
• Official Schedule
• GDQ YouTube playlist

Schedule

Game	Runner / Channel	Time / Link
Pre-Show (before the marathon%)	Interview Crew	0:30:00
Sonic Frontiers (Any%)+	AlphaDolphin	1:17:00
Bugsnax (All Bosses Co-op)+	Konception and limy	0:45:00
Mega Man Maker (any%)+	megamarino	0:30:00
F-Zero X (All Tracks (Expansion Kit))	1davidj	1:25:00
Skate 2 (Any%)+	SupaScared	0:45:00
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (Any%)	Myth197	1:40:00
BONUS GAME 1 - Ring Fit Adventure (Beat World 1 Intensity 30 Restricted)	Verxl	0:20:00
Luigi's Mansion (100% Race)+	HDlax and Jovin	1:15:00
Daily Recap - Sunday (Recap%)	Interview Crew	0:15:00
Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition (NG Devil Hunter - Nero/Dante)	DECosmic	1:20:00
Thief (2014) (Any% (Rogue, No DLC))+	DemonicRobots	1:25:00
Banjo-Kazooie (100% no FFM)+	duck	2:08:00
Dark Summit (Any%)+	flatline	0:50:00
Bloody Hell (Any%)+	BystanderTim	0:15:00
Loom (Any% VGA)+	LMMotoss	0:30:00
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (Any%)	RetroBrando	0:22:00
SuzukiBakuhatsu (Any% Hard)	quino	0:20:00
Metal Slug XX (normal Any% eri)+	sukimos	0:25:00
Anodyne (All Bosses)	LaserTrap_	0:27:00
PHOGS! (Solo Any%)+	Sean_A	1:05:00
Alien Swarm (Any% Co-op)+	Kykystas and mr.deagle	0:20:00
Attack on Titan 2: Final Battle (Season 3)	Froob	0:52:00
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII - Reunion (Any% Race)+	desa3579 and BigSid	1:20:00
Peggle Deluxe (Any%)+	britsha	1:20:00
ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights (All Spirits)+	Keizaron	1:10:00
Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus (All Keys)+	Zenthrow	1:12:00
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (Any%)	benstephens56	1:35:00
Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon (Any% Ultimate)	The Blacktastic	0:25:00
Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2 (Episode 1: Normal/Veteran)	DanTheVP	0:38:00
BONUS GAME 2 - Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (Randomizer- Any% Glitchless (Lycanthrope))	Dr4gonBlitz	1:05:00
Daily Recap - Monday (Recap%)	Interview Crew	0:15:00
StepManiaX (Game Showcase)	ZephyrGlaze, WDRM, and chezmix	1:20:00
Katana ZERO (All Stages Normal)+	Modulottie	0:24:00
Hearthstone: Knights of the Frozen Throne (Solo Adventures)	srd_27	0:30:00
Overcooked! 2: Night of the Hangry Horde (All (Hangry) Horde Levels)	RUBIEHART, Peace Egg, and Sunbrojade	1:00:00
Chained Echoes (Any% No CW - Fresh File)+	moonblazewolf	0:53:00
Alpha Prime (Any%)+	danejerus	0:34:00
Rose of Meat (Any%)	shmumbler	0:12:00
SNOLF (Any% No Coordinate Warp)+	dowolf	0:40:00
Marathon Infinity (All Main Levels - Kindergarten)	tbcr	0:35:00
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (Any%)+	MixMastaPJ	0:25:00
Maniac Mansion (Any%)+	Sathdresh	0:08:00
Disney's 102 Dalmatians: Puppies to the Rescue (All Levels, Inbounds race (PS2))	passere and TaintedTali	0:32:00
Ratatouille (Any%)+	adef	0:25:00
CrossCode (Any% No Menu Glitches)+	EpicYoshiMaster	1:35:00
Hi-Fi RUSH (Any% NG Easy)+	MoistRock	2:45:00
Bastion (Live Tutorial Showcase)	Cosmic_Bones and SeaAverage	0:35:00
Returnal (Fresh File Glitched (PC))+	cavecavecave	0:40:00
The Elder Scrolls Anthology (Main Series)+	Chronos_R	2:00:00
BioShock 2 (Any%)	bloodthunder	1:05:00
BONUS GAME 3 - Halo 3 (Legendary)	g3lk_jr	1:25:00
Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes (Any% - Normal)+	NickRPGreen	1:11:00
Daily Recap - Tuesday (Recap%)	Interview Crew	0:15:00
Silent Hill: Homepour (All Bosses NG+)	shmumbler	2:45:00
SIGNALIS (Any% Casual Difficulty / Memory Ending)+	DruciferPlays	0:50:00
Choo-Choo Charles (Any%)+	Bird650	0:25:00
Resident Evil 6 (Ada vs Jake, Coop, Amateur, NG+)+	TaintedTali and texan_red_wolf	1:20:00
Dead Rising 2 (TimeSkip NG)+	Ecdycis	1:00:00
Kidnapped (Any%)+	sharkhat87	0:10:00
Goosebumps: Dead of Night (Any% Normal)+	nyiddle	0:15:00
Beard Blade (Any%)+	janglestorm	0:54:00
Dharma Doujo (Any%)	Lizstar	0:40:00
Gauntlet (Any% Co-op)+	yelsraek and chessjerk	0:20:00
Sifu (WUDE Any% (Master))+	EileenCream	0:52:00
Exodus from the Earth (Any%)+	catalystz	0:35:00
Touhou 14.3: Impossible Spell Card (All Scenes No Items)	msm_smtn	1:20:00
Shatterhand (Any%)+	Amad	0:24:00
lil gator game (Any%)+	ItzBytez	0:18:00
Dangun Feveron (Arcade)	Qlex	0:22:00
Trine Enchanted Edition (Any% NG+)+	GrosHiken	0:25:00
N++ (Co-op Legacy X-row)	killingpepsi and XandoToaster	0:25:00
HITMAN 3 (Any% Freelancer Campaign)	Frote7	0:30:00
Shadow the Hedgehog (Glitchless Bidwar)+	MetalMedb	0:20:00
Sonic Adventure (DX) (All Stories Relay)+	SpacebarS, shovelclaws, Themimik, Yoshipuff, AlphaDolphin, and Allegro	1:50:00
The Legend of Zelda: Majoras Mask (Blitz Randomizer)+	spikevegeta	2:30:00
BONUS GAME 4 - Super Mario Odyssey (Any%)	Dangers	1:02:00
Daily Recap - Wednesday (Recap%)	Interview Crew	0:15:00
Paper Mario (Any% no ace)	Mx_4	1:50:00
True Crime: New York City (Any%)+	pmcTRILOGY	1:00:00
Golf It! (Classic First 5 Maps 100% Race)+	Nichole Goodnight and Bathinjan	0:30:00
Hobo Cat Adventures (Any%)+	yoshipro	0:20:00
Batman Forever (Any%)	Faust4712	0:45:00
Give Me Toilet Paper! (Hand%)+	Asuka424	0:13:00
Pepsiman (Any%)	TheFlyingMarlin	0:28:00
Stair Quest (Stair%)+	davidtki	0:15:00
The Cat in the Hat (PS1) (Any%)+	Mildew	0:12:00
Wayne's World (Any%)	Ritzblues	0:30:00
The Incredible Hulk (Any%)+	Iceplug	0:20:00
Pocky & Rocky Reshrined (Any% Uzume)+	EODTexSR	0:25:00
The Curse of Monkey Island (Any% Mega-Monkey)+	frozenspade	0:24:00
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (Any% (No 3rd-party FPS caps))	Joshimuz	4:20:00
Darkest Dungeon (Defeat Hag/NecromanceSwine Prince Bidwar)+	RebelDragon95	0:50:00
Mega Man 6 (Any% 2 Players 1 Controller)	DarkTerrex and Ppotdot1	0:41:00
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Any%)	mralberto23	3:00:00
Pizza Tower (Any%)+	SoaringSloth	1:20:00
BONUS GAME 5 - Titanfall 2 (Any%)	Blaidan	1:25:00
Daily Recap - Thursday (Recap%)	Interview Crew	0:15:00
Gunfire: Reborn (Qing Yan - Full Game - Reincarnation 1)+	Shockwve	0:35:00
Crash Bandicoot: N. Sane Trilogy (Full Trilogy Any%)	Murcaz	2:40:00
Amnesia: Rebirth (Any%)+	bloodthunder	1:00:00
Shantae and the Pirate's Curse (All Dark Magic, Pirate Mode, No OOB)	TheSoundDefense	1:20:00
Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series (Klonoa 1 Any% Easy Support Mode)+	Mr_Shasta	0:50:00
VVVVVV (Any% Glitchless)+	Metroid Crime	0:22:00
SaGa Frontier (Story Bidwar)+	Raclesis	1:00:00
Final Fight 3 (Co-Op Any% (Easy))+	JaekRock and Space Coast Gaming	0:25:00
Shinobi 3: Return of the Ninja Master (Expert)	dagronSR	0:30:00
Wild Guns (Any% hard co-op)+	giygasblues and Crak Atak	0:25:00
Lunistice (Any% Glitchless)+	Nestani	0:35:00
X-Men Arcade (2-player 1CC Attempt)	LRock617 and MetroidMaster	0:30:00
Dark Forces (Easy (TFE))+	CovertMuffin	0:26:00
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords (Any% Co-op)+	AmberCyprian and TGH	0:30:00
Metroid Prime Remastered (Any%)+	Samura1man	2:00:00
Pokémon Colosseum (Any% Race)+	Swiftalu and Sparkle	4:05:00
Kaizo Monkey Ball (Story Mode)	IkeSMB	0:40:00
Sure Shot (100%)+	Shoujo	0:25:00
Spin Rhythm XD (XD Turntable Showcase)	AngryScootsman	1:00:00
BONUS GAME 6 - Clone Hero (Showcase)	Frif	0:54:00
Daily Recap - Friday (Recap%)	Interview Crew	0:15:00
Celeste (TAS- True Ending)+	Lmjacks, tmcalvins, and Vamp	0:36:00
Super Mario 64 (Randomizer- 70 Star Non-Stop)+	360Chrism	0:42:00
Kingdom Hearts Final Mix (Any% Proud Race)+	MistMaster1 and Violin	2:30:00
TimeShift (Casual Difficulty)+	ChurchnSarge	1:05:00
Neopets: The Darkest Faerie (Any%)+	Jaxler	0:50:00
Tony Hawk's Underground (Beginner Any%)	Biglaw	0:37:00
Spelunky 2 (Spelunker Trials Any%)+	Lavableman	0:20:00
Ori and the Blind Forest Definitive Edition (All Skills No OOB/TA)+	Primorix	0:35:00
Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg (Any%)	monkeysmb	1:12:00
Final Fantasy IV Pixel Remaster (Any%)	Zic3	2:55:00
I Wanna Be the Guy Remastered (Any%)+	LogicPQ	0:25:00
Superhot VR (Any%)+	davidtki	0:15:00
Super Mario Bros. (Warpless)+	GTAce	0:20:00
Fire Emblem Engage (Any%)+	Claris	1:15:00
Pokémon Scarlet/Violet (Victory Road)+	eddaket	2:30:00
Elden Ring (Any% Glitchless)	Mitchriz	1:20:00
Super Mario Maker 2 (Relay Race)	TheRileyC, Aurateur, PangaeaPanga, TanukiDan, Shoujo, Caspur189, LilKirbs, and Thabeast721	1:40:00
BONUS GAME 7 - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Any% Blindfolded)	Bubzia	1:45:00
Baron Of Shell (100%)+	grandpoobear	0:48:00
Event Recap (Recap 100%)	Interview Crew	0:20:00
Super Metroid (Co-Op Any%)+	ShinyZeni and zoast	0:50:00
Finale! (The End%)+	Tech Crew	0:20:00

