Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Complete under the ############.
Merc
--------------------
Tor commented to Sweety, "Where's Pol?"
Sweety hesitated for a moment and then said, "He is still alive. I have the Prometheus on scanner and he has re-engaged the ESS."
Tor said with a hint of relief, "Open the comm Sweety."
Sweety responded hastily, "The Prometheus is under a sustained attack. He's just been rammed by a fighter. Shields are failing and I am detecting multiple systems failures."
Tor had turned sharply back and had the boost pressed even the thrusters had reached maximum speed without removing the safeties. Stanad was the first to the scene and even with reduced shields was firing on every ship even vaguely in range. Tor came in sharply the Beta HEPT's and particle beam firing in conjunction slicing and vaporizing everything in line of sight.
The Prometheus strafed sideways as another enemy vessel passed within a meter of his new position. The three broke free from the melee however the Khaak ships did not pursue but gathered together near the gate.
Tor sighed, he kept the ship on a vector heading away from the pack of Khaak fighter that remained giving him time to think and his shields to recover, "Well that was new, I got the distinct feeling that we've really outstayed our welcome this time. What about the others?"
Stanad commented wistfully, "You should really remember that the comm channel is still open, it helps during combat for relaying quick messages. Ships hanging together fine but I look to have picked up some more ancillary damage but nothing that can't be kicked back into shape. I'm worried about Pol the Prommy took one hell of a beating just then. Scanners indicate a change in the enemy tactics."
The comm crackled and the static from the communications system indicated that this time the Prometheus had indeed taken a considerable amount of damage, ".. shi. .. is ..bout ..gether?giv ..hile ..fix .. me ..overed ."
Stanad replied slowly and clearly, "Pol mate, your comm system is all shot, can you repeat?"
This was met by a burst of static and an undecipherable response.
Tor brought the Defiance in close to the Prometheus however he had to back away as the ship appeared to drift then correct its course seemingly having difficulty in maintaining level flight. Frozen crystallized atmosphere was leaking through several minor fractures.
Tor commented, "Sweety, it looks like a mess can you help?"
Sweety responded, "I will see what I can do but I am detecting a considerable amount of internal damage. However Polmanckelest appears to have strong healthy life signs and is in no immediate danger."
Stanad commented with relief, "He's a tough," And left the sentence unfinished.
Tor said, "Any ideas on Stanads' comment about the change of tactics?"
Sweety replied after a brief moment, "My analysis is they were all attempting to ram the Prometheus. The shields have been focussed forward and weapons power diverted to the engines."
Tor looked surprised, "Why?"
Sweety replied, "I am not a Khaak, why should I know that?"
Tor sighed and smiled at the attempt to lighten the mood, despite the current situation, "But you know everything."
Tor could imagine the hint of a pleasant smile in the tone of Sweetys voice as she responded, "The only theory that I have is that for these fighters the carrier was the mother ship. Now that has been destroyed they have no future except to die a glorious death, but perhaps I am reading too much into the behaviour. If my theory is correct however that will make them extremely dangerous. The Xenon used a similar tactic in the great war and it is one that will be very difficult to defend against," Sweety then added almost casually, "I have to mention that we also have a problem. One of the shield unit surge protection breakers has been damaged so we only have two active shields. Fortunately we have spares but while I'm working on the Prometheus could you replace the damaged breaker. Also I am detecting some outer hull damage. Not significant at this moment but it will be a weakness during further combat."
Tor turned the pilot seat and moved to the rear of the cabin. He said, "Just make sure we don't collide."
As he rummaged through the spares locker he found the surge protection module and floor panel release tool. Crouching down he popped open the panel the acrid smell of suppressant filled his nostrils and he could almost taste it. Releasing the catches he pulled out the damaged module and clipped in the replacement before depositing the old one in the waste unit.
Returning to the Pilot seat he asked, "How's that?"
Sweety commented, "Much better, shield is now recharging. The Prometheus hull is now patched and we have restored rudder control so the ship now flies in a straight line. Remarkably the ship can still use the hull masking but the ESS unit is damaged. Internal environmental units are also repaired as is the navigation system. Engine booster unit and auto docking systems are damaged beyond repair. Also the targeting system is not functioning at optimum configuration."
In a burst of static interference Polmanckelest called in, "Can you hear me now?" This time the complete message came across.
