Some say the War started way back when Sugarcube and Logollos had their showdown in the main street of Omega Canyon.
Some say it started during the Incident at Judgement Grotto. They'll say it was already being fought when Mayor Weldwood Que appointed Angus Mode, a man of dubious reputation, as Deputy Sheriff (rumours had it that Dexter Washington had turned down the job). That the launch of The Omega Times newspaper, in direct competition with the existing Canyon Star and with a generous government grant, was a battle in that War. That another battle was the closing of The Hanged Man Saloon after its liquor license was revoked, leaving The Emperor Saloon to cater to the needs of all the oil workers newly arrived to the Canyon.
The oil was flowing and business, for some, was booming. Trade coming through the Canyon was on the rise but most local shops couldn't compete with the merchants from the Coast and Temperance City who'd arrived once the drilling began. Most of the money, like the oil, was being sucked out of the Canyon.
Farmers who had sold their land to the drills (rumours of strong-arming were plenty) found themselves living in the increasingly cramped town in shoddily-built houses (the building crews managed by Temperance businessmen who didn't even live in the Canyon). Much the same lot for the oil workers, who earned only enough to pay rent to well-to-do landlords and drink their troubles away at The Emperor. Folks resorted to a lot of black market trade, which the Deputy Sheriff was in charge of stamping out; when seen in the streets in his finely-tailored suits he would half-heartedly lament the lack of success on "poor cooperation from the community".
The Mayor proposed consolidating the handful of small schoolhouses into one institution, in a new building funded by donations from the oil merchants, to "ensure a consistent education for the future leaders of Omega Canyon".
The Hanged Man Saloon was converted into cheap rooms for oil workers.
The Omega Times ran story after story about the dawning of a new age of prosperity for the Canyon.
Battles fought?
Some say the War didn't really begin until The Wagoners appeared...
20160113
20160111
13
Max startled awake. There was a tear in his eye.
What is it? the voice asked.
"I dreamed that Ziggy died."
What is it? the voice asked.
"I dreamed that Ziggy died."
20160108
C2IP: The Agenda War IV
Brogan set the empty glass on the bar. "That's a quality drink, Mr. Lokk."
Callan held up the bottle of whisky, offering a second shot, but Brogan shook his head.
"At least when I give you my money now," he went on with a smirk, "I get something in return, unlike the many times I gave it to you at the poker table."
Callan chuckled. "My apologies."
"None necessary. You out-played me."
"Since we're not gambling now, why don't we go ahead and put all our cards on the table right away? I'm aware that Mr. Que is planning to propose that one of the two saloons in the Canyon have its liquor license revoked. He will claim he is concerned about the effects of unchecked drinking given the influx of new workers to the region."
Brogan gestured to the bottle and Callan poured a second shot as he continued speaking.
"And I'm aware that the saloon he allows to continue operating will undoubtedly be the one he feels will best support his goals as Mayor."
Brogan took a sip. "We both know that the kind of talk that is either encouraged or discouraged at the local watering hole can have a profound impact on the opinions of a community. And that the support of a Mayor is beneficial for anyone doing business in said community..."
Callan held up the bottle of whisky, offering a second shot, but Brogan shook his head.
"At least when I give you my money now," he went on with a smirk, "I get something in return, unlike the many times I gave it to you at the poker table."
Callan chuckled. "My apologies."
"None necessary. You out-played me."
"Since we're not gambling now, why don't we go ahead and put all our cards on the table right away? I'm aware that Mr. Que is planning to propose that one of the two saloons in the Canyon have its liquor license revoked. He will claim he is concerned about the effects of unchecked drinking given the influx of new workers to the region."
Brogan gestured to the bottle and Callan poured a second shot as he continued speaking.
"And I'm aware that the saloon he allows to continue operating will undoubtedly be the one he feels will best support his goals as Mayor."
Brogan took a sip. "We both know that the kind of talk that is either encouraged or discouraged at the local watering hole can have a profound impact on the opinions of a community. And that the support of a Mayor is beneficial for anyone doing business in said community..."
20160105
C2IP: The Agenda War III
"You're a woman."
Wraith stared at Brogan.
"And you're not even white."
Stared.