🛡️ Welcome to Vaultcraft!!! 🛡️

____________________
▷ 🧉 Vaultcraft Lounge
▷ 📡 Official Website
▷ 🎞️ Instagram Account
____________________

Who are we?

Vaultcraft is a non-pay to win server dedicated to providing the Vanilla Survival Multiplayer experience on a gorgeous 1.18 generated world. We are actively looking for new mature players that have interest in participating in the events of an exclusive long term community based world.
▷ Commitment to Vanilla-esk
Our server is considered 99% vanilla because it employ's the use of data packs and mods to create the ultimate survival vanilla experience, some call this Vanilla PLUS. The chosen mods enhance the regular vanilla game instead of altering gameplay in any major way.
▷ Commitment to Community
Our community is small however it is always looking to expand. To help ensure players have a fair experience we have a few simple rules:
◎ No Hacking ◎ No Griefing ◎ No Stealing
Players are encouraged and allowed to express their opinions, which will be protected whilst one participates in this community.
▷ Commitment to Free
Unlike other servers, Vaultcraft is 100% free from any micro-transactions & donator stores. We will never attempt to generate any profit off our community.

Information:

▷ Season Two
The second season of Vaultcraft started on the 1st of October 2022. Season One ended prematurely due to a badly picked map which ultimately couldn't be a “forever” world.
▷ Server Build
fabric_1.19.4.jar
▷ Spawn Shopping District
Our beautiful 1.18 generated spawn is transforming into our shopping district which is fueled by the diamond economy.

Interested in Vaultcraft? Apply Here!!!

