Ch2
Elsewhere in the Alderaan system on an Imperial Class Star Destroyer a dark and looming figure stood on the bridge the shadowed and masked face looking at the viewport and the galaxy beyond.
"My Lord, it appears that the blockade has forced the hand of Senator Organa. He is agreeing to sign the treaty on our terms." Moff Tarkin smiled a tight lipped but cruel smile at the significant victory.
"Very good, prepare my flagship."
"At once my Lord." The heavy and modulated breathing ceased momentarily before Darth Vader turned slowly and purposefully to one of the terminals to his right. "Admiral Piett what news of my agent?"
"The one sent to the outer rim systems? The last log was relayed seventeen hours ago my Lord. It may be that he was forced to go into radio silence due to some complications."
"I see… report to me the moment you receive a transmission."
"Yes my Lord of course." The man in question bowed sharply before returning to his station.
The hulking mass that was Darth Vader made his way to his flagship frowning as he stretched out his senses to the outermost reaches of the galaxy. Wherever Thrawn was he could sense the man was in much pain. Clenching his teeth the blue grey eyes behind the mask struggled against the haze of sickly yellow that threatened to overcome him. Not now, not when he needed to sign the treaty with a clear mind. He struggled against the thick tendrils of power, his mind on the one man who he could have entrusted with the negotiations in his stead. He paused midway to the shuttle as suddenly and with a finality his eyes turned a sickly yellow, and Obi Wan Kenobi was once more not all there. His presence shifted and the men walking in parade rest by his sides moved several steps away on either side of he in fear and discomfort at the sudden power he exuded. But it was as it should be. It was another day in the glorious empire after all.
~0~0~0~
It was hot and cold. He shivered under his blanket as the telltale signs of fever racked his body. Thrawn felt sick, he was sick. A wave of hot cold sweat overcame him. "Here drink this it will make you feel a bit better." He peered past the haze as a woman in her mid-forties helped half lift him up to drink something that scalded his throat nearly chocking him before he collapsed back on to the bed exhausted with even this small exertion. He tensed in reflex slowly relaxing his body after realizing that he was still on Tatooine and not in the thrall of a nightmare. Noticing his bandages had been changed once again his eyes returned to the woman who was spilling some sort of liquid on his arms that reeked strongly of alcohol.
"This will help the fever." He wasn't sure how much this natural remedy was going to help but in his state anything that worked was a good thing.
The heat in his mind abated but the women's even gaze did not. "Better."
"A bit yes."
"I do not mean to pry," but she would, "what is an Imperial doing on Tatooine surely the Empire has little interest in this place?" And indeed it did not. "I had accomplished my objective but was shot at by pirates. My shuttle sustained heavy damage. Tatooine was the closest planet to land on after my hyperspace jump. It is fortunate your son found me." His story eased some of the tension in her gaze.
"Yes I suppose it is Ani is a kind heart, he can't pass up a chance to help others."
"That is both very noble and very foolish, were I any other man bringing me to his house would not have been a very bright idea."
"You are right, but Anakin has a way with people… and understanding them."
"He can use the force."
"I'm sorry?"
"His mind reading abilities and his reaction to others. He helped me because he sensed I would bring him no harm did he not?" The woman's eyes widened and fear was evident in her face for her son.
"Do not worry I will tell no one, unless it is your wish."
"Truly? I am grateful but your Emperor does he not fear force users? When the Jedi were around I knew they would not part me from my Ani... but I've heard things about these Sith…this Darth Vader…"
"He does not actively hunt for untrained force users if that is what you are thinking, merely the Jedi that escaped the purge."
The two remained in silence as the woman's gaze drifted and he found he himself was too exhausted to keep his eyes open and drifted off to sleep.
~0~0~0~
His dreams were mired in darkness and death, he fought against the heat and pain as he only knew how, only to suddenly have a foreign presence slip into his mind.
"Thrawn." He flinched at the darkness of the semi lucid dream and the discomfort of a foreign mind brushing against his own. "My Lord?"
"Where are you Commander? I demand your status or their will be consequences." The darkness lashed in his mind and he tried not to struggle against the presence so as not to make the encounter any more painful than necessary. "My objective is complete, shot down over Tatooine, had no time to call for extraction. Will attempt to send transmission when I awaken." He was sweating profusely by now the presence digging sharp pain into his scull as cold and hot spells wracked his body the wounds making themselves known loudly and painfully. "See that you do."
