The Way and Life of General Carl A. Spaatz Essay -- essays research pa

The Way and Life of General Carl A. Spaatz      The name General Carl ‘Tooey’ Andrew Spaatz has gotten equivalent with the expression air force and specialist. Air power has gone along route since Wilbur and Orville propelled the principal plane in 1902 in the city of Kitty Hawk. Well known architects have taken the Wright-Brothers plan and made extraordinary upgrades to them while gradually coordinating these new ground-breaking methods for transportation, weaponry and correspondence helps into the military. Since the beginning of World War I there has been a discussion on the most proficient method to most viably utilize these new planes in the Army’s assortment. Most people accepted that planes ought to be leveled out of the Army theater leader, while not many felt that these planes ought to be a different substance from the Army. One of these couple of individuals who accepted that the Air Force ought to be isolated is General Spaatz. General Spaatz had cons tancy, initiative characteristics and military information; all elements driving him turning into a considerable defender of a different Air Force. Spaatz inheritance keeps on living on; his authority aptitudes keep on affecting individuals today as General Spaatz is as yet ready to affect air power in the 21st century. It is no mishap that General Spaatz is an advocate of a different Air Force. Spaatz’s steadiness, initiative traits and military information would lead him to be a defender of a different Air Force were all being molded, changed and ingrained upon him during his initial plebe years at the United States Military Academy (USMA) starting in 1900. Thinking back on Spaatz’s profession at the USMA, one would not anticipate Spaatz to turn into the principal Chief of Staff of the recently free United States Air Force. Be that as it may, these four years spent at the USMA were compelling, especially in Spaatz’s advancement as a pioneer and his capacity to continue on. While at the USMA Spaatz was a lot of a dissident and was continually disrupting the guidelines. All things considered, Spaatz realized he was savvy, he exhibited this by being positioned in the top portion of his group. In spite of the fact that, as Spaatz entered his senior year, he believed he didn't have anything else to demonstrate and started to relax. In the long run Spaatz wound up being positioned close to the base of his group. He went from the position of 39th to 98th of 107 inside a year. With the chance of getting kicked-out Spaatz utilized his perseve... ...orce is thankful for a man like General Spaatz and the occasions that happened in the course of his life. He may have been dependent upon occurrence, or even destiny, however whichever way Spaatz’s initiative, diligence and military information is no mishap. Works Cited Davis, Richard G. "Carl A. Spaatz and the Development of the Royal Air Power U.S. Armed force Air Corps Relationship, 1939-1940." The Journal of Military History. Oct. 1990: EBSCOhost. 9 Nov. 2003 Davis, Richard G. "Gen Carl Spaatz and D Day." Airpower Journal. Winter 1997: Military & Government Collection. 10 Nov. 2003 Doughty, Robert An., and Ira D. Gruber. Fighting in the Western World. Vol. II. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2001. 797. Glines, C.V.. "Air Power Strategist Carl A. Spaatz." Aviation History. Vol. 12, Issue 4. Blemish. 2002: Military & Government Collection. 8 Nov. 2003 McNeely, Gina. "Legacy of Flight." Aviation History. Blemish. 1998: Academic Search Premier. 8 Nov. 2003. Maj. Carl A. Spaatz. 7 June 2002. The Evolution of Aeronautical Advancement at the Aeronautical Systems Center . 8 Nov. 2003 . Mets, David R. Ace of Airpower. Novato, California: Presido, 1988. The Way and Life of General Carl A. Spaatz Essay - papers research dad The Way and Life of General Carl A. Spaatz      The name General Carl ‘Tooey’ Andrew Spaatz has gotten equivalent with the expression air force and specialist. Air power has gone along route since Wilbur and Orville propelled the primary plane in 1902 in the city of Kitty Hawk. Popular architects have taken the Wright-Brothers structure and made extraordinary upgrades to them while gradually coordinating these new incredible methods for transportation, weaponry and correspondence helps into the military. Since the beginning of World War I there has been a discussion on the best way to most adequately utilize these new planes in the Army’s assortment. Most people accepted that planes ought to be leveled out of the Army theater officer, while not many felt that these planes ought to be a different substance from the Army. One of these couple of individuals who accepted that the Air Force ought to be isolated is General Spaatz. General Spaatz had constancy, initiat ive properties and military information; all variables driving him turning into a considerable defender of a different Air Force. Spaatz heritage keeps on living on; his authority aptitudes keep on affecting individuals today as General Spaatz is as yet ready to affect air power in the 21st century. It is no mishap that General Spaatz is a defender of a different Air Force. Spaatz’s tirelessness, authority traits and military information would lead him to be an advocate of a different Air Force were all being molded, changed and imparted upon him during his initial plebe years at the United States Military Academy (USMA) starting in 1900. Thinking back on Spaatz’s profession at the USMA, one would not anticipate Spaatz to turn into the main Chief of Staff of the recently free United States Air Force. Be that as it may, these four years spent at the USMA were persuasive, especially in Spaatz’s advancement as a pioneer and his capacity to drive forward. While at the USMA Spaatz was a lot of an agitator and was continually disrupting the norms. By and by, Spaatz realized he was shrewd, he exhibited this by being positioned in the top portion of his group. In spite of the fact that, as Spaatz entered his senior year, he believed he didn't have anything else to d emonstrate and started to relax. In the long run Spaatz wound up being positioned close to the base of his group. He went from the position of 39th to 98th of 107 inside a year. With the chance of getting kicked-out Spaatz utilized his perseve... ...orce is thankful for a man like General Spaatz and the occasions that happened in the course of his life. He may have been dependent upon occurrence, or even destiny, yet whichever way Spaatz’s authority, constancy and military information is no mishap. Works Cited Davis, Richard G. "Carl A. Spaatz and the Development of the Royal Air Power U.S. Armed force Air Corps Relationship, 1939-1940." The Journal of Military History. Oct. 1990: EBSCOhost. 9 Nov. 2003 Davis, Richard G. "Gen Carl Spaatz and D Day." Airpower Journal. Winter 1997: Military & Government Collection. 10 Nov. 2003 Doughty, Robert An., and Ira D. Gruber. Fighting in the Western World. Vol. II. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2001. 797. Glines, C.V.. "Air Power Strategist Carl A. Spaatz." Aviation History. Vol. 12, Issue 4. Blemish. 2002: Military & Government Collection. 8 Nov. 2003 McNeely, Gina. "Legacy of Flight." Aviation History. Blemish. 1998: Academic Search Premier. 8 Nov. 2003. Maj. Carl A. Spaatz. 7 June 2002. The Evolution of Aeronautical Advancement at the Aeronautical Systems Center . 8 Nov. 2003 . Mets, David R. Ace of Airpower. Novato, California: Presido, 1988.

Creutzfeldt - Jakob disease :: essays research papers

A lot of individuals love the way that they can appreciate life typical on the grounds that their cerebrum capacities in like manner. Well only one out of every odd one has the endowment of typicality. In this brutal world individuals are kicking the bucket of a wide range of sicknesses and things that are imperceptible or even treatable because of the way that they have obscure starting points. A significant number of the world’s sicknesses, for example, HIV, AIDS, a few instances of Multiple Sclerosis and Muscular Dystrophies. Among these lethal and dangerous afflictions Creutzfeldt-Jakob illness, other shrewd known as (CJD), outweighs everything else. Creutzfeldt-Jakob ailment (CJD) is a surprising, degenerative, reliably terminal mind issue, normally beginning of side effects happens at about age 60. This sickness has been classified into three significant classifications: 1) inconsistent CJD, 2) innate CJD, 3) obtained CJD. In irregular CJD, the malady happens despite the fact that the influenced doesn't have any realized hazard factors that would cause an event of the infection. This unexpected happening CJD is undeniably the most every now and again analyzed sort of Creutzfeldt - Jakob illness. This factually represents in any event 85 percent of CJD cases. Because of that there are exactly fifty to sixty passings for each year because of irregular CJD in the United States alone. Comparable figures are seen in different nations, for example, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. In innate CJD, the contaminated individual has acquired an anomalous quality due a family ancestry of the ailment or steps through an examination in which their outcomes are certain for a hereditary transformation that is related with Creutzfeldt-Jakob sickness. Around 5 to 10 percent of instances of Creutzfeldt - Jakob malady in the United States are innate and the United Kingdom has a populace in the area of 58 million and there are just a couple of examples of passings because of hereditary CJD in a year. In obtained CJD, the infection is transmitted by presentation to mind or sensory system tissue, for the most part through certain clinical techniques. Obtained CJD is additionally uncommon; so far there has been no strong proof that CJD is transmittable through easygoing experience with a patient with CJD. Since Creutzfeldt - Jakob ailment was first found in 1920, under 1 percent of cases have been analyzed as procured CJD. Creutzfeldt - Jakob malady (CJD) has a place with a group of human and creature illnesses known as the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Spongiform alludes to the particular look of defiled minds, which become loaded up with openings until they look to some extent like wipes when seen under a magnifying lens.