The weeks leading up to the 17th Hunger Games were especially eventful as the Capital was still reeling from the previous year’s spectacular games. Sherpa Kapoor, with the help of his lion friends, had proven himself to be the most popular tribute in Hunger Games history since Ashley Chen (victor of the 13th Hunger Games)’s revenge plot. The Capital was kept satisfied with reruns as well as the continuing increasing sales of 16th HG merchandise. This consisted of Kapoor Pride plushies, replica gaffi sticks, and the most sought-after item: the latest in the line of Panem Champion Funko Pop. Every year, a new action figure is made for the latest victor of the Hunger Games. It was the most popular collectible in the Capital. In fact, since the Golden Victors concept was introduced, a new line of Funko Pop was released, separating the first ten victors (called the First Champions) and the Golden Victors by changing the color of the clothes and weapons to gold.
Hunger Games mania had started once more a week before the reaping cycle. Artemis Radcliffe interviewed Head Gamemaker Grimstone on her morning show Good Morning Panem, expressing relief that the Sherpa craze had died down. Grimstone responded that that kind of excitement was the nature of the Golden Victors and he hoped he would be able to replicate that level of success. However, he did admit it was up to the tributes to decide that. As usual, Artemis pushed for details only to receive tight lips from the gamemaker. She responded to herself, telling the audience she'll never learn the futility of getting spoilers from a gamemaker.
A week later, Sherpa had to put his restaurant endeavors on hold as he was called for the reaping tour. His entourage consisted of his brother Zacharie, Cassandra (his mentor), and surviving Kapoor Pride member Parth. After a depressing reaping at his home district, Cassandra had to separate from the group to take care of the first half of mentoring his tributes Mishti and Horace. So, Troy van Stomm (victor of the 5th Hunger Games) volunteered to tag along, mostly in hopes to become Sherpa’s friend. A notable incident happened during the District 8 reaping, when the younger brother of Asaad (D8 tribute of 16th games who was killed by Sherpa), Burlap, was reaped and attempted to assault Sherpa on the stage. Parth tackled him to the ground but was stopped by Sherpa before he could injure him further.
After witnessing the reaping games of District 2 sire Nikita and Andrei, Sherpa and his entourage arrived in District 6. He was given a tour by Mayor Bengtsson and District 6’s only victor Phoebe Bentley. They introduced to Sherpa a recently completed construction project, the Luxury Viking Cruise. This week-long cruise trip would sail the seas of Districts 4 and 6, even granting a tour of the Faroe Island Base. Despite being a victor for nearly a year, Sherpa was shocked by the fancy architecture and opulence. The remainder of the tour was a bit of a downer, Sherpa seeing firsthand the combined effects of poverty and the warmweed epidemic. His spirits were lifted when Phoebe enthusiastically showed him the Kento Rehabilitation Center. Both Sherpa and Troy decided to inject some of their money into the community, buying a variety of the local liquors outside of the Johnson Jazzy Juices brand. During lunch, Phoebe introduced them to her husband, local piloting legend Jackson Williams, and her “arena baby” Mirabelle. Sherpa allowed Mirabelle to pet Parth while he asked Jackson some piloting questions.
After lunch, everyone headed over to the reaping square where he was greeted by the mayor. He chatted for about ten minutes as the oil and vomit stained amber clad youths filed into the enclosure, the process taking longer as peacekeepers had to round up inebriated youths who tried to ditch the process. Sherpa made his victor’s speech more lively, bringing up his restaurant business and performing a couple tricks with Parth. Some of the youths enjoyed the show and applauded him. After his speech, Phoebe urged him to pull out the first name from the female reaping bowl. Sherpa took a deep breath and shoved his hand in the bowl. He unfolded the paper and announced eighteen year old Catilina "Cat" Verter as tribute.
Cat was a tall medium built woman with ginger curls and round glasses and was known as one of the assistant instructors at the Kento Rehabilitation Centre, so she knew District 6’s sole victor Phoebe Bentley quite well. Phoebe apparently was funding Cat's scholarship to become a licensed therapist. Phoebe put her hand over her mouth in shock when Cat’s name was called. Cat walked up to the stage, with a tightness in her chest and tears streaming down her face. She shook hands with Sherpa and said his pet lion was cute. She turned towards the cameras, forcing a smile in an attempt to convince Capital audiences she wasn’t unhappy with her situation. In the commentator’s booth, Artemis fell for the fake smile, commenting how she must be excited to represent her district. Her co-commentator Capricorn Luther rolled his eyes in annoyance and told her to just keep watching.
Sherpa walked over to the male reaping bowl, feeling slight relief the first wasn’t a drugged out zombie. He shuffled to the male reaping bowl and pulled out the name of fifteen year old Jackknife "Jack" Clutch. Cameras found Jack in the middle of the horde of inebriated youth. Jack was a short brown haired lad who was ragged looking from head to toe due to a recent warmweed binge. Despite this, he was less skinny and pale looking than his peers to the surprise of Artemis and Luther. Luther pulled some notes and revealed Jack had managed to stay sober for 10 months, recently relapsing after the Good Morning Panem interview. He read further and discovered that Jack was one of the young refinery workers in one of the hovercraft warehouses. Artemis read the remainder of the notes and found it interesting to hear he was imprisoned four months ago after getting caught trying to smuggle warmweed across the Orkney Stretch, a stretch of water fashioned as an aquatic border separating the two districts. Despite the previous soberness, he was in too much of a trance to notice being reaped and was dragged to the stage by peacekeepers. He limply shook hands with Sherpa and absentmindedly walked into Parth before finding his place to the left of the stage. Mayor Bengtsson indifferently congratulated this year’s tributes before dismissing them to their waiting rooms. Phoebe dismissed herself to the hoverjet, kissing her husband and Mirabelle goodbye. Sherpa and his entourage also left for their next stop in the reaping tour: District 4.
Cat was visited by her older brother Tank and a coworker Pedal. The Juicy Tidbits podcast disclosed that her mother had passed away two years ago and her father was passed out drunk at the Kjellberg Brewery. The group embraced and shared in the sorrowful moment. Tank and Pedal tried to cram as much advice as they could into the session, but Cat was feeling overwhelmed. She assured them she had a great mentor who would surely help her win. Cat told Tank to sell her belongings and drew a map to the location of her pocketed earnings and her will. She thanked him for always being there and becoming sober for her. She turned to Pedal and thanked him for being her best friend, regretting never asking him out. She asked Pedal to take care of her patients, attempting to make a list of important details. However, the peacekeepers arrived before she could finish and escorted her to the hoverjet.
Meanwhile, Jack was visited by Tyre, his only friend who was one of the few who managed to stay sober during the sudden uptake of drugs and alcohol at reaping week. She consoled him as he began to cry and reassured his other friends would come if they weren't also high. Jack claimed to not care about them, but instead expressed disappointment in his parents for not coming. Tyre assured him that she believed in him. Jack shrugged and said, “At least I’ll die knowing I had one friend.” Tyre responded with “If that nervous wreck Oslo could make it as far as he did, then I'm sure you can get that little bit extra and win." She kissed him on the lips before giving him a final embrace, promising a surprised Jack that she would wait for him. Jack then made her promise that if he doesn’t make it to not wait so long to find someone else. The peacekeepers arrived and brought him to the hoverjet.
When Jack and Cat got on the hovercraft, Phoebe was already waiting at the dining table. She asked Jack to hand over any contraband warmweed he may have before they got started. He initially refused, arguing that he would need them to not break down during training. Cat reminded him that his best chance at winning would be staying sober, recalling Phoebe telling her about last year’s tributes ruining their pregames chances due to them being high. She offered to help him stay calm during the following events, bringing up her training in therapy. This seemed to persuade him to hand over the warmweed he kept in his pocket. Little did they know, he was secretly concealing a teeny fraction in the sole of his shoe. The group spent the next few hours discussing strategy. As opposed to most mentors, who would explain the upcoming events before having them watch previous games, Phoebe crafted a presentation with a slide show. The slideshow touched on the topics of the pregame events, finding water sources, creating makeshift weapons and making and handling alliances. In previous years, Phoebe used pictures and videos from previous games but this year she replaced them with stop motion animation and drawings depicting the scenarios.
