Ayita was glad she wasn't taxing herself keeping up her shadow disguise; because she was pretty sure that she would have passed out from the stress. She looked around the table and swallowed heavily as she identified every person present.
Captain Ysin'Mal, Tali, Cato, Garrus, Shala, Admiral 'Koris, Admiral 'Gerrel, General-Admiral 'Zorah, Wrex, Benezia, Kelly Chambers, Zaeed, and her father; along with a number of Captains and other such divisional officers trusted to be on the security council.
Slowly, she looked at the hologram standing at the head of the table, and winced as she looked at the old Turian; Nyreen Kandros, a Liberal revolutionary, and now the cause of her current stress.
"I do apologize for taking action without informing you." Kandros stated, and just from the tone of voice, Ayita could tell the old Crone wasn't sorry at all. "But I saw an opportunity, and I took it." She stated simply.
Admiral Shala'Raan closed her eye and took a meditative breath before she shorted something. "I appreciate your candor, though it's not as if we are in any formal alliance with a chain of command. Your responsibility is to your people first."
She took a glance around the briefing room to gage the reactions. Admirals 'Gerrel and 'Zorah were the two she expected to be most upset by any sudden shift in interstellar politics, and she was right. Han's eyes flashed in agitation behind his face plate, though she could feel his thoughts straining to coalesce. Rael was more subdued, and not merely because he accepted that the Barefaced didn't owe or answer to the Migrant Fleet. No, his worry was the sudden shift in Hierarchy patrols while 'Zorah was trying to plan the safest route to Relay 314.
She was confident there wouldn't be any outbursts, so she refocused on the aging Turian. "I'm assuming this is more than a simple courtesy call?"
"You would be correct." Nyreen's voice rasped with age, but didn't waver. "Targeted strikes on three worlds have all but eliminated the Hastatim stationed there, but-"
"But it won't amount to a skinned Pyjac if the Hierarchy just re-tasks nearby patrol assets." Wrex rumbled from his seat. "Media's still in full blackout mode from the debacle on the Citadel. I'm guessing these three worlds are all in the same cluster, and conveniently within striking distance of the Migrant Fleet's current position?"
Nyreen Kandros clicked her mandibles in a mirthless Turian chuckle. "Pleasure to see you again Wrex. And yes, as the Fates would have it," she tapped a control out of view and her image was replaced by a star map, "the three systems in question are all within range of Relay 1138. Squadrons from the Ninth Patrol Fleet were en route to a staging ground in the Terminus when we struck. Now the entire Ninth Fleet, as well as elements of the Seventh and a pair Pacification Legions out of Macedyn are moving on the Relay. If they successfully transit, our rebellion will be over in a day. The Hierarchy will then have nearly 1000 ships and ten times that many troops poised to chase you anywhere in the terminus."
Admiral 'Gerrel finally found his voice. "And what exactly do you expect us to do about it? The force you just listed is half the Heavy Fleet and Migrant Fleet Marine Corps. Going ship-to-ship and troop-to-troop with that would cripple our defenses. To say nothing of the fact it will paint a massive target on the Flotilla as far as the Citadel is concerned."
Shala resisted the urge to wave dismissively at her reactionary peer as she addressed the hologram. "The Citadel has already painted that target on us. What kind of support could we expect from your revolutionaries?"
"We secured two fists of Patrol Squadrons, as well as three Squadron Tenders."
Captain 'Mal's eyes flashed green for a second. "Those tenders wouldn't happen to be Keiron Class ships, would they?"
Nyreen looked very suspiciously at 'Mal. "Yes. Why?"
"Yes Captain," Rael leaned menacingly in his seat, "why?"
The puckish Captain was completely nonplussed by the attention. "Because the Keirons are the descendants of the ships we converted into escort carriers; just bigger, and with better torpedo transfer systems." He leaned forward and locked eyes with Kandros. "If you were to say, remove all the shuttles off of two of your Tenders, we could send a pair of Fighter/Bomber Squadrons, as well as two flights of our Tactical Reconnaissance and Control craft. That would give your fleet a sizable enhancement in your strike range."
Han scoffed and panned his head around the room. "While I will admit I am impressed by these new fighters and their tactics, there are still limits to what they can do. As our esteemed colleague implied," he waved at the hologram, "once the Turian forces reach the relay, they'll transit en masse and that will be that."
