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Meant To Be - an AU Luke and Mara story
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Herman Snerd
Title:
- Archive Editor
Registered:
Oct '99
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Date Posted:
7/8/00 5:09pm
Subject:
Meant To Be - an AU Luke and Mara story
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I think I'll start by admitting that this story is a bit of a departure for me and was written with the intent of attracting a wider circle of readers. My last story had only three faithful readers from beginning to end, well only three that responded that is. So let me start by expressing my great appreciation to padawan lunetta, Raissa Baiard, and Jane Jinn for sticking with my previous story.
I began my ideas for this story by wondering what if things had happened differently at the Battle of Endor. This story begins roughly eight years after that battle, in a universe very different from the one we have come to know. Now on to the story.
---------------------------------------------
Whoever said it was lonely at the top had obviously never been there. The new Emperor had been inundated with nonstop requests and proposals and other documents that demanded his personal attention since the day he had consolidated his power. For a moment he considered having his personal guards kill the next person who knocked at the door to his private office but decided against it. Not because he particularly cared for any of his aides, but they were experienced at dealing with the bureaucrats and would be difficult to replace. Once again expediency won out over personal satisfaction.
Having recently assumed the throne, the new Emperor had foregone the usual routine of sweeping away all persons loyal to his predecessor. History was rife with examples of extraordinary men who had been wiped out for no reason other than for having previously sworn their allegiance to another. Besides, these aides had sworn to serve his father, and if this new power on the throne couldn’t persuade them to transfer their loyalties to him, he wouldn’t be much of an emperor now would he. It’s not as if there were any other candidates to choose from anymore.
****
Creeping along at a relative standstill compared to the speed the ship was capable of, the small Omicron Class shuttle coasted toward Mantooine’s smaller moon. Following an initial frenetic burst to clear the atmosphere and escape the planet’s gravity well, the pilot had shut down all power to the engines and relied on the shuttle’s momentum to carry her to freedom. It was hard enough to escape from an Imperial garrison, but to escape undetected; now that was a challenge. Sitting alone in the dark of the shuttle’s command cabin, this pilot allowed herself a brief smile at her success to this point. Brushing her coppery red hair behind her ear, she sat back and watched as the moon grew steadily larger through the cabin windows. Another day of flight at this interminable pace and she would enter the moon’s shadow, or more importantly, the sensory blind spot of the orbital space station. Once hidden by the moon’s bulk she could engage the hyperdrive engines and complete her escape from exile.
“Unfortunately this won’t be a triumphant return to Coruscant,” she said bitterly. It was bad enough having to slink away from those conceited pigs back on Mantooine, but to have to sneak into the Imperial Palace, her former home as well as the place where she walked the corridors proudly and watched as others scrambled out of her way, was the ultimate insult.
“Someone’s going to pay for this before I’m done,” she spoke aloud to no one. It bothered her slightly that she had become accustomed to talking aloud to herself. Exiled for eight years with no contact outside of those sent to guard her, talking to herself had allowed her to retain her sanity; or was one of the signs she was losing that prized sanity.
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Have a question or suggestion for the Archive? PM Mariah anytime.  Voted Dork Magazine's "Sexiest Nerd Alive" for 2008 http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb237/Snerdmania/DSCF0113.jpg
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Leia Walker
Registered:
Jun '00
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Date Posted:
7/8/00 5:15pm
Subject:
RE: Meant To Be - an AU Luke and Mara story
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Cool. Let me think of something else to say. Hmmmmm. I got it! Cool! More!
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"Karen is out there in the big city with all those murderers and thieves!
She might hurt one of them!"
-Will & Grace
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Herman Snerd
Title:
- Archive Editor
Registered:
Oct '99
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Date Posted:
7/8/00 5:19pm
Subject:
RE: Meant To Be - an AU Luke and Mara story
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Wow, a response already. And from an Army of Darkness fan no less.
Thanks so much.
(Hmmm, maybe my incessant neediness is what's driving the readers away. Guess I'd better start playing it cool.)
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Have a question or suggestion for the Archive? PM Mariah anytime. Voted Dork Magazine's "Sexiest Nerd Alive" for 2008 http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb237/Snerdmania/DSCF0113.jpg
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maramijade
Registered:
Feb '00
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Date Posted:
7/8/00 6:26pm
Subject:
RE: Meant To Be - an AU Luke and Mara story
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looks good so far herman, so do you want to elude to what all else is different in this universe other than obviously Mara hasn't met up with karrde, and there is a new emporer on the throne in coruscant. (I know I know it's only been one post, but I like stateing established differences/facts.)
Keep it up, looking forward to more!!
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If computer Geeks were wizards. . .
