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Post by Brie on Jun 28, 2007 9:30:30 GMT -6
Some people claimed they could feel a distinct difference when coming out of a jump, but Boleman didn't feel a thing. The only way that he knew the jump had ended was the announcement over the ship-wide comm. Although he didn’t really need to be there he was in the brig when the statement was broadcast, watching over the final preparations for the prisoner transfer. The shuttles were scheduled to depart one centar after the end of the jump, but they would in reality be leaving half a centar after that. He was one of the few people who knew that, even Brie and her team hadn't yet been filled in. The schedule had been jumbled on purpose. They were trying to take every precaution possible...just in case.
The five male prisoners had already been searched, given new clothes, and taken to five different holding cells to await transfer. It was now time for the women. The first female prisoner brought out, hands cuffed behind her, was the person that he had been sealed to for over ten yahrens, had told his most intimate secrets and dreams to, had thought had been his soul-mate. The woman that he hadn't known at all. He hadn't wanted to see her ever again, but he knew that he had to see this through.
"Boleman!" Trula exclaimed as she was led out of her cell. "What a nice surprise."
Boleman was the one who was surprised. "It is?"
"Certainly. I hope that you'll be the one who performs the strip search. After all, I know what you like. We could be together one last time, and then when I have you eating out of the palm of my hand, I'll snap your neck for what you did."
Boleman shook his head. "What I did? I'm not the one about to spend the rest of my life on the Prison Barge for a whole slew of crimes, including murder."
"The Great Traitor got what he deserved," Trula replied, hate all over her face. "The Widow will as well. As will you, for helping her." Trula paused. "Maybe it's a good thing we don't have time for one last quick one. You were never even half the man in bed that Master Pierce is."
"Was," Boleman corrected, trying not to let what she had said get to him. "Pierce died a coward's death. There was nothing brave or heroic about it, he was just scared he'd get caught."
Trula stared deep into Boleman's eyes. "You can't kill a god. Master Pierce will be back, if not in this generation then in the next. The children of the fleet will know his salvation."
The guard holding Trula's arm interrupted. "Opposer Boleman, I need to take her for processing."
Boleman nodded. "Okay. Trula, all I can say is that I'm glad that this will be the last time I ever have to see you."
Trula grinned. "Not as glad as I am. The Prison Barge will be easy, compared to living with you."
Upset with himself for letting her get to him, Boleman headed to the bridge. He planned on staying there until he saw on their screens that the shuttles had landed safely, and that the surviving members of the New Secret Survival Society were where they belonged.
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Post by Brie on Jun 29, 2007 9:14:41 GMT -6
Trying not to be too obvious, Brie kept glancing around. She hoped that JustinB had received her message and that they'd have a chance to say good-bye before she left. She wanted to see him now, and she knew that she was going to need someone to lean on when she returned. She also realized that he had assigned himself to one of the Black Squadron patrols. She hadn't realized it because she knew him that well, it's just what any squadron leader would have done when entering a new, unknown part of space.
Looking across the bay, Brie noticed two Blackshirts headed her way. Assuming that they had been sent by Major Urdea for the mission, she met them halfway. "I'm Major Brie," she said, extending her hand.
"Officer Jorma," the female said, shaking Brie's hand. "This is Officer Duran. We've been assigned for the transfer."
Brie was slightly disappointed but didn't let it show. She had hoped that Urdea would assign Enoch and Jared. They had a reputation for being dirty, but Brie trusted them more than any other security officers. "Nice to meet you. I'm assuming that Major Urdea filled you in?" They both nodded. Duran had yet to say a word. "Good." Brie noticed that both officers still had their sidearms. "Did the major inform you that there are to be no lasers on this trip?"
Duran looked horrified at the thought. "Major, do you realize who these prisoners are? The terror they caused? What they are capable of?"
Brie took a deep, calming breath before answering. "I know EXACTLY what they're capable of. I was there when members of the Agro Ship crew were killed for no reason at all. I myself was shot by one of the female prisoners. The leader of this group held a laser to my temple with every intention of firing. I almost died more than once because of the felgercarb that they caused. I know what they're capable of. I repeat, there are to be no lasers on this trip. If you can't deal with that, someone else will be assigned."
