text:
- For the chapter of the same name, see Chapter 325.
- The subject of this article is sometimes called Frankie Family.
The Franky Family[3] is a group of at least fifty ship dismantlers and Bounty Hunters, brought together under the leadership of Cutty Flam (better known as Franky).[1][4]
They are the outcasts of Water 7, those whose dream was to work for Iceburg in the Galley-La Company, but failed the entry exam to become shipwrights.[citation needed] As a result, they had nowhere else to turn, other than to Franky (who also considers himself something of a failure), joining him and operating on the coast of Water 7 together, dismantling ships and other vessels for materials, cash, supplies, and etc. They regularly obtained, purchased, and sold said materials through dealings in the Underworld, due to the questionable methods they use to get by in Water 7. Though they do cause some trouble to the citizens of Water 7, they are good at heart. They protected Water 7 from other looters and sometimes pirates by moonlighting as bounty hunters, even going as far as to loot from them in the process before collecting the bounties. The entire Franky Family are totally inept at saving money for a long period of time and on more than one occasion wasted millions of hard-earned (sometimes stolen) beli for the sake of spending (though their leader is not exactly a market planner himself).[5]
- See also the associated category: Franky Family.
|Franky ‡
|Kairiki Destroyer
|Kairiki Destroyer
|Kairiki Destroyer
Franky HouseEdit
The Franky House stands at the northeast coast of Water 7[6] and is the place where the Franky Family lives and functions as their base. Like most of Water 7, it is very colorful. The house has big gold letters reading "FRANKY HOUSE" in front and has large robotic-esque "arms" hanging off the sides.[2]
The house is ultimately destroyed by the Straw Hats after the Franky Family stole most of the Straw Hat's Belly and Usopp, blaming himself, tried, and failed to get the money back by fighting them alone.[7][8] It is eventually rebuilt, albeit poorly, sometime after the Enies Lobby Arc by the rest of the Franky Family while Franky works on the Thousand Sunny.[9]
After feeling guilty for the incrimination of his master Tom, Cutty Flam wandered around the alleys and backstreets of Water 7, surviving off of what he could find and beating up other low-lifes. He officially adopted the name Franky after attacking his first victim. During one of his trips around the alleys of Water 7, Franky went into the backstreets where Zambai and his gang attacked him when he entered their turf. They were quickly defeated and the turf was taken over by Franky. He then found Mozu and Kiwi drinking in the middle of the day and he proceeded to drag them away for some cola and recruited them as his followers. He then took them to the newly made Franky House where he formed the Franky Family. A couple of years later, two gigantic king bulls were found by the Franky Family in the stomach of a Sea King they had caught and started eating. Fortunately, Franky and the rest of the family were too full to eat the king bulls too. Thus, the two bulls swore loyalty to Franky since he saved them from the Sea King, officially becoming their pets and modes of transportation due to their large size, and they were named Sodom and Gomorrah.
Water 7 SagaEdit
Water 7 ArcEdit
The first member of the family to appear in the series was Zambai who, along with other members, tried to attack a seemingly sleeping Zoro on the deck of Going Merry.[1] Zoro, however, was alert and countered the attack with his sword. To his question about their intention, Zambai responded that they are The Franky Family, and they came to collect the bounty on his head. Much to their effort though, Zoro was able to defeat them rather easily and send them flying in the water and continue his nap.[10]
Later on, the same gang attempted to steal the money Luffy, Nami and Usopp got from exchanging the treasure, while the three weren't paying attention. Just when they thought they got away with the loot however, Paulie appeared jumping off a bridge straight onto their Yagaras, and using his ropes, he defeated them, threw them into the water, and took their Yagara, along with the bags of money.[11] After the incident, Nami asked Kalifa for information about the attackers, to which she replied that they are members of The Franky Family, a team of professional ship scavengers; after they take down a group of pirates, they take their ship and sell the wood for scraps. Iceberg added, that their boss Franky is not to be underestimated.[4]
After the money was returned and and the three Straw Hats went to the docks to get information about the reparation of their ship, Zambai's gang attacked once more, this time ambushing a distracted and isolated Usopp.[12] By the time Nami and Luffy realized what had happened, Usopp was already taken hostage along with money contained in two of the bags. Usopp was later found beat up badly, but it was already too late for the money.[13]
Back at the Franky family HQ, the Franky House[2], the boss, Franky, is astonished by the loot his underlings managed to obtain, and states that with this money they can finally buy the thing they've been wanting for three years. Just as the gang celebrates, the door explodes and reveals the badly wounded Usopp who came determined to fight for his crew's money. Despite his effort though, he gets laughed at and beaten up once again.[14] The Franky Family then started a celebration with food, drinks and gambling, when suddenly Luffy, Zoro, Sanji and Chopper came at their door, seeking revenge for their mistreated crewmate.[7] The four Straw Hat pirates start rampaging against the Franky Family, who even presented their strongest members for the battle, but they were proven no match for the raging pirates. After the battle, all the members of the Family were beaten unconscious and even the house was brought down to ruins.[8]
When Franky, along with Mozu and Kiwi, returned from shopping and found his house destroyed, he immediately understood that it was Luffy's act of revenge.[15] Zambai informed his boss that the Straw Hats are staying in an inn and are probably heading to Dock 1 right now.[16] Franky then goes to the city in search for the Straw Hats, and when they finally meet, Franky and Luffy start attacking each other.[17] However their fight gets interrupted by the Galley-La shipwrights, which resulted in a three-way battle.[18] Soon, Franky realizes that Galley-La's true target was Luffy, so he leaves the fight and just watches and cheers for the shipwrights, only to lose his temper again a few seconds later and destroy the dock using a Coup de Vent.[19] He then goes to Blueno's bar to refuel his cola, where he has a brief talk with Kokoro.[20]
When Franky resumes his search for the Straw Hats, he reunites with his comrades, who inform him that Usopp is alone on their ship trying to fix it. Franky then decides to kidnap Usopp in order to lure his captain.[21] However, instead of the Straw Hat pirates the Franky Family's yells catch the attention of the CP9 who seek Franky for the Pluton blueprints.[22] After a brief encounter CP9 manage to arrest Franky and Usopp with the intention to bring them back to their leader taking the sea train.[23]
The rest of The Franky Family find out that the Straw Hats are going to follow the sea train using Rocketman, and they decide to join them using their gigantic King Bulls, Sodom and Gomorrah, in order to save their boss.[24] Meanwhile, Franky unites with Sanji and along with Usopp they decide to counterattack.[25] Franky faces off with Nero on the roof of the train, whom he hardly manages to defeat.[26] After that, they face CP9 once again, but are still no match for them, so Franky gets recaptured.[27]
Enies Lobby ArcEdit
Upon arriving at Enies Lobby, The Franky Family along with the Straw Hats and the Galley-La workers lay down their plan of attack. Franky family are supposed to move in and open the main gate. When they reach the main gate, they are faced against the two giants who guard it, Oimo and Kashi. After a fierce combat, and with the aid of Galley-La, they manage to bring the giants down, open the gate and lead the way for the upcoming Straw Hat pirates. The team, riding the giant King Bulls, advances towards the inner section of the island defeating foe after foe, until they reach the courthouse. There, they split in two groups in order to lower the bridge to the tower of justice and on their way, they face the last members of the Just Eleven Jurymen and Baskerville. When the two teams reach the switches and finally start lowering the bridge, the defenses fire a barrage of cannonballs causing the mechanism to dysfunction and prevent the bridge from lowering all the way. Meanwhile, Franky, who witnessed the whole encounter between the Straw Hats and CP9, decided to destroy the blueprints of Pluton and entrust the fate of the world on Robin's good will.
The time has come for the ultimate showdown of the pirates against CP9. As the teams progress, Franky is matched against Fukuro. The two are almost equally strong, but at some point Franky manages to refill his cola, with the help of Chopper, and take the upper hand. The battle is taken outside the building, where Franky finishes off his opponent using a Coup de Vent. Just when his fight is over and he gets the handcuff's key, he notices something's wrong at the tower of justice. When he climbs up, he finds Chopper in his monster form, having no control over his actions. During these events, the Franky Family had been arrested by the marines and government agents, and they were shown shocked to hear the news about the upcoming Buster Call on Enies Lobby. Upon the Straw Hat's victory over the CP9, Franky was entrusted with their keys, in order to advance, find Robin and unlock her cuffs.
As the Warships arrive, the Franky Family are desperately trying to escape the island before its destruction begins, hoping that their boss will make it out safe somehow too. Just when Franky manages to set Robin free, the Buster Call commences at the bridge of hesitation. Upon reaching the coast, the Franky family come across the warship led by Vice Admiral Strawberry, who orders his men to attack the criminals. The team gets bombed and thrown off a cliff but are all saved at the last minute by Paulie's ropes. At the same time, Franky, along with the Straw Hats, struggle on the Bridge of Hesitation against the Marine Captains, while waiting for Luffy to finish his battle with Rob Lucci.
Just when the situation seemed dire for the Straw Hats and Franky, their ship, Going Merry, arrives and saves the crew, who manage to maneuver between the huge warships. The Franky Family, taking advantage of the marines attention turned towards the pirates, board the sea train in an attempt to escape the burning island.
Post-Enies Lobby ArcEdit
Two days later after the Enies Lobby incident, the Franky Family are seen rebuilding the Franky House (noting a poor rebuilding job). Sodom and Gomorah are seen recovering from their injuries. Later they discover that their actions at Enies Lobby have been overlooked by the World Government (most likely due to Aokiji pulling some strings). However, Franky, they discover, was not so lucky, and has been given a bounty of 44,000,000. They immediately rush to the Straw Hat Pirates to show them their new bounties as well as Franky's and ask them to take him with them as he is a wanted man and it is too dangerous for him to stay at Water 7.
They also inform them that Franky is the son of a pirate. To their great relief they find that Luffy already was planning to ask him to join the crew. As the Straw Hats made their way to Scrap Island, the Franky Family then started to head to the Franky House (having asked Mozu and Kiwi not to come because of what they planned to do) to find Franky there and not at Scrap Island like they thought. Tamagon then stole his swim briefs in order to make him chase them back to Scrap Island. Along the way they kept passing his swim briefs around to each other while they passed through the streets of Water 7, all the while, Franky was attempting to get it back. They almost failed if not for the untimely arrival of Monkey D. Luffy to the fray which eventually led to Franky to be shot out of a cannon onto Scrap Island.
The Franky Family then arrived and gave him his bag to in preparation for his journey. This enraged Franky because they were telling him what to do. They responded by saying that they cared about his happiness too which moved him to the point of tears (though he hid it) and he finally agreed to join. They then found that Usopp was not on board. After Usopp rejoins and the Straw Hats escape, the Franky Familly try to decide what to do next but cannot think of anything. Iceburg then shows up and offers some of them jobs to which they start calling him "new big bro", much to his chagrin.[9]
Post-War ArcEdit
In the anime, they were shown reading about Luffy's return to Marineford and were glad that he was alright.[28]
Two Years LaterEdit
After the time-skip, Mozu and Kiwi became bartenders in Blueno's old bar.[29] Zambai and some other members have joined Galley-La and formed the Zambai's Company Union.[30]
Video GamesEdit
Non-Playable AppearancesEdit
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 34 Chapter 324 and Episode 230, The Franky Family makes their first appearance.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 One Piece Manga — Vol. 35 Chapter 329, The Franky House is introduced.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 One Piece Manga — Vol. 34 Chapter 325, The Franky Family is named and revealed to be bounty hunters.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 One Piece Manga — Vol. 34 Chapter 327, The Franky Family is revealed to be a group of ship dismantlers lead by Franky.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Vol. 35 Chapter 329, The Franky Family shows their nature of blowing through money.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Vol. 35 Chapter 329, The sign on page 7 describes where on Water 7 the Franky House is situated.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1
- ↑ 8.0 8.1
- ↑ 9.0 9.1
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Vol. 34 Chapter 325, Zambai is beaten by Zoro on the Merry Go.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Vol. 34 Chapter 326, The Franky Family attempts to steal money from Usopp but are defeated by Paulie.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Vol. 34 Chapter 327, Zambai and the others successfully steal the Straw Hat Pirates' money.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Vol. 35 Chapter 328, The Straw Hat Pirates realize that their money was stolen and found an injured Usopp.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Vol. 35 Chapter 329, Usopp returns to regain the money and is defeated again.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Vol. 35 Chapter 334, Franky sees his home in ruin and realizes the Straw Hats are responsible.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Vol. 35 Chapter 335, Zambai tells Franky where Luffy went after defeating them.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Vol. 35 Chapter 336, Franky and Luffy fight at Dock 1.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Vol. 36 Chapter 337, Franky, Luffy, and the Dock 1 Foremen fight.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Vol. 36 Chapter 338, Franky watches the fight between Luffy and the Foremen but loses his temper and destroys Dock 1.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Vol. 36 Chapter 339, Franky and the Square Sisters go to Blueno's Bar and visit Koroko.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Vol. 36 Chapter 342, The Franky Family decides to kidnap Usopp.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Vol. 37 Chapter 350, The Franky Family shouts to find the Straw Hats but attract the attention of the CP9 and are crushed by them.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Vol. 37 Chapter 352, Franky and Usopp are captured by the CP9.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Vol. 38 Chapter 366, The Franky Family joins the Straw Hats in saving Franky and the others.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Vol. 38 Chapter 365, Franky, Sanji, and Usopp unite to begin a counterattack.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Vol. 39 Chapter 373, Franky manages to defeat Nero.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Vol. 39 Chapter 374, Franky is recaptured by the CP9.
- ↑ One Piece Anime — Episode 512, In the anime, the Franky Family reads about Luffy's return to Marineford.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Vol. 66 Chapter 654, Mozu and Kiwi are revealed to have taken over Blueno's old bar.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Vol. 67 Chapter 657, Zambai, Kiev, and Tamogon are revealed to have joined the Galley-La Company and started the Zambai Company Union.


