[IC] The diary of Duncan MacLeod

11 October 3301, LHS 3447 system, Dawson Orbital

It feels so out of place. I was supposed to fly a Sidewinder, the one that Ian managed to secure for me at Trevithick Dock. Instead, here I am, in a cockpit of Ian’s Eagle, with all that is left of him in an urn strapped behind the pilot’s seat. This is not the way our journey was supposed to start.

When I arrived at Dawson Orbital it was already too late - Ian was already dead and those responsible have fled the station and probably the system. I managed to get only one name - and that not from the authorities, but from the news reporter. Bradford Paul III. That man was in the group that killed Ian. Hell, it is quite possible he was the one that dealt the final blow. And that man I have every intention to find and make him pay for what he did.

I opened the GalNet feed once more and read a short news story for a 1000th time since morning:

Young pilot murdered in cantina brawl. Bounty set for the killer

In what appears to be first politically - motivated murder in LHS 3447 system, a young supporter of Zachary Hudson has been stabbed to death in a brawl that erupted in “First Encounters” cantina in Dawson Orbital.

According to witnesses, an independent local pilot Ian MacLeod entered into a fierce discussion with some political opponents, which soon erupted into a full - fledged fight. It is as of yet unclear who was responsible for dealing the mortal blow and local authorities are investigating the matter.

Yet even with the official police inquiry in progress, Dawson News 24 reporter managed to unofficially get a name of one commander who took direct part in the events - Bradford Paul III - although his role, let alone guilt, remains to be proven, although he is believed to be in a group which attacked the victim.

A bounty of 25 000 credits has been set up by commander Duncan MacLeod, younger brother of the deceased pilot. Commander MacLeod promised to pay for any information that may lead to catching the murderer.

John Kelly, Dawson News 24


If I am to find this Bradford, I will need to first get some money to be able to pay that bounty. And I will need to upgrade the stock Eagle - actually, I will need quite a few upgrades. I checked my onboard computer for details of an assignment I got from an old friend from LHS 3447 Dynamics & Co who contacted me after he heard what happened to Ian. The company needed a discreet shipment of some cargo - he wouldn’t say what - to a nearby system and they were willing to pay 38 grand for that. Enough for a bounty and to get started. I need to take it slowly, one step at a time. I will need better equipment and I will need more experience before I can tackle the killer. I will need patience and I will need friends.

I decided to start writing down what I have done and found along the way. To always remember to the first page and not to loose my main goal. Avenge my brother. And then… then we will see.
 
13 October 3301, LHS 3447 System, Dawson Orbital

I feel that in these last two days much more has happened than in the previous 31 years together... I just wish Ian was here with me. The first run went without any trouble and after maybe 30 minutes of flying I had earned an equivalent of my 10-month salary on the planet. On the way back I loaded two tonnes of spare parts for crop harvesters (yes, parts, not the actual machines - I have operated these for last ten years and the smallest one I’ve seen, the Bison, weighted 44 tonnes. No way it could fit into an Eagle!) and set the course for Dawson Orbital.

When I exited the hyperspace in LHS 3447, I had my first unpleasant surprise - I was near the second sun in the system, the one more than 100 000 ls away from Dawson. I vaguely remember the lectures from Flight Academy and something about the hyperdrive and the mass, but I just can’t figure out how exactly did it work. Anyway, I braced myself for a long and uneventful trip, and - as usual in such circumstances - things quickly started to be interesting: I got interdicted by a Python. While recovering from a mad spin I quickly tapped the comms panel and asked the pilot what is it that he wanted from me, saying that I didn’t carry any valuable cargo. In response, he simply stated that he was just checking his interdiction equipment.. The guy had a lot of fun, and I almost got a heart attack. However, after that we had a pleasant chat and then went our ways.

That was not the end of the story though. After another 5 minutes I received direct communication from a pilot in an Imperial Clipper, requesting that I stop and give up my cargo. I didn’t know people were that mad about the crop harvesters! Of course I refused to comply and increased my speed, but it quickly became evident that there is no way I can make it safely to Dawson before he catches up. Luckily, I spotted a checkpoint much closer to my actual position and immediately set my course for it. I got as close as I could to it and performed an emergency drop. It seems that was enough to discourage the pursuer.

