Old School

1. Re: Old School

   #161

   "Sure. Marcus has always been a bit .. tightly wound.  "
   
   He looked at her again, "Now, you take care - I have a feeling this is more about you than anything else.  I think you made some bad enemies."
   
   At that, he turned towards the bucket brigades, now nearly done their work.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Re: Old School

   #162

   Asha gave him a grim nod, struggling to recall what exactly had happened to her during her captivity, before quickly deciding she'd rather not remember under these circumstances, especially when there was more pressing matters to attend to. Turning she hurried to catch up with Carnegie, the twinge of pain form her leg all but hidden under the flow of adrenaline.
   
   (Sorry for the delay in posting, Strolens was down when I tried to post last night)

3. Re: Old School

   #163

   Carnegie trudged through the forest, squinting into the gloom of the early morrow. Marcus's trail wasn't exactly hard to follow. She glanced back at Asha and Anya following suit, their relationship had shifted rather quickly, from mutual suspicion to a seeming ease. They walked close together even sharing the occasional laugh. She had yet to sort her own thoughts out, all she knew was that without Luc she felt apart from this group, noone of which she knew very well, nor had they spoken much despite the time they'd spent together lately. In some strange way, she felt closer to Asha than them, mostly because she seemed an open person, just what a closed person needs. Someone to knock on the door. And yet there was these questionmarks surrounding her, and the lingering doubt if she could indeed be trusted. But, she supposed that could be said about all three of them.
   
   Carny shook her head to clear it and thought instead of the impending ambush. She wasn't keen on meeting more of those things. She had looked through her bag and her cartridges were quickly dwindling. Not much of a hunter without a rifle...
   
   A few minutes later they caught up with Marcus who was in the process of setting the trap.
   Taking some liberties just to get things going. Apologies.

4. Re: Old School

   #164

   They found Marcus at the outside wall of the gym, in the corner between it and the rest of the school. He turned and eyed the rest of them.
   
   "I'm gonna climb up to the roof, and see the lay of the land. You guys look for a good ambush place in the buildin'."
   
   So saying, he braced himself in the 90 degree corner and started to climb.
   
   For climb roll, I got a... 3. Huzzah, the miracle rolls. Anyway, +9 for my climb skill, another +5 for bracing myself against the corner (this is either +5 for my roll, or -5 to the DC, either way, same thing for me), and +200000000 for being awesome. That last one counts, right?

5. Re: Old School

   #165

   Asha nodded, at Marcus's decision, "Anya should head up there as well, whenever she gets here." She added quietly, giving Carnegie a trusting smile. "A wide open area with multiple exits might be our best choice, I think a building like this has an old gym section we could use, position ourselves in the bleachers  with a fall back through the side exit or deeper into the building?" She paused long enough to check her Glock to make sure it was fully loaded and her blades were in easy reach, deeply grateful to have the woman at her side, even if she barely knew her.

6. Re: Old School

   #166

   “Won’t he kill us if he finds out we took it?”
   
   “He’ll kill us if we don’t take care of her
   
   “Yeah, fuck, lets go..”
   
   
   
   
   The rest of the night was uncomfortable in their hasty ambush.  Apart from the occasional distant howl of a coyote, and a rodent or two sniffing at the dog's head, the night was uneventful.
   
   The sun came up over the horizon and sent rays over the landscape, revealing the dew that had settled on everything.
   
   On the bright side, no smoke could be seen in the direction of Redtower.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

7. Re: Old School

   #167

   Carnegie blinked in the sunlight, lifting her head from Asha's shoulder. The huddling together for warmth hadn't helped much, the school was just as cold as you'd imagine a large concrete building lacking functioning radiators to be, and she felt awfully stiff. Seems she must have dozed off a second as well, but not a sign that anything had happened. She glanced at Asha, wondering if she was still asleep behind those sunglasses. She muttered to herself. "Well dat was a whole heap a nuttin's worth... Guess dey didn't dare show." She reached down to pet Elvis, who had kept at least her feet warm.
   
   Sorry for not posting sooner, the updates must have drowned in the feed.