"Hey! Hey! Wake up! Mom! I think he's getting worse! Mom!"
"Hold on Ani let me see."
"Sir can you hear me?" Thrawn couldn't suppress a moan as he cracked his eyes open weakly. "I believe I can." His voice came out as a whisper as his eyes refused to focus before doing so and seeing the face of the human child Anakin peering down at him worriedly. "You don't look so good."
"Some water would be nice." He shifted on the small cot feeling the moisture that slicked his body, the tight shirt and pants he'd worn under his armor sticking to his body like a second skin.
"Here drink this." The woman's voice was kind as if speaking to a child. His brow furrowed his condition must be bad indeed if the healer was reverting to such manner of speech. She was stronger than she looked and half lifted him to drink the liquid before spilling more of the alcohol smelling concoction over his arms. "You have my thanks."
"Don't thank me thank Ani. He was the one who thought to check up on you."
"You didn't feel right."
"What did I feel like?"
"You felt all wrong like there was someone else there and he was making you hurt. Who was he?"
"Ani!"
"But Mom! Someone else was in the room! He felt all wrong!"
"Anakin! Go bring me some more water for the bandages. "I'm sorry, my son didn't mean to pry."
"It's fine, and he is not mistaken." There was a guarded fear in Shmi's eyes. "Whoever it was will they return?"
"I don't believe so." She nodded though he could tell she didn't like the idea of not knowing what it was that had happened. "You look better your color's returning. It's morning you should try and eat something I have some broth from last night that would be good for you." He allowed the woman to change his bandages the pain was abating but he could see the wounds were not closing up as well as they usually did, whatever was in the herbal remedy it must have had some nerve dampening agent as he did not feel the sharp pain that usually came with inflammation. A dip in a bacta tank would have healed him by now but he did not have that luxury.
Shmi hesitated by the doorway as she waited for her son to return before making her way to the front of the house to prepare the food in question for him. The boy in the meanwhile had returned and was staring at him a frown on his face.
"You're not gonna tell me who the man was are you?" Thrawn sighed pushing himself up slowly into a sitting position. He suppressed a wince as the human boy helped him up allowing him to lean against the hard mud wall blinking away the dizziness that caused him to momentarily loose his bearing.
"Can you put through a transmission?"
"Yeah just give me a sec so I can program the long range transmitter." The sulking human child left the room before returning just as quickly with the Czerka transmitter he had purchased earlier and his holo which lay with the pile of armor discarded in a corner by the cot. He peered curiously at the human child the haze of dizziness receding as Anakin began tweaking and playing with the wires before handing him the holo.
"Here I connected the transmitter so you don't have to get up an all, I mean I don't feel you can anyway…" Despite his shielding he was surprised that the boy could still sense things about him even vague impressions as they were.
"Thank you." The boy beamed and Thrawn was left with the realization that praise came sparsely to the human though he was a slave so that was a given.
"Can you remove the triangulating interface?" It was best if whoever received the transmission didn't see his disheveled state.
"Sure," the boy fiddled with the holo before giving it back to him. Thrawn said his thanks once more before frowning thinly as he punched in the frequency. He didn't have to wait long before the signal went through to the Executor and the shape of Colonel Veers came into view.
"Hello?" Surprised at the clarity of the transmission despite the storm and ensuring that it was Veers and only Veers in the room Thrawn proceeded to give his report.
"Colonel this is agent Sunsaber."
"Commander! Good to hear from you, what is your status."
"The mission was a success."
"That is good to hear, I will begin phase two at once."
"That would be prudent Colonel, I am currently in need of extraction. My ship was destroyed on impact in the Arkanis sector on the planet Tatooine."
"I understand, the Lord Vader has already sent a Tie fighter escort and several ships that were in the sector to your location." Thrawn raised a blue black eyebrow at that. "I see, put me through to him, he requested I report to him once I am able."
Veers seemed only mildly surprised before punching in the Dark Lords frequency. "He is currently on Alderaan dealing with the rebel leader Organa." Thrawn shot a look at Anakin who was all but burning with curiosity; thankfully however the child was remaining quite throughout the exchange. Nodding briefly though Veers could not see him he acquiesced that he be put through to the Dark Lord at once. The transmission did not take long to reach the Darth who was restlessly pacing the halls of the palace. The negotiations had been put on a three hour recess after the initial discussions and having already killed two of the Alderaanian guardsmen Vader was bored out of his mind.