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Committed to The Blues Brothers
Committed to the Blues Brothers Band takes the greatest songs from two cult films, The Commitments and The Blues Brothers, and puts them together to create two fantastic tribute shows in one memorable evening of foot tapping, sing along entertainment.
The band is fronted by Richard Alcock and Ritchie Hicks who have been performing their tribute to the Blues Brothers since 2003. Having performed in many theatres across the UK in 2015 the boys tour again, now supported by a The Big Soul Band, which includes some members who have played with famous artistes including Ali Campbell (UB40), The Brian Williamson Big Band, Mick Hucknall (Simply Red) and The Supremes.
You can expect to hear some of the greatest soul songs from the two films in an evening where the audience is actively invited to get involved as little, or as much as they like, with plenty of laughs along the way.

subset: commoncrawl


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Daniel Dreiberg (September 18, 1945 - ), a.k.a. Nite Owl II relied more upon technical wizardry and tools than toughness, which set him apart from his fellow costumed adventurers. Still, he has demonstrated more than adequate skills when defending himself. All of his gadgets and costumes are based on an owl theme. He uses an owl-shaped flying vehicle nicknamed the "Owlship" or "Archie" (after Archimedes, Merlin's pet owl in The Sword in the Stone), equipped with a variety of offensive and defensive devices.
Dan was born on September 18,1945. His abusive father was a banker. Dan was an introvert fascinated with electronics, inventions, and his hero Nite Owl of the Minutemen.[1] His favorite stories were about Pegasus and the flying carpet from mythology, and fascinated with the idea of flying, he studied ornithology and aviation extensively alongside engineering.[2]
Throughout his childhood in the early '50s, he spent many of his summers in New England, venturing out into the fields at night and searching for owls.[3]
In 1962, during one of Mason Hollis' stunts in Sparky's Garage, Dan rigged his Owl Car with a listening device of his own invention, and followed him all the way to the Owl Cave.[1] Daniel left Mason a note requesting that they meet at Lincoln Park. During this meeting, Daniel offered to become Mason's sidekick. His initial reaction was nonchalant. When Dan returned home, he saw that his father was abusing his mother again, but soon after the man had a heart attack, and neither Daniel nor his mother bothered to call the hospital in time.[1] Although his father was disappointed in him for not following his in his footsteps and becoming a banker, he left him a large inheritance, which Daniel used pay for the materials needed to design and build his crime-fighting gear.[2] He went on to become a master in aeronautics and zoology at Harvard University.[2]
When Mason retired from crime fighting and opened an auto repair shop, Daniel wrote to him asking if he could carry on his name as Nite Owl II.[4][2] Upon looking at his gear, Mason was too impressed to refuse him[4], and so he became Nite Owl II in 1962.
In 1965, Nite Owl teamed up with fellow costumed adventurer Rorschach to take on organized crime. Thanks to the latter's unpredictability and tactical brilliance,[2] they bring down Underboss and Big Figure.[5]
Later on they were invited by Captain Metropolis to join the Crimebusters.[6][7][5] Dreiberg felt that he joined a fellowship of legendary beings and he was disappointed that it didn't last.[2]
In 1968 he brought down the Twilight Lady who apparently had a crush on him.[2]
During the Keene riots, he was patrolling with The Comedian on Archie and attempted to pacify the rioters, an action rendered moot when the notoriously short-tempered Comedian opened fire.[6]
Having already come to believe that his expensive activities were accomplishing little, Dreiberg retired after the passing of the Keene Act on August 3, 1977,[7] although he seemed to regret his decision later.[2] Rorschach would later say regarding his retirement, "No staying power."
After retirement, he chose not to reveal his civilian identity and kept his past secret. However he had kept some friendship with Laurie Juspeczyk.[7] He also maintained his friendship with Hollis and the two men met every Saturday night.[8]
In his civilian life he contributed essays and scholarly articles to ornithological journals, although he knew that they didn't interest much people.[2]
In 1983 he visited Maine in order to pay a visit to Byron Lewis (the former Mothman) in the hospital, on behalf of Mason. On his way back to the parking lot, he heard the screech of a mature owl, and was filled with a feeling that renewed his excitement about birds. He shared his experience in the Journal of the American Ornithological Society.[3]
Events of Watchmen
Dreiberg was the first of the "masks" that Rorschach warned after the death of Edward Blake. The two shared a tense reunion, with Rorschach chastising him for his decision to retire, and Dreiberg criticizing Rorschach's insistence on continuing his vigilante activities. Shortly thereafter he met with Laurie Juspeczyk, the second Silk Spectre, at Rafael's and the two reminisced about their times as costumed adventurers.[9]
Later he attended the Comedian's funeral, reuniting with Ozymandias and Dr. Manhattan.[6]
Dr. Manhattan goes into self-imposed exile on Mars after Laurie leaves him and he is tricked into believing he was harming the people he loved. Simultaneously, an attempt is made on the life of Adrian Veidt, and Dreiberg takes in Laurie as a precaution. The two explore their feelings for each other and attempt to make love. However, Dan experiences a moment of impotency and they are unable to. During her stay, they are made aware of the capture of Rorschach by authorities, as he is charged with the murder of Moloch. After a nightmare, Dreiberg goes to his lab, where he expresses how helpless he feels in the face of impending nuclear war. He and Laurie decide to take up arms once again and experience that sense of power they had before. Donning their outfits, they take the Owlship and patrol New York City once again, in defiance of the Keene Act. Discovering a fire at a tenement, they come to the rescue and evacuate everybody from the burning building safely. Being in his Nite Owl persona again revives Dan's spirit, and he and Laurie are able to make love in the Owlship above the city.
Deciding the time had come to act rather then stand by, Nite Owl and Silk Spectre break Rorschach out of Sing Sing. Afterward, as Laurie is taken to Mars by Manhattan, Dreiberg and Rorschach explore the New York underworld looking for clues on whatever plot is taking place. They discover that the prison break led to a series of anti-superhero riots, including the murder of Dreiberg's predecessor and mentor as Nite Owl, Hollis Mason. Dreiberg swears vengeance, assaulting one of the men responsible with such fury that Rorscharch, known for his brutality in dispatching criminals, has to restrain him. During their interrogations, they determine that their leads point to none other then their former comrade Ozymandias. The two head to Karnak, Veidt's fortress in Antarctica, in the Owlship.
In Antarctica, Veidt reveals his plan to send a genetically-engineered "alien" to New York City, knowing it will kill millions of people. His hope is that it will be perceived as an extraterrestrial threat forcing the nations of Earth to end their Cold War and work together. Although Dreiberg and Rorschach try to stop him, he reveals that his plan is already in motion, well-ahead of their arrival. They are forced to watch the devastation and look on as the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union end their standoff and agree to work together to end the "alien" threat.
After a brief fight, joined by Dr. Manhattan and Silk Spectre, most of the masks (except Rorschach) agree with Veidt that, although terrible, the preceding events are preferable to a nuclear holocaust. Rorschach tries to leave to tell the world of the plan, but is intercepted by Manhattan, who reluctantly kills him. Veidt agrees to give Dreiberg and Laurie protection at his fortress. After coming in from killing Rorschach, Osterman sees Dreiberg and Laurie laying together on a fur rug, naked. He smiles, shares a brief conversation with Veidt, and departs for parts unknown.
In the final act, Dreiberg and Laurie have taken on a new identity, Sam and Sandra Hollis, since they are assumed to have been killed in the "alien" attack. They pay a visit to Laurie's mother, Sally Jupiter, where mother and daughter make amends for years of animosity.
As a child Dreiberg loved birds, ariplanes, the idea of flying, and mythology.[2]
Like Hollis Mason before him, Dan Dreiberg was friendly, honest, and affable. Also like Mason, he lacked psychological issues like the ones that tainted many of his colleagues. Dreiberg appears to have old-fashioned tastes in music, preferring 1930-1940s jazz (Billie Holiday, Nellie Lutcher, Louis Jordan) to modern pop music.[2]
There is a vague suggestion that Dreiberg may have been sexually inexperienced before he became involved with Laurie Juspeczyk. Though his use of the word "impotent" during a chapter has also led to the hypothesis he may have suffered from impotency.
Dreiberg was a skilled inventor and mechanic, talents he could pursue thanks to his large inheritance. His garage was full of devices and gadgets. In retrospect, he thought of them as kitch, camp, and unneeded for the hunt of muggers and hooker.[2]
His suit had goggles for night vision. A belt had pockets that contained respirator masks, smoke bombs, a fingerprint kit, pocket laser, and a console that controlled remotely Archie and other devices. He wore night vision goggles that operated when he turned them.[2]
In addition to his owl suit, he had additional suits for specific purposes, like for arctic cold or for underwater work.[2] He had designed an exo-skeleton suit prototype but during trying it it broke his arm and abandoned it.[2]
Patrick Wilson portrays the second Nite Owl, Dan Dreiberg, in the film.[10] Although not a comics fan, Wilson enjoyed Watchmen upon reading it and opted to gain weight for the part, rather than wear a fat-suit. Stephen McHattie portrays the elder Nite Owl, Hollis Mason. John Cusack, who is an admitted fan of the graphic novel, expressed great interest in playing the role.[11]
Much like Batman, Dan's cape is like a wing suit, parachute or hang gliding gear, making his falls slow and allowing him to glide through the air. The cape expands and flies like a kite, but it does not make the appearance of wings, as Batman's does.
Despite his age and his weight, Daniel is portrayed with superhuman strength and fighting abilities, allowing him to overpower men and send people flying through air with great ease. His punches can easily break bones and joints, with him being able to cripple a man with a single punch to the leg and completely destroying another man's elbow and the joints inside of it, with the bones in the arm piercing the flesh. He could jump several feet into the air with a light skip, allowing him to knee a man in the face while in mid air and knock him several feet. His strength was immune to the momentum of his opponents, as his punches causes attacking opponents to flip into the air or be knocked to the ground instantly. Only Laurie Juspeczyk and Edward Blake had his type of strength and fighting abilities, while Ozymandias far exceeded all three of them.
In the film, Nite Owl is portrayed less as a worn out vigilante, and appears somewhat more physically fit than he was in the comics. Additionally, some of his scenes in the film were altered than they were originally from the comic, such as him being the one to tell Veidt of the Comedian's death and warn him of the threat posed by the "mask killer" instead of Rorschach. Another difference is that Dreiberg's and Juspeczyk's identities were never revealed; thus, they never adopted the names Sam and Sandra Hollis during the film's epilogue. The biggest difference in the film, however, is that during the climax, Dreiberg isn't as accepting of Veidt's plan as he was originally in the comics, and when Rorschach leaves, Dreiberg follows him to the entrance of Veidt's fortress in an attempt to persuade the latter to at least remain silent, before witnessing Rorschach's death by Osterman's hand, prompting Dreiberg to scream in agony and disbelief. Dreiberg runs back inside Veidt's fortress just as Osterman departs, and proceeds to attack Veidt in a fit of rage. When Veidt asserts that his actions were justified as he has saved mankind from nuclear war, Dreiberg argues that Veidt hasn't idealized mankind, but has deformed and mutilated it instead, declaring that as Veidt's legacy, and "the real practical joke", before choosing to depart with Laurie in Archie, leaving Veidt to ponder on his actions alone.
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Before Watchmen: Nite Owl #1
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Blood from the Shoulder of Pallas
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- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Chapter II
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- ↑ Chapter I
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ MTV "John Cusack Calls Hilary Duff 'A Revelation'; Has His Eye On Watchmen" by Shawn Adler 2007-06-13
Nit Owl is a main character in Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons and published by DC Comics. He is a modified version of the various Blue Beetle characters created for Fox Feature Syndicate and later sold to Charlton Comics. Coincidentally, he also bears a similar costumed appearance to Batman.
|Watchmen Heroes
|Captain Metropolis • Hooded Justice • Nite Owl I • The Comedian • Silk Spectre I • Dollar Bill • Mothman • Silhouette
|Captain Metropolis • Doctor Manhattan • Rorschach • The Comedian • Ozymandias • Nite Owl II • Silk Spectre II


text:
Rock Hill, S.C.-based 3D Systems Corp. (NYSE:DDD) has a new subsidiary. The maker of additive manufacturing devices announced today that it has acquired cloud-based collaborative design and project management company TeamPlatform for an undisclosed sum.
3D says it will be able to use TeamPlatform's technology in both its professional and consumer products, easing product design, engineering, and other tasks for its customers.
3D CEO Avi Reichental said in the company's press release: "TeamPlatform's powerful collaboration tools connect and expand our growing 3D content-to-print portfolio, multiplexing global productivity and real-time collaboration for our customers. We intend to immediately integrate [TeamPlatform's technology] into our Geomagic Solutions and Cubify platforms for the benefit of our professionals and consumers globally."