8. Re: Old School

   #168

   Asha gave her a warm smile as Carnegie spoke, the light of dawn signaling at last she would be able to close her eyes and get some rest back in town; the chill of night nipping sharply at her ears and nose. She slipped her arm from around the woman's waist and stretched slowly, tossing Elvis a strip of jerky as an after thought. "Breakfast and a few hours rest and I'll be good as new, then we can perhaps track that beast back to wherever it came from?"
   
   She yawned and gently placed weight on her injured leg, finding it stiff but much less sore after the night rest and bath the day before. "Sleep well?" She softened her expression and let a degree of warmth enter her voice as she asked, trusting Carnegie would understand it was an honest question and not meant to imply rudeness or displeasure at her getting some much needed rest during the night.

9. Re: Old School

   #169

   Carny twitched as Asha stirred. So she was awake.
   
   

   "Breakfast and a few hours rest and I'll be good as new, then we can perhaps track that beast back to wherever it came from?"

   
   
   "Oh uh...well, Ah reckon somethang dat heavy ought to leave clear prints sure, but iffin it coudd fly, then we'd probably not 'ave much luck." Something stirred in Carnegie's memories, but she couldn't quite grasp it.
   
   Carnegie blushed at the question. "Uhm...s'only fer a couple minutes...Sorry. Ah'm not used ta dis kanjda thang y'know. When ya go huntin, ye set yer traps n'd dats dat, usually ain't nuttin huntin ye back... Mabbe we shoudd 'ave taken turns instead a both a us tryin ta stay awake..."
   
   Suddenly the recollection hit her.
   
   "Y'know, dis ain't de first tajm we's 'ere at dis school. Last tajm we's 'ere, we found somethang... Some kajnd a vault, nd dere was anutter clanker guardin it. We majt not be able ta track it, but iffin et came fra 'ere... Mite be worth checkin at least. "
   
   She shrugged. "Anyways, Ah'll get started at breakfast, ye kin rest fer naow." She said and got up, rustling through her knapsack. "How's dat leg a yers?"
   Carnegie asked as she dug up some chunks of coyote meat, it wasn't exactly good quality as it was, but it wouldn't get any better if it spoiled completely. She gave it a sniff to check for freshness and then got the lid from an old basketball cage to use as a griddle. Which she then promptly started a small fire under using some old debris.
   
   Rolled a 4, +7 to cooking, not the tastiest breakfast in the world maybe. Using up all 3 chunks of meat.
   

10. Re: Old School

    #170

    Similarly, Anya shook herself awake. That was out of character, to fall asleep at watch, but everyone was still breathing, so no foul...
    
    Whoever sent the dog had not collected it that night - the only things interested in the head appeared to be the flies attending it.
    
    "I remember that door. Looked really out of place for a school..."
    
    ------
    
    The door was still locked, but there was no sign of the destroyed robot - none of the twisted metal they had gone through remained.
    
    And then, Carnegie found a footprint.  Human it looked like.  Only partial, but looked like it had stepped in oil, presumably from inside the heavy door, since no such fluid could be found in the basement.
    
    

11. Re: Old School

    #171

    Carnegie pointed out the footprint to the others. "Looks lajk someun came outta 'ere at least... Do we go in?" As she said it, she realized it was a rather silly question. She fully expected Marcus to take front as usual. "Uhm, last tajm we din't 'ave much luck wit dis 'ere door though..." She explained to Asha. And it looked just as solid as before... She hugged herself, chewing her lip.
    
    Think you meant to write Anya, val?

12. Re: Old School

    #172

    Asha nodded, "Assuming we can find a way in yes," She paused and studied both the door, and area surrounding it, looking for any type of concealed access panel that may allow for a way to unlock the giant chunk of metal. "Locks and me are... old friends you might say." She shot Carnegie a almost playful smile, idly twirling a lock pick between her fingers.
    
    (I remember we have to ask for perception rolls from you val, also in the event a lock picking roll of some sort is needed: (04:31:35) Minion: Silveressa rolls 1d20 and gets 20.

13. Re: Old School

    #173

    Marcus eyed the room, and quietly prowled around. He kept playing with his axe, moving it from restingon his shoulder to a ready stance to horizontal in both hands to down by his side. His face was calm, he made sure of that, but inside he was furious. The urge to kill, the urge to give into his battlelust, was almost overpowering. The only thing that was stopping him was lack of available targets.
    
