| abstract
| - Cennes Place A tidy little cabin sits among the many that are nearly identical in form and construction, the walls painted white with a bright red roof. The front door opens to a small entryway which leads directly into the central room for the cabin which contains a couch, two chairs that flank it, a coffee table all of which are positioned to offer a view of the holovid screen that is mounted on the wall. Windows to the east and west offer generous ambient lighting and a slowly oscillating ceiling fan stirs the fresh air and cools the room to a comfortable temperature. To the immediate right of the door is a small kitchen outfitted with the standard, useful appliances, sink and a well stocked pantry. The arched doorway from the kitchen leads into a small seating area that holds a small table that is tucked against a wall, the large window in this room is the entire length of the eastern wall and the view offered makes the room seem bigger than it actually is. Once exiting the dining room a hallway leads north with two doors to the east again, leading each into a small bedroom that is furnished with nothing more than bed, dresser, night stand with lamp and the usual furnishings, each room identical down to the bedspread and matching curtains. At the end of a hall is the bathing room, furnished with a real shower instead of refresher. Another door leads from the main room to the shaded back patio, the sound of the ocean seems temptingly close and if one were to walk to the very edge of the patio the ocean can be seen around the side of the cabin nearest. Weathered patio furniture is placed in a haphazard arrangement, two chairs nearest the table while others are either folded and stacked against the side of the cabin or already planted in the sand for easy use. Obvious exits: eave leads to Saturnalia Square - Orleanon: Caspar Having received word that the officer exchange is at last approved and that select officers are being routed back to Dac to train with the Republic's Naval officers in theatre, Lynae had placed a quick holo message to Enb'Zik to invite him over to talk for a bit in advance. As she is leaving planet and system again for a few days she places another holo call and messages Tyler's ship with the invitation as well. Not precisely killing two birds with one stone, as one doesn't simply kill a Jedi or a Sith with anything as undignified as a stone, but she's all about efficiency. So the duffel bag is packed, her weapons set out for a final cleaning before being packed as well, a pot of tea set to brewing and the door to the porch left open to let cool air circulate through the house. And it is her house, such as any place that's bound to any planet really ever could be. Ikihsa Enb'Zik is heralded by a simple knock at the front door. Though dark has gathered after the setting of Solus more than an hour before, the Sullustan turns and gazes quietly at the beach. The breeze is shifting, and his race's unique ocular physiology allows him to watch the rustling tropical plants almost the same as if it were still day. Quietly, he glances at a window to see whether it's open and considers calling through if it is. But rather than disturb the susurrations of the breeze, draws his cloak around him and simply waits. Considering how rare it is to have anyone knocking on her door, Lynae is paying particular attention and she reaches the door a few moments later and opens it with the words, "It's a lot easier to visit this place than my ship," as a brief smile forms on her face and she sweeps one hand towards the inside of the cabin in an inviting gesture. "Every time I invite anyone onto my ship I'm compelled to change the lock password afterwards and I end up having to cycle through a lengthy list to find one I haven't used recently," she admits, glancing through the open door down the walkway and path leading to the road before she turns back to Enb'Zik. "Thank you for coming on such short notice, though. Tea?" The Sith receive the message aboard the Dark Presence, the massive hulk of black metal constantly monitoring what it could from the galactic waves, onboard Malign is summoned by his task force watch officer and moves from his meditation sphere to a private shuttle ushering a few hand selected beings to follow him, one of flesh and a few made of solid durasteel alchemically modified by the Sith Lord himself. Orders were passed and the Sith move to converge on the point of summoning, a shuttle painted black with a special coat and substance that would reflect scanners and traditional sensors sweeps low across the ocean toward the meeting place. It hovers silently over the beach ejecting its cargo of passengers onto it, robed in black. Darth Malign had arrived moments after Zik entered the house. His soldiers move forward first, red optics scanning as they make their way up the path. Just as the door was closing the Sith Lord's gloved hand stops it sternly, "Tea would be nice." His hazel eyes falling onto the Jedi a millisecond after he speaks. He suddenly becomes alive in the Force peeling back the eclipse that was masking him and his comrades, "It appears you're double booked, Lynae, I can always come back." he smirks standing in the doorway waiting for an invitation to enter. His manner relaxed as Lynae invites him in, Enb'Zik tilts his head at the offer of tea. "Sure," he replies, starting to step in. "From your invitation I'd gotten the impression your time was short. I hadn't expect you to make t--" Zik loses his grip on the door handle as Malign takes the sentence and picks up with the same word. Surprise flashes onto the Sullustan's features, first at the owner of the voice, and second at the realization that Zik had not felt him coming. Zik blinks again when Tyler allows himself to become visible in the Force. Spherical black eyes return to Lynae, questioning her as he takes a step back from the door. "Double-booked?" he asks. "Lynae?" "I always make a pot of tea before I leave," Lynae replies simply, gesturing towards the pot that's almost ready and the collection of cups set out on the counter. 'Collection' which indicates she's expecting more than two people to be drinking the offered beverage, be it tea or something else. "I invited both of you, actually," she continues in that same calm clear voice. "I have to leave soon," she explains as she glances from Enb'Zik to Tyler and back, "but before I go I thought it best to see if I could arrange for the two of you to begin some sort of dialogue. So as to clear the air in advance, this was my idea," she states with emphasis, "to issue the invitations without warning or preamble or anything of that sort. " Even with Malign eclipsing the door, one might or might not notice a figured dressed in a hooded tabard. Arms folded beneath the cloth and standing between Malign's droids. The Maroon color blends in with the shadows of the night and yet given illumiation from the light within the cabin. Silent and unhurried is the figure waiting to follow the Sith. Malign signals his agents on a communicator to move in, a small detail of droids move to patrol the area around the cabin and take up spots for recon, as he steps inside the cabin fully and turns to regard Lynae with a smile, "Haven't forgotten everything you learned in your past, and picked up a few things it would appear." he jests. The Sith Lord slides gracefully pass the pair directly toward the tea while drawing a cigarette from a pocket and seeing to it being lit, "So, it would seem we have something to talk about then, Enb'Zik, Jedi Knight in service to your glorious order." he gives a gesture, but fills four cups of tea, but only taking one, "If the good Caspian Officer wants to stay, nothing said here would be held from your confidence." he advises. "History weighs heavily on those who can see destiny, and to those who respect and observe