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Post by Lute on Aug 22, 2018 10:19:57 GMT -5
Three Days Ago...
Vegeta stood wreathed in ethereal blue radiance. It was like staring into heart of a neutron star. She couldn't feel his ki, not with her own senses. Rather was buffeted by the aftermath, the displacement and pressure of its existence. Pride kept her from looking away or falling to her knees. The ancient Saiyan motioned for her to come at him. She clenched both of her fists and roared. Golden power surged around her. The hair upon her head raised up in jagged rows. Her dark eyes surged with piercing green light. Lighting unfurled and crackled through her blazing aura. This was a form beyond Super Saiyan. Others had become Super Saiyans, but an even smaller number have reached this next level. In a flicker of motion she was upon him. She unleashed a fury of strikes--right, left, right, left, front kick, ki blast. None of them connected. After the blast, Vegeta grabbed her wrist. Instant pain, white and hot shot up her arm. She clenched her jaw and tried to rip away. It was like trying to move a planet with one hand. Nothing. The cords of muscles in his arm didn't even budge. She pulled harder and harder, but still it was a futile effort. This power is leagues above mine. Hell, an entire universe away from mine."You have a lot to learn," Vegeta said. I still have more.He let her go and she leaped back, hunching over as she begun to draw out the depths of her Super Saiyan potential. Erratic bolts scattered away from her in all directions. Her aura swelled to twice its size and her flesh became coated with a dense layer of crystallized ki. It began to shape and morph her body. "Oh, that useless form," Vegeta scoffed. "Even Kakarot gave up on it." She growled in frustration and dismissed it. The golden light around her dissipated and her hair flopped back down, dark once again. "What do you want from me?" Radia asked. "I'm doing what I can to bring the Saiyans to prominence. To lead them into glorious battle. Even the Frieza Force has fallen apart as a result of us." Vegeta folded his arms, unimpressed. "You can win a thousand battles and conquer a million worlds, and it will mean nothing. If you don't see that, you're more a fool than I thought." "Then tell me what to do." "You've lost sight of what's important, what's right in front of you." She hated riddles and obscurity. "And you're a dead man. A fucking nightmare. You brought my people here, you gave us a throne and told us to reach for it. We claim it and you haunt us. We are hated and shunned for the crimes your people committed under Frieza. You wanted us to use our strength as a shield. Yet, what good is a shield against daggers in the back at every turn? The only thing we can do is crush those that would threaten us and try to bring some semblance of peace to this forsaken universe." "As soon as you realize what makes a Saiyan strong, will you understand how to lead the Saiyan people."
ROYAL PALACE, New Sadla.Matted with sweat, Radia sat up in her bed. Her chest heaved up and down, as though she had been in a fight. The dream. It felt so real.Sunlight filtered through the curtains and splashed across the room. According the the chronometer next to her bed, it was still early morning. She hadn't overslept. Still, after that horrible dream it felt as though she had been out of it for days. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she slipped out of the silky red sheets. Her sleek yet muscular body was naked from head to toe. She padded across the cool marble floor. Scars of all shapes and sizes marred the perfection that was her physique. They adorned her well honed back, pocked her plump breasts, and splashed across her tight stomach. Even deeper and more visceral ones defiled the rigid muscles of her thighs. She paused at the wall mirror, staring for a long moment at her reflection. No longer was she a young and ambitious mercenary. The deep circles under her eyes told the tale of a burdened monarch. All the strife, all the struggle she had gone through to gain power. What had it been for? She strove for Saiyan relevance. Yet, she was addled with doubt if she was taking her people down the right path. The old adage hung true in her mind. Heavy is the head that wears the crown.Dressed her her battle armor, she fastened her fur shoulder cloak. A knock sounded at her door. "Come in," she said. As she pulled on her boots, Captain Quash entered and snapped rigid at attention. "My Queen. The team for the Cryptomancer has assembled. They await you outside the throne room." She nodded. "Let us go then." She strode past Quash and he followed her down the hall. Their boots thundered through the empty passages. Xeno servants stopped, bowing their heads in reverence. "Queen Radia. May I ask, are you all right?" "A lot is on my mind Captain." "Is there anything I can do to ease your burden?" She stopped and clapped his shoulder pauldron. "You've done enough as it is. I appreciate all your efforts. You've been hard at it and I've noticed it. With Supreme Commander Onyon handling things on Kabocha, I am grateful to have a loyal officer such as your self here to oversee the operations." A grin spread across his face. "I live to serve." The side doors into the throne room swung open and Radia made her way to the dias and plopping down onto her throne. She kept her usual casual slouch, a gloved palm coming to rest upon her chin as she propped the arm with her elbow. "Bring my champions in."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2018 11:37:58 GMT -5
As Null was ushered into the throne room, he realized this was his first visit to the Royal Palace. He'd been recruited to the Saiyan Dominion by an officer, and took most of his orders on the battlefield from those same superiors. He'd heard a great many things about Queen Radia. Never had he thought he would get the opportunity to meet the woman face to face. Null took in the spacious room with the high domed ceiling, the rows of armor-clad soldiers lining the perimeter of the throne room. So, this was what it was like to receive a summons from the queen. Yet as enthralling as such a fine interior was, it paled in comparison to the Queen herself. Her aura was thick and ominous, eagerly dominating every spare inch of the room. Null had never been in the presence of someone so powerful before, and as he drank in her striking appearance, he could not figure how such power could belong to someone so... small. Looks could be deceiving. Strength spoke volumes. Despite whatever personal feelings he might have had towards her, Null still thought it proper to bend the knee as he knelt before her where she sat upon her throne, looking for all the life of him, bored and indifferent. "My Queen. It is an honor to carry out this task for you. Know that I would proudly give my life in service to you." He inclined his head once more before rising to his full height and stepping to one side. Seeing her in person caused a myriad of thoughts to filter through his mind. As a young hot-blooded male he wanted to bed her. As a proud Saiyan warrior, he wanted to fight her. And as a poor, lower class citizen he wanted to do all he could to please her. She possessed great beauty, influence, power and wealth. All things he deeply cherished.
