We're Wizards, Not Warriors: What If
Volume 5:
Chapter 6: Rescue Mission
Chewbacca sits on a bed in the med bay. Dr. Kalonia uses a device to help heal his shoulder.
Chewie talks to her in his usual groans.
Dr. Kalonia said, "that sounds very scary. You must be so brave."
Chewie agrees, trying to act all tough, which is saying a lot for a large creature like him.
Eda calls out, "stop flirting, Chewie! You're married for crying out loud!"
Chewie grumbled.
C3-P0 takes the data device from BB-8 and inserts it into the computer, which causes a map to appear.
"General, I regret to inform you, but this map recovered from BB-8 is only partially complete. And even worse, it matches no charted system on record. We simply do not have enough information to locate Master Luke", C3-P0 said.
Sam groaned, "ugh! Of course it couldn't be that easy to find our brother."
Leia said, "I can't believe we were so foolish to think that we could just find Luke and bring him home."
"Leia", Han said to his wife.
Leia said, "don't do that."
Han asked, "do what?"
She heads off as she says, "anything."
Flummoxed, Han looks at C3-P0.
C3-P0 says, "Princesses."
Han then walks after Leia.
"I'm trying to be helpful", Han said.
"When did that ever help? And don't say the Death Star", Leia said.
Sam sighed and then he felt a hand on his shoulder.
A familiar voice said, "they're the same as ever, aren't they?"
Sam smiled as he turned to see Ahsoka standing there.
Despite her age, she looked amazing for a woman in her late fifties.
"Yep, mother", Sam said.
Ahsoka chuckled and said, "and I heard Ani may have found someone as well?"
Sam said, "indeed. A girl with some connection to Bastilla Shan's lightsaber."
"Now that can't be just a coincidence", Ahsoka said.
Sam nodded and said, "with everything we've all been through, coincidence is something that just doesn't happen."
"You sound just like your father", Ahsoka said with a fond smile on her face.
Sam chuckled and said, "you say that a lot, mom."
Ahsoka ruffles Sam's hair as she chuckles.
Nearby, we see BB-8 as he rolls over and finds, under a dark and dusty tarp in a corner, R2-D2!
Lola flies over as she and BB-8 beep and pull off the tarp, trying to start a conversation. But R2 doesn't respond at all. BB-8 tries again. Nothing. Lola nudges R2. Nothing.
Lola and BB-8 Beeped.
"Lola, BB-8. You're wasting your time", C3-P0 said.
BB-8 and Lola look up at C3-P0, who stands there and says, "it is very doubtful that Artoo would have the rest of the map in his backup data."
BB-8 beeps a question.
C3-P0 said, "I am afraid not. Artoo Deetoo has been in low power mode ever since Master Luke went away. Sadly, he may never be his old self again."
Lola and BB-8 beep sadly.
….
Back with Han and Leia….
Leia turns as Han says softly, "listen to me, will you? I know every time you…. Every time you look at me, you're reminded of him."
"You think I want to forget him? I want him back", Leia said.
Han looks at her with sympathy and says, "there was nothing we could've done. There was too much Vader in him."
Leia said, "that's why I wanted him to train with Luke. With Ani and Collin there with him. I just never should have sent him away. That's when I lost him. That's when I lost you both."
"We both had to deal with it in our own way. I went back to the only thing I was ever good at", Han said.
Leia said, "we both did."
Han said, "we lost our son, forever."
Leia said, "no…. It was Malakis", Han takes this in as she continues, "he seduced our son to the dark side. But we can still save him. Me. You. Even Ani or Breha could get to him."
Han asked, "if Luke couldn't reach him, how could I?"
Leia said, "Luke is a Jedi…. You're his father. There's still good in him. I know it."
We then see Ani petting Terrance.
The large and very shaggy Wampa purred in joy.
"Dad told me you were so worried about me", Ani said.
Terrance whimpered slightly.
Ani smiled and kept petting Terrance.
Terrance purred some more.
"He's not the only one who missed you", Padme said.
Ani turned around to see his fathers walking over to him.
Prime was carrying in his arms a five year old girl.
This was Angela, Sam and Prime's daughter. A little Twi'lek girl. She had skin like Sam's, but had Prime's green eyes and head tails.
"Ani", Angela giggled.
Ani smiled and said, "hey there, Angie."