text:
Personal Banking
Small Business Banking
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Private Client Group
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For the quickest answer, search previously asked questions below. Chances are, others have asked a similar question and there's already an answer waiting for you. If you can't find a match, ask a new question and our team members will answer.
Will it cost me any additional charges to withdraw my money?
kevin, Sacramento
July 10, 2015 10:08:28 PM
1 Response
In reply to kevin, Sacramento
We love having you here at TD Helps, Kevin and we'd be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
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To place a travel notification, you can call our Customer Service Line 24/7 at 888-751-9000 or by visiting your local TD Bank Store. For a listing of TD Bank Stores and hours check out http://bit.ly/TDStores.
If you are setup for Online Banking, another option would be to send a secured message using www.tdbank.com and request the travel notifications be added to your account. To send a secured message you must first login to your TD Bank online profile. You can do so by clicking here: http://bit.ly/1eaISlq. On the left hand side, you should see and option to "Send a secure message" located in the "Message Center". Please include your travel destination(s) and travel dates.
If you are not enrolled for Online Banking, you can do so for free here: http://bit.ly/1lU2qfY. You will need your Social Security number, TD Bank ATM/Visa Debit Card, account number, and e-mail address. Once you have successfully enrolled, you will have immediate access to your account(s).If you need assistance, please contact our Banking Specialists, 24/7, at the number listed.
Please also note each withdrawal, transfer, and balance inquiry made at an ATM not owned by TD is subject to a $3.00 fee at this time, which is charged by TD Bank the same day the transaction is made (subject to change). You may view our most recent fee schedule here: http://bit.ly/1cTejgt. This may be in addition to any fee assessed by the owner of the ATM or network, and may include fees for both withdrawals and balance inquiries.
Depending on the type of account you have with us, your non-TD ATM fees may be reimbursed with a $2500.00 daily minimum balance. Please check out the chart at the link above for information about the type of accounts needed to avoid a non-TD ATM fee. If you have one of these account types, we suggest keeping your foreign ATM transaction receipts. We want to make sure you are properly reimbursed for your fees! If your non-TD ATM fees are not automatically refunded to you, you can take these receipts to your local TD Bank store within 90 days for an immediate credit.
For few a tips to manage your money when traveling please check out: http://bit.ly/1fO8wKy , you may also want to review our international travel tips frequently asked questions by clicking here: http://bit.ly/1ltwDDc
Thanks for visiting us, Kevin, and have a wonderful night!
Justin B, Mount Laurel
July 10, 2015 10:09:49 PM
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I dropped into the local Goodwill this week, lured in by a dress I saw in the window. Naturally, I couldn't leave without also searching the bookshelves for treasures.
Like the best of unexpected pleasures, I didn't know I wanted to read this until I saw it, but I recognized the author and happily pulled it from the shelf. The back cover says Lopez "urges us toward a new attitude, a re-enchantment with the world that is vital to our sense of place, our well-being . . . our very survival."
Checking inside, I realized it was bookmarked with a neatly cut piece of Christmas wrapping paper, and that it held an inscription . . . which drew me instantly into another world.
I imagined Joe and Letitia, sharing this book at that long-ago Christmas, maybe after hiking or camping or being on the water together. It would be a lovely gift between a couple like that.
I wondered if perhaps things didn't work out between them, and if this book was a casualty of a library being divided, no space for all the books where Joe was going, or simply one that he couldn't bear to keep because of what it represented of the past. Perhaps he left it behind and Letitia was the one who couldn't stand to have it around, reminding her of happier times.
It's equally possible to imagine that they lived a happy life together, with this book a cherished part of their bond. Maybe this was their first Christmas together and Letitia's declaration of love -- in writing, in a special book -- was an important turning point for them. Perhaps they forged a re-enchanted life with a shared desire to awaken to their place in the world and belong to it.
Perhaps Joe and Letitia are both gone now, crossing another kind of open ground together. It's been more than 20 years since this book was a crisp new Christmas present. Maybe it was left to someone else to decide that this book should go. Maybe Joe and Letitia -- given a choice -- would never have parted with it.
Whatever the story, the book resides in my library now. Even though I don't know Joe and Letitia, I will remember them. Their book and their love have a safe home with me.
Friday, June 8, 2012
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Numerous studies show that employers who provide high quality coffee at the workplace increase the level of productivity, happiness, and energy of their employees.
In other words, the quality of coffee you provide at the office really does matter.
Compare Office Coffee Prices and
save up to 30%!
What type of service would you like?
Back in the day, everyone seemed to be content drinking a pot of Folgers that would sit on the burner all day. But not anymore.
We talked to several office coffee services about current trends they see in the industry. They said:
What this means for YOUR office:
According to a 2015 study by the National Coffee Association, 78% of American adults say they drink coffee and 59% of American adults drink coffee everyday. Armed with the knowledge that a majority of your employees require their daily coffee fix, an office coffee service is an easy and inexpensive way to boost morale and increase productivity at your company.
An office coffee service provider delivers a variety of hot beverage options at a reasonable price to your place of business. They may also offer advanced brewing equipment. You determine how often you need supplies delivered, and technicians will come to replenish supplies, and clean and service equipment as needed.
Whether your business is a tech startup or a massive corporation, an office coffee service can have a positive impact on your employees. This guide will walk you through your options and educate you about the following:
These days, you have a LOT of choice when it comes to coffee service. When you sign up for an office coffee service, the supplier will typically include any necessary brewing equipment for no additional charge. The equipment is yours to use for as long as you continue to use the service. In order to be eligible for the free equipment, you may have to order a minimum amount of product each month. This will save you the upfront cost of purchasing your own brewing equipment, which can range from $100s to $1,000s, depending on the size and complexity of what your office needs. If your office does not need the minimum requirements, you may have to pay a monthly rental fee.
Open/Air Pot Brewer
Open brewers or air pot brewers use the traditional brewing method. Coffee grounds are placed in a filter inside a funnel. Hot water is forced through the coffee grounds and is dispensed into a glass or thermal pot/carafe.
Glass carafes typically hold 12-14 cups of coffee. Some devices have a "pause and serve" feature, allowing you to temporarily pause the brewing so that you can serve a cup at a time.
Thermal pots typically hot 10-12 cups of coffee. A thermal pot is designed for slow evaporation in order to keep the coffee at its prime temperature for a longer amount of time. If your employees visit the break room at various times throughout the day for coffee, a thermal pot may be the way to go.
Single cup Brewer
Single cup dispenser units have become increasingly popular. Rather than brewing one big pot of coffee for all your employees, these machines brew once cup at a time. Most single cup brewers use pods, capsules or K-cups that offer individual flavor choice and ease of use. Some of the advantages of using a single cup dispenser unit include:
Single-cup dispensers are more expensive than a glass carafe or thermal pot. On a per cup basis, they can cost as much as 4 to 5 times more than a standard cup of coffee. If employee satisfaction is your goal, look to the single-cup coffee machines.
Bean-to-Cup Brewer
Bean-to-cup brewers are all-in-one machines that grind the beans as you use them, providing extremely fresh coffee. These brewers offer carafe and by-the-cup options.
Espresso Brewer
Espresso machines force extremely hot, pressurized water through tightly packed ground coffee to produce a thick, concentrated coffee.
Specialty Brewer
If your office if full of coffee aficionados, they will appreciate a specialty brewer that can craft gourmet coffee drinks such as espresso, cappuccinos and lattes.
Some brewing systems may be able to connect directly to your water line, providing a constant source of hot water. This convenience feature may cost extra for installation and replacement filter cartridges every few months, but the access to hot water means faster brewing and time saved.
There are pros and cons to each type of machine, but generally speaking, the more work that goes into the preparation and brewing of the coffee bean, the more money you will pay. Find out what's within your budget and what matters most to your employees. Send out an electronic survey to your employees to get a feel for their preferences. You might be surprised by their feedback and find an affordable option that meets their needs.
In addition to the type of coffee machine, you also need to decide what format of coffee you want to provide.
Coffee is usually shipped and packaged in one of the following forms:
Pillow Packs and Filter Packs
As the name suggests, a pillow-shaped packet is filled with fresh, ground coffee. Pillow Packs are pre-measured which provides consistency in taste. Coffee stays fresher longer, because each pack is individually sealed. And, cleanup is simple, since the coffee grounds stay right in the pillow pack.
For added convenience, use filter packs, also known as frac packs. Filter packs provide an additional advantage over the pillow pack, in that the coffee is packaged inside a filter. Brew consistent batches of coffee by simply adding the filter pack to the brew basket.
Both pillow packs and filter packs are made for brewing multiple cups of coffee.
Single Cup Pods
Single serve pods make a single cup of coffee. They are convenient, quick and easy-to-use. Single serve pods are perfect for an office setting with individualized tastes or when you just don't want to brew a full pot of coffee. K-cups are included in this packaging category. They come in individually sealed plastic containers to maintain freshness. Pods, however do not come in plastic containers. They are ground coffee contained in a sealed paper filter pod (basically the single cup version of a filter pack).
Ground Coffee and Whole Bean
Whole bean and ground coffees come in several varieties including blend and flavored options.
Ground coffee is an affordable option for the office since it can be purchased in bulk and stored in the freezer to retain freshness. With ground coffee you may sacrifice a little flavor, but it comes ready to brew.
