All characters and all rights at 'NCIS: Los Angeles' belong to CBS and Shane Brennan Productions. The following story does not serve any commercial purposes, but was written only for the pleasure of fans. An injury of Copyright is not intended. All further persons belong to the authoress.
English is my second language, if you find any mistakes in my story please send them back to me for correction.
I also would be very glad to get your reviews.
Chapter 10 - Seizure Part 2
"What?" Joann's voice was sharp.
"Nell and I are running search filters for certain words through the data, that we are downloading. Thereby we have discovered that all buildings were fitted with explosives. The ranch house and barn will explode as the last to strike as many of our people as possible." Eric sounded slightly breathless. "Hetty just informs the colleagues in the ranch house to clear it. However, we can't reach Callen, Sam, Kensi and Deeks. They have found a basement, which was listed on no plans. There is an escape tunnel. Once they have entered it, the radio contact was gone. However, we have very weak signals of the four, which disappear again and again. They move to the north."
"Eric, send one of the helicopters there. It should follow the signals."
"Hetty has already arranged for that, Joann."
"Okay. Do you have a plan where the explosives are deposited in the barn?"
"No. But we know that not all construction projects were included in plans. There could be a basement. Or the walls and pillars have cavities in which the explosive are placed. It also could be deposited in the server racks."
"How many data did you get so far?"
"This is in the single digits."
Joann gritted her teeth in frustration. "Thanks for the warning, Eric. I'll handle this."
…
Joann compressed the conversation to Renko.
"You want to look for the explosive and defuse it, don't you?" Meanwhile, Renko knew Joann better than she really would have liked it.
"Yes. I send Nate and Ray out and then begin to the search for myself."
"That's nuts! Nate will replace me, then the two of us will search together." Renko returned Joann's look. "That's how our job goes. Don't let us waste time anymore."
Joann hesitated no longer and ran to her colleagues. Nate immediately followed her orders, but Ray did not let himself send away. The two of them instantly began the search, shortly after Renko supported them. Alarmingly fast they were successful. At a central location in each server small explosive devices were installed.
"Ray, send Eric the photos. I want to know how we can mitigate those things. He should also check whether the amount is sufficient to destroy the barn completely."
"Got it." Ray disappeared in a hurry.
Renko looked closely at the explosives. "No, they're too small. They destroy the server, but nothing more. We should keep looking."
Joann did not call Renko's statement in question, but followed his suggestion. When Ray returned, he found his colleagues on their knees at the end of the server room. They had pushed aside the two desks, which were standing there.
"What are you doing?"
"We found a trapdoor. What did Eric say?"
"He was able to identify the type of explosive devices and sent me the blueprints and the mitigation instructions. He also says that they are too small to cause damage to the building."
Renko nodded. "That's just what I was thinking. Therefore, we have continued searching, Ray. And hit pay dirt."
"What's down there?"
"Yet, we haven't been so far." Suspiciously, Joann eyed the trapdoor. "Let's open it, but be careful. I don't want to trigger anything."
…
"Someone is ahead of us."
"I heard it too, Sam. Probably Kensi and Deeks."
"We should make ourselves felt, G, before they shoot at us. Whether the earwigs do work?" Sam did not wait for the response from his partner. "Kensi? Deeks? Can you hear me?" Sam waited, but there was no answer.
"Down here there is no radio reception. We need to approach them carefully. Let's hurry."
Callen stepped up the pace.
…
"Did you hear that?" Kensi had stopped so abruptly that Deeks bumped into her.
"What should I've heard?"
"I could swear that someone has called our names." Kensi was slightly irritated.
"Wherefrom did you hear the call, Kensi?" Deeks did not call Kensi's sharp ears into question.
She thought for a moment. "From behind us."
Deeks tried to activate his earwig. "Deeks to NCIS, report to me!...Deeks to NCIS, report to me!...Shit, those things don't work down here."
"We have to go, Deeks, or we will lose Mason."
"Yes, but what if these are our people behind us? We should inform them."
Kensi groaned, but finally nodded. "Okay, Deeks. And how will you do that?"
The young detectives smiled broadly. "With Morse code. Callen, Sam and Ray know what to do with that. You paint them on the wall."
"And you're telling me certainly with what. I don't think that ballpen is good in writing on stone or concrete."