the past. What decisions we make in this life will echo across the expanse of time and space." he warns, "Be careful with your words, tonight because the tendrils of destiny flow ready to echo our actions." he moves to take a seat pulling back a heavy hood and enjoying a sip of his tea. Sullustan adrenaline, a biological response to being surprised by someone he's come to recognize as an enemy, has Enb'Zik's pulse running rapid. Abruptly alert now, both physically and in the Force, the Jedi quietly makes himself calm down. He folds his arms, a silent gesture of standoffishness, even as his eyes move to take in the cloaked figure in Malign's wake. Is that...? "Perhaps," Zik answers, his tone at once pointed and cautious as he observes the maroon-shrouded proselyte. Enb'Zik is not yet a Knight, but rather than saying so, he turns his gaze to Lynae. At Tyler's suggestion she might be leaving, the Sullustan tips up his chin, "I trust you /are/ staying, Lynae?" Lynae spots Malif and for a moment she simply stares at the dark clad man before her head shakes slightly, a so subtle gesture before she tilts her head in invitation and simply turns back to Malign, "As this humble abode belongs to me at the moment, I'd prefer to stay." Malign's words are met with another subtle quirk of a smile, "Be careful what you wish for, you just may get it?" she inquires with one arched eyebrow, claims a cup of tea for herself, offers one towards Enb'Zik, "I wouldn't leave you like this, my friend," she says in a quiet voice to the Jedi. "I didn't mean to spring this on either of you without warning, but I believe that dancing around serious topics or important issues is something that only makes my feet tired, sets off my temper and makes me weary of the nonsense. Thus and so, I move that we endeavor to have a serious conversation over the things that we all have been wondering and pondering over, of late." The maroon clad figure follows Malign in, the hood inclines slightly twords Lynae. His steps are soft and measured. Though he is yet to take up a cup for himself. Atleast until the pulse of the situation settles and he knows for certain that no untword action is to come of this surprise meeting. His features remain in shadow, though perhaps this is done on purpose. But more an act of caution then out right deciet. Malign laughs lightly taking a draw from his cigarette clearly now comfortable, "Yes, no one deserves to be left alone in a room with me." he smirks, "Unless to be punished, or so this is how so many believe." he gestures wide and shrugs, "The issues, yes there are indeed some galactic issues out there. I am told that the war is not looking good for the Republic and that there is some civil unrest on the world of Dac, if I am not mistaken that is the very world that made the Republic possible. If the law and order continue to collapse there you might find it falling to a patient Galactic Empire." hazel eyes drift up to the ceiling for a moment, "But that of course is foolish of me, here I am speaking like the average New Republic citizen or Imperial intelligence officer. The real question is, how are the beings of Dac handling the situation? What is it they want?" he raises a brow, "Who is driving them to their current ends, why was it so easy to begin with? Why would a species like the Mon Cal's, as noble as they are, ever poison someone elses food? Why would Quarren destroy bacta supplies when they enjoy the benefit of bacta as well?" he laughs, "They wouldn't? Of course that is moot now that the Republic let their idiot marines kill several beings there." He sips from his tea. The Sith looks between the three beings in the room, "A New Republic Dac will continue to be polluted by the failure of that government, the Empire would simply enslave them and they would have to resist for years to overcome that again. So I would suggest a third path, an independent Dac, a world jointly governed by the Quarren and Mon Calamari that seeks to make things better for themselves. That world has been a slave to political ideology for far too long." he shrugs, "Of course we need a plan." That Enb'Zik reaches out and accepts the cup offered by Lynae is intended as an indication that he is not angry with her. At least, not angry to the point of shunning the friendly gesture. Even so, the look in his eyes is easy to read as uneager. He wishes she had not contrived this encounter the way she has, and he silently allows that to be known. Zik moves to one side of the modest common area, by the wall opposite the kitchen, and sets the beverage atop a low table. Feeling little patience now for waiting even longer for people to reveal themselves, Enb'Zik turns his attention onto Malif. He reaches silently into the Force to determine what he's able of the being, familiar or no. While Tyler speaks, Zik slowly lowers himself to perch on the edge of a seat beside his cup, if for no other reason than to further encourage himself to calm down. Unfortunately, Tyler's words about the Republic government don't help that cause. The Republic government had been doing fine on Dac by the majority of all accounts prior to this, even from the Quarren perspective. Something else was at work. The problem now is that the whole thing had spun out of control. And because of that, his objections to Tyler's blame are moot -- whoever the fault belongs to, the result is the same. "The 224th's inept and illegal actions could not have come at a worse time," he finally says. "I don't know if the Mon Calamari and the Quarren realize, though, how close their warring is taking them to a return to the same slavery the Sith subjected them to before." Lynae fixes Tyler with a brief look, "You know me better than that," she says in a wry tone of voice. "If I thought you were going to swoop in, abscond with my friend and subject him to several days of torture followed by a messy death," this is said with a good measure of asperity, "that I'd never have invited you over. Seeing as how that's not specifically your gig - it's more my gig than anyone elses, really - can we put that aside as well? I surprised you both and if there was a more tactful way of doing this I'd have taken that avenue instead. But I'm out of time. I think it's best to have this conversation as a group instead of having it with you," she nods towards Tyler, "then having it with you," her head tilts towards Zik, "and then back and around again. Since it's essentially the same conversation is it not far more efficient to have it just the once instead of several times?" She sits down at a point that places her evenly between Zik and Tyler, her instincts telling her that Malif will either echo her gesture or choose to stand near Tyler. A sip is taken from the cup of tea that she's holding before she continues, "It is my opinion that none of the things that have occurred on Dac have had a.. unique and entirely innocent starting point. I have no proof of this, of course, absolutely none. I'm just a suspicious person by nature and if I wanted to spark a civil war one of the best ways to do so is to make the enemy start fighting each other. After all, war is ultimately about laying down one's life for the cause, but is it not smarter to make the other guy lay down his first?" she asks. "The 224th has bungled. Granted, we all make mistakes. But they have managed to paint themselves in such a light that I'm hesitant to have any of my soldiers at all associated with theirs. Further, the remarks that those marines were making the day that we encountered each other on planet," she fixes Zik with a look, "were offensive. Were I a hot headed individual of any nature I'd have taken offense - umbrage even! - right there on the spot." A familiar qaulity surrounds the maroon cloaked figure, easy for the Jedi to feel. slippery and evasive and now that all have settled down and Malign seems at