Purchasing whole beans and grinding them in the office will provide incomparable freshness. If you have an office full of coffee lovers, your coffee service provider may recommend a commercial portion control grinder. Store whole beans at room temperature in an air-tight container in a dark, dry place for maximum freshness.
Liquid Coffee
Liquid coffee concentrates are ideal for serving a lot of coffee to a lot of people in a fast, efficient manner. A liquid coffee dispenser mixes hot water with the exact amount of concentrate to produce good tasting, cost-effective coffee. Convention halls, hospitals and hotels often serve liquid coffee since they are dealing with a high number of consumers. Liquid concentrates have been around a long time, but in the last few years modern processes have improved their taste.
When it comes to choosing where to get your office coffee, there are 3 different kinds of providers.
National Providers
Office coffee suppliers operating on a national level bring years of experience to the table. They can aid you in your decision process and will likely have the largest selection of flavors and brands available. The downside? They tend to be the most expensive option.
Local "Mom and Pop" Providers
If you want a more personal relationship with your office coffee supplier, a local outfit is your best option. The equipment and flavors they offer may be a bit more limited, but their prices tend to be lower.
Online Providers
If price is your single greatest concern, you will probably find the best price by signing up for an online office coffee service. The downside is that brewing equipment options may be limited and the available terms may not be as ideal as with other suppliers.
Every vendor is different. But generally speaking, there is some commonality across the board:
Most services provide their own equipment, but do not REQUIRE you to buy theirs if you already have your own. Note: if you do not want the responsibility of maintenance and repairs, consider buying their equipment to save you the hassle. But read reviews about them first! You do not want to throw away money on an expensive coffee machine that isn't reliable.
You will be placed on a schedule along with their other customers for stocking and maintenance check-ins. Tip: find out how the frequency and whether or not this works for your staff's needs.
You will be assigned a driver to handle your route. Tip: Find out if you will have the same driver every time. You want a consistent face to establish a relationship and investment in the needs of your company.
Most coffee services will clean and sanitize the coffee pot and equipment during their regular visits. But be sure and ask about this!
Some services will organize, stock and clean your pantry. This level of service may cost more.
Most services will provide 24 hour support for maintenance and repair needs. But clarify this before you sign a contract!
Additional Services
Some vendors provide not only coffee, but also water, ice and vending services. Some of the larger services sell ice makers, point-of-use water filters and snack or Coke machines. You can often save money by going through one vendor for all of your office needs. But not always. Do your research. In many cases, a company that handles everything may not excel in anything.
There are several benefits to hiring an office coffee service. Some of these include:
Most coffee services offer a wide selection of coffee and tea from multiple brands. Some even roast their own coffee. Others provide unique roasts and flavors. The more choices you can offer, the happier your employees will be!
An office coffee service is a one-stop shop. Not only can you purchase your coffee products, but also the equipment and supplies (coffee maker, creamer, teas, napkins, stir sticks, etc.). Many office coffee services also provide Water, Ice and Vending services.
By choosing one vendor to provide coffee, water, ice and vending for your office rather than multiple vendors, you will usually save money.
Most office coffee services have years of experience in the industry. They can make recommendations based on your budget, company size and preferences.
Free technical support and maintenance is the standard for most office coffee services.
Coffee has become a highly competitive industry. And, the quality of coffee has become increasingly important to consumers.
Office coffee services have adapted to this change in consumer tastes. They work with local and national brands to offer a variety of options, including regular and decaffeinated coffee.
They may also offer various flavors, gourmet options, and organic options from trustworthy brands, including:
Office coffee suppliers know that no two people are alike.
Some people like their coffee black, while others like a little bit of coffee with their cream. Everyone drinks coffee in a different way. Many suppliers provide the necessary creamers, sweeteners, and stirrers so that each cup can be made to the exact tastes of a specific individual.
Office Coffee Services can provide more than just coffee.
There are various tea options from brands such as:
Some office coffee services also offer other beverages:
Most office coffee suppliers provide more than just beverages. Many offer snacks, oatmeal, instant soups, or pre-packaged meals. By providing your employees with food options, you could be giving them much-needed fuel to kick-start their morning into high gear.
When deciding who is going to supply your office with its cup of Joe, there are a few things you'll want to consider.
Remember, one of the benefits of providing coffee for your employees is to boost morale. You're not going to win over your team if you supply them with cheap coffee that tastes terrible. If they don't like what you provide, they may not even drink it, which means they will be leaving the office to go get coffee elsewhere. Fortunately, office coffee suppliers will provide you with samples of the flavors they offer. Some suppliers will even host a tasting party. Your employees will be able to try the different coffee and beverage options, allowing you to provide what they like.
Obviously, the cost will be a factor in your decision. However, we highly recommend that you not base your decision solely on price. Your goal should be to provide quality coffee to your employees from suppliers with good customer service. The lower the price, the lower the quality of coffee and service you will be purchasing. You may also get stuck with poor equipment. Cost should be part of the equation of your decision, but not the only guiding principle.
If your employees are particularly picky, make sure the suppliers you pick can provide the types of flavors and beverages they like. The available brands and flavors will vary from supplier to supplier.
How quickly the service can be set up may be a factor when making a decision. Many suppliers can get you up and running in 1 business day. But certain equipment may have to be ordered, which can take 1 or 2 weeks.
It's generally a good idea to get references from an office coffee supplier you are considering. Asking for references in your area would be ideal. Nothing beats first-hand, word-of-mouth from a current customer. If the supplier has a website, you may be able to read customer testimonials online as well.
The level of customer service provided should be a strong factor in your decision process. You want to build a healthy relationship with the supplier you choose. Look for service that is friendly, prompt, and flexible.
At 360Connect, we partner with hundreds of office coffee providers nationwide. We decided to ask them about any red flags to be aware of when shopping around. They said to look out for a provider that does any of the following:
Serving high-quality, fresh coffee is essential for the coffee drinking crowd. They will know the difference. Your coffee provider may offer the fanciest single cup brewer or pod brewing machine, but if their coffee isn't high quality, your employees will not be happy. Find out what kind of coffee selection the provider offers. If you aren't familiar with the brand, research customer reviews on their specific blends. Some suppliers will use local blends that may be less known, but that does not necessarily mean they are low quality. Often times, local brands are fresher and fuller in flavor than those that are packaged, stored and then shipped long distances.
Starbucks is a popular brand, but a lot of coffee drinkers don't like the bitter flavor of their coffee. Rather than choose a supplier based on a single brand, try to find a supplier that offers a wide variety of brands and blends. That way, if your employees tire of a certain flavor or brand, they have other options to choose from. Additionally, there is often a crowd of tea-drinkers in the office. Ask your local suppliers if they offer tea and how much variety there is in flavor. This can be a win-win for both crowds.
There is nothing worse than walking into the break room to find an empty pot of coffee. Or reaching for your favorite single cup blend and finding it is out. This can be incredibly frustrating for employees. A good coffee service knows how to anticipate peaks and troughs in demand because they ask the appropriate questions about the volume of coffee consumed during the initial office consultation. Research customer reviews and testimonials on your local providers regarding their ability to maintain a consistent inventory.
If your coffee machine breaks, you want to know that the supplier will stand by their product. Look for suppliers that offer maintenance and equipment training as part of their total package. Be sure to ask what is and is not covered in their service level agreement.
One of the biggest complaints people make about office coffee services is the difficulty in contacting the appropriate representative within the organization. Often times, the service provider is large, which means you are transferred around a lot before finally getting in touch with the right person. Other times, they are not timely in their response to an issue. A good supplier should respond within 1-2 business days for a maintenance or re-stocking request. Additionally, a good supplier should be checking in on a regular basis to find out how the employees customers like the coffee, if they want to change anything, or if they have any feedback or suggestions for improving their service. Communication is key when choosing an office coffee service provider. Without it, inventory will run low, repairs will be delayed and employees won't be very happy.
The price you will pay for an office coffee service will vary based on the amount and quality of coffee you choose to purchase.
It is difficult to give an exact number because every business has unique needs, but we can provide you with an estimated range of real-world prices.
Before signing up for an office coffee service, you'll want to make sure you can afford it. The price you spend on coffee per employee will vary, but a good estimate is $50 to $125 per employee in 1 year. In the chart below, we've broken down the estimated cost of typical items offered by office coffee suppliers.
Depending on the needs of your office, your annual cost will vary. When comparing office coffee suppliers, take price into consideration, along with the quality of coffee and service. Some of the prices that suppliers provide are fixed, but others may be negotiable. It never hurts to ask for a better deal when negotiating the cost of your service.
Ready to make a decision?
Now that you know about you know the benefits of providing coffee to your employees, as well as the various options and price estimates, are you ready to get real-world prices? If you want to find out an exact estimate of what office coffee services will cost for your business, we can put you in touch with reputable office coffee suppliers. They will give you free price quotes based on your specific needs and answer any questions you may have. All you have to do is fill out our form.