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Post by Andrew C. Creed on Aug 22, 2018 15:32:59 GMT -5
This was it, the moment Okata had been waiting for, a chance to serve The Dominion! His heart raced as he entered into the glorious throne room, two guards trailing behind him. It was a large room, yet decorated with modest designs. No decadence as one might expect of a royal palace. Even the throne was made of wood, albeit beautifully carved. No matter it’s appearance, the brutish saiyan couldn’t help but be filled with pride. The great King Vegeta once sat in this room, united the Saiyan race and brought them to such power among the galaxy. Okata’s gaze would eventually turn to the Queen of the Saiyan’s. Even at rest, her power seemed to be ever present and crushing. She was the leader that the Dominion needed, no, that the entire Galaxy needed. She made it seem as though the Empire held no threat to the Dominion, that she could destroy them all with a single move. It was a power Okata strove for, but knew deep down he could never truly achieve. He would fall to one knee and bow his head in respect. “My Queen. It is an honor to serve the Dominion. I will not fail you” said the Saiyan, in a confident voice. He would not fail, he would rather die. He would stand take a spot next to his teammate. It was only when he reached the spot that he realized the Saiyan was Null, a Saiyan who had also been hired by the Kabacha for training. Null was a competent fighter, though he did seem to have a bit too much restraint. It was good to know that he fought alongside a capable warrior. Okata stood with his arms crossed. It was a nervous habit of his. He would lean over to Null as their next teammate entered. “It is good to see you again. Hopefully this will end less violently than our last encounter” Word Count: 323 @null Lute Van Etohn |
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Post by Etohn on Aug 22, 2018 21:48:04 GMT -5
The time had arrived, it seemed. No more running away from his responsibilities. No more going off the grid. No more training to become a Super Saiyan to regain his confidence. He'd already achieved the venerated form unique to his race, and he was back here to continue serving the Dominion. Just like he promised he would. Just like what Taro would want... The Half-Saiyan would suddenly shake his head as he continued forwards, trying to clear his thoughts. Letting his mentor's passing cloud his thoughts after this long was just childish of him. Soldiers die on the battlefield, and there was nothing that he could have done to change that, even if he was there himself. All he could do now was continue moving forward and not let the past hold back the future. There was something really good about the day to think about, as well. Finally, Etohn would be face-to-face with the Queen of the Saiyans. Despite the fact that he served in the squad dedicated to her protection, the Queen's Guard, he had never actually met them. All he heard was stories and tall tales, and of those, the only consistent fact he heard was that she was a Super Saiyan. Given how Taro was one, it made sense this his superior had also achieved that state. Another Super Saiyan, like him. Since it's unlikely that Ipomea had died, that meant that there was now 3 in the universe that he knew of, with more being unlikely. With how far back the claim goes back, she probably has been one for quite a long time now, too. For the brief time that Etohn has been capable of turning into one, he's discovered many, many things about the form's powers, and he even managed to drastically improve upon it. Thus, he couldn't even imagine what Radia was capable of. For now, he's just going to do a mission for her as a loyal soldier, but he knew that he needed to meet with her. His Saiyan blood boiled at the prospect of seeing how much further he had to go to improve, and his Human half was endlessly curious about her as a person. Ipomea and Taro were really great people, so surely Radia would be no different. Finally being ushered into the room, his gaze would immediately lock onto the Saiyan Queen. At that moment, nothing else in the room even registered in his mind. All he could do is stare in awe. How could he not? She was beautiful, she felt immensely powerful, and she truly looked like a ruler. This was a true Saiyan. Moving on autopilot, Etohn stands next to his Saiyan compatriots before kneeling to Radia. He dared not speak up to them before being ordered to do so, though, he simply couldn't resist giving a greeting in a different way. Tapping into a fraction of his inner power, the already oppressive aura put onto the room by Radia would redouble. A small, golden sheen would surround Etohn's frame for but a moment before fading away, along with the sensation. With how unique the energy of the aura felt, she'd surely recognize it as the power of a Super Saiyan. Words: 538 Lute|@null| Van| Andrew C. Creed |
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Post by Van on Aug 22, 2018 23:57:00 GMT -5
Etohn Andrew C. Creed @null Lute
There was a moment or two of silence in the throne room after the momentary display of Etohn's Super Saiyan form. Then there were shouts and various voices yelling on the other side of the large doors. "You can't come in here with that!""-eeding all over the floor!""WAIT, NO!"The commotion ended with the doors being flung open to reveal Yama standing there, holding something over his shoulder. Whatever it was, it was dripping blood around his boots. The older Saiyan looked back over his shoulder at the servants and guards who just stared back at him in disbelief. He let out a little chuckle, turned back to face the group within the throne room, and then strode across the floor. His footfalls were heavy, almost thunderous. He was wearing a white tank-top and cargo pants with a green/brown camo design on them. His body was covered in wounds and hastily wrapped bandages stained with blood. He stood almost a foot or more taller than the tallest of the group. He pushed past the three standing before the Queen and dropped the thing he had been carrying at her feet. It was hard to tell what it was at first, the thing was mangled and just covered in blood and wounds. Then it coughed and sputtered, blood pouring out of it's mouth. Yama grinned. Suddenly there was a burst of yellow ki as the thing on the floor was revealed to be a Super Saiyan. It lunged at Radia, but didn't make it very far. Yama's hand was already around the man's throat, stopping him just inches from Radia's face. The ki of the mangled Super Saiyan surged outward, like a raging fire. Yama yanked the man back and lifted him up so he was eye level with him. The man's feet dangled in front of Yama's knees. The older Saiyan tilted his head to one side and he stared back into the green eyes of the Super Saiyan in his grasp. He then moved his head to look past the man. His one good eye took in the Queen. He'd never seen her before. Yama just continued to grin, staring at the woman. While he did so, he gradually increased the pressure on the Saiyan in his grasp until the golden yellow aura died down and then he completely lost consciousness. He was still breathing, but barely. The elder Saiyan released his grip and the man fell to the ground in a bloody clump. Various servants and guards hurried and carried the man away, leaving a trail of blood and footprints all the way back to the newly closed doors. Yama leaned down so he was at eye level with the Queen. "I don't remember your name, but that's the traitor you asked for. The one giving information to Polarious-something or other. I forget."The white haired Saiyan scratched at his beard and continued. "I was hoping he'd be more of a challenge, him being a Super Saiyan and all."Yama turned to Etohn who had just flashed his own Super Saiyan form before Yama entered. The older man winked at him and then turned back to face the Queen. "...Hmm, oh well."The burly Saiyan took a step or two back so he was more or less with the other three. Then he leaned against the wall and crossed his bandaged arms. "I sure hope this next task is harder than that one."