ease. He to now takes steps twords retreiving a cup of tea for himself. Jet colored hands emerge from beneath the robe and a quiet voice can be heard to state. "It was the Galactic Empire that enslaved them...not the Sith." the remark is not directed at anyone in particular, but there it is all the same. Though he does remain standing and a bit back from where all have gathered "There are, some misguided beings on all sides of the galactic conflict, do you find it strange that those beings seem to always become leaders?" Malign raises a brow, "The galaxy wants lunatics, it wants fanatics that represent something that is pure." he shakes his head, "You see that is why meetings like this must take place in secret without our knowledge, because those with logic and thoughts who drive the galaxy toward success and progress have to hide in the shadows or be persecuted." The tea was good, it had been awhile since he had enjoyed this sort of drink, the nonalcoholic kind. Sobriety was a powerful tool for discussion and discourse on problems though. Zik's probes toward his agent does not go unnoticed as Malign drowns out the tendrils of the Force with negative energy, "There is no need to put your presence onto those that serve me, Enb'zik, your business is with me." he advises. "My point on Dac is not that the Sith or Empire or a reborn Palpatine enslaved them, not that the 224th made the situation fall apart, but instead a long galactic history on Dac has lead us to this point, not one specific event." he smiles, "The case here is that no one is directly at fault for what is happening on the world, but I cannot say no one is taking advantage of it. Smugglers for one, perhaps the Galactic Empire. I know how the ISB works, I was its director for several months, and I was a leader of COMPNOR before I grew tired of the ignorance of Korolov, he was never a good Warlord." He shrugs, "There are ways to maintain peace without oppression." he leans forward, "Dac is a product of oppression, it is exploited by the Republic for their technological prowess, and sought by an Empire to break the New Republic's means of producing war." He rubs his chin for a moment, "What of culture? What of the people? If I was to destroy the shipyards of Dac would anyone fight for the ocean world? Would it lose its allure?" He pauses, "Yes. Yes they would. Not my intention though, my intention is to push Dac to make decisions for itself, let the Mon Cals and Quarren dictate their own politics, and what of the other sentient creatures on world? There are quite a few." he shrugs, "No one seems to be getting their opinions on the matter." Lynae speaks and the Sith smiles, "Of course Lynae." he says politely, "I will try to be more civil." He ponders for several moments, "Here is the core of the problem, Enb'zik, I believe there is no doubt that the Empire is on Dac, why wouldn't they be? They are trained to take advantage of such things. If you do not want to see Dac become an Imperial world, where the species of the world is either hunted or enslaved or both and your shipyards are not producing Imperial warships then you need to consider the quickest and most effective ways to interdict their motives and that would be peace on Dac." He shrugs, "We have to establish peace and that means finding culprits for the disasters, and pray to the gods of whoever you follow that the trail leads off world." A slow nod is Enb'Zik's response to Lynae's judgment regarding Draelis' troops. "I found them offensive, as well," he reassures her, "You may take it for granted that I have brought that issue up with the Chief of State, as well as with the planet's Senate representation. The 224th was and continues to be over the line." Ikihsa's eyes narrow mildly. He gets just a touch of that slippery feeling before Malign pushes him back. The deadening of the Force, something like a numbness in a sleeping limb, draws the Sullustan's eyes. "I like to know with whom I'm dealing, Malign," Zik replies coolly. Then to Malif, "I said Sith, and I meant Sith." He looks as if he's about to say more, but he pauses, then turns back to what Malign and Lynae are discussing instead. "I've been working to secure peace on Dac," he answers Tyler. He glances aside at his tea and considers picking the mug up for a sip. For now, though, it remains there. "The Republic is ready to make several gestures of goodwill to the Quarren. I was pursuing an escort to meet their leaders in Aquarius for negotiations when my contact abruptly disappeared." Zik's gaze again flashes back to Malif as he adds, "Unfortunately, my attempts to reestablish communications with that individual were met with... ambivalence, would you say?" Lynae has already explained that the reason she called this 'meeting' is because they were all having the same conversation but separately and it seemed most logical to her to have it all at once instead of in segments over the next weeks or months, as the case may be. "The powers that be, Tyler, do not take kindly to the notion of their actions or decisions being called into place. I don't imagine that Enb'Zik's republic or Korolov's Empire or your Emperor," she says this pointedly to Tyler, "would appreciate having his decisions dissected on a point by point basis. We are not invited for various reasons. I'm a traitor, you Tyler have declared yourself an independent agent, and Enb'Zik doesn't kiss ass enough to maneuver up the food chain. He's a good and honest man, which makes him rare. Because neither of us are cut of that same cloth. He genuinely wants to help, he genuinely would rather not harm anyone or anything. He genuinely would sacrifice himself for the good of others. You, Tyler, have your ambitions and your instructions from your Emperor and will do what ever it takes to reach your goals. I will serve the Caspian people to the best of my abilities but it will never undo my past nor erase it nor wash the blood off of my hands." She takes a quiet breath, a sip from her cup of tea before shaking her head again slightly, "If the ship yards were not on Dac then the planet would merely be one among many. But the ship yards are there. They are valuable and therefore the planet will be in play. You say you want to see the people of Dac be independent, declare for themselves their own future, but do you honestly think the Republic will let them do so?" Again a pause, a shake of her head and she turns to Zik, "I'm relieved to hear that. I did not want to have to make a comment if I didn't have too, but it was rude and I really find it beneath any officer to endorse that sort of behavior, I don't care what rank that officer holds. "Ambivalence?" Lynae repeats, arching one eyebrow slightly and glancing from Malif to Enb'zik and back then actually chuckles softly, "playing it awful close to the chest, aren't we, Malif?" she asks before shaking her head. Malif sips from the tea and glances up at the remark directed at him. "Ambivalence?" the hood shifts from side to side. "No...but the galaxy and those that live in it do not jump at a single request." he counters softly. "I told you the means to get in touch with the entity, I even set a time for you to take the first step." he responds in a cool demeanor. "Your reactions...were what they were." he shrugs slightly beneath the tabard. "But I divert the conversation from its intended course." he nods to Lynae and Malign. In the midst of the discussion, the back door opens, and Mahon strides in. As he passes through the door, one hand rises to doff his hat from atop his head in reflex deeply ingrained through the course of his military career. He gives a sage-like glance about the room at all of Lynae's guests. Jedi. Sith. Spooky king-maker type person. He notes their presence without so much as an arched eyebrow. He looks to Lynae now, listening, and ultimately venturing a subtle smirk of approval. Malign