When the presentation was over, Phoebe asked her tributes to tell her what their strategy for training would be. Cat was the first to answer, detailing how she would use her time to learn survival skills. However, she was indecisive on what weapon to choose. Jack, on the other hand, decided he would learn to use a knife and try his hand at camouflage. Phoebe appeared satisfied with their initial answers and instructed them to mull over their indecision. She gave them the time of noon tomorrow to come to her with their final decision. Phoebe attempted to retire her tributes to their quarters, but Jack asked if he could watch her games. Phoebe was taken aback by this. She was about to refuse, but Cat expressed her desire to see it as well. Phoebe relented and turned on the 3rd Hunger Games. While watching, Jack commended the swordsmanship of Kento (the D3 tribute and Mirabelle’s biological father) before considering practicing with a sword instead. Cat repeated the praise while condemning Carson (Phoebe’s district partner)’s brutality, even going as far as comparing him to one of the unruly patients in the mental asylum ward at the Kento Rehabilitation Centre. She turned to hear Phoebe’s thoughts, but saw her tearfully struggling to refrain herself from grabbing a bottle of whiskey. Cat rushed to her and put the bottle down, embracing her as she cried. She ordered Jack to turn off the games, which he did after seeing the climactic battle between her and Carson. Phoebe eventually calmed down and ordered her tributes to bed for the night. Night cameras showed that Cat did some light reading on a book about lizards and amphibians she found before sleeping. Meanwhile, Jack mulled over whether or not he should consume his contraband. He ultimately decided to ask the peacekeeper outside his door to bring him a strong tasting but nonalcoholic drink. He learned from him that all of the drinks in the District 6 apartment were nonalcoholic, leading him to accept a lemon vodka.
The next morning, the tributes woke up to a light breakfast and were asked to clean up quickly and select clothes provided in their wardrobes. This became a tradition Phoebe picked up for her tributes after Jase Toliver tried it for the District 8 tributes of the 2nd Quinquennial Quell (15th Hunger Games). The tradition became handy that year as the Capital was going through a heat wave. Due to being farther north and experiencing the harshest winters of Panem, District 6 wasn’t used to the warmer climate. This was brought up when Jack opened one of the windows, which blew a humid draft in. Phoebe instructed them to dress for the heat, Cat choosing a V neck tank top with cutoff denim shorts while Jack wore a henley shirt with board shorts.
The tributes were greeted by a respectable sized crowd despite being on the lower end of the visitation numbers. District 6 usually ended up with the second or third lowest turnout. depending on the sobriety of their tributes with this year having the fifth lowest turnout. Many of the crowd members flocked to Phoebe, either calling her by name or as “The Philosopher”. Many asked how Mirabelle was doing, knowing she turned thirteen not long ago. Phoebe graciously answered their questions, but urged them to meet her tributes. Jack took surprisingly well to the crowd, shaking hands with people his age and charming an elderly woman with flattery. She pinched his cheeks, telling him how adorable he was and promising to sponsor him if he keeps it up. Cat was nervous at first, but the people skills she learned from her job quickly took over. She gave pleasantries and charmed the crowds with her manners. She even managed to convince a few Captalites to open up about their personal lives so she could get them to relate to her. Jack walked over to her while she was advising a certain young man to tell his crush how he felt. Jack put his arm around her shoulder and assured them she could be everyone’s shrink if she could. Cat piggybacked off this, declaring that they would be missing out if they didn’t sponsor them. When Phoebe finally managed to escape the paparazzi, she ushered her tributes into the limousine. Phoebe thanked them for behaving and making a good impression. Cat commended Jack’s people skills, wondering where they were before. Jack simply stated he realized the gravity of the situation while he was dressing and decided to do his best to make it home to his friend Tyre.
When the group arrived at the apartment, they were greeted by this year’s stylist Sasha Grasseed. Phoebe became annoyed upon recognizing her. It was rumored that Sasha had only achieved her position by sleeping with pregame event organizer Dermont Toolly. Cat and Jack attempted to introduce themselves, but Sasha cut them off. She claimed to be on a tight schedule and barked at them to stand in place for their measurements. She then ordered her assistant Morrana Cloudveil to do the measurements. Phoebe questioned if having an assistant was allowed, but Sasha brushed this off claiming it made things easier. Phoebe mumbled to herself, “Yeah because everything comes easy for you.” The Juicy Tidbits podcast had a five-minute discussion over this particular comment, wondering if there was unspoken beef between the two. Phoebe asked to see some of the design, but Sasha said she already decided on a mechanic outfit covered in nails. Phoebe tried to speak again but was rudely interrupted. An exasperated Sasha growled that her design was final, and she was going to leave to get started and to "find an actual drink".
By the time she left, Morrana apologized for Sasha's behavior and remarked that she tried to tell her she was thinking of the nuts, bolts and nails used for construction. Phoebe said that it was fine and suggested to her tributes to try and play into the peculiar nature of the designs. Jack asked what her problem was, calling her a “high strung bitch queen”. Cat suggested Sasha thought the position was above her talents and only accepted to hopefully win the title of Blanco Fashion Magazine’s Best Dressed. Phoebe considered the theory plausible and suggested they throw Sasha under the bus in interviews if the parade doesn’t work out. Morrana agreed, explaining that the only way to bring down a stylist is if they screw up and enough people talk about it. Cat and Jack promised to do so. Phoebe decided to turn on replays of the reapings and advised her tributes to study their opponents.
Immediately after leaving District 6, Sherpa and his entourage arrived in District 4. In the commentator’s booth, Artemis and Luther revealed that District 4 was also going through a heat wave, which forced the refrigeration system to work overtime to protect the latest catch and produce. Three freezer boxes, two containing salmon and one squid, had to be emptied and their contents disposed of when the insulation failed. As Mayor Phillip gave Sherpa a tour, people would stop and stare at Parth as he trailed along. Little kids ran up and asked to pet him, to which Sherpa happily obliged. Sherpa showed much interest in District 4’s naval and fishing industry, especially the latter. Much to Sherpa's dismay, especially after seeing mass poverty across the other districts, he complained about some of the fish being thrown away despite still being good to eat. He claimed that some citizens across Panem would be willing to eat it, buying some various fillets on the spot. He did a cooking demonstration for Mayor Phillip, creating sushi with salmon and serving it as their lunch.
On their way to the reaping square, they stopped to pick up District 4’s victor Gill Henderson at the Slippery Shell, the most popular pub in District 4 where Dolph Masterson (ally to Bacchus Johnson of the 9th Hunger Games) dreamed of the many cocktails now sold under the Johnson’s Jazzy Juices brand. When they arrived at the reaping square, the blue clad potential tributes were already lined up and waiting. Sherpa noticed that the majority looked unfazed due to District 4 generally performing quite well, many holding onto the hope of their next victor coming very soon. So much so that the district had the honour of having the Capital’s third fan group, the Buccaneers, always ready to support them.
Sherpa gave a pre-translated speech that he read very well due to improvements in his English. He asked the women if they had any volunteers. Receiving no reply, he stepped towards the female reaping bowl. He pulled out the name of fourteen year old Pearl Riverstone. Cameras zoomed in on a short tanned girl with dirty blonde pigtails wearing a sky blue skirt and white shirt. Pearl loudly cried over her name being called and begged anyone to volunteer for her. As she sombered forward, protests were heard across the crowd. Luther pulled up a note card and revealed that Pearl's parents ran one of the many pubs across District 4. Her family’s pub The Brine was one of the more popular amongst working class people, attendance sometimes rivalling the Slippery Shell. Pearl would normally be found waiting tables at The Brine or playing with her friends on the riverwalk. Sherpa felt sorry for the girl and forgoed the hand shaking in place of letting her hug Parth. Pearl thanked Sherpa and proceeded to take her place to the right of the stage.
Sherpa took a deep breath and reiterated the volunteer question to the men. He again received no reply and went towards the male reaping bowl. He pulled a name from the bottom and pulled it out, nearly dropping it when a gust of wind blew through. He read the name of eighteen year old Mortimer Beckett. Many members in the enclosures and outside audiences began whispering amongst themselves. Gill Henderson appeared surprised, clueing Capital viewers that he was familiar with him. In the commentator’s booth, Artemis urged the cameras to find this person, wondering what made him so known. Cameras circled around the area for a moment until spotting a muscled man with sunkissed brown wavy hair and hazel green eyes. The most interesting thing about him was the shackles on his hands and being accompanied by two peacekeepers.
Mortimer cursed to himself upon hearing his name and grumbled to his guards to get it over with. While he shuffled to the stage, Luther pulled some notes together. He revealed to the audience that Mortimer was a shiphand who worked on the same dock Gill Henderson manages. The chains were as a precaution as two weeks ago, Mortimer was caught smuggling a small supply of warmweed and District 6 professor Tobias Stephens into District 4’s waters. Tobias was seeking asylum in District 4 and was given a fake ID, but was caught hours after landing. He was executed in District 4’s town square. Artemis thought he looked handsome and wanted to see the muscles underneath his thin white undershirt. She was confused by the black eyeliner encompassing his right eye, wondering if he tried to paint a tattoo there. She also swore she could see something blue etched into his skin, wondering if he had a back tattoo. Mortimer didn’t want to shake Sherpa’s hand, but was intimidated by Parth’s cold black eyes and relented. Mayor Phillip congratulated this year’s tributes before dismissing them to the waiting rooms in the Town Centre.