"Speak, and do it quickly." The hulking mass that was Darth Vader came into view causing the human child to suck in a breath.
"My Lord this is Commander Thrawn reporting in as per request." The heavy breathing ceased momentarily before resuming. "My mission was a success and Colonel Veers has proceeded to commencing phase two of the operations." The masked face of the Dark Lord gazed impassively at him before speaking once more. "That is good Commander. I have sent a shuttle for you that you have been informed off no doubt. I require your immediate presence the moment you reach my ship am I understood?"
"Yes my Lord." Darth Vader was pensive once more as his even gaze peered at Thrawn though without the triangulation device only a vague and shaky outline of him could be seen. "There is another matter of which I need to converse with you upon Commander. When I reached out for your presence through the force I felt…yes…I feel it now too, a powerful presence in the force, more powerful than I have ever sensed in any being."
"My Lord?"
"This presence is close and it is powerful. Find this man, woman or child and bring them to me. Those are my new orders to you Commander."
"Yes my Lord it will be done."
"Good, I am not beneath any expenses for this, I don't care at the cost bring whoever it may be to me."
"Yes my Lord, it will be done."
"See to it that it is. Vader out." The transmission was ended and Thrawn was left with a curious human child peering at him.
"He's talking about me isn't he?" Thrawn was mildly surprised at the comment but only just so. "Anakin, can you get your mother?"
"I'm right here." The woman in question was wiping her hands on an old and faded apron busily but her face spoke a different story. "You're taking him away." The house was small enough and it only took so long to warm up food. "You heard."
"Only enough to know that this Lord Vader, wants to take my son from me. I won't let him! I can't!"
"The question is not whether you will let the boy be taken but on what terms. I have worked with Lord Vader for several years now and I assure you he would make time to come personally for your son should the need arise. I understand your fear; however despite all this, this is an opportunity for a different life for both you and your son."
"I would be allowed to accompany my son?" The woman Shmi asked hesitantly.
"That is doubtful, however should your son come willingly I would be able to secure not only his release but your release as well."
"Mom that's great! We'd be free!"
"Anakin go wash the dishes, now. The man and I need to talk."
"Yes Mom! The boy happily skipped into the front of the house where the kitchen was not understanding the true gravity of the situation. Closing the flap that served as a makeshift door behind herself Shmi folded her arms a worried frown on her face.
"You think I care about my freedom when my son will be taken from me to stars knows where?"
"The alternative is far worse, if Lord Vader is forced to make his way here personally and I assure you I would do anything in my power were I able to prevent that, then there will be no telling of what he may do. There is a high chance however that he will kill you slowly and painfully while making your son watch." There was a small gasp from the woman now leaning heavily on the doorframe.
"He…he would do that?"
"I…have seen it done with my own eyes…"
"So he'll be no better than a slave!"
"He will be far better off than he is now. And as I said there is no alternative before you in which your son is not taken from you. Only the terms upon which this will occur."
Shmi swallowed as she slowly sank on a small chair by the door. "I knew something like this would happen one day. Ani was meant for far greater things than this. I just did not think it would happen so quickly…or like this…"
"We are seldom able to control certain events in our lives. In the end it is not the events but what we make of them and how we use them that determine our fate." The woman looked up at him suddenly her eyes full of pain and sorrow of a woman meant to lose her son one way or another. But beyond that there was a silent admiration respect even and the will of a woman who had lived through years of slavery and yet did not let it harden her heart against her own kind.
"I can arrange for a transport to take you anywhere you wish once I acquire your freedom."
"That would be kind but if I may, I need to put through a call to a certain man."
"Certainly, you can use the transmitter if you have need."
"Thank you but that will not be necessary." Her eyes studied him as if peering into his very soul.
"Is this, how you came to serve the Empire? Through intimidation, threats and coercion?"
"No…" But it might as well have been… Her eyes flashed in pain but he found that he was no longer thinking of her presence or even the situation he was now in but of his home world of Csilla, and the sharp pain of loss at the gravity of what he had given up for its safety.
