Done some looking around in my local market and haven’t been able to find a comparable car for cheaper.

The fight continues, but something feels off to John. Is his intuition correct? And where does the fight? I hope you enjoy!
The next chapter will be out on Monday. Today is LeMan's, which means i am going to be doing a whole lot of nothing besides watch the race. I am hoping to get a few chapters written. If I get enough done I am hoping to go back to 3 chapters/week so we can wrap up the story at the end of the month.
Terran Space Story: The Lieutenant Saga
Academy Days First Previous Next

Chapter 120: Murphy’s Law Strikes Back

45 Minutes Later. March 20th, 2267. 04:57 Tau Ceti Prime’s Moon
The Icarus was taking fire from all sides. But her point defense weaponry was doing a stellar job of eliminating the incoming threats. The remaining pirate ships had begun to fall back to their fleet’s command ship to aid in her defense.
Though that number was shockingly small, the kill ratios of the frigate squadrons were absurdly high. The assistance was desperately needed as the sheer number of projectiles that were incoming was more than the Icarus and her friendly cruisers could handle. There was a problem with that strategy though, the pirate ships were densely, relatively speaking, packed together.
“Not many rounds are getting through,” Willy said, “There are so many overlapping defenses that barely anything is getting through.”
“Keep secondary rail turrets aimed at their critical systems,” John said, “Change targets on our forward ones to their remaining cruisers and support ships. Tessa, advise the fleet to conserve their missiles and torpedoes.”
“Aye aye,” Tessa said.
John began to look at his fleet’s remaining armaments. They weren’t critically low on missiles yet, but they were at sub-optimal levels. The fight could continue but any hope of overloading their targeting systems would not happen.
Six pirate vessels blew up one after another in short succession. Withering rail gun fire caused each of the explosions. Two cruisers and four frigates of theirs ceased to be in the span of a pair of heartbeats. This reduced the amount of anti-missile fire but even with those new losses, there was still an overwhelming amount of it left.
The way the pirates were regrouping was also weighing his mind. This was clearly a delaying tactic. Delaying for what though?
“What are they waiting for? Why aren’t they retreating?” Ingrid asked innocently.
“Order the fleet to begin pulling away from the enemies,” John said, “This doesn’t feel right.”
“Spidey sense tingling?” Walter said from behind him, “That’s a ripe environment for targets though.”
“That it is, but it’s too ripe. Barbara, all ahead flank. I don’t like this at all,” John looked over at Tessa, “Hail Oscar, have they detected any coded transmissions?”
“Contacting the Basilone now, sir,” Tessa said as she looked down at her console.
“The fleet is repositioning itself. The pirates are pursuing one of the frigate squadrons,” Willy said.
“Tessa, advise the Orlando to break off at flank speeds, and disengage from combat entirely,” John said as he stroked his chin, “What is their play?”
“Gotta be reinforcements, but they aren’t in real space and there are no messages being exchanged,” Chester said from the rear of the bridge.
“The Basilone isn’t reporting communications being sent anywhere,” Tessa said, “Orlando has confirmed receipt of orders and is breaking away from combat.”
“Are you always this discouraged when things go your way, Captain?” Ingrid sounded almost pained to ask the question.
“Sometimes the enemy is stupid, and they gift you stuff. Something stinks about this situation, no matter how dire it feels for them. Are any of our ships in range of one of their small ship’s wrecks?” John asked.
“We are, there’s a corvette twenty thousand klicks off our starboard side,” Willy said, “Increasing scan resolution. What am I looking for?”
“Recent signs of life. Organic molecules,” John said, “Basically I want to know if those small ships were manned or unmanned.”
Willy looked frustrated working with the scanners. The oftentimes violent, evasive maneuvers made it difficult to keep the scanners focused on the target to do their work. Five minutes of painful frustration later he had an answer.
“That corvette had a crew of four people. Should be the minimum necessary to operate a ship like that.”
“Something doesn’t feel right here. ETA on our reinforcements?” John grumbled about his question.
“Ten hours, they are pushing as hard as they can,” Tessa said, “Eight hours is a possibility if things calm down.”
“Plan on ten then,” Walter said, “If things get heavy on our end you know it’s not going to be smooth sailing for reinforcements.”
“Too right,” John quipped, “How do we avoid…”
“CONTACTS!” Willy shouted, “Twelve slip space ruptures forming!”
“Advise all ships to fall back to the shipyards. Delta contingency plan is now in effect,” John said as he stood up from his chair, “Barbara, we need to draw them to us. Change heading to one-four-six, flank speed.”
“Sir?” Barbara was surprised by the order.
She still inputted it in but hadn’t activated it. John simply nodded at her. While it was an unusual command she trusted in her captain. The change in course was laid in, the Waukesha adjusted its course rapidly and steamed towards the mass of pirate ships. And the nearest four slip space ruptures that were belching out pirate vessels.
“We’re going to draw them away from our forces. I got our fleet into this new mess, which means I am getting this ship and all of you properly stuck into this fight,” John said calmly, “Walter, weapons free, launch anything and everything you’ve got. Do as much damage as possible to draw their ire at us, not our compatriots. Barbara, take us in as low as you can to the moon’s surface. We need to be screaming fast.”
“Understood.”
John walked back to his chair and sat down. Ingrid looked at him and was surprised at how non-emotional he appeared. Her heart was racing, emotions were flooding her senses. Yet there her captain was calm as ever.
That was not the truth at all. Internally John knew that the Waukesha was most likely properly fucked. Their speed and momentum would help them immensely, but the moon was large. It wasn’t going to be of much use to avoid enemy fire. It was all they had though, if they didn’t die in the next ten minutes then John figured they stood about an eighty percent chance of living through to the next day.
The odds of surviving the next ten minutes, however, weren’t great. Though their allies did them a solid by conducting a fighting withdrawal. Lances and rail gun fire continued to pound the pirate fleet. Their reinforcements took casualties almost immediately upon fully transitioning back to real space.
John looked at the tactical display and began his cold calculations. Ingrid had noticed him typing on the holographic keyboard. She didn’t catch what precisely he was doing, but it seemed like that was but one more thing in a long list of things John had planned and accounted for.
“Chief, all reserve power to forward shields,” John said pressing the intercom button to main engineering, “Shit’s going to get bumpy momentarily.”
Grumbling was the only reply that was given. But the order was fully complied with. All available power was rerouted to the kinetic and electromagnetic shields. In just the nick of time too.
Dozens of lances and laser battery volleys came towards the Waukesha. Some were dissipated by the shields. Most flew by the large cruiser harmlessly. Truth be told, John wasn’t worried about these weapons. It was unlikely that they would do any lasting damage to the Waukesha.
Rail guns were the weapons that John was worried about. At least the scariest guns in the pirate fleet were knocked out of commission. But there were an awfully large number of those pesky guns in the pirate fleet. And more ships continue to stream into real space. The one thing working in favor is that despite the large quantity of guns they were all relatively small caliber, not meant for hunting such large game.
“Barbara, that course is going to have to work,” John said calmly, “Walter, weapons are still free, fire at will.”
“Been doing that for a while now, sir,” Walter grinned, “This is a weapon’s officers wet dream.”
“Ewww,” Tessa said from her console.
“Seconding that,” John grinned, “He’s not technically wrong though. That is a target-rich environment.”
Every single one of her rail turrets was volley-firing as soon as new rounds were loaded. To an outside observer, it would be an impressive sight. The pirates were hard-pressed to do anything to the angry cruiser. It deftly avoided most of their fire, and what ordinance that was fired true did little to nothing to impede them.
The pirate frigates and cruisers had been brutally battered. The angry cruiser in front of them was terrifyingly accurate. Those that were coming in as reinforcements were forced to hold fire for worry of friendly fire and couldn’t maneuver their bows into a firing solution that worked. Luck, it seems, was on the Waukesha’s side during their mad dash through the new pirate fleet.
In fact, dozens of railgun rounds from the pirate corvettes had struck the Waukesha’s shields. Through the grace of God, her shields held together. But each round wore down her shields bit by bit. They were barely halfway through the pirate fleet and the Waukesha was dying slowly from a thousand cuts.
They were successful in drawing all eyes onto them. The pirate ships that had gone after the other retreating Confederate ships turned back, yet another wave the Waukesha had to successfully fight through before they were free.
