Campaign Turn 2
General Summary
As the crew members prepared to head out for their various tasks, Hivoo remained in the med bay, recovering from his injuries. Brister and Rege stopped by to check on him before they left.
"How are you feeling, Hivoo?" asked Rege.
"I'm feeling better, but I still need to stay here for a few more turns," replied Hivoo. "The med bay is keeping me stable, but I'm not ready to be up and moving around yet."
"Don't worry, we'll keep you in the loop," said Brister. "We'll be using the holographic display to keep you connected with the rest of us. You can still participate in the decision making."
"Thanks, guys," said Hivoo. "I don't want to be a burden. I'll do my best to stay connected and help out in any way I can."
As the crew headed out, Hivoo settled back into his bed and activated the holographic display. He watched as his crew mates went about their tasks, keeping a watchful eye and offering his advice and insights where he could. Despite his physical limitations, Hivoo was still a valuable member of the crew and he intended to make the most of his situation.
Esan wandered through the crowded market, her eyes scanning the stalls for what she needed. She had heard that there was a vendor selling stim packs, and she was determined to find them. As she pushed her way through the crowds, she finally came upon the stall she was looking for. The vendor, a gruff looking man with a bushy beard, was surrounded by boxes of various medical supplies.
"Excuse me," Esan said, approaching the vendor. "I'm looking for a stim pack."
The vendor looked up from his wares, sizing up Esan with a critical eye. "What kind of stim pack are you looking for?" he asked.
"Just a basic one, nothing fancy," Esan said, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.
The vendor nodded, reaching into a box and pulling out a small, silver package. "This will do the trick," he said, holding it out for Esan to see.
Esan took the stim pack, examining it closely. "How much?" she asked, trying to keep the eagerness from her voice.
"Normally, it would be 15 credits," the vendor said, his hand held out expectantly.
Esan raised an eyebrow. "Really? That seems a bit steep."
The vendor shrugged. "It's high quality. You won't find a better deal anywhere else."
Esan crossed her arms over her chest, determined to drive the price down. "I'm not sure I can afford that. Is there anything you can do to make it more reasonable?"
The vendor considered this for a moment, then nodded. "I suppose I could give you a discount. How about 10 credits?"
Esan nodded, pulling out her credit chip and handing over the credits. "Thank you," she said, tucking the stim pack into her pocket.
Bricken was making his way through the crowded market when a shadowy figure approached him. The figure looked around warily, making sure that they were not being followed before he spoke.
"Excuse me," the figure said, his voice low and hushed. "I've been hearing good things about your crew, and I think you might be just the people I'm looking for."
Bricken raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really? And what exactly do you need my crew for?"
"It's a bit delicate," the figure replied. "I have a job that needs to be done, but I can't go into too much detail just yet. I can tell you that it's important, and the payoff will be substantial."
Bricken nodded. "And what makes you think we're the right people for the job?"
The figure smiled slyly. "Let's just say that I have my sources. And I understand that you are connected to Titus Fairchild. That's good enough for me."
Bricken's eyes narrowed. He had heard of Fairchild, but he didn't know much about the man. "I'm intrigued, but I'll need more information before I can make a decision."
The figure nodded. "Of course. I understand. I'll be in touch when I can give you more details. In the meantime, keep this between us. The less people know, the better."
Bricken watched as the figure melted back into the crowd, already planning how he would broach the subject with the rest of the crew.
As Masu was grabbing supplies for the next mission, he noticed a shadowy figure approaching him from the corner of his eye. Masu quickly scanned the area, making sure he wasn't being ambushed.
"You're a member of the crew of the Hard Bargain, right?" the figure asked in a low voice.
Masu cautiously nodded, "Yes, I am. Who are you?"
"It doesn't matter who I am. What matters is the job I have for you. I need someone to eliminate a particular person in the opposing force during your next mission. I'm willing to pay two credits for the job," the figure offered.
Masu furrowed his brows, "Why don't you do it yourself? And why should I trust you?"
The figure let out a low chuckle, "I have my reasons for not being able to do it myself. As for trusting me, well, you don't have to. All I can offer is a fair payment for a job well done. Think about it, the extra credits could come in handy."
Masu weighed his options, the extra credits would definitely help out the crew, but was it worth the risk? He didn't even know who he was dealing with.