Positive Affect and Negative Affectivity

Positive Affect and Negative Affectivity Happiness Print How the Positive Affect Combats Stress By Elizabeth Scott, MS twitter Elizabeth Scott, MS, is a wellness coach specializing in stress management and quality of life, and the author of 8 Keys to Stress Management. Learn about our editorial policy Elizabeth Scott, MS Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on July 23, 2015 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on January 21, 2020 How Stress Impacts Your Health Overview Signs of Burnout Stress and Weight Gain Benefits of Exercise Stress Reduction Tips Self-Care Practices Mindful Living Martin Barraud / Getty Images Positive affect refers to one’s propensity to experience positive emotions and interact with others and with life’s challenges in a positive way.  Conversely, negative affect involves experiencing the world in a more negative way, feeling negative emotions and more negativity in relationships and surroundings.  These two states are independent of one another, though related; someone can be high in positive and negative affect, high in just one, or low in both.  Both states affect our lives in many ways, particularly when it comes to stress and how we handle it. Positive Affect and Stress Positive affect is associated with other characteristics of people who tend to be happier, like optimism, extraversion, and success.  However, positive affect isn’t just another by-product of a happy, less stressful lifeâ€"it’s an influencing factor. Positive affect can bring lower levels of stress on its own.  It’s not just that those who are optimistic and successful extraverts experience positive affect because they have so much to be happy about, and they just happen to be less stressed. You can experience greater resilience toward stress simply by cultivating positive affect or taking steps to get into a better mood more often. The Broaden and Build Theory Psychologist Barbara Fredrickson has extensively researched the effects of positive affect on stress and has come up with a model of how positive affect interacts with resilience, known as the broaden and build theory of positive psychology. Fredrickson and others have found that when we give ourselves a lift in mood, this can expand (or broaden) our perspective so that we notice more possibilities in our lives, and this enables us to more easily take advantage of (to build upon) these resources. These resources include the following: Physical Resources: This includes energy, stamina, fitness, health, and overall wellness.  For example, if you’re in a good mood, you may have more motivation to go to the gym and build your physical resources.Psychological Resources: This includes the ability to choose more optimistic perspectives, pull yourself out of rumination, or withstand hectic schedules without experiencing burnout, for example.  If you’re experiencing more positive affect, for example, you might be less prone to dwelling on the negative and may focus on possibilities in your life.Social Resources: This means more supportive relationships, friends who will give great advice if you ask, lend you a shoulder to cry on, or bring you a casserole if you are going through a difficult time.  If you’re chronically upset, you may drive away those who could be supportive in your life, whereas if you’re exuding positive affect, you may become more of an appealing friend. These increased resources can lead to greater resilience toward stress. Basically, it can work as an upward spiral of positivity where positive affect begets more resilience toward stress and more positive affect. Unfortunately, negative affect can work in the same way. This is why it really helps to cultivate positive moods and pleasure in life; its not just something that will lead to some good feelings at the moment, but it can be a path to less stress and happier life in general. It is well worth the effort of increasing behaviors that lead to positive affect, and fortunately, increasing positive affect is quite simple if you make the effort. How to Increase Your Positive Affect Positive affect can be developed and cultivated.  While affectivity is somewhat inborn, meaning that some people are simply born with a greater propensity for being in a good mood as part of their personality, there are many things you can do to get into the habit if experiencing positive affect more often in your life, and making your good moods even better. Many of these things involve changing our thought patterns and changing the experiences we put ourselves in.  Here are some of the things you can do to increase your experience of positive affect. Maintain a Gratitude Journal: Research shows that writing about what you are grateful for in your life can bring about greater levels of positive affect, and this benefit lasts for quite a while.  Indulge in Life’s Pleasures: If you plan pleasurable experiences into your life, you can be constantly increasing your experience of positive affect and the benefits that come with it.  Just remember to add new pleasures on a regular basis so you don’t become bored.Engage in Hobbies:  Many of us don’t have as much time for hobbies as we’d like, but it’s important to make time. This can not only increase your positive affect, but it can also take your mind off of what may be stressing you, and leave you with a sense of accomplishment.  Practice Loving-Kindness Meditation:  Meditation, in general, is great for stress management, but the loving-kindness meditation is a particularly sweet treat, especially in that it can increase your levels of positive affect and help you feel less s tressed.Exerciseâ€"And Make It Fun!  Physical activity is a powerful stress reliever as well, and there are so many forms of exercise you can engage in, you can find several activities that are fun as well.  Dancing, yoga, cycling, walking with a friend?  Think about what might be fun for you, and do it!  Remember and Savor Positive Experiences:  Research confirms what you probably instinctively know already: that actively savoring positive experiences can prolong the happiness you experience from them!  And this can increase positive affect as well, leading to greater enjoyment of life and more resilience toward stress.  Why not get more out of the great parts of your life by actively savoring them?

Public Policy in California - 724 Words

Public policy in California Report by the Legislative Analysts Office that predicted a severe budget shortfall meant that most of the California public school students were to experience shorter school year. Governors tax measures tried to solve the cuts of public school financing. Menifee district depended on Governor Jerry Browns initiative or the education to face $5.5 billion, thus advising school districts plan for the worst case scenario in their endeavors to come up with their 2012/2013 budget. Most of the schools in California are using employee (teacher) furlough days in bridging budget shortfalls. Eventually, it is the students as well as the state at large who are to pay the price of students staying fewer days in schools as argued by research and education experts, (Amy Bentley, 2012). According to Dr. Louise Adler, a former high school teacher and a professor of Educational Leadership at California State University Fullerton, the United State is by now having fewer days for students in school as compared to every country that we compete. She argues that due to this fact that many other countries has longer school years more than U.S, at the end of the entire school career of a student, you find that the foreign students always accumulates more of the overall schooling by a year as compared to American Student. This can affect the economy in the future since we are like disinvesting in the future of people who are to help in the economy growth. 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Each agency has its own function and goals while operating at different levels of government. The agencies also represent different concerns and values of the public, creating a fragmented system rather than a monolithic, unified system. A monolithic system would deny the reality that justice in a rural area might not be justice in an urban are a. To create a unified system would require our complex society toRead MoreA Key Goal Of The Affordable Care Act Essay1672 Words   |  7 Pagesusing their own money to purchase. There are estimates of 11.1 million undocumented immigrants in the country as of 2014 (Krogstad, Passel, Cohn 2016). It is estimated that California was home to more than two million undocumented immigrants in 2013. 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Culture The Light Of A Society - 1097 Words

Ghayoor Mulk Professor Stites History 86 5th October 2016 Culture; The Light of a Society A nation stays alive when its beliefs, values, history and cultural integrity stay alive, and a nation dies when it’s mentioned unique identities die. Culture constitutes a complex tissue of mutual relationships and set different forms of tradition and expression within a society. Egypt, Mesopotamia, and India are the heartlands of various cultures, yet they share many identities. Historically, these are the main locations from which the most dominant cultural ideas have spread. The Egyptian is one of the ancient cultures and is unique in many mysterious ways. The way their religion motivated their architecture and their belief, is very interesting and astonishing. Egypt still holds some of the world’s greatest mysteries, such as; pyramids, temples, tombs and monuments. Egyptians had a remarkable number of gods and goddesses. The Pharaoh was at the heart of Egypt’s ritual life. There were the sun, moon, and stars; from these things the Egyptians made their hierarchy of Gods and religion. Ancient Egyptians had a very positive attitude toward daily life. They followed the advice of the wisdom literature, which was marrying at a young age and forming a family. Husband was allowed to keep additional wives if his first wife was childless. The husband was the master in the house, but wives were very much respected and in charge of the household and education of the children.Show MoreRelated The Medium is the Message Essay1075 Words   |  5 PagesThe Medium is the Message McLuhan’s work with literature and culture produced the revolutionary thought that â€Å"the medium is the message.† In other words, cultures are changed not only by the â€Å"content† of technology, but also by the technology itself. The basic â€Å"content† of technology is easy to recognize. The content of the railway would seem to be transportation; the content of the Internet would seem to be information. But McLuhan’s idea that the medium proclaiming the â€Å"content† is itselfRead MoreHalf the Sky Documentary Evaluation1025 Words   |  5 Pagesoppression of women around the world. It brings to light the issues that, even in todays society, are still occurring. Women, young adults, and children everywhere in the world are becoming victims to abuse, rape, and being deprived of getting an education. This film documents Nikolas Kristof going around the world with the help of well known people in America to show some of the issues and some organizations that are working to change the way society views women and children. Early in the documentaryRead MoreWomen And Food Chains : A Dynamic And Diverse System883 Words   |  4 Pagesdiverse system which encompasses many aspects of our cult ure and our society. 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Ellison uses light as a symbol for this truth, or reality of the world, along with contrasts between dark/light and black/white to help show the invisible mans evolving un derstanding of the concept that the peopleRead MoreMajor Differences between Cultures765 Words   |  3 PagesThe final major difference between cultures has to do with their economic system. There are three worldviews on how we make money: dependent, independent, and interdependent. In an agricultural economy or dependent worldview, there is a great discrepancy between the peasant class and the elite ruling class. The masses are more reliant on family and village groups, and they believe putting the group first is beneficial for society as a whole. The downfall is that because of the oppression of the rulingRead More The Search for Identity1422 Words   |  6 Pagesby Anna Lisa Raya, â€Å"Who Will Light Incense When Mother’s Gone† by Andrew Lam, and â€Å"Two Kinds† by Amy Tan Identity in America is becoming a worldwide issue for everyone who has immigrated here. In the three essays that I have looked at, I have seen the same issue being discussed. It is the theme of being treated differently and looked at differently. The stories talk about how children come from different areas from the world and try to fit into the American society but the parents do not respectRead MoreEssay Visibly Muslim by Emma Tarlo881 Words   |  4 Pagespublished by Emma Tarlo, portrays the visibility of British muslims through their fashion, politics and faith (Tarlo 2010). 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Though ultimately hopeful for the future of humanity, Thoreau expresses disdain and concern in regard to its current state. Comparing human nature to that of the wild, Thoreau writes, â€Å"few and fewer thoughts visit each growing man from year to year, for the grove in our minds is laid