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Highlighting the BEST rock and pop...we sift through the musical junkyard so you don't have to!
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Review: Joshua Ketchmark "The Ignited" [EP]
Rounding out a trio of EPs released this year, modern rocker Joshua Ketchmark delivers "The Ignited," October 30th. Not to slight the other two excellent EPs (reviewed here), but it seems Ketchmark has saved the best for last. These four tunes all have bite and grab at your attention span greedily, exuding a commercial appeal that ranks them as some of the more radio-friendly songs he's written to date. With help from Davey Julson Rieley (Kill Hannah, Kelly Clarkson, Elvis Costello) as producer and engineer, along with engineer Jeremy Hatcher (The Used, Black Veil Brides), "The Ignited" is a sonic treat.
The perspective of this record comes from a man that's been hurt and heartbroken. "The Ignited" begins with the rousing track, "About To Break" – an instant anthem sure to get your blood pumping. The break-up song "Fallen" easily glides into Foo Fighters-territory and is likely to become my favorite in the bunch. The markedly darker tone of the gritty "Hurt" provides a good example of the contrasts Ketchmark is skilled with juggling. Be sure to wait for the chilling note he holds 2/3's of the way through. He concludes with "Without You", the first single. One of the more ambitious songs in the Ketchmark catalogue, "Without You" attempts to merge moody verses with a more accessible chorus. A decent track, but not the best one here in my opinion.
Be sure to get the song "Without You" for FREE over at his web site right now! Recommended for fans of Foo Fighters, Hinder, and Paramore.
Joshua Ketchmark – Official site.
Posted by Now this ROCKS! at 10/17/2012
Labels: Joshua Ketchmark, review
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Bajaj New Bahar 900mm Ceiling Fan (Brown)High speed Ribbed blades Side bend blades Double ball bearing Quick-start high torque motor Rust-free powder coated finish Value for money Warranty: 2 years on product Power: 58 watts Includes: Motor assembly, Down rod, Canopy set, Hanger assembly, Warranty card and Blade set Brand does not provide installation support for this product.
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Hotel Borgo Verde
A pleasant and charming oasis in an oasis.
Four small villas, thirty rooms in total, all immersed in Nature and surrounded by greenery. Plants and trees from each Continent, kissed by the shining sun, spread bright colours all around, as well as delicious scents in the air.
Borgo Verde is the perfect Hotel both for Tourists and Businessmen. Tourists, indeed, will be pleased by our proximity with Catania International Airport "Fontanarossa" (far only 10/12 minutes along the West Ringroad) and with the Highways A18 (Catania – Messina) and A19 (Catania – Palermo), as it will be very easy to them reaching the most attractive places of Sicily, all those they have dreamt to visit whilst their stay (Mount Etna, Syracuse, Alcantara Gorges, Taormina etc.etc.).
Businessmen, on the other side, will appreciate the only 5 minutes distance from Misterbianco with its shops, factories and outlets and from the downtown.
Well furnished rooms, modern and cosy, with air conditioning/heating, hair dryer, minibar, desk, Sky tv, safety deposit box and ADSL connection, but, most of all, with a view over the magnificient park.
A special care has been paid in the choice of mattresses, to assure a relaxing rest.
In the evening, from Monday to Friday (7.30 p.m. – 9.30 p.m.) our Guests can have dinner here, in our little restaurant, where they can taste tipical Sicilian dishes, such as Parmigiana di Melanzane, Pasta "Alla Norma" or with Pesto di Pistacchio, or, if they prefer, even only a green salad.
Book directly through this site (or by e-mail, phone, walk- in etc.), and we will offer you free private parking (reservation not possible) or, if you have no car here, a welcome drink offered with a warm smile!
A special 10% discount on our rates is offered to all those Guests who book a 2 night stay inclusive of Saturday night.


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Victorinox 86004 Cut Resistant Glove Large
Victorinox 86004 Cut Resistant Glove Large
GL-RC05-83004 #04842;1 pc/case;Each;
When dealing with knifes, please make sure that hands are protected with this UlitimateShield Cut Resistant Glove (86001) from Victorinox. A unique, premier product offering maximum cut resistance and durability. Solves the problem of steel wire fragmentation. Constructed of stainless steel wire and Dyneema (HPPE) in the outer cover for durability, cut resistant, washable & bleach safe, FDA & USDA approved.
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Abraham C. commented on 12-Aug-2015 12:32 AM
These gloves work very well. Still cheaper than anywhere else. They have saved some fingers and trips to the first aid cabinet. They are easy to clean and dry quickly.