Stanad replied, "Good to hear you mate, but I think it's time for us to get out of this damn sector." He led the way as he began to make the turn back towards the gate and the ball of waiting Khaak fighters.
Inside Tor could not agree more but was apprehensive as to what came next, "Sweety tell me the next sector is X-five."
Sweety commented, "Negative it is just after the next sector."
Tor instinctively replied, "Tell me there isn't a capital ship just beyond the gate."
Sweety replied, "Negative all the capital ships are holding position near the X-five gate."
Stanad asked, "This is all very well but Sweety can you do something with the Prommys' engines to see if you can squeeze a bit more speed out of her? At this moment we need as much speed as possible as I really don't think we can take on too many more cap ships without losing at least one of us."
There was a momentary pause and then Sweety replied, "I can reprogram the computer to temporarily off line the unmodified shield unit and divert power to engines whilst raising the maximum speed threshold limit. This will increase the maximum speed by thirty mps. As a safety measure, at Polmanckelest request, the shield can be reactivated but he will lose the speed gained and the shield will take time to regenerate."
Polmanckelest replied in his gruff voice with a low level static interference in the background, "Do it."
A few moments later the Prometheus surged forward. Tor felt perplexed and with a growing sense of concern as they closed with the Khaak fighters, which for the moment showed no sign of moving to intercept but had formed themselves into what appeared to be a ball of closely packed ships. He asked, "What are they doing?"
Stanad also noted, "I don't like this, the fighters from the station have retreated and are standing off."
Sweety commented, "I am detecting unusual energy levels within each of the ships."
Tor responded with a general comment, "Let's see if we can swing around towards the rear of the gate."
As they changed direction so the ball of fighters suddenly broke apart and started to regroup ahead of them.
Stanad commented with little enthusiasm, "I can see this getting very messy."
No one responded as they continued to draw closer, the Khaak ships changed formation the lead ships moving out from the centre pulling the adjacent ones slighty behind, seemingly to form a cone pointing directly towards the three of them. Again they changed heading and once more the Khaak fighters adjusted position.
The gate loomed closer. Stanad commented earnestly, "These guys are beginning to spook me out."
Tor said, "We've got to get past."
They closed in and pulled away as they reached firing range the Khaak ships shot forwards all power diverted to the engines. The particle beams reducing the first few ships to vapour without a returned shot. As the nearest fighter failed to ram the Defiance it self destructed, sending out a shock wave that turned it. The next Khaak fighter also exploded and the third passed within meters of the Nova before it detonated.
Sweety was targeting incoming fighters as fast as she could process them and energize the particle beam. Without shields they exploded immediately but the energy overload effected the Defiance if it detonated within one hundred meters. The resulting shock wave not only buffeted the ship but impacted the shield strength and the effect increased significantly the shorter the distance.
======================
The Defiance was suddenly swept up in a series of rapid explosions and went into an uncontrolled flat spin the cockpit screen fractured then exploded outwards and as Tor gripped the flight stick with all his strength to prevent being sucked out of the ship in the out rushing air, items from the cabin flew past him. The moment passed and Tor glanced quickly over and breathed easy in his environment suit to see the technical data pad was still firmly seated in the holder. The environment suit quickly warmed but everything was still swirling as the ship span away.
Sweetys commented through the suits comm, “I think a profanity or two might be in order.”
Tor commented as the gate span past once again and was quite definitely getting smaller, “What’s happening.”
Sweety replied, “We have lost engine stabilization and all thruster control.”
Tor saw several more explosions near the gate on the next spin. He saw this as a sign that the others were still alive and asked, “So what now?”
Sweety responded with her attention obviously elsewhere, “I will try to repair the engines and get them restarted.”
Tor dreaded the next answer but could not help himself from asking, “What if you can’t?”
Sweety replied bluntly, “Then expect to keep going round and round like this until we hit something, but that might not be for several thousand years, if at all. But the really bad news is you only have two hours of oxygen.”
Tor now felt helpless, “Anything I can do?”
Sweety responded unhelpfully, “Sit back and enjoy the view.”
To his mind this was not how it was supposed to end, somewhere deep down he felt as though there was so much more for him to do, like save the day and get the girl. At the moment he was spinning away ignominiously into deep space. He said defiantly, “There must be something I can do?”
