The Power of Machiavelli’s The Prince :: Machiavelli The Prince Essays

The Power of Machiavellis The Prince Nowadays, it is politically impossible to commit to paper a planning guide for leaders. There are innumerable detractors to any possible stance or strategy a leader might adopt. As a conduct of this, all training must take place behind closed doors, far from the prying eyes and ears of the news media or the public. But this has not ever been the case. Niccol Machiavelli was brave enough to give the leaders of his day a how-to guide. In this work, The Qualities of a Prince, we are given a point-by-point description of what a leader should do to effectively lead his rustic. Machiavelli explains that, because leadership is (obviously) a position of command, war is the only profession which benefits one who commands. (p. 33) He goes on to say that, in order to ensure peace, a leader must always be ready for war. He cites a multitude of past, present and even fictitious examples of military leaders who lead amicable countries. He was writing, however, for the leaders of a heavily taxed, war torn area. His Italy was under constant attack from both French and Spanish soldiers, and at the same meter under attack from the inside (the Medici family, Italys current ruling family) by high taxes that funded the wars. His Qualities is considered by some to be the best manual for pulling a country out of a bad situation much like the one Italy was in. This work was not necessarily meant for a country that is already at peace. The pitilessness of the leader described in Qualities would almost surely cause dissent among the people of the peaceful country. Machiavelli chose many important points to bring up in his backchat on the necessity of military prowess. A leader must learn the nature of the terrain (p. 36) that he is meant to protect. Machiavelli probably discusses this because the Medicis were not aware of the advantage that the French and Spanish were gaining by conquering the northern, mountainous regions of Italy. Mil itarily, higher ground is a much sought after advantage. The leaders of the land could in no way evolve to know land that was no longer their own, and so, could no longer see the advantages or disadvantages of the land. What they must now do, is gain all knowledge of the land left hand to them, so as not to loose it.

Technology Implementation at Bead Company :: Computer Technology Business

Anyone who owns there own business knows there is so much work and dedication involved. You have to be on the formal at all times to ensure every alternative you make is going to better you and your business. With todays technology, there is so much of an fortune to really learn how to excel you business nationwide. Having computers to help run your business is a great idea. This allows for you to connect better with other employees who may be fit(p) in different states. Meredith who is the founder of Bead Bar realized that she needed to make some updates to her company in order for her to succeed. Bead Bar is a company who specializes in allowing customers to visit the descent and they can create their own bead jewelry. The founder of this fantastic company is Meredith, which was started in 1998. Her very first store was located in New Canaan, Connecticut. Since then she has been able to really make her company grow. Today she now has three divisions which are studios, fra nchises, and Bead Bar on Board. There are a total of six studios. These studios are responsible for oversees the companys six bead bar studios they have. The franchises sell beading supplies to the businesses that inadequacy to open their own bead studio. The newest division is the Bead Bar on Board. This division is designed for cruise ships There is an average of 35 employees located at each store. The down fall for this company is they still use paper based forms. This is hurting the company with trying to keep up with the demand in the product. They have even lost orders, had incorrect invoicing, and delays in fulfilling orders. With this company growing like it is, having a computer system set up is the best ratiocination for the company. This is a presentation to how the Bead Bar could use a computer network to help there business excelOne of the first locomote needed when starting your plan of bring in computers is how many and which ones. There are all types of computers out there, you want to ensure that you choose the best choice for your company. You want to count the number of employees that will need a computer, also include some back ups in case you consume additional employees or there are technical issues with another.

Graduation Speech: We Can Be Heroes -- Graduation Speech, Commencemen

Class of 2012, as we sit here this evening, I would like you to take a look at the classmates sitting around you. Many students keep back given countless hours of time, energy, and passion to worthy cuases that they have been a part of throughout high school. However, those arent the only students deserving of recognition this evening. We have students here tonight, who have taken a stand for what they believe in, not even hesitating to compromise their reputations. I believe there are more ordinary heroes wearing caps and gowns tonight. Many of you are heroes beca occasion you challenge yourselves to be more accepting of those around you. Some of you heroes woke up every day and came to school with the confide to reach out to those hurting and in need of a friend. Other heroes went the extra mile to make someone feel important, encouraging them and offering swear they may not otherwise have experienced. One of our deepest needs as humans is to be valued. The need to be needed is often more correctly than the need to survive. Every one of us has a deep longing to write our signature on the world. As individuals, we are each equipped with fantastic gifts and talents to share with our family, our community, and our world. Nelson Mandela once said, As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are turn from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. When we open ourselves to become all that we were created to be, we allow those around us to be themselves, empowering them to be a unique individual and to use the talents they possess. It doesnt matter if we are brilliant, beautiful, or incredibly charismatic. We can make a difference by just being who we are. We simpl... ...ctivities, while encouraging us to be our best. These acts of love and many more are what make you our heroes. Class of 2012, I challenge you to recognize the heroes in your lifetime, and continue to be heroes yoursel ves. Author Charles Swindoll said, We need heroes. I mean genuine heroes, authentic men and women who are admired for their achievements, noble qualities, and courage. Such people arent afraid to be different. They risk. They stand a cut above. Swindolls content speaks so highly of those who are heroes and those who have the potential to be heroes. So, here is my challenge to you. Rise above your fears, take risks, and dont let your abilities collect dust. Instead, live life passionately, dream big, and seek every day in ways small and large to write your signature on the planet. But be careful ... you may just empower someone else to do the same.

Essay on Art as a Reflection of Life in Death in Venice -- Death in Ve

Art as a Reflection of Life in Death in Venice Death in Venice explores the relationship between an artist, namely Gustave von Aschenbach, and the homo in which he lives. Aschenbach, destined to be an artist from a young age, represents art, while his surroundings represent life. As the story unfolds, Aschenbach endeavors on a tour in an attempt to relinquish his position in society as an artist. Aschenbach wants to experience life, as opposed to merely reflecting upon it, as he has done for so many years. This attempted change of lifestyle can also be interpreted as a transition from the ways of Apollo to those of Dionysus, an archetype dating hind end to Nietzsches Birth of Tragedy. Aschenbachs journey throughout Death in Venice can be seen as an artists attempt to live life free from artistic interpretations. In the end, however, Aschenbach fails and his decease shows that art is transient. Because of Aschenbachs failure to step down from his position as an artist and to beco me a part of life, it can be concluded that art is rigorously a reflection of life. Aschenbachs journey commences upon his encountering a stranger on a portico. He was obviously not Bavarian. (Mann, 4) Aschenbach, never having ventured far from home, is intrigued by this foreigner who fails to crap him the respect and reverence that he is used to as a renowned artist. For the first time in his life, Aschenbach is challenged. So now, perhaps, feeling, thus tyrannized, avenged itself by deviation him, refusing from now on to carry and wing his art and taking away with it all the ecstasy he had known in form and expression. (Mann, 7) Aschenbach, acknowledging the challenge, resolves to travel. The new rule upon which he is to embark, t... ...be an artist is shown throughout his life, including in his last moments on the beach when he fears Tadzios death. The irony of Ashenbachs demise emphasizes that art, as a reflection of life, is transient. And before crepuscle a shocked and res pectful world received the news of his decease. (Mann, 73) Aschenbach has earned his place in history as an artist. But like all artists, he is replaced by his successors. Aschenbachs transition from an Apollonian way of life to a Dionysian one shows that art reflects life. In his case, art is nothing more than a reflection, and although beautiful and appreciated, it is not an essential element of life itself. Works Cited Mann, Thomas. Microsoft(r) Encarta(r) 98 Encyclopedia. 1993-1997. Mann, Thomas. Death In Venice. New York Vintage Books, 1989. http//philos.wright.edu/Dept/CLS/wk/204/DV.html

affirmative action :: essays research papers

Affirmative action is just because it gives a fair advantage to dimmed Americans, women and other minorities who have suffered from the effects of social injustice in our country. Majorities have constantly opposed affirmative action because they view it as an injustice order to them.In Grutter v Bollinger, one can say that affirmative action is just because it is a benign discrimination. One might say that the law naturalise?s consideration of African Americans, Hispanics and Native American student?s (who otherwise might not be represented in the student body) is unjust. However, considering the facts of the case, the coach?s policy does not define diversity solely in terms of racial and ethnic status and does not restrict the types of diversity contributions legal for ?substantial weight.? Grutter?s grade point average was remarkable but data demonstrates that test and high grade point average is not inescapably the best predictors of future success. The law work considers diversity in their admissions because they think that diversity promotes learning outcomes and better prepare students fro an increasingly diverse workforce for ordering and for the legal profession. Many people would argue that, there is no studies that prove that diversity promotes learning outcomes, but what we know is that, the law school considers diversity for a positive motive. Through diversity, students would be understanding of each others culture and come to respect different views. The school?s program is also flexible ample to ensure that each applicant is evaluated as an individual and not in a way that makes race or ethnicity the defining feature of the application. The law school has also been found to have considered non-minorities with low grade point averages and therefore, Grutter cannot prove that she was rejected solely because of her race.Affirmative action is just because it helps correct the injustice make to specific groups. Through affirmative action, people of color, white women, and working class women and men of all races who were denied their right to equal opportunities are now able to project institutions where they explore different aspects of learning and contribute to the society. We now have sables and women who are lawyers, cops, doctors and engineers. This is important because people of the same race are sympathetic to themselves. A black lawyer would be more passionate about defending his/her client of the same race and also a feminine doctor would be at a best position to understand what her fellow female goes through and also a woman would be most comfortable with a female gynecologists than a male gynecologist.

affirmative action :: essays research papers

Affirmative action is just because it gives a fair advantage to black Americans, women and other minorities who cave in suffered from the effects of social injustice in our country. Majorities have constantly opposed affirmative action because they view it as an injustice directed to them.In Grutter v Bollinger, one can say that affirmative action is just because it is a benign discrimination. One might say that the law school?s contemplation of African Americans, Hispanics and Native American student?s (who otherwise might not be represented in the student body) is unjust. However, considering the facts of the case, the school?s indemnity does not define diversity solely in terms of racial and ethnic status and does not restrict the types of diversity contributions eligible for ?substantial weight.? Grutter?s grade point average was remarkable but data demonstrates that test and high grade point average is not necessarily the crush predictors of early success. The law school c onsiders diversity in their admissions because they think that diversity promotes learning outcomes and better prepare students fro an increasingly diverse workforce for society and for the legal profession. many another(prenominal) people would argue that, there is no studies that prove that diversity promotes learning outcomes, but what we know is that, the law school considers diversity for a positive motive. by means of diversity, students would be understanding of distributively others culture and come to respect different views. The school?s program is also flexible enough to ensure that each applicant is evaluated as an individual and not in a way that makes race or ethnicity the defining feature of the application. The law school has also been demonstrate to have considered non-minorities with low grade point averages and therefore, Grutter cannot prove that she was rejected solely because of her race.Affirmative action is just because it helps correct the injustice don e to specific groups. through with(predicate) affirmative action, people of color, white women, and working class women and men of all races who were denied their right to equal opportunities are now able to enter institutions where they explore different aspects of learning and contribute to the society. We now have blacks and women who are lawyers, cops, doctors and engineers. This is important because people of the same race are sympathetic to themselves. A black lawyer would be more passionate about defending his/her client of the same race and also a fe staminate doctor would be at a best position to understand what her fellow female goes through and also a woman would be most comfortable with a female gynecologists than a male gynecologist.