Back in Dawson I sold the cargo and left my Eagle at one of the workshops to replace both pulse lasers with gimballed burst ones - last two encounters have shown that it is better to be prepared for anything. While waiting, I checked the bulletin board and found an advert of the "big money - ask no questions" type. I quickly set up a meeting for the evening and went to get some rest.

The man I've met later on - wearing a smart suit and a pair of glasses - informed me that his employers would like to see 6 tonnes of tobacco delivered to BD +23 3151 system and that they were willing to pay more than 300K credits if the job was done quickly. I have asked what was the catch - beside the obvious fact that tobacco was illegal at the destination - but didn't get any specific response. I quickly checked my map - not a long run, just below 40 ly, but I would still need to refuel once on the way. For 300k you could almost get a new Cobra! I took the contract and was on my way as soon as the upgrades were fitted on my Eagle, including additional cargo space, extending my capacity form mere 2 up to 6 units.
 
14 OCTOBER, BD +23 3151 SYSTEM, BAMFORD RING

And so I arrived in Bamford Ring. I am 300k credits wealthier than yesterday and I didn't really encounter any problems on my way. Alright, one System Security Viper which interdicted me outside of LHS 3447 (he followed me from Dawson), but he had to let me go - tobacco may be illegal in my home system but it is definitely not in one with no settlements and no control. Still, that is a lesson for me not to exit the station at full speed - that way I have drawn too much unwanted attention.

The Bamford Ring itself.. a very weird place, so different than Dawson Orbital. As soon as I have docked in the agreed cargo bay, a tall, good looking woman entered my ship with two square bodyguards. She personally checked the cargo and then had it unloaded by a group of dock workers, after which she gave me a cred stick with preloaded amount of money - 307 Kc. Once they were gone, I went to chief engineer and ordered some upgrades to my Eagle, including new powerplant, distributor, shields and thrusters. Having at least few free hours I went to the commercial level of the station.

First thing I noticed was a total chaos. There were no security forces - at least not of the type I am used to see. Well, there is some local police force, but on any other normal station their members would probably be checked by every patrol as suspects of numerous crimes, suspected extortion and assaults being on top of the list. Another thing that struck me were the slave auctions. They were selling and buying both normal and imperial slaves - two categories clearly distinguishable from each other, though I doubt the latter group could count on any different treatment here in the Federation. Men, women and children were herded like cattle, bid for and then sold to whomever paid the best price. I was not sure I approved that, but little did I know that my moral stance on the issue would soon be tested.

In less than 3 hours after my arrival, I was approached by a short, bold man whose name was Marvin (at least that is what he said). It seems my previous employer (the nice lady?) put a good word for me, because he asked if I was interested in another job, or actually two: transfer of a few imperial slaves to Parmitano Colony in Grantahimi System and recovery of some ancient artefacts which should be floating around the system. While in principle I had no problem with second part, the first one was difficult, although the promised payment was really good: 100K for slaves and 20K for the artefacts. I have accepted and decided to move on as soon as upgrades to my Eagle are ready.

Grantahimi is a Federal system, but oddly enough hosting an open war between two groups claiming loyalty to the Federation. I had to travel around 300 ls to the colony to unload my cargo and I must say I was battling with my thoughts all the time if I should not change the course and just let these people go somewhere far from here.. but I didn't. I got to Parmitano, I approached my contact and and I let them be escorted out of my ship. Although I made one important decision: I will never ever trade in human beings, no matter how much I am offered. No more slave contracts.

With that out of the way, I took off and started searching the system for the artefacts. The deal was simple - another ship hit the transport some time ago and then disappeared before the security services could track him. My job was to find the cargo and bring it back to Bamford Ring. Sounds simple, but it wasn't that easy to do.

In the first signal source I found two canisters of battle weapons, probably dumped by some unfortunate smuggler. Next I run into some biowaste.. and waste of time. Then I got pulled out of FSD and scanned by the security forces, and got fined 10 000 credits for carrying contraband - the battle weapons I scooped earlier. Before I was able to sell the weapons on black market in Parmitano, I was scanned again and my fine rose to 23k credits. I got rid of the illicit cargo and dully paid all the fines, and went to search for those artefacts.