Pearl was visited by both parents and her older sister Henrietta. Pearl couldn’t stop crying, her parents trying her best to calm her down. It was eventually Henrietta that temporarily ceased her hysterics. She asked her little sister to listen to her mentor and try her best. She implied she could remind Gill of the district partner he lost in his games and get extra attention. Pearl asked, “What about my partner? He could protect me.” Henrietta’s face furrowed into a frown. She insisted she not trust him, claiming he would only look out for himself like he always did. Pearl lamented that she couldn’t possibly win and was scared. Her mother assured her that a fourteen year old girl from District 7 won before, reminding her of Vixen Furtherson (victor of the 14th Hunger Games). Pearl asked if they thought she could have the chance to meet her, to which the parents thought she would. The four had a final embrace before peacekeepers arrived. Pearl resumed her hysterics the second the first peacekeeper grabbed her and she cried as she was dragged to the Speedy Submarine.
Meanwhile, Mortimer was initially all alone in his room. He was pacing back and forth, a couple tears falling from his eyes. Suddenly, the door opened and his girlfriend Meridia Vilewater entered. She embraced him and apologised for not coming sooner. Mortimer said it was alright, simply glad someone showed up. Meridia said, “I’m sorry your father couldn’t make it. I promise to look after him.” Mortimer thanked her and expressed how grateful he was for her being there when the entire town wasn’t. He joked how her father didn’t have to worry about him poking around anymore, but Meridia began to tear up upon hearing this. He apologised and assured her he would try his best to win and not only bring honour to the district, but possibly help his father. He then snarkily said, “Who knows? Maybe your dad will accept me?” Meridia betted he would and gave him a final embrace, knowing their time was short. Mortimer whispered to her the location of his secret stash of “medicine” before being dragged out of the room and to the Speedy Submarine.
Pearl and Mortimer found themselves in the lounge area. Pearl nervously sat on the couch and waited for their mentor to show. Mortimer gave her a stare before silently resigning himself to the bar. He was downing a Woeful Whiskful cocktail from Johnson’s Jazzy Juices when their mentor Gill Henderson entered the room. He gave a momentary glance to Mortimer before introducing himself to Pearl. Pearl claimed to know him from his shanty performance during the Saint Patrick’s Day celebration at The Brine. Gill appreciated the sentiment before diverting the conversation. He point-blankedly asked what skills she had. She shrugged and simply stated she was a waitress. Gill pondered over this and asked how many orders she handled on average. Pearl answered she would normally keep track of the orders of 4-5 tables simultaneously, even recalling a day she juggled eight tables at once. Gill explained she was an effective communicator and a multitasker, two skills that could prove crucial to her survival. He caught her nervously glancing at the despondent Mortimer sitting on the barstool. Gill walked over to him and greeted him. Pearl asked if he knew him, to which Gill confirmed. Mortimer dejectedly stated that everyone knew him and that he was infamous. Gill argued that he didn’t help himself with the image he projected and asked what his father would think. Mortimer snapped that he didn’t know anything and to drop it. The tone in his voice scared Pearl, but Mortimer was kind enough to apologise to her for his outburst.
Gill took this opportunity to give them the routine rundown of the events to come. He recommended they devise ways to get the Capital to like them, reminding them of the importance of sponsors. Gill looked down at Pearl and said she was adorable and could use that. Pearl decided to better improve her look to play into the cute persona. Gill turned to Mortimer, who was still sipping from his glass but paying close attention. Gill said that his criminal record and standoffish attitude wouldn’t help matters, suggesting he lighten up. He also explained that he knew some of his stories that could be used as sob stories for the audience. Mortimer claimed those to be private. He grumbled that he didn’t need any help before resigning himself to the training room. Gill hollered back to at least consider using his strength as an asset. Pearl asked what his deal was, claiming to have only heard the story of him smuggling “the professor from 6’ in. Gill sighed and asked her to sit down. He decided to disclose that Mortimer’s mother abandoned him and his disabled father when he was six, leaving him to become man of the house. He had some traumatic experiences with a few of District 4’s bad apples and had trust issues, enough to turn away those who genuinely wanted to help, including Alexander Riverstone. Pearl, hearing her father’s name dropped, wanted to know more, but Gill decided it was a story for another time. He instead called the dinner cart in and turned on the TV. He turned on the 13th and 14th Hunger Games, both erecting Ashley Chen and Vixen Furtherson, the youngest victors in history. Gill asked Pearl to take notes on their performances in hopes of settling on a strategy.
While she took notes, Gill visited the training room and approached Mortimer who was lifting weights. Gill notified him of the dinner cart and pleaded with him to join them. Mortimer relented and dropped his weight. Before they entered the lounge area, Gill put a hand on Mortimer’s shoulder and told him there was no shame in wanting to talk as he didn’t want him to die in the arena with things remaining unsaid. Mortimer hesitated before wordlessly filling his plate. He brought his plate to the couch and began watching the finale of the 14th games with Pearl. When the games ended, Pearl got up to make her plate while Mortimer turned on Gill’s games and made notes of his own. Pearl sat down to watch and chuckled at the iconic “Bye Felicia” tagline but averted her eyes when Gill’s district partner Angel was killed. When the finale showdown between Gill and Furler (D12 male tribute) came up, Mortimer paid close attention. Pearl asked if he was studying his trident fighting style to which he confirmed, stating his desire to practise the trident. After dinner, Gill broke into song and began improvising a sea shanty. Pearl began to dance to the melody while Mortimer nodded his head and slipped a smile in. Gill sent his tributes to bed and spent an extra few minutes at the bar, drinking a Huma Hurricane.
The next morning, the Speedy Submarine arrived at the Darius Dock on the Capital docks. Gill ordered his tributes to brush their hair and teeth as well as put on nice clothes. He even loaned his aftershave to Mortimer when there wasn’t any found in his room. Gill inspected them head to toe and reminded them to make an impression, telling Pearl to stay adorable and Mortimer to lighten up. The hatch opened and the three were bombarded with the cheers of adoring Buccaneers (avid fans of District 4). While most of the attendees swarmed around this year’s tributes, there was a small zealous group who called for the Brotherly Sailor, asking him to sing. Gill refrained from doing so, knowing it would take away attention from his mentees. Pearl played into her cuteness, flashing big smiles and waving her hands. She took pictures with many of the young girls, some even asking to touch her pigtails. One blushing boy walked up with a golden tiara and asked to put it on her head. She nodded and bowed, letting him place the tiara on her head. She thanked her “prince charming”, telling him she will go on a date with him if she wins.
Meanwhile, Mortimer didn’t say much but received much attention regardless. He took pictures with many of the teens in the crowds, one even giving him a prop trident to pose with. He also allowed the girls to squeeze his biceps and fawn over his wavy hair. Mortimer was beginning to feel annoyed and tried to find an excuse to step away. It came to a head when one eager girl asked if he had a girlfriend. He wretched himself away from the girls’ grasp, but another girl still had a hold of his shirt. The shirt tore to shreds in her hands, exposing the massive back tattoo on his back. Cameras got a close look at the illustration of the fabled Kraken inked onto the majority of his back, some of its tentacles stretching up his neck and around his chest. This unexpected turn of events becomes its own fiasco with more girls putting their hands all over his back. Pearl pushed some of the girls away and took pictures with the Kraken. Gill noticed this and quickly ushered his tributes to the limousine.
The three arrived at their apartment to see their stylist Minerva Panson waiting for them. Minerva was a tattoo artist who applied for the position of Hunger Games stylist to expand her business. This was Minerva’s second year as a stylist, having been District 11’s stylist the previous year. She greeted Gill and his tributes, excited to talk parade costumes with them. She knelt down and told Pearl how adorable she was, pinching her cheeks. She stood up and was slightly put off by Mortimer, who still felt humiliated by what happened at the parade. Minerva said she loved his tattoo, but it needed some polishing. Mortimer grunted a thanks and went into his room to find a shirt. Pearl was excited to see what outfit she had planned, begging to see her sketchbook. Minerva flipped through the pages with Gill, pointing out her favourites. Gill asked about her most recent sketch of an underwater king and mermaid costume. Minerva explained that she was inspired after a recent tattoo she gave a Buccaneer and the idea was reinforced by Mortimer’s Kraken tattoo. Pearl liked her mermaid outfit and asked if she could have her hair wet.
Mortimer came back in to see their final decision. Minerva said he would have to showcase his tattoo some more to go with her costume idea, revealing that it went viral on the Capital Internet. Mortimer was against it at first, but relented when Minerva offered to polish it and add a new one of his choosing at the ends of the tentacles on his chest. Interested, he agreed. She wondered aloud about the eyeliner around his right eye, rubbing her thumb on it. She inspected the residue and revealed to the room’s occupants it was fake. Mortimer sighed and admitted it was, but insisted he only applied it to spite those who dislike him and that he would never etch an actual tattoo on his face. While Minerva worked, Pearl complimented Mortimer’s tattoo, remarking how if she won, she would get a tattoo of her own. Mortimer chuckled, saying, “Just remember, real tattoos are permanent.”