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Post by Lute on Aug 23, 2018 9:52:49 GMT -5
The Queen retained her expression of bored indifference as the first two Saiyans made their way before her and knelt. It was a guise, a false notion. As they proclaimed their loyalty, she probed their auras where her senses. Both Null and Okata were strapping young warriors in their prime. They had progressed quite far and she knew they had quite the potential to go even further. That alone was pure bliss. She felt true happiness when other Saiyans improved. Even her own gains were fleeting in comparison on an emotional level. "Your loyalty is the reason you're here," Radia said to them both. Etohn entered the room next. Radia watched him with a cooled expression as he approached. He was a half-blood, but that alone meant little to her. Her own son, from whom she had not seen since birth also had human blood. She hoped he had grown anywhere near as strong as Etohn. The youth had been hand picked by Commander Taro for his potential. During their last few correspondences, Taro had spoken with eager excitement about Etohn's progress. Once a former Queensguard member, Etohn had taken a sabbatical of his own, much as Radia and Gingera had, to train. It paid off. The flash of gold around him made her sit forward, resting both hands on her thighs. Her face was filled with pure excitement. She couldn't hide behind the false expression of indifference anymore. Captain Quash about fell over, both in awe and also pure and utter jealousy. "I don't think Taro ever gave you an official rank," Radia said."I think it's appropriate, since he died in glorious battle, that I give you a rank deserving of your progression." Radia stood from her throne, going to Etohn. Despite being shorter than the warrior, she reached and clapped his shoulder. "I name you Captain Etohn, Left Hand of the Queen. You will lead this expedition and also you will stand as a symbol to the Dominion what hard work and perseverance can accomplish." Captain Quash and the guards in the room all slapped fists to their chests and beat their boot heels against the floor, a reverberating thunder filling the hall. They ended their salute and ritual with a loud and combined ,"Ooh-Rah!" Radia returned to her throne when the newcomer Yama entered, dragging a battered and beat warrior. She knew the the man as soon she laid eyes upon him and scowled with disgust. One of Onyon's proteges, this one having long fallen from the Dominion's grace. A filthy traitor, a waste of potential, he was the utter antithesis of Etohn. Even his last minute show of power made her want to vomit. Yama being the enigma he was someone could restrain a Super Saiyan without using the power himself. That raw and unrestrained might reminded her in a fond way of Onyon. Except, Onyon was a father figure to her, a man she and Taro had trained under as youths. Yama didn't fit that glove, which was a good thing. She felt herself soaking in his bulky frame, expression filled with lust and thirst to explore it. The sheer bravado and deep voice were highly attractive. Moving towards him, she flashed a predatory smile and then placed a hand on one his big biceps. "You've served me well. This next task will be difficult, but of a different nature I think." Before she moved away she leaned in to Yama. "If you come back from it alive, I hope to find you within my bedchamber." There was no shame in her voice. She was the Queen after all. If she wanted something, she took it for her own. Yama would be a fool to refuse such a... personal engagement. With the flirtation over, she strode past the group and motioned for them to follow her out of the throne room. They took a hard left and went down another longer passage, lined with glass windows and inset nooks. Out the windows one could see the dense vegetation of New Salda, the jungle canopy wreathed with the mist of early morning. Many of the nooks were adorned with trophies of war. Fine art and statues recovered form Kabocha stood out, gleaming and pristine. They were worth millions of credits alone. In one nook the broken figure of Lord Frieza stood decapitated, the head of it resting at the statue's feet. The statue was recovered from Frieza #79 after the Saiyans conquered theplanet and named it after the Queen herself. She hoped to fill this passage with far more trophies as the years went on. It was important for morale to commemorate and memorialize all victories. In the central command and briefing room, a variety of holograms floated in the air. She waved her hand over the center table bringing up a glowing diorama of the Galactic Throneworld, Abbayor. The group would notice immediately how well documented and fleshed out the defenses were. The Saiyans had done their homework. It showed grids and networks of weapons platforms. Entire fleets showed at the ready. The Galactic Empire had the planet well shielded and it wasn't something that would be easy at all to push through--even if they had an army of Super Saiyans. "Operation Retribution," the Queen said. "Is going to be a glorious campaign. Emperor Polaris has slandered the Dominion and made us his primary enemy. For that he will suffer most terribly. I will take Abbayor from him, embarrass him on the field and sow the seeds of doubt among the Empire's populace. They will beg us for peace after we put terror into them, that I assure you. Then we will show our capability for mercy." She flicked her index finger, dismissing the hologram only to switch to another. It showed the planet Tech Tech and was labelled Cryptomancer. A long list of crimes and their details splayed out in a scrolling feed. Most of it involved hacking the Galactic Hypernet, as well as laundering and theft of money. There were vast sums of Earthling zeni and galactic credits listed. "I don't wish to push through the defenses of Abbayor in the conventional sense. It will be a waste of lives. We need to bring most of them offline before we even send our ships in. This is where you four come into play. The Cryptomancer has earned his name by being an enigma and a powerhouse at deciphering codes and cracking into computer systems. If we can recruit him into our cause, he can help us bring their defense network down and punch through the lines. Once we've landed our armies on the surface, the Oozaru Special Forces combined with our shock troops can decimate their armies. Our navy isn't as strong as theirs, but we can beat them in close combat." She put a hand to her chin, thinking for a long moment. "The Cryptomancer has a massive bounty of seventy trillion credits on his head. He is an enemy of the Empire and the Kingdom of Earth. This means a potential ally to us, if we're careful. We need to find him and bring him into the fold. It may require you to be keen of mind and also sly of tongue. You are warriors, that I know. But, I also trust each of you are also capable of diplomacy where it matters and when it matters. Do what you can to earn the trust and the assistance of this man. And do it fast." Captain Quash who had also joined them stepped forward, glancing at each member of this little task force. "Do any of you have questions? Speak now or hold your peace."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2018 13:20:22 GMT -5