The smirk disappeared from Deeks' face. "Maybe with lipstick..."
Kensi groaned again. Finally she took her flashlight and began to Morse code. She repeated her message twice, then she walked on.
"Was that it, Kensi?" Deeks was stunned. The message has been very short.
"I didn't want to tell stories. The message was: 'Two NCIS agents ahead.' That says it all, doesn't it?"
…
"Do you see anything?" Joann leaned over to Renko, who lay before the trapdoor and gently lifted it.
"No, no wiring. Pull it up slowly."
Joann followed his instructions without any comment. Meanwhile, Renko shone down.
"Here is something like a crawlspace, perhaps a yard high. To see more, I have to get down there."
"Let me go, Mike. I'm smaller and narrower."
Only a slight twitching around Renko's mouth corners revealed that he was amused. "You do realize that you are just three inches shorter than me. And with that 'narrower', I think this is a rumor." Renko looked at Joann's athletic, toned figure, especially her broad swimmer's shoulders. "Apart from that I'm the explosives expert. So, make way."
Grudgingly, Joann gave in and let Renko climb down. After a few minutes the agent popped up again.
"At the right positions explosives are placed. When it will be ignited, everything here will collapse like a house of cards."
"Can you defuse the stuff?"
"Sure. The only question is whether in time." Renko sighed. "I need someone who gives me light down there, because I need both hands for the disarming."
"Of course. I'll go with you. Ray, take your chance with the small charges in the servers. Can you do that alone or do you need help?"
"A second pair of hands would be good."
Joann nodded. "Nate should help you. And Eric should see to it that someone monitors the access to the barn."
"Got it." The young agent turned and walked towards the gate.
"Ray?"
Joann's partner stopped and turned around. "Yeah?"
"Be careful."
"You too."
…
Callen stood still so abruptly that Sam ran into him.
"G, damn, watch out!"
"Someone is sending Morse code, Sam, with a lamp!"
Concentrated, the two men looked into the darkness.
"That is 'Two NCIS agents ahead.'. We run after Kensi and Deeks."
"As assumed, Sam. Let's hurry, so we catch up with them."
…
Kensi slowed her pace as she saw a faint light ahead. Immediately she turned off her flashlight. Deeks followed suit.
"We should wait for backup, Kensi. None of us knows what to expect there."
"No, Deeks. If we wait, Mason could disappear. We absolutely have to stop him." Kensi kept moving resolutely. She was positive that Deeks would follow her.
Muttering under his breath, Deeks did so. Nevertheless, he repeatedly threw a glance behind him. Just before they reached the light source, Deeks spotted what he had hoped for.
"Kensi, wait! Behind us!"
Alarmed, Kensi turned around. Immediately she could see the beam of two flashlights. Deeks wanted to pull his partner in coverage, but she resisted.
"Stop, Deeks! Look!"
One of the light beams disappeared, while the other began to flash irregularly. Without further explanation, Kensi also flashed her lamp. Shortly afterwards, two light cones appeared and Deeks could hear running footsteps.
"Those are Callen and Sam. We keep moving, they will catch up with us yet." Kensi turned and went directly to the light source.
"We should wait for them, Kensi. It will only take a moment." Deeks was worried. "Mason is dangerous and certainly not alone. The four of us have a greater chance to catch him."
"We have to find him first, Deeks. Every moment we waste here because we wait, could provide his flight. Sam and Callen just have to hurry up."
Deeks gave up. Kensi would not wait and, as always, got her way. He could do no more than cover his partner's back.
Finally, they reached the end of the corridor. It ended in a small chamber in which a solitary lamp burned. On the wall opposite there were rungs that led up. Carefully both glanced upstairs. The rungs led out into the open, they could see blue sky.
"Okay, I'll go ahead and you will cover up for me." Without waiting for Deeks' response, Kensi climbed up the rungs.
She was already up a few rungs, as Deeks heard a noise behind him. He spun around at gunpoint, the rung ladder in his back. With a sigh of relief he put the weapon down again.
"You could probably not wait for us, Deeks, right?"
"You can try to slow down Kensi, Sam, if she sets her mind on something." Deeks pointed upward briefly. "I'll better follow her."
This time it was him, who did not wait for a response, but immediately acted.