Forward the Foundation Chapter 28

27It was a lovely day, neither too warm nor too cold, non too b serious nor too gray. Even though the groundskeeping work out had given out years ago, the some straggly perennials lining the steps leading up to the Galactic Library managed to add a cheerful bank line to the morning. (The Library, having been make in the classical style of antiquity, was fronted with one of the grandest stairways to be arrange in the entire Empire, second yet to the steps at the royal palace itself. Most Library visitors, however, preferred to enter via the gliderail) Seldon had high hopes for the day.Since he and Stettin Palver had been cle bed of alone charges in their recent assault and battery case, Hari Seldon felt like a new man. Although the experience had been painful, its very public nature had advanced Seldons cause. Judge Tejan Popjens Lih, who was considered one of, if not the about influential judge on Trantor, had been quite blazing in her opinion, delivered the day following Rial Nevass emotional testimony.When we come to such a crossroads in our civilized society, the judge intoned from her bench, that a man of professor Hari Seldons standing is make to bear the humiliation, abuse, and lies of his peers b arely because of who he is and what he stands for, it is sincerely yours a dark day for the Empire. I admit that I, too, was interpreted in-at first. Why wouldnt prof Seldon, I reasoned, resort to such trickery in an attempt to prove his predictions? besides, as I came to see, I was most grievously wrong. Here the judges brow furrowed, a dark blue flush began creeping up her neck and into her cheeks. For I was ascribing to prof Seldon motives born of our new society, a society in which honesty, decency, and goodwill argon likely to have got one killed, a society in which it appears one mustiness resort to dishonesty and trickery merely to survive.How far we permit strayed from our grounding principles. We were lucky this date, fellow citize ns of Trantor. We owe a debt of thanks to Professor Hari Seldon for showing us our true selves let us take his example to heart and suffice to be vigilant against the baser forces of our human nature.Following the hearing, the Emperor had sent Seldon a congratulatory holo-disc. On it he expressed the hope that perhaps at once Seldon would mother renewed funding for his Project.As Seldon slid up the entrance gliderail, he reflected on the current status of his Psychohistory Project. His good friend-the former Chief Librarian Las Ze straight-had retired. During his tenure, Zenow had been a well proponent of Seldon and his work. More often than not, however, Zenows hands had been tied by the Library Board. But, he had assured Seldon, the affable new Chief Librarian, Tryma Acarnio, was as reform-minded as he himself, and was popular with m whatever factions among the Board member f exclusively off.Hari, my friend, Zenow had utter before leaving Trantor for his home world of Wencor y, Acarnio is a good man, a person of deep psyche and an open mind. Im sure hell do each that he can to help you and the Project. Ive left him the entire data file on you and your EncyIopedia I whop hell be as excited as I about the contribution to humanity it represents. Take care, my friend-Ill call up you fondly.And so today Hari Seldon was to have his first official run into with the new Chief Librarian. He was cheered by the reassurances Las Zenow had left with him and he was projecting forward to sharing his plans for the future of the Project and the Encyclopedia.Tryma Acarnio stood as Hari entered the Chief Librarians baron.Already he had made his mark on the correct whereas Zenow had stuffed every nook and cranny of the room with holo-discs and tridijournals from the different sectors of Trantor, and a dizzying array of visiglobes representing various worlds of the Empire had spun in midair, Acarnio had sweep clear the mounds of data and images that Zenow had liked to keep at his fingertips. A large holoscreen now dominated one wall on which, Seldon presumed, Acarnio could view any event or broadcast that he desired.Acarnio was short and stocky, with a slightly distracted look-from a childhood corneal correction that had gone awry-that belied a fearsome give-and-take and constant awareness of everything going on around him at all times.Well, well. Professor Seldon. Come in. Sit down. Acarnio gestured to a straight- spineed chair facing the desk at which he sat. It was, I felt, quite fortuitous that you requested this meeting. You see, I had intended to condense in touch with you as short as I colonized in.Seldon nodded, buoyant that the new Chief Librarian had considered him enough of a priority to plan to seek him out in the hectic early days of his tenure.But, first, Professor, please let me know why you wanted to see me before we move on to my, most likely, much prosaic concerns.Seldon cleared his throat and leaned forward. Chief Li brarian, Las Zenow has no doubt told you of my work here and of my topic for an Encyclopedia Galactica. Las was quite enthusiastic, and a great help, providing a private office for me here and un exceptional access to the Librarys coarse resources. In fact, it was he who located the eventual home of the Encyclopedia Project, a remote Outer World called goal.There was one thing, however, that Las could not provide. In frame to keep the Project on schedule, I must have office space and unlimited access granted to a number of my colleagues, as well. It is an enormous under taking, just gathering the information to be copied and transferred to Terminus before we can begin the actual work of compiling the Encyclopedia.Las was not popular with the Library Board, as you undoubtedly are aware. You, however, are. And so I ask you, Chief Librarian Will you see to it that my colleagues are granted insiders privileges so that we may continue our most vital work?Here Hari stopped, almost ou t of breath. He was sure that his speech, which he had gone all over and over in his mind the night before, would have the desired effect. He waited, confident in Acarnios response.Professor Seldon, Acarnio began. Seldons call forant smile faded. There was an edge to the Chief Librarians voice that Seldon had not expected. My esteemed predecessor provided me-in utter(a) position-an explication of your work here at the Library. He was quite enthusiastic about your research and committed to the idea of your colleagues joining you here. As was I, Professor Seldon-at Acarnios pause, Seldon looked up sharply-at first. I was prepared to call a special meeting of the Board to propose that a larger suite of offices be prepared for you and your Encyclopedists. But, Professor Seldon, all that has now changed.Changed But why?Professor Seldon, you have just finished serving as principal defendant in a most sensory(a) assault and battery case.But I was acquitted, Seldon broke in. The case never even made it to trial.Nonetheless, Professor, your latest foray into the public eye has given you an undeniable-how shall I enjoin it?-tinge of ill repute. Oh yes, you were acquitted of all charges. But in order to get to that acquittal, your name, your past, your beliefs, and your work were paraded before the eyes of all the worlds. And even if one progressive right-thinking judge has proclaimed you faultless, what of the millions-perhaps billions-of other average citizens who see not a pioneering psychohistorian striving to preserve his civilizations glory but a raving lunatic yelling doom and gloom for the great and qualificationy Empire?You, by the very nature of your work, are threatening the essential fabric of the Empire. I dont imagine the huge, nameless, faceless, massive Empire. No, I am referring to the heart and soul of the Empire-its people. When you tell them the Empire is failing, you are saying that they are failing. And this, my dear Professor, the averag e citizen cannot face.Seldon, like it or not, you have cause an object of derision, a subject of ridicule, a laughingstock.Pardon me, Chief Librarian, but for years now I have been, to some circles, a laughingstock.Yes, but yet to some circles. But this latest incident-and the very public forum in which it was played out-has opened you up to ridicule not only here on Trantor but finishedout the worlds. And, Professor, if, by providing you an office, we, the Galactic Library, give tacit approval to your work, then, by inference, we, the Library, also become a laughingstock throughout the worlds. And no take how strongly I may personally believe in your theory and your Encyclopedia, as Chief Librarian of the Galactic Library on Trantor, I must think of the Library first.And so, Professor Seldon, your request to bring in your colleagues is denied.Hari Seldon jerked back in his chair as if potty.Further, Acarnio continued, I must advise you of a two-week flying suspension of all L ibrary privileges-effective immediately. The Board has called that special meeting, Professor Seldon. In two weeks time we will notify you whether or not weve decided that our standoff with you must be terminated.Here, Acarnio stopped speaking and, placing his palms on the glossy, spotless surface of his desk, stood up. That is all, Professor Seldon-for now.Hari Seldon stood as well, although his upward movement was not as smooth, nor as quick, as Tryma Acarnios.May I be permitted to address the Board? asked Seldon. by chance if I were able to explain to them the vital importance of psychohistory and the Encyclopedia-Im afraid not, Professor, said Acarnio softly and Seldon caught a brief glimmer of the man Las Zenow had told him about. But, just as quickly, the icy bureaucrat was back as Acarnio guided Seldon to the door.As the portals slid open, Acarnio said, Two weeks, Professor Seldon. Till then. Hari stepped through to his waiting skitter and the doors slid shut.What am I goin g to do now? wondered Seldon disconsolately. Is this the end of my work?28Wanda dear, what is it that has you so engrossed? asked Hari Seldon as he entered his granddaughters office at Streeling University. The room had been the office of the brilliant mathematician Yugo Amaryl, whose death had impoverished the Psychohistory Project. Fortunately,Wanda had gradually taken over Yugos role in recent years, further refining and adjusting the tip Radiant.Why, Im working on an equivalence in Section 33A2D17. See, Ive recalibrated this section-she gestured to a glowing violet patch suspended in midair in front of her face-taking into consideration the standard quotient and-There Just what I thought-I think. She stepped back and rubbed her eyes.What is it, Wanda? Hari moved in closer to study the equation. Why, this looks like the Terminus equation and yet Wanda, this is an inverse of the Terminus equation, isnt it?Yes, Grandpa. See, the numbers werent working quite right in the Terminus equation-look. Wanda touched a contact in a recessed wallstrip and another patch sprang to invigoration in vivid red on the other side of the room. Seldon and Wanda walked over to inspect it. You see how its all hanging unitedly fine now, Grandpa? Its taken me weeks to get it this way.How did you do it? asked Hari, admiring the equations lines, its logic, its elegance.At first, I concentrated on it from over here only. I blocked out all else. In order to get Terminus to work, work on Terminus-stands to reason, doesnt it? But then I realized that I couldnt just introduce this equation into the Prime Radiant system and expect it to blend right in smoothly, as if nothing happened. A placement believes a displacement somewhere else. A weight needs a counterweight.I think the concept to which you are referring is what the ancients called yin and yang. Yes, more or less. Yin and yang. So, you see, I realized that to perfect the yin of Terminus, I had to locate its yang. Which I did, ov er there. She moved back to the violet patch, tucked away at the other edge of the Prime Radiant sphere. And once I adjusted the figures here, the Terminus equation fell into place as well. Harmony Wanda looked pleased with herself, as if shed solved all the problems of the Empire.Fascinating, Wanda, and later on you must tell me what you think it all means for the Project. But right now you must come with me to the holoscreen. I received an urgent communicate from Santanni a few transactions ago. Your father wants us to call him immediately.Wandas smile faded. She had been frighten at the recent reports of fighting on Santanni. As Imperial budget cutbacks went into effect, the citizens of the Outer Worlds suffered most. They had limited access to the richer, more populous Inner Worlds and it became more and more difficult to trade their worlds products for much needed imports. Imperial hyperships going in and out of Santanni were few and the distant world felt isolated from the rest of the Empire. Pockets of rebellion had erupted throughout the planet.Grandfather, I hope everythings all right, said Wanda, her fear revealed by her voice.Dont worry, dear. After all, they must be safe if Raych was able to send us a message.In Seldons office, he and Wanda stood before the holoscreen as it activated. Seldon punched a code on the keypad alongside the screen and they waited a few seconds for the intragalactic connection to be established. late the screen seemed to stretch back into the wall, as if it were the entrance to a tunnel-and out of the tunnel, dimly at first, came the familiar figure of a stocky powerfully built man. As the connection sharpened, the mans features became clearer. When Seldon and Wanda were able to make out Raychs bushy Dahlite mustache, the figure sprang to life.Dad Wanda said Raychs triad-dimensional hologram, projected to Trantor from Santanni. Listen, I dont have much time. He flinched, as if startled by a loud noise. Things have go tten pretty bad here. The government has fallen and a provisional party has taken over. Things are a mess, as you can imagine. I just put Manella and Bellis on a hypership to Anacreon. I told them to get in touch with you from there. The name of the ship is the Arcadia septenary.You should have seen Manella, Dad. Mad as anything that she had to go. The only way I was able to convince her to top was to point out that it was for Belliss sake.I know what youre thinking, Dad and Wanda. Of telephone circuit I would have gone with them-if I could have. But there wasnt enough room. You shouldve seen what I had to go through just to get them onto the ship. Raych flashed one of his lopsided grins that Seldon and Wanda love so much, then continued. Besides, since Im here, I have to help guard the University-we may be part of the Imperial University system, but were a place of learning and building, not of destruction. I tell you, if one of those hot-headed Santanni rebels comes near our stu ff-Raych, Hari broke in, How bad is it? Are you close to the fighting?Dad, are you in danger? asked Wanda.They waited a few seconds for their message to travel the nine thousand parsecs across the Galaxy to Raych.I-I-I couldnt quite make out what you said, the hologram replied. Theres a bit of fighting going on. Its sort of exciting, actually, Raych said, breach into that grin again. So Im going to sign off now. remember, find out what happened to the Arcadia VII going to Anacreon. Ill be back in touch as soon as Im able. Remember, I- The transmission broke off and the hologram faded. The holoscreen tunnel collapsed in on itself so that Seldon and Wanda were left staring at a blank wall.Grandpa, said Wanda, what do you think he was going to say?I have no idea, dear. But there is one thing I do know and that is that your father can take care of himself. I pity any rebel who gets near enough for a well-placed Twist-kick from your dad Come, lets get back to that equation and in a few hours well check on the Arcadia VII.