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Christina Aguilera Treats Her Son Max To A Trip To Walt Disney World Resort
Christina Aguilera took her son Max to "The Happiest Place On Earth" yesterday and posed for a photographer just outside of Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park.
Disney is 'home' to Christina in a way as she actually starred in the musical variety series, "The New Mickey Mouse Club", back in the early '90s.
It's nice to see the Grammy Award-winner spending some quality time with her son! She is due to head back to work on April 26th, when she will debut as a coach on the new NBC vocal competition series "The Voice."
Photo Credit: (Matt Stroshane, photographer)


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Our Approach
We are an on-island locally based, family owned car rental business located in the heart of Cruz Bay – St. John, US Virgin Islands. Conventiently located just walking distance from the passenger ferry, Aquarius Car Rental is available 24 / 7 to make sure your Virgin Islands Vacation is the best ever.
Our Story
Every business has a beginning, and Aquarius Car Rentals is no different. Our humble beginnings start in 2017, born out of necessity on the small island of St. John. Having owned and operated a successful concierge service on St. John for many years, we decided to use our island expertise to bring you the best car rental experience on island. Aquarius Car Rentals is also much more than just another St. John car rental business, we can help you plan your whole vacation!
Number's of car
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Reserving your car couldn't be any easier. Call directly or book your car rental online.


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Phone number: (02) 4577....
Fax number: (02) 4577....
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URL: http://www.pastelpines.com
Trading/Opening hours:
|Mon: 9:00am - 5:00pm
|Tue: 9:00am - 5:00pm
|Wed: 9:00am - 5:00pm
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Business Info
Pastel Pines International Pty. Ltd. are manufacturers, suppliers and distributors of: Reed Diffusers, Pot Pourri, Fragrant Oils, Essential Oils, Massage Oils, Simmering Gel, Bath Crystals, Scented Wooden Balls, Handmade Scented Wooden Flowers, Room Perfumes, Lamp Oil, Incense, Drawer Sachets, Oil Burners, Tealites, Decorative Balls, Shell Products, Craft Items, and other fragrance related products.
We are also suppliers of a large range of Home Decorator and Floristry items.
Pastel Pines International Pty Ltd also acts as a contract manufacturer for other companies (both nationally and internationally) wishing to have their own identities/brands. This is done on a strict confidentiality basis always guarantees highest quality of products.
Packaging can be tailored to suit market demands. E.g. Language, packaging sizes, etc..
Pastel Pines International Pty Ltd has established experience in exporting its products internationally.
Pastel Pines International looks forward to being of service to you in the near future - either as an established or new customer wanting to experience quality products and service. (more)
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Some tips when posting a review: When writing a review, see if you can be as balanced as possible. What did you like, what didn't you like? Here are some things to think about - How was the customer service? How was the product or service quality? How was the price/value? Please also check and adhere to the editorial guidelines when posting a review.
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Wooden souvenirs
Angels are presented Wooden series. We make them with ash and dress in clothes created with art acrylic. Every angel hold herbs heart, which we gathering every summer in Carpathians - mint and thyme. Ornaments on the robes of angels are accidental. Each of them have its own meaning - hence the name of angels. Every season we create a new collection. At the moment in our shop we have : angel of goodness, angel of kindness, liberality,wisdom, talent , twelve angels of seasons , and three angels of wishes : happiness, health and love. Look for your own Guardian angel.


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Virginia Fishing Boats
Bass boat and aluminum fishing boat dealers in VA
Fishing boat dealers are located throughout Virginia with many of the larger dealers nearby major metropolitan areas like Abingdon, Blacksburg, Danville, Martinsville, Roanoke, Chesapeake, Newport News, Petersburg, Richmond, Virginia Beach, Buena Vista, Covington, Lexington, Lynchburg, Staunton, Charlottesville, Dale City, M, Front Royal, Manassas and Reston. Other fishing boat dealers can also be found near lakes and along rivers throughout rural Virginia.
New & Used Bass & Fishing Boat Dealers
Most fishing boat dealers offer a variety of new and used boats. Look for a basic jon boat, an aluminum fishing boat, a combination fish and ski boat, a sophisticated bass boat or coastal fishing boats with help from these local dealers.
If you like to fish in VA, many of these fishing boat dealers also carry an excellent selection of fishing tackle. You are apt to find a good selection of rods, reels, line, lures, and an assortment of fishing-related boat accessories. Some also offer live bait.
Virginia fishing boat and bass boat dealers are often a resource for information on local fishing events. They are likely to have schedules and contact information for fishing tournament organizations, as well as event results. Staff members at these fishing boat stores often have a keen interest in fishing. As a result, they are quite often aware of local fishing conditions at fisheries in the area. Some also participate in fishing tournaments. Before heading out on your next fishing trip, stop by and get valuable information about how the fish are being caught on the water you plan to fish.
Many of these fishing boat dealers also offer fishing licenses for sale. You can also acquire a fishing licence for Virginia at many of these dealers or by visiting the Virginia fishing licensing website.
Fishing boats in Virginia
Fishing Boats In Northwest Virginia
Fishing Boats In Northeast Virginia
Fishing Boats In Southwest Virginia
Fishing Boats In Southeast Virginia
Places To Go Fishing In VA
There are many places in Virginia to to go fishing. Some of the larger lakes and rivers include Burke Lake, Jackson River, Maury River, Lake Anna, Lake Manassas, Rivanna River, Lunga Reservoir, Occoquan Reservoir, Bedford Lake, South Anna River, Clinch River, Elkhorn Lake, Lake Moomaw, Lynchburg Reservoir, Peaks of Otter Lake, Kerr Lake, Lake Chesdin, Lake Drummond, Lake Gaston, Swift Creek Reservoir, Claytor Lake, Leesville Reservoir, Powell River, Blackwater River, Philpott Lake, Nottoway River, Smith Mountain Lake and South Holston Lake. Most of these rivers and lakes provide excellent fishing opportunities.
Fishing Boat Companies & Manufacturers in Virginia
Manufacturers of boats and boating products in Virginia include Penn Yan Boats and others. Support these local manufacturers as they help improve the local economy.
Camp in Virginia Near Fishing
Fishing and camping go hand in hand. Many of the fishing waters throughout Virginia also offer camping opportunities. Here are just a few of the many camping facilities located at or nearby fishing waterways. Abingdon Riverside Campground, Douthat State Park, Shenandoah River State Park, Leesylvania State Park, Mason Neck State Park, Sky Meadows State Park, Claytor Lake State Park, Hungry Mother State Park, New River Trail State Park, First Landing State Park, Occoneechee State Park and Staunton River State Park are options to consider when planning your next fishing and camping excursion.
Fishing boats for sale in all states.
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New Hampshire
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Fishing boat types for Virginia waters
Fishing boats come in a variety of configurations including family fishing boats, pontoon boats, center console boats, bay boats, skiff boats, aluminum fishing boats, bass boats, inflatables, jon boats, canoes, kayaks, car toppers, electric boats and fish-and-ski models. Find yours at a fishing boat dealer near you.


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Besides empowering Halyk Bank to offer to its customers much better services, the BankWorld Internet solution from CR2 will enable the Bank to achieve cost reductions and increase its revenue stream.
The Bank's customers will be able to receive services over the Internet in 24 х 7 mode without interruptions for routine housekeeping or maintenance. This facility is supported by the new Colvir 24 х 7 platform implemented at Halyk Bank concurrently with the CR2 solution that is fully integrated with the new Colvir platform.


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Over 70 communities around the world have responded to a recent Anglican Communion News Service article to run pilots of its new course Agents of Change.
The official launch will take place at Lambeth Palace on 13 December by kind permission of the Most Rev Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury.
The course is the first of its kind between the Open University, an institution renowned for its online courses, and the Anglican Alliance.
The launch aims to introduce stakeholders and interested partners to the course concepts and to raise funds for its implementation and expansion.
The course takes six months to complete and can be done online, on CD or on hard copies. Agents of Change has a global outreach with prospective participation from church groups in Kenya, Myanmar, Jamaica, Zimbabwe, South Sudan, Zambia, Vanuatu, Wales United States and many other places. The course has been specially designed as an access course aimed at adults of basic or primary education who do not hold university qualifications. Applicants include individuals, churches and dioceses and have been sent the registration form. All will be processed but the sheer scale of responses has meat that it will take some time.
The modules covered by the course are:
- Inclusion
- Consultation
- Governance,
- Protection of Vulnerable People
- Work Programming
- Principles of Financial Management
The course also encourages students to think critically and discuss their modules in study groups and with their local communities. All participants who successfully complete the course will be awarded an Open University Certificate.
Anglican Alliance Director, Sally Keeble believes that the unique qualities of Agents of Change are its fantastic accreditation and its low overheads. "We are very grateful to everyone who has responded to the appeal for pilots. We are now scaling up our plans to meet the demand," she said.
Open University's Francis Cattermole wished all participants well saying, "We hope that you find the programme enjoyable and easy to follow. We also hope that all of you who complete the programme will benefit from your studies. We wish you well as you make a difference through your community projects as Agents of Change."