"What I'm saying is, Ms. Wraith, is that your appointment as a Marshal was nothing sort of miraculous and I consider it irrefutable evidence of your dedication and skill. That you should have retired from the position is, to me, only another indication that your full worth is as yet untapped. And I believe that your journalistic endeavours will only serve to validate that suspicion."
"Are you auditioning for a column in the paper, Mirk? We don't pay by the word, I'm afraid."
He smiled.
"Not exactly. I have been, however, urged to discuss the future of your publication by the new Mayor, who sees the value in a reliable source of news for the residents of the Canyon. So much so, in fact, that he is proposing that you and your partner receive a government grant to upgrade your printing equipment and a small tax exemption to offset the cost of materials. The goal being an increase in both quality and distribution."
Wraith's eyes narrowed slightly.
Brogan continued, "Now that the drilling operations have begun it will be even more essential for Omega to have a strong, clear voice..."
Wraith stared at Brogan.
"And you're not even white."
Stared.
"What I'm saying is, Ms. Wraith, is that your appointment as a Marshal was nothing sort of miraculous and I consider it irrefutable evidence of your dedication and skill. That you should have retired from the position is, to me, only another indication that your full worth is as yet untapped. And I believe that your journalistic endeavours will only serve to validate that suspicion."
"Are you auditioning for a column in the paper, Mirk? We don't pay by the word, I'm afraid."
He smiled.
"Not exactly. I have been, however, urged to discuss the future of your publication by the new Mayor, who sees the value in a reliable source of news for the residents of the Canyon. So much so, in fact, that he is proposing that you and your partner receive a government grant to upgrade your printing equipment and a small tax exemption to offset the cost of materials. The goal being an increase in both quality and distribution."
Wraith's eyes narrowed slightly.
Brogan continued, "Now that the drilling operations have begun it will be even more essential for Omega to have a strong, clear voice..."
20160102
C2IP: The Agenda War II
"I think it's obvious that the Office of Frontier Affairs will be taking an active interest in the growth and prosperity of Omega Canyon, given the news."
"Undoubtedly."
Brogan Mirk adjusted the brim of his hat. "I've been given permission to share with you, Mr. Washington, that the initial meetings have already taken place."
Dex smirked. "So the article in The Canyon Star was accurate."
"To a point."
"Why no public meetings?"
"Mr. Washington, I have been a residence of the Canyon for many, many years and am deeply invested in ensuring the prosperity of the town and its people. You and I shared a mutual acquaintance, the dear departed Mr. Sugarcube. Your honourable history in law enforcement is known to me. It was at my insistence that the OFA agreed to this discussion."
Dexter listened briefly to the sound of the students playing outside. Laughter, no shouting or crying. "And what exactly are we discussing, Mr. Mirk?"
"A gentleman from Temperance City by the name of Weldwood Que is being installed as the new Mayor of the Canyon. I will be appointed as the new Sheriff. The discussion before us today, Mr. Washington, is about whether or not I can convince you to accept the position of Deputy..."
"Undoubtedly."
Brogan Mirk adjusted the brim of his hat. "I've been given permission to share with you, Mr. Washington, that the initial meetings have already taken place."
Dex smirked. "So the article in The Canyon Star was accurate."
"To a point."
"Why no public meetings?"
"Mr. Washington, I have been a residence of the Canyon for many, many years and am deeply invested in ensuring the prosperity of the town and its people. You and I shared a mutual acquaintance, the dear departed Mr. Sugarcube. Your honourable history in law enforcement is known to me. It was at my insistence that the OFA agreed to this discussion."
Dexter listened briefly to the sound of the students playing outside. Laughter, no shouting or crying. "And what exactly are we discussing, Mr. Mirk?"
"A gentleman from Temperance City by the name of Weldwood Que is being installed as the new Mayor of the Canyon. I will be appointed as the new Sheriff. The discussion before us today, Mr. Washington, is about whether or not I can convince you to accept the position of Deputy..."
20151229
C2IP: The Agenda War I
Previously in v.Western...
*
It was a dark time for Omega Canyon.
A year had passed since The Incident at Judgement Grotto. The rumours about what had happened far outnumbered the facts and the townsfolk were content to let the tales be, as if telling them was like to summon trouble.
While the certainties about what had transpired in the graveyard that night - and about how it had led to the ranch of a mysterious horsebreeder being burned down - were few, there were some details about what followed that were plainly agreed upon.