Ani kisses Angela's forehead.
Angela giggled in joy.
"Finn told us what happened on Jakku", Alastor said.
Ani nodded and said, "this mission has been a crazy one."
"And he told us you were really close to Rey", Sam said.
Ani blushed a deep red.
Padme said, "aww, you do like her?"
Ani blushed even harder.
Sam hugged his son close to him.
Ani gave a confused look.
"You have no idea how worried I and your fathers were…. When we heard Kylo Ren was after you", Sam said.
Ani said, "I'm sorry I worried you all. I wanted to help find Uncle Luke."
"It's not your fault Ani", Alastor said.
Ani said, "I tell ya, what scared me was seeing the First Order base try to destroy the New Republic."
"It's a good thing they didn't know about the shields that were installed on the planets and various others", Padme said.
The others nodded in agreement.
"The New Republic will go after the First Order and arrest them for what they did", Sam said.
"That's good news", Collin said.
"But we need to figure out how to destroy Starkiller base", Padme said.
Ani said, "that's where Finn comes in."
….
Meanwhile on Starkiller base….
Rey wakes up, disoriented. She is in an angled, upright restraining rig. She looks over, startled to see Kylo Ren, mask in place, standing there.
Rey asked, "where am I?"
Kylo replied, "... you're my guest."
Rey asked, "where are the others? Where's Breha? Where's Ani?!"
"You mean the murderers, traitors and thieves you call friends? You'll be relieved to hear that I have no idea", Kylo Ren said, "although if I know Anakin well…. He'll be here soon."
Rey studies him. She's fearful…. But curious.
Kylo Ren continues, "you still want to kill me."
Rey said, "that happens when you're being hunted by a creature in a mask."
Kylo Ren stops, considers her…. Then reaches up, unlatches and removes his mask. Rey reacts, stunned. It takes a moment before she regains her own mask of defiance.
Kylo Ren said, "tell me about the droid."
Rey is nervous, but replies, "he's a BB unit with a selenium drive and a thermal hyperscan vindicator-"
Kylo Ren interrupts, "he's carrying a section of a navigational chart. We have the rest, recovered from archives of the Empire. We need the last piece. And somehow, you convinced the droid and Anakin to show it to you. You. A simple scavenger?"
Rey looks scared.
"You know I can take whatever I want", Kylo Ren said.
Trepidation flashes across Rey's eyes. Kylo Ren moves closer, his hand rising toward her. She recoils, but has nowhere to go. They're both surprised. They react to a feeling that passes between them, an energy they recognize in each other.
….
Back at the base, Ani feels something as he holds a sleepy Angela.
Collin senses something as well.
As do the other Jedi in the area.
They sense Kylo Ren.
But also something else.
Ani mutters, "Rey?"
Sam whispers, "something has awakened."
….
And then it's gone. Adversaries again. Rey can't move, and quietly strains in agony, trying to resist Ren's probing.
Kylo Ren said, "... You're so lonely…. So afraid to leave…."
"At night, desperate to sleep…. You imagine an ocean. I see it- I see the island….", Kylo Ren said.
Tears stream down Rey's face as she resists. She tries to break free, but can't budge.
Kylo Ren continues, "and Han Solo…. You feel like he's the father you never had. He would've disappointed you."
Rey continues to struggle.
Kylo Ren said, "and Ani…. You both feel something for one another. Even after only a few days…. "
His hand still on her face, her eyes blaze through the agony.
Rey yelled, "get out of my head!"
"I know you've seen the map. It's in there…. And now you'll give it to me", Kylo Ren said.
Rey closes her eyes tightly.
Kylo Ren said, "don't be afraid. I feel it too."
Where her strength comes from, she doesn't know, but Rey says, "I'm not giving you anything."
Kylo Ren said, "we'll see…."
He peers into her eyes intensely. She meets his gaze.
Despite the pain, she feels a surge of strength enter her.
Ren's confidence goes away as he sees Rey resist.
He has slammed up against a barrier in her mind. He looks less certain by the moment as Rey seems to grow in strength. The ferocity of confrontation builds until it hits critical mass.
And Rey does the unthinkable! She enters his head, amazed by what she sees!
Rey growls, "... You…. You're afraid…. That you will never be as strong as…. Darth Vader!"