Jorma and Duran looked at each other. "Understood," Jorma said.
"Good." Brie paused for only a micron. "Jorma, you’ll be in Shuttle One, which is transporting the female prisoners. Duran, Shuttle Two. If you have any questions, please let me know."
"I think Major Urdea covered everything," Jorma replied.
"We need to go," Duran said, disgust in his voice. "After all, we need to stop by our lockers to drop off our lasers before picking up the prisoners." Duran continued to have a look of disbelief on his face as they left.
Brie glanced around again, still wondering if JustinB had received her message.
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Post by persephone on Jul 1, 2007 1:38:17 GMT -6
Persephone was half excited and half nervous by the assignment she was about to embark on. Walking into her billet, she reluctantly removed her lazor pistol from her holster and placed it gently in her locker.
I sure hope this is the right thing to be doing by disarming us all, she thought to herself. Images of the prisoners were still in her mind, and left her feeling uneasy. You're a warrior now, not a Siress's assistant, Pers, she told her self sternly.
Closing her locker, her personal com beeped. Looking down at it, she realized it was Triton wanting to see her ASAP.
She was ready to leave her quarters anyway. She made her way to see Triton.
Leaning against a wall near to a corridor that leads off to the launch bay, Triton held a platinum necklace with an exquisite Arian diamond pendant. He stared down at it as he waited for Persephone to arrive.The diamond had a fire all of it's own, he mused. His mother's lucky necklace he recalled her calling it. Siress Berenices always wore it for important meetings on the council of twelve, and always befalled good fortune upon her in helping her to make successful speeches and campaigns, as well as protect her on her extensive inter-Colony travels. But obviously, she was in a hurry to reach the Battlestar Atlantia that fateful day, so long ago and forgot to put it on. I guess it really did have a special lucky property to it, he further thought, or else she might be still with us, and maybe my father too.
Now he wanted more than anything to give it to Persephone. He felt butterflies in his stomach thinking about the assignment she was about to leave on. He had heard some brief details about it through some other gold member. His Protector instincts were jumping all over the place like a daggit on a sunspot. He wasn't even assigned to this mission, but even he felt a weird unsettling knot in his gut about it. If she 's about to transfer a bunch of cut throats and madmen to the Barge, then I want luck to be on her side. Nothing can happen to her, not now that I just found her. Triton loved this woman, from the first micron he laid eyes on her. Very much like the attachment his cousin Apollo formed for, from the first moments he met his late wife, Serina.
He wasn't about to allow Persephone be at the mercy of bad fortune. Perhaps he was depending on a superstitious belief his mother seemed to put stock into, but it was something he felt his mother would want him to do. She always said she wished for her son to one day give this necklace to the woman he would come to love. After madly grabbing things from his home, he retrieved it from her jewelry cabinet for that very purpose, the day he fled Virgon. He always wondered why she didn't have it with her for the Armstice talks on the Atlantia. He 'll never know. Maybe his mother's spirit was sending him a message in his heart to offer the necklace to his sweetheart in a time of need, now.
Persephone could see Triton up ahead. She stood for a micron to admire his stance and good looks. She couldn't dismiss the growing knot in her stomach. She cleared her throat and approached him.
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Post by JustinB on Jul 2, 2007 5:02:23 GMT -6
I was on my way to see Major Lucian when the announcement over the ship wide comm that the jump had ended. I had to get down to the Alpha Launch Bay and see Brie before she launched. One thing I had to let her know, apart that I Loved her was the rumour about me and Logan. As I walked towards the ascension tube, I noticed people staring at me. Great, I thought to myself, the rumour had spread further than I would have liked. As I ascended, I began to get nervous. with all the time we had spent together, now was going to be the test of our relationship. I knew we would pass as we knew what we were getting ourselves into, but still the same this was one time I wouldn't be able to whisk Brie away should she get into trouble.
As I stepped of the ascensior, I saw Brie talking to a couple of Black shirts. They walked away and not to happy. They were walking towards me so I stayed out of Brie's sight to speak to them.
As they came closer , I picked up on their conversation.