“Waukesha, new contacts, adjust course to three-one-six, down forty,” radioed the communications officer from the Basilone, “Previously unseen and unaccounted for pirate forces.”
Barbara shook her head as she furiously entered course corrections, “No no no no.”
“Walter, fire a full salvo of multi missiles, set release point to be five hundred klicks off the bow,” John said.
“Aye aye.”
“You’re hoping to confuse…” Ingrid began to say before the Waukesha shook violently.
“Aft kinetic shields have buckled. Round impacted on the round. Looks to be a cruiser round.”
“ETA on getting out of this fucking mess,” John asked politely and calmly.
“Five minutes,” Barbara took a deep breath.
“Focus, keep driving ahead,” John said before clicking on the intercom button, “Chief, I want a process that will automatically kick in if the main drive cone is knocked out of commission. We need thrust.”
“Already done captain,” Marty said.
“FUCKING BOOM!” Walter shouted, “The Flock of Abraham just ate it.”
“Good fucking riddance,” Walter said.
The viewscreen zoomed in on the large cruiser. A large blue explosion was all that remained of the one-time Alliance cruiser. Her shields had been shredded during the initial attack. Walter had made it a point to pepper the poor ship with more fire on their way. A parting gift of sorts.
One more well-known ally of the Icarus had been put down. The pirates would at this point be frothing at the mouth. John’s fleet had successfully driven them mad with revenge. More than that, live or die, the Icarus was greatly diminished in influence. Her oldest and best supporters had now either been atomized or turned into scrap metal and human popsicles.
If the Waukesha was destined for death this day, she was going down kicking and screaming. That was the fourteenth ship kill she had chalked up during this desperate dash to freedom. The more they weaved through and around masses of ships, without dying, the more John began to believe they would not die on this day.
“Walter, if you can pop off any shots at the Icarus, target here,” John shared some tactical data through his armrest console to his weapons officer.
“I’ll let the VI create another subroutine and pop off a few rounds,” Walter said, “If we take out enough slip generators, we will be keeping her in the system.”
“More of the smaller ships are beginning to follow us. Their capital ships don’t have the acceleration or momentum to keep up with us. It’s only a matter of time until they overtake us though,” Willy said.
“Tessa, has the Orlando messaged us yet?”
“They have…” Tessa paused, “'In position' was their…”
The Waukesha rolled over unexpectedly. She had suffered a massive impact, several kinetic shielding arrays flared out as they had been overloaded. Despite the advancements made in anti-gravity plating and internal inertia dampers, everyone felt the ship suddenly spin. Five to eight G’s were felt throughout the ship.
As it finished its second roll the engines fired up again and slowly corrected the spin. The downside was they were now heading back in toward the pirates that they were trying to outrun. More time, and desperately, more momentum was lost.
“Fuck fuck fuck fuck,” Barbara said as she scrambled to adjust the ship’s course,” Gotta keep up our momentum.”
“So yeah, that was the primary drive cone. She gone,” Marty said dryly over the intercom, “You still have full power and full speed available to you though.”
The Waukesha was rattled two more times. Two of the three aft rail turrets suffered glancing blows. The armor held but was now weakened. One of the turrets didn’t have the benefit of kinetic shields anymore.
“Scratch two more wee ones,” Walter said, “We’re a couple of minutes from being swarmed.”
“Their capital ships no longer have a line of sight on us. We are out of range of their guns now.”
John nodded, “Good, Barbara, kill the main engines and flip us around. I don’t want the mosquitos pecking at our drives. Use maneuvering thrusters to keep us on course.”
“We’re going to bleed…” Barbara said as she looked at her console, then reverified what it was she was seeing, “Bloody brilliant, we’re going to use the moon to increase our speed.”
“We’re still bleeding some momentum but it’s a necessary evil. Also, I’d appreciate it if you keep us from beaching the ship though. That might not end well for us,” John said calmly, “Walter, begin picking off the lead ship one after another.”
The crew did as they were told. The Waukesha rolled over. The forward kinetic shields were still not only active but only lightly damaged. None of her shielding arrays had survived unscathed. Proof positive was looking at all the pot markets in her armor plates.
She had survived. But she was still being doggedly pursued. It didn’t seem to matter how many of the diminutive, relatively speaking of course, ships she ended. The swarm seemed to be getting larger and larger.
The lances and laser batteries looked like an automatic rifles with how quickly they were firing off shots. That the lances could still shoot was fairly impressive. That they were still accurate was just another check John had managed to get God to cash. The rail guns were the tried and tested weapon of the day. Her turrets unleashed hell with each volley.
“We’re going to be intercepted in thirty seconds,” Willy said.
“Barbara, what is the ETA for our arrival at the waypoint?”
“Forty-five seconds.”
“Once they overtake us angle our ass end to the moon. Walter, focus all of our fire behind us. Don’t worry about the ships that overtake us,” John paused, “And if they get in tight make sure the VIs will use our point defense weapons against them.”
“Uh, sure, captain. But we are going to have to deal with the swarm that overtakes us.”
“Please follow my orders,” John almost sighed as he remained stoic in his chair.
Thirty seconds later the swarm of corvettes and shuttles from the pirates finally overtook the Waukesha. True to his orders, the ship reoriented itself using its maneuvering thrusters. It kept the weakest part of the ship facing the moon. While there was a fair amount of space between it and the surface of the barren moon, none of the pirates had opted for that intercepting route.
But in overtaking the Waukesha, the small ships were bruised and battered. The kill total continued to increase with every volley fired. Walter, and his VI, were deadly accurate. They were firing weapons designed to take on other cruisers and frigates. The caliber of the weapons was akin to using a bazooka to go deer hunting.
“There’s no kill like overkill,” John said quietly as he watched one ship after another be eliminated from the tactical display.
“Our K/D ratio is out-fucking-standing,” Walter said with a menacing glee from his weapons station.
“The problem is they can slow us down enough for…” Ingrid smiled and let out a deep breath of relief.
An unholy amount of incoming fire was directed at the pirates from ahead of them. Fifty of the pirate vessels that were pursuing them were instantly deleted. What was once a swarm had been drastically reduced. Almost as if a semi drove through the swarm.
“Tessa, please give the Orlando and her squadron my, and our, thanks,” John said as he stood up, “Walter, I don’t want to see those gnats around us anymore.”
“Eliminating the bugs, captain.”
“Barbara, all ahead full. Take us to the shipyard. It’s time to begin duct tape repairs. We’re going back at them soon.”
“How in the hell did you know they’d be there?” Ingrid asked incredulously.
John smiled as he exhaled, “I sent them a message when they bugged out. Kinda figured we’d need some backup just in case. How badly banged up is the ship?”
Awkward grunting could be heard from the rear of the bridge. John looked back at Willy as he saw his operations officer shake his head. He looked at his operation's officer and waited, somewhat impatiently, for an answer to his inquiry.
“We properly beat to hell, an impressive amount of superficial damage too. We’ll need to replace at least half, if not more, of our armor plates when we get back home. We really need to replace two of them before we set off again,” Willy said.
“Yeah, we’re probably going to need to weld some ablative patches over the dinged-up areas,” John said.
“No, starboard plate Bravo-Two-Two-One is no more. It literally doesn’t exist anymore,” Willy said, “Speaking frankly sir, we were a pubic hair away from being crippled ourselves.”
“Only today will I accept being lucky more than being good,” John said, “Coordinate with the shipyard, we need to replace that. I also want patches placed anywhere we can on our ablative armor.”
“All of our lances are in need of replacing. And our primary drive cone. And good god, our shields are a fucking mess, sir.”
The swarm of pirate ships was killed by the last ship. None escaped the wrath of the Confederates. While they did technically retreat, the Confederate forces lost a grand total of thirteen militia corvettes. None of the capital ships of the proper Navy were lost. Every last ship suffered some form of damage though. And munitions were now running low. The pirates lost all but four of their initial fleet. And lost a quarter of all their small ships in the attempt to cripple the Waukesha.
Was it a victory or failure? They drew breath and their ship could fight on, after some minor repairs. John didn’t care how the history books, or Fleet Command, would label this battle. They inflicted a grievous wound on the pirates. But the fight wasn’t over, the Icarus still drew breath. They needed to get back into the fight and end things, once and for all.