Logollos and his corrupt ways were gone. Driven out or shot down, folks wouldn't offer a guess either way. He wasn't missed.
The lawman Dexter Washington had given up his badge and taken up residence in the Canyon, opening a small schoolhouse.
The marshal Wednesday Wraith had also unpinned her star and become a part-owner of the local printing press. She had began publishing a newspaper.
Callan Lokk had won The Hanged Man Saloon in a card game, kept the original owner in his employ, and given up gambling.
A new graveyard had been fenced-off and consecrated - the final act of the priest Darius Angelus before he disappeared.
The last of the strangers who had ridden into town the day before The Incident had also disappeared, the bounty hunter Mags Magenta.
Those were the handful of facts but out of the many, many rumours one was generally considered to be true: that when the grave of the strange drifter Sugarcube had been opened that mysterious night it was not his body they found inside.
However odd, The Incident and what came of it had actually changed the fortune of the Canyon for the better. The reversal of that fortune, and the cause of the current troubles, began shortly after when the Office of Frontier Affairs arrived and announced the discovery of oil in the land surrounding Omega...
*
It was a dark time for Omega Canyon.
A year had passed since The Incident at Judgement Grotto. The rumours about what had happened far outnumbered the facts and the townsfolk were content to let the tales be, as if telling them was like to summon trouble.
While the certainties about what had transpired in the graveyard that night - and about how it had led to the ranch of a mysterious horsebreeder being burned down - were few, there were some details about what followed that were plainly agreed upon.
Logollos and his corrupt ways were gone. Driven out or shot down, folks wouldn't offer a guess either way. He wasn't missed.
The lawman Dexter Washington had given up his badge and taken up residence in the Canyon, opening a small schoolhouse.
The marshal Wednesday Wraith had also unpinned her star and become a part-owner of the local printing press. She had began publishing a newspaper.
Callan Lokk had won The Hanged Man Saloon in a card game, kept the original owner in his employ, and given up gambling.
A new graveyard had been fenced-off and consecrated - the final act of the priest Darius Angelus before he disappeared.
The last of the strangers who had ridden into town the day before The Incident had also disappeared, the bounty hunter Mags Magenta.
Those were the handful of facts but out of the many, many rumours one was generally considered to be true: that when the grave of the strange drifter Sugarcube had been opened that mysterious night it was not his body they found inside.
However odd, The Incident and what came of it had actually changed the fortune of the Canyon for the better. The reversal of that fortune, and the cause of the current troubles, began shortly after when the Office of Frontier Affairs arrived and announced the discovery of oil in the land surrounding Omega...
to be continued
20151228
Chronoplex: Domino
She handed her phone to Yuri.
"If I'm not back in an hour call the number saved on the screen."
"Okay gramma."
They'll be fine, she lied to herself.
*
Less than five minutes up the path she saw the first marking, a sigil carved into the trunk of a tree.
She remembered.
*
The next sigil was scraped onto a rocky outcropping where the path took a sharp curve. She glanced back but couldn't see where the car was parked through the veil of trees.
She looked back at the sigil.
*
Twenty minutes in and the sun was going down. The third sigil still caught her eye though, scratched into the dirt. She wondered if other hikers had noticed the markings, what they might mean to them.
It reminded her of a clock.
*
She almost didn't notice the last one. Blamed that on the twilight and her aged eyes. She had stopped to have a smoke and realized that the branches of the tree she was leaning against had been woven into a pattern.
Patterns, art, clues.
*
She knew the next one would be the last one.
"If I'm not back in an hour call the number saved on the screen."
"Okay gramma."
They'll be fine, she lied to herself.
*
Less than five minutes up the path she saw the first marking, a sigil carved into the trunk of a tree.
She remembered.
*
The next sigil was scraped onto a rocky outcropping where the path took a sharp curve. She glanced back but couldn't see where the car was parked through the veil of trees.
She looked back at the sigil.
*
Twenty minutes in and the sun was going down. The third sigil still caught her eye though, scratched into the dirt. She wondered if other hikers had noticed the markings, what they might mean to them.
It reminded her of a clock.
*
She almost didn't notice the last one. Blamed that on the twilight and her aged eyes. She had stopped to have a smoke and realized that the branches of the tree she was leaning against had been woven into a pattern.
Patterns, art, clues.