Oh, he had questions alright. How could he not? He felt completely out of his element in this room, in this palace, with these titans. It was painfully obvious Null couldn't hold a candle to anyone else in this room, and though he had fought several battles for the Dominion already, the combined auras made him feel much like a small petulant child as he stood with his forearms crossed, staring at the holographic display before them. It held a series of graphs and numbers that he couldn't make heads or tails of, which only further served to curtail his ever diminishing confidence. He was clearly the least experienced in this room, and without a doubt, the weakest. Why would he have been chosen? Was it true what Radia suggested—that he had shown a dedication and loyalty to the Queen and her Dominion that stood out among the rest? He didn't salute when officers addressed him. If anything his attitude toward his superiors was indifferent at best. Null only cared about the credits, the zeni, the spoils of battle—whatever would serve to further his wealth and influence. Not to mention power. He wanted power, and having finally seen the Super Saiyan form with his own eyes, Null didn't doubt for a second that that was the goal he wanted to reach. In this room, Null was little more than a stone to be trod upon. But things would not remain that way forever. This was a chance and opportunity to prove his worth, and to show he was more than some mindless brute who loved beating another fighter into submission. Though it went against every street smart lesson he learned growing up as an orphan on the streets, Null silently consented to being the obedient soldier that Radia and her officers expected him to be. He glanced at Etohn, the new captain and leader of the mission. I must have been out of my mind trying to fight this guy."I've got a question." Null stepped forward, breaking rank as he casually stretched his arms above his head, as if he had not a care in the world. Just because he was the underdog didn't mean he couldn't bluff his way through this. "What are we looking at, as far as compensation? Let's be honest—I'm a small fry in comparison to the rest of you. Hardly a credit to my name."Resting his hands behind his head, Null risked staring the Queen dead in her eyes. "I understand this could be a huge break for us. But lower class citizens such as myself have real needs. I don't much care what happens to a guy like me, but... there's an orphan named Cobb living in an alley not far from here. If I die, can you promise me you'll give her my share if the mission is a success?""If so, I'll get your guy. I'll even stick a pretty bow on him."
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Post by Andrew C. Creed on Aug 23, 2018 15:56:32 GMT -5
Diplomatic
Okata was not expecting any sort of diplomacy. Indeed, that was the very last thing he had expected on this mission. He thought they would be murdering Imperial scum, razing their military bases to the ground, but Diplomacy? It made Okata very uncomfortable. This was out of his element for sure. He sighed, closing his eyes and thinking for a moment. After a minute or so he would open them with a new set of determination. He had to help the Dominion in anyway he could. If the Queen thought this was the best way to utilize his abilities, he would oblige. But there was still a burning question running through the Saiyan’s mind. He waited for Null to finish before asking. Okata turned to observe the other two Saiyans that would accompany them. Etohn a half-blood, powerful for sure, most likely their best chance to have any sort of diplomatic encounters. Half Bloods didn’t have the raging fire of battle within their hearts, only embers. That alone put him leagues above any of the other Saiyans in terms of charisma. Then there was Yama. Okata was happy that the group would be led by such a powerful warrior. He seemed ruthless, confident, and just as powerful if not more then a SSJ. He was the ideal Saiyan leader. Once Null finished his discussion on payment Okata would turn to the Queen with a brand new, and perhaps unexpected question. “Aside from payment, could we be permitted a place within the strike force after this mission? I am happy to serve the Dominion however needed, but I believe my skills would be better suited on the frontlines” He stood eagerly awaiting a response. Participating in the strike force would be payment enough for Okata. Getting to see the Oozaru crush through Imperials like paper, The shock troopers eliminating encampments within seconds of arrival. It would be Glorious. Just thinking about it made him want to fly off and kill some Ultramarines. Word count: 334 Lute @null Etohn Van
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Post by Etohn on Aug 24, 2018 17:10:36 GMT -5
With his playful display out of the way, Radia was quick to shed their mellow mask. With no hesitation, they decided to remark that Taro had never given Etohn a proper rank, something he did always find a bit odd. Rising from their throne, they stand over the kneeling half breed and said something completely unexpected. "I name you Captain Etohn, Left Hand of the Queen. You will lead this expedition and also you will stand as a symbol to the Dominion what hard work and perseverance can accomplish." Slowly rising up from the ground, Etohn gazes around like a deer in headlights, seeing the soldiers stationed in the room all simultaneously salute him. Was this really happening?, he thought. Despite his horrible loss to Polaris and subsequent rash decision to leave his life behind in search of training, he was welcomed back, and even rewarded? It was true that he has improved drastically since back then, though to think that now he was going to stand as a hand of the Queen. If only Taro were here... "I...I accept. I'll do my best!"Shortly following this momentous occasion came a loud commotion from the chamber behind them. Turning his head slightly, Etohn caught a glimpse of a colossal man walking into the chamber. Based on their incredible height and power, it was a fairly safe guess that this was the Yama he's briefly heard of. Etohn almost regretted getting so little information about him, however, as he had a passenger in tow, who quickly revealed themselves to be a traitorous Super Saiyan. With next to no effort, the hulking man detained them. So it seemed that there were others still that he did not know of who had ascended like himself, something that felt rather humbling. After all, Etohn went through what felt like hell in order to get to the point he was currently, and yet there were still even more Super Saiyans he had no clue about. To add on top of that, Yama here just single handedly proved that the form was nothing more than one path to such incredible strength, having no outward physical appearance alterations as he choked the helpless Super Saiyan out. With their introductions out of the way, Radia got to explaining the operation. It was fairly simple to follow along with, and how capturing this "Cryptomancer" character could lead to the Dominion's success on their siege of Abbayor. Looking at his compatriots, however, Etohn immediately could tell that they'd have a problem with this task. None of them seemed to be the diplomatic type, and Etohn's only had 2 years to really gain more knowledge than what was required on a farmstead. Clearly, they'd be at a disadvantage when it came to words. When the time for questions came, Etohn turned to Quash and asked, "Well, is there anything else we really know about this crypto-whatever guy? Like, are they physically powerful at all, or are they on the same level as a typical citizen? Forcefully detaining 'em is probably not the best of situations, but I'd like to know before he blindsides one of us and gets somebody killed. Also, is there anything we really have to offer as the Saiyan Dominion? I'm sure our group here has stuff to offer, but I dunno if it'd be enough to make a criminal trust us enough to not only not betray us, but also believe that we're not just going to turn him in."Etohn really hoped that they had an answer, as nothing makes people want to do stuff as much as physical rewards. If there isn't any reward, then it seemed unlikely that they could just sweet talk their way to recruiting him. Words: 625 Lute|@null| Van| Andrew C. Creed |
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Post by Van on Aug 25, 2018 20:35:22 GMT -5
Etohn Andrew C. Creed @null Lute
"Well, is there anything else we really know about this crypto-whatever guy? Like, are they physically powerful at all, or are they on the same level as a typical citizen? Forcefully detaining 'em is probably not the best of situations, but I'd like to know before he blindsides one of us and gets somebody killed. Also, is there anything we really have to offer as the Saiyan Dominion? I'm sure our group here has stuff to offer, but I dunno if it'd be enough to make a criminal trust us enough to not only not betray us, but also believe that we're not just going to turn him in."Yama raised a brow. This Etohn kid actually had some good questions and points of consideration. He pushed himself off of the wall he was leaning on and took a step towards Etohn. As tall as he was, that one step cleared a good distance of space and he came to be right beside him. Yama placed a hand on his shoulder. "I think what the boy is getting at is that we need a good briefing before we set off on this mission."