Learning by Yourself or with a Teacher What’s Better Free Essays

Some people think that it is always better to have a teacher while others believe that they can learn better by themselves. In my opinion, the best way of learning is always with a teacher. There are lots of reasons for that but I would like to focus on three of them which I consider most important. We will write a custom essay sample on Learning by Yourself or with a Teacher: What’s Better? or any similar topic only for you Order Now First of all, teachers can give me reasonable explanations when I do not understand subject matters. It is always better to have a teacher, whom I can depend on, to solve the problem or to dispel my confusion. Otherwise, I would learn the subject by heart without comprehending its real meaning. Second, since an educational process is difficult people often make mistakes while exercising or learning. That is way, it is always better to learn with a teacher who will correct my mistakes and focus my attention on the reasons why I make such. In addition, dealing with students and assisting them gain higher levels of knowledge make teachers into people with a great deal of experience and erudition. I think that they can help me not only manage with difficulties but they can also pass on me a bit of their wisdom and knowledge. On the contrary there are those who think that they can learn better by themselves than with a teacher. The reasons might be that they feel sufficient self-confidence or they do not need any outer help while learning and exercising. Besides correcting mistakes and giving different explanations, teachers are valuable sources of advice and help. That is why, I truly believe that it is always better to have a teacher when I climb the ladder of success. How to cite Learning by Yourself or with a Teacher: What’s Better?, Essays

The imagination of the artist Essay Example For Students

The imagination of the artist Essay History is an account of what happened in the past. It provides an explanation of what happed in the past, so we can learn from our ancestors, about their successes and mistakes. What type of knowledge do we gain from this? Is it the objective knowledge of a scientist or the subjective knowledge of an artist? Perhaps it is a mixture of both scientific and artistic, or, in extension objective and subjective knowledge? But, then to what extent can one accept a historians conclusions as the truth? First of all to define the terms so that we can see the differences. Although most people around us know what knowledge is , it is a very hard thing to define. Knowledge is often defined as expertise, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education. It can be what is known in a certain field or in total; facts or information. Is this what knowledge really is? The best I can do is that knowledge is information gained from the sources of knowledge. The sources of knowledge are sense experience, testimony, reasoning, instincts, memory, introspect, intuition and emotion. There are also different types of knowledge; practical, theoretical and rational. It can be objective or subjective. We will write a custom essay on The imagination of the artist specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now What is the truth ? When we seek to know, we claim that we seek to know the truth, but what is the truth? Truth is often defined as conformity to fact or actuality or a statement proven to be or accepted as true. Some philosophers have been sceptics, claiming that we know nothing. This view comes from the poem Childe Harolds Pilgrimage by Lord Byron. All that we know is, nothing can be known. Does this mean that we can never know anything for certain? Or is this view just self-refuting? If all we know is nothing, how can we know that we know nothing? I do not believe this view is correct and for the purpose of this essay it will not be so. McMullin 2  Next, lets talk about the three types of knowledge this discussion is mainly concerning. There is the knowledge resulting from the scientific method, which strives to be objective and replicable. This knowledge is exposed to high demands of rigour, since to be regarded as knowledge it has to be acknowledged and accepted at least by a majority of the scientific society and adequate proofs have to be presented; otherwise it would be just a theory among many. On the other hand, artistic knowledge does not strive for universality or replicability, since I is based on the individuals experiences. Hence, it can be said to be subjective or a personal kind of knowledge. Finally, between these two types lies historical knowledge. Like a scientist they gather data and information, documents and accounts, and with the same rigour as a scientist he scrutinises his procedure and criticises his sources. But, history involves humans all of who interpret what they read differently. If you are learning about a certain aspect of history, where you live will effect what type of information you get. If you are from France you will learn about the French revolution differently then someone who lives in France. Every country always wants to hide their mistakes or never to believe that they are wrong. Like art it can all depend on what the reader gets out of it. Scientific and Artistic are both strong forms of knowledge, in which the knower has a high degree of confidence about his conclusions, but wouldnt some aspects weaken each other when they are cross-bred like in history? Admittedly, all knowledge could be regarded as a combination of subjectivity and objectivity, since it needs to pass through our subjective minds to become knowledge. However, to let this limit the distinction would not be fruitful. The problem lies in the fact that history has to be the historians choice, based on his or her interpretations.  Therefore, doubts can be risen as to whether the selection and interpretation process reflect the object of study and reality satisfactorily. .u7a91a54530a3a474a470b31be5d8d45f , .u7a91a54530a3a474a470b31be5d8d45f .postImageUrl , .u7a91a54530a3a474a470b31be5d8d45f .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u7a91a54530a3a474a470b31be5d8d45f , .u7a91a54530a3a474a470b31be5d8d45f:hover , .u7a91a54530a3a474a470b31be5d8d45f:visited , .u7a91a54530a3a474a470b31be5d8d45f:active { border:0!important; } .u7a91a54530a3a474a470b31be5d8d45f .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u7a91a54530a3a474a470b31be5d8d45f { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u7a91a54530a3a474a470b31be5d8d45f:active , .u7a91a54530a3a474a470b31be5d8d45f:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u7a91a54530a3a474a470b31be5d8d45f .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u7a91a54530a3a474a470b31be5d8d45f .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u7a91a54530a3a474a470b31be5d8d45f .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u7a91a54530a3a474a470b31be5d8d45f .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u7a91a54530a3a474a470b31be5d8d45f:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u7a91a54530a3a474a470b31be5d8d45f .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u7a91a54530a3a474a470b31be5d8d45f .u7a91a54530a3a474a470b31be5d8d45f-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u7a91a54530a3a474a470b31be5d8d45f:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: What could be said to be the deeper meaning or implicit message of An Inspector Calls EssayEmotions, environment and preconceived ideas do effect a historians results. Furthermore, some historians argue that history is created the moment it happens. Primary documents are often the best form of historical records, for the person was there when it happened. Things such as diaries, letters, treaties and court decisions can be very useful when studying history. Think of all of the things about the Holocaust that we have learned from Anne Franks diary. It is when the historian takes part by using the primary documents to create their own conclusions that doubts concerning the c onclusions are formed. When using sources, one has to test not only the authenticity of the source, but also the veracity and reliability. Naturally, questionable and unreliable source material is discarded. We also have to consider time as an aspect of a historians interpretation. Historians, like everyone else are affected by the time in which they live, with its specific society, ideas and attitudes. Whereas facts do not change over time, our interpretation of them do. We now have way better means of technology to discover and examine our finds, perhaps leading us to more specific results. People are a product of their environment and the environment in which the historian was raised could very much effect their claims. A historian is trapped in their time period. Does this mean that historical information is only valid for a certain amount of time? I believe not, but it does mean that we should never just accept things as fact by rather use many different sources and resources to come up with our own beliefs about what happened. History is very important as is being open-minded and trying not to form preconceived opinions without We must also remember that unlike science, history is dealing with the actions of man. So, unlike natural science, the results are not predictable. We can not have fairly accurate hypothesis about what will happen like in a science lab or experiment, for humans are totally unpredictable and often pride themselves on being so. A historian, unlike a mathematician can not be completely certain of their results. A mathematician can say with certainty that the area of a circle is. Or a biologist after studying an animal and their habitat for some time can make generalisations about the animal. A historian can not have this kind of confidence about their conclusions. This does not mean that they can have no assurance at all, just that it can not be to the extent of a scientist or mathematician. Language can also effect history, for some important documents where written in only one language and the historian may be relying on a translation, which is just not the same. Some things are just unable to be translated and the true meaning may be lost. A historian would have to be fluent ion many languages in order to be able to use all primary documents and come to the best possible conclusions. In conclusion, the task facing a historian is a very difficult one. To say that a historian can never be confident about his or her results in reducing their work to little more that guesses. This is an exaggeration. We do need their work and we can learn a lot from it if we are open-minded and never accept the facts at face value. I completely agree with the statement A historian must combine the rigour of the scientist with the imagination of the artist.   A historian must combine the rigour of the scientist with the imagination of the artist. To what extent, then, can a historian be confident about his or her conclusions?

Trumans Decision essays

Truman's Decision essays A Reason for Trumans Decision The decision made by Harry Truman to drop the atomic bomb over Hiroshima, on August 6th 1945, is one of the most controversial issues in American history. Although many Japanese soldiers and civilians died because of the decision to drop the bomb, many American soldiers were saved because of it. Many people who argue against the bombings talk about how much destruction was caused by the bomb. However it is important to look at the reason why Truman decided to drop the bomb. His decision to drop the bomb wasnt to gain victory over Japan or to only save American lives, but rather to intimidate the Soviet Union and demonstrate the power of the United States. America didnt need to drop the bomb in order to win the war over Japan. The decision to use the bomb was made by President Truman. There was never any doubt of that and despite a lot of criticism; Mr. Truman took full responsibility for his action. From the beginning of the war, the United States didnt even plan to drop the bomb. They were planning an intensified sea and air blockade and strategic air bombing. After a while, Japan was in really bad shape. Most Americans believed that they didnt even need the bomb to defeat the Japanese. Nuclear Physicist Leo Szilard said, I knew at the time, as the rest of the government knew, that Japan was essentially defeated and that we could win the war in another six months. (Print Document 6). This shows that the use for the bomb must have been for another reason than to just wipe out the Japanese people. To use such a powerful bomb even when you know that you have won the war shows a desire to gain more power. The devastating effects of bo th kinds of bombs depended essentially upon the energy released at the moment of the explosion, causing immediate fires, destructive blast pressures, and extreme local radiation exposures. ...