~0~0~0~
The negotiations on Alderaan while proceeding smoothly for the Empire were wreaking havoc on the usually calm and collected Bail Organa. The Alderaanian prince was cradling his head in his hands as his advisors dissected the Alderaanian accord and its compliance to Imperial regulations. Not only were his hands tied but this treaty would further neutralize any possible chance for Bail to continue assisting the rebellion.
The accord stated near total transparency for the Empire on all government funding and the various treasuries of the Noble houses as well. Add to that a tax on exports and an addition of a Star Destroyer for the next decade to crack down on smuggling and the like, Bail found that there was little to be happy about these days.
His wife Breha entered the room her warm hand resting on his shoulder gently. "It's time." He had initially wanted to move her to another noble house for safety for the duration of the negotiations but she had in the end vehemently refused. He rose squeezing her hand and allowing it to give him some strength and comfort before making his way to the throne room hall where the talks were taking place. Making his way to the overly large table littered with datapads and holo displays Bail settled in the chair delegated to him as the representative of his planet.
Soon the other delegates followed. The hulking mass that was Darth Vader making his way in only moments after most of the delegation had taken their seats.
"We have reviewed the treaty and we feel that it is impeding on the rights of the Alderaanian citizens." One of his braver aides, Ty Coran began, opening the floor discussion.
"That is preposterous!" One of the Imperial aides an elderly and thin man graveled out. "This treaty ensures government compliance and transparency, this is not unheard of and even fair. You have nothing to hide after all. Or do you?"
"The issue is that the noble houses are citizens of Alderaan. The eighth legislative act states that all commercial enterprises of and by any citizen are kept confidential until such a time when the human or being in question has committed a crime or violation of government regulations or is suspected in doing so. By forcing a government transparency the Empire will be implying a distrust of the Alderaanian government and in conjunction of its people." Ty Coran soothed out bypassing the accusations and politically maneuvering the conversation to his advantage.
The Imperial aide was about to respond only for Lord Vader the only man standing to raise and motion with his hand, causing the aide to cease speaking and making it look as if the imperial attaché was nothing more than a pack of house trained dogs held on a leash by this man who was known to be second to only the Emperor himself.
"You are correct Alderaanian however not on all counts." The heavy breathing of the Dark Lord filled the room and suddenly Bail felt as if the room had gone several degrees warmer. "The Empire has no issue with the majority of the noble houses, merely the one. Senator Organa is being reviewed for his noncompliance to the regulations of the Empire. The Emperor is none too pleased with the actions of the senator and is considering a motion to elect a new representative for the people led by a new ruling house of Alderaan." Bail all but cursed under his breath his eyes widening. Darth Vader had now not only undermined him but his ruling house as well. Centuries upon centuries ago most of the ruling houses lost their power or gave it up for the Organa's to lead the planet to see better days. But even centuries later not all had forgotten which houses and bloodlines they were from. Vader had now not only killed him politically but was undermining his rule of the planet. Ever since house Organa had become the ruling house peace and prosperity had settled upon Alderaan but it would be foolish to think that a house that was once comprised of assassins like house Rist would have so quickly given up its heritage.
"That is a falsity and a slander! House Organa has stood for generations!" Another aide this one more idealistic declared the room suddenly plunging into a silence as Vader's enraged presence filled the room making it hot and uncomfortable. Organa winced as the dark and masked figure turned ever so slowly towards the young aide. The next moment the poor man was gasping for air as the Sith lifted him up while pulling the air out of his lungs.
"I apologize for his forwardness my Lord I beg you to release him." It was the first he had spoken within the hour and it caused heads to turn in the near silence of the room save the chocking and hacking of the man whom the dark lord had released. "You are all of you under the misapprehension that this matter is up for debate. It is not. The Emperor has spoken and we obey."
"I understand but there's still the proper procedures! And what about ratifying the treaty with a majority vote?" A woman from the house majority declared in a polite yet offended tone her eyes as Bail's own still on the man sprawled on the floor chocking and gasping for breath.
"The electorate and the proper procedures will be followed. Come now it is not hard to make it appear as though the house majority has voted for the accords?" Said another bland looking Imperial officer sitting directly across from himself.