Hi everyone.
To Kill a Predator is a work of fan fiction set in the Nature of Predators universe originally created by SpacePaladin15 whose Patreon you should subscribe to.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Depiction does not equal endorsement.
Hope you enjoy it!
[First] [Previous]
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Memory transcription subject: Martin Russo, Human Refugee
Date [standardized human time]: November 30th, 2136
​
The first thing I do upon getting back from the Exterminators is send an email.
Then I spend some time cleaning up around home. The easy part is sweeping up the dust, plaster, and wood chips. The rest is mostly damage assessment.
The door to my room is a total loss, and I decide to just take it out and leave it outside until I can find out where to throw it. I’ll replace it with a curtain or something. The girls’ room is fine except for the bloodstains on the floor and bed frame. The Venlil don’t have much of a baking culture, so both vinegar and baking soda are absent from my toolkit. I replace them with elbow grease, and by the time I’m done you can hardly tell someone was assaulted in the room.
My big concern is the front door, but I’m cautiously optimistic. The door was sturdier than the frame, and the damage was to the side jamb, the strike plate, and one of the hinges on the other end. I see cracks on the head jamb too and decide that to actually fix it up properly I’ll need to replace the entire frame. I take measurements and try to navigate a Venlil hardware store website. Ultimately I end up giving up and just send them an email with pictures of everything that needs replacing.
For now I manage to wrench the hinge back into position enough that the door can close, if not effectively lock. Already concerned from one home invasion, I decide that Vilek will have to stay in the hospital or take into a hotel until I can unfuck this mess.
You really think you can fix this?
I’m pretty sure I can try.
​
I lose track of time and curse myself for not having time to fetch my hidden bag before the designated meeting time with Jarkim. I consider bringing a weapon to the meetup, but since my only options for that are a set of dull kitchen knives and a screwdriver I decide on an unarmed show of good faith instead.
When he opens the door and wordlessly lets me in I notice that he’s cleaned up the place. A little. The bottles and cans of alcohol are gone, at least. And the windows are wide open to let in the breeze, so it no longer stinks of ethanol and seaweed and bird.
The second thing I notice is that a 120-centimeter-tall kangaroo-fox-person is stepping around the corner and looking at me with unmistakable glee, and shoots out his right arm toward me. “Hey, it’s the human! Take that mask off, would you?”
I shake his paw almost automatically while unveiling my face with my left hand. He looks up at me fearlessly, without flinching. His handshake is firm and I find myself warming to him immediately. “Yeah, you’re not so scary.”
“Thanks. I think. I’m Martin, Martin Russo.”
“Mosun.”
“Forgive me, my grasp on alien species is rather rudimentary… You’re a Yotul, right?”
“That’s right.”
I feel awkward, because I don’t know what I expected but it wasn’t this forthright gentleman. “And, um, what are you doing here, Mosun?”
“Jarkim told me he finally got his head on right and is ready to kick the Exterminators in the teeth, and I’m not missing that party.”
“I-” What? “...You’re quite unlike any of the other aliens I’ve met so far.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment!”
I can’t help it. I grin. “You should.”
Another voice comes from what I think is the kitchen. “Of course the predator and the primitive are getting along. How nice.”
Yeah that’s more the usual speed.
​
The wet blanket turns out to be a Venlil named Slavik, and they’re a delight. I’ve spent half an hour here and already heard the word ‘Predator’ around a dozen times too many. I haven’t bothered to ask their gender, and in fact have tried to talk to them as little as possible, instead spending my time getting to know Mosun better.
Unfortunately Slavik’s from some local farm, and they brought a plasma rifle and a truck. So that right there makes them too useful to throw out by their ears.
They pat the stock of the rifle with satisfaction and say out loud to nobody in particular “Yep, that’s real Federation technology. You get that uplift to bring a weapon and it’ll be a spear. Or a catapult.”
I respond, nonplussed. “…Aren’t the Venlil uplifts too? Unless you made that gun yourself, I don’t see why you should be proud of it.”
This sets Mosun off cackling and hopping, and he even smacks my back jovially. I’m normally not one for physical horseplay, but right now it feels like a cool glass of water on a hot summer day.
I’ve missed not having to justify my existence to everyone I meet.
Jarkim brings a plate of glasses to drink. Water and fruit juices. My experience of the local juice drinks is that they’re far too tart, so I just take some water. I also notice that there’s an extra glass. “We expecting more company?”
Jarkim moves his head in a sort of lazy motion that seems like an affirmative. “One more, but she’s running late.”
I tentatively say “So… I’m not clear on what our plan is.”
The bird speaks bluntly and with authority. I have to admit he seems a lot more together when he’s sober. “We’re going to smoke out the local Liberator cell. And if they kidnapped your friend, we’re going to resolve that situation too.”
“And your friends are going along with this, because…”
“Contacts, not friends, Russo. It sounds more professional. Slavik owes me a favor, and Mosun’s here because he hates the Exterminators as much as you do.”
I point out the obvious. “You’re an Exterminator.”
Jarkim snaps his beak and cranes his neck in what I think is a shrug. “Nah, I quit.”
Huh.
Jarkim’s pad chimes up. He checks it and heaves a sigh. “Alright, she’s definitely running late. Half a claw, at least.”
“Can you tell her to meet up someplace? I’ve got something to pick up anyway.”
“Alright. Slavik’s got a pretty big vehicle, so we’ll all fit. Where are we headed?”
​
I’m standing in the field, digging up my bag. Thankfully everything inside it seems fine, and I click together the ghost rifle bit by bit.
Slavik lets out a silent bleat, apparently feeling unhappy to see the ‘predator’ armed. “Where did you get that?”
I turn to Slavik and look them right in the face. “Unlike you, I made this. Predator, remember?”
Slavik looks away. Mosun cackles with glee again, swishing his tail and hopping around. “Oh that is badass, I love it! You built a gun?!”
It wasn’t like it was very hard to follow a didactic step-by-step bluprint. But I’m not going to tell them that. Let humans have some mystique. “Yep.”
Jarkim looks around quietly. “…Russo.”
“Yeah?”
“Were you here a few paws ago, when…”
I nod ruefully. He appears to remember flying over this place too. “Yeah.”
The Krakotl squawks in agitation and turns on me, spreading his wings out in outrage. “What the shit!”
I find myself unable to look at him. “…Yeah.”
We all sit around in a rather awkward silence until the last member of our little wild west posse shows up. Thankfully neither Slavik nor Mosun ask any questions about Jarkim’s justified anger, because the only answers I have are bad ones.
I guess we were both in a bad place that day, but I can’t exactly say “Your drinking problem’s kinda like me planning to murder you, right? Samesies!”.
​
The last member of our party posse is a Gojid. Her name is Hanya. She is polite enough, but refuses to look at my face when we introduce ourselves. I’ll take it.
“And why is she here?”
“She served as a civilian transport pilot. She was the last one out when we evacuated the Breath of Inatala, and I’d be dead without her.”
That makes sense. I’ve studied Jarkim’s service record as extensively as I could, especially his commendations.
Jarkim hadn’t actually served aboard the Krakotl spaceship; he was on an off-world vacation when the Arxur had attacked and boarded it. Some sort of space bird equivalent of a cruise ship.
And I’ll say this: By all accounts he had stepped up to bat when it came down to it. He personally killed three of the greys boarding the ship and led about a dozen civilians to the evacuation ships. He then went back and found another twenty, mostly children abandoned by their parents and caretakers in the stampede.
“Alright… But that doesn’t explain why she’s here now.”
She responds directly. “Because I developed Predator Disease after the attack. Jarkim kept me out of the facilities and got me a job on VP.”
PTSD, probably. “Fair enough. So, Jarkim… What’s the plan?”
“The plan, Russo, is that we are going to join the Liberators.”
​
The meeting place is apparently the same as last time Jarkim had met his terrorist buddies. I’m stuck in the back of the truck’s flatbed, using my burqa like a tarp to keep my body covered.
I wait as patiently as I can while the others chat. After a while, I hear wings flapping and the sound of a graceful landing on dirt.
Jarkim speaks up. “Luarik, good to see you! Where’s Karta?”
The squawk of the other Krakotl is higher and harsher. “He’s busy! Hey Hanya. Who are these other two?”
“Mosun and Slavik. Others who want to join up.”
“Oh, are they? That’s good.” Something about his voice sets off alarm bells.
“Yeah. So… What’s the next step?”
There’s a shuffling sound. A bleat. A gasp. A squawk. Luarik’s screechy voice sounds smug and self-assured. “The next step is you tell me why you’re really here. Traitor.”
“Luarik, put it down. I don’t know what you heard, but…”
“No more lies! We thought you’d see the light, but you had to run sniveling to the humans and their pets instead!”
Yeah that’s enough of that for me to get the general gist. While Luarik is screeching out his motive rant I’m already rising up and pulling the rifle up to ready. The Liberator bastard is holding a flare gun at the posse, and I roar as loudly as I can while adjusting my aim and putting my finger on the trigger. I don’t have a shot lined up yet, but he doesn’t need to know that. “Drop your fucking weapon!”
Please put it down this isn’t how I want any of this to go
​
Luarik yells and turns his head and gun-arm toward me. I adjust my aim. In a single heartbeat, Mosun’s already crossed most of the distance between them in a single leap. Another heartbeat passes, and for his second leap he angles his body backward and impacts Luarik’s skull from the side. Feet first.
JESUS CHRIST HE JUST DROP KICKED HIM IN THE HEAD
The Krakotl goes flying onto his back with a shocked squawk. His flare gun spins forlornly in the dirt a few times before coming to a rest.
Mosun wastes no time. Having landed on one foot, he’s already coiling like a spring for a third leap and using his tail to lever himself forward, pouncing with a balletic turn to stomp on Luarik’s wing with his full body weight. Though the crack makes it sound like he might’ve dislocated or broken something, the Krakotl’s squawks and squeals of pain are muted by the Yotul’s furious roar. “Point an incendiary at me again, fucker! I dare you!”
The entire sequence takes just a few seconds.
I wet my lips briefly before saying the only thing that comes to mind. “…Holy Shit.”
​
“This is beneath you, Jarkim! Siding with a human, over your own kind!” Luarik is squawking and screeching furiously. I’m ignoring him and digging in my consolidated pack for the neural scanner.
“Keep the head still.”
I attach the scanner and check my pad.
---
Memory transcription subject: KFCtranscript1.mts
Date: [LIVE FEED]
​
The uplift’s holding onto my skull to keep me from moving. My head hurts so much from the little bastard’s kick. I want to burn the predator diseased freak and the actual predator and that Inatala-forsaken traitor too.
The predator talks quietly with the Venlil behind me before it steps around slowly and looks directly at me. I try to glare back defiantly. It parts its lips in a hungry snarl.
“You’ve heard the rumors that humans can hypnotize our prey with our gaze, right?”
I have, of course. But there’s no point in hypnotizing me. I’ve already been caught, and all that’s left is to be defiant and tell it that I hope it chokes on my guts.
It raises its eyes to look right behind me for a moment, seeming like it’s deep in thought. “Hm. Looks like it’s already working. Now, Luarik… Were you the one who took Thiva?”
That’s what this is about?! Speh, but Renak was right! Taking the girl away from the human was as necessary as their mother had said! And now I have to protect Karta, no matter what, even if it means my life! “Yes, I was the one who handled the extraction.”
The predator glances aside again. “So it was Karta, huh. Who were the two Venlil?”
What? How could it know?! If it’s already after Renak’s sister it knows his name, and I can make up another one. Keep Vilrak and Ilnek safe. “…Renak and Leksa.”
The predator’s hungry snarl widens, showcasing rows of teeth. “Vilrak and Ilnek. Mean anything to you, Jarkim?”
The bottom drops out of my stomach while the traitorous bastard responds like the good little pet he is. “Two Exterminators who left along with the rest.”
“See, Luarik. The hypnosis is working already. You might as well just tell me the truth. How many are you?”
Is it – is it reading my thoughts? There’s seven of us at the compound plus the mother and the girl but maybe a big enough number… “Twenty-five. Every Exterminator who’s true to the cause in this district, and others!”
“Seven. Luarik, Karta, Renak, Vilrak, Ilnek, and two unknowns. Plus the hostage… and Vansi, a civilian.”
The Venlil says “Small group” from out of sight.
The predator responds “It’s just the one cell, and Greenmeadow’s rather rural.”
Two unknowns, so it doesn’t know about Vira and Serni… Speh! It’s reading my thoughts! It is! I refuse to let it know anything else! I won’t, I won’t, I won’t!!
The predator pouts in a mockery of empathy and shakes its head. “Last two are Vira and Serni. Aw, look at that, you’re resisting. It’s a good try. But don’t bother, bird. We already know the location of your headquarters. I pulled it from your thoughts too: About a paw’s drive along the rim, up in the mountains.”
I feel some hope. Hah! As wrong as can be! It’s half a claw’s flight toward the Night, the abandoned farmstead where SPEH NO-
The predator’s snarl returns. “Abandoned farm, about half a claw’s flight toward the Night. We got a map?”
The traitor gets his pad out and starts looking. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure I know where it is. Big place, but had to close down after the recession hit.”
No no no you can’t know that already this isn’t fair how am I supposed to fight back against the predator like this?!
It nods. “Yeah, that’s the one.”
The Venlil clears their throat behind me. “…Okay but seriously, how are you doing that?”
“I told you: I can read thoughts. I’ll take the pad back now, by the way.”
​
Error: Memory transcription has ended unexpectedly, save file?
Y/N
​
---
Memory transcription subject: Martin Russo, Human Refugee
Date [standardized human time]: November 30th, 2136
​
Mosun looks down at the Krakotl, while I pack up the scanner and take my pad back from Slavik. “So what do we do with this one?”
I shrug. “I got a bundle of zip ties; I guess we tie him up and take him with us? Worst case… Maybe a hostage exchange.”
Mosun simply says “We could just kill him.”
Hanya, the Gojid, is the one who answers. “No, we couldn’t. He’s not a threat, and he needs to stand trial.”
I nod and point at her. “What she said. I’d really like it if we could solve this without further violence. And not just because we’ve got all of two guns and one admittedly badass Yotul between the five of us.”
I’d also really like it if the actual adults in either the human or Venlil governments were willing to do anything about this bullshit. But I guess it’s something that both societies agree on. Law enforcement doesn’t exist to solve crimes; it exists to control the civilian populace through fear and violence.
Some would say that’s a distinction without a difference.
Jarkim picks up the flare gun from the ground. “Three guns.”
I swear to god if he sets fire to a hostage situation I will shoot him.
--
PoV you challenged the Kung Fu Yotul
[First] [Previous]