I am planning to purchase a 2nd hand car. I stumbled upon an Audi Q3 2.0 TDI costing around 9 lakhs.
Here are the details: Registration Year: Nov 2014 Fuel Type: Diesel Kms Driven: ~70k Kms Transmission: Automatic Year of Manufacture: 2014
Price: The Audi Q3 is coming in at around ~9 lakhs. I'm curious to know is taking a 2nd hand Audi is totally worth it or not.
Maintenance and Gotchas: Any maintenance nightmares or gotchas that I should be aware of Audi Q3? I don't want any nasty surprises down the road, so spill the beans on common problems during ownership.
Let me know if there is any important information I missed out that might be needed to take an informed decision. I am a complete noob when it comes to cars so please feel free to fire away with any additional questions that'll help you understand my needs better. I know your expertise and firsthand experiences will be invaluable in helping me make this crucial decision.
Edit: Any car recommendations are also appreciated. I have 2 requirements SUV and low maintenance.

Cover Art <<Previous Start Next >>
Mordecai was simply giving into temptation with this second boss. He had wanted to save it for later development, but he also wanted to play with this idea now. And he felt that it would be a nice surprise. So for the first time Mordecai turned his attention towards the technically hostile organisms occupying a part of the dungeon.
“Wait, really? You’re going there? Ewww.” Came Kazue’s mental voice when she realized where his focus was shifting. Mordecai smiled at her response, but kept his attention on his search. He was being picky in a way, but he didn’t want to create something completely mindless. His small constructs might have very simple minds, but they did have minds.
Most of the auras he encountered were far too weak to even consider, despite the size of some of the creatures. There was a certain amount of strength developed from the mind; physical vitality alone could create large amounts of spirit but it took a mind and will to focus it and make it strong.
Of the auras that had a little something more to them, most of them tasted of little other than basic hunger. Those were not what he wanted. No, what he wanted was … there. It wasn’t much, not yet, but there was the slightest hint of curiosity, of hunger turned beyond physical satiation. That would do quite nicely. He could make an offer to a creature like that, a promise to help fulfill this new sensation. He didn’t offer safety or food, he offered stimulation and experience.
There was a sense of confusion at first, and Mordecai couldn’t be happier. If it could be confused, it could learn. The primitive proto-mind briefly stilled, then hesitantly reached back towards the connection to accept. Mordecai’s sense of the creature sharpened and solidified as it became one of his inhabitants, and he mentally grasped it to draw it to the boss room where his avatar awaited, and he opened his eyes to examine what was to become his newest boss.
A gelatinous mass of fluorescent colors shimmered in front of him. If the child-sized ooze didn’t glow slightly, he’d have considered it iridescent instead with the way its colors flowed and shifted. The surface of the creature had a texture that was constantly changing between smooth and crinkled, with occasional bits briefly becoming solid. And floating in the very center was a nearly invisible tiny sphere of crystal. “Oh, you are beautiful.” He murmured to it as he walked around and examined it. “You have the best integration of living crystal and slime I’ve seen yet. I would like to see something.” He stepped up close to it and raised his hand over its surface. “Just a quick poke. Relax and let your reflexes happen, I won’t hurt you and you can’t do any real harm to me.”
Once it acknowledged him, Mordecai used his middle finger to jab at it swiftly. The surface gave slightly before rapidly hardening against the impact and it reflexively built pressure behind that point, then as his finger retreated and the surface tension released the pressure behind that part of the surface automatically flung acid-coated shards of crystal at his hand.
Mordecai spun to the side to avoid most of it, but a few flecks still hit him. They did more damage to his sleeve than to his flesh, but a normal person wouldn’t have taken it quite so well. “Oh, I am going to be happy with you little one. I think we need to start with a name however, and then move on to enhancing you. What do you think of Klastoria?” It pulsed with a pleased-looking flash of color, and Mordecai smiled. “Then it is a pleasure to meet you Klastoria. I am Mordecai.”
“And I’m Kazue!” Announced his wife as she manifested her avatar. “Oh goddess, you are too cute Klastoria!” She practically danced in place as she squeed over the slime. “Mordecai, I want to hug her so badly! How did you find something so cute in that place?”
“Heh, I don’t recommend that just yet love, she needs to learn a bit of restraint first.” Wait a moment. “Um? Her?” He’d initially followed the gender identification before he realized what Kazue had said.
“Yep! Someone this shiny and cute has got to be a girl!” The little kitsune said, and Mordecai couldn’t help but shake his head with a smile.
“I think Zushi might have something to say about boys not being allowed to be cute.”
“Nah, he’s fluffy-cute, that’s different. Klastoria is shiny-cute and pretty like a girl.”
Mordecai decided to translate that into ‘I want her to be a girl’ more than being any sort of rule Kazue was truly serious about. He’d attribute it to youthful whim if it weren’t for the fact that he was pretty certain that a hundred years from now she’d be inclined to do the same sort of thing. He had met her mother after all. “Not a good idea just yet love. Your avatar isn’t acid resistant, and your clothes certainly aren’t.”
While they’d been talking, the little bits of crystal and acid that had hit the ground had melted together and flowed back to rejoin Klastoria. “And I have a spell that can help with that, but let me finish getting Klastoria ready first, alright?”
“Fine fine, hurry up, I want to hug her!”
It was hard to not laugh at Kazue’s eagerness as he turned his attention back to their newest boss-to-be. “Alright, looks like Kazue has decided you are going to be a girl. If you ever decide that’s not right for you, let us know. Now, we want to make you stronger and smarter, though the smarter might be a little slower to come.” Klastoria wouldn’t be able to fully understand what they were saying yet, but she would be able to remember.
He mentally grasped the available boss node and began feeding it the concept of the crystal core in the center gradually growing in size and its paths becoming smaller and more intricate. “We are going to want you to become much bigger …” he paused as a new idea came to him. “Oh wait, how dense can your crystal get?” He had already noticed that the fluid had been compressed when it turned into crystal. Oh, that should work.
