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The Vega rocket never found its commercial niche. After tonight, it’s gone.

✇Science – Ars Technica
Stephen Clark
The final Vega rocket climbs away from its launch pad in Kourou, French Guiana.

Enlarge / The final Vega rocket climbs away from its launch pad in Kourou, French Guiana. (credit: ESA-CNES-ARIANESPACE/Optique vidéo du CSG–S. Martin)

The final flight of Europe's Vega rocket lifted off Wednesday night from French Guiana, carrying an important environmental monitoring satellite for the European Union's flagship Copernicus program.

The 98-foot-tall (30-meter) Vega rocket took off at 9:50 pm EDT Wednesday (01:50 UTC Thursday) from the European-run spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The launcher headed north from the launch pad on the coast of South America, aiming for a polar orbit about 480 miles (775 kilometers) above the Earth.

The sole payload was Sentinel-2C, a remote sensing platform set to join Europe's fleet of Copernicus environmental satellites. The multibillion-dollar Copernicus system is the world's most comprehensive space-based Earth observation network, with satellites fitted with different kinds of instruments monitoring land surfaces, oceans, and the atmosphere.

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Aqua Sentinel: The Tide of Justice

✇Anime Short Story
Agent Adept
Kai, the Aqua Sentinel, with the luminescent orb in hand, standing heroically in the underwater ruins off the coast of Fukuoka, 2090. In the background, the damaged Neptune Harvester and an array of marine life allies, including Tama the wise old turtle and a school of electric eels, rally around Kai, showcasing the climactic moment of environmental triumph over Shirogane's exploitation.


 In the vibrant city of Fukuoka, in the year 2090, where the sea meets the future, a new hero emerged from the depths of the ocean. This is the tale of Kai, a young marine biologist with the ability to communicate with aquatic life, a gift that had been passed down through generations in his family. Known to the people only as "Aqua Sentinel," Kai dedicated his life to protecting the marine ecosystem against the ever-growing threat of pollution and illegal underwater activities that plagued the coastal city.


Kai's journey began when he discovered a mysterious artifact while diving in the ruins of an ancient underwater city off the coast of Fukuoka. The artifact, a luminescent orb, imbued him with enhanced abilities, allowing him to breathe underwater and control water currents. With these powers, Kai took on the mantle of Aqua Sentinel, becoming a guardian of the seas.


The antagonist of our story was a notorious tech-mogul, Shirogane, who sought to exploit the ocean's resources to power his futuristic inventions. His latest project, the "Neptune Harvester," was a colossal machine designed to mine the seabed for rare minerals, disregarding the catastrophic environmental impact it would have.


Determined to stop Shirogane, Kai embarked on a mission to sabotage the Neptune Harvester. With the help of his marine allies, including a wise old turtle named Tama and a school of electric eels, Kai fought his way through Shirogane's underwater defenses. The battle showcased Kai's mastery over his aquatic abilities, as he maneuvered through the ocean with grace and power, evading traps and outsmarting his opponents.


In a climactic confrontation at the heart of the Neptune Harvester, Kai faced Shirogane, who revealed his true intentions. Shirogane believed that humanity's survival depended on harnessing the ocean's resources, even if it meant destroying the marine ecosystem. Kai, with his deep connection to the sea, challenged Shirogane's worldview, arguing that true progress could only be achieved by living in harmony with nature.


The battle reached its peak as Kai used his powers to trigger a massive tidal wave, targeting the Neptune Harvester. With precise control, he redirected the wave at the last moment, sparing Shirogane's life but destroying the machine. In the aftermath, Shirogane, humbled by Kai's mercy and determination, vowed to dedicate his resources to sustainable ocean exploration.


Kai's victory was celebrated both above and below the waves. The marine creatures hailed him as a hero, and the people of Fukuoka grew to respect the ocean's might and mystery. Kai, however, knew that his fight was far from over. With the seas once again under threat from human greed and ignorance, the Aqua Sentinel stood ready to defend the balance between humanity and the marine world.


Thus, in the futuristic city of Fukuoka, the legend of Aqua Sentinel lived on, a beacon of hope and a reminder that the greatest power lies in our ability to protect and preserve the natural world for future generations.

Yoru's Starlit Adventures: The Midnight Sentinel of Tokyo

✇Anime Short Story
Agent Adept
Yoru the cat-man dashing through the night


 In a quaint corner of Tokyo, where the city's heartbeat softly echoed through the winding alleyways, there lived a remarkable cat named Yoru. Yoru wasn't just any cat; he was an anime cat with an air of mystery and a coat as black as the night, speckled with stars like the sky above Tokyo. His eyes, a vivid emerald, gleamed with intelligence and curiosity.


Yoru's adventures began when he stumbled upon a peculiar object while prowling the rooftops of Tokyo - a glowing amulet shaped like a crescent moon. The moment he touched it with his paw, something extraordinary happened. Yoru found himself able to walk and talk like humans, and even more astonishing, he could transform into an anime human-cat hybrid at will.


Embracing his newfound abilities, Yoru explored Tokyo like never before. He roamed the bustling streets during the day, his feline agility and human intellect making him an excellent detective. He solved mysteries that baffled even the wisest humans, from finding lost treasures to uncovering the secrets of ancient artifacts hidden in the city.


As the sun set and the city lights flickered to life, Yoru transformed into his human-cat form. He became a guardian of the night, protecting the innocent and battling the mischievous spirits that roamed the shadows. His legend grew, and he became known as "The Midnight Sentinel," a mysterious figure both feared and revered.


Yoru's most thrilling adventure began with a legend about the "Starlit Sakura," a mythical cherry blossom tree said to bloom only under the starriest night. The legend spoke of a hidden realm accessible only to those pure of heart and brave of spirit. Intrigued, Yoru embarked on a quest to find this enchanted tree.


His journey took him through ancient temples, across neon-lit arcades, and into the depths of Tokyo's enchanted forests. Along the way, he encountered other mystical creatures, each with their own tales and wisdom to share. Yoru's charm and wit won him many allies, from wise old tanukis to spirited kitsunes.


Finally, under the light of a full moon, Yoru discovered the Starlit Sakura in a forgotten grove. The sight was breathtaking – the tree's blossoms glowed like stars, casting a gentle, ethereal light. As Yoru sat under the tree, he felt a deep connection with the city and its myriad of stories.


Yoru's adventures became legendary, a testament to the magic hidden within the ordinary. He wasn't just a cat or a human; he was a symbol of the mystical bond between the natural and the supernatural, a bridge between two worlds.


From then on, Yoru continued his adventures, each night writing a new chapter in the tapestry of Tokyo's hidden tales. His story was one of wonder, courage, and the endless quest for knowledge and adventure in the sprawling metropolis of Tokyo.

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