Hiiiii Houston, how are you? Is it safe to walk on the bridge? overpass? over I-69 on Graustark St that connects the Montrose and Museum District neighborhoods? From google maps it looks okay although would feel better if I knew there was a designated walking lane or sidewalk. Can anyone confirm? Thank you
​

We are not even going until November, lol but I am obsessed with planning anytime we go on a trip. I totally understand that some of my plans won’t end up happening but it’s how I roll. My husband is the one who will convince me to go off script when necessary lol.
ANYWAY that being said I could use some help determining if this makes sense for the Kyoto portion of my trip. I’m about 99% sure that there are more shrines than are feasible here, but I’m having trouble figuring out which ones will take how long and which I should prioritize so I’d appreciate insight. (By the way, I am not holding myself to the exact amount of time spent at each but it helps me to estimate lol) Also whether my walking paths make any sense or not and thoughts on Option 1 and Option 2 (or something else, lol) on day 3.
Day 1
Checkout Tokyo, Head to Kyoto Shinkansen

• Check in at Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kyoto-Kiyomizu Gojo
• Wander through historic & shopping areas in central Kyoto Gion Geisha district, visit Yakata Antiques Hanami-koji Street & side alleys Shirakawa Area along the canal Shijo Avenue
• Try to catch cultural show at Gion corner Higashiyama District
• Kodaiji Temple Lightscape (600Y/$5-6) at night (5-9:30 PM)