…
Sweat was running over Joann's face. It was uncomfortably hot in the crawlspace. Nevertheless, she managed to breathe quietly and held the flashlight for Renko without trembling. Her colleague also worked perfectly calm and gave her only occasionally concise instructions. They had defused two of the bombs, three more lay ahead. Ray and Nate made more rapid progress. The blueprints, which Eric had emailed Ray, were very helpful. Joann and Renko, however, had to do without this help.
"Okay, I made it nearly...That's it. We can continue with the next, Jo." Renko sounded exhausted, but worked on undeterred.
Relieved to be able to move, Joann followed on all fours her colleague. "Ouch!" Quietly to herself cursing, Joann rubbed her head. An edge in the already low ceiling had collided with her forehead.
"You all right?"
"Yeah, Mike. That's just a bump."
"Well, here's the next."
"Again the same type?"
"Looks like it. Makes it easier for me."
"But don't become reckless, Mike."
Renko chuckled. "Absolutely not, Jo." Then he became serious again. "Well, please light me over there. Yes, exactly."
While Joann and Renko, both sweating, went on with their dangerous work in the crawlspace, Ray and Nate worked above them in a much cooler climate. They also had divided the tasks. Ray defused the small explosive devices, while Nate took the handouts.
"And again one less." For a moment, Ray's hands were trembling as he put aside separately detonator and explosives. "I need to be faster, otherwise we won't get them out in time. Then it is of little use if Jo and Renko defuse the building bombs."
"Above all, you have to keep calm, Ray. We'll cope with it. If you try to be faster, you only will make a mistake. Okay?"
Ray sighed. "Yeah, all right, Nate. Here's the next, let's go on."
…
Kensi carefully peered over the edge of the entrance, but could see nothing except nature. Slowly she got out, looked around vigilantly.
"All right, guys, you can come up."
She had not yet uttered, as Deeks was already beside her. Back to back, they secured the surrounding area until Sam and Callen were also up.
"Where did he go?" Deeks looked still around, but could not see or hear anyone.
In the meantime Kensi and Sam had turned their searching look to the ground.
"They went along over there. Three people. Probably men."
Kensi crouched down, looked at the track closely. "And they were in a hurry. They have gone very quickly, almost running." Kensi rose. "We must hurry. Come on, guys!" She ran off.
A quick glance between the three men, then they followed Kensi.
"Eric, can you hear us?"
"Yes, Callen, clearly and distinctly. We also have you on the screen again."
"We follow someone, probably Mason and two companions. Do the satellite images show you something?"
"Nell is just analyzing them. We have also sent a helicopter in your direction. There are men of Quinlan on board. They are also on the lookout. We get in touch with you as soon as we have discovered something."
"Got it, Eric. What about the ranch?"
"Thanks to the backup we almost have the situation under control. It certainly won't be long until then. However, there are still explosions. Renko and Ray defuse explosives in the barn with the server room. Joann and Nate support them."
"What do you know now about the charges, Eric?"
"The designs are different. Nell and I were able to identify some. Unfortunately, the triggers are also different. There are time fuses, motion sensors and wireless receivers. The latter we have most to worry because we don't know who triggers the signals and when."
Callen sighed. "With which triggers do Renko and Ray have to deal?"
"Wireless, Callen."
"I think the barn is shielded? How can the explosives have wireless triggers then?" Despite the high speed, Sam had followed the conversation.
Eric hesitated. "I don't know, Sam. I'll check that."
Sam and Callen exchanged a worried look before they got cracking to catch up Deeks and Kensi.
…
"This is the last one." Joann could not hide her relief. She was wet with sweat and the unnatural posture caused her muscle cramps at various places and back pain.
Renko was not much better. However, he forgot all complaints as soon as he focused on defusing. "You are released soon, Jo." He smiled weakly and then buckled down to work.
Above them, Ray worked with high pressure. Again and again Joann had told him how important it is for an agent to rely on his instinct. That told him now that their time was running out, even though Ray could not find a reason for this.
"Agent Wingate?"
Ray and Nate turned slowly to the incoming colleagues. "Yes?"
"I want you to deliver a message from Eric Beale: To trigger this radio-controlled explosive devices, the barn has a receiver on the roof. He can't see how the transfer functions precisely. However, Mr. Beale assumes that inside the building are transmitters, which are controlled by lines from the receiver on the roof. And I should tell you from Hetty that Mason is able to radio again. You and your colleagues are immediately to vacate the barn." The agent looked around uneasily. "We have already put out a safety zone around the building."
