Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers, The Owl House or their characters
"Optimus Prime?!" Starscream asked astonishingly, still aiming his wrist missiles at Orion Pax.
"Please, I mean no harm." Orion said in an reassuring tone.
"Oh?! Then, what are you doing here?!" Starscream questioned, unconvinced.
"Research, for Lord Megatron." Orion answered.
"Is this… some kind of joke?" Starscream asked as he started to get confused.
"I do not understand." Orion said, which was more than enough to make Starscream lower his weapons. "And why did you call me Optimus Prime?"
"Eh, why wouldn't I?" Starscream asked.
"Because my name is Orion Pax. I am far from being a Prime." Orion replied.
Starscream then noticed the Decepticon symbol on Orion's shoulder, making him realise that the former Autobot leader wasn't himself.
"You reminded me of someone I once knew. That's all." Starscream admitted.
"You are Starscream." Orion said, finally recognising him.
"Yes." Starscream replied.
"Lord Megatron told me you had been terminated." Orion told him.
"Lord Megatron says many things, only some of which are true." Starscream told him while smirking a little bit.
"You… do not suggest that our leader would speak falsehoods?" Orion asked uncertainly, making Starscream laugh out loud in response.
"You truly are being kept in the dark, aren't you?" Starscream asked with a humorous smile.
"You speak in many riddles, Starscream. Please, tell me what it is that you know." Orion insisted, approaching the former air commander to hear more.
"And in return-" Starscream began to say, only for the doors to open and reveal some Vehicons on the other side as they aimed their blasters at him.
"Starscream, surrender!" One of the Vehicons ordered.
Starscream immediately got frightened and he got behind Orion for cover.
"Hold your fire!" Orion ordered.
Starscream then jumped up and transformed into his jet form before flying away down the corridor.
"Remain the the lab." A Vehicon instructed to Orion.
"But I-" Orion said.
"Lord Megatron's orders." The Vehicon interrupted before he pressed a button and made the doors shut, transforming into his aerial vehicle mode and chasing Starscream.
Starscream blasted two Vehicons in front of him and he kept flying for the nearest exit, while the Vehicon behind him was in high pursuit. Thinking quickly, Starscream transformed and stood ontop of the Vehicon before shooting him multiple times, making him crash against the floor while he transformed once again. Starscream fired a missile at an exit ahead of him and it blew right open, allowing him to fly out of the Nemesis. All of the turrets began firing at Starscream and he quickly flew down the Nemesis to avoid them, but one shot managed to hit him in the thruster and make it explode. Starscream yelled in pain as he began crashing down to Earth's surface.
(Linebreak)
In the Autobot base, Ratchet, Hunter and Vee were preparing to test if the upgraded Ground Bridge would work as they had a remote-controlled toy car as their test subject.
"Hunter, Vee, is the test subject ready?" Ratchet asked.
"It sure is." Hunter answered, placing the car on the ground.
"Long-range GPS has been activated." Vee informed while holding the controls.
"I have doubts wether my recalibrations have successfully extended Ground Bridge range, but there is only one way to find out." Ratchet said before switching the Ground Bridge on.
Vee used her controller to make the toy car drive straight into the swirling vortex, while Hunter and Ratchet watched anxiously.
"Come on." Ratchet muttered.
Just when the car was about to full enter the Ground Bridge, it began sparking out electricity and exploded into pieces. Vee and Hunter looked on in sadness, while Ratchet sighed in disappointment before heading to the main console.
"It's alright. It was only the first test." Vee said assuringly, trying not to have Ratchet give up.
"No, Vee, it was pure folly. A misguided act of desperation. It takes eons to master Space Bridge technology, and no one is more accomplished than the Decepticons." Ratchet said depressingly.
Vee was about to walk up to Ratchet and say something, but Hunter simply grabbed her by the shoulder and shook his head before taking her place.
"Ratchet, I can understand how you're feeling right now." Hunter admitted.
"What?" Ratchet questioned, confused and interested.
"You're feeling like you've let down Optimus. That you've become a failure today. Well, I've felt that way as well." Hunter explained as he looked down. "Back when I was the Golden Guard in the Emperor's Coven, I was always trying to earn Belos' approval and show him that I could be great at everything. But no matter what, he never gave me respect or praise for my work. Sometimes, I felt like a failure and that I never did good at anything. Mainly because I wasn't able to use magic. But, that all changed when I got to help Luz and the others with stopping Belos on the day of Unity. They didn't say I was a failure, and I felt like I was with people who thought I was great. What I'm saying is that you shouldn't let yourself down just because it seems hopeless. We still have time to find way."
"I'll… keep your words in mind, Hunter." Ratchet replied in a soft tone, turning back to the console.
"Okay, we'll give you some alone time." Vee told him before she and Hunter walked away.
"Optimus, I am so sorry." Ratchet whispered.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile, Megatron entered Orion's workstation after hearing about the incident with Starscream earlier.
"Orion, I'm so sorry for the recent commotion. You weren't in any way harmed, were you?" Megatron asked.
"No, Lord Megatron." Orion replied. "But why did you tell me Starscream was dead?"
"Because he is dead to our cause. Starscream was my most trusted lieutenant, until he turned traitor and joined the Autobots." Megatron explained. "Never have I witnessed a more profound act of deceit. He did not do or say anything troubling to you?"
"No." Orion said.
"Good. Perhaps it's best to forget the entire incident and return to your project." Megatron instructed as he started to leave.
"As you wish, my lord." Orion replied.
Once the doors closed behind him, Megatron gritted his teeth in anger as he walked up to Soundwave, Thundercracker and Skywarp.