“But you won’t always have to be that big. No, with a little enhancement, we can help you compact yourself into a completely crystal form. Yes, that’s going to be your focus, complete mastery of your form and the transition between fluid and solid states.” He had been thinking of focusing more on the acid attacks of a slime-type monster, enhanced with ranged attacks and crystal shards, along with Klastoria being better armored than a typical ooze-type, but this would be, hmm, not necessarily ‘better’ from an absolute sense, but more custom and unique.
Mordecai connected the boss node to Klastoria as he continued to feed in his concepts and took several steps back, motioning for Kazue to do the same. It took a moment for anything to change as all the mana began funneling in, but then Klastoria began to grow rapidly. In just a couple of minutes she grew into a sphere about 15 feet in diameter, jiggling excitedly at all the changes happening. Knowledge came as well as power and mass, and as soon as the connection was finalized she began experimenting.
The huge blob suddenly shrank, transforming into a hard, sharp-edged cube of crystal only about 5 feet across. Mordecai blinked as he ran the math, then double-checked what was happening. It took only a second to realize she’d evolved the concept into a limited version of Shape Change, allowing her to displace a portion of her mass the way many other shape-changing creatures could. But not all of it, she was still nine times as dense in this form, which was a rather intense compression. It put her somewhere in between iron and lead.
It also seemed uncomfortable based off of the emotions from Klastoria, who then began moving through a rapid series of other form-changing experiments. Most of them were manipulating her ability to shift between fluid and solid phases at will with nearly unlimited amounts of discreteness, but she was also able to shift and recall any amount of mass she needed to within her ranges.
She could form long limbs able to swing as freely as any tentacle, but could instantly harden her surface and/or interior to act like exo- or endo-skeletons, and her limbs could have any sort of surface she desired, creating almost any shape of blade or point. The hydraulic pressure that powered her limbs and gave her the ability to fire projectiles of crystallized acid also combined with her size-changing abilities to allow her to leap, and even spin or slightly course-correct by altering her density in one or more spots mid-air.
Climbing was easy too. Any sort of tree-like structure could just be grabbed and used to haul her body up, but she could also flow up walls and crawl along the ceiling by letting her body flow into the tiniest imperfections and then harden into crystal to obtain a surface-wide grip. Mordecai even created a smooth glass surface for her to try on, and Klastoria was able to figure out how to flatten her body enough that simply air pressure could hold her onto it, though she was a bit slower this way.
She couldn’t go perfectly flat though, that sphere of crystal that was the seat of her very self could not be altered. But the ability to change her form so freely gave her lots of options that she was going to be experimenting with for days. Mordecai did point out one new thing for her to try later: With her abilities, there is no reason she shouldn’t be able to drop from almost any height. In her larger form she could increase her internal pressure to just high enough to create a collapsing cushion, while if she made herself a dense, sharp cone she could fall straight into the ground or another object and force it to take the shock of her impact, the rigidity and hardness of her body keeping her from being damaged.
Kazue slid up beside him and asked in an ever-so-sweet voice. “Are you two done playing yet?”
Mordecai chuckled, then swept her into his arms to give her a lingering kiss. “Alright love, you can go hug the squishy slime. She’s learned great control now and should be able to be just soft and pliable enough.” Which honestly would be another great exercise for Klastoria, but he made sure not to mention that thought out loud.
“Yes!” Kazue flung herself at Klastoria with reckless abandon and was quick to explore other play options as the slime could also be anything from a soft cushion to sink into, to a bouncy spring to jump high in the air. Mordecai amused himself by sending some images of what Kazue was doing to Moriko, and the half-elf’s envy was tangible across their link. He doubted she would be initially quite as carefree as Kazue about it, but he didn’t doubt she would enjoy herself.
While his wife played, Mordecai set about double-checking the level and inhabitants, making sure everything tied together and worked smoothly. It would take a few days to get everyone into their routines and roles, and weeks of practice to become well-trained for this mix of terrain and style, but it would be well worth the effort.
The final step was to sweep through again and set limiters. The creatures could simply feel his intent and hold back where needed, but all the more trap-like organisms needed to have a second layer of mana woven over them to reign them in. Things were less sticky, hit softer, and were easier to break. But in exchange, he was able to apply a soft layer of vitality absorption that would increase the fatigue of dealing with the various dangers, roughly approximating how they might feel after dealing with the trap’s full strength.
It increased his overall costs for growing them by about 50%, and if he’d been trying to make them more deadly the expenditure would have failed.
Mordecai snorted. Intent indeed. He’d not thought to layer things like this, he’d grown up just knowing what his limits were on how strong he could make something based on where in his dungeon it was. He’d never tried making something strong, and then ‘waste’ mana by placing a restriction on it. A restriction he could release as needed, but his sincere intent was to only do so if he felt it was needed.
Well, that would cost them a few days at least until they had enough to push down and start the sixth floor, but that was okay. He wanted to work over some ideas with Kazue first anyway. The organization of the first five floors was fine, but despite the theming, the layout was a touch repetitive, and they were deep enough already to make brute forcing a ‘second’ entrance infeasible for most.
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Also to be found on Royal Road.
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Love the look of this car. Has a ford motor as far as I know. Would love to hear all the reasons this would be a bad purchase from a mechanical POV. (Keep in mind I am going to get a mechanic to do a thorough pre-purchase inspection)