Sweety considered the offer, “Okay, take a look behind you and try to get to the engine access hatch. At the moment I’m using the reserve power to keep the replicator active, but I will direct you to several power couplings which need to be disconnected.”
Spinning the chair round Tor looked at the devastation behind him access panels had been blown open, and the gravity units were offline so objects were bouncing around in the cabin.
The suit comm crackled to life, “Tor please respond?”
He felt momentarily relieved, “Yeah I’m here.”
Polmanckelest responded, “I’m detecting only minimal reserve power. Suggest you abandon.”
For a moment Tor hesitated and indecision clouded his mind, “Sweety, what are our chances?”
Sweety responded gently, “Slim.”
Tor closed his eyes and tried to weigh up the options in his own mind, he asked “What if we abandon ship?”
The hesitation spoke volumes and Sweety in a normal, un-featured voice that many AI systems had, replied, “The choice is yours but I will not be able to leave with you.”
Tor glanced at the technical datapad and weighed up the choices based on his own survival from slim to certain. He took a deep breath and opened his eyes to blink slowly as the solar system span around behind him. He asked quietly, “What do you mean?”
There was a hint of sadness in Sweetys voice, “This ship is as much a part of me as your body is to you. I have defined and improved it to the extent that this is my home. I cannot fix all the systems without your help and if you abandon ship then I will ensure that I am left behind to auto destruct.”
Tor was lost for words.
Stanad called in, “Tor, are you abandoning ship?” There was no response, “Tor, what are your intentions?”
Tor heard the requests and simply stared into the cabin. He had already experienced the loss of his parents and only family that he had ever really known and now, although the AI was only computer based, he felt that he was about to lose a very close friend if not the best friend he had if he decided to bail out.
Sweety interrupted his thoughts, “They are still waiting for a response.”
Tor blinked tears from his eyes and replied, “Give us a chance to see if we can get the engines back on line.” He placed his magnetized boots on the deck and stepped out of the seat.
Polmanckelest called out, “You are travelling at nearly three hundred and seventy mps, if you delay too long we will not be able to recover you before your suit oxygen supply expires.”
Pausing as he tentatively pushed objects ahead of him back towards the rear of the cabin he took a deep breath and said, “I’ve got to at least try to get this thing going again.”
He caught a tool at it floated by and stabilizing himself then grabbed a passing floor panel. After clipping it back in place he proceeded forward again. The engine maintenance hatch opened easily and he was met by small fragments of metal and conduit which had been sucked towards the hatch when the air left the ship. Tor only hoped there was still enough in the ship tanks to recharge the cabin.
Crawling along the maintenance run he could see blackened and ruptured power lines. Tor commented, “Okay Sweety, what needs uncoupling?”
Sweety replied, “Move on a few metres and unhook the end of the main coupling to your right.”
Tor followed the instructions, then moved along and did the same to two more couplings. Sweety had him open another hatch and this time he descended to arrive at the main power unit. A confined console unit blinked red and Tor took a quick look. He noted that he was going to have difficulty in turning around and that his current position was in fact between both the main power units. Neither showed any indications of being energized.
Sweety commented, “Okay Tor, you need to use the manual override to decouple both power units. You’ll find it over the main console. Just unclip the bridging module.”
Looking up Tor saw in the lights of his EVA the unit. Taking a moment to study it he reached up and unfastened the two latches before giving the module a pull. It moved but only slightly. Several straining moments of tugging later and eventually it popped out. Tor asked still panting, “Okay what now?”
There was a brief tremble from the power unit to his left and then nothing. Tor waited expectantly with his breath held. The power unit trembled again and this time for longer before dying away.
Tor commented apprehensively, “It’s not looking good Sweety.”
Time passed and Stanad called out, “Maximum safe distance has been reached, you’re on your own mate. We will continue to follow until we get acknowledgement that you’re no longer with us.”
The Mizuras slipped by and Tor could sense the reserve power was nearly expended as the suit lights began to dim leaving him waiting in near darkness. He looked at the oxygen level indicator on his suit in the fading light and it was already buried into the red level. He suddenly realised that his breathing was in short gasps and said, “Sweety, progress?”
There was a pulse and suddenly the maintenance lights flickered. They began to glow dimly, growing brighter with each passing moment. Tor said, “Yes.”