How to Get Your GED Online The 4 Best Courses

How to Get Your GED Online The 4 Best Courses SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips No high school diploma? Then you might be thinking about taking the GED test. Can you take the GED online? What about online GED courses? In this guide, we’ll discuss what the overall GED process entails and why you can’t actually take the GED online (even though it would definitely be more convenient!). We’ll also give you our top picks for the best online GED classes. What Is the GED Process? Overview The GED (short for General Educational Development) test is a group of four subject tests that, when passed, certify that one has achieved the US and Canadian high school educational standards. The four GED subjects are as follows: Language Arts Social Studies Science Math As an alternative to a high school diploma, the GED targets those who did not finish high school and who are older than 16. It tests the same essential skills students learn in high school. So what exactly is the process for taking the GED? Here’s an overview of the steps: Check your eligibility: As stated above, in order to take the GED, you must be at least 16 years old and not currently enrolled in high school. Some states have requirements in terms of how long you must have been out of high school, so be sure tocheck your state's policies on this before you decide to take the GED. Register for the GED: You mustmake an account on the official GED website to be able to register for the test. Note that you can take up just one of the tests or all four at once. Each subject test costs about $30 (this price can vary slightly depending on the state). Prep for the GED:Though studying isn’t required, it’s certainly encouraged, especially if you haven’t taken a high school class in a long time or are rusty with a particular subject. We’ll talk more about what you can use for your GED prep shortly. Take the GED test: The final step is to go to your testing center and take the GED! This is just a brief outline of what you can expect when starting the GED process. But can you take the GED online? Can You Take the GED Test Online? The short answer is no, you cannot take the GED online. Similar to many standardized tests, includingthe GRE, the GED can only be taken in person at an authorized GED test center. Although the GED is administered on a computer, you can’t take the test at home or online from anywhere other than an authorized test center. You can search for nearby test centers using the GED website test center search tool. Unfortunately, this hasn’t stopped websites from claiming to offer real GED diplomas and certificates online. Any website you come across that insists you can earn a GED online or take the GED test online is simply a scammer trying to steal your money. Don't be fooled! All they are actually offering arefake GED diplomas and certificates that are not accredited or recognized in the US or Canada. Even the official GED website has a page warning against these GED online scams: "If the state isn’t awarding you the GEDÂ ® credential or you are taking the exam online or at home, you’re paying for something other than the GEDÂ ® test. Don’t assume a website is stating the truth when it says 'accredited.' They’ll say anything to take your money! To find out if a high school or online program is recognized or accredited by your state, please contact your state's Department of Education." So what can you do online with the GED? Though you can’t take the test on your own computer, you can prep for it using online resources and classes.Read on to learn more! The 4 Best Resources for Online GED Classes and Prep You can’t take the GED test online, but there are many (legitimate!) online GED classes you can take that are guaranteed to help you do your best on exam day. Here are some top resources you can use for online GED courses and prep. #1: Official GED Website By far the best resource you can use for GED prep is the official GED website. The GED Testing Service not only has a tool to help you find in-person prep courses near you, but also offersan array of high-quality, live online GED classes. Course materials can be accessed anytime and anywhere from your computer, cell phone, or tablet. Each live class lasts 60-90 minutes and is taught by an expert Kaplan instructor. This video shows you how these official online GED courses work: The cost is $129 for 90-day access to all four subjects.Alternatively, you can get45-day access to one subject for $59 (Language Arts or Math only). If you don’t want to pay a lot for a class, the GED Testing Service offers practice tests and practice question flashcards for $6-$15 per subject. #2: Kaplan Kaplan is already a pretty famous test-prep company, but it shines extra brightly when it comes to its offerings of GED prep materials. In addition to the live online GED classes Kaplan does in conjunction with the GED Testing Service, the company offers a self-paced online GED class for $129. This three-month course is ideal for working adults and people with kids since you can study on your own time and at your own pace. With this course,you will get access to more than 150 instructional videos, hundreds of GED practice questions, a diagnostic test, and a final practice test. #3: UGO Prep If you're in a time crunch, UGO Prep offers a top-rated two-week GED online course. Online practice tests include real GED questions from previous exams and use an interface extremely similar to what you’ll see on test day. The course costs $69.99 for one-month access to the full study packagefor all four subjects. You can also buy add-on features,including math lecture videos ($9.99), audio lectures ($24.99), and flashcards ($14.99). If you’re not sure how long your GED prep might take you, you have the option to upgrade your package to lifetime access for $15 more- a pretty good value when you compare this price with those for the official online GED classes and Kaplan GED online course described above. #4: Union Test Prep If you’re searching forfree GED classes online, I recommend Union Test Prep. This company offers a broad array of free GED prep materials, from full practice tests to flashcards to study guides. Though these materials aren't a GED online course in the traditional sense, you can use them to structure your own GED review sessions, going over only what you need to know. With Union Test Prep, you’re getting a comprehensive overview of the different kinds of questions and topics you can expect on the GED for all subject areas. You’ll also learn about the GED format and question types. Key Takeaways:Getting Your GED Online The GED is a set of four subject tests that, when passed, earns you certification equivalent to a US or Canadian high school diploma. The test is exclusively administered at GED testing facilities, meaningyou cannot take the GED online. Any website or company that claims to offer the GED test or GED diplomas/certificates online is a scam and should not be trusted! Despite this risk, the internet isn't completely worthless when it comes to GED prep.You cantake online GED courses to help you prepare and review for the exam. The best online GED classes we recommend looking into are those by the GED Testing Service, Kaplan, and UGO Prep. If you'd rather save some money, try studying with thefree GED online study materials provided by Union Test Prep. What’s Next? What exactly is the GED? Learn everything there is to know about this high school equivalency test, including who takes it and whether you should, too! What is a high school equivalency diploma? Get the scoop on how these diplomas differ from your typical high school diploma. Not sure whether you need a high school diploma to do what you want in life? Then take a look at our comprehensive guide to how you can get a high school diploma, even if you're not in high school currently. Have friends who also need help with test prep? Share this article! Tweet Hannah Muniz About the Author Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel. 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Rapid Rise of e-Commerce in Modern Global Business Essay

Rapid Rise of e-Commerce in Modern Global Business - Essay Example A. Global business processes are usually characterized by various operational strategies. Some of these strategies entail the use of human resources, while some entail the application of business technology (Kopper & Ellis, 2011). It is apparent, taking into consideration the current business data that, e-commerce is currently one of the highest technology applied in commercial activitiesB. The corpus of e-commerce entails the process of undertaking business activities through enhanced computer networks i.e. the Internet. Research indicates that e-commerce activities depend heavily on technologies such as: Inventory Management Systems, Online Transactions, online marketing, data interchange through electronic processes et cetera (Cohan, 2010).Transition to Main Point, II: In this section, I will focus on the significant impacts of e-commerce in the contemporary business environment.  A. With the integration of electronic technology into majority of Company’s operational proc edures, e-commerce has been associated with effective and efficient technology, thus facilitating efficient business processes i.e. reduction of human errors usually associated with it.B. In addition, economic experts have asserted that the essence of implementing e-commerce has been majorly driven by the fact that it entails reduced costs of operation: This occurs in the sense that it reduces costs associated with manual modes of operation specifically, inventory costs, employee management costs et cetera.

Nosocomial Diseases Annotated Bibliography Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Nosocomial Diseases - Annotated Bibliography Example Giving such a thorough overview is useful in tackling most of the basic knowledge needed to fully answer the thesis statement, as well as providing information on the specific prevention tactics that clinical staff can take. This peer-reviewed paper gives information provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) on nosocomial infections. This gives an official perspective on how to deal with the infections as well as their prevalence in medical environments. The definitions also cover the various diagnostic tests that need to be used to confirm the presence of a nosocomial infection as well as the infectious agent, which is important in ensuring the correct course of action is taken. This paper is not very useful in answering the question. The first problem is that it is over 25 years old, and epidemiology is a rapidly changing subject, and nosocomial infections are on the increase. It could have a purpose in arguing the thesis, if combined with more current epidemiological paper, because the thesis mentions the fact that hospital acquired infections are a rising trend. This source is only good in context. Again, this research paper is quite old, but does give an overview of the trends in the types of microbe that are involved in nosocomial infection. This paper gives a lot of scientific knowledge about the nature of the infectious agent and how they are likely to evolve and mutate to cause more problems in the hospital environment. It also warns against the over-use of antibiotics, something that we see today is causing a number of issues in producing antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains which are commonly seen in nosocomial infections such as MRSA. Although the information here should be taken with caution, it does provide some interesting perspectives. This is a clinical reference text and therefore can be used to provide