Shala wanted to make some argument, but Han was right. They couldn't-
"That's only if they make a single clean transit." All attention was now focused on Tali. "If we can stagger their transit, then normal drift will cause their formation to scatter all over the place." The young 'Zorah looked around the room. "We've seen it enough times in our own fleet maneuvers. If we could disrupt their fleet formation on this side of 1138; say, with a series of long range strikes by a nuclear armed Battlecruiser and her attached escorts, then the Hierarchy fleet would transit piecemeal..."
Nyreen gave an almost wicked grin. "Giving our forces and your attack craft ample time to mop them up."
Suddenly, Shala, Ayita, 'Mal, and Cato all staggered slightly; holding their heads as their eyes flared bright Emerald. "Shala?" Rael started, standing and walking over to Shala, while Tali and Garrus did the same with Cato, and Adrian did the same with Ayita. "What's wrong?"
"Something…" Shala gasped, her eye glowing as bright as a star. "Something is happening; something is drawing us away!" She exclaimed, and then she squeezed her eye shut, as did the other three. Electricity sparked and everyone hopped away from the Vortals, and then all four collapsed in their seats.
Nyreen, who'd watched the whole affair, merely quirked a mandible, "Hm… Fascinating. I suppose I should call you back?"
Shala opened her eye, blinking in realization as she found that even the Vortessence had permanently half blinded her. Looking around frantically, she noted that she was still in her old fisher-woman's form; though now she wore a leather cloak over her shoulders.
Looking behind her, she saw Cato and Captain 'Mal stand as well, both of them brushing off the old Knights uniforms the Vortessence saw them as. And Ayita… Shala raised an eyebrow at the short skirt, slotted chest armor, and furred hooded cloak; but didn't comment on it.
"Why are we here?" She wondered, focusing on the situation at hand.
All four staggered as the Room shifted and suddenly, they found themselves standing at the peak of a small mountain; off in the distance, a giant tower stood tall, reaching up into the clouds.
"You are here because we have called you here." Shala's eye widened, and she spun around to see a hunched, cloaked figure standing behind them; wielding a cane in his long, spindled hands. "It is good to see you again, our apprentice." Ulysses said, a tiny smile working its way across his shrouded face while his crimson red eyes glowed blood red.
"Ulysses!" Ayita exclaimed, dashing forward and giving the elderly Vortigaunt a hug.
Shala allowed a tiny smile to cross her face, while Cato huffed a loud chuckle at the startled look on the old Vortiguants face. "It's good to see you too Master Ulysses." Cato stated, bowing lightly.
Shala exchanged a glance with Captain 'Mal, who was clearly trying to sneak some glances at her rather revealing vortal form, and she chuckled and stepped forward; "It is an honor to finally meet you, officially that is." She said, mimicking her son's bow.
"The honor is all mine, the Queen Shala the First, We only wish that we had drawn you all here for better news." The Vortigaunt stated simply, as Ayita backed off and Cato put an arm over her shoulder.
He turned and gestured for them to follow him, "Come. We have much to show you."
Shala followed the old Vortigaunt, while 'Mal looked around the landscape the Room had generated. She looked at Ayita and Cato, and gestured to the landscape and mountain they were climbing up, "I assume this is Earth, correct?" She asked.
"Yup." Ayita replied with a smile, having flipped her furred cloaks hood up, and Shala noted that it had what looked like a Varrens skull on the top. "We're in Appalachia, the mountain chain where I grew up."
"Ah…" Shala looked at the river valley below, taking in its beauty.
"So…" 'Mal started, catching his breath after a moment, "Why have you called us here."
"The Freeman has returned at last." The Vortigaunt stated simply.
Ayita gasped, while Cato, 'Mal, and Shala all exchanged glances of confusion. "Y-you mean he's back? The savoir, the slayer of the Nihilanth?" The girl asked, sounding close to tears.
"He has." Ulysses stated.
"YES!" Ayita shrieked, jumping up and down, before turning and dashing over to Cato; her grey furred cloak flapping behind her as she grabbed Cato and kissed him furiously before hugging him. "We're saved! We're saved! The Combine's destruction has come!"
'Mal shared a glance with Shala, before asking, "I'm assuming that he's a person of importance?" He asked.