let Lynae define them her definitions were accurate enough. He bowed his head and nods solemnly. The Sith turns to look directly at Enb'Zik, "Do you find it strange how difficult it is to arrange meetings with the leaders of one of the two most important species on Dac?" he shakes his head, "Did it ever occur to you why they were suddenly reluctant to contact the New Republic? I mean, prior to this were they not also citizens, in your military, fighting the good fight? Weren't they united to free Dac from the Empire? Of course they were, so what force in this beautifully large and confusing galaxy has them locked into their underwater cities prisoners to some ideas? Without food?" The Dark Lord laughs, "They are prisoners to ideas, but only the ones they are being programed with. Don't you see? Their hesitation must be as a result of an outside influence! He gestures broadly, all speculation, but I can feel it." The Sith rises and bows to Mahon as he enters the room but does not stop. "Perfect timing, friend, because the solution to Dac is simple. You must ignore protocol, you must venture down to the Quarren. You must take me with you, Enb'zik. Leia and Malif will be excellent additions to such a party as well. On top of that we're going to need protection from what might be there, but waiting in a queue to speak to someone will not work. We're going to have to be mavericks." "People are /dying/, Malif. I don't have time to play games with information merchants who would rather dance in circles than give straight answers. Nor do I have time to track down a ship and hope /its/ captain won't play the same number all over again. While the galaxy may run at a slower pace for some, there is a sense of urgency about things for those caught in the middle of this." He glances at Tyler, then back at Malif. Given the latter's association with the former, if there were any real interest in peace here at all, Zik decides Malif might have been just a little more straightforward with what he knew. An extra presence niggles at Enb'Zik's senses, and he looks up to spy Mahon's arrival. Automatically, the Jedi ambassador stands, nodding to the interim Presav in greeting. He doesn't say anything, though, deferring to the man's evident preference for not interrupting the flow of conversation. Zik had been just about to answer Tyler. To go along with everything he'd been saying, for Ikihsa, too, had come to the same conclusion. There was no doubt an outside influence was at work. That was the only thing that made sense. But he's drawn aback by the next suggestion. Zik's mind works quickly. He'd need to ask Luke before doing something like that, and Luke would never go for it. For good reason, too -- taking the Chief of State down into that kind of dangerous situation? Leia might have been a Hero of the Rebellion, but she was a high-level politician now. Able to take care of herself or not, it's too much to ask. Not to mention that if Tyler decided to turn on them, Zik is too aware that he'd be unable to adequately fight him off. The Sullustan works through these things silently, but his thoughts are close to the surface of his mind. With both hands curled around the cup of tea that she's been drinking from, Lynae is shifting her gaze from Enb'Zik to Tyler and back, almost as though she's at some sporting match. When the door opens again, she knows who it is that's arrived before the rest of the room does, and she aims a nods and a bit of a smile towards Mahon in response to the smirk of approval that's ventured in her direction. She tilts her head to the open seat beside her before she ventures into the fray again, "Considering the fact that the Republic marines treated the Quarren like Enemy Combatants is it any wonder they were wary of approaching anyone in the Republic?" she asks of Zik, "I know that you have said that these issues are already being addressed. The only point I'm trying to make is that maybe what needs to happen now is that the true start of all of this is discovered and brought to light in such a way that the evidence cannot be refuted or refused in any way. That maybe the only solution now is to find out how all of this started and throw that down on the table in the light for all parties to see," she suggests in a firm tone of voice. "With all the ships moving in and out of system, all the supplies coming in, if there IS another movement afoot then it'd be laughably easy to bring in other assets to this debacle. And if Korolov isn't doing so then he's finally slipped his rocker and his new apprentice is feeding him gruel. Since I doubt THAT'S happened either, then somehow the origin has to be discovered. Before more people die. Before this gets even more out of hand. Before things go so far that there is no option to go back." Malif offers a nod of greeting to the Presav and then shakes his head at the Jedi's remark. "I am the captain of the Maven...you were half way there." he remarks quietly. "But you didnt seem to catch that." he lifts the tea cup and sips in thought for a moment. "Lord Malign, I doubt that the Cheif of state would be allowed to take on such a course of action overtly...for such an outing to take place." he pauses for a moment longer. "You would need a bit of sleight of hand, but if the right things were in place...I dont think it would be totally impossible. He considers Lynae's words as well and then nods in agreement. "Malign has ways at his disposal that will make finding the culprits easier...as you said Jedi, people are dying...do you have time to dance with politics?" The Sith nods, "Indeed, Enb'Zik your thoughts are well placed and well thought in this case. The Chief of State would not be permitted so easily to move with us into danger." Malign stands now, "But perhaps she is the only person in the galaxy with the compassion and capability of ending this crisis." He silently ponders for several moments, "The marines did their evil but the Republic is taking measures to fix that they should be very public measures and the Quarren has to see that what was done to them was a crime in the Republic and unlikely to happen again." He finishes his tea, "We have a similar goal, to prevent Dac from falling into the hands of the Empire, but from that point on we might be diverging. I am not interested in Dac just being a tool of the New Republic, it is time to breathe and move for their own purpose and destiny. Let them vote, all of them, the Quarren as well to see if they want to stay in the Republic. We can all respect democracy as long as the ISB isn't stuffing a ballot box." Wordlessly (at least in the spoken sense, since there seems to be a degree of the nonverbal sort of communication going on between Mahon and Lynae), Mahon fetches himself a teacup and moves to take that empty seat next to Lyn. He settles into the chair and pours himself a cup of tea, lifting it to his lips as he watches the conversation go around the table. One brow arches subtly at the challenge that goes from Malif to Enb'zik. In the space between query and reply, he observes, "Good tea." The look that Enb'Zik gives Malif is not exactly a dirty one. It's not /exactly/ vexed, either. It's simply reflective of the fact that Malif's being that captain precisely proves the Sullustan's point -- that the man was too busy wasting time with a meaningless demonstration of his own cleverness. And, in turn, that a speedy resolution to the fighting isn't what he, or Tyler by extension, is after. "The Republic's response to the 224th's crimes will be public," Zik responds. Thoughtfully, he regards Malif while he speaks, "That was part of what I had discussed with your associate's passenger. Leia and Senator Ackinbrac both agree. That was part of the good-faith offering we were putting together to bring the Quarren to the negotiation table." Zik frowns, then goes on, "If Malif can make contact