"I'll consider it," Masu finally replied.
The figure nodded, "Good. I'll be in touch. Remember, time is of the essence." And with that, the figure disappeared into the shadows, leaving Masu to ponder the decision he had to make.
Rege and Brister set out to look for potential patron jobs, and they were successful in their endeavors. They found two jobs this turn and were approached by Alexander Novak, offering another job. Novak was insistent that the job must be completed this turn, offering 2 credits and a rumor that could lead to a quest adventure. However, as always, there was an implied threat that if the crew was unsuccessful they would make a rival out of Novak and the Orion Group.
The crew's luck continued as a wealthy individual approached them with another job offer. This job had no time limit and also offered 2 credits. The best part was that the crew would be able to select an item from the patron’s extensive stores. However, the downside was that only four of the crew members could participate in this job. The crew had a lot to consider as they weighed their options and decided which path to take.
Rege and Brister approached Alexander Novak, the Orion Group's top operative on Mariakorg, with a sense of nervous excitement. After all, their first mission for him had been a success, and they were hoping to capitalize on that good fortune.
"Greetings, Captain Robail, Brister," Novak said, his voice smooth and confident. "I was extremely impressed with your crew's recent performance."
"Thank you, sir," Rege replied, trying to sound as professional as possible. "We're always looking for new opportunities to prove our worth."
"And it seems you've done just that," Novak said with a nod. "I have another job for you, if you're interested. This one must be completed this turn, and I'll pay you two credits for it, but that's not the only reward. I'll also pass on a valuable piece of information that might lead to an even more lucrative opportunity down the road."
Brister raised an eyebrow. "What's the catch?"
"The catch is that if you fail, well, let's just say you don't want to make an enemy of the Orion Group." Novak replied, his tone serious.
Rege and Brister looked at each other, considering the offer. They knew Novak's reputation and the consequences of failing him, but the rewards were too great to ignore.
Rege responded. "We would like to bring it to the rest of the crew and see if they would like to accept the job."
"Of course," Novak said, nodding. "I understand. The decision is ultimately yours. I just want to ensure that the crew is well-informed about the opportunity available to them."
"We appreciate your understanding, sir," Rege said. "We'll be sure to let you know what the crew decides."
"Take your time," Novak said with a smile. "Just remember that this job is available during this turn only. I look forward to hearing from you soon."
As Rege and Brister were walking away from Novak's offices, they were approached by a man in a sharp suit. He introduced himself as a recruiter for Titus Fairchild and said, "Gentlemen, I have a business opportunity that I think would be of great interest to you. Would you be willing to hear more and meet with my employer, Mr. Fairchild?"
Rege and Brister exchanged a look and considered the offer. They had heard of Titus Fairchild, a well-known and influential figure in the galaxy, but they were cautious. The recruiter sensed their hesitation and added, "I understand your concern, but I can assure you that Mr. Fairchild is a man of his word and the rewards for this opportunity are substantial. What do you say? Are you willing to hear more?"
Rege and Brister listened intently as the recruiter spoke of the opportunities that awaited them if they agreed to meet with Titus Fairchild. They both nodded in agreement and the recruiter smiled.
"Excellent. Mr. Fairchild will be pleased to hear that. Please follow me," the recruiter said, leading the way out of the busy marketplace and into a nearby transport.
As the transport took them to the location of the meeting, Rege and Brister discussed their impressions of Fairchild and his company. They both agreed that working with a powerful organization like Fairchild's could be a major opportunity for the future of the entire crew.
When they arrived, they were greeted by a group of well-dressed representatives of Fairchild's company, who welcomed them warmly and showed them to the meeting room.
Titus Fairchild was a tall man with piercing eyes and a strong presence. He was dressed in an expensive suit and his smile was confident.
"Welcome, Captain Robail and Mr. Brister. I've heard great things about your work and I understand you are in need of employment. I'm eager to discuss some opportunities with you," Fairchild said, gesturing for them to take a seat.
"Yes, sir," Rege replied, "We're always on the lookout for new opportunities."
Titus leaned forward, his eyes shining with a hint of excitement. "I have a job for you, one that requires the utmost discretion and skill."
"We're all ears," Brister said.