On second try I was interdicted by a Vulture. I don't know what the pilot was thinking, as my cargo hold was empty. We were dogfighting for good 10 minutes before my opponent engaged his hyperdrive and ran away with 40% of hull integrity. Local security forces have shown up only when the pirate was gone, but what the heck.I didn't have much time to contemplate my victory, when I got attacked by a Sidewinder. This time the fight was over after a minute and I had a nice bounty for 2500 credits for the kill. Again, I didn't even have a chance to fire my FSD, when a Vulture came back with two friends in Vipers, and this time it was my turn to run with 72% of hull left.

I was forced to return to Parmitano and pay for necessary repairs. While waiting for these to be completed, I studied the map of the system and tried to guess the most probable route of the transport carrying the artefacts, as well as the possible site of an ambush. I set off for the third time hoping to finally find my target and get out of Grantahimi system.

This time I got lucky. I found the debris of an unfortunate trader together with 4 canisters of artefacts floating in space. I scooped them all and then immediately set course back at Bamford Ring. I got my bounty, refuelled and then hit the bunk, exhausted after a long day.
 
15 October, LHS 3447 System, Lawson Orbital

After returning to LHS 3447 I got back to work at trying to get any updates on the whereabouts of the man responsible for Ian's death.

I tried to communicate with the pilots I've met asking if they ever heard about Brandon Paul III, the only name I've got so far - but without any luck. I went to Dalton's Gateway to enquire about progress of the official investigation, but it seems to have been stuck. I have spent around 20k credits on bribes and contacts to try to get anything I could hang onto, and after a few hours I got one lead - name of the commander who was involved in the brawl. Jeremiah Larson. Quick Pilots Federation check told me that he disappeared two days ago in the LHS 3447 system and is presumed dead.

My heart sunk. I sat in the very bar where Ian was killed, staring at the table in the corner where he was found. Then it occurred to me.. Even if Larson was dead, most probably his black box would still be floating out there, with all his contacts, acquaintances and plans. It is a long shot, but at the moment it is the best option I had. I quickly contacted my friend at LHS 3447 Dynamic and Co. asking for a favour - to spread the word that someone is looking for black boxes found in the system and is willing to pay a tonne of gold for each box found. I quickly was put in touch with CMDR Wolf, who brought three from his last trip. We set up a randez-vous in deep space outside Worlidge Terminal where we did the exchange. I took my newly acquired cargo back to Lawson for tech experts to check the data and I am impatiently waiting for the results...

EDIT: I sent a hyperspace long range message to Commander Ashley Fleek, one of the very few people Ian mentioned from his Navy days. She got back to me saying that she would be passing through the LHS 3447 in a few days and is willing to help. Finally some good news.
 
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16 October 3301, LHS 3447 System, Dalton Gateway

I almost did not fly today - the only trip I made was the one from Lawson to Dalton.
I've been trying to figure out what to do next as things are getting more and more complicated because of local politics.

LHS 3447 Dynamics & Co., largest corporation in the system that has all the politicians and security forces in its pocket (and also my former employer) would be my best bet for getting more information about the progress of the investigation - and possible suspects. But their representatives made it clear to me that to get anything from them first I would have to run some errands and gain their trust. Preferably, I should join them in the open conflict against the LHS 3447 Cartel, a shady syndicate In charge of Lawson Orbital.

It would have been fine if it wasn't for a fact that it was the Cartel that gave me last few lucrative jobs and their specialist is working on deciphering data from black boxes I brought them yesterday.

Tight spot.
 
16 October 3301, LHS 3447 System, Dalton Gateway part 2

What a day...

My previous doubts have quickly disappeared, as the Cartel withdrew from the conflict and only one other faction stood against the LHS 3447 Dynamics & Co., a planet - based dictator holding in his hand about 1/3 of all arable land on A5. I quickly enlisted with the corporate navy and soon was called on station as long range scans have picked up large enemy flotilla coming from the surface. We intercepted them around 18 Mm from the station and the battle has begun.

And what a fight it was.. at first it was difficult to tell friends from foes, laser beams and bursts were all around me, my Eagle nimbly dodging the threats as my lasers spit their energy at enemies. I pulled out after destroying 6 enemy ships with handsome bond of 220k credits. I refuelled, rearmed and returned into the fray. This time while chasing enemy Viper I went too far from the bulk of our fleet and got surrounded by three enemy vessels. Did my best to avoid them, but I stood no chance - I watched through the broken canopy glass as they are tearing my brother's ship piece by piece. I ejected at the very last moment, afraid that they will target my pod, but they didn't. Soon they were driven off by our Anaconda and two Dropships and I was safely picked up.