The seemingly nondescript officer stared down the aides and those from the house majority. Bale steeled his gaze when the man looked his way but he knew that he'd lost the battle before it had even begun. The empire was too good at anticipating his moves and those of the rebellion. This Darth Vader was just as intelligent as he was deadly. Add to that his growing and endless amount of intelligence officers and recruited and bribed officials Bale wouldn't put it past the man to know what it was he'd had for breakfast. There were spies in every corner, he found bugs in doorways and on rugs and in places he'd never think to sweep for them, and once found the little bugs, some of which could physically move around via resemblance to moths or other insects had no way of being traced back to the Empire itself. He tried he did all he could. Meetings in forests or abandoned warehouses, triple encryptions, but no matter what he did the man was two if not three steps ahead of him. He lost and he knew it. The only way to salvage what little power he had left was to agree to the Empire's terms and hope they would think it too unwise to replace him with another one of the noble houses.
"The treaty will be reviewed, we will give our answer within twenty four to forty eight hours. Expect a transmission from us once the majority and senate of houses cast their vote unless you wish to remain on Alderaan for the time it would take for the consensus to take place."
"That will not be necessary." Bale let out the breath he'd been holding relieved at least that there would be no Sith breathing down his neck while he did what he could to salvage the situation and ensure that his previous funds to the rebel alliance could not be traced.
"Then this meeting is adjourned until the votes are cast." Ty Coran closed the session as the hulking mass that was Darth Vader made his way out of the hall requesting his flagship be prepped and leaving himself in a state of both fear and panic as his aides rushed to assist the naïve fool who had thought to yell at Darth Vader and leaving him to wonder whether one day that would be his fate.
~0~0~0~
Shmi had left to make a call in the front of the house leaving Anakin with the news of his impending freedom. The boy had waited patiently for his mother but she had wanted privacy so the human child was left with only his room as the alternative the sandstorm still raging outside in full blast.
"Mom sais you're your gonna free us… and that I have to go with you. You came here to free us didn't you!" The child was bouncing with tense energy his face a wide grin. "You're an undercover Jedi aren't you! That's why you don't have a lightsaber!"
Thrawn wasn't sure how him offering to free the human child translated into him being a Jedi, but he supposed the Jedi's history of liberating planets full of slaves may have had something to do with coloring the boys imaginations. Though even the Jedi did not go about making it their business liberating slaves galaxy wide fettered by the constraints of the boundaries of the Republic as they were. And even within Republic space slavery and spice were still rampant during the Republics best days. "I am not a Jedi. And I did not come to Tatooine with the intention of freeing you." He winced as pain shot through his arm and side. The boy's grinning face fell into one of confusion.
"But then how come you're here? And why did the man in the mask feel all wrong?"
"I was on classified mission for the Empire. My engines were damaged in a skirmish and I was forced to make a crash landing on Tatooine. Make no mistake it is not I but Lord Vader who requested your freedom."
"The man you were speaking with. He's the man that was hurting you, isn't he?"
"He…it is not so simple." It wasn't as if he could explain Vader's dual nature to a child let alone that this information was highly classified. "I don't understand! Why would he want to free me? Is it because of this power force stuff he was talking about? Why would he free me if he's a bad person?"
Thrawn sighed, the child's naïveté despite being born and raised on an outer rim world known for its slavers and smugglers was surprising. "He has freed you no doubt so that he could train you in the ways of the Sith. I can say little more on the matter and once I bring you before the Lord Vader he will make it clear to you the role which he wishes to delegate upon you and all that it entails."
The boy appeared even more confused than before but thankfully his mother had returned and was ushering him out of the room to speak with her son in private. Thrawn mused silently at the reaction of the Emperor at this. The Emperor was not a man who took kindly to insubordination and betrayals, according to Sith tradition the apprentice killed the Master then took an apprentice of his own. It was possible that the Emperor could see this as such. But at the same time if Darth Vader himself said the boy was exceedingly powerful…would the Emperor acquiesce? Or perhaps kill off Vader for his traitorous deemed actions and then take this boy for himself to train? He had read upon such things in the Sith history holobooks from the raided and half burnt Jedi temple. The art as well spoke volumes on betrayal and duplicity. Frowning thinly as a wave of dizziness overcame him Thrawn shifted sliding back to lie on the cot his mind drifting in the haze of pain that did not seem to abate.