***Commander, have you no idea what happened to the ship? Hari Seldon was again engaged in intragalactic conversation, but this time it was with an Imperial navy commander stationed at Anacreon. For this communication, Seldon was making use of the visiscreen-much less realistic than the holoscreen but also much simpler.Im telling you, Professor, that we have no record of that hypership requesting allowance to enter the Anacreonic atmosphere. Of course, communications with Santanni have been broken for several hours and sporadic at best for the last week. It is possible that the ship tried to reach us on a Santanni-based channel and could not get through, but I doubt it.No, its more likely that the Arcadia VII changed destination. Voreg, perhaps, or Sarip. Have you tried either of those worlds, Professor? No, said Seldon wearily, but I see no reason if the ship was bound for Anacreon that it would not go to Anacreon. Commander, it is vital that I locate that ship.Of course, the commander ventured, the Arcadia VII might not have made it. Out safely, I mean. Theres a lot of fighting going on. Those rebels dont care who they blow up. They just train their lasers and appropriate its the Emperor Agis theyre blasting. I tell you, its a whole different game out here on the fringe, Professor.My daughter-in-law and granddaughter are on that ship, Commander, Seldon said in a tight voice.Oh, Im sorry, Professor, said an abashed commander. Ill be in touch with you as soon as I hear anything.Dispiritedly Hari closed the visiscreen contact. How tired I am, he thought. And, he mused, Im not surprised-Ive known that this would come for nearly forty years.Seldon chuckled bitterly to himself. Perhaps that commander had thought he was shocking Seldon, impressing him with the vivid detail of life on the fringe. But Seldon knew all about the fringe. And as the fringe came apart, like a entrap of knitting with one loose thread, the whole piece would unravel to the core Trantor.Seldon became aware of a soft buzzing sound. It was the door signal. Yes?Grandpa, said Wanda, entering the office, Im scared.Why, dear? asked Seldon with concern. He didnt want to tell her yet what he had learned-or hadnt learned-from the commander on Anacreon.Usually, although theyre so far away, I feel Dad and Mom and Bellis-feel them in here-she pointed to her head-and in here-she placed her hand over her heart. But now, today, I dont feel them-it feels less, as if theyre fading, like one of the dome bulbs. And I want to stop it. I want to pull them back, but I cant.Wanda, I really think this is merely a product of your concern for your family in light of the rebellion. You know that uprisings occur all over the Empire all the time-little eruptions to let off steam. Come now, you know that chances of anything happening to Raych, Manella, or Bellis are vanishingly small. Your dad will call any day to say all is well your mom and Bellis will land on Anacreon at any moment and enjoy a little vacation. We are the ones to be pitied-were stuck here up to our ears in work So, sweetheart, go to bed and think only good thoughts. I promise you, tomorrow, under the sunny dome, things will look much better.All right, Grandpa, said Wanda, not sounding entirely convinced. But tomorrow-if we havent heard by tomorrow-well have to-to-Wanda, what can we do, except wait? asked Hari, his voice gentle.Wanda glowering and left, the weight of her worries showing in the slope of her shoulders. Hari watched her go, finally allowing his own worries to come to the surface.It had been three days since the hologram transmission from Raych. Since then-nothing. And today the naval commander at Anacreon denied ever having heard of a ship called Arcadia VIIHari had tried earlier to get through to Raych on Santanni, but all communication beams were down. It was as if Santanni-and the Arcadia VII-had simply broken off from the Empire, like a petal from a f lower.Seldon knew what he had to do now. The Empire might be down, but it was not out. Its power, when properly wielded, was dumb awesome. Seldon placed an emergency transmission to Emperor Agis XIV.29What a surprise-my friend Hari Agiss visage beamed at Seldon through the holoscreen. I am glad to hear from you, although you usually request the more formal personal audience. Come, youve piqued my interest. Why the urgency?Sire, began Seldon, my son, Raych, and his wife and daughter live on Santanni.Ah, Santanni, the Emperor said as his smile faded. A bunch of misguided wretches if I eve -Sire, please, broke in Seldon, surprising both the Emperor and himself with this flagrant breach of Imperial protocol. My son was able to get Manella and Bellis onto a hypership, the Arcadia VII, bound for Anacreon. He, however, had to remain. That was three days ago. The ship has not landed at Anacreon. And my son seems to have disappeared. My calls to Santanni have gone unanswered and now the co mmunication beams are broken.Please, Sire, can you help me?Hari, as you know, officially all ties between Santanni and Trantor have been severed. However, I still hold some influence in selected areas of Santanni. That is, there are still a few loyal to me who have not yet been found out. Although I cannot make direct contact with any of my operatives on that world, I can share with you any reports I receive from there. These are, of course, highly confidential, but considering your situation and our relationship, I will allow you access to those pieces that might interest you.I am expecting another dispatch within the hour. If you like, Ill recontact you when it arrives. In the meantime, Ill have one of my aides go over all transmissions from Santanni for the past three days to look for anything pertaining to Raych, Manella, or Bellis Seldon.Thank you, Sire. I thank you most humbly. And Hari Seldon dipped his head as the Emperors image faded from the holoscreen.Sixty minutes later Hari Seldon was still sitting at his desk, waiting to hear from the Emperor. The past hour had been one of the most difficult he had ever spent, second only to the hours after Dorss destruction.It was the not knowing that did Hari in. He had made a career of knowing-the future as well as the present. And now he had no idea at all about three of the people most precious to him.The holoscreen buzzed softly and Hari pressed a contact in response. Agis appeared.Hari, began the Emperor. From the soft slow lugubriousness in his voice, Hari knew this call brought bad news.My son, said Hari.Yes, replied the Emperor. Raych was killed, earlier today, in a bombardment on Santanni University. Ive learned from my sources that Raych knew the attack was coming but refused to desert his post. You see, a good number of the rebels are students and Raych felt that if they knew that he was still there, they would never But hate overcame all reason.The University is, you see, an Imperial University. The rebels feel they must destroy all things Imperial before rebuilding anew. The fools Why- And here Agis stopped, as if suddenly realizing that Seldon did not care about Santanni University or the plans of the rebels-not right now, at least.Hari, if it makes you feel any better, remember that your son died in defense of knowledge. It was not the Empire Raych fought and died for but humanity itself.Seldon looked up out of tear-filled eyes. Weakly he asked, And Manella and little Bellis? What of them? Have you found the Arcadia Hl?That search has proved fruitless, Hari. The Arcadia VII left Santanni, as you were told. But it seems to have disappeared. It may have been hijacked by rebels or it may have made an emergency detour-at this point, we just dont know.Seldon nodded. Thank you, Agis. Although you have brought me tragic news, at least you have brought it. Not knowing was worse. You are a true friend.And so, my friend, said the Emperor, Ill leave you to yourself now-and your memori es. The Emperors image faded from the screen as Hari Seldon folded his arms in front of him on his desk, put his head down, and wept.30Wanda Seldon adjusted the waistband of her unisuit, pulling it a little tighter around her middle. Taking up a hand hoe, she attacked some weeds that had sprung up in her small flower garden outside the Psychohistory construct at Streeling. Generally Wanda spent the bulk of her time in her office, working with her Prime Radiant. She found solace in its precise statistical elegance the invariable equations were somehow reassuring in this Empire gone so crazy. But when thoughts of her beloved father, mother, and baby sister became too much to bear, when even her research could not keep her mind off the horrible losses shed so recently undergone, Wanda invariably found herself out here, scratching at the terraformed ground, as if coaxing a few plants to life might somehow, in some tiny measure, ameliorate her pain.Since her fathers death a month ago a nd the disappearance of Manella and Bellis, Wanda, who had of all time been slim, had been losing weight. Whereas a few months ago Hari Seldon would have been concerned over his darling granddaughters loss of appetite, now he, stuck in his own grief, seemed not to notice.A profound change had come over Hari and Wanda Seldon-and the few remaining members of the Psychohistory Project. Hari seemed to have given up. He now spent most of his days sitting in an armchair in the Streeling solarium, staring out at the University grounds, warmed by the bright bulbs overhead. Occasionally Project members told Wanda that his bodyguard, a man named Stettin Palver, would badger Seldon into a walk out under the dome or smack to engage him in a discussion of the future direction of the Project.Wanda retreated deeper into her study of the Prime Radiants fascinating equations. She could feel the future her grandfather had worked so large(p) to achieve finally taking shape, and he was right The Ency clopedists must be established on Terminus they would be the Foundation.And Section 33A2D17-in it Wanda could see what Seldon referred to as the Second, or secret, Foundation. But how? Without Seldons active interest, Wanda was at a loss as to how to proceed. And her sorrow over the destruction of her family cut so deep that she didnt seem to have the metier to figure it out.The members of the Project itself, those fifty or so hardy souls who remained, continued their work as well as possible. The majority were Encyclopedists, researching the source materials they would need to imitate and catalogue for their eventual move to Terminus-when and if they gained full access to the Galactic Library. At this point, they were working on faith alone. Professor Seldon had lost his private office at the Library, so the prospects of any other Project member gaining special access were slim.The remaining Project members (other than the Encyclopedists) were historical analysts and mathematicia ns. The historians interpreted past and current human actions and events, good turn their findings over to the mathematicians, who in turn fit those pieces into the great Psychohistorical Equation. It was long painstaking work.Many Project members had left because the rewards were so few-psychohistorians were the butt of many jokes on Trantor and limited funds had forced Seldon to enact drastic pay cuts. But the constant reassuring presence of Hari Seldon had-till now-overcome the difficult working conditions of the Project. Indeed, the Project members who had stayed on had, to a person, do so out of respect and devotion to Professor Seldon.Now, thought Wanda Seldon bitterly, what reason is left for them to stay? A light breeze blew a piece of her sandy hair across her eyes she pushed it back absentmindedly and continued her weeding.Miss Seldon, may I have a moment of your time? Wanda turned and looked up. A young man-she judged him to be in his early twenties-stood on the devel op path next to her. She immediately sensed him to be strong and fearsomely intelligent. Her grandfather had elect wisely. Wanda rose to speak with him.I recognize you. You are my grandfathers bodyguard, are you not? Stettin Palver, I believe?Yes, thats correct, Miss Seldon, Palver said and his cheeks reddened slightly, as if he were pleased that so pretty a girl should have given him any notice. Miss Seldon, it is your grandfather Id like to talk to you about. Im very worried about him. We must do something.Do what, Mr. Palver? I am at a loss. Since my father-she swallowed hard, as if she were having difficulty speaking-died and my mother and sister disappeared, it is all I can do to get him out of bed in the morning. And to tell you the truth, it has affected me very deeply as well. You understand, dont you? She looked into his eyes and knew that he did.Miss Seldon, Palver said softly, I am terribly sorry about your losses. But you and Professor Seldon are alive and you must keep working at psychohistory. The professor seems to have given up. I was hoping that maybe you-we-could come up with something to give him hope again. You know, a reason to go on.Ah, Mr. Palver, thought Wanda, maybe Grandpa has it right. I wonder if there truly is any reason to go on. But she said, Im sorry, Mr. Palver, I can think of nothing. She gestured toward the ground with her hoe. And now, as you can see, I must get back to these painful weeds.I dont think your grandfather has got it right. I think there truly is a reason to go on. We just have to find it.The words struck her with full force. How had he known what she had been thinking? Unless-You can handle minds, cant you? Wanda asked, holding her breath, as if afraid to hear Palvers response.Yes, I can, the young man replied. I always have, I think. At least, I cant remember not doing it. Half the time Im not even consciously aware of it-I just know what people are thinking-or have thought.Sometimes, he continued, encouraged by the understanding he felt emanating from Wanda, I get flashes of it coming from someone else. Its always in a crowd, though, and I cant locate whoever it is. But I know there are others like me-us-around.Wanda grabbed Palvers hand excitedly, her gardening tool tossed to the ground, forgotten. Have you any idea what this might mean? For Grandpa, for psychohistory? One of us alone can do only so much, but both of us together- Wanda started walking into the Psychohistory Building, leaving Palver standing on the gravel path. Almost to the entrance she stopped and turned. Come, Mr. Palver, we must tell my grandfather, Wanda said without opening her mouth. Yes, I suppose we should, answered Palver as he joined her.31Do you mean to say I have been searching Trantor-wide for someone with your powers, Wanda, and hes been here with us for the past few months and we never knew it? Hari Seldon was incredulous. He had been dozing in the solarium when Wanda and Palver shook him careful to gi ve him their amazing news.Yes, Grandpa. Think about it. Ive never had occasion to meet Stettin. Your time with him has primarily been away from the Project and I spend the majority of my time closeted in my office, working with the Prime Radiant. When would we have met? In fact, the one time our paths did cross, the results were most significant.When was that? asked Seldon, searching his memory.Your last hearing-before Judge Lih, Wanda replied immediately. Remember the eyewitness who swore that you and Stettin had attacked those three muggers? Remember how he broke down and told the truth-and even he didnt seem to know why. But Stettin and I have pieced it together. We were both pushing Rial Nevas to come clean. He had been very steadfast in his original claim I doubt that either one of us would have been able to push him alone. But together-she stole a shy glance at Palver, who was standing off to the side-our power is awesomeHari Seldon took all this in and then made as if to spea k. But Wanda continued. In fact, we plan to spend the afternoon testing our mentalic abilities, separately and together. From the little weve discovered so far, it seems as if Stettins power is slightly lower than mine-perhaps a atomic number 23 on my rating scale. But his five, combined with my seven, gives us a twelve Think of it, Grandpa. AwesomeDont you see, Professor? Palver spoke up. Wanda and I are that breakthrough youre looking for for. We can help you convince the worlds of the validity of psychohistory, we can help find others like us, we can help put psychohistory back on track.Hari Seldon gazed up at the two young people standing in front of him. Their faces were aglow with youth and vigor and enthusiasm and he realized it did his old heart good. Perhaps all was not lost, after all. He had not thought he would survive this latest tragedy, the death of his son and the disappearance of his sons wife and child, but now he could see that Raych lived on in Wanda. And in Wa nda and Stettin, he now knew, lived the future of the Foundation.Yes, yes, agreed Seldon nodding forcefully. Come you two, help me up. I must get back to my office to plan our next step.