He smiled reassuringly at their little group. "The more we know, the smoother it will go after all. Am I right?"The tall, snowy haired Saiyan grinned and moved his hand to the top of Etohn's head where he ruffled his hair a bit before bringing his hand back over as his arms crossed in front of his large chest. "I don't think we'll have much to worry about if we run into trouble. You all seem rather capable in a scrap, but when it comes to negotiations, one of you will have to handle that. I'm a bit rusty in that department. Ha ha!"He laughed because he had confidence in the group's abilities. They would get this done, no matter what. There would be no glory, no honor in failure. He wouldn't accept it and he knew the others in their group felt the same. Or at least, he hoped.
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Post by Lute on Aug 26, 2018 10:14:31 GMT -5
"What are we looking at, as far as compensation? Let's be honest—I'm a small fry in comparison to the rest of you. Hardly a credit to my name," Null said. Captain Quash answered that one. "Of course you will be paid handsomely for your service. All Dominion soldiers take a commission for their loyalty and are also eligible to share in the spoils of war." "I understand this could be a huge break for us. But lower class citizens such as myself have real needs. I don't much care what happens to a guy like me, but... there's an orphan named Cobb living in an alley not far from here. If I die, can you promise me you'll give her my share if the mission is a success?" Radia smiled at Null. "I will make sure Cobb is taken care of. No Saiyan child in the Dominion will suffer. Our people are our greatest asset." "Aside from payment, could we be permitted a place within the strike force after this mission? I am happy to serve the Dominion however needed, but I believe my skills would be better suited on the front lines," Okata said. "We Saiyans are better warriors than we are diplomats, that's for sure. But, there are times where doing things by force isn't possible. You draw more flies with honey, as the Earthlings love to say. A solider of the Dominion needs to be more than a savage brute. They need to be disciplined and intelligent," Captain Quash explained. "As far as four Operation Retribution afterward, we will need all hands on deck as possible for the siege of Abbayor." "Well, is there anything else we really know about this crypto-whatever guy? Like, are they physically powerful at all, or are they on the same level as a typical citizen? Forcefully detaining 'em is probably not the best of situations, but I'd like to know before he blindsides one of us and gets somebody killed. Also, is there anything we really have to offer as the Saiyan Dominion? I'm sure our group here has stuff to offer, but I dunno if it'd be enough to make a criminal trust us enough to not only not betray us, but also believe that we're not just going to turn him in," Etohn said. Queen Radia leaned forward across the table, locking dark eyes with Etohn. "I understand this seems like a shot in the dark. And, that's because it is. We're stretching on rumors and hoping for the best. The Cryptomancer is a notorious but also secretive individual. We don't even know their motivations, only that they've done financial damage to the Patrol, Empire, and Earth If I knew who he was or where he was, I would have gone myself and requested his service. I just don't have the time with the preparations ahead of us. If this mission fails, then we attack Abbayor with its full defenses. No matter what, we're going to war. I just wanted to put forth an effort at making the job easier and saving as many Saiyan lives as we can." Radia crossed her arms in front of her and closed her eyes. "I just hope you see the importance. I am sorry I can't give you more. I only trust each will do everything you can to secure us this asset." "I don't think we'll have much to worry about if we run into trouble. You all seem rather capable in a scrap, but when it comes to negotiations, one of you will have to handle that. I'm a bit rusty in that department. Ha ha!" Yama added. Captain Quash turned off the hologram and pulled out a data crystal, handing it over to Etohn. "That's all the info we have. Pour over it. There's more details than we have time to explain right now. I have several vessels available for you, based on what approach you want to take. We have a warship, but I don't suggest you take that for obvious reasons. The Tech Tech peopple may give you trouble if you enter their territory bristling with weapons. I suggest taking a freighter ship and pose as Dominion traders, but it's up to you. Hide your power levels, make yourselves seem like commoners. Once you get in, you'll need to canvas and find out what you can about the man."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2018 13:58:27 GMT -5
He expected Queen Radia to scoff at the thought of one of her Dominion warriors caring about the life of a street urchin. Instead, Radia offered a surprising show of kindness. Cobb would be well taken care of. Relief flooded his being, though Null kept his expression placid. He lowered his hands from behind his head, hooking his thumbs through his belt instead. At least now, he could undertake this mission and be completely focused on the task at hand.