Sweety called in, “Partial power restored, Tor I need you to reattach two of the power couplings in the maintenance run so I can reestablish environmental controls.”
Tor started to move back towards the ladder and every movement was an effort. Slowly and painfully he climbed the ladder, all the while Sweety was giving encouragement.
Finally and without trying to breathe too heavily he reached the coupling. With effort he lifted the first one into position and snapped the latch into place. The effort of reattaching the second was becoming too much, the lack of gravity meant he could place the coupling but the latches were proving to be physically difficult to close, he felt dizzy with lack of oxygen and spent a moment focussing his efforts. Slowly the lever shifted and moved bit by painful bit until it eventually clicked home.
Sweety had taken full advantage of the power available and had already patched the hull, including growing a new cockpit shield.
Tor knelt on the floor his breathing heavily laboured as his lungs tried to extract the last of the free oxygen from the suit. Feeling the cold Tor noticed that with each breath a frost began to grow across the inside of the visor. He collapsed completely and gradually began to slip into unconsciousness.
In the background he could hear the hiss of the environmental units as they pumped air back into the ship from the reserve tanks and raised the temperature. Several neurons fired in Tors’ mind that he was, in his current state, about to suffocate in his own suit.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
As the pressure of the cabin increased to standard atmosphere the pressure vents in the EVA suit, which snapped shut as soon as the pressure dropped, reopened allowing fresh oxygen to permeate back into the suit.
Sweety said in a commanding voice, “Tor, breathe!”
Tors’ eyes rolled back and his eyelids fluttered shut. Locking onto a section of the helmet Sweety used the modified transporter to remove a section of the visor. It was a risky process as there was a very real problem that she could accidentally remove a section of Tors’ face.
The hole she created was relatively small but, fresh air now washed in across Tors face. His nose twitched and almost in a spasm of relief he took a sudden and very deep intake of breath. In that instance the body reacted and Tor almost sat bolt upright as he took several quick but very deep gulps of air. Rolling to his side he then coughed. It took another Mizura of rasping coughs before he felt sufficiently recovered to move again.
Tor coughed and although his mouth felt unusually dry he commented, “That was too close Sweety.”
Sweety answered gently and with, what Tor took to be a hint of relief, “It is good to hear you are okay.”
Tor squinted and moved his head before reaching up and touched his face through the hole in the visor. He said, “Right, well I won’t ask how you did that. It’s probably best not to know.”
Sweety said, “We are not out of trouble yet. I need you to reconnect the third coupling and re-bridge the two engines.”
Tor sighed, “And will we be fully operational?”
Sweety replied, “Nearly, I have corrected the spin and brought the ship back under control. Our heading is back towards the gate and we should rejoin the others in about fifteen Mizura. But we do not have full engine power and some subsystems are still inoperative.”
Tor scrambled slowly back to a low crouch which was all the space afforded in the maintenance run and returned to the engine bay. Reconnecting the bridge was far easier than removing now the artificial gravity units were restored to full power. A while later he was back in the pilots seat and taking stock of the interior of the cabin.
Stanad called in, “Glad to see you’re back up and running, even if you did leave it to the last possible Sezura.”
Tor replied, “Touch and go for a moment. Anyway how did you guys fare?”
Stanad gave a short laugh, “You were definitely the one they were after. I guess they thought the Defiance is the main ship. And quite frankly it was a miracle you made it out at all.”
Polmanckelest interrupted, “We still need to escape the sector, and we’re now half a Stazura from the gate with more incoming fighters on the way.”
Stanad added to the statement with a touch of bitterness, “Let’s hope they don’t go suicidal like the last lot.”
As the three ships regrouped they came to a complete stop each one scanning the other for miscellaneous damage and to take stock of replacement parts. Sweety making good quick fix repairs. The mood of the three pilots was business like as they took the opportunity to review the situation and try to form a survival plan.
Eventually Polmanckelest commented, “We survive by audacity, they know we can take on their big ships but we have to divide and eliminate the smaller fighters. They are not afraid to sacrifice themselves so keep outside of any pack.”
Sweety interrupted them and commented, “I have completed all the repairs that I can, the rest will have to wait until we reach the Roamer or a safe station.”
Stanad commented, “Time to go.”