Ulysses tapped his cane in thought, "The Freeman… he is a man who encompases the hopes of endless others; a man through which many look through and see our plight. He is the one who slew the Slavemaster, the lesser evil, and the one destined to destroy the greater evil in time." He explained, but not really.
'Mal just rubbed his head in confusion, "That… doesn't really answer my question." He admitted.
Shala just turned her eye to Ayita, who had finally stopped kissing Cato, and tilted her head; "If you would be so kind as to translate for your master, my dear daughter-in-law?" She asked.
Ayita seemed to remember where she was, and her face reddened slightly; "Uh, right." She cleared her throat and asked, "You are familiar of the capabilities of my father and Master Sergeant Massani; and the PCV's that they wear, correct?"
Cato nodded, "Yup, those things are easily the best Armor systems in the Galaxy at the moment." He said with a smile.
"Well… you know how my fathers unit was told the Black Mesa scientists intentionally caused the Resonance Cascade that brought first the Nihilanths forces, and then later the Combine." She started, "Well, the Freeman was their number one target, since they believed he was the one that started it all. The Freeman fought through over two hundred Marine HECU troopers, all of whom were just as good as Zaeed and my father. The same training, the same equipment, everything…"
Shala felt her eye widen in disbelief. That same training had allowed Palla's platoon to tear through over two hundred of the best fighters in the galaxy with no casualties beyond some mild bruises, scraps, and nicks.
"And that does not include the Xenian forces, which was hundreds of mind controlled Vortigaunts, hundreds of Xenian Shock Troopers which were Vortigaunts subjected to horrific augmentations; and Xenian Controllers and a host of other wildlife and other such things." She continued. "And the Freeman fought through them all, and single handedly ended the Nihilanths invasion and disappeared."
She looked away then, as sadness overtook her, "If only he had been here when the Combine exploited the portal storms in the months that followed." She mused sadly.
"So what does this mean then…" Cato wondered, looking up at the clouded sky.
"It means that we have to get back to Earth. Now." Ayita replied, "If the Freeman is back on Earth, and the Combine finds out, the Administrator will mobilize everything he has to hunt him down; and the Freeman will win and cripple the Combine." She said with a varren like grin, "Now is our time to kick the Combine off our world."
'Mal gave Shala a concerned look, "What about the Turians? We can't leave their uprising hanging like this." He said.
Ayita waved him off. "There aren't any fleet assets that will need the Flotilla's attention," she glanced nervously at Ulysses, "right?"
The Vortigaunt tilted his head before giving a light shrug, "None that come to our mind." He stated simply.
Ayita perked back up. "See? We can Provide ample support without overextending or taxing the Flotilla's combat arm. Plus, we can have some of the Civilian fleet begin industrial operations around Sol; to keep our supply chains open, and to have a strategic fall-back if things in Citadel space get dicey."
Ulysses gently laid a hand on Ayita's shoulder causing her to turn and look with concern. "It is a commendable plan, though we must advise caution. Your home star has had many visitors throughout the eons; some older and stranger even than the Combine and its dark servants."
Shala walked up to the two aliens. "Anything in particular we should be worried about?"
The Room shivered and showed a red tinged desert. "The fourth world was visited by the Combine's unwitting disciples and victims of the last great culling." A tiny moon could be seen rising on the horizon. "It's closest and largest satellite harbors some malevolent secret whose purpose and origin we cannot divine."
The Room shifted again, and the vortals all found themselves hovering above a massive gas giant with a great equatorial storm and dozens of satellites. "We dare not draw greater attention to this world, but know that another has claimed it for their own purposes."
No one had anything to say to that, until Ulysses tapped his cane and said; "We must go, the Freeman will be approaching our current dwelling soon."
Ayita blinked, "You're not with Anderson and the rest of the cell in Frost Mine?" She asked.
"No, as our presence is needed more on the edges of the Administrators capitol. Once the Consul's reign of terror is broken, you will join us in toppling the Administrator, yes?" The Old Vortigaunt asked.
"Of Course." Shala stated, "If that is all?"
"Of course, we shall leave you to do what must be done." And with those words, the Vortigaunt turned, and with his cloak flapping walked off into the endless darkness.
Shala slowly opened her eye, and rubbed her eyepatch in exasperation as she idly realized that she was not in the conference room anymore; and was instead laying on her bed in her Quarters.