again with this individual T'fel, then he claims to have inroads to the Quarren leadership that would not require us to sneak in the way you're proposing. And I say sneak in because what's been expressed to me is that the Quarren aren't interested in allowing a party as large as the four of us into Aquarius. "As far as the path chosen by the people of Dac? They were moving for their own purpose and destiny when they chose democratically to join the Republic in the first place. It isn't to the Republic's advantage to force any population to remain a part of it against their will. If they want to vote, I strongly suspect the Republic would encourage it!" "He didn't catch that because I didn't tell him that you're the captain of the Maven," Lynae replies with a look aimed at Malif. "I told him that I could make an introduction and that you'd be the one best suited to connect him with the captain of the Maven. I had no idea that this was so many layers deep that it was going to require a search and rescue party to delve through," all said in a dry tone of voice that only carries the finest thread of exasperation on her own. "Look," she says, cutting through - or trying to at least - some of the tension again, "there's little to be gained at this point by holding all of the cards so close to your collective chests that you can't even see what you're holding. Zik, I didn't tell you he's the captain of the Maven because it's not for me to tell, it's his. Tyler, if my read on you is at all accurate you're not making this offer in jest so you must have something already fielded or in play to see this actually through." She frees one hand and rubs at the back of her neck with that hand and pauses to murmur a quiet viced, "Thank you," to Mahon in response to his remark about the tea and for a moment there's a ghost of a smile on her face that fades as she turns back to Enb'Zik. "What if they don't? What if the Republic so badly needs to hold on to Dac that they won't allow a vote? That they'll try to hold the planet and it's people and persuade them that they'll be happy as Republic citizens if they just give it some more time. Time enough to settle things, smooth things over. "When did the Republic start treating it's own people as enemy combatants? When did the Sith start treating free people as anything other than potential work force in some guise? When did you cast your lot in with the Sith, Malif?" she asks, one question is rapid fire and followed with, "We have a lot of questions of each other, of motives, of why. But here's one that remains both asked and answered. If the Republic cannot hold Dac, if the Dac people do not lean to the Republic still, if they cannot stand on their own, then do we stand and let the Empire step in and claim them in place of the republic? For that has to be on the mind of the powers that be in the Military machine. Tyler knows this. I know this. Zik .. surely you know this as well. Malif could outline a strategy that would do the job rather handily as well. " For Mahon's part, he's still content to watch the sparring going on between Zik, Tyler, and Malif, and Lynae's attempts to guide it. He holds his teacup in front of his mouth, sipping from it regularly, in a manner which only exacerbates the zen-like poker-face that he has adopted. For now his role here seems to be mainly as an observer, however keen and intent that observation might be. Malign listens silently for several minutes even when it appears his turn to speak on matters. What he was about to say would make even the most hardened of believers in him waver. The Sith leans forward, "If-" he pauses to make this clear he was speaking in hypotheticals, "If, Dac wants to be independent, I believe that I can offer a force suitable to defend the system while they form their own defensive positions and render aid after they have built to a point to defend themselves. My forces would be there to aid them." he says quietly, "I also believe this: If-" again he stresses, "If Dac becomes independent they would have to swear off at least temporarily any commercial and diplomatic ties with the Republic to protect themselves. They will essentially become neutral." The Sith sighs and leans back, "The CDU and myself would become the Dacan's favored and friendly allies, but let me speak bluntly on the Empire." He smiles. "It is so easy to speak of the Empire as some unified force that flows across the galaxy under the will of a single man, the Emperor, but this certainly not the case." He breathes deeply and works himself up to get another cup of tea, "The Empire is a web of political minefields. Moffs rule their systems, and they decide how much they want to give or take from the Empire, as long is it protects their power base or doesn't upset their positions in their sectors they will go along with it. However, if tension starts to break on them, they will not be so inclined to support the Empire. If the Empire stops expanding it only breeds mistrust and bad politics and the constant threat of an internal shattering of the structure. The Emperor Vadim is wise, and powerful but I am uncertain if he is interested in holding the Empire together or just using it as it is. In essence the Empire is actually very weak. If they were strong they would just use their fleets to take Dac, instead they are trying something different." "If the Republic doesn't allow the freedom of its citizens," Zik replies to Lynae, looking over at her directly... He pauses. For a moment, he simply turns over the implications of what he's about to say, then says it. "If the Republic doesn't allow the freedom of its citizens, then it's no longer the Republic. It's not the location of those shipyards that make Dac important. The shipyards could be anywhere. What makes Dac important are its people. If they are no longer a willing part of the Republic, then the ships don't matter. "The ships can't be built with slave labor." It's a particularly poignant thing for Enb'Zik to say. For years the Empire had been supplied with weapons build by the SoroSuub corporatocracy. The ST-I and ST-II, along with dozens of other products, had been built by Sullustans who were slaves in practice, if not in name. Slowly, Enb'Zik's attention turns from Lynae. It settles upon Tyler. "If the sentient races of Dac opt not to remain under the protection of the New Republic," he states, "they will need protection of some sort." Zik glances to Mahon, "If Dac falls to the Empire, then the Imperial war machine is on Caspia's front doorstep. I can see how it would be to your advantage to help Dac." Zik looks back to Tyler, then, and his voice goes dry, "I hope you'll pardon my mistrust, Malign, but why should I expect you to abide by your word and protect Dac's people? Compassion hasn't exactly been the chief strength of the Sith Order, historically speaking. What happens to the Quarren and the Mon Calamari and the Whaladons and Moappa after you've finished showing Korolov who wields the bigger... lightsaber?" Mahon gives an arched eyebrow, and a grudging sort of nod to Zik's assertion that it would be in the CDU's advantage to assist the Dacans. But then, most nods from Mahon seem grudging. "We would assist of course," he finally says. And for that matter, they have been, though the relief effort has still ramping up. "Though wether our assistance on its own would serve as any deterrent to Imperial annexation has been a matter of... spirited debate lately." Lynae is silent for a long moment, long enough that she contemplates Tyler's, Enb'Zik's and Mahon's words before she speaks again. "At what point does our assistance turn into a genuine offer of aid to the Republic, that's what the debate is about, I'm willing to wager. At what point to we point to the Empire and say 'There it is, that is evil, if we don't stop it then nothing and no one else will'? At what cost