Flight 587 Crash Investigation

This paper examines the disaster of the Statesn billetlines line of achievement 587 on November 12, 2001 in New York City. At least 265 people died in this tragedy making its unmatched of the major disasters in modern aviation history. In the immediate aftermath of the accident, there were grand fears that this could be an separate outcome of a terrorist attack on the U. S soil. Official investigations, however, quickly ruled out any terrorist involvement. Findings indicated that the weak energise upthrow ca use of goods and servicesd by an airplane that took get through slightly in advance leak 587 initiated an unfortunate chain of events that government issueed in the catastrophe.The basketball teamal report of the NTSB held the faulty rudder turn back system material body of Airbus A300-600, and the inadequate pilot develop program of American Airlines to be chiefly responsible. In addition, the allegedly quirky response behavior of the primary officer at the contr ols of the airplane is considered a critical factor. However, many people, common men and experts a wish well, are not convinced of the validity of the NTSB investigations. Introduction On the morning of November 12, 2001, Tom Lynch, a retired evictfighter, is on Rockaway Beach Boulevard taking his regular morning exercise march.He watches an airplane complete a banked mold and start towards the ocean. Then, all of a sudden, he sees a small explosion in the fuselage behind the wing. Two more seconds elapse and suddenly there is a second explosion, engulfing nigh of the plane in flames. It was the American Airlines Flight 587. Two months after 9/11 this Airbus 300-600 left John F. Kennedy International Airport en route to Santa Domingo, the Dominican Republic. Less than triplet arcseconds after takeoff, the aircraft jampacked in a blazing inferno in the heart of the neighborhood of Bell Harbor, Queens. All 251 passengers along with 9 crew members perished.Most remarkably, en tirely five people died on the ground. 44 fire trucks and 200 firefighters were rushed to the scene. Soon, the disaster of AA Flight 587 would be found not to be collectable to terrorism, only to mechanical failure. However, in the stark post 9/11 environment of the day, it was difficult for many people to believe that planes could still fall from the sky for reasons uncorrelated to terrorism. Feelings and fears were especially strong and these were exacerbated this fresh tragic event. As the author S. D. Manning (2003) put it, This crash jarred a city (and a nation) still scarred and numb from the torture it has already enduredThe Investigation Tonight, American holds its collective breath, Prays this nightmare is due to mechanical failure, Not premeditated design. The sheer irony would shame Kafka Its not the disaster itself exclusively its cause That both(prenominal)ers us, enslaves us to out TVs We pray that its something man-made, not man. L. D. Brodsky. (2002). As the aircraft climbed from John F. Kennedy airport, some people on the ground saw an explosion and fire on the underneath side of the aircraft, which was quickly followed by parts falling off the aircraft, including the vertical stabilizer and rudder.During the aircrafts fall, engines came away from the wings. Falling separately, one engine set down on Beach 129th Street the other engine on Beach 126th. The plane then plunged to the ground on the narrow strip of land know as Rockaway, in Belle Harbor at Queens. The planes fundament broke off and fell into Jamaica Bay, more than a mile from the primary crash site. Although a a few(prenominal) stray remnants landed here and there, the fuselage and wings pounded into the home on the corner of Beach 131st Street and Newport Avenue. The planes impact, subsequent explosions, and fire destroyed other homes.The rudder and the tail fin were found first along the flight path, followed by the engines and then the main wreckage. check to the NTS B, the tail fin and rudder of the plane sheared off as it accelerated. The aircraft began a climbing turn over Jamaica Bay when it encountered turbulence caused by the wake vortices generated by a Japan Airlines 747 that had taken off just one minute forty-five seconds earlier. Records from the flight data recorder later recovered from the crash site showed that the turbulence had cause movements of flight 587s rudder, part of which, together with the vertical tail fin, became detached from the aircraft.Control of the aircraft was lost and it fell from the sky. This was the second deadliest crash in US history, but it also, was the first example where we had an in-flight failure of a major structural theatrical role of an aircraft that in fact was made of composite materials, as NTSB Chairwoman Marion Blakley would assert later. From the outset, the investigation into the loss of the American Airlines aircraft was conducted on the premise that it was an accident. There seemed to b e no immediate indication it was anything else, except for the numerous eye proclaim accounts of fire and explosion just before the aircraft plummeted.Officials were keen to reiterate that there was nothing to suggest any foul play had been involved in the loss of the aircraft. Coming so soon after the September 11th outrages, another terrorist assault in America would have been untenable and morally damaging. The President had declared war on terrorism. Congress had been actively involved in developing new legislation to assure the threat that al-Qaeda posed to civil aviation operations. The possibility of a terrorist strike seemed a little farfetched in the state of intensely heightened attention that the air transportation industry was in during the aftermath of 9/11.Even if there was foul play involved, it could have been more of a sabotage than the explosion of a bomb. Though terrorism was suspected by e very(prenominal)one, it could not be substantiated. The main difficulty of associating the loss of AA587 with terrorism was the manner of its destruction. If the tail assembly did lie at the root of the problem, then sabotage when the aircraft was on the ground appeared a more likely scenario than a suitcase bomb or a suicidal passenger detonating a device on board the plane. throw scenarios had to be explored first.Marion Blakley said in an interview on CNN Newsnight on the day of the crash One of the things that were very committed to doing is to have a full investigation from a system standpoint, mechanical standpoint, looking at the history of this flight, the crew, the tender-hearted factors that may have been involved. straightway following the loss of flight 587, a 40-strong NTSB Go Team under the Investigator-in-Charge Robert Benzon was sent to the site of the crash (NTSB News, 2001). As was the norm, their work was supported by other agencies and companies considered appropriate by the board.The NTSB used the American Airlines facility at T ulsa for a detailed examination of the aircraft engines. No evidence was found of a fire, bird strike, or other pre-impact malfunction. The auxiliary power unit (used to power the aircraft when it is on the ground) was sent to Honeywell, its manufacturer. Nothing wrong was found with the unit. The tail fin and rudder assemblies underwent visual inspection in New York before being sent to the NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.Extensive preliminary tests at Langley sought to identify whether the vertical stabilizer and rudder had had any damage or faults before the accident. None were found. Although the flight data recorder indicated significant rudder movement before the crash, there was nothing to show why this had happened (NTSB News 2002). That both engines separated from the wings as the aircraft fell from a comparatively low height posed another question Could the engines have been sabotaged, if not by an volatile device, then by some other means so far undetec ted by the NTSB investigators?Investigators suspect a catastrophic engine event as the likely cause of an airline crash Monday in New York, went CNN. coms headline on the very day of the accident. However, the primary focus of the investigation lastly shifted to the rudder system. The NTSB team flew to France to work with experts from Airbus Industrie, the aircrafts manufacturer, at their headquarters in Toulouse. The purpose of this visit was to study at firsthand the mechanism of the rudder system and to simulate the pattern of the satiny loads that may have needed the vertical stabilizer during the failure of flight 587.If the investigators could not identify a possible mechanical or structural reason for the accident, they would have been left considering the impossible. Even though they may not have found any terrorist involvement in the loss of AA flight 587, in the absence any other demonstrable reason for the crash, terrorism would be back in focus. Flight History Flight 5 87 was an Airbus A300-600, Registration Number N14053. It took off from JFK International Airport at 91429 A. M. on November 12, 2001 in clear weather conditions. At 091544.7, the master copy Edward States asked, little wake turbulence, huh? to which the first Officer, Sten Molin, replied, at 091545. 6, yeah. At 91551, when the plane was 2,000 feet and was over Jamaica Bay, the first officer initiated a series of emergency control inputs and called for the emergency escape maneuver. During the wake turbulence encounter, the airplanes pitch angle increased from 9? to 11. 5? , decreased to about 10? , and increased again to 11?. At 91601. 9, F. O. Molin was heard on ATC uttering losing control.The airplane crashed 13 seconds later, it was airborne for less than 106 seconds. At 091558. 5, the CVR (Cockpit Voice Recorder) recorded the sound of a loud bang. At that time, the airplane was traveling at an airspeed of about 251 knots. Hang onto it, Hang onto it, were the last words of th e Captain Edward States, as recorded on the CVR The Crew Background The captain was 42 old age of age and the first officer 34. They were hired by American Airlines in July 1985, and March 1991 respectively. The captain had 1,922 hours total flyingtime in military and frequent aviation before his employment with American Airlines, and 8,050 hours total flying time thereafter which let ind 3,448 hours as pilot-in-command and 1,723 hours as a pilot-in-command for A300 specifically. His last proficiency realise took place on June 21, 2001 and his last pilot-in-command line check occurred on July 31, 2001. He consumed alcohol sparingly and never during a time around his work schedule. According to a colleague, he was an extremely good pilot, very relaxed and competent.The first officer had 3,220 hours total flying time in commercial and general aviation before his employment with American Airlines, and 4,403 hours total flying time, which included 1,835 hours as second-in-command for A300 specifically. Both the captain and the first officer had no FAA records that indicated any incident history or enforcement action. One pilot who worked with the first officer, however, described him as being very aggressive on the rudder pedals after a wake turbulence encounter. Except for that, his overall skills were described as excellent, and well above the norm. The 5M ConceptThe 5M concept is a risk assessment tool used to graphically illustrate how the dynamic interaction of the man, the automobile and the media (that is, environment) converge to produce either a successful mission or if unsuccessful, a mishap. Man-category encompasses aircrew members, their training, selection, proficiency, habit patterns, performance, and personal factors. Factors under performance heading include awareness, perceptions, saturation, distraction, channelized attention, stress, confidence, adaptive skills, and fatigue (physical, motivational, sleep deprivation, circadian rhythm, klutz ).Personal factors include job satisfaction, values, families/friends, command/control, discipline (internal and external), and communication skills. The Machine-category encompasses the various design, maintenance, logistics, and other technical data related to the aircraft. The Media is the environment in which aircrew fly and includes factors and forces that are related to climactic, operational, hygienic conditions. The fourth category is the management. Management regulates standards, procedures, and controls.The interaction between the 4Ms Man, Media, Machine, and Management posit the desired outcome, or the Mission. When outcome fails to meet anticipated goals, these 5 Ms must be thoroughly reassessed (Civil Air Patrol). The Shell Model The factors that affect the outcome of each flight can be assessed under the trounce Model Software, Hardware, Environment, Liveware (outer ring) and Liveware (inner ring). Software is what makes the system work, and includes guidelines, reg ulations, operation specifications, and company policy and procedures.Hardware is the physical equipment that is obligatory for a flight to operate. The category Environment relates to the broad external context that can affect the flight or the pilot, and includes factors such as weather, g-forces, and ambient light. Liveware represents the human factors. The outer ring includes air traffic controllers, flight service briefers, dispatchers, other crewmembers, pilots of other aircraft, flight attendants.The inner ring is the most important part of the SHELL model and includes various variables affecting the competence and performance of the pilots (Shields 2002). The NTSB Findings The NTSB officials very early on in the investigation suggested the cause of the crash might be due to wake turbulence from an aircraft that departed earlier. However, many experts doubted that the light turbulence from such an encounter would register on the scale of the type of extreme turbulence that a ircraft support from atmospheric disturbances such as in the vicinity of thunderstorms.Commercial jets are built to withstand forces up to 2. 5 G-forces, while the turbulence that hit the plane was one tenth of a G-force barely strong enough to be even noticed (Dyer 2002). The Board then suggested that the composite vertical stabilizer may be faulty. However, this does not address the numerous reports of reliable witnesses, such as policemen and firemen, concerning fire and explosions coming from the aircraft before the vertical stabilizer ripped from the aircraft.Finally, after three years of investigations, National Transportation and pencil eraser Board stood by its wake turbulence hypothesis. However, it was only a triggering event. The report, under the heading Probable Cause placed most of the blame on the first office for his unnecessary and excessive rudder pedal inputs. It goes on to say, Contributing to these rudder pedal inputs were characteristics of the Airbus A300- 600 rudder system design and elements of the American Airlines Advanced Aircraft Maneuvering plan (NTSB 2004).The NTSBs conclusion was that the cause of the crash was the tail separating from the fuselage, which happened as a result of pilot placing loads on the tail that exceeded its ultimate limit which in turn was an outcome of pilots rudder movements. He put excessive pressure on the rudder pedal in response to the wake turbulence caused by the JAL flight that preceded them. But why did the pilot move the rudder pedals as aggressively as he did? This became an issue of great controversy.The NTSB report dwells on the previously observed dip of the first officer to place inappropriate pedal inputs, which in tandem with two other reasons, the deficient pilot training system and the defective Airbus rudder control system, resulted in a colossal disaster The Safety Boards investigation determined that three main factors influenced the first officers rudder use during the accident sequence a tendency to react aggressively to wake turbulence, as evidenced by his responses to previous wake turbulence encounters his pilot training, including the training he received at American Airlines regarding wake turbulence, upset recovery, and rudder pedal use and the characteristics of the A300-600 rudder control system. (NTSB 2004)These findings resulted in a mammoth row between Airbus and American Airlines is with Airbus contending that the first officers inappropriate response caused because of his improper training by American Airlines, and the American Airlines contending the Airbus rudder pedal system unusually sensitive.The NTSB RecommendationsThe NTSB report discusses several(prenominal) safety issues relevant to the Flight 587 disaster, focusing on characteristics of the A300-600 rudder control system design, A300-600 rudder pedal inputs at high airspeeds, aircraft-pilot coupling, flight operations at or beneath an airplanes design maneuvering speed, and upset recovery training programs. Airbus Industrie and American Airlines have acted upon industry-wide amendments to ensure safety of operation of aircraft.American Airlines continue to operate the Airbus A300, Airbus are self-assured of the structural and functional integrity of their plane although many AA pilots and those of other airlines sought transfer to supposedly much more stable Boeing airplanes in the wake of the disaster. completion New Yorkers may be resilient, But they have their breaking points, And they must be getting close to them. Like all of us, they want to believe That something like a shorting wire, Exploding fuel tank, or malfunctioning turbofan Is the reason at least 265 perished in Queens. L. D. Brodsky. (2002).The biggest unresolved issue in this entire tragic episode of Flight 587 crash were the flames and the explosions noted by over 50% of over 400 witnesses. In its report, the NTSB attributes them to either an initial release of fuel or the make of eng ine compressor surges. Both of them could have been caused due to out-of-control motion during the airplanes precipitous descent. However, one must remember that the airplane had just took over and was not at a great height, and most importantly that the witnesses observed the fire before anything else happened.In effect, the fire could not have been set off during the descent and as a result of the descent. Most of the witnesses are unequivocal about it and stand vehemently by their testimony to this day. Many quarters have felt that the NTSB prematurely declared the crash to be an accident and hastily concluded that the tail separation was the initiating event without adequate analysis of all the evidence, and especially without giving proper credence to witness testimony and later went on to bolster its convenient preconceived notions.Today, claims of NTSB cover-up and conspiracy theories pointing to terrorist involvement abound around this subject making the tragedy of flight 587 a lingering mystery.ReferencesBrodsky, L. D. (2002). Shadow War A Poetic Chronicle of September 11 and Beyond, Volume Two. St. Louis, Missouri Time Being Books Civil Air Patrol. Civil Air Patrol Guide to Operational Risk Management. Retrieved 3 March 2007 from www. orwg. cap. gov/Safety/CAPguidetoORM. pdf Dyer, N. (2002). The Mystery of Flight 587?What Caused the Crash of Flight 587? Science World. Feb 25 2002. Retrieved 3 March 2007 from http//www. findarticles. com/p/articles/mi_m1590/is_10_58/ai_83667600Manning, S. D. (2004). American Dream, A Search for Justice. New York A&M Publishing NTSB News (2001).American Airlines Flight 587. National Transportation and Safety Board. 12 November 2001. Retrieved 3 March 2007 from http//www. ntsb. gov/events/2001/AA587/default. htm NTSB News. (2002).Fourth Update on NTSB Investigation into Crash of American Airlines Flight 587. National Transportation and Safety Board. January 15, 2002. Retrieved 3 March 2007 from http//www. ntsb. gov /Pressrel/2002/020115. htm NTSB. (2004).Aircraft Accident Report. National Transportation and Safety Board. October 26, 2004. Retrieved 3 March 2007 from http//www. ntsb. gov/publictn/2004/AAR0404. pdf Shields. J. (2002).SHELL Model. Joshs Little Aviation Place on the Web. Retrieved 3 March 2007 from http//people. aero. und. edu/jshields/CRM/shell_model. htm