Desperately need a car and I have it narrowed down to 3 cars. I don't know enough about cars to know if any of them are worth it!
Car 1: (6 pics of interior and exterior)
2006 honda accord - $2,400
New starter, brakes and battery. good tires, rebuilt transmission and AC compressor. Interior in great shape no tears rips or heat breaks. Windows tinted.
condition: good cylinders: 4 cylinders drive: fwd fuel: gas odometer: 300000 paint color: grey size: mid-size title status: clean transmission: automatic type: sedan
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Car 2: (5 pics of interior and exterior)
2002 nissan altima - $2,300
2002 Nissan Altima V6 runs and drives perfect clean inside and out. No mechanical issues at all automatic transmission 155,000 original runs and drives great power locks, power windows, cruise control, radio AC blows, ice, cold, good tires pass emissions every year up to date on tags. Always well-maintained clean Arizona title in hand ready to go $2300 or best offer
condition: good cylinders: 6 cylinders drive: fwd fuel: gas odometer: 155000 paint color: black title status: clean transmission: automatic
condition: good cylinders: 6 cylinders drive: fwd fuel: gas odometer: 155000 paint color: black title status: clean transmission: automatic
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Car 3: (1 exterior pic)
2000 honda civic - $2,900
I have a Honda Civic for sale. It runs great , no problems. I just replaced all the hoses , and belts, no leaks ,clean engine, clean title. Must sell I'm moving overseas and I can't take it with me.
condition: good cylinders: 4 cylinders fuel: gas odometer: 188000 paint color: green size: compact title status: clean transmission: automatic type: coupe

Trying to estimate cost of longevity for my beloved mk4. Body is looking tragic due to rust, so I’m hoping to get some insight on how others are holding up.