    He turned to eye Asha as she fiddled with her picks, Carnegie as she waited. And then there was a part of him that spoke, a small part of him that quietly mentioned that there were some targets, easy targets, available targets....
    
    No, they were teammates, comrades. But that anger still spoke to him with a quiet whisper that belied its raging fire.
    
    "Will you hurry up with that door?" He snapped, impatience lurking in every syllable. Why did he stick around Kenebac? It brought him nothing but sorrow.

14. Re: Old School

    #174

    Asha gave him a brief glance before rolling her eyes, "If you think you can do it faster then by all means feel free." She didn't bother waiting for a response, the complex lock tacking all her skill to bypass, "If you want to be helpful Marcus, perhaps you could go fetch us some torches from town in the event whatever is behind this door is unlit or the owner decides to turn out the lights on us. While you're there you might want to check in with the mayor and find out if anything else happened while we were camped out all night?"
    
    (Do i need to roll again for the lock, is it beyond my characters skill or?)

15. Re: Old School

    #175

    Carnegie looked nervously between Asha and Marcus, this could go badly. "Uh uhm...Hold on. M-mabbe iffin...Ah jess...Iffin Ah do this..." She stepped up to the control panel and carefully pried it open with a screwdriver, leaving it intact as she removed the outer casing to poke around inside.
    
    I rolled a 7, so either that or I take 10. Don't know what kind of skill to use, mechanic and electrician is +6, engineering is +5.
    
    If that fails, I'll try every key I have.
    
    

16. Re: Old School

    #176

    Carnige scowled as she examined the underside of the control panel.  No Screws.  It had been welded shut and ground smooth it appeared - she could find no seams, much less screwheads. The metal was tough too - her screwdriver's couldn't scratch it.
    
    That said, the control panel was quite dirty, though two of the numbered keys were smudged more than the others.  1 and 7.  Could it be that easy?...
    
    

17. Re: Old School

    #177

    Carnegie put away the screwdriver with a scowl, she examined the dirty keys, looked at the big numbers emblazoned on the door and with a trembling finger punched in 117. She paused and looked back at the others, with a shrug, she mumbled "Not lajk we's got any better clues..." She brought her finger towards the ok button.
    
    If anyone has any brighter ideas, feel free to stop me, otherwise I'm going for it.

18. Re: Old School

    #178

    A strange mechanical voice echo'ed out, with terrible voice quality - like some mechanical membrane was torn.
    
    "Soo..y Tha.. code is incorrect.. you ha.. th.. more attempts be... urit. .......Authorized...."
    
    

19. Re: Old School

    #179

    Carnegie hesitated, but no closer than she had been before, she shrugged and typed in 711, with a look at Asha and the others for confirmation, she pressed okay once more.
    
    val, you didn't miss before that I said I tried out all of my keys right?

20. Re: Old School

    #180

    The voice played again "..Ode ..Thersized."
    
    A loud muffled whirring noise filled the room as a large electric motor engaged.  6" diameter steel bolts withdrew and there was a clicking as the door began to open outwards, revealing a yawning opening.  Faint glows of artificial light could be seen within,showing a room lined with mostly inactive electronic consoles of some type.
    
    The air was not as musty as would be expected...
    
    
    Not but messing with the wrong keys had a greater downside to playing with the code, and my response provided new info, allowing you to change your action. 

21. Re: Old School

    #181

    Asha smiled as the door opened giving Marcus a sly grin, and Carnegie a quick embrace of appreciation.  "See what patience rewards you with Marcus?  Feel free to take the lead, you're skill with an axe is better in front of us where any dangers can feel its bite."
    
    She stepped to the side and drew her Glock, waiting for him to pass before following at Carnegie's side, "It should be safe enough for Elvis in there and his keener sense might alert us for trouble, but if you want him to wait out here I can leave some jerky and water for him." She offered, the mystery before here washing away the last vestiges of sleep from her mind.

22. Re: Old School

    #182

    He eyed Asha irritably, then strode forward. Temporarily considering using his shield, he decided against it, and he gripped his axe with two hands.
    
    "Give me five minutes in there alone," he said. "Your oh-so-fancy guns ain't gonna be helpful in a close-quarters fight. I'll shout if I need you."
    
    If it even is close-quarters, he thought to himself, for he hadn't quite examined the interior yet.
    