Ray nodded briefly. "Got it. See that you get out of here."
The man did not need to be told twice.
"Nate, inform Jo and Renko, then clear out."
"And what are you doing?"
"Continue as long as possible. The more I can defuse of these little buggers, the more data we can save."
Nate briefly scrutinized the young man, then went to the trapdoor in the crawlspace. "Jo? Renko? I have some news." He filled them in, and then went back to Ray.
"What are you still doing here, Nate? Get out!"
"No, Ray. If I am helping you, you will be faster. Don't discuss, but go on."
Ray growled something unintelligible under his breath, but did not try anymore to send Nate away.
"Jo, get out, I'll get it done on my own."
"Shut up, Mike, and move on." Joann hid her concerns behind a boyish manner.
…
"Over there!" Kensi pointed between the trees. She had discovered the targets.
"Kensi, Deeks, along there. Sam, let's go here." With scarce gestures Callen emphasized his instructions, which were followed without argument.
Extremely tense the four agents approached the suspect, who had throttled their movement speed and looked up again and again.
"Eric, what about our air support?"
"They are very close, Sam, and report a helicopter approaching your position. That's why they keep a low profile and watch it. Be careful."
"Roger that, Eric." Sam glanced at Callen who just nodded. "Kensi, Deeks?"
"All right, Sam."
"Callen, you approach a clearing that is large enough to land a helicopter. Quinlan's people think the helicopter directly headed for it."
"Got it." Callen looked at Sam. "We have to catch him before the helicopter is here."
He nodded. "Let's do it."
With top speed the NCIS agents approached the clearing. Unfortunately Deeks was not very natural fit and therefore did not manage to approach silently. The men in the clearing turned and shot immediately.
"You idiot!" Kensi hissed at Deeks as she took cover. "I've told you, you shan't stomp around as a herd rhinos!"
Deeks gritted his teeth, ignored her and was content to return fire.
Only moments later the helicopter appeared and also started to shell the agents.
"Eric, it's time that Quinlan's people show up!" Callen took aim at the pilot while his colleagues fired at the other men.
"We're already here, Agent Callen." About the clearing another helicopter appeared. The men opened fire at it.
Callen refocused on the men on the ground. The sight made him react immediately, "Eric! Jo and the others have to get out of the barn! Immediately! Mason holds a transmitter in his hand!"
…
"Joann?...Ray?...Give a shout!...Nate?...Renko?...Can anyone hear me?" Eric tried desperately to reach his colleagues. Although he received no reply, he did not give up. "Get out of the barn! Now! The bombs can go off at any moment!...Can someone give me an answer?"
While Eric tried to evacuate his colleagues from the danger zone, Nell stared at the satellite images of the operation. With horror she saw a corner of the barn explode. "No!" She quickly tapped on the keyboard and called for a closer shot.
Hetty stood waiting in the ops and observed the operation on the big screen. She seemed calm and expressionless as ever. With slightly raised eyebrow she looked at the debris of the barn.
"Nell? Eric?"
"I only receive noise, Hetty, but I'll keep trying." Eric called out gradually to all agents, but still got no answer.
"It just seems that only the corner of the building is affected. Ray and Renko must have defused the most bombs, otherwise the whole building would be collapsed." Nell again enlarged the image. "We don't have radio, but I can see men running around. Perhaps the explosion disturbed the radio contact."
"What about our people in the barn?"
Nell shook her head. "I can't recognize anybody exactly. I'm sorry."
"Can some of you guys at least contact me? Hello? Can anyone hear me?" Frustrated, Eric tapped on his keyboard, trying to establish contact with the task force again.
"Er...?...you...hea...! Somet...the…traffic! ... ric? We…ood! ...E...?"
"Please repeat! Radio traffic is disturbed!" As someone finally spoke up Eric's frustration turned to excitement.
…
"That's it! Let's see that we get out of here." Renko sounded relieved as he gave the explosives to Joann.
She carefully packed the material into the backpack and then made her way to the trapdoor. "I hope, Ray and Nate are also ready, so that we can clear out." Sweaty and dirty Joann got out of the crawlspace.
Renko carried the detonators and did not look less wrecked than Joann. "Ray, how far are you?"