Selecting The Most Suitable Procurement Route Construction Essay

Selecting The Most Suitable Procurement Route Construction Essay Understand that due to the terrible weather and severe storm, a significant damage was happened to Cinnamon Grand hotels. As a result, the hotel management board requested for advice on selecting an appropriate procurement route after deciding to reconstruct the destroyed buildings. There are a few procurement routes could be selected amongst traditional procurement route and non-traditional procurement routes which includes Design and Build, Management Contracting and Construction Management. In general, Traditional method is more favored by public project because it satisfies public accountability, Design and Build method is more for inexperienced client who desire cost certainty and fast track projects, Management Contracting method is usually adopted by experienced client who does not take cost certainty as their priority, similar to Construction Management. Selecting an appropriate procurement route will directly benefit the client in many perspectives, such as time saving, cost saving, risk avoidance, quality control, price competition and so on. Provided information states that you do not have an in-house executive to advise the reconstruction; you will obtain a financial assistance of estimated 120 million; you intend to re-open the business latest by 28th February 2015. Thurs, the most important issues which you are highly concerned are risk allocation, price certainty and project duration. Two points each will be allocated to the most suitable procurement route. Besides, you are also concerned about site control, quality control, complexity and heritage. One point will be allocated to the most suitable procurement route. Table 1 shows the matrix for making decision on how to select a suitable procurement route. Table 1: Matrix of selecting the most suitable procurement route Traditional Procurement Design and Build Management Contracting Construction Management Risk Allocation à ¡Ã‚ µÃ†â€™ 1 2 Price Certainty à ¡Ã‚ µÃ¢â‚¬ ¡ 2 2 Project Duration à ¡Ã‚ ¶Ã…“ 1 2 1 1 Site Control à ¡Ã‚ µÃ‹â€  1 1 Quality Control à ¡Ã‚ µÃ¢â‚¬ ° 1 1 1 Complexity à ¡Ã‚ ¶Ã‚   1 1 Total 6 7 3 3 2. Factors Affecting the Selection of Procurement Route 2.1 Risk Allocation Risks can be classified as design risks and construction risks. It is crucial for you to know much risk it can bear and how to pass the risks to the contractor; especially in this case, you do not have a team of specialists who are capable of advising on the design nor the reconstruction. Amongst all the procurement routes, Design and Build method will allow you to pass almost all the design and construction risks to the contractor, at a price. Traditional procurement method distributes risks to both insured consultant and contractor equally, while Management Contracting and Construction Management have a disadvantage of retaining most of the risks to employer. Therefore, Design and Build and Traditional methods are most suitable for Cinnamon Grand to minimise risks à ¡Ã‚ µÃ†â€™. 2.2 Price Certainty Price certainty is always a prior concern in private projects, because preventing overrunning budget plays a big part for private client. It has been highlighted in the key issues by Cinnamon Grand saying price certainty is most important. Traditional method provides a high level of price certainty because it relied on competitive tender, usually the Contactor with the lowest tender price will be accepted, although sometimes negotiation happens. Other advantages of Traditional method are competitive fairness, which means all tenderers prices will be based on same design drawings issued by Consultant, and a relatively low tender preparation cost comparing to the rest methods. Design and Build method also ensures a firm cost as most contracts will be let on a lump sum basis, it is also unlikely to have design changes, because contractors responsibilities of both design and construction will increase the buildability and minimise the variation. Management Contracting and Construction Ma nagement are at disadvantage as the actual project cost will only be know when all the work packages have been let. In order to make the price competitive, the best way of obtaining price certainty is through Traditional method or Design and Build method à ¡Ã‚ µÃ¢â‚¬ ¡. 2.3 Project Duration Time is essence for those who want quick return on the investment, especially for private client. There are two ways to avoid project delays, one is to start project as early as possible, the other is to end project as early as possible. As I know that the date of commencement is on 1st March 2014 and the date of completion is on 28th February 2015, which means the time for construction is really crucial. Fortunately, the decision has been made in August 2012, giving us one and a half year head start on doing whatever necessary preparation works, for example, to carry out brief, design and competition. The late worksite handover date seems to be suitable to use Traditional method, however, under certain circumstances of any variation order incurred, Contractor reserve the right to claim extension of time, this will affect the crucial construction period and cause project delays. Therefore, even though Traditional method allows design works can be start early, it still has a medium risk of project delays because the design responsibility does not lie with Contractor. Same applies to Management Contracting and Construction Management as well. Although Management Contracting and Construction Management allow design and construction works to be carried out concurrently, Management Contracting takes more time on selecting a management input and then subcontractors, and Construction Management makes you have to deal with many subcontractors and no single subcontractor is solely responsible for the date of completion. So since there is a long preparation period from August 2012 to March 2014, I suggest that Competitive Design and Build (two-stage tendering) method will be best suitable to meet the time requirement à ¡Ã‚ ¶Ã…“, not only because it avoids delay to the commencement date, but also ensures the completion date with buildability and single point of contract and responsibility. 2.4 Site Control In order to provide a good service while the construction is going on, work site must be well managed in every perspective including safety, planning, noise and etc. The advantage of Management Contracting and Construction Management methods is having a shorter communication line between you and subcontractors, so that to ensure a faster response to decisions. On the other hand, Traditional and Design and Build method do not have control of subcontractors, because there is no contractual relationship between you and subcontractors. Thus, Management Contracting and Construction Management methods will be best suitable to control work site à ¡Ã‚ µÃ‹â€ . However, it is still possible for other procurement methods to keep the work site well managed by improving the contract requirements and specifications. 2.5 Quality Control Traditional method has a low quality risk because most of the design works are done by insured Consultants who working directly for you. Management Contracting and Construction Management methods also have a low quality risk because a close link will be established between you, Consultants and Contractors, to allow buildibility. Even though when under certain circumstances, design quality may be compromised duo to pressure from employer. Design and Build method has a relatively high quality risk because the whole design and build process is solely undertaken by Contractor, which may slightly affects the quality level. All above mentioned procumbent methods except Design and Build method are suitable to enhance quality control and heritage à ¡Ã‚ µÃ¢â‚¬ °. Even so, the possible affected quality using Design and Build method also depends on how experienced the employer is and how accurate is the requirements stated in the contracts document. So I think it will not be a difficult task for such an experienced client in renovation of buildings like Cinnamon Grand. 2.6 Complexity Projects complexity can be identified by the types of physical services involved, the number of sub-contractors, resources in term of labour, plant and materials, the level of technology and the uniqueness of project activities (Songer and Molenaar, 1997). Traditional method and Design and Build method are more suitable for simple or medium-scaled buildings like this particular project, while Management Contracting and Construction Management methods cater for larger and more complex buildings. Considering all types of complexities mentioned, the core concept still revolves around time and cost as the primary purpose is to re-open the hotel business to make money. And the construction period for phase two is only one month time. So I suggest that in order to encourage time saving, Design and Build method should be selected à ¡Ã‚ ¶Ã‚   rather than Traditional methods, because all construction works will be conducted by Contractor alone while Traditional method has different specialists doing high technology multimedia facilities and air conditioning system. 3. Recommendations There is no single procumbent method suitable for all kinds of projects, advantages and disadvantages can only be determined according to clients concerns and priorities. Therefore, by referring to the result formulated in Table 1, I suggest that the most suitable procurement route should be Competitive Design and Build.