is our neutrality? I am tired of war," she says in a low voice. "Tired of it. But I, like you - all of you - am a soldier. It's what I am. I don't know how to be anything less." "I would like to say that Tyler's read on the Empire is inaccurate. I would like to say that he's misjudged the moffs or the machinations of the breed of vermin that the Empire seems to produce that go by the name of 'Politicians' for they are a particularly disgusting lot that would best serve the universe if they were all used as cannon fodder. One and all," Lynae says in a quiet and almost grim tone of voice. "But his read is accurate. Those that go into battle, those that throw themselves into combat, are .. nameless, faceless, they're just numbers on a tally sheet, counters in the sand. A billion here, a billion there, what does it matter? they're only lives, and they're utterly replaceable. It's the reason why getting shields on Fighters was such a battle for production. Why? Because pilots are cheaper to train and replace than fighters with shields are to produce and allocate. After all, it's all about being fiscally responsible with available assets, isn't it. If the Emperor wins Dac, either at your hand or that of Korolov's, are we to believe that he will regard the people as anything less than potential slave labor? When did the Emperor start viewing non humans as anything other than sub-species that only serve as slaves and easily discarded ones at that. We-" she pauses and exhales after a moment, "they are not cogs in the machine, Tyler." "Would the Republic really fight so hard for a world that didn't have these ship yards, Zik? Would they really? If they would, why haven't they fought to free your people yet? Why are there still camps holding slaves for the purpose of labor? Why is the Republic so entrenched in a defensive position where they are looking almost exclusively to their new borders now that they've fallen back to Ord Mantell? Do you really think the Republic will simply smile, hold it's hands up and say, 'Of course we respect your right to withdraw' and let Dac go it's own way - peaceably? Oh, in print it looks nice. But will the military, will it really, stand back and not try to force the issue?" Malign sees his cue to light another smoke and he takes several moments to enjoy it before saying, "You speak the truth Lynae. On all counts." he shrugs looking toward Zik, "I can offer you no guarantees as to where I stand or if you can trust me." he says that as a matter of fact tone, "I am not in the business of betrayal though, if I wanted you dead you would be dead." he exhales slowly, "I am not in the business of eradication, that is not where I stand. I believe we're tired of war, but once the war is over where do people like us go? We are soldiers all of us have been fighting since we were old enough to fight. Some of us have fought on all sides of the war." He smirks, "The Empire are not fools, we'd like them to be, but Caspain neutrality has always been a threat to their interest in this region. The Empire will eventually commit the resources necessary to conquer the CDU, but why bother now? They are trapped in their neutrality. So take out the real beast, the Republic and then when the galaxy around it, what is left of it, is at its weakest destroy the remains." he claps his hands together to intensify the effect. "Expand or die, get involved or be eradicated, save people and protect their principles or be swallowed. I am here because our enemy is common, all of our desires and wishes are hindered by one thing and we share a distrust for it. Some of us here helped build it, irrelevant. Dac is a starting point, a tip of a larger problem. The galaxy is sick, it needs hope and it needs powerful figures to rise and stand for something, even if they are Caspians, Jedi, or Sith." he shrugs, "It is all romantic in nature, but a strange irony rests in it as well, as it is fact." Ikihsa turns his eyes quietly on Mahon. "That puts Caspar in a dangerous position, Sir," he intones, "I'm sure you've thought of that already, of course. As soon as you move in such a manner as to disrupt Imperial intentions for Dac, you'll be giving them the minute excuse they've been wanting to attack Caspia. "It won't require a genuine offer of aid to the Republic to draw the Emperor's ire on this Union," he adds to Lynae. "And that's a big part of what I don't understand. Malign, you say your interest is to prevent the Empire from taking Dac, but your Master is the Emperor himself. If you're not in the business of betrayal or eradication, then precisely what business /are/ you in? Korolov aside, if your loyalty is to Vadim, then how can it be against the Empire? If you can't give us any guarantees of your own trustworthiness, then why would I trust you with something this important?" Enb'Zik looks around the room, seeking the eyes of each person present. "I don't know about the rest of you, but when this war is over, I fully intend to have a place in the galaxy that's left behind. Warrior or not, I have no interest in prolonging this. Thirty-five years of despotic Sith emperors are thirty-five years too many. I'm all for getting involved and fixing what's wrong with the galaxy..." He turns his gaze to Tyler and Malif, "but I'm wary of you two. Your words have a ring of truth to them, but they don't stand up to scrutiny." "Only a fool fights a battle on more than one front at a time. A village idiot would fight a war on three. What level of idiocy would this one qualify as if the Empire simply decides to start fighting everywhere all at once? Further, what would it take to get all of the Empire's considerable assets to engage all at the same time? I don't think the republic has enough ships or manpower to begin such an endeavor. Even if we decided to toss in our hat, we still couldn't get all of the fleet engaged. Even if Corellia decided to go for open rebellion right at the same time.. how much would still be left siting somewhere idly gathering dust and polishing their boots?" Lynae shakes her head at Zik as she continues, "No, it wouldn't require it. Why ? Because the act of defiance itself is considered enough? Why? We all know why. Because the Empire doesn't need a reason. They don't have to justify their actions in the arena of public opinion. Because the only reality that counts is what ever the Emperor's flavor of the day declares that reality is," and her gaze has shifted to Tyler as she speaks. "I don't think that the Emperor cares who holds Dac, does he?" she ventures this guess aloud. "You or Korolov, it doesn't matter. I'll wager that you're a tick further up in the totem pole of power, but Korolov gets the fleet and all the really cool toys. So maybe it balances out. As long as you're building a power base, shaking things up, then that's part of the Emperor's plans. To shake things up. To see the Republic become more and more unstable. But no one had put a wager on Dac, had they? Or if they had, it wasn't supposed to unfold like this." Lynae empties her cup and sets it down on the table, rubbing her hands together for a moment to warm her fingers again, "The actions of the Republic military added an unexpected element. The offer of help and assistance from so many sources added more elements into the mix than can easily be controlled. More, the Quarrens themselves and the Mon Calamari have proven to be free thinking and independent people, not easily subdued at this point. If there was a plan, and I'll wager my favorite caf mug that there was one, it's not going according to that plan. You are the unexpected and unpredictable element in all of this, Tyler. You just may be the catalyst that's needed." Again her gaze shifts back towards Zik, "History is written by the winners. And any generation that ignores it's own history has no past, and no future. We cannot ignore the conflicts and