The others spoke up as well. Okata seemed to want to join the Strike Force as recompense. Null silently kicked himself for being concerned with one person when the whole of the Dominion was at stake. As expected, the captain of their makeshift squadron expressed his concern about them approaching this delicate situation with diplomacy. Truth be told, Null didn't want to be diplomatic. It simply wasn't his style, nor did it seem to fit the style of the tall, scary Saiyan either.
Captain Quash handed Etohn a data crystal, then provided their options for remaining inconspicuous during this mission. "Freighter sounds good," Null added, not wanting to get lost in the shuffle. He allowed his eyes to trail over the other members of the squadron. "Showing up in battle armor is probably a stupid idea. It's a good thing I don't own any, I guess." He shrugged, as if it hardly mattered to him.
Null turned, bending the knee once more toward Radia to pay his respects once again. "Thank you for your generosity. I'll do my best to follow Captain Etohn's orders. We'll get this guy, whoever or wherever he is." Rising up from the floor, Null turned to the others.
"We gonna get going or what?"
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Post by Andrew C. Creed on Aug 26, 2018 21:12:21 GMT -5
Okata’s heart soared at the prospect of joining the strike force. Now he was almost giddy with excitement to know he could join Retribution. He would nod his head towards Quash. “Thank you sir. It’s good to know that I’ll get to tear some Imperials apart” He would then bow to the Queen. “We will try our best not to blow this place up...” He sounded almost disgusted about having to say that. “Consider this Cryptomancer secured” He would do an about face, walking back towards Null. This mission would no doubt test Okata in ways he could never prepare for. But with a reward so glorious, and with such a dedicated and capable team, Okata couldn’t help grin. The only thing that would make this better is if Polaris suddenly died of a heart attack. They would not fail. Even if he had to beat the cryptomancer over the head with diplomacy.
“We gonna get going or what?" Null would ask.
It was good to know that he wasn’t the only one excited for this mission. But there was still some necessary planning to be done. Such as what ship to arrive in. Okata would turn to his Saiyan Teammate “Calm yourself Null. We still have some planning to do before we can leave” Okata would turn towards Etohn. “At your orders, Captain”
Word Count: 224
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Post by Etohn on Aug 27, 2018 20:00:22 GMT -5
With Yama's kind words, Etohn was hoping that Radia would be able to keep up the positive vibes. However, it was instead bittersweet. No information on the Cryptomancer, and their only approach for this mission being to adapt as they go. It was hardly ideal, though the thought of going to war with Abbayor with all of their defensive measures in place ensured that heavy casualties would befall the Dominion. No wonder this mission was entrusted to the likes of this group. They needed some of their best of the best to make it succeed. If only they knew more about this man... Brought back to the real world by Quash's words, Etohn carefully pockets the hologram in his good ol' button-up pocket. Wouldn't want it falling out, after all. He'd need it for studying Abbayor's defenses later. After all, he was now a captain, and he couldn't afford to shirk on his duties. When presented with the ideas on how to enter Tech Tech, Etohn took note of Okata and Null's requests, seeing them as logical. It would be fun to invade Tech Tech, though he had to not ignore the main goal. The Cryptomancer. "Hmm, I also think a freighter ship would be for the best. While he's not a wanted man according to the Dominion, he probably would flee the planet as soon as he heard that a bunch of Saiyans invaded it. Yama, your input?"Etohn turns to the larger Saiyan. They may not seem like the type content with sneaking around and doing a lot of not-fighting, they are obviously far more experienced than the relatively youthful Half-Saiyan. Perhaps they could have some insight that the rest of the group did not think of. Words: 289 Lute|@null| Van| Andrew C. Creed |
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Post by Van on Aug 27, 2018 20:21:50 GMT -5
Etohn Andrew C. Creed @null Lute
"Hmm, I also think a freighter ship would be for the best. While he's not a wanted man according to the Dominion, he probably would flee the planet as soon as he heard that a bunch of Saiyans invaded it. Yama, your input?"The older Saiyan was re-wrapping a bloodied bandage on his arm when Etohn proposed the question to him. He looked over at the other two in their group to gauge their take on it. The answer lied in their determined gaze. He nodded in acknowledgement and then turned back to look at the newly appointed Captain of their little group. "Well, I don't disagree with a stealthier approach. As much as I love a good fight, even the strongest warrior knows there is a difference between simply fighting an adversary and hunting an elusive target."He brought a large hand up to scratch through the silver-white hairs on the back of his head. "It takes a great deal of cunning and patience."He brought his hand back down to his side. "Not exactly my strongest attributes."Yama chuckled a bit at that and then smiled back to the group. "I think it would be detrimental to the mission to go in guns blazing... as much as I would personally prefer a face to face confrontation. This isn't a battle we are walking into... this is a game... and we have to play by the rules if we want to win."The mountain of a Saiyan slapped Etohn unintentionally hard across his back. "Besides! We can always fall back on Plan B!"
He cracked his knuckles and grinned.