Sweety commented to Tor, “Your EVA is now recharged but you will need to remove the helmet so I can repair the visor.”
Breaking the seal Tor lifted the helmet and placed it on the table in the cabin. He heard the transporter energize and the front of the visor shimmered for a brief while and then stopped. Turning the helmet towards him he looked closely across the surface for signs of the repair.
With a shrug, having found nothing, he placed the helmet over his head and ensured the seal was made.
The return to the gate was unhampered, as the Khaak had now stationed themselves near to the gate. Although the comm was open none of the pilots spoke, each one studying the fleet of small ships.
Polmanckelest commented, “How do you think they’ll react if we attack one of their stations?”
There was a momentary pause before Sweety interjected, “They might abandon guarding the gate.”
Stanad added thoughtfully, “And they’ll get really annoyed.”
Tor asked, “Sweety did you ever break the Khaak language problem?”
Sweety replied, “I am still working on it but I believe that I may have made a few small breakthroughs.”
There was an expectant pause as the others waited to know why Tor asked the question. He asked, “Any chance that you can broadcast a message that we have decided to make this sector our home and unless they surrender we will destroy their stations?”
Again this was followed by silence. Sweety said, “Message transmitted but it might take them a few moments to recognise the translation.”
Tor smiled and said, “Everyone aim for the nearest station to the gate.”
The three ships steered away from the gate and aligned themselves back on target. Khaak fighters moved to intercept.
Stanad commented, “It looks as though the threat might just have worked.”
Tor glanced at the HUD as Sweety targeted and eliminated the nearest of the Khaak ships. Sure enough the message had made it through and with the current flight vector of the three ships the enemy fighters swarmed away from the gate back towards their respective stations. Stanad took out a second vessel before they reached safe distance with fighters now pursuing.
Stanad asked, “So what now?” The station began to loom and yet more fighters began to emerge from inside.
Tor commented, “We make one pass. Just to make a point then break high and head for home.”
Polmanckelest responded with a Paranid hint of approval, “Good plan.”
The distance closed and spiraling thought a wave of fighters not yet ordered to commit suicide they skimmed up the outer hull of the station the particle beams from the Nova and Defiance arcing down on the shields causing them to shimmer in a wide spectrum of colours and as they reached the upper most point they rolled and under full power soared away towards the gate. The Prometheus trailed closely on their engine glow.
It took a moment before the Khaak registered the potential deception but rather than risk being wrong held defensive positions around the stations.
With a certain sense of uncertainty as to what they would face next, the three ships crossed the gate activation zone. As the system came into view they were relieved to see there was no cruiser or any other capital ship to greet them.
This was of little comfort as the gate to sector X-five was seeing the arrival and departure of Khaak ships of all types. There were three Khaak capital ships still in the sector.
Stanad commented, “I guess we missed the X-five battle.”
Tor replied quietly, “Let’s hope X-four is still holding out.”
As the three ships flew straight for the X-five gate each pilot had a growing suspicion that the Khaak were simply watching their progress. At no time did they try to intercept and even the battlecruisers remained stationary.
Over the comm Tor heard Stanad mutter, “I don’t like this.”
Polmanckelest made a noise in agreement and Tor felt a growing sense of uneasiness.
When they were within ten k’s of the gate all activity stopped and ships veered away to maintain safe distance.
Tor asked, “Sweety any idea what’s going to meet us on the other side of the gate?”
There was a pause and the reply came back, “An entire Khaak war fleet.”
###########################
Tor asked calmly, “How close?”
Sweety replied, “The fleet is divided between the gate that we are heading for and the X-four gate. Other ships are in the sector but these appear to be interplanetary assault vessels.”
Tor rephrased the question, “Would we be within weapons range as soon as we enter the sector.”
Sweety replied bluntly, “Yes.”
Polmanckelest commented, “Okay, give us an escape vector heading of least resistance so we can boost away with minimal potential impact.”
Sweety did the calculation and transmitted the vector heading.
Tor asked, “What about using the jumpdrive to an unguarded gate?”
Stanad responded before Sweety, “Nice idea but this ship doesn’t have one fitted.”
Quietly Tor cursed as the idea of having to split up now, when they were so close to making it back, was definitely not the thing he wanted to do. He commented, “We go with plan A. Vector programmed in and boost ready to engage. Let’s go for the gate.”