I don't remember the way back to station, I barely registered the medical checks that followed and information given by all media that we stopped the first wave but that we should brace ourselves for more. All I could think about was Ian's ship which I destroyed. He will.. would never forgive me. Nor will I. And the list of my personal enemies has just grown longer.

I asked the Dynamics & Co. for a temporary craft which I could take to one of the shipyards in order to find myself a new ship. I got the Sidewinder, which I used to deliver 3 tonnes of battle weapons to one of the closest systems for the Corp, and then moved on to Chamunda to pick up a new Viper ordered via Hyperspace Link before leaving the station.

I have to say.. this is a rough craft. The cockpit is crude and minimalistic, but she flies great and this speed... on my way back I joined the main fleet as it was preparing for another wave coming from the planet. I had a few 1-1 duels with enemy Eagles and my 4 gimballed lasers didn't leave them any chance. However, after some time I made the same mistake as in my previous engagement and this time the only thing that saved me was Vipers speed (and perhaps a bit of neck-breaking maneuverers)... I returned to the station with broken canopy and 12% of hull integrity. But alive and with few more kills.

Waiting for the repairs to be completed now and tomorrow I am going back there. I won't stop until the threat is neutralised. Plus this will help me improve my standing with the Corporation, which in turn may give me the intel I am seeking on my brother's murderers.

God, I am so tired. Going to sleep now...
 
Nice storyline, and good role playing. I will help where and when I can, but please understand I will not bring new Commanders into potentially hostile situations that could spoil their enjoyment.
 
Nice storyline, and good role playing. I will help where and when I can, but please understand I will not bring new Commanders into potentially hostile situations that could spoil their enjoyment.

Many thanks! I totally understand, if you can just let them know about the opportunity and let them decide what to do :)
 
To find your brothers' killer you will need to survive, and to get better at surviving. To do that, you will need a better ship, with decent weapons and defences. That will cost you credits. I am happy for you to wing up with me and run alongside when I am trading. This will get you enough seed money to progress. It may be that some information may come to light that would otherwise have been missed.

Credits will not bring Ian back. They will not ease your pain. They will help you to get answers. They will help you to build a better ship. Some people only want more credits. You just need enough to get closure for Ian. Make sure though that you do not get closed into just that goal, otherwise you will have nothing to live for afterwards. Ian would not want you to join him before your time, or to end up incapable of a normal life. Find out what happened, resolve it, and then live a life he would want you to live.
 
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17 October, Avdeyev City, 51 Aquilae System

To find your brothers' killer you will need to survive, and to get better at surviving. To do that, you will need a better ship, with decent weapons and defences. That will cost you credits. I am happy for you to wing up with me and run alongside when I am trading. This will get you enough seed money to progress. It may be that some information may come to light that would otherwise have been missed.

Credits will not bring Ian back. They will not ease your pain. They will help you to get answers. They will help you to build a better ship. Some people only want more credits. You just need enough to get closure for Ian. Make sure though that you do not get closed into just that goal, otherwise you will have nothing to live for afterwards. Ian would not want you to join him before your time, or to end up incapable of a normal life. Find out what happened, resolve it, and then live a life he would want you to live.


Thanks, commander! Very wise words indeed, and as you've noticed I did take that road today! Many thanks for all your help, journal entries will follow shortly!

- - - Updated - - -

Here I am, writing this and still without full control of two fingers in my left hand.. I am either extremely unlucky or I am one of the worst fighter pilots at this side of the galaxy.

I joined the battle for the third time today and again I quickly started boxing above my weight, fighting a Python. I soon had to limp back to Dalton Gateway with 30% of hull integrity. I waited for the engineering teams to fix the damage and there I was, charging out again. This time the fight lasted even shorter and for the second time in 3 days I ended up in an escape pod, lightly wounded.. and with another lost ship.