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Post by Lute on Aug 28, 2018 11:25:00 GMT -5
BIO-DOME ALPHA SEVEN, Planet Tech Tech. Stone's welding tool sparked and sputtered as he made the last few finishing touches on his cybernetic arm. The fat stub of a cigar still hung at the corner of his lips, glowing cherry red. He snapped the panel shut on his wrist and lifted it up, blowing out a cloud of smoke from his nostrils in the process. He tested his fingers and range of motion. All of it was perfect, didn't even make a single sound. The thing had needed calibration after his last mission, and he'd finally gotten to it. The stumpy big-headed Tech Tech xenos were shouting at their loader bots as the rotund machinations clamored up the ramp into the cruiser's belly. They were here off-loading the cargo that Stone and his crew acquired. Sure, they were stolen pieces of equipment. But, the Tech Tech didn't care about that. They were curious creatures. Any sort of rare and prototype Capsule Corp objects sated their appetite for knowledge. They paid handsomely for it. The rumors and whispers were true. Yes, Stone had fallen from grace. Yes, he had become a space pirate. Not too long ago he had been a Director in Capsule Corp. His ambitions brought him to serve as the Lord Regent of Earth. However, after the terrorist Orion attacked the Parliament building in West City--he had been outcast. The media and citizenry of Earth were altruistic fools who didn't handle his military tactics well. Apparently, Stone had it wrong in his attempt to wipe the entire population of Arcose with a nano-virus. Was it extreme? Yes. Were they fighting aliens with the power to end worlds, with vast fleets and resources beyond Earth? Yes. The media were sentimental fools, who didn't have what it took to win a war. So they spun their tale and he was ruined. Be careful what you wish for, Stone so often thought. The irony tasted so bitter and so sweet. The nano-virus had been a flop but the Frieza Force still fell apart. After many a night drinking away his sorrows, he could now laugh at the fact that he had sacrificed his fame, career, and fortune chasing their defeat. Only to have it happen on its own, without his hand forcing it. Still, Stone wasn't one to ever sit back and be idle. He would prove to Earth that they were weak, that they were helpless. Show them he was right--double down on his instinct that they needed to do whatever it takes to win. Then again, he had to be careful how he did it, as his ultimate goal was redemption. He had to show them their folly and save them from it before things got too bad. That sort of grand operation would both take awhile and cost a lot money. So, here Stone was raiding Capsule Corp facilities he knew about from his tenure as Director, and selling their junk. He flicked the ashes of his cigar as the Tech Tech departed with their stuff. Immediately after, he pulled out his comm, the holographic display blooming to life in front of him. The money had been deposited into his account--good. A grin crossed his face. "Time to pack it up," Stone said and twirled his hand. One of his crew members, a flat faced xeno with bright pink skin, punched a button on the hold's console. The cargo doors began to grind their way shut, only to stop dead in their tracks with a whirring crunch. A three dimensional image of a man clad in archaic armor flickered to life in front of him mere feet away. Maybe hologram was a better word, the way it shifted and buzzed with static lines. His cybernetic scouter didn't go off with its arrival, it had no ki--as far as he could tell. "You will go nowhere," the hologram said. "Not without paying me first." Its voice was both distorted and strange, as though it were speaking through vintage speakers. Stone even thought he heard the sound of a record needle scratching somewhere in the sound-bite. Did this thing prerecord the entire statement? It didn't matter. The Cryptomancer was an enigmatic figure. This wasn't the first time Stone had seen him, but last time at least had been over a comm channel. It was way more eerie to see a detached ghostly hologram here in person. It sent shivers down his spine. "I'll get you the money soon," Stone said. "You were just paid. Give me the money the Tech Tech scientists gave you," the Cryptomancer responded. Still, it sounded like this was a clip from a sound-board. The longer Stone stared at it the more wary he got. He grit his teeth and walked over to the console, shouldering his flat-faced xeno crewman out of the way. He slammed the button to close the hold doors a few more times. The screen on it kept warning him of an object in the door's path. There was nothing there, it made no sense. The hologram popped and buzzed a few times before it was gone. It re-appeared on the cat-walk behind them. An incoherent shouting emerged from within the belly of the cruiser as Alfa, his young female Heran crewman came bolting into the cargo hold, boots pelting the catwalk. Alfa passed through the hologram in her frenzy, not even realizing it was there. In a bounding motion she hurled over the guard rail and landed in front of Stone with nimble grace. "Mr. Stone this ain't good. Ain't good at all. The ship's computer system is all locked down. I can't even login to the main controller. We got no communication and our nav-computer is offline." "What the hell is the meaning of this?" Stone said as he stepped around Alfa, gently patting her shoulder. He was speaking to the hologram, which was now sitting on the steps leading up to the catwalk, one armored leg crossed over the other. "Pay me and you can have your ship back." "If you can hack into my ship, why haven't you just siphoned the funds from my fake account?" "I don't steal from clients. That's bad for business. However, once you agree to pay me I will take my fee, rest assured." Stone didn't really know what else to do. This guy was good at what he did, that was for sure. "Fine. Take it." The hologram saluted him and vanished. The ship doors initiated once again with a deep growl and a metallic screech. Stone hit cancel button and sighed. Deflated, he walked down the ramp and out into the humid air of the bio-dome. "Where you going Mr. Stone?" Alfa asked. "To get a drink and... find us more work. Looks like we'll need it."
The Present...The Saiyan freighter passed into the atmosphere and slipped through the swirling clouds enshrouding the many continents of Tech Tech. After a short conversation with the Port Authority, the ship was granted access to dock in Platform C-19 in Bio-Dome Alpha Seven. The planet itself was a wasteland of pollution, the wreckage of a history of over-industrialization. Ruins spotted the valleys and coastlines. Most of them were flooded and turned to acidic mires. The rolling hills looked as though they were pallid and puss covered. Where there once were forests only stood the skeletal fingers of decay. Some life flourished, but it was simple and basic. Dense algae coated the surface of some of the lakes and rivers that the ship flew over. The sun's light filtered through among the ever persistent haze of smog, a faint whisper of its former life bringing radiance. The Tech Tech people lived in shelters away from the polluted world, marvelous domes of engineering mastery. Approaching the largest dome--Alpha Seven--the Saiyans would set sight upon the glittering beauty of their metropolis. Among the spires and buildings were verdant patches of trees and colorful gardens, all groomed and picturesque. Yet, compared to the untamed wilds of New Sadla--it all appeared fake. The ship was let in through the hexagonal layers of the transpirsteel dome through a single air-lock port.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2018 15:26:18 GMT -5
"About time."
Null grumbled as he descended the boarding ramp that extended from their freighter. It wasn't that there wasn't enough space for the four Saiyans—there was plenty of room for themselves and whatever supplies needed for a successful negotiation.
It was that he felt suffocated within the freighter due to the amassing of high power levels. He was already cranky being the weakest Saiyan on this mission, and that was only magnified by these men who were clearly suppressing their power levels and were still substantially stronger than himself. Why was he so weak? He trained hard as often as he could. He took as many jobs as possible, whilst serving the Dominion as well.
If his ego weren't such intrinsically tied to his confidence and ability as a warrior, Null would be inclined to speak to any of these men and ask to be trained by them. He couldn't do that. He had to seem as if he were already more than capable to undergoing such a task.
Stretching his arms high above his head, he turned and waited while the rest of the team descended the ramp behind him.