"Can you believe what she's asking us to do. Transferring those bilge rats with no lasers and no protection."
"I don't know about you, But I'm going to get an ankle pistol."
"I wouldn't do that if I was you." I said stepping in front of the Blackshirts, " And to make sure you comply with Major Brie's orders you will be searched before entering the shuttle. Now do you understand what you have to do?"
"Yes Major." they replied.
"Well get to it, I expect you back in ten centons, now GO!" I ordered loudly. Everyone in the launch bay looked over in my direction, even Brie. I waved to her as I walked over to her
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Post by Brie on Jul 2, 2007 9:00:42 GMT -6
Although she usually didn't judge someone based on first impressions, Brie didn't feel comfortable with either Blackshirt assigned to her team. She knew that Urdea wouldn't send her someone that he didn't trust, especially on such a mission, but something was still gnawing away at the inside of her stomach. Maybe it was just the second muffin. Or maybe her confidence in Urdea had slightly been shaken, considering that the investigation into Elmer's death STILL hadn't been wrapped up. Most likely, it was just the mission that was getting to her. She hadn't dreaded something that should be easy this much for a long time.
A noise startled her, or rather a voice. Someone loudly yelled "GO!" Brie looked up and saw the two Blackshirts walking away from JustinB. He waved to her, then walked in her direction. Something had happened with the Blackshirts and JustinB, which had an upside because it gave them an obvious excuse to see each other. "Come on in," Brie suggested, motioning towards the shuttle. She lowered her voice. "Then maybe we can have a micron or two of privacy." They entered the shuttle and Brie closed the door behind them. They kissed, then stood face to face. "What happened back there?"
"I overheard one of the Blackshirts saying that they were going to defy your orders and sneak in an ankle pistol," JustinB explained. "I told them that they'll be searched before the mission."
"That's a good idea," Brie agreed. "Thank you."
"So what is it with this mission?" JustinB asked. "Prisoner transfer is usually assigned to cadets, not squadron leaders."
Brie sighed. "These are no ordinary prisoners. It's the remnants of Pierce's group. Commander Sheba thought that it would give me closure. Not only because of the Agro Ship, but one of the women is Trula, has been convicted of her part in Turner's murder. And the Commander is right, I need to see this through." Brie glanced down. "I hope that you'll be back from patrol when we return because I'm really going to need someone to lean on. You'll get the chance to see what a real nutcase your new lover is."
JustinB caressed Brie's face with his hand. "You're not a nutcase, Brie. And of course I'll be there for you."
Brie smiled, she felt better already. "I really, really love you," she told JustinB before kissing him again.
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Post by Logan on Jul 2, 2007 12:42:58 GMT -6
Logan stopped by her locker before heading to the shuttle, the smile still on her face from her conversation with Hush. She removed her blaster from the holster on her hip and examined it, rubbing her fingers over it's surface as if touching an old friend. Sighing heavily she replaced it in the holster and unbuckled the belt holding it.
She placed the blaster and holster in her locker and shut the door quickly. Her hands at her hips, seemingly lost without the blaster to rest her hand on. She started to turn away, but looking from side to side to see if anyone else was around, she reopened her locker.
Logan reached into her boot and removed a small dagger, laying it on a shelf in her locker. Glancing around again, she reached into her uniform jacket and into a special compartment in the lining. She removed several small metal discs that seemed harmless on first inspection, but the worn ridges that were collapsed upon themselves in a spiral could be deadly when deployed in their open position. She put these into a pouch hanging next to her spare uniform.
Biting her lip and seeming to struggle with herself, she sighed heavily and reached down into her other boot. Pulling out a dagger that was as black as night and seemed to glow irridescently in the lights from overhead. A small green gem was embedded in the hilt and she breathed on it, covering it in the mist from her breath, and used her sleeve to shine it. She held it in her hands and very slowly placed it in her locker, her hand seemingly loathe to leave her last protection behind.
Taking a deep breath, Logan closed the locker for good this time and walked away from it before she changed her mind.
She still couldn't believe Hush's turnaround. She had been certain that after the losses Bronze had suffered and his reactions in Med Lab that any member of Gold would get no kind word from him.