the trials that have brought us all here. We can't undo the lives lost, the worlds destroyed, the destruction that this war breeds as easily as we all draw breath. Even if the Empire and the Republic were t sign a treaty right here and now, the war would not end for months to come. And even then it would be a fragile, tenuous thing at best. And it wouldn't last. Because there will always be someone who thinks that their way is right, is better, is .. worth killing for." The Sith takes a long draw from his cigarette pitching the pack on the table inviting others to take as they please. Skepticism was only natural, most Sith, especially in the last several decades their assent to power was never the most honest of methods. It is logical for Enb'zik to fear and be hesitant, who knows Tyler Damion, Darth Malign could move to exterminate the Jedi order again. His hazel eyes shift toward Enb'zik, "I serve the Emperor, but not as an agent of the Empire." he smiles, "I have no interest in it anymore, even he knows that. The Emperor's goals are far beyond the Empire and the Empire means little or nothing to his goals." He shrugs, "Besides, logically, what value is Dac to the Empire? A world with racial tension and that would resist Imperial rule from day one. A world that would need to be reconstructed after an emerging civil war? Besides, if the New Republic does lose the world they will see it in advance, either destroy the shipyards all together or sabotage them, delete memory cores and data. Everything will be a waste, is a waste of the Empire's resources." Malign takes another draw from his cigarette. "Some beings of course would not agree with my discourse and view it as a strategic foothold in balancing power in the sector in favor of the Empire, but is there really a need?" he shrugs, "The Empire could, if seriously interested push by war the New Republic into oblivion. Aggressive war mind you. I assure you they can field and produce more ships per capita than the New Republic. The longer you wait, the longer the Republic hesitates on anything the stronger the Empire becomes." he laughs. "If the Empire's agents are foolish enough to enter Dac, take advantage of it and make it a means of winning your war. If the Republic defeats the Empire I can guarantee you in many ways, the Emperor's plans are most likely not affected. He sees beyond the now and can see the shape of the future and knows how to drive events and destiny to his desires. My concern is not the galactic war or peace really, I have no interest in it. To be perfectly honest, I would just like to see the Empire and New Republic crumble into oblivion. Neither have proven effective in galactic governance. I think there needs to be something new, and if all worlds, sectors, systems need to be independent for a time and to come together to construct it, so be it." While Malign talks, Enb'Zik takes a step back and folds his arms across his chest, Jedi robes rustling almost silently. The Sullustan turns and looks at Lynae and Mahon briefly, studying their reactions to Sith's words. That he finally reaches over and takes his much-cooled mug of tea from where he'd set it upon it being given to him is yet another subtle signal that his interest is more in their perspective than on the Emperor's vaunted ability to see beyond the now and mold the frangible galaxy to his desires. He certainly doesn't share Tyler's wish to see the Republic crumble into oblivion. "No," Zik finally states with a shake of his head. He tips his mug to his lips and drinks from it, the clear brown liquid wetting his lips before he puts it back down. Zik looks again to each person in the room, then back to Malign, "Whatever your Emperor's goals are, Imperial or not, I don't trust them." He looks over to Mahon, "Sir, I have no desire to see Dac fall under the control of the Empire again, much less the Empire at your doorstep." Then to Lynae, "I know what you're trying to do, my friend, and I thank you. But there has to be a more sound way of preventing Imperial control over that system." There is a pause before he adds, "This alternative," -- and by /this/ he means the Sith -- "is too dangerous." Lynae shakes her head slowly, "My only objective was to bring you both to the same room for a dialogue. As I said, I'd been having this discussion with the two of you separately. It was logical to have the converation in tandem then in segments and have it over and over again. By no means am I suggesting that you change your affiliations away from the Republic let alone from the Jedi order. The universe, however, is not black and white. There are more than two facets to nearly every problem. There are no moral absolutes, no universal good and evil. Good done in the name of evil is still good, whereas evil done in the name of good is still evil. Tyler," she waves one hand toards Tyler in a gesture to accompany her words, "is not the sole embodiment of all evil in the universe. The Sith in general are not the sole embodiment of all evil, of all chaos. Those of us who are not so 'talented' are as easily capable of doing good and neutral and evil all on our own. Without any nebulous force guiding us, altering the hand that we're dealt, or giving us glimpses of what the future may hold. Point of fact, if either of you were to tell me what tomorrow would bring I would be more than likely to deliberately set out to see if I could alter it. In fact, unless you're talking to a gambler, most of us don't want to know what tomrorow is going to bring, the notion of a pre-ordained destiny makes me want to smash things," and she casts a brief sidelong smile at Mahon, "and I don't use ships as wrecking balls anymore." The cup she's holding is long since empty and she sets it aside now, rubs one hand at the back of her neck as her gaze shifts to Tyler once again. "The thing is, Tyler. I believe you. That the here and now means nothing to the Emperor. That it's merely the backdrop, perhaps, for his machinations, for his long term goals. We are nothing more than shadows and dusts, numbers on a list to shift around accordingly. Korolov runs the war machine, but how much of that is 'make work' for the military and how much of that is ultimatum 'you must succeed!'? I understand the imperial mindset, it is too long ingrained into my own thought processes to entirely discard it, to disregard my experience. If the Imperial war machine where to turn all of it's focus right now on the few remaining planets and systems of the Republic, perhaps they would win. I don't know. And I won't place a wager on it. I do not want the Empire on our doorstep any more than I'd want to see Ord Mantell or any of the sytems and worlds in the republic fall. For we," she tilts her head again towards Tyler, "know what this would mean for your people." Another quiet breath is drawn and exhaled before she adds, "The danger lies in blindly staring in only one direction and expecting it to be the source of all the things that are wrong or bad in this universe is that it, literally, blinds you to all other sources. Stare into the darkness long enough and, lacking sufficient enemies appearing, the mind may create that which is not there in order to fit expectations." The Sith leans back finishing his tea and ponders for several minutes, "Sixteen years ago, I was on a moon orbiting a Red Giant. The mission before us was easily considered too dangerous, we took it anyway and as a result of that one mission created enough belief and motivation for a fledgeling Rebel Alliance to topple Palpatine's Empire." Malign smiles, "You see, Enb'Zik, I am no stranger to resistance and to calling into question the larger powers, in fact I have lived my entire life bringing down what I see as injustice. Just because I carry a label Sith, and your crude understanding can only selectively view history, does not mean I stand for any of