"I won't go into the specifics now, but let's just say it's a task that may take some time to complete," Titus explained. "However, the reward is great. I'll pay you two credits for your services, and you'll have the opportunity to choose an item from my extensive stores as a bonus."
Rege raised an eyebrow. "What's the catch?"
"Ah, there's always a catch," Titus chuckled. "Only four members of your crew will be able to participate in this job. I'm afraid the rest will have to sit this one out."
"Understood," Brister said. "We'll consider your offer and get back to you."
Titus nodded, a satisfied smile on his face. "Very well. I look forward to hearing from you soon."
The crew gathered in the Hard Bargain's mess hall, ready to discuss the offers from their patrons. Rege stood at the head of the table, where a holographic display projected images of each job. Brister stood next to him, ready to explain each offer.
"First, we have an offer from Alexander Novak and the Orion Group. This job comes with a two credit payout and the usual offer of a valuable rumor. However, this one has a tight deadline and a strict time limit," Brister said, pointing to the display.
Esan nodded, "Two credits is good, but the time limit is a concern. What happens if we don’t complete the job successfully?"
Rege chimed in, "If we don't complete the job, Novak and the Orion Group will become rivals. That's a risk we don't want to take."
Bricken added, "But on the other hand, Novak always has valuable rumors. We could really use the extra credit and information."
Next, Rege showed the crew the second job, "We've also got a job from a wealthy individual, Titus Fairchild. This job doesn't have a time limit, and the reward is 2 credits and we get to select an item from Fairchild's extensive stores. But here's the catch, only four of us can participate."
"I've heard of this guy," Bricken said, "I have a potential patron for next turn who is connected to Fairchild. I think it might be worth considering, especially if the job is open-ended."
Masu spoke up, "I was approached by a shadowy figure who offered us a small job. If we take out a specific person during the upcoming mission, we'll get an additional two credits."
The crew took a moment to think about their options before ultimately deciding to take Novak's job for now and consider Fairchild's offer next turn. The crew agreed to keep the small job in mind, extra credits are always good.
"Alright, it's settled then," Rege said, "Let's focus on completing this job for Novak and making some extra credit." The crew nodded in agreement, ready to tackle their next mission.
Brister smiled, "Sounds good. I'll let Novak know that we've accepted his offer."
Rege added, “I will give Fairchild the news that we might be able to accept his job next turn.”
"Brister, good to hear from you. Have the crew made a decision?" Novak's voice came through the vid phone clear and concise.
Brister nodded as he replied, "Yes, Captain Rege and the rest of the crew have decided to take on your job, Mr. Novak."
"Excellent. I knew I could count on you, Brister," Novak responded with a smile. "Now, let's get down to the details. You and your crew will be protecting Dr. Lera Thompson, a highly valued member of the Orion Group, as she makes her way to the center of the Communications Center. There, she will identify an important piece of technology that must be retrieved by the crew. However, be warned, a five man squad from the rival corporation, Red Sun, will be armed with military rifles and a rattle gun, determined to stop you at all costs. You have four rounds to retrieve the technology and protect Dr. Thompson for five rounds."
Brister took a deep breath before responding, "Understood, Mr. Novak. We'll make sure the job gets done."
"I have faith in you and the crew, Brister. Remember, the fate of the Orion Group rests in your hands," Novak said, before ending the call.
Brister hung up the vid phone, already feeling the weight of the job on his shoulders. He quickly gathered the crew and informed them of the task at hand, steeling themselves for what was to come.
Rege dialed the number for Titus Fairchild, drumming his fingers nervously on the arm of his chair. The vid phone beeped before ringing, and soon enough, Fairchild's rugged face appeared on the screen.
"Captain Robail, what can I do for you?" Fairchild asked, his deep voice friendly but guarded.
"I hope this call finds you well, Mr. Fairchild," Rege began, trying to hide his unease. "I wanted to touch base with you regarding the job offer you made to my crew."
"Of course, is there a decision?" Fairchild asked, a small smile on his lips.
"Actually, there is," Rege said, hesitating for a moment. "The crew and I have discussed it and we have another engagement we must attend to first. But I wanted to let you know that we are very interested in your offer and would like to keep it on the table."
Fairchild nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I understand. The offer is still open, and I look forward to hearing back from you when you're ready. I will always be in need of a reliable crew."