*
She knew the next one would be the last one.
20151227
In The Writer's Room
"What do you mean they are giving us another season?" Brad said. He entered the room and tossed a briefcase on the table. "We wrapped everything up in that two hour finale in May! Now they want us to continue on?"
Allison sat at the table and glanced at the white board up on the wall; they were brainstorming ideas for another season to see what they could come up with. She was afraid to put forth the idea she'd been wanting to run ever since they shot it down in Season Three.
Allison sat at the table and glanced at the white board up on the wall; they were brainstorming ideas for another season to see what they could come up with. She was afraid to put forth the idea she'd been wanting to run ever since they shot it down in Season Three.
"I wished the network would of given us a heads-up," Brad stated. "Freakin' Morley moved on over to the Ultra-Men series after. They snapped him up like that."
"Ultra-Men also hired Angst as a recurring character as well this season," Benjamin added.
"Ultra-Men also hired Angst as a recurring character as well this season," Benjamin added.
Benjamin was tapping the pen in his hands on a pad of paper. He had written:
Season 12 ideas:
Season 12 ideas:
- Max travels across the land with a dog.
- The Ark of the Covenant is found in an attic.
- Maggie discovers who her mysterious benefactor truly is.
- Introducing a new character:
Oliver Cousins!No... not that. - A musical episode where everyone sings?
- Frank is killed. Again. And brought back as a demon. --- nope, nope, nope.
- Introducing the Soda Wars.
20151226
Synchroplex: Real Problems Gather for the Regular Playing Group
Tim said, "I'm really sorry to hear that."
Dexter said, "Please don't take it personally, my friend. I've loved every minute I've sat at this table."
"You've been a great addition to the group, Dex. Congratulations though! Getting accepted to university is a big deal."
"I'm excited. And nervous. I've always wanted to get out of this town, but I'll miss it at the same time."
"I get it. It's complicated."
Dex smiled. "Very. Very 'metaplex' as Max would say. Not being able to game is another downer."
"There will always be a seat for you here and the coffee will always be on."
*
"So, what are you going to do with Frank then?" Wednesday asked.
Tim winked. "Now that would be telling. Actually, since Frank is Dexter's character I'm going to let him decide, and I will adjust the campaign around that."
"This is maybe a bad time to bring it up, but... Well, it looks like my promotion might be going through."
"That's great news!"
"Except it means I will be travelling every other weekend..."
"Ah."
"So we may have to figure out a reason for Angst to be missing every other session... If you think that would even work?"
"We'll make it work somehow."
*
Callan sighed. "I suppose I wonder if it all still works. The overall story, I mean. If Frank gets written out, and Angst only appears occasionally... Maybe it's time we start a new campaign?"
"But what happens to Goner and Suki then? Are you tired of playing Goner?" Tim asked.
"Not at all. The new cyborg angle has been really interesting. But how many changes can you make to a story before it doesn't make sense anymore?"
"Games aren't stories, though."
Callan smiled. "And we're back to the central question, aren't we? When we get together every Saturday night what exactly are we doing? Playing a game or telling a story?"
"Or is it a magical ritual, as Max would say?"
*
Tim sipped at his coffee. "So it comes down to you, Darius. Dexter's leaving, Wednesday's only going to be able to play half as often, and Cal is having some doubts about the story continuing. What do you think? Keep going with the adventures of Goner and Suki and sometimes Angst? Start a new game?"
Darius sipped at his coffee. "Actually Tim, I have some news..."
Dexter said, "Please don't take it personally, my friend. I've loved every minute I've sat at this table."
"You've been a great addition to the group, Dex. Congratulations though! Getting accepted to university is a big deal."
"I'm excited. And nervous. I've always wanted to get out of this town, but I'll miss it at the same time."
"I get it. It's complicated."
Dex smiled. "Very. Very 'metaplex' as Max would say. Not being able to game is another downer."
"There will always be a seat for you here and the coffee will always be on."
*
"So, what are you going to do with Frank then?" Wednesday asked.
Tim winked. "Now that would be telling. Actually, since Frank is Dexter's character I'm going to let him decide, and I will adjust the campaign around that."
"This is maybe a bad time to bring it up, but... Well, it looks like my promotion might be going through."
"That's great news!"
"Except it means I will be travelling every other weekend..."
"Ah."