But now, he wanted to get to know her. And that scared and thrilled her at the same time. And now he and Janey were on a mission with Gold once more. A simple mission.
"Frack!" Logan exclaimed loudly and had a few heads turn in her direction as she exited the barracks and made her way across the Launch Bay. The mission. I forgot to tell Hush about Comeek. Certainly, he had heard about Comeek's delusions in the briefing, but she had meant to explain to Hush that Comeek was liable to say anything on that shuttle. Granted, she didn't think he would let it be known that Logan was still on his side, as he believed. And Logan was sure that Hush could handle the situation and any crazy talk from the daggit. But she just wanted to be sure that Hush knew just how manipulating and slimy these Secret Survival Society members could be. Having been stuck on the Agro Ship with them when they kidnapped Brie, she knew they would go to any lengths.
As she neared Shuttle 1, she could just make out Major Brie standing there. There was a loud "Go!" from the corridor doorway and she saw Major JustinB talking to two Black Shirts, who were headed in the direction of the Security Room with frowns on their faces.
Wondering at the great timing, she started walking towards JustinB as she had wanted to fill him in on her deception with that pesky reporter before he heard about it elsewhere. But before she even got close enough to call out to him, he was by the shuttle speaking in low tones to Major Brie. They walked into the shuttle and the door closed.
Logan stopped in her tracks and furrowed her brow. What was that all about? Maybe Brie was telling him about what Logan did with Rizou and she didn't want any of the techs to hear. It couldn't be about the mission. Black wasn't involved in this.
Whatever it was, it didn't involve her at the micron and she had a ship to prep before Hush showed up and she could fill him in on all the details he needed about Comeek. If she could catch JustinB after his meeting with Brie she would.
She moved towards Shuttle 2 and checked the flight path that had already been laid in. Going over the interior of the cabin and cockpit with an eye for every detail, she satisfied herself that she knew what and where every bolt of the ship was located. She went throught the pre-flight and moved outside to check the exterior of the craft. She saw one of the techs rolling his eyes at her and she smiled at him. She knew they didn't like having their work checked, but Warriors knew never to take chances. And with this mission, there were more than enough reasons to be ridiculously overcautious.
She glanced over at the other shuttle. The door was still closed. So, she took out her pad and made notes on all the possible weak points of the shuttle that could be exploited, intent on going over them point by point with Hush and Persephone when they arrived.
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Post by JustinB on Jul 3, 2007 4:27:50 GMT -6
Brie's kisses tasted sweet and natural. It was as if we had been together for yahrens. " I Love You too Brie, more than you can imagine." We kissed again and ended up in a loving embrace. "There is a few things I have to say before I go or we get interrupted. First, you mean more to me than life itself and will always be here for you. Secondly, make sure you search those blackshirts before they get on the shuttles. Thirdly, for some reason, there is a rumour going through the ship that I am involved with Lieutenant Logan and it was with her I took to the Starliner Alpha. I don't know if you have heard it yet but it's turning heads. Just thought I should tell you." I didn't know how Brie would react, but I didn't expect her to start laughing. ******************* At that same time in the Black Squadron Briefing Room"Roxzanna, you're on in three, two one,," "This is Roxzanna-Rizou reporting from the briefing room of Black Squadron aboard the Battlestar Callisto. The fleet has now finished this current jump in what this reporter has learned is the Borreck System. I had the privilege to be aboard the Callisto during the jump and see how the ship operates during a jump. Of course it was business as usual for the fine warriors aboard this fine ship. As well as work, there was a lot of play whith most of the warriors on a short furlon. This reporter observed many warriors engaged in fraternisation and gambling. But the most interesting news to come from my investigation, was discovering the secret identity of a heroes love interest. Before the jump I found out Major JustinB, Commanding Officer of Black Squadron was seen on the Starliner Alpha dining with a beautiful redhead. That redhead can now be revealed as Lieutenant Logan from Gold Squadron. I hope to interview Major JustinB about his career and his romance in the future. This is Roxzanna-Rizou reporting from the briefing room of Black Squadron aboard the Battlestar Callisto."