Rege breathed a small sigh of relief. "Thank you, Mr. Fairchild. I will keep you updated as soon as we're available for your job."
"Take care, Captain Robail," Fairchild said, ending the call.
Rege leaned back in his chair, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. He knew he had just bought the crew some time, but he also knew that Fairchild was not a man to be trifled with. The crew would need to be on their game when they finally took on his job.
"Alright team, gather around. We've got a big job ahead of us and we're going to need everyone at their best if we want to make it through.
Our mission is to protect Dr. Lera Thompson and escort her to the middle of the communications center where she will identify an important piece of technology that we must retrieve. This technology is crucial to our success, and we must retrieve it within the first four rounds.
Brister, you're my right hand man as always, I know I can count on you to lead us through the thick of it.
Hivoo, I know you're not at 100% yet, but I need you to stay in the med bay for a couple more turns and get that arm healed up. We're going to need you for future missions.
Esan, Bricken, Masu, we will be counting on you to use your skills and training to protect Dr. Thompson and retrieve the tech. And remember, we must protect Dr. Thompson for five rounds..
Now, we will be facing a tough challenge. A rival corporation, Red Sun, has dispatched a five man squad of their security force armed with military rifles and a rattle gun. But we're the Hard Bargain crew, and we've faced tougher odds before. We will not back down.
But we've got this, right team? We've got each other's backs and we'll make it through together. So let's get out there and show them what the crew of the Hard Bargain is made of. So let's get ready, gear up, and get to work."
Battle
The crew set out to complete their mission at the communication center, meeting Dr. Lera Thompson at the rear entrance where she provided access to the center. The team split up into their positions, with Esan and Bricken taking up positions in the two guard towers, Masu and Dr. Lera aiming for the tech in the center of the compound, and Rege and Brister moving to flank the security team. The crew failed to seize the initiative which allowed the Red Sun Corporate Security team to take up three defensive positions. Esan's heart was pounding in her chest as she tried to steady her aim. Her hands were slick with sweat and her breath was ragged. She knew that if she missed, the security team would be on them in seconds. She took a deep breath and squeezed the trigger, but the shot went wide, missing the specialist by inches. The security team advanced cautiously, using the cargo containers for cover. Esan watched them through her scope, trying to predict their movements. But they seemed to be waiting for something, biding their time. Bricken took a shot at one of the enemies, but his aim was off. The shot went wide, ricocheting off a nearby container. The security team didn't seem to notice, but Bricken cursed under his breath. Masu and Dr. Lera sprinted toward the technology, their eyes fixed on the prize. They had to get there before the security team, or all would be lost. Rege and Brister took up flanking positions, using the containers for cover. They moved quickly and quietly, trying to get into position without being seen. Rege's heart was pounding in his chest, and he felt a surge of adrenaline as he realized that this was it - the moment they had been planning for. The tension was palpable as everyone waited for the next move. It was a game of cat and mouse, with each side trying to outmaneuver the other. And in the midst of it all, the fate of the technology hung in the balance. In Round 2, the battle intensified as the enemy advanced and began to take shots at the team. Despite Bricken's efforts to shoot, he missed again during the Quick Phase. During the Enemy Phase, the enemy split into two squads, with one advancing and shooting at Bricken, who managed to dodge the attacks. The specialist advanced but was still unable to take a shot, while the second squad shot at Masu and missed. During the Slow Phase, Masu continued to advance towards the technology and erected an Insta Wall to protect himself and Dr. Lera. Dr. Lera also made it to the technology and managed to extract it, passing it on to Masu. Esan attempted to take a shot at the specialist but missed. Rege also took a shot, this time at the second squad, but missed as well. Brister continued to sprint towards cover, attempting to avoid enemy fire. Despite the missed shots, the team managed to make progress towards their objective and secure the technology. As Bricken leaves the sniper nest, he notices that the enemy is still advancing, but the Insta Wall still holds up. The first squad of the enemy continues to close in, but they still have no clear shot. The specialist and the second squad maneuver to maintain their cover, waiting for an opportunity to take a shot. In the slow phase, Esan follows Bricken and they retreat from the front line. Masu and Dr. Lera manage to extract the technology and retreat under cover. They move cautiously, taking advantage of every bit of cover they can find. Rege and Brister, who had been providing flanking support, withdraw from the field of battle. As they regroup, the team discusses their next move. The enemy still