    Marcus then entered the room to quickly to allow for debate, his angry feet striking the floor with the fury of a bullet.
    
    Marcus requires a perception roll. Specificaly for enemies trying to kill him, less specifically for things he could make himself th enemy of. Also, if Carn or Asha care to yell at him or follow Marcus in, feel free.

23. Re: Old School

    #183

    With an amused smile she shook her head and let him enter, giving Carnegie an eye roll but deciding any attempt to deter him would be futile given his apparent lack of self preservation.
    
    If he wishes to charge ahead and set off any traps or security measures for us, who am I to stop him?
    
    "Is he always like this?" She quietly asked the two girls next her, leaning against the wall near the keypad and waiting to see what happened next.

24. Re: Old School

    #184

    Carnegie breathed a sigh of relief when the door opened. She turned to find Asha getting awfully close and she froze up, but when she realized her intentions she gladly returned the hug with a goofy smile. "Uhm, Ah shoudd probably tajk 'im wit me. Fra de looks of it, sumbody's left fra 'ere, we dunno iffin they's outside or in." She whispered and drew her own glock in response and cocked the safety off, Marcus's gruff words did hold some merit. The rifle was out of the question, but the gun was as close quarters as her expertise allowed without becoming useless in a fight.
    
    Carnegie took up station on the opposite side of the door of Asha.

    "Is he always like this?"

    
    "Uh..uhm." She looked nervously at Marcus's back and flushed red, hoping he hadn't heard the question. Flustered, she swallowed and shrugged helplessly. There was enough tension from their situation alone, she didn't want to see these two at eachothers throats on top of it all. Her eyes scanned the room for any danger or item of interest.
    
    I'll also take a perception check, please.

25. Re: Old School

    #185

    The Exit room was T-shaped, and dimly lit.  Hallways led left and right, and straight ahead a pair of closed metal doors.  Disturbed dust showed that someone had gone both left and right, but at least a foot of the dust was intact in front of the doors.  The doors had metal grips and a slot-like opening that had small glowing red lights.  To its right was a computer terminal with small green-lit print.
    
    An old gun of some sort hung from a turret in the ceiling, but was obviously damaged - its barrel bent.
    
    A number of lockers were against the wall to the right, one open showing some sort of orange overalls and a strange mask.
    
    

26. Re: Old School

    #186

    Marcus eyed the room warily. He considered stealth, and was about to disregard it completely, when his eye caught sight of the gun, and he approached it, touching the crease in the metal.
    
    I use any relevant skill I have, plus common sense, to determine if a suitably brawny barbarian could bend it back into firing shape, as well as determine the type of gun (maybe not specifics, but is it a turret? a submachine gun? An assault rifle?)
    
    He moved away from the gun, mentally filing any information gained into another side of his mind, and approached the lockers. He wasn't exactly a computer geek. Marcus decided he'd let his allies deal with the computer if they felt like it. However, the mask looked interesting. The overalls weren't exactly his style, but he picked up the mask and looked it over, examining it for danger.
    
    Still, toying with the mask in his hands, he returned to the doorway and poked his head out, eyeing his companions.
    
    "Clear," he whispered, "But keep it quiet." To back up his words, he pointed to the gun with the mask in his hand. "Follow me at a distance. Keep your weapons at the ready. Anya, watch our backs, will ya? Asha, go second, your pistol's better in tight spaces then their weapons. And Carn, keep Elvis under some goddamn control."
    
    He then slipped the mask onto his face, and turned to face the corridor ahead of them. He put his shield on his arm, and gripped his axe in his other hand. "Let's let slip the dogs of war," he muttered under his breath, a feral grin on his face beneath the mask.
    
    Hopefully whatever bent that gun was still here.
    
    If nobody objects, or wants to check out that computer, Marcus will take the front to tank some damage and lead us down the... right hand corridor, why not? He also requests a stealth roll

27. Re: Old School

    #187

    Asha nodded, holding her pistol at the low ready and giving the computer terminal a passing glance as she slowly moved past looking for any pertinent info already on the screen but deciding against using the machine given the chance of it triggering an alert of some kind of she failed to authorize herself.
    
    She gave a backwards glance at Carnegie and Ayna shooting them a thumbs up with her left hand and letting Marcus get a good fifteenish feet in front of them, room enough for him to maneuver or fall back without tripping over them but still in easy conversation range and more than close enough for her to provide adequate covering fire should it prove necessary.