~0~0~0~
Cliegg Lars had once been the love of her life. He was a kind man, a surprising man, but not a man she would have thought would wait around for a woman like her. Yet he had. The amount of happiness that radiated from his face when she told him that she would be given her freedom was unimaginable. But while the happiness she felt was all consuming so was the pain she felt at the loss of her son. She had wished for his freedom ever since the day he'd been born. Even if she herself would be a slave all her life she had given herself her word that her little Ani would be free one day. And now that day had come. She had not wanted it to be this way, but she had no choice. Running away was out of question with her and her sons slave chips. And while she would have been willing to give up her son to a man such as Vader over her dead body the alternative of her son having to witness her violent death was a different matter.
She did not like the Empire, had heard stories of its cruelty and imposition of will. But the alien Imperial officer that was in her care was nothing like that. He was cold yes but beneath the restraint there was discipline, morality kindness even. And if anyone were to be the one to take her son to the Empire it would be one such as he. Her eyes moistened at her son as he gazed up at her with his clear blue eyes. "Mom, why are you crying? We're gonna be free!"
"Yes Ani…but I can't come with you."
"Why not? Why can't you come with me?"
"Because my place is here on Tatooine."
"But you said we'd be free one day! Together!" She sighed heavily tears begging to fall in earnest now for his fate. "Listen Ani, the Imperial man will be taking you far far away. I can't go with you because my place is here. I want you to remember, to never forget who you are Ani, and be true to yourself. You're a good person Ani, don't let the empire change that."
"I won't Mom I promise." Her Anakin seemed to realize what she was saying frowning, his eyes becoming moist. "It's the man who feels all wrong Darth Vader isn't it? You can't come because of him."
"Ani…"
"It's ok Mom," Anakin smiled at her blinking away tears. "I'm gonna be the bestest force power user ever. And the bestest pilot ever. And I'll come to visit when I can, when I'm older and buy myself a starship I mean. And I'll call you like all the time ok Mom? So don't cry cause this isn't goodbye ok?
She nodded despite her tears falling harder as she hugged him. She still had a lot more to tell him but despite how much she'd tell him these last few hours wouldn't be enough. So she settled for hugging him and crying before at length wiping her tears away and packing for herself and her son for the new life that awaited them.
~0~0~0~
The Sandstorm abated at length, not the longest one for Tatooine could have storms raging for weeks at a time, but it was far longer than the average dust storm that kicked up on Tatooine every so often. About three hours after it did so there was a knock on the door of the house. The door opened to a well-built man in his mid-thirties, hair slicked back in Imperial style and the beginning of a scruff of a beard shaved for a five o'clock look around his mouth.
"Hello Ma'am my name is Agent Fel of the 181's battalion. I was informed that an agent of the Empire was here?"
"Yes of course." The man winked at Anakin causing a small smile to form on Shmi's face.
"I am here agent." Thrawn replied from where he was sitting by the cleared kitchen table. He had already donned his mandalorian armor save the helmet and looked little worse for wear his face and posture betraying nothing of the wounds that he still sustained and that he had realized would need more intensive treatment then he had initially assessed.
"Commander Thrawn! Fancy meeting you here. Especially since Tatooine isn't known for its art galleries."
Thrawn smiled thinly at the inside joke. "How are the children?"
The camaraderie would have made a younger Shmi feel like an intruder but her age and years as a healer had removed such qualms. "Come sit can I offer you any refreshments?"
"I am good thank you Ma'am, may I have your name?"
"Shmi, Shmi Skywalker."
"The pleasure is all mine Shmi." Despite the man's refusal as he settled in a chair across from a man who appeared to be his colleague Shmi still bustled around the kitchen to make a pot of tea for the two men.
"The children are Great, Davin and Chak are already moaning about their classes, honestly I don't think Chak should be a pilot he's too queasy after the simulations. And Jagged is already asking about you, honestly I don't know how that kid can say your name so well when he's still learning to say hi properly."
Thrawn smiled genuinely at that. "How many officers have you brought with you?"
The kettle whistled and Shmi brewed the tea while the two men continued their conversation.
"Seven not counting myself, posted outside the house. I have the transport ready by the way; we should head out soon there's another storm our equipment is detecting only four hours away, unless there's something else?"
"There is, I need to visit a certain junk shop and I need to borrow your men for that."
Soontir Fel smiled at that, always eager to see what Thrawn had cooked up this time around.
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