Part Three Chapter II

IIWha dyou wan?Terri Weedons shrunken body was dwarfed by her own doorway. She put claw- alike(p) hands on either jamb, trying to wangle herself more imposing, barring the entrance. It was eight in the morning Krystal had just left with Robbie.Wanna talk ter yeh, utter her sister. Broad and mannish in her white vest and tracksuit bottoms, Cheryl sucked on a cigarette and squinted at Terri through the smoke. Nana Caths died, she tell.Wha?Nana Caths died, repeated Cheryl loudly. Like you write outin care. still Terri had heard the first time. The news had hit her so hard in the moxie that she had asked to hear it again out of confusion.Are you blasted? demanded Cheryl, glaring into the taut and empty face.Fuck off. No, I aint.It was the truth. Terri had non employ that morning she had non used for three weeks. She took no pride in it there was no star chart pinned up in the kitchen she had managed longer than this before, months, even. Obbo had been away for the past fortnight, so it had been easier. But her works were still in the old biscuit tin, and the craving burned like an eternal flame inside her frail body.She died yesterday. Danielle ony fuckin bothered to lemme know this mornin, express Cheryl. An I were gonna go up the ospital an see er again today. Danielles after the ouse. Nana Caths ouse. Greedy bitch.Terri had not been inside the little terraced house on Hope lane for a long time, but when Cheryl spoke she saw, very vividly, the knick-knacks on the sideboard and the net curtains. She imagined Danielle there, pocketing things, ferreting in cupboards.Funerals Tuesday at nine, up the crematorium.Right, said Terri.Its our ouse as much as Danielles, said Cheryl. Ill tell er we wan our share. Sh alone I?Yeah, said Terri.She watched until Cheryls canary hair and tattoos had vanished around the corner, then retreated inside.Nana Cath dead. They had not spoken for a long time. Im washin my ands of yeh. Ive ad enough, Terri, Ive ad it. She had neve r stopped seeing Krystal, though. Krystal had become her blue-eyed girl. She had been to watch Krystal row in her stupid boat races. She had said Krystals name on her deathbed, not Terris.Fine, then, you old bitch. Like I care. likewise late now.Tight-chested and trembling, Terri moved through her stinking kitchen in search of cigarettes, but really craving the spoon, the flame and the needle.Too late, now, to say to the old lady what she ought to have said. Too late, now, to become again her Terri-Baby. Big girls dont cry big girls dont cry It had been years before she had realized that the meter Nana Cath had sung her, in her rasping smokers voice, was really Sherry Baby.Terris hands scuttled like vermin through the debris on the work tops, searching for fag packets, ripping them apart, conclusion them all empty. Krystal had p shearably had the last of them she was a greedy little cow, just like Danielle, riffling through Nana Caths possessions, trying to keep her death quiet from the rest of them.thither was a long ass lying on a greasy plate Terri wiped it off on her jersey and lit it on the gas cooker. inner(a) her head, she heard her own eleven-year-old voice.I wish you was my mummy.She did not want to remember. She leaned up against the sink, smoking, trying to look forward, to imagine the clash that was coming between her two ripened sisters. Nobody messed with Cheryl and Shane they were both handy with their fists, and Shane had put burning rags through some poor bastards letter box not so long ago it was wherefore hed done his last stretch, and he would still be inside if the house had not been empty at the time. But Danielle had weapons Cheryl did not money and her own home, and a landline. She knew official people and how to talk to them. She was the kind that had spare keys, and mysterious bits of paperwork.Yet Terri doubted that Danielle would get the house, even with her secret weapons. There were more than just the three of them Nana C ath had had fill of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. After Terri had been taken into care, her father had had more kids. Nine in total, Cheryl reckoned, to five different mothers. Terri had never met her half-siblings, but Krystal had told her that Nana Cath saw them.Yeah? she had retorted. I hope they rob her blind, the stupid old bitch.So she saw the rest of the family, but they werent exactly angels, from all that Terri had heard. It was only she, who had once been Terri-Baby, whom Nana Cath had cut adrift for ever.When you were straight, evil fantasys and memories came pouring up out of the darkness inside you buzzing black flies clinging to the insides of your skull.I wish you was my mummy.In the vest top that Terri was wearing today, her scarred arm, neck and speeding stake were fully exposed, swirled into unnatural folds and creases like melted ice cream. She had spent six weeks in the burns unit of South West General when she was eleven.(How did it happen, get lai d? asked the mother of the child in the next bed.Her father had thrown a pan of burning chip fat at her. Her Human League T-shirt had caught fire.Naccident, Terri muttered. It was what she had told everyone, including the social worker and the nurses. She would no sooner have shopped her father than chosen to burn alive. Her mother had walked out shortly after Terris eleventh birthday, leaving all three daughters behind. Danielle and Cheryl had moved in with their boyfriends families within days. Terri had been the only one left, trying to make chips for her father, clinging to the hope that her mother would come underpin. Even through the agony and the fright of those first days and nights in the hospital, she had been glad it had happened, because she was sure that her mum would hear about it and come and get her. Every time there was movement at the end of the ward, Terris heart would leap.But in six long weeks of pain and loneliness, the only visitor had been Nana Cath. Throug h quiet afternoons and evenings, Nana Cath had come to sit beside her granddaughter, reminding her to say give thanks you to the nurses, grim-faced and strict, yet leaking unexpected tenderness.She brought Terri a cheap plastic doll in a shiny black mac, but when Terri undressed her, she had nothing on underneath.Shes got no knickers, Nana.And Nana Cath had giggled. Nana Cath never giggled.I wish you was my mummy.She had wanted Nana Cath to take her home. She had asked her to, and Nana Cath had agreed. Sometimes Terri thought that those weeks in hospital had been the happiest of her life, even with the pain. It had been so safe, and people had been kind to her and looked after her. She had thought that she was going home with Nana Cath, to the house with the pretty net curtains, and not back to her father not back to the bedroom door flying open in the night, banging off the David Essex poster Cheryl had left behind, and her father with his hand on his fly, approaching the bed wher e she begged him not to )The adult Terri threw the smoking filter of the cigarette stub down onto the kitchen floor and strode to her front door. She needed more than nicotine. Down the path and along the street she marched, walking in the same direction as Cheryl. out(p) of the corner of her eye she saw them, two of her neighbours chatting on the pavement, watching her go by. Like a fucking picture? Itll last longer. Terri knew that she was a perennial battlefield of gossip she knew what they said about her they shouted it after her sometimes. The stuck-up bitch next door was forever whining to the council about the state of Terris garden. Fuck them, fuck them, fuck them She was jogging along, trying to outrun the memories.You dont even know who the father is, do yeh, yer whore? Im washin my ands of yeh, Terri, Ive ad enough.That had been the last time they had ever spoken, and Nana Cath had called her what everyone else called her, and Terri had responded in kind.Fuck you, then , you misfortunate old cow, fuck you.She had never said, You let me down, Nana Cath. She had never said, Why didnt you keep me? She had never said, I loved you more than anyone, Nana Cath.She hoped to God Obbo was back. He was supposed to be back today today or tomorrow. She had to have some. She had to.All righ, Terri?Seen Obbo? she asked the boy who was smoking and drinking on the wall outside the off licence. The scars on her back felt as though they were burning again.He shook his head, chewing, leering at her. She hurried on. Nagging thoughts of the social worker, of Krystal, of Robbie more buzzing flies, but they were like the staring neighbours, judges all they did not understand the terrible urgency of her need.(Nana Cath had collected her from the hospital and taken her home to the spare room. It had been the cleanest, prettiest room Terri had ever slept in. On each of the three evenings she had spent there, she had sat up in bed after Nana Cath had kissed her goodnight, a nd rearranged the ornaments beside her on the windowsill. There had been a tinkling bunch of glass flowers in a glass vase, a plastic pink paperweight with a shell in it and Terris favourite, a rearing pottery horse with a silly smiling on its face.I like horses, she had told Nana Cath.There had been a school trip to the agricultural show, in the days before Terris mother had left. The class had met a extensive black Shire covered in horse brasses. She was the only one brave enough to stroke it. The smell had intoxicated her. She had hugged its column of a leg, finis in the massive feathered white hoof, and felt the living flesh beneath the hair, while her teacher said, Careful, Terri, careful and the old man with the horse had smiled at her and told her it was quite safe, Samson wouldnt hurt a nice little girl like her.The pottery horse was a different colour yellow with a black mane and tail.You can ave it, Nana Cath told her, and Terri had known true ecstasy.But on the fourth morning her father had arrived.Youre comin home, he had said, and the look on his face had frightened her. Youre not stayin with that fuckin grassin old cow. No, you aint. No, you aint, you little bitch.Nana Cath was as frightened as Terri.Mikey, no, she kept bleating. Some of the neighbours were peering through the windows. Nana Cath had Terri by one arm, and her father had the other.Youre coming home with meHe blacked Nana Caths eye. He dragged Terri into his car. When he got her back to the house, he beat and kicked every bit of her he could reach.)Seen Obbo? Terri shouted at Obbos neighbour, from fifty yards away. Is e back?I dunno, said the woman, turning away.(When Michael was not beating Terri, he was doing the other things to her, the things she could not talk about. Nana Cath did not come any more. Terri ran away at thirteen, but not to Nana Caths she did not want her father to find her. They caught her anyway, and put her into care.)Terri thumped on Obbos door and waited. She tried again, but nobody came. She sank onto the doorstep, shaking and began to cry.Two truanting Winterdown girls glanced at her as they passed.Thas Krystal Weedons mum, one of them said loudly.The prozzie? the other replied at the top of her voice.Terri could not muster the strength to swear at them, because she was crying so hard. Snorting and giggling, the girls strode out of sight.Whore one of them called back from the end of the street.