. . . I'd be a second year at Hogwarts, born to muggles
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womp_rat208
Registered:
Nov '99
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Date Posted:
7/8/00 7:17pm
Subject:
RE: Meant To Be - an AU Luke and Mara story
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Hey, cool. Not what I expected when I saw the title, but cool none-the-less. Is Mara going to take the role of Fredom Fighter, or just avenge herself for getting thrown off Coruscant?
But you know what the one problem is so far? NEED MORE! Hehe  Scared ya, didn't I?
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"Smote 'em if ya got 'em." - Me
"Fool of a Took! Cast yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!" - Gandalf
"Dude, he's Saruman and Count Dooku at the SAME TIME!" - friend
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TheRealMaraJade
Registered:
Oct '99
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Date Posted:
7/8/00 7:44pm
Subject:
RE: Meant To Be - an AU Luke and Mara story
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Let me guess: the red-haired is Mara (well, that one everybody already knew), who has been exiled for 8 years (since her last command was to kill skywalker) probably by Vader, who proclaimed himself Emperor after he and Luke killed Palpatine...now that he is dead, Luke is the new Emperor! =)
Well, whatever it is, I think "mesa like it"!
POST MORE! =)
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 "Luke and Mara were under a X-Wing, K-I-S-S-I-N-G..." 
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Knight Obi Wan
Registered:
Dec '99
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Date Posted:
7/8/00 8:04pm
Subject:
RE: Meant To Be - an AU Luke and Mara story
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AWESOME! I look very forward to this one! More soon I hope!
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-For once, the darkness gave way to light.
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Leia Walker
Registered:
Jun '00
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Date Posted:
7/8/00 8:05pm
Subject:
RE: Meant To Be - an AU Luke and Mara story
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Woah! That would be cool! Army of Darkness all the way (after Star Wars) Don't ya'll to forget to shop S-Mart!
-----signature-----
"Karen is out there in the big city with all those murderers and thieves!
She might hurt one of them!"
-Will & Grace
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Herman Snerd
Title:
- Archive Editor
Registered:
Oct '99
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Date Posted:
7/8/00 8:53pm
Subject:
RE: Meant To Be - an AU Luke and Mara story
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The Emperor’s private office, buried deep within the bowels of the Imperial Palace, was quite different from the more “official” rooms. Those rooms were too cold and sterile for anything other than intimidating others. Here in his private office, the Emperor was allowed to relax somewhat and deal with his aides in a more relaxed manner.
“The prisoner I mentioned to you last night has been brought per your request, my Emperor,” Telin Kropf uttered hastily. His bothersome tone of voice, as well as his terrible habit of looking at his feet as he spoke, would need to be broken if Telin wished to continue to serve the Emperor. His voice had a high warbling pitch, reminiscent of a strained power coupling just before it blew. And though he was now serving as an aide to the new Emperor, he refused to look his master in the eyes. A certain degree of awe and trepidation was to be desired in a proper servant, but when it got in the way of doing one’s job, that’s where the Emperor drew the line.
“Is he shackled?” the Emperor asked without bothering to look up.
“Yes my Emperor,” Telin said to his shoes. “Binders around his ankles and wrists.”
“Very well. Bring him in,” the Emperor commanded with a negligent wave of his hand. Despite being the most powerful man in the galaxy, he was not looking forward to this.
The prisoner was prodded into the room by two scarlet robed guards. He held his manacled hands over his eyes to shade the bright ceiling lights. Obviously this prisoner hadn’t seen light in quite some time; or a washcloth for that matter. Around his eyes were several noticeable lumps and bruises. Dried, caked blood was matted among the stubble framing the prisoner’s face.
“You’ve been captured again Han. When will you learn?” the Emperor questioned. “I only allow your continued existence because of what we once meant to each other. My patience is not without limit however. Soon I will no longer be able to look the other way.”
“Shove it, kid,” Han Solo responded, enunciating the work ‘kid’ so that it came across a curse, rather than the friendly nickname it had once been. For his impudence, Solo received another session with the stun sticks the guards carried. Despite the screams of his former best friend, the Emperor just sat by and watched. When it was over, his spirit remained unbroken, but he chose his next words more carefully.
“If you want to kill me then get it over with. Even death would be better than this,” Han declared when he regained his composure.
“If I wanted you dead, do you think you would be standing here now?” Emperor Luke Skywalker said without a hint of compassion. “Despite my repeated warnings as well as my past generosity in forgiving your treasonous acts, you continue to smuggle weapons to the pitiful remnants of the Rebel Alliance.”
“Hey, I’m in it for the money, remember.”
“The Rebels have no money Han. They are nothing more than a few scattered cells making periodic raids on commercial traffic. No one supports the Rebellion anymore. They’ve learned what happens to those who do.”
“Yeah,” Han exhaled with a defeated smile. “You and your old man sure got that message across.”