Kylo Ren quickly withdraws his hand from her face, as if it were fire hot. He takes a step back, confused and rattled. Rey's body is released, she breathes deeply, exhausted from the whole thing, her powerful eyes still on Kylo Ren, who starts to leave.
….
Malakis shouted, "this scavenger, resisted you?"
Kylo Ren said, "she's strong with the Force, untrained but stronger than she knows. And I'm certain that Anakin J Skywalker knows of this now!"
And while Ren's mind no doubt goes to Luke and Ani, Malakis asks, "and the droid?"
"Ren believed it was no longer valuable to us", Hux said as he walked into the room.
Kylo Ren turns back, seeing Hux enter the large space and move to the platform beside him.
Hux continues, "that the girl was all we needed. As a result, the droid has most likely been returned to the hands of the enemy. They may have the map already. I tried to interrogate the other girl, but…."
He held up his hand to show a bite on it.
Hux finished, "she bites."
"Breha is a fiesty girl…. I know it", Kylo Ren said.
Malakis growled, "then the Resistance must be destroyed before they get to Luke Skywalker. Especially his brother, who would benefit from finding him!"
Hux said, "we have their location. We tracked their reconnaissance ship to the Ileenium system."
Malakis said, "good. Then we will crush them once and for all. Prepare the weapon…. If it'll actually work this time…."
"It will work this time, I swear", Hux said.
Kylo Ren is stunned by the moment and says, "Supreme Leader. I can get the map from the girl. I just need your guidance."
Malakis said, "if what you say about this girl is true, bring her to me. And in doing so, Sam Skywalker's spawn will fall into our hands."
….
We then see Rey trying to find her way out of the restraints. She had to find Breha! She had to escape!
She is flooded with emotions, feeling her potential, her strength, that in this moment of being restrained, perhaps anything is possible. She turns to the Scout guard. Studies him for an intense beat.
Then she says, "you will remove these restraints. And leave this cell, with the door open."
The Scout guard looks at her and asks, "what did you say?"
Rey feels her strength go down a bit, but her eyes stay trained on him. She shifts in her seat, her confidence wavering, but she repeats, "you will remove these restraints. And leave this cell, with the door open."
"I'll tighten those restraints, scavenger scum", the Scout guard said.
….
Kylo Ren, masked, rounds a corner, heading towards Rey's cell.
….
Rey stares intently at the Scout and slowly calms herself and tries again with whatever strength she has left.
Rey said, "you will remove these restraints. And leave this cell, with the door open."
The Scout pauses for a moment before saying, "I will remove these restraints. And leave this cell, with the door open."
The Scout removes the restraints, he then turns and heads towards the door.
Rey is in shock, then tries, quickly, "and you will drop your weapon."
The Scout Guard says, "and I'll drop my weapon."
The Scout Guard drops his weapon without turning back.
Rey hears the gun fall. She's incredulous. The guard has left the cell with the door open!
Rey, in absolute disbelief, quickly gets out of the rig, but almost falls down, as she feels exhausted. She pushes through it as she runs across the room to the weapon.
Rey whispered, "gotta find Breha, but where could she be?"
She closed her eyes and tried to focus. Slowly, she sensed it!
Or rather, her!
Rey then began to sneak her way down the hall.
….
Moments later, Kylo Ren enters the cell.
He takes in the empty cell, and immediately understands what has happened.
He grows enraged!
Kylo Ren yelled, "NO!"
In his unbridled anger, he rips out his saber and….
….
…. We see the empty corridor, toward the cell, but only hear the horrible sounds. Destruction and yelling. A few pieces of red hot debris bounce into the corridor.
Two Scouts who were crossing at the far end of the hall, stop to watch this display of pure fury. They retreat, and fast.
….
We then see the control room of the base.
"Begin charging the weapon", Hux said.
A technician says, "yes, sir. Weapon charging."
A vast view of the planet, a massive solarvac array surrounds a port ten miles in diameter.
Millions of panels turn on the array, a wave of brilliant reflections. Suddenly, like a planetary-scale tesla coil line of energy, the power of the sun begins to travel down to the Starkiller Base planet.
….
Rey arrives at what she assumes is Breha's cell.
Rey looks around first and then she uses her blaster to open the door.
Breha jumps out the door, yelling, "come on, I'll take all of you nerf herders on!"