Ethics Training Essay

Ethical training is aimed at fortune workers to incorporate a high degree of ethical standards in their daily lives as healthy as help the workers recognize their decisions ethical considerations (Lewis, Goodman, & Fandt, 2006). It enables the workers to understand the code of ethics as well as encouraging the workers to abide by the code of ethics.Nowadays, more organizations are providing ethics training to their workers in addition to providing a code of ethics. The ethics training is meant to reinforce the code of ethics and it greatly enhances the ethical manner of workers in an organization. To begin with, ethics training programs are useful in helping workers to avoid rationalizations which are oftenly utilize to justify unethical behaviors (Lewis, Goodman, & Fandt, 2006).Some of the rationalizations used to justify misconducts in organizations embroil the argument that the actionivity being undertaken is in the interest of the organization, the reasoning that one will never be found out, and the reasoning that the act is not exactly illegal (Lewis, Goodman, & Fandt, 2006). Secondly, ethical training provides workers with a general framework which the employees preempt use to deal with the ethical issues that they encounter (Lewis, Goodman, & Fandt, 2006).This enables the workers to practice ethic ally as before workers act they are required to identify consequences and analyze options. In addition, ethics training provides a forum where employees and the management can discuss about the ethical dilemmas that the employees are facing and following this the employees are given guidance on how to approach the dilemmas by applying the ethical policies of the companies thus helping the employees avoid unethical behavior (Lewis, Goodman, & Fandt, 2006).Lastly, ethics training programs are useful in helping managers and supervisors to practice self discipline especially when it comes to decision making when faced with difficult situations (Lewis, Good man, & Fandt, 2006). For an ethics training program to be effective, there are things that need to be included in the program. One of these is an interactive academic term where the employees are given an opportunity to ask questions about the ethical dilemmas they may be facing and have the questions answered (Ferrel & Fraedrich, 2006). The cases could in addition be fictional.The other thing to include in an ethics training program is a code of ethics. An ethics training program should be aimed at communicating the contents of a attach tos code of ethics to the employees (Ferrel & Fraedrich, 2006). This is done face to face and should also explain the importance of ethical behavior. An ethics training program should include all the organizations employees. Both the employees and the managers should undergo ethical training as the training would be of little importance if the leaders do not act as role models of ethical behavior (Ferrel & Fraedrich, 2006).In addition, this can d emoralize the employees who behave ethically as they feel that the companys policies are not being employed equally. The training methods used to train should also be interesting and could include things such as videos, posters, and group discussions (Ferrel & Fraedrich, 2006). The training program should also include education on the importance of values as well as education on the importance of compliance with laws and rules with the aim of inspiring principled behavior among employees (Ferrel & Fraedrich, 2006).For example managers can be informed about questions that according to the law are illegal to ask interviewees. It is also important to incorporate a decision making model which is a set of questions to help the employees make ethical decisions (Ferrel & Fraedrich, 2006). References Ferrel, O. C. & Fraedrich, J. (2006). Business ethics Ethical decision making and cases (7th ed. ). Florence, KY Cengage Learning. Lewis, P. S. , Goodman, S. H. , & Fandt, P. M. (2006). Managem ent Challenges for tomorrows leaders (5th ed. ). Mason, OH Thomsom Learning.