Hey all Looking to buy a used vehicle for my retired dad to go from point A to B. Car looks great , inside and out. Thinking of taking it to a shop for safety and inspection. I've pasted the details below. Should I pursue this? Please let me know!
Clean, immaculately-maintained 2007 Toyota RAV4 in deep blue.
Tons of refreshes and upgrades! - Engine rebuilt by Toyota as part of factory recall @ 245K (new pistons, spark plugs, water pump, belts, tensioner, valve seals) - Brand new front brake assembly (pads, rotors, callipers, brake fluid flush) - New alternator - New muffler - Front LED headlights - Cabin & license plate LED kit - All-synthetic oil changes - Carbon fibre-wrapped hood - All-weather floor mats - Aftermarket LED-enabled USB ports - Aftermarket wireless charger - Black-coated aluminum rims - Krown rustproofing - All-around ceramic tint - Bike rack available for sale
Makes a bit of chirping sound at times and CEL goes on occasionally. Overall drives well. A/C ice cold.
Not sure if it requires anything else at this point. Selling AS-IS. Read Less Specifications Kilometres343,000 km StatusUsed Trim4WD 4dr I4 Base TransmissionAutomatic DrivetrainAWD Exterior ColourBlue Doors5 doors Fuel TypeGasoline

As title says. BYD F3 2015 automatic double clutch transmission.
This problem happens randomly only when I start the car.
Other times I start the car, it engages when putting it in R or D and it drives fine.
When it does, I leave my car engine on, because if I turn it off, it probably won't move when I start the car.
Transmission fluid level is ok.

Driving an automatic car offers a seamless and convenient experience, particularly in stop-and-go city traffic conditions. With the advent of dual-pedal technology, the arduous tasks of clutch pressing and gear shifting have become a thing of the past. In this blog post, we will delve into the world of automatic cars, exploring their transmission technology and providing essential tips to ensure a smooth and safe driving experience.
Automatic Transmission Technology Modern automatic cars utilize advanced transmission technology to effortlessly change gear ratios, freeing drivers from the manual intervention required in traditional cars. There are three primary types of automatic transmission technology found in modern vehicles:

• Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT): CVT allows for seamless gear shifting by using a belt and pulley system, providing a smooth acceleration experience without distinct gear changes.
• Automated Manual Transmission (AMT): AMT combines the benefits of both manual and automatic transmissions. While it operates as a manual transmission, the gear shifting is automated, eliminating the need for a clutch pedal.
• Dual-Clutch Automated Manual: This advanced technology utilizes two clutches to pre-select the next gear, resulting in faster and smoother gear changes. It offers improved performance and efficiency, often found in high-end sports cars.

Essential Tips for Driving an Automatic Car To optimize your driving experience in an automatic car, it is essential to follow these key tips

1. Don't shift to N when in motion: It is crucial to avoid shifting the gear to neutral (N) while the vehicle is in motion. Doing so can place unnecessary strain on the transmission system, leading to increased wear and tear. Only shift to neutral when the car has come to a complete stop.
2. Use handbrake and park mode: Automatic cars are equipped with a park mode (P) for a reason. Always engage the park mode when parking the vehicle and remember to apply the handbrake. Neglecting to use the handbrake places excessive pressure on the transmission mechanism. For AMT cars, keep the shifter in neutral mode and utilize the handbrake, as they lack a dedicated park mode.
3. Don't use your left foot: Unlike manual cars, automatic cars only require two pedals, rendering the clutch pedal unnecessary. Avoid the common mistake of using both feet while driving an automatic car. This practice can lead to unintended acceleration and braking simultaneously, compromising control and safety. Thus, refrain from using your left foot while driving an automatic car.

conclusion

Driving an automatic car offers a world of convenience and comfort, thanks to its dual-pedal technology and advanced transmission systems. By adhering to these essential tips, such as avoiding shifting to neutral while in motion, utilizing the handbrake and park mode correctly, and refraining from using your left foot, you can ensure a smooth and safe driving experience. Embrace the benefits of automatic cars while maintaining control and maximizing efficiency on the road.
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Sorry guys if this isn’t related to the group but I would appreciate any help you can offer.
2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Automatic CVT transmission 222,000kms
Engine running fine. No engine or transmission light visible.
No leaks anywhere or bad smells Oil, transmission fluid all levels in the car are fine and the fluid looks clean.
Car will shudder or change gears rough during the first three gear changes there is a bit of a clanking noise when breaking and when you put your foot slightly on the accelerator. Apart from this the car runs perfectly fine and recently serviced 4 months ago no issues found. It only started 4 days ago.
Taken to a transmission specialist who without even looking at it took it for a drive and based on the code provided jumped straight to the conclusion new gear box needed at a cost of $6,000-$7,000 but stated if the problem still wasn’t fixed after that to look at somewhere else for the problem. Based on this I think he’s unsure that replacing the gear box will solve the problem.
Can anyone point me into the direction of what may be causing this issue and if it is in fact a transmission problem.
Many thanks in advance!!

Do you often feel exhausted all day sitting with a single rigid posture at work? I believe most of you may say “Yes”. No matter what you answer, it is absolutely uncomfortable for me to work a day sitting at a traditional desk.
Is there a perfect solution to solve that problem? Of course, the article will introduce how a smart height-adjustable desk embedded BLE technology to make you healthier and more comfortable.
Firstly, let’s explore why you feel miserable when prolonged sitting at work. Here are the cost and hazards of prolonged sitting.