They crossed the threshold together and as Sweety had instructed each ship hit the boost and veered away as heavy weapons fire from two waiting destroyers tried to anticipate the flight paths of each ship. Khaak medium to heavy fighters closed in.
As they turned down and fought for space, a second pair of destroyers moved to intercept in a pincer movement. Sweety commented, “Vector change uploaded.”
Polmanckelest strafed and rolled in on the new vector. As he made the move he locked onto an incoming medium fighter which disintegrating under the forward facing particle beam. Stanad dodged and weaved between the next cascade of destroyer heavy weapons fire, his shield glowed briefly as he took a hit but broke free to engage a group of three incoming fighters.
Tor rolled, strafed and rolled as beam weapons fire cut across his position and flight path. He ignored his weapons and concentrated on flying. Sweety targeted and eliminated two light fighters.
The first pair of destroyers were moving, each one turning away from the gate. Sweety instructed, “Vector changed.”
Once again Polmanckelest led the way with a precisely executed move, the only adjustment to destroy an incoming fighter as an almost casual afterthought.
Stanad made a few bold swoops and turns in the Nova its beam weapon eliminating any immediate threat before breaking high and re-establishing the new heading to clear space for Tor to roll in directly behind the Prometheus.
Tor sighed with relief when they were clear with no incoming hostile fire. The rest of the Khaak war fleet appeared to be clustered near the X-four gate which flashed as waves of fighters made the run.
Stanad reflected his own thoughts, “Look at them all, how the hell are we supposed to hold out against that.”
Polmanckelest replied, “We’re not. Eventually they will grind down any defences.”
Tor asked, “What’s the odds, Sweety?”
Sweety replied casually, “By rough calculation there is a five hundred to one differential between the number of Khaak fighters to sector forces. But that is just in this sector. The limiting factor to the invasion is the capacity of the gate.”
Behind them the first pair of destroyers had completed the turn and with the second pair now surged forward in formation after the three. The gate ahead stopped activating as the Khaak paused in their assault and the first carrier grade ship moved forward with its remaining fighters.
Stanad called out, “Looks like they’re sending in the big guns.”
Polmanckelest also observed, “Destroyers are chasing.”
Sweety confirmed, “They are of no immediate threat, however they will catch us if we get into a major entanglement with the forces ahead. I notice that the enemy has deployed missile ships.”
Tor asked, “Can we send a warning?”
There was a pause, “There is very little comms activity but I will see if I can commandeer an unblocked transmission frequency.”
Commander Parrel sat solemnly in his command chair. The screen display in front of him was split to show activity at both gates. It was a fire fight of an intensity he had never seen, or ever wanted to see again. Wave after wave of Khaak small, medium and heavy fighters were entering the sector in a relentless wave of destruction. The lasertowers slicing through the heart of each wave, but waiting for the next one rather than tracking the survivors which subsequently fell to various fighter wings in a constant rotation of pursue and wait.
He commented, “What’s the status?”
First officer Sheero replied, “We have lost eight fighters so far. The Khaak many times that number.”
Glancing at the sector map on a small sub display it listed all the fighters, allied on the left side, enemies on the right. He reflected bitterly that, as the right hand side diminished, that it would soon be replenished whereas the left hand side would always fall in numbers.
Smiling bitterly he reflected at the presence of three X-five stations that had monitored the activity in X-four and were not going to let a good idea go to waste. The addition of numerous fighters that had escaped or simply followed the stations had been a significant bonus. It had allowed him to organize sizable separate defensive squads.
The gate to X-five ceased to exude more Khaak fighters.
The communications officer he had a slightly puzzled yet excited tone, “Sir we have received an incoming message.”
Parrel glanced across, “And?”
The communications officer replied, “The message came out from X-five, Sir. ID matches that of the Defiance.”
Parrel allowed the words to sink in and the command crew looked around in surprise, he said loudly, “What does it say?”
The communications officer replied, “Carrier inbound. Warning resonance missiles inbound. Will cause major damage when detonated to all surrounding vessels.”
Parrel commented, “How are we for fast light fighters?”
Sheero reported, “We have all four Pegasus ships and three maxed out Discoverers.”
Parrel ordered, “Get them to the X-five gate and watch for incoming objects and destroy immediately.”
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