"So we may have to figure out a reason for Angst to be missing every other session... If you think that would even work?"
"We'll make it work somehow."
*
Callan sighed. "I suppose I wonder if it all still works. The overall story, I mean. If Frank gets written out, and Angst only appears occasionally... Maybe it's time we start a new campaign?"
"But what happens to Goner and Suki then? Are you tired of playing Goner?" Tim asked.
"Not at all. The new cyborg angle has been really interesting. But how many changes can you make to a story before it doesn't make sense anymore?"
"Games aren't stories, though."
Callan smiled. "And we're back to the central question, aren't we? When we get together every Saturday night what exactly are we doing? Playing a game or telling a story?"
"Or is it a magical ritual, as Max would say?"
*
Tim sipped at his coffee. "So it comes down to you, Darius. Dexter's leaving, Wednesday's only going to be able to play half as often, and Cal is having some doubts about the story continuing. What do you think? Keep going with the adventures of Goner and Suki and sometimes Angst? Start a new game?"
Darius sipped at his coffee. "Actually Tim, I have some news..."
20151225
Holy Daze
Previously on the Holidays...
MAX'S XMAS PLAYLIST
(And a Shout Out to the H247 Dragons who are keeping watch over crisis transmissions during the ritual time)
20151224
Paraplex: Archival
The third punch knocked the heavy metal door off its hinges. After the clanging, silence. Some oddly coloured vapours drifted from the dimly lit room. Strange smelling too but since the Upgrade toxins didn't seem to affect her anymore.
She was here to try and understand how and why the Upgrade had happened. She was here to try and learn what was happening to Max, if he was having another breakdown or if everyone else was or both.
A man named Marshal had texted her this location. She thought she recognized the name but couldn't be sure. Couldn't be sure if her memories of being a secret operative throughout history were real or just TV shows she had watched once. Had she always been like this or was this something Max had done to her?
Stepping into the chamber.
Six suspension-tanks. Not unlike the ones she and Max had climbed out of in the Atlantis base one of the first times they had met. I think I was blonde then. She couldn't make out the figures floating inside them but each one had a digital screen.
Riveta - Status Unknown
Stone - Version Indigo
Scorpio - Version Elephant Tiger
Mayganne - Version Sting Ray
Donnelly - Signal Lost
Susanna - Signal Corrupted
That made her feel sad. She had vague, dream-like memories of a woman with that name who took care of her at a time she was lost and alone and hurting.
Beyond the tanks and the clusters of wires and tubing that fed into them were four doors. Each had a label.
PROJECT ELLIPSES
PROJECT HORIZON
PROJECT BEAST
SUBJECT A-443-C
Maggie suddenly felt afraid.
She was here to try and understand how and why the Upgrade had happened. She was here to try and learn what was happening to Max, if he was having another breakdown or if everyone else was or both.
A man named Marshal had texted her this location. She thought she recognized the name but couldn't be sure. Couldn't be sure if her memories of being a secret operative throughout history were real or just TV shows she had watched once. Had she always been like this or was this something Max had done to her?
Stepping into the chamber.
Six suspension-tanks. Not unlike the ones she and Max had climbed out of in the Atlantis base one of the first times they had met. I think I was blonde then. She couldn't make out the figures floating inside them but each one had a digital screen.
Riveta - Status Unknown
Stone - Version Indigo
Scorpio - Version Elephant Tiger
Mayganne - Version Sting Ray
Donnelly - Signal Lost
Susanna - Signal Corrupted
That made her feel sad. She had vague, dream-like memories of a woman with that name who took care of her at a time she was lost and alone and hurting.
Beyond the tanks and the clusters of wires and tubing that fed into them were four doors. Each had a label.
PROJECT ELLIPSES
PROJECT HORIZON
PROJECT BEAST
SUBJECT A-443-C
Maggie suddenly felt afraid.
20151222
Max Not Max
Germany, 1977.
The stage was set for the band to hit, Max was sitting at the bar sipping a lager and tapping out a cigarette from the Morley Brand smokes he kept in his pocket. It was the end of summer, a hint of fall was in the air but that didn't matter at all when you were deep indoors a pub that was underground.
"Ein anderes?" the comely bartender asked him.
"Ich werde eine andere," he replied as he glanced at his watch. His contact was late.