Storm Born Chapter Two

Wil Delaney was in his early twenties, with straw-yellow hair in need of a haircut. He had pasty white skin and wore wire-rimmed glasses. When I showed up at his house the next morning, he had to undo closely twenty locks before he could leave the door, and charge then, he would only peek out with the security chain in place.Yes? he asked suspiciously.I put on my business face. Im Odile. Lara set up our appointment?He studied me. Youre younger than I thought youd be. A moment later, he closed the door and undid the chain. The door opened again, and he us here(predicate)d me inside.I glanced nigh as I entered, ta magnate in stacks and stacks of books and newspapers and a definite lack of light. Kind of dark in here.Cant open the blinds, he explained. You never chouse wholl be watching.Oh. salutary. What about the lights?He shook his head. Youd be amazed how much radiation lights and other electrical devices emit. Its whats making cancer strickle to the woods rampant in our s ociety.Oh.We sat at his kitchen t up to(p), and he explained to me why he thought his sister had been abducted by the gentry. I had a hard time hide my skepticism. It wasnt ilk this kind of thing was unheard of, yet I was starting to pick up on Laras schizo vibe. It was highly possible that the gentry could simply pose been a figment of his imagination.This is her. He brought me a five-by-seven picture showing him and a pretty girl leaning into each other against a grassy backdrop. taken just before the abduction.Shes cute. And young. Does shedid shelive with you?He nodded. Our parents died about five years ago. I got custody of her. Not much different than how it used to be.What do you con none?Bitterness crossed that neurotic face, an odd juxtaposition. Our dad was forever and a day off on nigh business trip, and our mom kept sleeping or so on him. So its al mightily smarts just sort of been Jasmine and me.And what delivers you think she was taken by gen fairies?The ti ming, he explained. It happened on Halloween. Samhain Eve. Thats one of the biggest nights for abductions and hauntings, you know. Data supports it. The walls between the worlds open.He sounded like he was reciting from a textbook. Or the Internet. Sometimes I thought Internet access was like putting guns in the hands of toddlers. I tried not to cast my eyes as he rambled. I didnt actually need a layman explaining remedial in get toation to me.Yeah, I know all that. except a helping of scary people humans roam around on Halloween too. And lots of other times. I dont suppose you reported it to the police?I did. They werent able to turn up anything, not that I really require them. I knew what had happened because of the location. The place she runed. That was what make me know fairies did it.Where?This one park. She was at a party with nearly(prenominal) kids from school. They had a bonfire in the woods, and they maxim her wander off. The police traced her tracks to this cl earing, and then they just furloughped. And you know what was there? He gave me a dramatic look, evidently tack to impress me. I didnt give him the satisfaction of asking the obvious question, so he answered it for me. A fairy ring. A perfect circle of flowers growing in the grass.It happens. Flowers do that.He shot up from the table, incredulity all over his face. You dont believe meI worked hard to observe my face as blank as a new canvas. You could wee painted a picture on it.Its not that I dont believe what youre describing, but there are a lot more mundane explanations. A girl alone in the woods could confound been abducted by any number of things or people.They said you were the best, he told me, like it was well-nigh kind of argument. They said you kick paranormal ass all the time. Youre the real deal.What I can or cant do isnt relevant. I need to make sure were on the practiced track. Youre asking me to cross physically into the Otherworld. I almost never do that. It s dangerous.Wil sat back master, face desperate. Look, Ill do anything at all. I cant let her stay there with those with those things. Name your price. I can pay anything you hope.I glanced around curiously, taking in the books on UFOs and Bigfoot. Uhwhat exactly do you do for a living?I run a blog.I waited for more, but apparently that was it. Somehow I suspected that generated less money than even Tim made. Hmphf. Bloggers. I didnt get why everyone and their brother thought the world valued to read their thoughts onwell, nothing. If I wanted to be subjected to meaningless blather, Id watch realism television.He was still looking at me pleadingly, with big blue puppy dog eyes. I nearly groaned. When had I grown so soft? Didnt I want people to think of me as some cold and calculating shamanic mercenary? Id vanquished a keres yesterday. Why was this sob story getting to me?It was in reality because of the keres, I sort outd. That stupid sexual suggestion had been so revolting to me that I just couldnt erase the image of little Jasmine Delaney being some gentrys plaything. Because thats what she would be, though Id never insure Wil that. The gentry liked human women. A lot.Can you take me to the park she disappeared from? I asked at last. Ill get a better sense if fairies really were involved.Of course, it actually turned out that I took him because I quickly decided I wasnt going to let him drive me anywhere. Having him as a passenger taxed me enough. He fagged the first half of the ride slathering some really thick sunscreen all over him. I guess you had to take precautions when you lived in a undermine and finally emerged into the light.Skin cancers on the rise, he explained. Especially with the depletion of the ozone layer. Tanning salons are killing people. No one should go outside without some kind of bulwark especially here.That I actually agreed with. Yeah. I wear sunscreen too.He eyed my light tan askance. Are you sure?Well, hey, its Arizon a. Hard not to get some sun. I mean, sometimes I manner of walking to the mailbox without sunscreen, but most of the time I try to put it on.Try, he scoffed. Does it defend against UVB rays?Um, I dont know. I mean, I guess. I never burn. It smells pretty good too.Not good enough. Most sunscreens go forth protect from UVA rays only. barely even if you dont burn, the UVB rays will still get through. Those are the real killers. Without adequate protection, you can probably expect an early death from melanoma or some other form of skin cancer.Oh. I hoped we got to the park soon.When wed almost reached it, a traffic light stopped us under an overpass. I didnt think anything of it, but Wil shifted nervously.I unceasingly hate being stopped under these. You never know what could happen in an earthquake.I again schooled myself to neutrality. Wellits been awhile since our last earthquake around here. Yeah. Like, never.You just never know, he warned ominously.Our arrival couldnt have com e a moment too soon. The park was green and woodsy, someones idiotic attempt to defy the laws of gray Arizonas climate. It probably cost the city a fortune in water. He led me along the trail that went to Jasmines abduction spot. As we approached it, I saw something that suddenly made me put more credence in his story. The trail intersected another one at a perfect cross. A crossroads, often a gate to the Otherworld. No circle of flowers grew here now, but as I approached that junction, I could feel a slight thinness between this world and the other one.Who knew? I murmured, mentally testing the walls. It wasnt a very strong spot, truthfully. I doubted much could pass here from either world right now. alone on a witches Sabbath like Samhainwell, this place could very well be an open doorway. Id have to let Roland know so we could apprehension it when the next sabbat rolled around.Well? Wil asked.This is a hot spot, I admitted, stressful to figure out how to proceed. It appeared I was zero for two in gauging the credibility of these last two clients, but when 90 percent of my queries were false leads, I tended to keep a healthy dose of skepticism on hand.Will you help me then?Like I said, this really isnt my thing. And even if we decide she was taken to the Otherworld, I have no idea where to look for her. Its as big as ours.Shes being held by a king named Aeson.I spun around from where Id been staring at the crossroads. How the hell do you know that?A sprite told me.A sprite.Yeah. He used to work for this guy Aeson. He ran remote and wanted revenge. So he sold the information to me.Sold it?He needed money to put down a deposit on an apartment in Scottsdale.It sounded ludicrous, but it wasnt the first time Id heard of Otherworldly creatures trying to set up shop in the human world. Or of groundless people who wanted to live in Scottsdale.When did this happen?Oh, a a couple of(prenominal) days ago. He made it sound like a visit from the UPS guy.So. You wer e gravely approached by a sprite and only now thought to mention it?Wil shrugged. Some of the sunscreen hed missed rubbing in showed on his chin. It kind of reminded me of kindergarten paste. Well, Id already cognize she was taken by fairies. This just sort of confirmed it. He was actually the one who mentioned you. Said you killed one of his cousins. Then I found some locals that backed up the story.I studied Wil. If he hadnt look intomed so hapless, I almost wouldnt have believed any of this. nevertheless it smacked too much of truth for him to be making it up. What did he call me?Huh?When he told you about me. What name did he give you?Wellyour name. Odile. But there was something else tooEunice?Eugenie?Yeah, that was it. I paced irritably around the clearing. The second of two Otherworldly denizens to know my name in as many days. That was not good. Not good at all. And now one of them was trying to get Wil to lure me into the Otherworld. Or was it truly a lure? Sprites were nt really known for being criminal masterminds. If Id killed his cousin, I suppose he qualification hope some other motivated creature would take me down.So what? Are you going to help me now?I dont know. Ive got to think on it, check up on some stuff.But but Ive shown you and told you everything Dont you see how real this is? You have to help me Shes only fifteen, for Gods sake.Wil, I said calmly, I believe you. But its not that simple.I meant it. It wasnt so simple, no matter how much I wanted it to be. I hated Otherworldly inference more than I hated anything else. Taking a teenage girl was the ultimate violation. I wanted to make the guilty party pay for this. I wanted to make them suffer. But I couldnt cross over with guns blazing. Getting myself killed would do none of us any good. I needed more information before I could proceed.You have to No, I snapped, and this time my voice wasnt so neutral. I do not have to do anything, do you understand? I make my own choices and ta ke my own jobs. Now, Im very sorry about your sister, but Im not jumping into this just yet. As Lara told you, I dont generally do jobs that take me into the