"Good to see that you have rejoined us from the land of dreams." Shala closed her eye again, and rubbed it again; even as Raels concerned eyes looked down at her from where he sat next to her bed.
"Good to see you looking after me Rael." She grumbled in reply. "What did I miss?"
Rael absently looked around the cabin. "Well, our new ally decided to call back when everyone wasn't passed out at the conference table." He looked back at Shala. "What was that about anyway? Tali said she's seen this before, though she seemed concerned."
Shala leaned back into her pillow and groaned, "We need to get to Earth, the one that stopped the invasion of the Nihilanth dead in its tracks has returned to kick the Combine off their planet; and we need to help him." She said bluntly, trying to keep it as simple as possible for Rael.
"And what about our promise to these Turian Revolutionaries?" the Admiral asked, raising an eyebrow while his eyes brightened slightly. "We cannot exactly leave them hanging."
Shala slowly eased herself out of bed, wincing as her injuries flared up again; and she held her head as she felt a headache take hold for a moment before it passed, the usual phantom pains from her eyehole fading with the headache. "We can send most of the fleet to help the Turians, we only really need the Normandy and her escorts; and a number of Marines since most of our support to the Turians will be in fleet combat, not ground combat. The opposite is true with the Humans of course."
Rael hummed and crossed his arms, "So the Escort Carrier Wol'Nosc, the four frigates assigned as her screen, and the Normandy are what you need?" He asked.
Shala didn't miss his phrasing, "'You'... you say that like it will only be me leading this venture." She noted sadly, already knowing the response.
He looked away and sighed, "Shala… you know that all of us are needed at the moment; with Daro still locked up aboard the Morah and not trusted with anything else, and you taking the small strike force to Earth… Han and Zaal need my help in coordinating this campaign." He explained sadly.
Shala's face fell slightly. "I know. You'll be busy coordinating the movements of the rest of the Flotilla and getting the Civilian fleet out of the Citadel's gunsights." She gave a sad chuckle, "In all honesty, it would be safer to send the Civilian ships to the Sol system since the Combine won't be able to touch them so long as they stay out of Earth's orbit."
She closed her eye for a moment before looking back at Rael.
"Rael…" Shala swallowed, "I know we won't really have another chance to discuss this… It's been a long while since Noveria. I want to know where we lie together Rael; because if we succeed and liberate Earth, and if the Turians uprising is successful…" She looked away while Raels eye glow dimmed. "You and Zaal and the majority of the Conclave want to restore the Monarchy, your main split is when to do it. If you intend to go through with it, I'm required by the original Constitution laid out by the first Calin monarch, that I have to have a direct descendant."
She looked back at Rael with a sad smile, "As much as Cato is my son in all but blood, he is still adopted; and the restorationists won't accept him as a successor." she raised a hand before he could speak, "Rael, I'm not asking you to do the deed; and I know that you are still not over Ceema, but… well… you know that all female adults are required to have one child regardless if they are bonded or not. And you know how unbonded women have children."
Shala had to fight down a laugh, since she knew that Rael was blushing heavily behind his visor. Tali is a lot more like him than she likes to admit. She thought to herself.
His vox-mitter squawked as he cleared his throat. "I am… aware of the more common and accepted methods used, yes. And, I thank you for respecting my bond with Ceema. Were I a weaker man, or were you more determined, I might have suggested a more... direct method." He sat back and took her hand. "If however you truly intend to go forward with your inferred plan, then I would be honored to provide for the continuation of the Imperial line."
She chuckled, "Don't be so bashful Rael, you're just going to a doctor and getting a needle jabbed in you. Far less embarrassing than doing the deed." She huffed, "We leave tomorrow… you should probably get that taken care of before I leave, just in case, yes?"
She saw his eyes flash in a mirth he showed so rarely. "Isn't it a tradition to at least take me out to dinner before demanding my seed?"
Cato slowly eased himself into the chair, while Miranda applied the burn salve to his chest; Ayita impatiently tapping her foot while Ori sat nearby, looking worried. "I told you guys, I'm fine." He insisted.
"No, you're not." Miranda stated bluntly, "You know the risks of absorbing too much electricity. Even Vortals have their limits."
Cato would have argued, if it weren't for the faint feeling of concern coming from Ori and the positively incandescent frustration rolling off of his Inszel.