has the advantage in numbers, and it's clear that they won't give up easily. The team knows that they'll need to plan carefully to come out on top. As the firefight rages into Round 4, Esan decides to make a break for the exit. She sprints towards it, keeping low to avoid getting hit by any stray shots. Meanwhile, the security team's first squad advances once more, but they are unable to find a clear shot at the remaining members of the crew. The specialist takes aim at Bricken, hoping to eliminate the sniper and make it easier for his team to push forward. However, his shot misses, giving Bricken a chance to retaliate. The second squad of enemies advances as well, but they are unable to get a shot off due to the crew's superior positioning. In the slow phase, Masu makes a quick decision to retreat from the field of battle, taking the valuable technology with him. Dr. Lera and Bricken follow closely behind, using the remaining cover to make their way towards the exit. The Quick Phase of Round 5 saw Esan, Bricken, and Dr. Lera quickly exiting the field of battle, leaving behind the remaining security forces. The team had successfully retrieved the valuable technology they were sent to recover and it was time to make their escape. As the team made their final sprint towards the exit, they could hear the security forces in hot pursuit. However, the team had accomplished their mission, and with the valuable technology in their possession, they were confident in their escape. Finally, the team emerged from the facility and breathed a collective sigh of relief. The mission had been a success, and the team had come out unscathed.Post Battle
Getting Paid Upon returning to Alexander Novak with the technology, the crew was paid 6 credits. As Novak hands over the payment to the crew, he turns to Dr. Lera and says, "I wanted to thank you for your assistance with retrieving the technology. It's a piece that I've been trying to get my hands on for some time, and your expertise really helped us get it." Dr. Lera nods and smiles, "I'm just happy to be of service. I love working with technology and finding new ways to make it work for us." Novak chuckles, "I know that feeling. I've been searching for this piece for weeks now, and it's amazing what a little bit of expertise can do." As the crew sat in the in Novak's office, he leaned forward, his voice low and cautious. "I heard a rumor," he said, "about a journey, steeped in superstition, to find an obscured art of great value." He hesitated, studying the crew's reactions. "It's said that those who embark on this journey are cursed, that their ships break down and their crew is plagued by misfortune." He leaned back in his chair. "But if one were to succeed in finding this obscured art, the rewards could be great." Novak paused and let the impact of this rumor settle in with the crew and then stood with a giant smile plastered on his face. "Congratulations on a job well done," he said, extending his hand to each member of the crew. "Thank you, Mr. Novak," Rege replied, shaking his hand firmly. Novak turned to the group as a whole. "I have to say, I was impressed with your performance. You handled that situation with the security forces like true professionals. I may have some future jobs that could use your expertise." "We'll keep that in mind," Brister said, nodding in agreement. "I have no doubt that you will," Novak said with a smile. "I've worked with a lot of crews in my time, but you all are some of the best I've seen. Keep up the good work, and I look forward to working with you again in the future." With that, Novak bid them farewell, and the crew made their way back to their ship, feeling a sense of pride in their work and a newfound sense of camaraderie. When the crew returned to the Hard Bargain, they gathered in the mess hall, taking a break from their duties. As they sipped on coffee, they began to talk about the rumor Novak had passed on to them. "So, what do you all make of this rumor?" Rege asked, looking around the table. "What rumor?" Masu asked, his eyes narrowed. "The one Novak told us about," Brister said, leaning back in his chair. "The one about the obscured art that brings a curse." "I don't believe in curses," Bricken said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Me neither," Esan agreed. "But I do think it's interesting that there might be some hidden art out there." "What kind of art could it be?" Masu asked, leaning forward in his seat. "Who knows?" Brister said with a shrug. "Maybe it's some lost masterpiece or something." "But why would it be cursed?" Rege asked, frowning. "Superstition, maybe?" Bricken suggested. "Or maybe the artwork was associated with some kind of dark magic or ritual." "Whatever it is, I don't think we should go looking for it," Esan said, shaking his head. "Why not?" Brister asked, raising an eyebrow. "Because if there's any truth to the curse, I don't want to be the one to bring it back on board our ship," Esan said firmly. The crew fell silent, each lost in their own thoughts. They all knew that the galaxy was full of strange and mysterious artifacts, but the idea of a cursed piece of art was something that gave them all pause. "Maybe it's all just a bunch of hooey," Rege said after a moment. "But still, it's something to think about." The rest of the crew nodded in agreement, and the conversation shifted to other topics. But the