Proper and prim pinned post, with a lady's curtsy

I am Ariel. She/They. This blog is where I:

-Say strange, cryptic things
-Make middling poetry
-Occasionally make a quality post.

It is not for everyone. I do not use tags often. When I do, it is deliberately to get exposure. People who both follow me and actively know me are largely friends from the defunct RP section of a Transformers fan forum. Or people who have, out of some strange compulsion, become mutuals.

I like to think. I think deep thoughts. I have the deepest thoughts, folks!

Not all of these thoughts are cogent. Not all of them have been filtered for mass consumption.

You have been warned.

The brilliant sci-fi and Star Wars-themed creations of Benjamin Last - https://www.this-is-cool.co.uk/the-sci-fi-and-star-wars-artworks-of-benjamin-last/

Strange New Worlds, John Hagen's cover art for a Trek-inspired game of galactic exploration and conquest, Gametime Games/Heritage Models, 1978

Iraqi Army Republican Guard tanks parading in Baghdad during the 90s

Saddam was a terrible, terrible murderer but the Swords of Qādisiyyah is a hell of a monument.

So many notes ppl confused by corn wielding Colima dog wait until you see the dancing figures…..blow your mind. Teach you true love

humankind…what more can I say. I can only aspire to have such deep and rich a human connection with anyone in this life that will be as radiant as a ceramic figural pair of dancing xolos

They’re also at the center of a roundabout

Mexican here, fun fact! While we call them “Dancing dogs”, they’re a young pup and an old dog, and the older one is revealing wisdoms right on the pup’s ear.

You’ll recognize the older dog bc he’s got wrinkles!! It’s a wonderful scene!!

The Black Hole (1979)

Desert-pattern Dope, equipped both for the intense heat of of Sond's desert belt and the longer-range firefights that take place in the region. Additional plates help turn crippling hits on the vitals into merely severe damage - enough to keep the mech going to strike back.

And strike back it can: in its hands sits a hefty 120mm cannon, in a rifle format for mech use. The curious optic is a laser designator used to guide the high explosive anti-tank homing (HEATH) rounds to target, ensuring high accuracy even at long ranges.

On the back of the mech sits the main cooling unit, primarily tasked with keeping the systems of the mech itself working in the heat, as well as making sure the cockpit is just about liveable. The forward air-conditioning unit, initially a jury rig by complaining pilots, is now standard issue and gets the crew-space just south of pleasant. Until it inevitably gets shot off, that is.

Lohan-Scott 'Dope' Light Mech refitted for operations within the rainforests of Sond's Southern Tropics. The lower legs are sheathed in thick, waterproof waders to help keep the muddy water from degrading the leg servos. A translucent covering of a similar material rests atop the head to keep the delicate electronics within out of the worst of the moisture, too.

Weaponry errs on the side of practical, as is often the case with L-S machinery, and those who use it: A high fire rate, 20mm autocannon in a bullpup configuration for better close-quarters capability is the main armament. Underslung are a pair of boxes holding anti-tank guided missiles. An IR laser sits in the chest-turret for anti-personnel and point-defence duties and a set of 12 grenade tubes sit on the shoulders for additional utility.

While System-11 sticks to its domestic P-men units for patrolling its territory, Lohan-Scott models are the second most popular across Sond, with the Dope being the most widely used - by mercenaries, pirates and rival polities to System-11.