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The 116th and 117th Business Meetings
Note: This annual report is carrying the minutes of two business meetings of the Association—the 116th and the 117th—to correct for the anomalies resulting from a shift in the meeting dates from December to January. The minutes were compiled by Sharon K. Tune, assistant director for administration and convention director. Future reports will carry the minutes of the business meeting held immediately after the reporting year.
Minutes of the 116th Business Meeting
President Wm. Roger Louis called the annual business meeting to order at 4:56 p.m. on January 5, 2002. The meeting was held in Union Square 5 and 6 of the Hilton San Francisco. Michael Les Benedict of Ohio State University served as parliamentarian for the meeting.
Report of the Executive Director: Arnita A. Jones supplemented her written report (see page 4 of the Annual Report for 2001) with supplementary remarks. She stated that annual meeting attendance was healthy and that other budget components, such as the exhibit hall, had also done well. Ms. Jones reported that the Association's finances were in good order and that a surplus was projected at the end of the current fiscal year. Ms. Jones informed attendees that individual membership in the Association was stable and briefed members on advocacy efforts of the AHA.
Report of the Editor: Ms. Jones presented the report of American Historical Review editor Michael Grossberg, Indiana University, who was unable to attend due to illness (see page 15 of the Annual Report for 2001 for text of the editor's report).
Report of the Nominating Committee: Sara Nalle, William Paterson University, committee chair, reported on the action taken to deal with the impact upon the AHA election of dislocations in the distribution of District of Columbia mail caused by dislocations consequent to discovery of an anthrax-laden letters. She then announced the results of the 2001 election.
Reports of the Vice Presidents: Vice presidents Barbara D. Metcalf, University of California at Davis (Profession); Gabrielle Spiegel, Johns Hopkins University (Research); and William A. Weber, California State University at Long Beach (Teaching) each reported on the activities of their respective divisions over the course of the past year. The text of these reports is in the Annual Report for 2001.
Other business: (a) Expressions of Appreciation: Mr. Louis thanked the two groups of volunteers that had worked so diligently to make the annual meeting a success: the Program Committee, chaired by Philippa Levine of the University of Southern California, and co-chair Paul Ropp of Clark University, and the Local Arrangements Committee, chaired by William N. Bonds of San Francisco State University, as well as the AHA staff.
(b) Election of members to Board of Trustees: Members present unanimously approved Council's nominations to reappoint R. Dyke Benjamin, Lazard; D. Roger B. Liddell, Ingalls & Snyder LLC; and C. Evan Stewart, Winston and Strawn, to five-year terms on the Board of Trustees. Mr. Liddell will serve as chairman of the Board.
In concluding his term as president, Mr. Louis observed that he appreciated the confidence the membership had placed in him in electing him president. Accepting the gavel from Mr. Louis, Ms. Hunt expressed gratitude to Mr. Louis. As there was no further business, Ms. Hunt declared the meeting adjourned at 5:41 p.m.
Minutes of the the 117th Business Meeting
President Lynn Hunt called the annual business meeting to order at 4:50 p.m. on January 4, 2003, in the Joliet Room of the Hilton Chicago. Michael Les Benedict of Ohio State University served as parliamentarian for the meeting.
Report of the Executive Director: Arnita A. Jones supplemented her written report (see pages 4–6), stating that the Washington, D.C., headquarters building, a 19th-century rowhouse, was in good shape following completion of several major projects. She noted that the building would require less expenditure in the future and that the staff would next address the organization's archives. Ms. Jones observed that the Association's financial status was sound, and that the end-of-year financial statement should conclude with a small surplus. She reported that the Committee on Graduate Education report had been presented to the AHA Council for approval at its recent meeting, and thanked committee chair Colin Palmer, secretary Thomas Bender, research director Phillip M. Katz, and AHA staff members Miriam Hauss and Robert Townsend. In concluding her report, Ms. Jones thanked staff members for their diligent work on the annual meeting.
Report of the Editor of the AHR: Michael Grossberg stated that the journal continued to be produced in a timely manner and that the staff continued to develop an understanding of what it means to produce in print and online. He noted that the staff had begun to upgrade the AHR server and the database used to store information about potential book review authors, books under review, and article manuscript information. The text of the editor's report is on pages 11–12 of this annual report.
Report of the Nominating Committee: Gary Kates, Pomona College, chair of the 2002 Nominating Committee, announced the results of the 2002 election. The committee's report appeared in the January 2003 Perspectives and will be published—with additional details—in the annual report for 2003.
Reports of the Vice Presidents: Vice presidents Gabrielle Spiegel, Johns Hopkins University (Research); William A. Weber, California State University at Long Beach (Teaching); and William D. Cronon, University of Wisconsin-Madison (Profession) reported on their respective divisions activities and projects. The text of their reports is on pages 7–10 of this annual report.
Other business: (a) Expressions of Appreciation: Ms. Hunt thanked Association members who had worked unstintingly on the 117th annual meeting: the Program Committee, chaired by Anand A. Yang of the University of Washington and cochaired by Margaret Washington of Cornell University, and the Local Arrangements Committee, chaired by Leon Fink of the University of Illinois at Chicago and cochaired by Ann Durkin Keating of North Central College. She also expressed gratitude to Convention Director Sharon K. Tune and the AHA staff for their efforts.
(b) Reading of Statement: Ian C. Fletcher, cochair of affiliated society MARHO: The Radical Historians' Organization, read a statement drafted on January 3, 2003, by a newly formed ad hoc group, "Historians against the War." The statement, which had been signed by more than 500 historians by the time it was presented at the business meeting, declared: "We historians call for a halt to the march toward war against Iraq. We are deeply concerned about the needless destruction of human life, the undermining of constitutional government in the United States, the egregious curtailment of civil liberties and human rights at home and abroad, and the obstruction of world peace for the indefinite future."
Concluding her term as president, Ms. Hunt introduced Mr. McPherson. Accepting the gavel and noting there was no further business, Mr. McPherson declared the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.


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Reduce the Sales Cycle Through Sensational Service!
September 2, 2011 2 Comments
By Sabrina Risley
Here's the scene: You are at a networking event, excited at the thought of meeting new prospects. You connect with another professional who could possibly introduce you to a plethora of qualified leads. You shake hands. Exchange business cards. Promise to call. You breathe in a sigh of relief and think, "My work here is done… this is exactly what I came here for!" As the event goes on, you meet a few more like-minded folks. You can't wait to get back to the office to schedule appointments with them.
However the scene is anything but peaceful and serene when you return to your office. There are voicemails to return, emails to answer, a proposal to complete, paperwork to file, and oh yeah – when was the last time you posted on Facebook? Before you know it, a few hours go by and the day is done. Two days are done, and then three days, and four. Pretty soon, you can barely remember who you wanted to follow up with and why, let alone find where you put their business card!
And just like that, it happens… time passes and urgency diminishes, you lose the excitement as well as a golden opportunity for creating a collaborative partnership with a new connection. You've lost the opportunity to capitalize on a meaningful encounter and actually building your business through referrals.
You've likely heard it mentioned, "The fortune is in the follow up." Follow up and follow through is a necessity! It's like wanting to pitch a baseball but dropping the ball during the windup. Following through with new connections is critical if you want to pitch within the strike zone. It's an absolute necessity to build real and genuine connections that flourish into mutually beneficial relationships where referrals and contacts are safely shared between both parties. It takes trust which you can build and earn through consistent and regular follow-up.
But who has time to follow up? About 1% of the population actually makes it a priority to follow up with a new connection within 48 hours. For the remaining 99% of the population, we have every intention of following up but don't make the time to do so or don't have a good follow up system.
To be successful at following up, you need a plan, you need a system and you need to follow it!
Good follow up includes consistent and meaningful encounters. It means people see you, hear from you and have the opportunity to talk to you on a regular basis. The more often you have meaningful encounters with your contacts, the greater the opportunity to build trusting relationships. Meaningful encounters can include an emailed or mailed newsletter, mailing or emailing a link to an article they might find interesting, acknowledging birthdays and special occasions with a phone call, card or social media post, remembering and asking about previous conversations you've had with them, initiating introductions so they can meet needed resources, sending referrals and leads, inviting them to an event they might like to attend with you, and the list can go on.
Now, let me clarify – I'm not suggesting you "stalk" your contacts. I'm simply recommending you follow up with and take the time to get to know new contacts, enabling you the ability to really add value, serve and give in a way that is meaningful to them. Regardless of how detailed and sensational your follow up plan is, be forewarned that relationship building doesn't happen overnight.
Just remember… it's a little give, and it's a little take and it's a whole lot of follow through that leads to success in the end.
For guidelines, tools and ideas to create and implement a simple follow up plan that you can maintain on a consistent basis, check out BTM's SERVICE TO SENSATIONAL. SAVE $40 if you order by September 30, 2011.
(c) 2011 Behind The Moon, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Feel free to share this article in its entirety and include the Bio information below along with live link back to this blog post. Thank you.


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SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- In San Jose, members of the LGBT community were stunned after a city council candidate crashed a press conference they were holding to share their concerns about him. A showdown ensued, and ABC7 News was there for it.
Outside the Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center in San Jose Friday, there was an unexpected at what turned into a very heated press conference.
"Since no one has actually taken the time here to come out and speak with me or given me a phone call to ask for my opinion, I figured I'd come out here and share my opinion with everybody else here," said San Jose City Council candidate Steve Brown.
It was a "war of words" between Brown and LGBT community leaders, as well as their allies on Friday.
Prior to the California primary, conservative policy group The Values Advocacy Council published a voter guide in which Brown said yes to supporting legislation that would prohibit discrimination against individuals, organizations, and small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
As a business owner, Brown says the federal government shouldn't tell him or anyone else how to run their company.
"We need to teach our children not to discriminate, we need to uphold anti-discrimination, but we need to stop with the hate mongering," he said.
On Friday afternoon Brown refused to say if he supports gay marriage, but did say he has no interest campaigning to take away that right.
However, Democratic State Asemblyman Evan Low didn't buy it.
"This is an opportunity for us to highlight the positions that he has, the far radical-right positions that he has, and this is about accountability," he said.
Brown is calling this a smear campaign against him.
He's been endorsed by groups such as the Santa Clara county Republican Party, and the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce.
And will face Sergio Jimenez in the general election.
Click here for full coverage on the 2016 election.
San Jose city council candidate crashes LGBT community news conference
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CHICO — Local students won first place awards in a statewide film contest for their mental health-focused public service announcements.
Pleasant Valley High School and Butte College students took home awards from the sixth annual Directing Change Program and Film Contest, which aims to empower young people to start conversations about mental health and suicide prevention in their communities by creating short films that address those topics.
The program received 742 submissions from 164 schools and community organizations this year, and films from PV High and Butte College students won regional awards in April, and state awards last month.
PV students Preston Lopez and Nick Weiss took home the top spot in the SanaMente category for their film "Nunca Solo,"a 37-second Spanish-language film showing one student's struggle with loneliness and how he got help.
Butte College students Nathan Hitchman and Melissa Roetto took first place in the Youth and Young Adult Mental Health Matters category for their film "Together We Conquer," which tells the story of someone who recognizes the signs of mental illness in a friend and helps her find help.
The winners were honored in an award ceremony in Los Angeles late last month.


text: I'm hitting up BlogHer for the first time on Friday. Anybody else going to be there? Should I be scared? They sent me a pass with approximately 10 million drink tickets. I can drink approximately two drinks before I am drunk so I think I may be a teeny bit out of my league. If you are going tweet me @lanotoriousmle so we can meet up!