The doors to the medbay opened, and Cato looked over Miranda's shoulder and blinked to see Shala and Rael walking in; Shala with an odd spring in her step. "Er… Father, Auntie? What are you two doing here?" He asked, tilting his head, "I didn't even call you to tell you that I was injured."
Both froze and looked at him, while Ayita blinked and narrowed her eyes for a moment, "Yes, why are you two here?" She asked, crossing her arms in a huff, "Shala, were you tapping into Cato's mind again?" She demanded.
"No-no-no, we were actually coming here for a… checkup of sorts. We already made the appointment with Dr. Chambers." Shala said while Rael shifted nervously behind her.
Miranda blinked, finishing applying the salve and cleaning her hands, asked, "Is your eyehole bothering you Admiral? We can easily add more-"
"Thank you Miranda, no, and that will be all." Chambers' sudden interruption startled the three young adults; but Shala and Rael looked like they were relieved. "Come on Rael, let's get this over with in a more private area." she ordered with a tiny smirk.
"Yes, yes of course." he replied, before turning to Shala with an uneasy look on his face. "You can wait here if you want, or come with-"
"I'll go with you, get it over with and all that."
Cato watched his father and Shala walk as fast as they could to a small side room, and he blinked in confusion as he felt Shala put up an 'Emotion Barrier' in front of the room. "What's that all about?" He asked.
Miranda pulled up her omnitool, and suddenly cringed and deactivated it, "Right, not dealing with that." She exclaimed, walking over and practically shoving Cato and Ayita out the door; shoving Ori into their hands. "Call me if the burn is not healed by tomorrow or if the pain persists. Thank you, good night."
Cato wasn't sure if it was possible, but he was pretty sure Miranda found a way to make the automatic doors slam shut behind them.
Cato gawped for a moment at Ayita whose eyes flashed silver. Once her link to the Votessence dimmed, her cheeks flushed bright red. "Well I think that's all for tonight! We should really head back to our quarters and make sure Ori isn't up to any mischief!"
"But… Ori is in your ar-"
"Back to the cabin dearest." Ayita grabbed his ear and Cato yowled in surprise and pain while Ori giggled in her arms.
"Ow! Ow! What did I do?! 'yita whyyyyyy?"
Hau kept his eyes closed as he ruffled his feathers slightly. He had made his roost in the hanger bay, as it was the place where he could fly freely. He gave the Raven equivalent of a yawn as he thought of his flock, and how they had been given refuge on one of the other ships of the fleet.
Learning these terms was fascinating of course, though there were times that he found it tedious.
Hiss...Shoom...
Hau gave a soft caw of annoyance, it was nighttime for goodness sakes; and the hanger crew knew better than to open and close the doors on the uppermost catwalk, knowing that those particular doors needed greasing and that they bothered him when they opened while he was trying to rest.
Then he felt a familiar presence, and Hau grudgingly opened an eye, looking down to see the Glowing-Eyes-Queen and her desired mate talking. With not much else to do, he decided to listen in on them; if for no other reason than to improve his understanding of their language.
"I'm sorry that you have to leave Rael…"
"But duty calls." Hau noticed the male's wing-limb fidget before the male turned and headed towards one of the small flying roost. Shootles, he thought they were called?
Of more import was the pain rolling off of Glowing-Eyes-Queen. He swooped down after the hatch had closed and circled her once to see if he could identify the source of her pain. Seeing no injury, he landed on a railing and looked deeper.
Ah, she is sad to be separated from her almost-mate… This was a pain he well remembered from the first time of his flock's captivity. Hau cawed softly and flew to roost on her shoulder.
She turned to face Hau, as he had landed on her blinded side; and she absently reached up and scratched his head, and Hau allowed a soft caw of pleasure to escape him. "Hello Hau…" she mumbled, setting her other hand on her stomach. The Raven blinked and tilted his head, giving a soft caw of confusion at the gesture.
"Sad!" Hau was slightly frustrated that he had yet to master the softer nuance of two-legged speech, but he could still get his point across.
Glowing-Eyes-Queen smiled at him. "A little, but also happy. He will never love me as he loved her, can never love me like that; and I couldn't ask him to."
Her smile fled, chased off by the invading flock of memories that Hau could almost see.
Another two-leg hen with the Almost-Mate, as physically indistinguishable in their plumage as any other but somehow immediately recognizable.