The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 37. Contrivances

Aro did not rejoin his anxious guard waiting on the north side of the clearing; instead, he waved them forward. Edward started backing up immediately, pulling my arm and Emmett's. We hurried backward, keeping our eyes on the advancing threat. Jacob retreated slowest, the fur on his shoulders standing straight up as he bared his fangs at Aro. Renesmee grabbed the end of his tail as we retreated; she held it like a leash, forcing him to stay with us. We reached our family at the same time that the dark cloaks surrounded Aro again. Now there were only fifty yards between them and us – a distance any of us could leap in just a fraction of a second. Caius began arguing with Aro at once. â€Å"How can you abide this infamy? Why do we stand here impotently in the face of such an outrageous crime, covered by such a ridiculous deception?† He held his arms rigidly at his sides, his hands curled into claws. I wondered why he did not just touch Aro to share his opinion. Were we seeing a division in their ranks already? Could we be that lucky? â€Å"Because it's all true,† Aro told him calmly. â€Å"Every word of it. See how many witnesses stand ready to give evidence that they have seen this miraculous child grow and mature in just the short time they've known her. That they have felt the warmth of the blood that pulses in her veins.† Aro's gesture swept from Amun on one side across to Siobhan on the other. Caius reacted oddly to Aro's soothing words, starting ever so slightly at the mention of witnesses. The anger drained from his features, replaced by a cold calculation. He glanced at the Volturi witnesses with an expression that looked vaguely†¦ nervous. I glanced at the angry mob, too, and saw immediately that the description no longer applied. The frenzy for action had turned to confusion. Whispered conversations seethed through the crowd as they tried to make sense of what had happened. Caius was frowning, deep in thought. His speculative expression stoked the flames of my smoldering anger at the same time that it worried me. What if the guard acted again on some invisible signal, as they had in their march? Anxiously, I inspected my shield; it felt just as impenetrable as before. I flexed it now into a low, wide dome that arced over our company. I could feel the sharp plumes of light where my family and friends stood – each one an individual flavor that I thought I would be able to recognize with practice. I already knew Edward's – his was the very brightest of them all. The extra empty space around the shining spots bothered me; there was no physical barrier to the shield, and if any of the talented Volturi got under it, it would protect no one but me. I felt my forehead crease as I pulled the elastic armor very carefully closer. Carlisle was the farthest forward; I sucked the shield back inch by inch, trying to wrap it as exactly to his body as I could. My shield seemed to want to cooperate. It hugged his shape; when Carlisle shifted to the side to stand nearer to Tanya, the elastic stretched with him, drawn to his spark. Fascinated, I tugged in more threads of the fabric, pulling it around each glimmering shape that was a friend or ally. The shield clung to them willingly, moving as they moved. Only a second had passed; Caius was still deliberating. â€Å"The werewolves,† he murmured at last. With sudden panic, 1 realized that most of the werewolves were unprotected. I was about to reach out to them when I realize that, strangely, I could still feel their sparks. Curious, I drew the shield tighter in, until Amun and Kebi – the farthest edge of our group – were outside with the wolves. Once they were on the other side, their lights vanished. They no longer existed to that new sense. But the wolves were still bright flames – or rather, half of them were. Hmm†¦ I edged outward again, and as soon as Sam was under cover, all the wolves were brilliant sparks again. Their minds must have been more interconnected than I'd imagined. If the Alpha was inside my shield, the rest of their minds were every bit as protected as his. â€Å"Ah, brother†¦,† Aro answered Caius's statement with a pained look. â€Å"Will you defend that alliance, too, Aro?† Caius demanded. â€Å"The Children of the Moon have been our bitter enemies from the dawn of time. We have hunted them to near extinction in Europe and Asia. Yet Carlisle encourages a familiar relationship with this enormous infestation – no doubt in an attempt to overthrow us. The better to protect his warped lifestyle.† Edward cleared his throat loudly and Caius glared at him. Aro placed one thin, delicate hand over his own face as if he was embarrassed for the other ancient. â€Å"Caius, it's the middle of the day,† Edward pointed out. He gestured to Jacob. â€Å"These are not Children of the Moon, clearly. They bear no relation to your enemies on the other side of the world.† â€Å"You breed mutants here,† Caius spit back at him. Edward's jaw clenched and unclenched, then he answered evenly, â€Å"They aren't even werewolves. Aro can tell you all about it if you don't believe me.† Not werewolves? I shot a mystified look at Jacob. He lifted his huge shoulders and let them drop – a shrug. He didn't know what Edward was talking about, either. â€Å"Dear Caius, I would have warned you not to press this point if you had told me your thoughts,† Aro murmured. â€Å"Though the creatures think of themselves as werewolves, they are not. The more accurate name for them would be shape-shifters. The choice of a wolf form was purely chance. It could have been a bear or a hawk or a panther when the first change was made. These creatures truly have nothing to do with the Children of the Moon. They have merely inherited this skill from their fathers. It's genetic – they do not continue their species by infecting others the way true werewolves do.† Caius glared at Aro with irritation and something more – an accusation of betrayal, maybe. â€Å"They know our secret,† he said flatly. Edward looked about to answer this accusation, but Aro spoke faster. â€Å"They are creatures of our supernatural world, brother. Perhaps even more dependent upon secrecy than we are; they can hardly expose us. Carefully, Caius. Specious allegations get us nowhere.† Caius took a deep breath and nodded. They exchanged a long, significant glance. I thought I understood the instruction behind Aro's careful wording. False charges weren't helping convince the watching witnesses on either side; Aro was cautioning Caius to move on to the next strategy. I wondered if the reason behind the apparent strain between the two ancients – Caius's unwillingness to share his thoughts with a touch – was that Caius didn't care about the show as much as Aro did. If the coming slaughter was so much more essential to Caius than an untarnished reputation. â€Å"I want to talk to the informant,† Caius announced abruptly, and turned his glare on Irina. Irina wasn't paying attention to Caius and Aro's conversation; her face was twisted in agony, her eyes locked on her sisters, lined up to die. It was clear on her face that she knew now her accusation had been totally false. â€Å"Irina,† Caius barked, unhappy to have to address her. She looked up, startled and instantly afraid. Caius snapped his fingers. Hesitantly, she moved from the fringes of the Volturi formation to stand in front of Caius again. â€Å"So you appear to have been quite mistaken in your allegations,† Caius began. Tanya and Kate leaned forward anxiously. â€Å"I'm sorry,† Irina whispered. â€Å"I should have made sure of what I was seeing. But I had no idea___† She gestured helplessly in our direction. â€Å"Dear Caius, could you expect her to have guessed in an instant something so strange and impossible?† Aro asked. â€Å"Any of us would have made the same assumption.† Caius flicked his fingers at Aro to silence him. â€Å"We all know you made a mistake,† he said brusquely. â€Å"I meant to speak of your motivations.† Irina waited nervously for him to continue, and then repeated, â€Å"My motivations?† â€Å"Yes, for coming to spy on them in the first place.† Irina flinched at the word spy. â€Å"You were unhappy with the Cullens, were you not?† She turned her miserable eyes to Carlisle's face. â€Å"I was,† she admitted. â€Å"Because†¦ ?† Caius prompted. â€Å"Because the werewolves killed my friend,† she whispered. â€Å"And the Cullens wouldn't stand aside to let me avenge him.† â€Å"The shape-shifters,† Aro corrected quietly. â€Å"So the Cullens sided with the shape-shifters against our own kind – against the friend of a friend, even,† Caius summarized. I heard Edward make a disgusted sound under his breath. Caius was ticking down his list, looking for an accusation that would stick. Irina's shoulders stiffened. â€Å"That's how I saw it.† Caius waited again and then prompted, â€Å"If you'd like to make a formal complaint against the shape-shifters – and the Cullens for supporting their actions – now would be the time.† He smiled a tiny cruel smile, waiting for Irina to give him his next excuse. Maybe Caius didn't understand real families – relationships based on love rather than just the love of power. Maybe he overestimated the potency of vengeance. Irina's jaw jerked up, her shoulders squared. â€Å"No, I have no complaint against the wolves, or the Cullens. You came here today to destroy an immortal child. No immortal child exists. This was my mistake, and I take full responsibility for it. But the Cullens are innocent, and you have no reason to still be here. I'm so sorry,† she said to us, and then she turned her face toward the Volturi witnesses. â€Å"There was no crime. There's no valid reason for you to continue here.† Caius raised his hand as she spoke, and in it was a strange metal object, carved and ornate. This was a signal. The response was so fast that we all stared in stunned disbelief while it happened. Before there was time to react, it was over. Three of the Volturi soldiers leaped forward, and Irina was completely obscured by their gray cloaks. In the same instant, a horrible metallic screeching ripped through the clearing. Caius slithered into the center of the gray melee, and the shocking squealing sound exploded into a startling upward shower of sparks and tongues of flame. The soldiers leaped back from the sudden inferno, immediately retaking their places in the guard's perfectly straight line. Caius stood alone beside the blazing remains of Irina, the metal object in his hand still throwing a thick jet of flame into the pyre. With a small clicking sound, the fire shooting from Caius's hand disappeared. A gasp rippled through the mass of witnesses behind the Volturi. We were too aghast to make any noise at all. It was one thing to know that death was coming with fierce, unstoppable speed; it was another thing to watch it happen. Caius smiled coldly. â€Å"Now she has taken full responsibility for her actions.† His eyes flashed to our front line, touching swiftly on Tanya's and Kate's frozen forms. In that second I understood that Caius had never underestimated the ties of a true family. This was the ploy. He had not wanted Irina's complaint; he had wanted her defiance. His excuse to destroy her, to ignite the violence that filled the air like a thick, combustible mist. He had thrown a match. The strained peace of this summit already teetered more precariously than an elephant on a tightrope. Once the fight began, there would be no way to stop it. It would only escalate until one side was entirely extinct. Our side. Caius knew this. So did Edward. â€Å"Stop them!† Edward cried out, jumping to grab Tanya's arm as she lurched forward toward the smiling Caius with a maddened cry of pure rage. She couldn't shake Edward off before Carlisle had his arms locked around her waist. â€Å"It's too late to help her,† he reasoned urgently as she struggled. â€Å"Don't give him what he wants!