Luke’s upraised hand caused the guards to pause as they stepped forward to punish Solo for his disrespectful reference to the previous Emperor. Had it been anyone but Han, Luke would have let the guards have their fun. However the Emperor needed his former friend conscious, so he decided to let the matter slide. Another gesture excused the guards from the room, allowing the Emperor the opportunity to speak alone with his prisoner.
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Have a question or suggestion for the Archive? PM Mariah anytime. Voted Dork Magazine's "Sexiest Nerd Alive" for 2008 http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb237/Snerdmania/DSCF0113.jpg
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Herman Snerd
Title:
- Archive Editor
Registered:
Oct '99
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Date Posted:
7/8/00 9:03pm
Subject:
RE: Meant To Be - an AU Luke and Mara story
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Well maramijade, I hope that post went a little ways to explaining the difference in this universe.
Basically the change occurred when Luke met Vader on the landing platform on Endor. There Luke took his father up on the offer Vader made to him at Cloud City.
Consequently the Rebellion was crushed that day and is now just a pale shadow of what it once was.
For more information you'll just have to wait a bit, or read the post by TheRealMaraJade. She seems to have it pretty well figured out so far.
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Have a question or suggestion for the Archive? PM Mariah anytime. Voted Dork Magazine's "Sexiest Nerd Alive" for 2008 http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb237/Snerdmania/DSCF0113.jpg
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Queen_Pixie
Registered:
Jul '99
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Date Posted:
7/8/00 9:20pm
Subject:
RE: Meant To Be - an AU Luke and Mara story
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Great job herman! Now, I gotta get my butt moving on my story....
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When the stars shine bright in the engine's trail, and the dust of another world drops behind.
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padawan lunetta
Registered:
May '99
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Date Posted:
7/9/00 12:36am
Subject:
RE: Meant To Be - an AU Luke and Mara story
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Wow, awesome start Herman, writing a story to attrract attention..*waggles fingers* I hope you get it, this is very creative and good!!! Post more!
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"You may marry a hutt if you like, just don't expect me to brag about my cute grandchildren."
Hal Horn to Corran, I, Rebel
Jacen\Jysella Forever!!!
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DesignSith
Registered:
Feb '00
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Date Posted:
7/9/00 3:11pm
Subject:
RE: Meant To Be - an AU Luke and Mara story
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I'm such a sucker for a Dark Luke story. Uppers!
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Tact is just not saying true stuff. I'll pass.
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maramijade
Registered:
Feb '00
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Date Posted:
7/9/00 8:00pm
Subject:
RE: Meant To Be - an AU Luke and Mara story
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Hmmm I'm guessing that 'Emporer' Luke still has a soft spot for his sister?, Seeing as he won't strait out kill Han, Leia must still be alive. I'm guessing from the title that Mara will become the REAL 'Emporer's' hand, (sorry I know that was gross but I couldn't resist)
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If computer Geeks were wizards. . .
. . . I'd be a second year at Hogwarts, born to muggles
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Herman Snerd
Title:
- Archive Editor
Registered:
Oct '99
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Date Posted:
7/9/00 8:16pm
Subject:
RE: Meant To Be - an AU Luke and Mara story
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You have a dirty mine maramijade. I'm not saying that's necessarily a bad thing though.
Wow, there's almost too many of you to thank, but let's see if I can pull it off.
Leia Walker, thanks for being the first to respond.
maramijade, thanks for being a two time responder. And I will soon be more specific as to the differences in this universe.
Womp_Rat 208, I'm glad you like it so far even though it isn't what you expected.
TheRealMaraJade, your guesses so far have been right on the money. Hopefully I will be able to surprise you at least once in this story.
Knight Obi Wan, thanks for your encouragement, I hope I don't disappoint.
Queen_Pixie, you're too kind. Now get to work on your own story.
padawan lunetta, you've been a great reader of mine for a while now. I can't say enough good things about you.
DesignSith, I'm a sucker for Dark Luke stories too. Ever since reading Dark Empire so many years ago.
Now I promise to get the next installment out as quickly as is humanly possible.
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Have a question or suggestion for the Archive? PM Mariah anytime. Voted Dork Magazine's "Sexiest Nerd Alive" for 2008 http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb237/Snerdmania/DSCF0113.jpg
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Herman Snerd
Title:
- Archive Editor
Registered:
Oct '99
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Date Posted:
7/9/00 8:48pm
Subject:
RE: Meant To Be - an AU Luke and Mara story
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“How’s Leia?” Luke asked, staring somewhere around Solo’s knees. For some reason he couldn’t make himself look Han in the eyes when he asked such a personal question. Luke’s last meeting with his sister had been a disaster. It had occurred shortly after the Battle of Endor, where the Rebel Fleet had been decimated by the Imperial Navy and the second Death Star. When Leia had learned that her newly discovered brother had turned the commando team over to her also newly discovered father, she flew into a rage. Screaming curses, she flung herself at him and rained blows upon his shoulders and head. Unwilling to strike his sister, Luke absorbed the punishment – deflecting many of the punches with his arms and hands – until a stormtrooper stepped forward and hit her in the back of the head with the butt of his blaster rifle.