"Breha, it's me", Rey said.
Breha said, "Rey? How did- nevermind. We gotta get the Hell outta here before Ren finds us!"
"Don't even mention it", Rey said.
The pair then began looking for a way out of this place….
….
Finn, now within the inner circle of the Resistance, is huddled with the group around the map table, which displays an airframe hologram of a rolling view of the surface of StarKiller Base.
With Finn are Han, Sam, Leia, Collin, King, Eda, Ani, Ahsoka, Alastor, Prime, Polly, Poe, Jesse, Padme, C3-P0, Statura, Lola, Ackbar, Brance, Snap, Major Ematt, Nien Nunb, and others. An urgent, messy strategy session.
"The scan data from Snap's reconnaissance flight confirms Finn's report", Poe said.
"They've somehow created a hyper lightspeed weapon built within the planet itself", Snap said.
Brance asked, "a laser cannon?"
Snap said, "we're not sure how to describe a weapon of this scale."
Major Ematt experiences horrible memories as they say, "it's another Death Star."
Poe said, "I wish that were the case, Major."
A wireframe of the Death Star appears.
"This was the Death Star", Poe said.
Poe hits another control and Starkiller base appears, showing how much larger it is in size when compared to the Death Star.
"And this is Starkiller base", Poe said.
King said, "it's way worse!"
This is news to many here, and they're stunned.
Han tries to calm everyone and says, "so it's big."
Eda mutters, "that's what she said."
Admiral Ackbar asked, "how is it possible to power a weapon of that size?"
"It uses the power of the sun. As the weapon is charged, the sun is drained until it disappears", Finn explained.
Ani said, "that can't be anywhere near good."
An officer runs up and hands Leia a datacard.
As Leia eyes the datacard, she says, "the First Order…. They're charging the weapon again, now…. Our system is the next target."
Everyone gasps.
Sam said, "kriff! We haven't made a shield for this planet yet!"
C3-P0 says, "oh my. Without the Republic fleet, we're doomed."
Jesse said, "thank you Captain Obvious!"
C3-P0 said, "you're welcome, Sir."
Jesse face-palmed.
Han asked, "okay, how do we blow it up?"
All eyes are on him.
Han said, "there's always a way to do that."
Leia, rallying them, says, "Han's right."
Han is surprised.
"In order for that amount of power to be contained, that base would need some kind of thermal oscillator….", Admiral Statura said.
"There is one", Finn said.
All eyes on Finn as he moves around the hologram to a location on the Starkiller Base; it is zoomed in a giant black hexagonal structure.
"Precinct 47. Here", Finn said.
Admiral Statura hypothesizes, "if we can destroy that oscillator, it might de-stabilize the core and cripple the weapon."
Major Ematt said, "... Maybe the planet."
Ani said, "thus removing the threat to any other unprotected planets in the galaxy."
Poe then tries to bolster spirits, looking at the big structure: the Oscillator as he says, "we'll go in there and we'll hit that oscillator with everything we got."
"They have defensive shields that our ships cannot penetrate", Admiral Ackbar said.
Han said to Finn, "we'll disable the shields. Kid you worked there,What do you got?"
"I can do it", Finn said.
"I like this guy", Han said.
Finn said, "I can disable the shields. But I have to be there, on the planet-"
Han said, "we'll get you there."
Leia asked, "Han, how?"
Eda said, "if we told you, you wouldn't like it."
Ani said, "I don't care how, but I'm going with you."
Poe said, "so we disable the shields, take out the oscillator and we blow up their big gun. All right. Let's go!"
Padme said, "I could use a good flight!"
Lola beeped as she was on Ani's shoulder.
Then, everyone splits.
….
Outside of the base, the Resistance fleet prepares for its mission.
Pilots inspect crafts, including Snap, Nien Nunb, Padme, and Poe at his black-marked X-wing.
Mechanics make adjustments as Crews fuel the jets. Ground controllers move ships into takeoff formation. Pilots prepare their ships, including BB-8, who is pulled into Poe's black X-wing.
Chewie and Finn follow Han's orders as they prepare the Falcon for one more daring run, maybe its last.
"Chewie, check that donal capitator. Come on. Let's go. Finn, be careful with those; they're explosives", Han warned.
"Now you tell me", Finn said.
"No matter how much we fought, I've always hated watching you leave", Leia said.