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Post by Brie on Jul 3, 2007 10:01:30 GMT -6
"...for some reason, there is a rumour going through the ship that I am involved with Lieutenant Logan and it was with her I took to the Starliner Alpha. I don't know if you have heard it yet but it's turning heads. Just thought I should tell you."
Although she didn't mean to, Brie burst out laughing when JustinB told her this. He looked surprised, to say the least. "I'm sorry," she started, still laughing, "I know it's not fair, with everyone looking at you while I get to stay anonymous. And if you want to rethink the whole 'keeping it quiet' idea we can talk about it when we're both back on ship. But I know all about Logan. Roxzanna-Rizou has spent the entire jump bothering every redhead that she can find. Logan decided to sort of let her assume that it was her, so that you and your REAL new girlfriend can have a little bit of privacy. Logan has no idea that it's me that she's protecting." Brie laughed again. "You're quite the topic of conversation in the Gold Squadron Ready Room. But don't worry, they only said good things." She kissed him again. "I hate to cut this short, but I have a mission to prepare for, and everyone will be here soon. I'll see you when I get back." The kissed one more time. "I love you,' she whispered as she opened the shuttle door.
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Post by Logan on Jul 3, 2007 17:58:47 GMT -6
Logan had finished her notes and was going over the hull of the shuttle one last time as she waited for the other team members to arrive. She kept glancing surrepticiously towards the other shuttle, waiting for some sign that Major JustinB and Brie were exiting.
She had decided that it was possible that Brie might mention something about Logan's encounter with Rizzou to him, especially since they were both COs of squadrons and Brie had reacted so negatively to Skyler and Brik's teasing of her about the situation.
But she wasn't sure if that was something that a fellow CO would bring up right before a dangerous mission. And the serious looks on the faces of those Black Shirts made Logan think that whatever the majors were in closed-door discussion over was more likely to be mission-related than about the latest gossip from the IFB.
The Viper techs had gathered around a viewport at their station next to the shuttle Logan now leaned against and she could hear the high-pitched croon of the IFB anchor announcing a special report from the Callisto. Considering the fact that the jump had just ended, Logan didn't pay attention, assuming it was an alert to the Fleet that they had entered the new system safely.
As Logan pocketed her pad and stretched her arms over her head, she noticed a change in the tone of the techs' chattering and a distinct female voice sounded much clearer and more nasal as they increased the volume on the vidscreen.
One young tech threw down his grease rag in disgust as he exclaimed, "Of course, they're going to relax and gamble a bit. Even pilots have to unwind sometime!"
She couldn't help but grin at the tech's words. They knew how dedicated the Warriors were to their duties and even though they gave each other a hard time, the pilots knew the techs did the same. Each trusted the other with their lives.
"Shhh, Manny! She's got dirt on somebody, " another tech was saying, increasing the volume a bit more so the words carried across to Logan clearly.
"But the most interesting news to come from my investigation, was discovering the secret identity of a heroes love interest. Before the jump I found out Major JustinB, Commanding Officer of Black Squadron was seen on the Starliner Alpha dining with a beautiful redhead. That redhead can now be revealed as Lieutenant Logan from Gold Squadron. I hope to interview Major JustinB about his career and his romance in the future. This is Roxzanna-Rizou reporting from the briefing room of Black Squadron aboard the Battlestar Callisto."
As one, all the techs around the vidscreen turned their heads towards Logan, gaping.
She couldn't move. Looking up at the interior of the Bay, all she could think to say was "Great. Just fracking perfect."
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Post by persephone on Jul 3, 2007 22:54:31 GMT -6
"Triton", she said, breaking into his thoughts. He hadn't noticed her approaching.
"Pers, glad you could come".
"You know I can't stay away from you too long... besides I was hoping I could at least get another nice starlight dinner out of you". She smiled, teasing him, covering up her nerves. Triton's lips turned up into a closed smile, but his eyes stared into hers.
She added, "I missed you at morning meal period, I thought we might have gone for our physicals at the same time".
"Ah, yeah, I kind of overslept a bit, I had trouble sleeping last night, Pers."
"Oh?Nnothing troubling you I hope?"