rumor of the obscured art and the curse it carried lingered in the back of their minds, a reminder of the dangers that lurked in the unknown reaches of space. Rege decided to move the discussion to more pleasant topics and he began to talk about how they could use their newfound experience to improve their skills and abilities. "With the three experience points we've earned, we can really start to beef up our capabilities," he said. Esan nodded in agreement, "I think it's a great idea. We could use the extra edge next time we're out in the field." "Agreed," Brister chimed in, "I don't think we can ever be too prepared for what's out there." As the discussion continued, Rege and Esan both decided to upgrade their individual stats. Rege felt that improving his reaction score would allow him to be more agile and evade attacks more easily. Esan wanted to focus on her combat score to be able to take down enemies more effectively. The crew spent the rest of the day working on their upgrades and discussing their plans for the future. With their improved skills and better equipment, they felt confident that they were ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead. Rege and Brister went to the armory to work on a routine check of their equipment, and they came across the shotgun. Brister noticed something was off with the weapon. "Hey, Rege, come take a look at this," Brister said, holding the shotgun out to Rege. "What's up?" Rege asked, inspecting the shotgun. "It looks like it's defective," Brister said. "We haven't used it recently, so I'm not sure how it happened." Rege took a closer look and confirmed Brister's observation. "Yeah, you're right. It's not in good shape." "We might be able to fix it if we can spare the resources," Brister suggested. "That's a good point. We should prioritize it on our to-do list," Rege agreed. "We don't want any defective equipment, especially not a shotgun." "Definitely not," Brister replied, nodding. "We rely on this gear to keep us alive out there." Rege and Brister made a note to try to repair the shotgun as soon as possible, knowing how important it was to have reliable equipment on their missions. Examining the Loot During the mission, the crew discovered valuable materials that were hidden in a small, locked storage room in the communication center. The materials included several high-grade electronics components, such as microprocessors, memory chips, and advanced circuit boards, all of which appeared to be in pristine condition. In addition to the electronics components, the crew also found a small cache of rare metals, including iridium, platinum, and palladium, which are highly sought after for their use in high-tech applications such as spacecraft construction and advanced weapon systems. The electronics components appeared to have been stolen from a nearby research facility, as they were all labeled with the name of the facility and the date of manufacture. The metals, on the other hand, were unmarked and seemed to have been smuggled in from off-world, as they were not commonly found on Thallit Delta. The crew estimated the value of the electronics components and metals to be around 7 credits, which was a considerable amount for a small group like theirs. As the crew examined the materials more closely, they realized that the electronics components were of a much higher quality than anything they had seen before, and they quickly understood the potential value of these components in the hands of the right buyer. The metals, while less immediately valuable, were still highly sought after for their rarity and usefulness in a variety of applications. The crew packed up the materials and returned to their ship, eager to sell the valuable components and metals to the highest bidder. They knew that their discovery would go a long way toward financing their next mission, and they felt a sense of pride in their success at uncovering these hidden treasures. Unintended Consequences Mariakorg, a small planet in the Outer Rim, had been experiencing some political instability for a few months. The current government, a coalition of various factions, was having difficulty maintaining order due to competing interests and growing tensions between the factions. The situation had become increasingly complicated with the arrival of several corporate entities seeking to take advantage of the planet's resources. The crew's mission at the communication center had inadvertently caused a minor disruption in the already fragile political climate of Mariakorg. The security team they encountered was working for Red Sun Corporation, one of the factions that was losing ground in the coalition, and the group's defeat weakened their position even further. This, coupled with the recent increase in instability, meant that the planet was on the brink of a full-scale political crisis. However, the increase in instability was only slight and should only lead to minor political ramifications, such as increased tensions and a potential rise in crime rates. But with the planet already on the edge, any small shift in the balance of power could have serious consequences. The crew's actions had unknowingly contributed to the growing unrest on Mariakorg, and the consequences of their mission may be more far-reaching than they had originally thought.
Report Date
09 Feb 2023
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