During her brief imprisonment, Leia had resolutely refused to even see, much less speak to, her traitorous brother. For weeks she just sat in her tiny prison cell, not even speaking to the guards who brought her food and water. Finally Lord Vader was able to consolidate his power and became the recognized Emperor of the galaxy. In a gesture of magnanimity – predicted to pacify the citizenry as well as allay any fears the populace might have about their new Emperor – some of the Rebellion leaders were granted their release and a pardon of all crimes against the Empire. Luke had suggested this to his father as a way to allow Leia her freedom as well as to show contempt for the Rebellion. By releasing prisoners, the Emperor showed that the Empire didn’t consider the remaining Rebels to be any threat to him.
“How do you think? You hurt her kid. Hurt her bad. When you left the Ewok village that night, she felt sorry for you. Sorry for the burden you were forced to bear. Apparently it was too much for you.”
“Hardly,” Luke answered. “It made me open my eyes to what was going on. Opened my eyes to the true burden that waited for me. It made me see that this was the only way to end all the fighting.”
“Whatever you say,” Han returned, not wanting to argue semantics at the moment. He then shifted gears and returned to the original question. “She won’t even say your name anymore, just your new title. She’s working hard trying to reorganize the Rebel Alliance to fight against you. If you two ever cross paths again, my money’s on her.”
“Her feelings toward me can’t be helped. It was something I knew when I made my decision. Is she trying to learn to use the Force on her own?”
“No. According to her ‘the Force’ is part of the problem, not the solution.”
“It’s just as well,” Luke whispered. “In her probable state of mind she’d be ripe for a fall to the Dark Side.” Han wasn’t sure if Luke meant for him to hear this or not, and decided to pretend he didn’t.
“Is there anything particular you want, or are we just going to stand here and chat like it’s old times?” Han challenged.
“No, there’s nothing else. You’re free to go Han,” Emperor Skywalker informed Solo. With a negligent wave of the finger, Luke released the binders that had shackled his former best friend. “Please don’t let me hear about you getting caught smuggling for the Rebels again. My patience is finite.”
“If you don’t want to hear anything about it then don’t listen,” Han spoke over his shoulder as he stumbled toward the door. Like the time before, the guards outside now had their weapons holstered, and one of them led Han to the nearest lift. From there he would take a transport to a secluded hangar and leave aboard his ship.
Luke had barely returned to the reports from his admirals when Telin returned. For possibly the hundredth time, Luke wondered how Telin had survived this long. He had begun his service as a page during Emperor Palpatine’s reign. When Vader killed Palpatine at the Battle of Endor, he did away with the entire staff of the Imperial Palace. Those who had been too unimportant and escaped Vader’s notice quickly filled the power vacuum left behind by their predecessor’s deaths. Telin was among them.
Despite Telin’s competency as an office manager, Vader quickly weeded him out of the crop of hopefuls. Telin’s personal habits annoyed Vader, and the former Anakin Skywalker was not a man to be annoyed. No doubt Telin would have been swept away to some understaffed post in the Outer Rim if Luke hadn’t spoken for him. Luke realized that as frustrating as Telin was to be around, his skills spoke for themselves. His only fault was his inability to deal with others on a personal basis. Now that Luke was Emperor, he would grant Telin one chance to overcome his flaw. So far Telin was failing badly.
“Has the matter been taken care of?” Luke asked, not clarifying what he meant by ‘the matter’. Telin had been through this drill before and knew better than anyone what was required of him.
“Yes, my Lord,” Telin’s voice echoed off the floor. “The tracker bug has been placed aboard Solo’s ship. As per your orders we only placed one. The techs assure me that it will take the Rebels at least a day to find it.”
“You don’t think that’s too long?” Luke asked, his eyes narrowing. Telin knew he was being tested, and his future relied upon his answer.
“No my Lord,” Telin finally blurted out after he got his arms and legs to quit trembling. “This is the fourth time we’ve released Solo, and I thought we should at least look like we’re trying to track him. If we make it too easy, the Rebels will begin to distrust him.”
“Very well then,” Luke responded before returning his attention to his reports. He knew that his nervous aide wanted some sort of gesture to acknowledge a job well done, so Luke refused to give him one. If Telin couldn’t tell when he had done well without being told, there was no hope for him. Telin paused for a moment and cocked his head, waiting for further instructions. When none were forthcoming, he quietly made his exit.
-----signature-----
Have a question or suggestion for the Archive? PM Mariah anytime. Voted Dork Magazine's "Sexiest Nerd Alive" for 2008 http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb237/Snerdmania/DSCF0113.jpg
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