"We have managed about three quarters of the servers." Ray sounded simultaneously tired and tense. "Our time is running out."
Renko looked at him with a frown. "How come?"
"I don't know, that's what my gut says."
Renko did not call that into question. "I'll help you. Joann, Nate, bring out the explosives and the detonators." With these words, he pressed the detonators in the psychologist's hand.
For a moment Joann pondered to protest, but then she refrained. "Sure. Come on, Nate."
The two agents had crossed about half of the soldiers' quarters, when a young fellow came in running.
"An urgent message from Eric Beale! You have to get out immediately!"
Without hesitation Joann thrusted the backpack into the hand of the astonished man, turned and ran back to the server room.
"Get out! Immediately! The bombs go off! Ray, Mike, get out! Now!"
The two men reacted immediately, dropped everything and ran after Joann to the exit of the barn.
The shock wave from the explosion tossed the agents forwards. For a brief moment there was no sound, then coughing interrupted the silence. Joann pulled herself to her knees and looked to her colleagues. Nate stood a few feet in front of her. Slowly the horror disappeared from his face and made room for relief.
"You good, Jo?"
Joann turned. Ray bobbed up behind her. With relief, she discovered Renko next to her partner.
"Yeah, what about you?"
"All's good." Ray was already standing and pulled Renko up.
"Me, too."
"That was pretty close." Nate stared at the cloud of dust that rose up at the other end of the building.
"Maybe you better give this to me." One of the bomb squad took the detonators from Nate. Another one was already holding the backpack in his hand. With relief, the young agent had passed it on.
"Eric?...Nell?...Hetty?...Can anyone hear us?" Joann was trying to reach the headquarters. "If someone can hear us, we are good...Eric?" She frowned. "G?...Sam?...Is anybody out there?...Kensi?...Marty?...Can anyone hear me?"
Joann looked questioningly at her colleagues, but only received head-shaking. Nobody reached the ops.
"Maybe the explosion has caused interferences to radio." Ray reached for his cell phone and wanted to dial Eric's number at headquarters. "I have no reception. What about you?" This time, he earned the head-shaking. "Okay, let's keep going."
The bomb squad took care of the barn while Joann got an overview
"Agent Quinlan! Always there when one needs help." Even though she knew practically nothing about the man, Joann trusted him. Because she also really liked him, her smile came from the heart. "Can you tell me something about the actual situation? I can't reach anybody at headquarters."
"Agent MacKenzie! At some point we have to meet without anybody shooting at us." He smiled. "Apparently the explosion has caused a interferences to radio communications. But that aside, we have the situation under control. Before the radio traffic has collapsed, my people have reported that Flynn Mason was found. There has been an exchange of fire and then the contact was gone."
Joann pulled herself together and pushed back her concerns. She could do for her colleagues just as little as Quinlan for his.
"What about steak and beer, when this is over?" Openly Joann smiled at her counterpart.
"It sounds fantastic. I'll call you." Quinlan's face was also openly.
Joann nodded. "Well, then let's try to bring order into this chaos and restore radio contact with headquarters."
Joann and Quinlan got sitreps of the agents and gave instructions. At the same time, they tried repeatedly to contact the headquarters and their own people.
"Can someone at least contact me? Hello? Can anyone hear me?"
"Eric? We can hear you! Something interferes the radio communication! Eric? We are good! Eric?"
Joann was relieved to hear Eric's voice. Unfortunately, it seemed that he could not hear her.
"Please repeat! The radio communication is interfered!"
"Eric, we know that! Can you hear me? Have you heard of G and the others? Eric?" For a moment Joann again only heard noise, but then Eric's voice came through loud and clear.
"Joann? Are you alright?"
"Yes, Eric. We're good. The explosion in the barn hasn't hurt anyone. Thanks to your warning we have been out fast enough. What about the others?"
"They are under attack by the helicopter, with which Mason tried to escape. Quinlan's people are there to support them. That's all I can tell you at the moment."
"Thank you, Eric. We have the situation on the ranch under control. We need ambulances and paramedics, and prisoners must be evacuated. Please take care for that, too."
"Of course, Joann, I'm at it."