28. Re: Old School

    #188

    Carnegie frowned, both at Marcus's reprimand as well as his cussing. She did however crouch down to hold Elvis's collar in her left hand, smiling at Asha in response. As she passed the computer, she tried reading the green text.

29. Re: Old School

    #189

    Anya grumbled, the surroundings unlike anything she had experienced in Kenebac.  She had her Glock out as well, having slung her portable cannon.
    
    As Marcus moved closer, servos came to life and the gun turret noisily rotated to point roughly in his direction, though the angle of the barrel indicated no immediate danger.  Some uneventful, slightly frustrated sounding clicks issued from the machine.
    
    
    From what you've heard -many Kenebac'ers have guns- a bent barrel could potentially be fixed with enough work, but its not an easy job, and it likely never would approach its original accuracy outside of an extremely good gunsmith.  However, since some folks are using blackpowder smoothbore weapons, it could still have value.
    
    Also, there are 3 ways forward, 2 recently traversed by something.
    
    
    
    
    Carnegie noted several boxes in a corner near a blown-out terminal, one of which appeared to be an ammo case, the other shorter and flatter.  Her eyes were adjusting quickly to the gloom illuminated by the few live consoles.
    
    
    Asha noted as she passed that the computer seemed to be unlocked and showed a display of recent timestamps and events.  The terminal also had a small drawer below the keyboard with a prominent keyhole.
    
    

30. Re: Old School

    #190

    Carny's heart nearly stopped when the swirling gun turret moved, she noted the barrel and breathed out. That thing would be nice to haul back, but it would have to wait. Carnegie stopped to open the crate, pocketing any compatible ammo, and anything she could modify for that matter, she offered some of it to the other women. A practised scavenger, she then took out her key-ring and tried all the janitor keys in the key-hole, meanwhile she noted the timestamps on the green glowing screen.
    
    I'll crowbar anything that needs crowbarring if I have to. Also, are any of the timestamps recent?

31. Re: Old School

    #191

    Asha raised her pistol reflexively as the turret whirred to life, pausing as she noticed the barrels deformation, giving a relived smile to her companions, partially crouching as Carnegie began to sort through the boxes, gladly taking any .9mm ammo that was offered along with any compatible pistol magazines.
    
    Noticing the dim light she reached up and carefully removed her sunglasses hoping the deepening shadows would keep the girls from noticing her less than human pupils, the world brightening to a much greater level of clarity now the dark lenses were no longer obscuring her vision.

32. Re: Old School

    #192

    The ammo case had what was expected, ammo.  2x 9mm magazines, 14 rounds hollowpoints each.  Not for Glocks though.  As well it contained a 50-round belt of 7.62 Nato FMJ. Also, a grey cylinder - most likely a grenade, but any label had been worn off.
    
    The flat box, clearly marked with a red cross, contained a number of trauma packs and a stim pack.  Two pill bottles as well, but the light was too poor to make out the writing. A package of still sealed hyperdermic needs (12 count).
    
    
    Computer Screen
    
    Datestamp                                Event              ID
    2193.04.24.16.11.45              *ALERT*        NA
    2193.04.23.12.11.45              Egress            87012
    2193.04.20.12.1¢.45              *ALERT*        NA
    2193.03.11.23.00.00              Ingress          87012
    2193.03.23.28.11.45              Egressssssss  87010
    2193.02.15.22.01.05              Ingress          45611
    2193.02.20.16.11.45              Egress            87010
    2193.02.21.╔0.11.45              Egress            45611
    2193.01.12.21.00.00              Ingress          86112
    2184.07.23.11.11.45              Egress            45611
    2181.05.11.22.00.00              Ingress          86112
    
    
    Back      Return
    
    |Ì╩♫o↓b,╝7§A
    --------------------------------------------------------
    
    
    Sadly, none of Carnegie's keys fit the lock.
    
    
    Asha's enhanced vision allowed her to pick out what seemed to be remains in the corner.  Stepping closer, she could see a dried corpse wearing overalls similar to those in the locker.  The front of the skull was smashed in. 