When I got back to Dalton, I was given the same Sidewinder, but I must say that Dynamics & Co. Requisition Officer was not impressed. I was thinking what to do next - clearly dogfights are not my strongest side - when I was contacted by an old friend working for the corporation, who told me that they would need someone to recover some H.E suits lost during a pirate attack in the system, and then to take a cargo of personal weapons to Avdeyev City in 51 Aquilae system - exactly 5 jumps away.

I agreed to take both missions, as I was running low on credits. Just when I was taking off, commander whom I've met two days earlier in cantina, calling himself Hell Razor, contacted me and offered his help in recovering the black boxes. I vaguely remember telling him the story about Ian's murder during a drinking session in "First Encounters" at Dalton. With his help we managed to recover 5 flight recorders floating around in the system and I sent them to a friend of mine to check if he could fine anything interesting.

Then it was time to haul the weapons to 51 Aquilae - and to my surprise, Commander Hell Razor offered to go there with me. Having an Anaconda with a pilot ranked as "Dangerous" is rather reassuring. From what I understand, an allied Federal faction of 51 Aquilae Independents were locked in a civil war against a group controlling the system, League of 51 Aquilae. My delivery was supposed to help them in their struggle.

5 jumps to the target location went rather smoothly, with one foolish Eagle pilot who thought that Sidewinder would be an easy prey, but failed to notice an Anaconda following it.... He paid for his mistake dearly.

Things got more interesting when we got out of hyperspace in Aquilae. We still had around 30 000 ls to go. About half-way through to our destination, I was locked and then interdicted by security services. Had they scanned my cargo, I could have said goodbye to 300k credits.. so I put all my skills and determination into the effort of avoiding the interdiction - which I did! We then got to Avdeyev City, where the final obstacle remained - getting in, as the entrance was constantly watched by at least 3 authority vessels. Commander Hell Razor moved closer to the entrance to monitor their movements and signalled me when all the police ships were either at the furthest point of their patrol or occupied with other ships. I turned on silent running and kept close to the body of the station before sneaking in undetected.

Once docked, I quickly informed my contacts at the preset channel, and as agreed left my ship and went to the local cantina. After around 20 minutes a tall guy in engineer outfit gave me a credstick and then moved on without saying a word. Having 330k credits more than just a few hours ago I went to Avdeyev shipyards determined to exchange my Sidewinder for something much more durable and capable.
 
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17 OCTOBER 3301, LHS 3447 SYSTEM, TREVITHICK DOCK

This was indeed a long, long day. Having received more than 360 000c in Avdeyev, I immediately contacted their shipyard to ask if they have something to take straight away, as I was eager to return to LHS 3447 still today. They had a modified Cobra Mk3, with upgraded FSD, thrusters, shields and weapons. The legendary Cobra, and now I get to fly it!

I have moved out almost instantly and was home in 3 mere jumps.

Along the way a strange thing happened. I have been interdicted by an Imperial Courier for no apparent reason, although the message he sent me was puzzling to say the least: "Don't meddle into affairs which are much bigger than you". Taking him down in a Cobra was rather easy, but his words made my head spin. What the hell was he talking about? Siding with Dynamics & Co? Investigating Ian's death? This made no sense. Unless.. While flying Ian's Eagle I remember I have seen a permit to enter Sol, yet he never mentioned having it.. Was he hiding something from me? Impossible.. Still, that attack and the message... I have to be very careful from now on, something is amiss here.

Back in friendly space I started searching for H.E. Suits I was contracted to bring back to Trevithick. I did't find any (if they want me to pick up a salvage like this it would be helpful if they gave me coordinates where the attack took place!), but I was lucky and got my hands on 16 black boxes from at least three cosmic graveyards. I have also scooped a few boxes that my computer could not classify, finally showing "prototypes" as cargo. Something worth having a closer look at, I might just know someone in Lawson who could be interested in this.

First thing I will do tomorrow, though, will be to deliver the boxes to Dalton and see if the one I am looking for is among those found today by myself and commander Hell Razor.

One more thing - I got a long - range hyperspace transmission from commander Ashley Fleek, a skilled pilot my brother had known in Navy Academy. She will be in LHS 3447 tomorrow. Can't wait to meet her.
 