Han looks over to see Leia.
Han said, "that's why I did it. So you'd miss me."
She laughs and moves up close to him.
Ani smiles as he sees the exchange from afar.
Leia said, "I did miss you."
He looks at her and says sweetly, "it wasn't all bad, was it? Huh? Some of it was…. Good."
Leia said, "... Pretty good."
"Some things never change", Han said.
"True you still drive me crazy", Leia said as she smiled.
Han places his hands on her shoulders. They both know there's a good chance he won't make it back. They pull each other tight, holding for dear life.
"If you see our son again, bring him home", Leia said.
Han said, "I will…. I'll bring him and Breha home…."
….
Back at StarKiller Base….
A Scout informs Kylo Ren, "sir, sensors triggered in hangar 718. We're searching the area."
Kylo Ren said, "she's just beginning to test her powers. The longer it takes to find her, the more dangerous she becomes, and the less taxing it will be on her."
Kylo Ren exits….
….
Rey and Breha look nervous as they turn around a corner.
They run down a long, glossy hall, taking cover in an alcove, the Scout Guard's rifle held tightly in Breha's grasp.
….
The Falcon screams as it flies through lightspeed.
Finn, Han, Chewie, Eda and Ani are all in the cockpit, with BB-8, King and Lola slipping in behind them.
Finn asked, "how are we getting in?"
"Their shields have a fractional refresh rate. Keeps anything traveling slower than lightspeed from getting through", Han said.
Finn is suddenly filled with dread as he says, "we're gonna make our landing approach at lightspeed?!
Chewie, thinking it's crazy too, groans.
Eda yells, "Hell yes we are!"
Ani said, "if you weren't an amazing pilot, I would be freaking out right now!"
"Alright Chewie, get ready", Han said.
Chewie groans that he's ready. Han studies the panel indicators.
Han said, "and Now!"
Chewie and Han hit the switches.
The Falcon's environment shifts instantly from lightspeed to the planet's atmosphere! It's suddenly flying 100 feet above the snowy, rocky ground, headed for a thick forest!
Chewie groans loudly in fear.
Han yelled, "I am pulling up!"
King yelled, "then pull up harder!"
Eda yelled, "that's what she said!"
"Look out", Ani shouted.
The Falcon is heading towards the snow.
But the Falcon has no time, it plows through the trees! It then rises, with alarms blaring as the ship slams through a number of branches, and shoots towards the sky! Han does his best to steer, Chewie groans, as the others hold on for dear life.
In the madness Han yells, "I get any higher, they'll see us!"
The ship dives again, back into the trees!
The Millenium Falcon hurdles out of the forest! From an eruption of branches and pine, the ship dives, slamming into the snow.
It digs through a thousand yards of snow until it finally comes to a stop, half buried in the snow!
Ani groans, "ugh, another happy landing!"
Lola beeped in agreement.
….
Inside the base….
"Sir they were not found in hangar 718. But all scouts are on alert", an officer said.
Kylo Ren said, "put every hangar on lock-down. She's going to try to steal a ship to-"
Suddenly, Kylo senses something. Something familiar.
He almost whispers the names.
"Han Solo…. Anakin…."
….
We then see the group outside in the snow sneaking towards the base.
Eda carried King on her shoulders so he wouldn't sink into the snow.
The group takes cover behind a base structure. Chewie carries a black duffel of explosives.
Finn said, "the flooding tunnels are over that ridge. We'll get in that way."
Ani said, "it pays to have a man who was on the inside."
Han asked, "what was your job here on the base?"
Finn said, "sanitation."
Ani double takes, "uh, come again?!"
Han asked, "sanitation?"
Eda asked, "then how the Hell do you know how to disable the shields?"
Finn said, "I don't. I'm just here to get Breha and Rey."
Ani said, "woah, woah, woah! Finn, I wanna save Rey and my cousin as much as you do, maybe even more, but we've gotta stop the First Order from destroying everything!"
"Anakin's right, people are counting on us! The galaxy is counting on us", Han said.
"Solo, we'll figure it out! We'll use the Force", Finn said.
The whole group says, "that's not how the Force works!"
Chewie groans, making Han ask, "oh really, you're cold?"
"Just come on", Finn said.