He didn't know when he picked up German but he presumed it was all part of the package deal. The words sounded strange and foreign to his ears but it conveyed his answer. He didn't know who this contact was and why he was supposed to meet them here. His brain was a hazy fog of jumbled memories and strange flashbacks as well.
He felt like Jason Bourne but then he remembered that couldn't be right since 'The Bourne Identity' was written in 1980. That was three years from now. Why did he know this?
There was a sound of high heels on the hardwood floor approaching and he turned to see who was coming and then he realized...
The stage was set for the band to hit, Max was sitting at the bar sipping a lager and tapping out a cigarette from the Morley Brand smokes he kept in his pocket. It was the end of summer, a hint of fall was in the air but that didn't matter at all when you were deep indoors a pub that was underground.
"Ein anderes?" the comely bartender asked him.
"Ich werde eine andere," he replied as he glanced at his watch. His contact was late.
He didn't know when he picked up German but he presumed it was all part of the package deal. The words sounded strange and foreign to his ears but it conveyed his answer. He didn't know who this contact was and why he was supposed to meet them here. His brain was a hazy fog of jumbled memories and strange flashbacks as well.
He felt like Jason Bourne but then he remembered that couldn't be right since 'The Bourne Identity' was written in 1980. That was three years from now. Why did he know this?
There was a sound of high heels on the hardwood floor approaching and he turned to see who was coming and then he realized...
20151221
Hyperplex: Battle Part Two
Shortly after the Dragons began infiltrating the Museum the building came under attack from a LEGACY tactical team. A furious three-way battle erupted.
The Ashen Tradition deployed their psycho-theurgic toxins, transforming infected LEGACY soldiers into ravenous human-beast hybrids that turned on each other.
LEGACY operatives fired swarms of nano-enhanced smart-rounds that used echolocation-sensors and micro-fluid architecture to course-correct in mid-flight and track their targets.
Aqua, safe in the armour of her Mech, alternated pulses of autonic energy to disrupt the AT toxin fields and quantum-chaff to destabilize the trajectories of the LEGACY munitions.
Goner fired bursts of energy from his upgraded arm and Angst evoked designer combat-spirits from Liminal Space.
And Mags jumped into the middle of it all, punching and throwing and kicking.
From the shadows, Frank scanned the minds of the Tradition Mages and the LEGACY Agents, infiltrating their psychic defences like a ninja or occasionally smashing through their conditioning like a tank.
He learned that the source of intel that had tipped off the Ultraviolet Lodge to the Tradition's portal was someone they had pegged for a System operative. Which suggested that the Tradition were in sync with Counter... Except that more hidden thoughts revealed that the Tradition had been pointed to the Hyperplex by another operative who also seemed to be serving System. And that same operative appeared to be the one who leaked the Tradition's plan to LEGACY.
Was one of the leaks actually a Counter agent? Or had the System set all of this up as a trap for the Dragons? Or did they want the Dragons to reach the Hyperplex?
The Ashen Tradition deployed their psycho-theurgic toxins, transforming infected LEGACY soldiers into ravenous human-beast hybrids that turned on each other.
LEGACY operatives fired swarms of nano-enhanced smart-rounds that used echolocation-sensors and micro-fluid architecture to course-correct in mid-flight and track their targets.
Aqua, safe in the armour of her Mech, alternated pulses of autonic energy to disrupt the AT toxin fields and quantum-chaff to destabilize the trajectories of the LEGACY munitions.
Goner fired bursts of energy from his upgraded arm and Angst evoked designer combat-spirits from Liminal Space.
And Mags jumped into the middle of it all, punching and throwing and kicking.
From the shadows, Frank scanned the minds of the Tradition Mages and the LEGACY Agents, infiltrating their psychic defences like a ninja or occasionally smashing through their conditioning like a tank.
He learned that the source of intel that had tipped off the Ultraviolet Lodge to the Tradition's portal was someone they had pegged for a System operative. Which suggested that the Tradition were in sync with Counter... Except that more hidden thoughts revealed that the Tradition had been pointed to the Hyperplex by another operative who also seemed to be serving System. And that same operative appeared to be the one who leaked the Tradition's plan to LEGACY.
Was one of the leaks actually a Counter agent? Or had the System set all of this up as a trap for the Dragons? Or did they want the Dragons to reach the Hyperplex?
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