"Tech Tech's a pretty big place. I'm starting to miss those humid jungles already. How are we supposed to find this guy? Where do we even begin to look?"
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Post by Andrew C. Creed on Aug 29, 2018 15:50:55 GMT -5
The atmosphere was thick with soot and other such pollutants. Okata could tell just by looking at it, this planet was an industrial shithole. No vegetation grew outside the Dome habitats and buildings stood from the surface in grid like patterns. It almost reminded him of Earth, albeit without the toxic haze. As they edged closer to the landing area he would notice the tiny inhabitants of the planet. They were pathetic both in Power and Physique. At least they wouldn’t have trouble from the natives. The freighter would slowly halt on top of a landing platform. As soon as it’s ramp lowered, Null was right out the door. He was an eager one. Just as Okata had been during his younger years. Experience would kick that right out of the kid.
Okata followed Null down and sniffed at the air. It was obviously filtered, no amount of plant life would sustain this Dome. He too missed the beautiful jungles of New Sadia. The vibrant colors and rich smells. It felt like home. This Dome felt like nothing. Just an environment designed with the bare necessities of living. Okata stepped to the side and waited for Yama and Etohn to walk down the ramp. Etohn was given the rank of Captain for a reason, it would be wise to await his input before doing anything else. Words: 226 |
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Post by Etohn on Aug 29, 2018 18:51:30 GMT -5
As the group flew over Tech Tech, Etohn couldn't help but notice the contrast between the areas of civilization and where they had simply ruined the planet. In a way, the marvelous cities reminded him of Space Vegas, and how extravagant of a locale that that planet was. Every time he went there, he was amazed by the grandeur of modern times and what they offer, though he did always wonder what the side effects of having such a utopia were, and this seemed like a fairly good example of just that. Without much of a hitch, the Saiyans were permitted passage onto Tech Tech and shortly thereafter landed within one of the planet's many domes. Now that they were there, all they had to do was try to find this Cryptomancer. Etohn slowly strolls out of the ship, Null and Okata going ahead of him to take in their surroundings. The Half-Saiyan commander, however, could really care less. The place felt fake, but just like Space Vegas, it made up for that with its obvious wealth and ingenuity. When asked about how they were to go about looking for the Cryptomancer, Etohn couldn't help but chuckle slightly before responding. "Well, we've gotta think about the kind of guy we're looking for. He's not some reputable guy we can regularly just ask for. He's wanted by Earth and the Galactic Empire themselves. He's obviously got measures to make it so super strong people like us can't easily just find him through force, so just searching around's not gonna be that effective." Continuing to stroll forward, Etohn tilts his head towards a camera mounted on a nearby wall. "If he can hack stuff like a defense system, then security stuff is probably pretty simple to do. Chances are, he probably already knows that we're here. Would be a bit surprising if he didn't, after all." At this point, Etohn stops in his tracks and turns around to his compatriots, pointing to his grinning face. "After all, I'm a bit of a famous Dominion member. Fought a Super Saiyan before in a public event, won in a mass-televised tournament in the name of the Dominion against Polaris, and I was one of the people who saved New Namek from the invasion of the Immortals. I may look a bit older than I did back then, but I doubt he'd think a guy like me would suddenly just become a tradesman with 3 other registered Dominion soldiers." Etohn shrugs his shoulders after saying this aloud, before turning back around and continuing forwards. "So, if this Cryptomancer wanted to hear out our deal we've got, an awfully convenient way would be through my PDA here," as he says this, Etohn pulls out the device he referred to from one of his pockets, waving it about before continuing, "but if not, we can just search over the entire planet. We've got time to spare, right guys?" From what Etohn understood about technology, which was not a huge deal compared to the average person, he did know that everywhere he went on Space Vegas was tracked and had the audio recorded for security purposes. He's also seen a handful of movies where hackers break into that stuff to use that information for their own purposes, and while it was usually for the greater good in the them, the Cryptomancer is probably not such a saint. Considering Etohn's previous fame, it made sense that he'd raise a lot of red flags by coming to this planet and directly mentioning the Cryptomancer's title. All he could hope for now is that he was right and that they were willing to negotiate. Words: 613 Lute|@null| Van| Andrew C. Creed |
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Post by Van on Aug 29, 2018 19:47:04 GMT -5
Etohn Andrew C. Creed @null Lute
As the others left via the exit ramp, the only one still inside was Yama. He was laying on one of the benches, stretched out and snoring. He took up the entire side, forcing the others to sit together on the bench across from his. His large arm hung down, knuckles pressed into the ship's cold floor. One of the crew walked by and did a double take when they saw him still laying there. The woman glanced towards the exit ramp. Etohn was talking to the other two. She looked back at the old man and sighed. The woman tried nudging his shoulder but it had no effect. He didn't even react. She pushed a bit harder. Nothing. After a few tries of the subtle approach and an understandably irritated disposition, she just hauled off and kicked his arm as hard as she could. It budged slightly and she yelped in pain while grabbing her foot and hopping around. Yama let out a groan and then raised up like a zombie waking from a long restful slumber. Both of his arms raised and stretched out as he yawned loudly. The Saiyan rubbed his neck and then caught sight of the woman hopping around. He raised a brow and then asked her a question. "Have we arrived?"She just nodded and then hobbled back towards the cockpit. He grinned and moved to stand, but a bit too quickly as he slammed the top of his head into the ceiling of the ship. The thud echoed out and he grabbed at the spot where his head hit the metal. "Ooof... ouch."With a wince, he turned to face the exit ramp, forced to lean forward slightly as to not hit his head again. Once he was on the ramp, Yama ducked under the threshold and then stood to his full height, finally outside the freighter. He stretched out his legs and his arms once more, limbering up. As he did so, a forklift rode into the freighter and then back out again, hauling a huge container. Yama looked pleased to see it dropped off next to him. Once he had finished his stretches, he took a few steps towards the large black cube and then gave it a few loving pats as if it were a pet or something. "I promise I won't have any fun without you."He smirked and then turned back towards the group. He caught the tail end of Etohn's display and added with a nod. "Our young Captain is right. We won't find this Cryptomancer... he will find us!"
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