Haha, thanks! I am really glad you like it!
I will use yellow / orange for next episodes of my log (it fits well with the signature) and white for any comments / additional stuff.
Also fits with elite theme!:):) and yes I do like it very much, sorry I haven't been able to give you rep in awhile. :(
 
18 October, BD+ 11 2673, Rozhdestvensky Horizons

Finally! I found it! The black box I was looking for was among 15+ we scooped together with Commander Hellrazor. I am copying the relevant entry below:

Part of logbook recovered from a black box 14-F-3447-234588, from Viper Mk.3:

As for yesterday, man, that went sooo bad! I mean there were four of us playing cards and talking politics: me, Benny, Roger and this pilot, Berent or Paul or whatever. And then this new guy comes and wants to play with us.
It soon turned out he was some kind of Hudson lover or something, and that made Benny really mad, coz he was in high sec pris twice because of that *****. And the other guy Paul also is no friend of Hudson. So everything happened rather quickly, one of the other guys got the knife and before we knew it, the Hudson-boy was on the floor in the pool of blood. People started to shout, we saw the police coming so we got scared and ran away, the Paul guy first, Benny after him, me next. Didn't see what happened to Roger, but I got to my ship and I am planning to lay low in Lawson for some time. Hope other guys areoOK. Roger was looking for new contract, but Benny probably got to this Pangalactic Mining Corporarion or what was its name where he was supposed to pilot a mining vessel far away from here.


At least now I know more or less what happened... And that the dead pilot whose log I read was not the one who killed Ian. Second name I knew already from the reporter covering the story: Brandon Paul II. Two others didn't ring any bell, but at least I knew that one of them was apprehended by the corporate security forces and should still be on station, while the second one was supposed to work for PanGalactic Mining Corporation. Two leads to follow, now all I need to do is try and get some more info from local authorities.

While waiting for CMDR Fleek to arrive I have decided to join Hell Razor on one of his trading trips around 100 ly from home. We did a couple of runs between neighbouring systems, which has given me around 200k credits despite limited cargo space in my Cobra. And then by some streak of luck and thanks to Hell Razor's contacts, we found ourselves hauling cargo to Sinclair Port in BD-10 4011 system, including 8 tonnes of tobacco (illegal at our destination). We were attacked by an Anaconda on our way (not to mention a suicidal Adder pilot), but once we docked I was 1.5 million credits richer. I guess there was something much more precious in our holds than just tobacco, and the crates were sealed.. But the less I know the better.

I will be heading to LHS 3447 soon and will try to get some more information about the guy captured by the police on Dalton.. And perhaps to learn more about PanGalactic Mining Corp.

MacLeod out
 
19 October, LHS 3447 System, Dalton Orbital

My trip back took a bit longer than expected - first I was informed by Cmdr Hell Razor about a pirate in LHS 3447 indiscriminately attacking and destroying ships entering the system, so I took a small detour and docked in one of the industrial outposts in order to have a new power plant, thrusters and weapons installed on my Cobra. I removed two gimballed pulse lasers and installed guided missile launchers instead and took a walk to the viewing platform to have a look at desert planet below.

When the works were over, I moved on - but before getting to my destination, I was interdicted by a group of 4 pirate ships, a Cobra and 3 Eagles. I didn't even have time to consider whether I should fight or try to escape, as I was immediately surrounded and caught in the cross fire. Jinking like crazy I managed to destroy two of the Eagles - the fact that they had no shields and I had missiles helped greatly. Then I boosted away at full speed to around 7km away, turned back and fired a salvo of rockets on both remaining targets. This encounter costed me quite a few large holes in my armour, still I survived.

Another interdiction happened in LHS 3447, this time an Elite Vulture. I asked the commander who stopped me what was his purpose, to which he simply responded: "Killing you, you coward!" I didn't fight this time, having previously spent most of my ammo, instead I boosted away and used silent running to hide from my pursuer. This made me think - it might have been just a simple random pirate attack, but it also might have been connected to the message I got from the Imperial Clipper earlier.

Finally I landed at Dalton and immediately moved to the Security Offices trying to get some more information about the people who attacked and killed my brother. I was refused any data,, even the question if one of the assailants was arrested remained unanswered. That is weird indeed, as a closest living relative I should be granted access to at least some basic facts...

I will stay here and try to figure out what to do next. It seems I need help of somebody with better relations with local authorities than mine.
 
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