The Cost &Hazards of Prolonged Sitting

Unhealthy sitting habits such as bad sitting posture and prolonged sitting will cause terrifying harm to everyone’s body. They not only affect blood circulation but also cause a series of physical disturbances, such as poor eyesight, curved spine and heart disease, etc. Look at the picture below, you will know more about the hazards of prolonged sitting.
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Figure 1 The Hazards of Prolonged Sitting

How To Ward off Such Habits Especially When You Work in the Office?

Frankly speaking, it is extremely hard if you keep using traditional desks, as they have shaped your sitting posture ever since. As we all know, traditional desks are usually fixed at a defined height and it is quite difficult for you to arbitrarily change them. These desks cannot be ergonomically adjusted to fit everyone’s body needs. But there comes good news-- a type of innovative desk will usher in a big change to that.
It is named a smart height-adjustable desk.

What Is A Smart Height-adjustable Desk Embedding BLE?

The height-adjustable desk is an ergonomic office desk solution. It allows you to work in a wide variety of postures, in which you can adjust the desk to a higher or lower position, to change the desk’s gradient via your back, or even to sit-stand alternately. Therefore, the smart desk helps you create a flexible workstation for a more energizing and productive working day. Only what you do is press a button or two to alter the intelligent desk as you like.
The trends of smart height-adjustable desks flashed from Europe and North America to the whole world. Those desks adopt such mechanisms as pneumatic, manual, or electric, etc. to actuate adjustment.
In the early stage, height-adjustable desks adopt a button or touch display for the user interface. It made the desk difficult to work if the input devices were damaged. Furthermore, the physical interface was designed at a designated part of the desk, making it clumsy and uni-functional, and impossible to meet diverse needs.
The introduction of Bluetooth Low Energy technology makes the desk smarter and more considerate ergonomically. With a BLE smart desk, you can select from different postures or modes from a designated App backed by a service library stored in a cloud-end server. Smartphones can also function as a user ID to access different patterns or services stored for particular phone users.
Shenzhen RF-star Technology Co., Ltd. supplies the BLE modules with enabling working logic for the whole solution to support such smart desks. The solution consists of an MCU, a wireless transmission unit (BLE device), a power supply unit, and a driving unit. In the following working diagram, the BLE module RSBRS02ABR is used as the wireless transmission unit, and it is connected to the MCU through a UART serial port. A mobile phone, tablet, or BLE remote controller is used to establish a connection with the BLE module, and commands are sent to the MCU of the desk, thus controlling the driving circuit to complete the lifting function of the desk. See details in Figure 2.
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Figure 2 Architecture of BLE-Enabled Smart Desk
The BLE communication mentioned above is in a peer-to-peer mode that can be widely used in homes and offices. However, the application is not popular in most schools because it is not practical for students to carry mobile devices, and also it is clumsy to have teachers adjust the desks of all students one by one. As a result, a BLE remote controller comes to the public. Using a BLE remote controller can massively customize all smart desks simultaneously.
Now, BLE smart desks are popular in a wide range of scenarios.

The Scenarios of Bluetooth Smart Desks

1. BLE Adjustable Desk Applied in the Office

An adjustable office desk lets you freely switch postures between sitting and standing to avoid sitting for a long time and work healthily. On the other hand, it also can relieve physical pressure, and improve work efficiency.

2. BLE Smart Desk&Table Used at Home

A versatile household desk or table with a Bluetooth lifting function is able to meet family needs and improves space utilization.

3. Electric Study Desk for Students

The desks in school or at home can be adjusted freely to ease the sitting stress according to the ergonomic factors of students.

4. Lifting Desk for Speech

The BLE remote controller of the smart lifting desk for speech helps speakers avoid an awkward situation where the speaker is too tall or shot to reach the desk appropriately.
When you know the applications of the BLE smart desk, You should get more knowledge about these embedded Bluetooth Low Energy modules. Here show premium BLE modules available for these desks.

Advantages of RSBRS02ABR Modules

1. Rich AT commands and functions. It is with a large number of open commands of configurable parameters, such as customized broadcast data, broadcast UUID, and transparent transmission UUID, as well as the automatic connection of paired devices. Those functions can meet the needs in most scenarios.
2. Cost-effective. RSBRS02ABR BLE modules adopt RF-star's proprietary Bluetooth IC, which is tailor-made for the designated functions whose cost was well under control by amortizing over own IP expenses.
3. Direct-driven function. The direct control of some IOs can be achieved by writing commands in the corresponding channel through the App.
4. Good customization. The self-developed modules can offer you a good customized service to satisfy different customers’ requirements.

Advantages of RF-BM-BG22A1 Modules

1. High performance and low power consumption. Its power consumption is as low as 15.12 μA at a broadcast interval of 1000 ms.
2. Supporting one master connection to 8 slaves simultaneously.
3. Equipped with powerful AT commands.
4. Maximum UART transmission rate of 50 KB/s.

Summary

All introduced above are what is BLE smart desk and how it makes people work more healthier and comfortable.
If you are interested in more IoT wireless modules and solutions, such as BLE, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, Thread, Matter, Wi-SUN, Sub-1G, etc., please kindly visit https://www.rfstariot.com/ or contact us at [email protected].

The demand for used cars is on the rise due to factors such as inflation, personal mobility preferences, and the soaring costs of new vehicles. Whether motivated by budget constraints or the desire to develop driving skills before investing in a brand-new model, buying a used car can offer excellent value for money. However, it is crucial to approach the process with caution and follow essential steps to ensure a wise investment. This article provides five key steps to help buyers make informed decisions and secure a good used car deal.