† Kate was harder to contain. Shrieking wordlessly like Tanya, she broke into the first stride of the attack that would end with everyone's death. Rosalie was closest to her, but before Rose could clinch her in a headlock, Kate shocked her so violently that Rose crumpled to the ground. Emmett caught Kate's arm and threw her down, then staggered back, his knees giving out. Kate rolled to her feet, and it looked like no one could stop her. Garrett flung himself at her, knocking her to the ground again. He bound his arms around hers, locking his hands around his own wrists. I saw his body spasm as she shocked him. His eyes rolled back in his head, but his hold did not break. â€Å"Zafrina,† Edward shouted. Kate's eyes went blank and her screams turned to moans. Tanya stopped struggling. â€Å"Give me my sight back,† Tanya hissed. Desperately, but with all the delicacy I could manage, I pulled my shield even tighter against the sparks of my friends, peeling it back carefully from Kate while trying to keep it around Garrett, making it a thin skin between them. And then Garrett was in command of himself again, holding Kate to the snow. â€Å"If I let you up, will you knock me down again, Katie?† he whispered. She snarled in response, still thrashing blindly. â€Å"Listen to me, Tanya, Kate,† Carlisle said in a low but intense whisper. â€Å"Vengeance doesn't help her now. Irina wouldn't want you to waste your lives this way. Think about what you're doing. If you attack them, we all die.† Tanya's shoulders hunched with grief, and she leaned into Carlisle for support. Kate was finally still. Carlisle and Garrett continued to console the sisters with words too urgent to sound like comfort. And my attention returned to the weight of the stares that pressed down on our moment of chaos. From the corners of my eyes, I could see that Edward and everyone else besides Carlisle and Garrett were on their guard again as well. The heaviest glare came from Caius, staring with enraged disbelief at Kate and Garrett in the snow. Aro was watching the same two, incredulity the strongest emotion on his face. He knew what Kate could do. He had felt her potency through Edward's memories. Did he understand what was happening now – did he see that my shield had grown in strength and subtlety far beyond what Edward knew me to be capable of? Or did he think Garrett had learned his own form of immunity? The Volturi guard no longer stood at disciplined attention – they were crouched forward, waiting to spring the counterstrike the moment we attacked. Behind them, forty-three witnesses watched with very different expressions than the ones they'd worn entering the clearing. Confusion had turned to suspicion. The lightning-fast destruction of Irina had shaken them all. What had been her crime? Without the immediate attack that Caius had counted on to distract from his rash act, the Volturi witnesses were left questioning exactly what was going on here. Aro glanced back swiftly while I watched, his face betraying him with one flash of vexation. His need for an audience had backfired badly. I heard Stefan and Vladimir murmur to each other in quiet glee at Aro's discomfort. Aro was obviously concerned with keeping his white hat, as the Romanians had put it. But I didn't believe that the Volturi would leave us in peace just to save their reputation. After they finished with us, surely they would slaughter their witnesses for that purpose. I felt a strange, sudden pity for the mass of the strangers the Volturi had brought to watch us die. Demetri would hunt them until they were extinct, too. For Jacob and Renesmee, for Alice and Jasper, for Alistair, and for these strangers who had not known what today would cost them, Demetri had to die. Aro touched Caius's shoulder lightly. â€Å"Irina has been punished for bearing false witness against this child.† So that was to be their excuse. He went on. â€Å"Perhaps we should return to the matter at hand?† Caius straightened, and his expression hardened into unreadability. He stared forward, seeing nothing. His face reminded me, oddly, of a person who'd just learned he'd been demoted. Aro drifted forward, Renata, Felix, and Demetri automatically moving with him. â€Å"Just to be thorough,† he said, â€Å"I'd like to speak with a few of your witnesses. Procedure, you know.† He waved a hand dismissively. Two things happened at once. Caius's eyes focused on Aro, and the tiny cruel smile came back. And Edward hissed, his hands balling up in fists so tight it looked like the bones in his knuckles would split through his diamond-hard skin. I was desperate to ask him what was going on, but Aro was close enough to hear even the quietest breath. I saw Carlisle glance anxiously at Edward's face, and then his own face hardened. While Caius had blundered through useless accusations and injudicious attempts to trigger the fight, Aro must have been coming up with a more effective strategy. Aro ghosted across the snow to the far western end of our line, stopping about ten yards from Amun and Kebi. The nearby wolves bristled angrily but held their positions. â€Å"Ah, Amun, my southern neighbor!† Aro said warmly. â€Å"It has been so long since you've visited me.† Amun was motionless with anxiety, Kebi a statue at his side. â€Å"Time means little; I never notice its passing,† Amun said through unmoving lips. â€Å"So true,† Aro agreed. â€Å"But maybe you had another reason to stay away?† Amun said nothing. â€Å"It can be terribly time-consuming to organize newcomers into a coven. I know that well! I'm grateful I have others to deal with the tedium. I'm glad your new additions have fit in so well. I would have loved to have been introduced. I'm sure you were meaning to come to see me soon.† â€Å"Of course,† Amun said, his tone so emotionless that it was impossible to tell if there was any fear or sarcasm in his assent. â€Å"Oh well, we're all together now! Isn't it lovely?† Amun nodded, his face blank. â€Å"But the reason for your presence here is not as pleasant, unfortunately. Carlisle called on you to witness?† â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"And what did you witness for him?† Amun spoke with the same cold lack of emotion. â€Å"I've observed the child in question. It was evident almost immediately that she was not an immortal child – â€Å" â€Å"Perhaps we should define our terminology,† Aro interrupted, â€Å"now that there seem to be new classifications. By immortal child, you mean of course a human child who had been bitten and thus transformed into a vampire.† â€Å"Yes, that's what I meant.† â€Å"What else did you observe about the child?† â€Å"The same things that you surely saw in Edward's mind. That the child is his biologically. That she grows. That she learns.† â€Å"Yes, yes,† Aro said, a hint of impatience in his otherwise amiable tone. â€Å"But specifically in your few weeks here, what did you see?† Amun's brow furrowed. â€Å"That she grows†¦ quickly.† Aro smiled. â€Å"And do you believe that she should be allowed to live?† A hiss escaped my lips, and I was not alone. Half the vampires in our line echoed my protest. The sound was a low sizzle of fury hanging in the air. Across the meadow, a few of the Volturi witnesses made the same noise. Edward stepped back and wrapped a restraining hand around my wrist. Aro did not turn to the noise, but Amun glanced around uneasily. â€Å"I did not come to make judgments,† he equivocated. Aro laughed lightly. â€Å"Just your opinion.† Amun's chin lifted. â€Å"I see no danger in the child. She learns even more swiftly than she grows.† Aro nodded, considering. After a moment, he turned away. â€Å"Aro?† Amun called. Aro whirled back. â€Å"Yes, friend?† â€Å"I gave my witness. I have no more business here. My mate and I would like to take our leave now.† Aro smiled warmly. â€Å"Of course. I'm so glad we were able to chat for a bit. And I'm sure we'll see each other again soon.† Amun's lips were a tight line as he inclined his head once, acknowledging the barely concealed threat. He touched Kebi's arm, and then the two of them ran quickly to the southern edge of the meadow and disappeared into the trees. I knew they wouldn't stop running for a very long time. Aro was gliding back along the length of our line to the east, his guards hovering tensely. He stopped when he was in front of Siobhan's massive form. â€Å"Hello, dear Siobhan. You are as lovely as ever.† Siobhan inclined her head, waiting. â€Å"And you?† he asked. â€Å"Would you answer my questions the same way Amun has?† â€Å"I would,† Siobhan said. â€Å"But I would perhaps add a little more. Renesmee understands the limitations. She's no danger to humans – she blends in better than we do. She poses no threat of exposure.† â€Å"Can you think of none?† Aro asked soberly. Edward growled, a low ripping sound deep in his throat. Caius's cloudy crimson eyes brightened. Renata reached out protectively toward her master. And Garrett freed Kate to take a step forward, ignoring Kate's hand as she tried to caution him this time. Siobhan answered slowly, â€Å"I don't think I follow you.† Aro drifted lightly back, casually, but toward the rest of his guard. Renata, Felix, and Demetri were closer than his shadow. â€Å"There is no broken law,† Aro said in a placating voice, but every one of us could hear that a qualification was coming. I fought back the rage that tried to claw its way up my throat and snarl out my defiance. I hurled the fury into my shield, thickening it, making sure everyone was protected. â€Å"No broken law,† Aro repeated. â€Å"However, does it follow then that there is no danger? No.† He shook his head gently. â€Å"That is a separate issue.† The only response was the tightening of already stretched nerves, and Maggie, at the fringes of our band of fighters, shaking her head with slow anger. Aro paced thoughtfully, looking as if he floated rather than touched the ground with his feet. I noticed every pass took him closer to the protection of his guard. â€Å"She is unique†¦ utterly, impossibly unique. Such a waste it would be, to destroy something so lovely. Especially when we could learn so much .. .† He sighed, as if unwilling to go on. â€Å"But there is danger, danger that cannot simply be ignored.† No one answered his assertion. It was dead silent as he continued in a monologue that sounded as if he spoke it for himself only. â€Å"How ironic it is that as the humans advance, as their faith in science grows and controls their world, the more free we are from discovery. Yet, as we become ever more uninhibited by their disbelief in the supernatural, they become strong enough in their technologies that, if they wished, they could actually pose a threat to us, even destroy some of us. â€Å"For thousands and thousands of years, our secrecy has been more a matter of convenience, of ease, than of actual safety. This last raw, angry century has given birth to weapons of such power that they endanger even immortals. Now our status as mere myth in truth protects us from these weak creatures we hunt. â€Å"Thisamazingchild† – he lifted his hand palm down as if to rest it on Renesmee, though he was forty yards from her now, almost within the Volturi formation again – â€Å"if we could but know her potential – know with absolute certainty that she could always remain shrouded within the obscurity that protects us. But we know nothing of what she will become! Her own parents are plagued by fears of her future. We cannot know what she will grow to be.† He paused, looking first at our witnesses, and then, meaningfully, at his own. His voice gave a good imitation of sounding torn by his words. Still looking at his own witnesses, he spoke again. â€Å"Only the known is safe. Only the known is tolerable. The unknown is†¦ a vulnerability.† Caius's smile widened viciously. â€Å"You're reaching, Aro,† Carlisle said in a bleak voice. â€Å"Peace, friend.† Aro smiled, his face as kind, his voice as gentle, as ever. â€Å"Let us not be hasty. Let us look at this from every side.† â€Å"May I offer a side to be considered?