…
Despite the exchange of fire Callen tried to reach the headquarters. "Eric, have you reached Jo? Are they out of the barn?" Instead of an answer, he only heard a noise in his ear. "Eric?...Nell?...Hetty?" Callen cast a questioning look at Sam and only got head-shaking. "Kensi, Deeks, can you reach the headquarters?" But he also did not get an answer from these two colleagues. Whatever Mason had done bothered to radio communications completely.
Mason and his bodyguards had barricaded themselves behind a thick clump of trees. Yet they received coverage from the helicopter, but more and more it came in distress by Quinlan's men. It was only a matter of time before Mason had to surrender and was shot. At that moment there was a loud bang and the engine of Mason's helicopter began to stutter. The pilot could not control his machine anymore and went into a spin. Screaming one of the men fell out of the open door. The helicopter side-slipped. Shortly thereafter, an explosion was heard and a huge pillar of fire appeared above the treetops.
The NCIS agents took advantage of this right away. Even without radio contact with each other, they were able to act organized and together. Determined they approached from two sides of the group of trees, backed by Quinlan's people. Despite strong opposition, they managed to checkmate the two bodyguards.
"Mason, give up! You have no chance!" Callen's voice showed his determination.
In response Mason fired at him. Thus, the ex-CIA had clearly expressed his position.
Sam and Callen exchange a quick glance, then both opened fire. Kensi, Deeks and the backup joined them. The exchange of fire did not last long. Silently, the agents stood before their dead opponent.
"I haven't imagined that this way." Kensi suddenly felt empty.
Deeks stared at the dead. "He's so old. Somehow I had expected him...I don't know, younger?"
"He has worked with Hetty. So he's hardly likely our age." Shaking his head, Sam looked over to Deeks.
Meanwhile Callen and Quinlan's radio operator tried to establish radio contact.
"Eric, report at me!...Nell, you can hear me?...Hetty?" Callen still only heard noise in his earwig.
"Agent Quinlan, come in please!...Agent Quinlan!...Sir?...Sir!...Yes, I can understand you... No, sir, no casualties, neither us nor the NCIS agents...Copy that, sir." The man turned to Callen. "Agent Quinlan wants you to know, that your team is uninjured."
Callen kept a straight face, despite his relief. "Thank you, Agent. What about your people?"
"We were also lucky. A few injuries, but no dead." The man threw a brief look at the bodies. "What now?"
"Back up everything. As soon as I reach the headquarters, I will send the coroner and forensics. We go back to the ranch."
"Copy that, sir."
Callen motioned to his colleagues and the four got marching.
…
Now the ranch was teeming with people: paramedics, forensic scientists, local police authorities, fire department and bomb squads. In addition, a team of computer technicians under the direction of Eric was on their way. They should take care of the server room. The radio communication was working again without any problems.
With relief, Joann looked at her incoming colleagues. "Good to have you back." Then she gave a status report and looked expecting at Callen.
He nodded. "All right." In a few words he told about Flynn Mason's fate afterwards.
After a moment of silence between the team members, Kensi spoke up. She sounded unusually hard.
"It's a good thing. Some expensive, resourceful lawyer would certainly negotiated a deal and Mason would again ran wild." Kensi glanced at Deeks. "Who knows with what he would come up again."
Joann refrained from any comment, but nodded vigorously. Kensi had spoken from the bottom of Joann's heart.
"Jo, Ray, when Eric arrives, you secure him and the other colleagues. We can't be certain that we have found all of Mason's men. Kensi, Renko, you will help them. Deeks, you're coming with us. Where's Nate?"
"He helps with the injured persons." Renko had recovered quickly from his surprise.
Before Callen could say something thereto, a helicopter approached.
"Eric?" Callen listened to his earwig. It crackled and rustled, then he could hear Eric's voice clearly understandable.
"Yes, Callen, I can hear you. We'll land at any moment."
"I know, we can see you. Joann will show you everything."
"Okay, Callen."
"And, Eric, if she or any other agent give an instruction to you and the other technicians, you will immediately do what is said to you. No discussion."
"Understood, Callen."
A slight smile played around Joann's lips. As if computer technicians ever did what they were told. They lived in their own world and ignored the rest. "We'll keep an eye on them, G."
"I know." Callen did not smile. The computer technicians who had just arrived, had no training for agents, but worked for NCIS because they were computer geniuses. Except Eric no one had field experience and his were small and certainly not undimmed. To herd cats would be probably easier. "Well, here goes."