They follow Finn on the snowy hike. On the horizon, the Laser siphon shoots into the sky, slowly sucking the sun dry.
….
We see technicians at work, the sun sucking seen in the window behind him.
"Report", Hux said.
"Weapon charged in fifteen minutes, sir", a First Order officer said.
….
In a corridor, a Scout waits to board a Transport Compartment. The door whooshes open, and Ani and the others are there!
The Scout said, "hey!"
He fumbles for his blaster but Chewie shoots first. The Scout flies back, dead.
"Nice shot Chewie", Ani said.
Chewie lets out a small roar as he drags the scout's body out of sight. Han and Finn peer around a corner, wary.
Han asked, "the longer we're here, the less luck we're going to have. The shields?"
Finn said, "I have an idea about that."
Han and the others follow Finn.
Ani whispered, "hold on Rey, we're coming!"
….
Captain Phasma heads down a corridor. Suddenly, Phasma is T-bonded hard and fast and shoved out of frame by Chewie!
He puts his arms around Phasma, forcing her to face Finn, who holds his blaster on his former captain.
Han and Eda stand behind Finn.
Ani has his saber ready to activate.
With King and Lola next to him.
Finn asked, "remember me?"
"FN-2187", Captain Phasma said coldly.
"Not anymore. The name's Finn, and I'm in charge. I'm in charge now, Phasma. I'm in charge", Finn said.
Han said, "bring it down. Bring it down."
Eda said, "no, bring it up! Heh."
Finn said, "follow me."
Finn smiles as they lead Phasma away.
….
We then see Rey and Breha as they walk down a corridor.
They run down a long, glossy hall, taking cover in an alcove.
The two held their blasters tight in their hands.
From this alcove, they can see down another long, perpendicular walkway. On one side of it, a stone and steel wall. On the other side, a vast atrium, with a railing-free drop off, the white pill-light design descending hundreds of feet.
At the end of this walkway is an open hangar door, revealing hundreds of TIE fighters parked outside.
Their plan is clear. But the problem: between them and the ship they want to steal, is a group of Scouts having a conversation.
As Rey and Breha try to think of a way to get past them, at the end of the walkway, the door opens and more scouts come walking towards them.
Breha muttered, "crap baskets…."
"I have an idea", Rey whispered.
Breha whispered, "I'm all ears!"
….
A few minutes later….
"I can't believe I agreed to this", Breha muttered.
Both she and Rey were climbing down the Alcove.
Rey whispered, "just don't look down."
"I'll try my best", Breha whispered.
The two continued to climb down.
"Over there", Rey said as she pointed to the hatch.
Breha whispered, "phew, thank the force."
The two carefully climb over to the Hatch and open it.
The two then go inside it.
A remarkable image is seen, inside are the inner workings of the base.
The girls look tiny by comparison. They both climb amid the incredible infrastructure, a single drop to infinity beneath them. They are between the light source and the white pill shapes, as they make their way across the gigantic infrastructure.
The Scouts are walking by. What they cannot see is the shadowed silhouette of Rey and Breha against the endless white pill lights as they climb across the space beneath them toward their exit!
….
In the control access point….
Phasma sits in front of a workstation.
Eda, King, Finn, Han and Chewie have their blasters aimed at her.
Ani has his lightsaber in clear view for her to see. Phasma reluctantly works controls on the workstation.
Finn said, "you want me to blast that bucket off your head? Lower the shields."
Phasma growled, "you're making a big mistake."
Ani activates his saber and speaks in a threatening voice, "dew it."
Phasma hits a few more buttons and on the screen appears the words; "SHIELDS DISABLE INITIATE."
"Solo, if this works, we're not going to have a lot of time to find Breha or Rey", Finn said.
Ani added, "and we aren't leaving without them. We've come too far to lose them now."
Han said, "don't worry guys, we won't leave here without them."
The controls beep and click.
"SHIELDS DISABLED."
Phamsa says, "you can't be so stupid as to think this will be easy. My troops will storm this block and kill you all."
Finn walks over to her and points his blaster at her head.
Finn asked, "I disagree. What do we do with her?"
Han asked, "is there a garbage chute?"
Eda asked, "or a Trash compactor?"
Finn said, "yeah, there is…."
Finn and Ani grow big malicious grins on their faces as you can hear Phasma gulp.
….
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SuperSentai199: I like it too.
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