A sense of melancholy at the indescribable joy shared between Almost-Mate and the other Hen.
Glowing-Eyes-Queen sharing her egg with the other.
Unspeakable heartbreak at the other's passing.
A once forgotten hope of a nest of her own, suddenly a possibility once again.
Hau gave a soft mer as he nudged her new head plumageaside to preen her.
Glowing-Eyes-Queen smiled and held up a finger and shook her head, "No-no, Hau… you'll mess up my hair, but thank you for trying." She said sadly.
He considered her for a moment before gently headbutting her.
Cold seasons pass and herald soft rains, while storm clouds nourish summer fruits. Your suffering is only fleeting, and heralds untold joys. Be patient Glowing-Eyes-Queen.
And with those words, he took off and went back to his roost; leaving the Glowing-Eyes-Queen to think on his advice.
Shala stood on the bridge of the Normandy, her arms crossed behind her back as she looked down at the faces of the assorted crew of mostly Quarians; and a number of humans. She smiled lightly as she registered the word, faces; the faces of everyone was visible to her now, just as how her now mostly healed, but still one eyed face stared back at them.
"My crew…" She started, setting a hand on the Captain's chair as she swept her gaze across the bridge.
Captain 'Mal stood at the holo-table, while Tali, was down in engineering helping Chief Adams; Cato, Garrus, and most of the rest were down in the various hangar bays prepping the Quarian Marines and the four platoons of the Expeditionary's.
"We are about to embark on a venture never before known to the civilized peoples of this galaxy. The liberation of a people oppressed by an Inter-Dimensional Empire, an Empire that has driven… countless races to extinction for perceived threats, or simply because they were nothing more than primitives that were in places that interested the Combine." The crew shifted uncomfortably at her words.
She did have to admit, the mere thought of another group so powerful and even more genocidal than the Council was a hard pill to swallow.
"Now… a man, who holds almost an messainic reputation amongst our human friends, a man who halted the first inter-dimensional invasion of Earth single handedly, an invasion that would have blitzed through the Hierarchy in mere days; and this man did so while being hunted by hundreds of Special Forces operators, people who trained and fought with our own well beloved Gunnery Sergeant and Master Sergeant."
Now she had their attention.
All of them had seen Massani and Shepard in action, and how effective their drilling methods had worked; and they had seen how lethal the Expeditionary's were in combat. The idea that this one human was able to fight off and beat two separate armies almost single handedly…
"This man is called Gordon Freeman, and he has at last returned from whatever exile or stasis he had been put in for the last twenty years; and now we go to Earth to assist him, and the rest of Humanity in their crusade to kick the Combine off their homeworld and out of this universe."
Everyone began nodding and grinning, and Shala turned to Captain 'Mal. "Take us out, Knight-Commander."
'Mal grumbled good naturedly, but stepped forward. "Helm, set a course for the relay, bearing 3-4-0; with a negative attitude of 0-2-5 degrees."
Joker, one of the few humans on the bridge, nodded and quickly inputted the Commands. "Setting a course… for home."
Pilot A/N: So… I uh kinda forgot that I had to upload a chapter this week; and last week too… so this is kind of embarrassing to say the least. Still, this particular chapter and the next one will be released at the same time to make up for the fact that I didn't upload on the normal day.
Onto the content of this chapter… honestly there isn't much to say here about this chapter, since it's the calm before the storm that follows. The end of Act 2 is coming up soon, at which point this story will go back on a hiatus and AGAS will come back to the forefront. Not proud to admit it, but pretty much all of book 2 of AGAS is being rewritten because I was a stubborn idiot and refused to listen to Ians advice about a certain plot point.
Short of it is, he let me put it in, we took a break from AGAS to work on this; and I went back and reread what we (or rather I) did, and went, "What the hell? Why did I think this was a good idea?"
Yeah… listen to your advisors kids.
In any case, I got nothing else to say, how 'bout you Ian?
Ian A/N: As Pilot said, not a lot to unpack. This is the pallet cleanse before the meat-and-gristle of Combine Occupied Earth. Stay tuned, dear readers. We're in for a rough ride.
Pilot: Right then, leave a review and let us know what you guys think as always.
A TV Tropes page and recommendation would be loved and appreciated.
And we will see ya when we see ya.