Otherworld. If I take this one, itll be after careful deliberation and question-asking. And if I dont take it, then I dont take it. End of story. Got it?He swallowed and nodded, cowed by the fierce tone in my voice. It was not unlike the one I used on spirits, but I felt only a little bit bad about scaring Wil with it. He had to prepare himself for the highly likely possibility that I would not do this for him, no matter how much we some(prenominal) wanted it.On the way infrastructure, I swung by my moms place, wanting to talk to Roland. Sunset threw reddish-orange light onto their house, and the scent of her flower garden filled the air. It was the familiar smell of safety and childhood. When I walked into the kitchen, I didnt see her anywhere, which was probably just as well. She tended to get upset when Roland and I talke d shop.He sat at the table working on a exemplar airplane. Id laughed when he picked up this hobby after retiring from shamanism, but it had recently occurred to me it wasnt so different from working puzzles. God only knew what stuff Id find to keep me busy when I retired. I had the uneasy feeling Id make a good candidate for cross-stitching.His face broke into a smile when he saw me, making laugh lines appear around the eyes of the weathered face I loved. His hair was a bright silver-white, and hed managed to keep most of it. I was five-eight, and he was only a little taller than me. But despite that height, he was solidly built and hadnt lost muscle with age. He might be pushing sixty, but I had a feeling he could still do some serious damage.Roland took one look at my face and gestured me to a chair. Youre not here to ask about Idaho. I hadnt really understood their recent vacation choice, but whatever.Giving him a quick kiss, I held my arms around him for a moment. I didnt love many people in this world or any other but him I would have died for. No. Im not. But how was it besides?Fine. Its not important. Whats wrong?I smiled. That was Roland. Always ready for business. If my mom would have let him, I suspected hed still be out there fighting, right by my side.Just got a job offer. A spiritual one.I proceeded to tell him all about Wil and Jasmine, about the evidence Id found for her abduction. I alike added in Wils bit of information about this Aeson guy.Ive heard of him, said Roland.What do you know?Not a lot. Never met him, never fought him. But hes strong, I know that much.This gets better and better.He eyed me carefully. Are you thinking about doing it?I eyed him back. Maybe.Thats a bad idea, Eugenie. A very bad idea.There was a dark tone in his voice that surprised me. Id never known him to back down from any danger, especially one where an innocent was involved.Shes just a kid, Roland.I know, and we both know that the gentry get away with takin g women every year. Most dont ever get recovered. The dangers too high. Thats the way it is.I felt my ire rising. Funny how someone telling you not to do something can talk you into it. Well, heres one we can get back. We know where she is.He rub have sex his eyes a little, flashing the tattoos that marked his arms. My tattoos depicted goddesses his were of whirls, crosses, and fish. He had his own set of gods to appeal to or in this case, God. We all invoked the divine differently.This isnt a drop-in and drop-out thing, he warned. Itll take you right into the heart of their society. Youve never been that deep. You dont know what its like.And you do? I asked sarcastically. When he didnt answer, I felt my eyes widen. When?He waved a hand of dismissal. That doesnt matter. What matters is that if you go over in body, youll get yourself killed or captured. I wont let you do that.You wont let me? Come on. You cant send me to my room anymore. Besides, Ive gone over lots of times before.I n spirit. Your substance time over in bodys probably been less than ten minutes. He shook his head in a wise, condescending way. That irked me. The young never realize how foolish something is.And the old never realize when they need to step aside and let the younger and stronger do their jobs. The words came out before I could stop them, and I immediately felt mean. Roland merely regarded me with a level look.You think youre stronger than me now?I didnt even hesitate. We both know I am.Yes, he agreed. But that doesnt give you the right to go get yourself killed over a girl you dont even know.I stared at him in surprise. We werent exactly fighting, but this attitude was weird for him. Hed married my mom when I was three and adopted me shortly thereafter. The father-daughter bond burned in both of us, obliterating any longing I might have had for the birth father Id never known. My mom almost never spoke about him. Theyd had some sort of whirlwind romance, I knew, but in the end, he didnt want to stick it out not for her, not for me.Roland would have done anything for me, kept me away from any harm that he could except when it came to my job. When hed realized I could walk worlds and cast out spirits, hed started training me, and my mother hated him for it. They were the most loving couple Id ever met, but that choice had nearly broken them apart. Theyd stayed together in the end, but shed never been happy about what I did. Roland, however, saw it as a duty. Destiny, even. I wasnt like one of those silly people in the movies who could see dead people and go crazy from it. I easily could have ignored my abilities. But as far as Roland was concerned, that was a sin. To neglect ones commerce was a waste, especially when it meant others would suffer. So he tried to treat me as objectively as he would any other apprentice, fighting his personal feelings.Yet, for some reason now, he wanted to hold me back. Weird. Id come here for strategy and ended up on the defe nsive.I changed the subject abruptly, telling him about how the keres had known my name. He cut me a look, not wanting to drop the Jasmine topic. My moms car pulled in just then, giving me a temporary victory. With a sigh and a look of warning, he told me not to worry about the name. It happened sometimes. His had eventually gotten out too, and little had come of it.My mom came into the kitchen, and shamanic business disappeared. Her face so like mine, down to the shape and high cheekbones put on a smile as warm as Rolands. Only hers was tinged with something a little different. She always carried a unadulterated concern for me. Sometimes I thought it simply had to do with what I did for a living. Yet, shed had that worry ever since I was little, like I might disappear on her at any moment. Maybe it was just a mom thing.She placed a paper bag on the counter and began putting away groceries. I knew she knew what I was doing there, but she chose to ignore it.You going to stay for d inner? she asked. I think youve lost weight.She has not, said Roland.Shes too skinny, complained my mom. Not that Id mind a little of that.I smiled. My mom looked amazing.You need to eat more, she continued.I eat, like, three candy bars a day. Im not depriving myself of calories. I walked over and poked her in the arm. find out it, youre being all momlike. Smart, professional moms arent supposed to be that way.She cut me a look. Im a therapist. I have to be twice as momlike.In the end, I stayed for dinner. Tim was a great cook, but nothing could ever really replace my moms food. While we ate, we talked about their vacation in Idaho. Neither Jasmine nor the keres ever came up.When I finally got back home, I found Tim getting ready to go out with a gaggle of giggling girls. He was in full pseudo-Indian regalia, complete with a bead head wrap and buckskin vest.Greetings, Sister Eugenie, he said, holding up a palm like he was in some sort of Old west movie. Join us. Were going to a co ncert over in Davidson Park, so that we may commune with the Great Spirits gift of springtime whilst letting the sacred measuring stick of the music course through our souls.No thanks, I said, brushing past him and going straight to my room.A moment later, he followed sans girls.Oh, come on, Eug. Its gonna be a blast. Weve got a cooler of beer and everything.Sorry, Tim. I dont really feel like being a squaw tonight.Thats a derogatory term.I know it is. Very much so. But your bleach-blond posse out there doesnt deserve much better. I eyed him askance. Dont even think about bringing any of them back here tonight.Yeah, yeah, I know the rules. He flounced into my wicker chair. So what are you going to do instead? Shop on the Internet? Work puzzles?Id actually been thinking of doing both those things, but I wasnt about to tell him that.Hey, Ive got stuff to do.Fuck, Eugenie. Youre becoming a hermit. I almost miss Dean. He was an asshole, but at least he got you out of the house.I made a face. Dean was my last boyfriend wed broken up six months ago. The split had been kind of unexpected for both of us. I hadnt expected to find him screwing his real estate agent, and he hadnt expected to get caught. I knew now I was better off without him, but some niggling part always wondered what about me had made him lose interest. Not exciting enough? Pretty enough? Good enough in bed?Some things are worse than staying home alone, I muttered. Dean is one of them.Timothy? one of the girls called from the living room. Are you coming?One moment, gentle flower, he hollered back. To me he said, You sure you wanna hole up here all night? It isnt really healthy to be away from people so much.Im fine. Go applaud your flowers.He shrugged and left. Once by myself, I fixed a sandwich and shopped on the Internet, exactly as hed predicted. It was followed by a puzzle depicting an M. C. Escher drawing. A bit harder than the kitten.Halfway through, I found myself staring at the puzzle pieces without seeing them. Rolands quiet, fierce words played over in my head. Let Jasmine Delaney go. Everything hed told me had been true. move this was the smart thing to do. The safe thing to do. I knew I should listen to himyet some part of me kept thinking of the young, smiling face Wil had shown me. Angrily, I shoved some of the puzzle pieces aside. This job wasnt supposed to be about gray moral decisions. It was black and white. Find the bad guys. Kill or banish. Go home at the end of the day.I stood up, suddenly no longer wanting to be alone. I didnt want to be left with my own thoughts. I wanted to be out with people. Clarification I didnt want to talk to people, I just wanted to be around them. Lost in the crowd. I needed to see my own kind warm, living and breathing humans, not undead spirits or magic-infused gentry. I wanted to remember which side of the fence I was on. to a greater extent important, I wanted to forget Jasmine Delaney. At least for tonightI threw on some j eans and the first bra and shirt I could find. My rings and bracelets always stayed on me, but I added a moonstone necklace that hung low in the shirts V-neck. I brushed my long hair into a high ponytail, missing a few strands. A dab of lipstick, and I was ready to go. Ready to lose myself. Ready to forget.