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A tall athletic man wearing a dark grey and red Master's dress uniform stood staring through the room length window overlooking the landing platforms.
Aethian Jentha-Korbandin was tired and frustrated. His long dark hair was tied in a strap cloth for practicality and he wore two single handed ceremonial poniard blades sheathed in his belt. His boots were gleaming like mirrors, his hands were held together behind his back and his chest pushed out. He stood still and stern faced.
His grey tunic chest remained modestly plain and devoid of any rank, insignia or medals. He had nothing to prove these days. Nothing.
The silver octagons with green trim embroidered on his red cuffs denoted his membership of "Stellaris Militia Intelligencia."
This was not a man to be underestimated. - A Spymaster of the highest Order.
He kept thinking that this was surely no place for him. Wasted again on some bureaucratic fools errand. This was nothing new but it was becoming a stale and disenchanting scenario.
He was tired of being posted and then redrafted elsewhere in the galaxy as soon as he had settled into an assignment. He was frustrated with teaching battle strategy and blade craft to Acolytes who were better suited to sciences or ethics. Most of all, he was weary of having to live up to his father's name. As soon as anyone heard his name, "Korbandin", they invariably gawped at him in awe. Sycophants!
More annoying was the fact that these days he found it increasingly difficult to blend in and be inconspicuous. His very name was conspicuous.
Irrespective of all of this, Aethian had never doubted his abilities. His father had indeed been the Provost Paladin Commander at the time at which he had been born, and he had been raised in the traditional military fashion with no expense, education or opportunity spared. He had progressed quickly, so much so that he had entered the Temple Of The Knife, by selection, at only eleven years of age, a full five years younger than was customary.
At the time of his ascension to the Templi Militia, there was not a single Knight, Master, instructor or Acolyte who could best him with a blade. Nobody had since he was thirteen years old, and that man still wore a scar across his chin as a cost for his victory.
In the many years since then Aethian had moved quickly through the ranks and travelled to most parts of the galaxy. He was a veteran of thirty eight campaigns. He had been a missionary, a soldier, a field agent and a Knight's guard counsellor.
He had returned to the temple as a Master instructor in his seventy fourth year, but after continued pressure from the Order of the Ark Protectorate, he was seconded once again to field work, finally settling as a stellar intelligence specialist alongside his father.
Everybody knew he was wasted there. He was the best fighter alive and his military knowledge was exceeded only by his father, the great An'ewat Jentha-korbandin – hero of the Taurid campaign.
Aethian now had new orders in a new sector.
This position promised to be different. A teaching and close protection assignment which according to his initial briefing statement had the tightest security provisions he had ever seen.
He had arrived at the project headquarters, located on a barren moon in an unremarkable solar system, three days previously. His quarters were comfortable enough but Aethian found it increasingly difficult to suffer the boredom which cut at him with alarming frequency as the hours passed. He waited and waited for news of a briefing, or indeed any kind of message from the command chain, but nothing came.
Something very sensitive was going on here, something new, something that even his most highly ranked and trusted contemporaries had not been briefed about.
The staff population of this installation couldn't number more than 400 men and women, none below the rank of Initiate Master. The facility was big enough for three times that amount and the central ring of the keep was compartmentalised to allow secure access to only twenty seven people. Aethian had the clearance but had yet to be shown inside.
He was impatient now. The facts had alluded him for long enough. His rank and distinguished career surely commanded more respect than this?
On his third day on the lunar base the morning had begun as usual with a two hour workout followed by a meal of shem bread, vegetables and Chindah. He was tired of the view from his window.
Aethian returned to his desk where he sat reading his daily reports and personal messages.
The door chime of his work room sounded. Aethian pounced immediately to his feet and faced the door with his right hand resting on the pommel of his left hand dagger – a hard habit to break.
"Please come in." he said.
The metal door fell smoothly into the floor of it's frame revealing a battle specification Gobot in the hallway. Aethian was sure that this was the same Gobot that had been assigned to him on his arrival. It seemed to him to be overkill to post any military Gobots in this Keep in the first place. A pointless measure considering the numbers of Angels that were stationed here, but a good soldier didn't ask questions. If the opportunity arose to make a point of it, he would do so, until then he was more interested in making mental notes of his surroundings and collecting data from which he could make informed decisions or recognise hidden dangers. Once a spy – always a spy.
"Good morning sir, I have orders for you." The Gobot spoke with a soft artificial male voice.
"Good, not before time!" said Aethian activating the door closing mechanism behind the Gobot.
"You may deliver them to me now."
The mechanoid strode briskly across the room and pivoted sharply to face Aethian. The smooth featureless metal face of the Gobot split vertically and peeled back smoothly as the shoulders powered backwards and downwards into their housing to reveal a rising holoframe.
The face of Enik the Ancient manifested itself centrally where the smooth cover mask had previously been.
"Good morning Commander Korbandin" Enik said. "You are summoned to a mission briefing in one hours time at the Lunar Keep observation deck. This Gobot will escort you there."
The message bleeped, Enik vanished and the featureless metal visors closed instantaneously around the Gobot's head once more before the metallic male voice spoke again.
"Do you confirm your attendance Commander?"
"Of course I do!" he barked. "Whatever the aim of this mission is, it's already taking too long!"
The tube link deposited Aethian and his Gobot outside the observation deck with ten minutes to spare.
The Gobot marched to the left hand side of the blank plasteel double doors and powered up it's built in bolt guns in a heavy guarding stance.
"What exactly are you guarding me from?" Enquired Aethian with a frown. But the Gobot was not given the chance to reply as the double doors burst open with a mechanised slide and Enik walked out from the observation lounge.
"I apologise for the military presence Commander." said Enik. The details of this briefing are of a sensitive nature."
The two men walked inside where Enik bade Aethian to the table. The double doors closed and locked behind them with a soft click, leaving the Gobot in guard position in the hall.
"A pleasure to see you again my Lord." said Aethian as he bowed deeply from the waist.
"Thank you for coming so quickly Aethian, - are you happy and well?" Enik asked as he squeezed him on the shoulders with his long white fingers.
"I am sir" said Aethian with a smile.
"I was sad to hear of the passing of your dear mother, she was a gentle spirit and we shall miss her." said Enik.
Aethian nodded tight lipped. "We all will my Lord." he replied.
"And your father? I have not seen him since he took his office."
Aethian drew himself to attention and stared at the wall "My father and I have not spoken for some time sir, but he is well I believe."
"Good" replied Enik. "Please be seated."
Aethian took a seat at the long conference table as Enik pushed a control in the wall which caused the room length window to darken considerably.
"I imagine that my presence here means things are not going to plan my Lord?" asked Aethian.
"Well my son, let us say that there is a cause for concern." Enik took a seat opposite Aethian before continuing. "The native population down on the surface have recently been treated with a natural water table flush of Elish at the behest of the mothers."
"A reasonable precaution." said Aethian. "Has the dose proven to be successful?"
Enik reached into his breast pocket and took a wafer of Shem Bread out which he proceeded to chew and swallow. He rubbed his oversized pale bald cranium and sat up straight before replying.
"It has my son, the Apes are docile and eager to serve. It appears that their savage, intertribal battle urges are gone too, at least as far as the Gobots can see." Enik paused for breath. "As for your presence here Commander, I would like you to see something which was discovered just outside the native village, south of the Ziggurat. You must understand that this information is only for the initiated."
Enik reached under the table and drew out a thin metal box which he pushed across the tabletop to Aethian.
"I would like to have your opinion on the contents of this sample case." said Enik as he observed Aethian with his enormous black eyes.
"Of course." Aethian slid his fingers across the surface of the metal box until they reached the clip and unclasped it's sealed lid.
As Aethian lifted off the cover, the contents of the box became immediately clear to him.
A small pile of grey and white ash with a distinctive incense odour filled the box. On the top of the ash sat a small charred hexagonal chip.
"Gods below!" cried Aethian wide eyed and disgusted, "Levyethin scum!" He dropped the lid onto the tabletop where it landed with a loud clatter and pushed the box away.
"Indeed." said Enik solemnly, "I have had the entire Ed'n basin searched three times over and nothing else has been found. Nothing."
"And what of the circumstances of this discovery?" Asked Aethian.
Enik leaned back in his chair and clasped his hands.
"Two weeks ago, one of the Ape leaders, an elder named Habber, chased a creature out of the village with his five sons. It appears that the creature had been ensnared in a covert animal trap set by the villagers earlier that day. It was covered in it's own blood and therefore easy to see and track. The creature killed all but one of Habber's sons with what he described as a Crystal Sword. Finally, the Reptile was subdued by spears and arrows from the other villagers - before it burst into flames. The villagers were understandably shocked and terrified by this ordeal and Habber immediately summoned the lead Watcherbot from the Ziggurat. A full investigation has been made regarding the creature - this, it would seem is all that remains of it."
"And we are sure that nothing else has been recovered?" Asked Aethian sternly.
"Quite sure Commander, there are several fragments of Obsidian in the bottom of the ash sample, presumably all that remains of the Levyethin dagger. Nothing else."
"Then I request that you assign me a small team of my choosing, along with a company of Gobots and Angels to support us." said Aethian as he stood up to attention once more.
"Very well Commander, keep your selection to members of Stellaris Militia Intelligencia - Masters only please - and I wish to be kept informed of everything that you do." Replied Enik.
"As for the Bots and Angels, Quartermaster Tarapel is here at the Keep. He has been fully briefed and will furnish you with the appropriate equipment."
"Thank you sir." said Aethian as he turned and made for the door. "There are still at least two of those Bitches down there - and I mean to kill them!"
Enik nodded as Aethian made his way out.
'This will get worse before it gets better.' Enik thought to himself.
He reached for the multipad on his left wrist and pushed the top right button.
"Lemin, this is Enik." he said, "Be advised that Commander Korbandin is now fully briefed and will soon be reporting for his equipment. Give him absolutely everything he asks for please - and ensure that he is up to date with the features of your new Angels."
"As you wish Enik." Replied the Quartermaster. "Everything is ready and waiting for his arrival."