1: Exercise Patience and Avoid Hasty Decisions

When considering the purchase of a used car, it is essential not to rush into a decision. With a wide variety of models available in the market, it is easy to be swayed by visually appealing options. However, it is crucial to take the necessary time to thoroughly explore all available choices before making a final purchase. One must remember that appearances can be deceiving, and not everything that glitters is gold. Even if a car appears perfect on the surface, it is important to dig deeper and conduct a comprehensive assessment.

2: Assess the Car's Overall Condition

After narrowing down the options, it is crucial to carefully examine the overall condition of the selected used car. If one possesses technical knowledge about vehicles, they can perform the inspection themselves. Otherwise, seeking assistance from a trusted individual knowledgeable about cars is recommended. While a car may seem fine on the outside, a keen eye can identify potential cover-ups and determine its true value.
During the inspection, attention should be paid to details such as paint damage, signs of rusting, and any hidden flaws. The interior of the car should be thoroughly examined, focusing on the quality and functionality of the upholstery, music system, infotainment system, and seats. Additionally, the tires should be inspected for wear and tear, and the wheel alignment should be carefully assessed. Scrutinizing the engine for leaks, corrosion, and cracked tubes is crucial. Furthermore, checking the oil and transmission fluid using a dipstick is recommended.

3: Conduct Multiple Test Drives

Whether purchasing a new or used car, never finalize a deal without taking a test drive. A test drive allows buyers to evaluate the car's performance, functionality of various components, and its handling under different driving conditions. If satisfaction is not achieved with a single test drive, multiple drives should be taken. It is also advisable to have a trusted individual with automotive knowledge accompany the buyer or conduct a test drive on their behalf. Spending a considerable amount of time driving the car will unveil insights that the seller may not disclose.

4: Verify Maintenance RecordsM

Obtaining the maintenance records of the used car is essential to understand its history and any potential issues it may have encountered. Some car owners maintain meticulous records, keeping receipts and notes of servicing dates, while others may not be as organized. Regardless, it is crucial to review the maintenance history before making a purchase. This information provides insights into the car's past care and potential maintenance requirements.

5: Authenticate Registration Certificate and Review Other Documents

Before finalizing the deal, it is important to check the authenticity of the vehicle's registration certificate (RC). The RC contains crucial details such as the owner's name, engine number, and chassis number. Ensuring that the RC is original and not a duplicate (marked as DRC) is crucial. Discussing the DRC status with the seller and confirming the car's registration location is important. The buyer's name should appear on the vehicle's RC before completing the purchase.
Additionally, other important documents, such as the original purchase invoice, insurance papers, road tax receipts, and pollution certificate, should be reviewed. Paying attention to Form 35 and the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the financing company, if applicable, is necessary. Any modifications to the engine's displacement or changes in the vehicle's color should be specified in the registration certificate as well.

Conclusion:

Buying a used car can be a practical and cost-effective choice, but it requires careful consideration and attention to detail. By following these five key steps, buyers can ensure they make informed decisions and secure a good used car that meets their needs while providing value for their money.
It is important to resist the temptation of making hasty decisions and instead take the necessary time to explore different options and thoroughly inspect the overall condition of the car. Conducting multiple test drives will reveal valuable insights into the car's performance and functionality. Reviewing maintenance records will provide a clearer understanding of the car's history and potential maintenance issues.
Verifying the authenticity of the registration certificate and reviewing other important documents will protect buyers from potential legal or financial complications. Ensuring that all necessary paperwork is in order before finalizing the purchase is crucial.
By conducting thorough research and evaluation, buyers can make informed decisions and increase their chances of purchasing a reliable and well-maintained used car.
It is important to remember that purchasing a car is a significant investment, and obtaining the best value for one's hard-earned money should be a priority. With proper care and attention, buying a used car can be a rewarding experience, providing a reliable mode of transportation and long-term cost savings.
Also Read: Important Things to Know About Automatic Cars

how much Automatic Transmission Fluid add to my 2011 Honda CR-V .
thank you

Now, before you start typing away: I know. Manual transmission better. However, I don't want to deal with that in traffic and want my wife (who refuses to learn a manual) to be able to drive it if needed. I just want a small, fun, and reliable convertible to cruise around in and drive to work.
So, I am wanting to know how the new automatic MX 5's are. Anybody own one and regret it? Would you recommend it?

2008 corolla, automatic. Ordered 2 gallons of ATF fluid So I was doing a trans flush on the vehicle, dropped pan and put new filter on and cleaned pan. Then dumped a gallon of Synthetic ATF in and flushed it out. Then turned car off.(Normal stuff) THEN when I went to add the 2nd gallon (to do another cleanse), I realize the liquid its clear and on bottle says 5w-30 synthetic blend MOTOR OIL. I put about .25 - .5 Quarts in. So not that much. I DID NOT START THE ENGINE. Immediately dropped pan and filter and drained fluid. I did however after draining and dropping pan put the car in neutral with engine off just to get it off the car ramps. Plan is to replace filter again and gasket and flush another time. Will transmission be okay with what was accidentally added? Thank you!

Trying to do a flush since the current oil looks really dark. How many quarts would i need? Any tips would be appreciated

Does anyone have any videos or tutorials they found on doing a drain and fill of the tranny fluid on an escape ecvt for 2020 and newer****?
I see a couple on replacing the tranny fluid for the eb engines, but not ecvt.
I do not trust when Ford says these are "lifetime" fluids because they play with the definition of "lifetime." Especially when these transmissions have a history of having problems. And there is something telling me that it is better to proactively replace the fluid every 30k to 60k miles instead of reactively taking my car to the dealerahip when the tranny has problems for ford to do an automatic tranny flush.

Considering this purchase. I just need something to get around my small town and an occasional trip into town (30 miles). Buying a car just to save for a nicer truck and pay down some debt.
The wife and I have a reliable mini van for the family..
What should I look out for? Reliability for this year? Thanks.