"No...I couldn't sleep because of thoughts of you all night..." he raised his eyebrows up and down, in his unabashed way, teasing her now. Persephone, blushed and shook her head,pretending to be disapproving and knowing she'd be late to report for the assignment, she cut to it. "What did you need to see me about?" with her smile still lingering.
"I heard you were called to the ready room this morning, for a transport assignment."
"Wow, I guess news really does travel at flank speed around here..", Persephone felt increasingly nervous without her holster and pistol. Surely Triton will notice it missing around her hip.
"Well, that's not all, Pers. I also know who the bilge rats are, you're transporting on those shuttles".
"Tri, it's a routine assignment, nothing to worry about, believe me".
Triton looked unconvinced, with worry dulling his blue eyes. Persephone stepped closer to him and put her hands on his shoulders, saying," I'll be fine, really. Now what is it you wanted to see me about, because I'm due to the launch bay in less than 15 centons.
"I wanted to give you this". He held out the necklace, the diamond catching the light from the corridor's lighting.
Persephone looked down at it completely taken by surprise. "Oh it's beautiful Triton, where did you get it"?
"It was my mother's. Her lucky necklace, she like to call it. Given to her by my father. It's made of Piscean platinum with an Arian diamond pendant, the finest diamonds in the Colonies".
Their eyes locked before Triton continued.
"She always said if I should meet a special woman one day, someone who might become my wife, she wanted me to present this necklace to her."
Persephone's jaw almost dropped on the metal floor. Wife? she thought. How many glasses of Ambrosa did I drink last night? Her mind couldn't comprehend how they jumped from only barely beginning to date to talking about his future wife.
She cleared her throat, " um...did I hear you correctly? Did you say wife?
Triton's lips parted in a slight gape, not realizing how it all came out sounding. "Ah no, that's not how I meant it to..I mean..I 'm not talking about marriage.....not that I wouldn't want to be sealed to yo..but I didn't mean right now...unless you..". He stopped when he saw the confusion on Persephone's face and her eyes searching for clarity of what he was trying to say to her.
"I guess I just can't say anything right now that doesn't end up with me shooting myself in the foot..." . Triton closed his eyes for a micron, clearly annoyed with his poor choice of phrases.
Persephone seeing how it was coming across, couldn't keep a straight face any longer. "I guess you did kind of spring that on me without warning...", she tried not to make him feel worse by laughing at his clumsy approach of the matter. He broke the moment by continuing why he was giving her the necklace in the first place. Taking her hands in his, he bent his head down to meet her gaze, his hair falling across his brow.
"I want you to have this necklace and wear it always, especially today. It's a little piece of luck that obviously meant a lot to my mother. I think she would be pleased for you to have it. It'll protect you on your journey today. She always wore it on her travels."
Persephone touched by Triton's gesture, felt she maybe could do with a gook luck charm today, and besides it was exquisite. "I love it, Tri, I promise I'll take good care of it always. Maybe I could wear it under my tunic, I wouldn't want the major to see me wearing such a valuable piece of jewelry on duty. Would you put it on for me?"
"With pleasure" .Triton happily swung the necklace over Persephone's head, gently pushing her hair out of the way which felt like silk tresses in his fingers. He fastened the clasp at the nape of her neck. The soft touch of his hands upon her hair, relaxed her nerves about the assignment. She felt the warmth of his hands just barely touching her skin as he fastened the clasp. Sensual images of them together flashed trough her imagination.
"There. Turn around", Triton said, breaking her flash of a fantasy.
The diamond sparkled, and the platinum gleamed.
"Promise me you won't take it off, Pers".
"I won't". She tucked it underneath her tunic.
They leaned in to kiss before she reminded him it was time for her to head for the launch bay.
Holding her close, and staring deeply and intensly, Triton gave her his well wishes and blessings before reluctantly letting her out of his embrace, not knowing if it was the right thing he was doing.
"May the Lords of Kobol go with you and return you safe and sound. Back home. Back to me".
"Thank you Triton." She looked down at her chronometer, "Well...I guess I'd better get down to Alpha Bay. I got a party to go to".
She smiled assuringly telling him once more that everything would be alright.
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