the principles you think I do, but also your label should not be my sole identification or definition of yourself." Malign rubs his chin, "The Force, is created by life, not death. Even by your definition, if I seek power and wish to ultimately rule the galaxy, it would be in my best interest to keep as many sentient and living creatures alive as possible to fuel my power." he smirks, "I have no desire to rule this galaxy, and I have no desire to empty it of life, either would be a misnomer." He politely laughs and shakes his head. "No, in fact what I see is a Galaxy that is sick, my friend, a galaxy where we don't even understand our ideas anymore. Governments that have lost their direction and can only speak along scripted pre-constructed arguments that have existed since I was a child. In the end the galaxy is ruled not by high minded idealism, but rich elite individuals clutching on to what they have and not minding if everything around theirs burns into oblivion." Another cigarette was needed, "Is the New Republic bad? No, broken? Yes. Is the Galactic Empire bad? No, broken? Yes. Is there a cure for the disease to political process and thought brought on by protracted war? Just one, a cessation of war. If no system in the galaxy pledged resources to the Empire or Republic, if worlds only went to reconstructing their lives and culture, the galaxy would find a new age of peace. After a few years of finding themselves, maybe then the galaxy could come back together and think about big governments." He smiles, "An independent Dac, free of the Empire and Republic could be the first step toward galactic peace." He shrugs, "Or the largest single mistake of this year, but just of this year." he shrugs. Placing his mug once again on the table, Enb'Zik raises his hand as if to still Lynae's words after she's spoken for some time. "My friend," he shakes his head, "We can go around in circles all night now about moral absolutes and universal good and evil. Indeed, we've done so for these past ten minutes." There is a pause before he leans forward the slightest bit at his waist and points out, "Absolutes and universals have little to do with why I am unwilling to go through with this." Ikihsa looks to Tyler and Malif, even as Lynae proclaims that she believes them. "Therein lies the problem for me," he states. "I don't believe them. And even if I did, their logic is broken." He turns his gaze to Malign, "You speak about Dac independence as if the Empire will simply accept such a thing and walk away. Perhaps you do have the ability to defend the planet, as you say, and maybe you can even convince your Master to call his other minion off. But that's Dac. Do you have the forces to do the same on the next planet? And the next after that?" He shakes his head, "I don't think you do. "Ultimately, though. Ultimately!" Enb'Zik frowns thoughtfully, "Ultimately, our biggest hindrance is that I don't trust you. You've just told me not to. You just said not five minutes ago that you can't guarantee I should trust you, and I'm not going to escort you into presence of the Chief of State of the New Republic for /any/ purpose, because I don't know what you might do." There is another pause as Enb'Zik moves toward the window to look outside, half certain he'll see little more than the backs of Tyler's troops in the shadows off the front porch. Another moment, and he sighs, turning back to them. "If you get to Aquarius -- just, assuming you could get there -- what do you intend? Do you think you can calm the Quarren into a cessation of hostilities? Are you planning to chase out any Imperial forces, if indeed any are there? Leia aside, what exactly do you plan to do?" Lynae rubs at her temples for a moment, eyes closing briefly as she says, "We're circling." "Since there can be no genuine resolution to the immediate topic at hand, it's best that we table it for the moment and move on to other matters. Which, at this present time, encompass the situation at Dac. Tyler has indicated that he'd like to travel to Dac and do some research into the why and the how all of this unfolded. He'd like to speak with the chief of state, and Zik," her gaze shifts again, "you were working on an attempt to find the right people to speak with in order to broker a peace or at least begin some negotiations. Is that an indication that you're willing to set aside your philosophical and operational differences in order to accomplish this?" The Sith Lord smiles as the pair try to prevent the discussion from further spiralling into the general discusses any Force user would have with someone who didn't stand with them in beliefs. Malign simply shrugs at the both of them, "We are warriors, hawks, in the end we all circle our prey." he laughs and points a finger toward Zik, "Trust isn't an issue in cooperation, you may not trust my motives but be certian that I won't murder you or undermine any of your efforts on Dac. Of course you would be a fool to not hold any skeptism over my own personal motives or desires on the world." he shrugs, "But I think this is a rare occasion where we agree that there is an injustice and we must move to solve it." goes silent for a few moments, "If I was to find Imperials in the city of Aquarius, assuming they are there, the most logical thing to do? Exterminate them and make examples of them. Of course that might not set well with your morals, so how about we out and capture them?" he shrugs, "I am not concerned with what happens to them, it is your jurastiction, but we should see if there are any there for the sake of curosity. Then you and I need to negociate directly with the Quarren and offer them something more lucrative than anyone has already offered them so they will listen and work with us." he shrugs, "It is that simple, I think Enb'Zik, Jedi, Leia Organa-Solo Chief of State, and Darth Malign Sith Lord would be a panel that could not be out negociated in this galaxy." he smirks, "So the choice is yours from this point, simply put I offer my services to peaceful resolution on Dac, provided following the resolution there is a world vote on wether or not to stay with the Republic which I will honor." He leans back in his chair and falls silent. Ikihsa nods vaguely at Lynae. They are circling, and it's something they don't have time for. Enough precious hours have passed already with them too far from where they're needed. The Sullustan looks to Tyler and folds his arms over his chest for the umpteenth time in this one discussion. He seeks the Sith Lord's gaze and stares quietly, now thoughtful. Enough words have been passed back and forth; the moment has come for a decision, one way or the other. Something /MUST/ be done. Zik reaches into the Force, searching, needing some push or nudge or simple insight as to the best solution for this entangled mess. The Republic is reeling under a morass of its own incompetence and conflicts of identity. Even if they can keep the planet, it's progressively clearer they've lost the following of as many as half its people. Even so, is this proposition a betrayal if he follows through with it? Is it treason? He keeps these thoughts deep, as deep as he knows how with his emergent abilities, as he works his way through them. Finally, his eyes switch to Lynae and the others, one by one, and back to Tyler, as well. "I will go with you to Aquarius," he states in a voice that's quieter and less combative than before. "But I cannot speak for the Chief of State. I will advise her of your proposal and will let you know her decision." He lifts his left arm and looks briefly at a display on his chronograph, "You may expect word from me first thing in the morning. I'll need to acquire supplies, and possibly a ship, as well. I doubt the Quarren will appreciate me arriving in an X-Wing fighter wearing Republic-issue armor."
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