33. Re: Old School

    #193

    Asha gave Carnegie a grateful smile as she passed her some of the .9mm bullets, taking a moment to top off her magazines and regard the medical supplies carefully, "Anyone here a doctor? if so they should be the one carrying this stuff, it's not of much use to those without the skills." She paused as the body in the corner caught her eye, walking over over and kneeing down next to it, her hands methodically searching pockets and belt for any weapons, I.D cards or other items of interest.

34. Re: Old School

    #194

    Carnegie pulled out her 'skeleton key' and pushed it between the frame and the drawer, up high near the lock to try and release the catch. 
    
    The metal gave slightly, enough to accomplish her task, and the catch released with an audible 'pwang'.  At that moment, a new entry scrolled across the screen:
    
    2193.04.24.16.14.45              *ALERT*        NA       
    
    
    Inside the drawer were a number of books in reasonable condition, though the light was too poor to make out their contents - looked technical. A ceramic cup with 'King of Idiots' inscribed upon it, And a blue plastic card with number on it.
    
    ---------------------------
    
    As Asha searched, she found that not only was the skull smashed, but the entire ribcage had been shattered with enough force that some ribs had punched through the back of the suit.  That was no mean accomplishment, for the fabric of the suit seemed to feel quite durable.  It carried no cards, but two empty, very long magazines for a pistol or more likely an SMG. No weapons were nearby and there were some signs this corpse had been previously looted.  Then Asha noticed something metallic inside the shattered remains of the skull.
    
    
    

35. Re: Old School

    #195

    Asha briefly examined the magazines before tossing them in her backpack, the springs might prove handy in the future or the magazines themselves if she could locate a compatible weapon somewhere in the interior, she paused as the  glint of metal drew her attention, carefully tiling the skull forward so it could relinquish its contents into her out stretched gloved hand.

36. Re: Old School

    #196

    Carnegie noted the new time stamp and frowned, there was something that seemed amiss about the whole thing.
    
    She focused on the contents of the drawer instead, with her finger she traced the letters inscribed on the cup and her eye brows shot up in surprise. "A goblet offa king...?" She mumbled. But what king would wish for such subjects. She put the cup and the plastic card in her backpack and squinted in the gloom trying to make out the text in the books. "Uhm, does anybudy 'ave a light?" She asked, looking around at her companions.

37. Re: Old School

    #197

    Elvis tilted his head as she spoke the words "king" the name sounding like something others had referred to him as before, followed by laughter and merriment, the memory making him pant  in contentment as he finished sniffing the desk, the whine of the computer a blanket of sound at this distance, the smell of dust and machines filling his nostrils, but doing little to obscure the scent of ancient death, and more familiar smells of master and those master called pack.
    
    

38. Re: Old School

    #198

    Elvis could perceive other smells. Odd ones he couldn't identify, and other man-smells - ones he had never smelled before.  Wait. There was a faint familiarity to one..
    
    
    Asha rummaged through the shattered skull, Anya standing nearby watching over her shoulder.  She fished out something from the shattered remains.
    
    A metallic object the size of a spent casing, with thin metal wires that extended outwards, forking again and again until she couldn't see the filaments.  Then, perhaps detecting the warmth of her touch, it sprung to life and moved.  Filiments began to curl around fingers, an involuntary shriek and Asha flicked the thing across the room. 
    
    

39. Re: Old School

    #199

    Asha shuddered and stared at her gloved hand in shock, half expecting to find the leather marred by the grasping appendages of the thing, her gaze quickly flicking to the corner where she he hurled the offending monstrosity, watchful for any attempt by it to skitter across the floor and affix itself to one of their ankles.
    
    "What the hell? I've never seen anything like that." She muttered shaking her head and resisting the urge to pump a few pistol rounds into the thing next time she saw it just  to be safe.
    
    She gave her friends a cautious glance and looked casually around the room, mindful of any functional cameras before glancing over her shoulder to ensure the door leading out was still open for a hasty retreat should it prove necessary.

40. Re: Old School

    #200

    Confused by the sudden commotion, Carnegie blurted; "R you awlrite!? Wut wuz dat..." She squinted into the dark corners, whatever it had been it had given off a metalic ping as it hit the wall. One hand resting on Elvis's collar and the other squeezing the supposed user manuals. "Doesn't anybudy 'ave sum kajnd a light..." She muttered.

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