Day 2

• 6 AM, depart for Fushimi Inari Shrine (free) (spend about 3 hours?)
• On the way out, check out vendor stalls and get some street food.
• Train to Philosophers Path area WALKING PATH MAP https://goo.gl/maps/eL8ueTnLF1bY5BRt6
• Yasaka Shrine (Free) (15-20 min)
• Heian Temple (Free) (time?)
• Kurodani Temple or Konkaikomyo-ji Temple (Free) (45-1 hour)
  • Beautiful temples, graveyard and pagoda Less popular w/ tourists
• Shinshō Gokuraku-ji (Shinnyo-dō) Temple (Grounds Free, Inner $550Y/$4-5) (2ish hrs??)
  • Lesser known temple with great fall scenery
  • Ornate inner chamber with gold leaf canopy
• Stop for shaved ice at Komichi
• Okazaki-jinja Shrine (Free) (might skip)
  • Quick stop, devoted to rabbits
• Otoya-Jinja (Free) Quick stop, mouse guardians
• Honen-in Temple (Free) Small, quick stop
• Higashiyama Jisho-ji (Silver Pavilion) (500Y/$4-5) (45 min?)
  • Beautiful grounds Sand garden
• 30ish min bus Back to Hotel

Day 3
Option 1

• Take Karasuma line to below Kyoto Botanical Gardens (200y $1-2) (1-2 hours)
  • Most comprehensive botanical garden in Japan with 12k plant species
• Walk to nearby Kamigano-Jinja Shrine (free) (Time?)
• 30ish minute walk to Shoden-ji Temple ($400Y/$3-4) (Time?)
  • Beloved by David Bowie
  • Bamboo
• Back to Hotel
• 8:30 PM, 20-30 min walk to Kiyumizu-Dera shrine (400Y/$3) to see it lit up at night
  • (may need to check the time for this closer to the date).
  • Arriving closer to closing time is better for less people

Option 2

• Kyoto Imperial Palace & Gardens (free) (1hr)
  • One of the few imperial palaces that don’t require an application for admission
• Seimei Shrine (free) (Quick stop)
• Nijo Castle (800 yen/$6, additional 500/$4 to go inside* (Possibly skip) (Time?)
• Explore Nagayo Ward (lots of shopping and eating and drinking) Kawaramachi Dori and Shijo Dori and Teramachi and Shin-kyogoku covered shopping arcades

Day 4 Arashiyama

• About 1 hr to Saga Arashiyama Station Tenryuji Temple (20 min)
• Beautiful landscape garden 500 yen (an extra 300 yen for entrance into the temple buildings)
• Nonomiya-jinja Shrine & Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (Free) (45 min)
  • will judge based on crowd, if too busy skip it and see bamboo at other temple mentioned below
  • Maybe should just skip anyway if make sure to go to Adashino to make time for Hogon-in??
• Hogon-in Temple & Garden (500Y/$4-5) (1 hr)
  • (kind of out of the wayish, may depend on time spent at above)
• Okochi Sanso Garden (1000 yen/$7-8) to train station (1 - 1 ½ hour)
  • Okochi-Sanso Villa is the former estate of actor Okochi Denjiro (1898-1962)
  • Admission fee includes a cup of matcha and a sweet Hilltop view of entire city
• Take the Sagano Romantic Train Get off train at Kameoka Station and take to Saga Arashiyama Station
• Walking map to below 3 temples: https://goo.gl/maps/hJMMQPkye3nzjEA5A
• Gioji Temple (300Y/$2-3) (Time?)
• Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple (500Y/$4-5) (Time?)
  • Bamboo grove
• Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple (300Y/$2-3) (Time?)
  • 1200 statues

Day 5

• Check out Kyoto
• Train to Daigo-ji Temple (1500 yen to see whole thing) (time??2 hours??)
  • Bentendo Hall, especially beautiful in Nov, most photographed building
  • Landscape garden
• Nara Park DEER.
• Kasuga Taisha Shrine & Garden (Free grounds, 500Y/4-$5 inner area) (1 hour)
  • Famous for its many stone lanterns
• Get some Sake at Harushika Sake Brewery
• Train to Osaka

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Brazil

Unique Abilities

Amazon

• Rainforest tiles provide +1 adjacency bonuses to Commercial Hub, Holy Site, Campus, and Theater Square districts
• Rainforest tiles within the territory provide +1 appeal instead of a penalty

Starting Bias: Rainforests (Tier 2)

Unique Unit

Minas Geraes

• Basic Attributes
  • Unit type: Naval Ranged
  • Requirement: Nationalism civic
  • Replaces: Battleship
• Cost
  • 430 Production cost (Standard Speed)
  • (GS) 1 Coal resource
• Maintenance
  • 6 Gold per turn
  • (GS) 1 Coal resource per turn
• Base Stats
  • 70 Combat Strength
  • 80 Ranged Strength
  • 95 Anti-air Strength
  • 3 Attack Range
  • 5 Movement
  • 2 Sight Range
• Differences from Replaced Unit
  • Unlocks at Nationalism civic instead of Steel tech
  • +10 Combat Strength and Ranged Strength
  • +5 Anti-air Strength

Unique Infrastructure

Street Carnival

• Basic Attributes
  • Infrastructure type: District
  • Requirement: Games and Recreation civic
  • Replaces: Entertainment Complex
• Cost
  • Halved base Production cost
• Maintenance
  • 1 Gold per turn
• Base Effects
  • +2 Amenities
• Unique Attributes
  • Allows production of the Carnival project:
    • Gain bonuse Amenities while Carnival is under production
    • Earns Great Merchant, Great Engineer, Great Writer, Great Artist, and Great Musician points upon completion
• Restrictions
  • (R&F, GS) Cannot be built if a Copacobana has already been built in the city
• Differences from Replaced Infrastructure
  • +1 Amenity
  • Unique attributes

Copacabana

• Required DLC: Rise and Fall or Gathering Storm Expansion Packs
• Basic Attributes
  • Infrastructure type: District
  • Requirement: Natural History civic
  • Replaces: Water Park
• Cost
  • Halved base Production cost
• Maintenance
  • 1 Gold per turn
• Base Effects
  • +2 Amenities
• Unique Attributes
  • Allows production of the Carnival project:
    • Gain bonuse Amenities while Carnival is under production
    • Earns Great Merchant, Great Engineer, Great Writer, Great Artist, and Great Musician points upon completion
• Restrictions
  • Must be built on Lake or Coastal tiles adjacent to land
  • Cannot be built if a Street Carnival has already been built in the city
• Differences from Replaced Infrastructure
  • +1 Amenity
  • Unique attributes

Leader: Pedro II

Leader Ability

Magnanimous

• Recruiting or patronizing a Great Person refunds 20% of their point cost

Agenda

Patron of the Arts

• Tries to recruit as many Great Persons as possible
• Likes civilizations who are not competing for Great Persons
• Dislikes losing Great Persons to other civilizations

Civilization-related Achievements

• Emperor of Brazil — Win a regular game as Pedro II
• 2016 Ready — As Brazil, complete both Estadio Do Maracana and Christo Redentor in one city
• Ultramar Português — As Portugal, have a Trading Post in cities belonging to Brazil, India, and Japan

Useful Topics for Discussion

• What do you like or dislike about this civilization?
• How easy or difficult is this civ to use for new players?
• What are the victory paths you can go for with this civ?
• What are your assessments regarding the civ's abilities?
  • How well do they synergize with each other?
  • How well do they compare to other similar civ abilities, if any?
  • Do you often use their unique units and infrastructure?
• Can this civ be played tall or should it always go wide?
• What map types, game mode, or setting does this civ shine in?
• What synergizes well with this civ? You may include the following:
  • Terrain, resources and natural wonders
  • World wonders
  • Government type, legacy bonuses and policies
  • City-state type and suzerain bonuses
  • Governors
  • Great people
  • Secret societies
  • Heroes & legends
  • Corporations
• Have the civ's general strategy changed since the latest update(s)?
• How do you deal against this civ if controlled by the player or the AI?
• Are there any mods that can make playing this civ more interesting?
• Do you have any stories regarding this civ that you would like to share?