† Garrett petitioned in a level tone, taking another step forward. â€Å"Nomad,† Aro said, nodding in permission. Garrett's chin lifted. His eyes focused on the huddled mass at the end of the meadow, and he spoke directly to the Volturi witnesses. â€Å"I came here at Carlisle's request, as the others, to witness,† he said. â€Å"That is certainly no longer necessary, with regard to the child. We all see what she is. â€Å"I stayed to witness something else. You.† He jabbed his finger toward the wary vampires. â€Å"Two of you I know – Makenna, Charles – and I can see that many of you others are also wanderers, roamers like myself. Answering to none. Think carefully on what I tell you now. ‘These ancient ones did not come here for justice as they told you. We suspected as much, and now it has been proved. They came, misled, but with a valid excuse for their action. Witness now as they seek flimsy excuses to continue their true mission. Witness them struggle to find a justification for their true purpose – to destroy this family here.† He gestured toward Carlisle and Tanya. â€Å"The Volturi come to erase what they perceive as the competition. Perhaps, like me, you look at this clan's golden eyes and marvel. They are difficult to understand, it's true. But the ancient ones look and see something besides their strange choice. They see power. â€Å"I have witnessed the bonds within this family – I say family and not coven. These strange golden-eyed ones deny their very natures. But in return have they found something worth even more, perhaps, than mere gratification of desire? I've made a little study of them in my time here, and it seems to me that intrinsic to this intense family binding – that which makes them possible at all – is the peaceful character of this life of sacrifice. There is no aggression here like we all saw in the large southern clans that grew and diminished so quickly in their wild feuds. There is no thought for domination. And Aro knows this better than I do.† I watched Aro's face as Garrett's words condemned him, waiting tensely for some response. But Aro's face was only politely amused, as if waiting for a tantrum-throwing child to realize that no one was paying attention to his histrionics. â€Å"Carlisle assured us all, when he told us what was coming, that he did not call us here to fight. These witnesses† – Garrett pointed to Siobhan and Liam – â€Å"agreed to give evidence, to slow the Volturi advance with their presence so that Carlisle would get the chance to present his case. â€Å"But some of us wondered† – his eyes flashed to Eleazars face – â€Å"if Carlisle having truth on his side would be enough to stop the so-called justice. Are the Volturi here to protect the safety of our secrecy, or to protect their own power? Did they come to destroy an illegal creation, or a way of life? Could they be satisfied when the danger turned out to be no more than a misunderstanding? Or would they push the issue without the excuse of justice? â€Å"We have the answer to all these questions. We heard it in Aro's lying words – we have one with a gift of knowing such things for certain – and we see it now in Caius's eager smile. Their guard is just a mindless weapon, a tool in their masters' quest for domination. â€Å"So now there are more questions, questions that you must answer. Who rules you, nomads? Do you answer to someone's will besides your own? Are you free to choose your path, or will the Volturi decide how you will live? â€Å"I came to witness. I stay to fight. The Volturi care nothing for the death of the child. They seek the death of our free will.† He turned, then, to face the ancients. â€Å"So come, I say! Let's hear no more lying rationalizations. Be honest in your intents as we will be honest in ours. We will defend our freedom. You will or will not attack it. Choose now, and let these witnesses see the true issue debated here.† Once more he looked to the Volturi witnesses, his eyes probing each face. The power of his words was evident in their expressions. â€Å"You might consider joining us. If you think the Volturi will let you live to tell this tale, you are mistaken. We may all be destroyed† – he shrugged – â€Å"but then again, maybe not. Perhaps we are on more equal footing than they know. Perhaps the Volturi have finally met their match. I promise you this, though – if we fall, so do you.† He ended his heated speech by stepping back to Kate's side and then sliding forward in a half-crouch, prepared for the onslaught. Aro smiled. â€Å"Avery pretty speech, my revolutionary friend.† Garrett remained poised for attack. â€Å"Revolutionary?† he growled. â€Å"Who am I revolting against, might I ask? Are you my king? Do you wish me to call you master, too, like your sycophantic guard?† â€Å"Peace, Garrett,† Aro said tolerantly. â€Å"I meant only to refer to your time of birth. Still a patriot, I see.† Garrett glared back furiously. â€Å"Let us ask our witnesses,† Aro suggested. â€Å"Let us hear their thoughts before we make our decision. Tell us, friends† – and he turned his back casually on us, moving a few yards toward his mass of nervous observers hovering even closer now to the edge of the forest – â€Å"what do you think of all this? I can assure you the child is not what we feared. Do we take the risk and let the child live? Do we put our world in jeopardy to preserve their family intact? Or does earnest Garrett have the right of it? Will you join them in a fight against our sudden quest for dominion?† The witnesses met his gaze with careful faces. One, a small black-haired woman, looked briefly at the dark blond male at her side. â€Å"Are those our only choices?† she asked suddenly, gaze flashing back to Aro. â€Å"Agree with you, or fight against you?† â€Å"Of course not, most charming Makenna,† Aro said, appearing horrified that anyone could come to that conclusion. â€Å"You may go in peace, of course, as Amun did, even if you disagree with the council's decision.† Makenna looked at her mate's face again, and he nodded minutely. â€Å"We did not come here for a fight.† She paused, exhaled, then said, â€Å"We came here to witness. And our witness is that this condemned family is innocent. Everything that Garrett claimed is the truth.† â€Å"Ah,† Aro said sadly. â€Å"I'm sorry you see us in that way. But such is the nature of our work.† â€Å"It is not what I see, but what I feel,† Makenna's maize-haired mate spoke in a high, nervous voice. He glanced at Garrett. â€Å"Garrett said they have ways of knowing lies. I, too, know when I am hearing the truth, and when I am not.† With frightened eyes he moved closer to his mate, waiting for Aro's reaction. â€Å"Do not fear us, friend Charles. No doubt the patriot truly believes what he says,† Aro chuckled lightly, and Charles's eyes narrowed. â€Å"That is our witness,† Makenna said. â€Å"We're leaving now.† She and Charles backed away slowly, not turning before they were lost from view in the trees. One other stranger began to retreat the same way, then three more darted after him. I evaluated the thirty-seven vampires that stayed. A few of them appeared just too confused to make the decision. But the majority of them seemed only too aware of the direction this confrontation had taken. I guessed that they were giving up a head start in favor of knowing exactly who would be chasing after them. I was sure Aro saw the same thing I did. He turned away, walking back to his guard with a measured pace. He stopped in front of them and addressed them in a clear voice. â€Å"We are outnumbered, dearest ones,† he said. â€Å"We can expect no outside help. Should we leave this question undecided to save ourselves?† â€Å"No, master,† they whispered in unison. â€Å"Is the protection of our world worth perhaps the loss of some of our number?† â€Å"Yes,† they breathed. â€Å"We are not afraid.† Aro smiled and turned to his black-clad companions. â€Å"Brothers,† Aro said somberly, â€Å"there is much to consider here.† â€Å"Let us counsel,† Caius said eagerly. â€Å"Let us counsel,† Marcus repeated in an uninterested tone. Aro turned his back to us again, facing the other ancients. They joined hands to form a black-shrouded triangle. As soon as Aro's attention was engaged in the silent counsel, two more of their witnesses disappeared silently into the forest. I hoped, for their sakes, that they were fast. This was it. Carefully, I loosened Renesmee's arms from my neck. â€Å"You remember what I told you?† Tears welled in her eyes, but she nodded. â€Å"I love you,† she whispered. Edward was watching us now, his topaz eyes wide. Jacob stared at us from the corner of his big dark eye. â€Å"I love you, too,† I said, and then I touched her locket. â€Å"More than my own life.† I kissed her forehead. Jacob whined uneasily. I stretched up on my toes and whispered into his ear. â€Å"Wait until they're totally distracted, then run with her. Get as far from this place as you possibly can. When you've gone as far as you can on foot, she has what you need to get you in the air.† Edward's and Jacob's faces were almost identical masks of horror, despite the fact that one of them was an animal. Renesmee reached for Edward, and he took her in his arms. They hugged each other tightly. â€Å"This is what you kept from me?† he whispered over her head. â€Å"From Aro,† I breathed. â€Å"Alice?† I nodded. His face twisted with understanding and pain. Had that been the expression on my face when I'd finally put together Alice's clues? Jacob was growling quietly, a low rasp that was as even and unbroken as a purr. His hackles were stiff and his teeth exposed. Edward kissed Renesmee's forehead and both her cheeks, then he lifted her to Jacob's shoulder. She scrambled agilely onto his back, pulling herself into place with handfuls of his fur, and fit herself easily into the dip between his massive shoulder blades. Jacob turned to me, his expressive eyes full of agony, the rumbling growl still grating through his chest. â€Å"You're the only one we could ever trust her with,† I murmured to him. â€Å"If you didn't love her so much, I could never bear this. I know you can protect her, Jacob.† He whined again, and dipped his head to butt it against my shoulder. â€Å"I know,† I whispered. â€Å"I love you, too, Jake. You'll always be my best man.† A tear the size of a baseball rolled into the russet fur beneath his eye. Edward leaned his head against the same shoulder where he'd placed Renesmee. â€Å"Goodbye, Jacob, my brother†¦ my son.† The others were not oblivious to the farewell scene. Their eyes were locked on the silent black triangle, but I could tell they were listening. â€Å"Is there no hope, then?† Carlisle whispered. There was no fear in his voice. Just determination and acceptance. â€Å"There is absolutely hope,† I murmured back. It could be true, I told myself. â€Å"I only know my own fate.† Edward took my hand. He knew that he was included. When I said my fate, there was no question that I meant the two of us. We were just halves of the whole. Esme's breath was ragged behind me. She moved past us, touching our faces as she passed, to stand beside Carlisle and hold his hand. Suddenly, we were surrounded by murmured goodbyes and I love you's. â€Å"If we live through this,† Garrett whispered to Kate, â€Å"I'll follow you anywhere, woman.† â€Å"Now he tells me,† she muttered. Rosalie and Emmett kissed quickly but passionately. Tia caressed Benjamin's face. He smiled back cheerfully, catching her hand and holding it against his cheek. I didn't see all the expressions of love and pain. I was distracted by a sudden fluttering pressure against the outside of my shield. I couldn't tell where it came from, but it felt like it was directed at the edges of our group, Siobhan and Liam particularly. The pressure did no damage, and then it was gone. There was no change in the silent, still forms of the counseling ancients. But perhaps there was some signal I'd missed. â€Å"Get ready,† I whispered to the others. â€Å"It's starting.†