"How was it, my liege?" Thundercracker asked.
"Orion was never very adept at the art of deception. I made a mistake not terminating Starscream when I had the opportunity." Megatron said while scowling. "A mistake I do not intend to make again!"
"Thundercracker and I can still go out and search for him so we can bring that turncoat back here." Skywarp told him. "You'll be able to snuff out his Spark and decide which of us shall be your new air commander."
"I shall decide what is to be done, Skywarp." Megatron replied sternly, making both Seekers a little bit intimidated.
(Linebreak)
Back in the Autobot base, Bulkhead and Wheeljack drove out of the Ground Bridge and transformed before approaching Ratchet.
"No sign of Energon spikes." Bulkhead admitted.
"Have any of the others found the Space Bridge?" Wheeljack asked hopefully.
"They haven't yet reported back." Ratchet said, still sounding a little depressed.
"Ratchet, are you alright?" Bulkhead asked in concern.
"Hmm? Yes. Yes, let's just get you two to the next quadrant." Ratchet replied.
But then, the main console began to beep lightly and Ratchet approached it to see what the cause was.
"What is it?" Wheeljack asked.
"A high frequency signal. With an embedded message." Ratchet answered. "For me."
"Optimus?" Bulkhead questioned.
Ratchet then pressed on the main console and saw who the messenger really was.
"Starscream." Ratchet said, slightly surprised.
"Well, that's just perfect." Wheeljack said in sarcasm. "What does that Con turncoat want?"
"I have obtained information regarding your leader." Ratchet explained as he read the message. "Bring medical kit. Come alone."
The three Autobots thought that this was most likely a trap, but they needed to know if they had any chance of getting Optimus back.
(Linebreak)
The moon was shining over a large forest as Starscream was seen laying against a giant rock with Energon leaking from leg, panting a little bit. He then saw a Ground Bridge appear in front of him and emerging from it was Ratchet, Bulkhead and Wheeljack.
"I told you to come alone!" Starscream stated.
"And since when do we listen to you?" Bulkhead asked rhetorically, bringing out his wrecking ball while Wheeljack got his swords.
"Where is Optimus?" Ratchet questioned, getting straight to the point.
"Patch me up and perhaps I'll tell you." Starscream said.
The three Autobots only looked at each other with unconvinced expressions, making Starscream growl in annoyance.
"Have sympathy. I'm leaking here." Starscream proclaimed.
"Then I suggest you speak quickly." Ratchet replied firmly as he marched up to him. "Has Optimus been harmed, in any way?"
"He's fine. Fine. Can't you see I'm the one who's been harmed?" Starscream asked rhetorically.
"Where is he?!" Wheeljack demanded.
"Where do you think?! He's on the Nemesis!" Starscream stated in frustration.
"Which is located where?" Ratchet asked with a glare.
"Hehe, now? Who knows? It's a ship. It moves." Starscream reminded. "It took me days to track, only to get fired upon."
"You wouldn't go to the trouble of calling me here unless you had information to trade. Real information." Ratchet told him sternly, making Starscream sigh in defeat.
"Very well. Your beloved leader may have lost his senses. He goes by the name Orion Pax now, and it seems Megatron has led him to believe he's a Decepticon." Starscream explained.
However, all this did was make Bulkhead chuckle.
"Tell us something we don't know." The dark-green Wrecker replied.
"What?! How could you possibly know that?!" Starscream asked in shock.
"We're wasting our time." Ratchet told the Wreckers before they began to walk back to the Ground Bridge.
"Wait, that's all I have! Really! You can't just leave me like this!" Starscream said beggingly.
"Unless you know where Megatron's hiding his Space Bridge, you can stay here and rust." Wheeljack retorted, making the former air commander gasp in surprise.
"Space Bridge?" Starscream repeated. "Do you mean to tell me that actually finished building it without my supervision?!"
Hearing this made the Autobots look at each other as they realised Starscream knew where the Space Bridge was, while the former air commander laughed a bit.
"It hurts most right here, doctor." Starscream told Ratchet.
(Linebreak)
At the Autobot base, Team Prime, the Hexside Squad, Fowler and Camila were gathered in the main room as Ratchet displayed a Decepticon symbol on the main console's worldwide map.
"The Decepticon Space Bridge is located right here, deep within an Energon mine." Ratchet informed.
"Adjacent to a raw fuel supply. Clever." Cliffjumper said.
"What's our intel?" Arcee asked.
"A… reliable source." Ratchet answered simply, much to Arcee's suspicion. "So, do we have a consensus?"
"I just have one question." Camila said, putting her hand up. "Can organic beings breath on your planet?"
"That's what I'd like to know. Just because the Boiling Isles was an oxygen-rich place, doesn't mean every world is." Luz admitted.
"I'll hook you up, kid." Fowler assured, making both Nocedas look at him. "Completely state of the art. I still have connections at NASA."
"If you say so." Camila replied.
"But… I'm not sure I should be doing this." Luz said, looking down depressingly as she thought back to everything that happened in the Boiling Isles. "I've not done a lot of good things in the past. I'm pretty much the reason my friends got stuck in the Human Realm. Vector Sigma might not even think I'm worthy."
"Luz, that's not true." Amity replied, holding her girlfriend's hands. "You've done a lot of good things ever since you came to the Boiling Isles, remember? You managed to help me be a better person and now we're a thing."
"You helped me realise that I can be strong and good at the things I really enjoy doing." Willow said with a smile.
"Thanks to you, I learned how to stand up for myself and become greater with my magic." Gus commented.
"If it weren't for you, Luz, I'd still be in the Emperor's Coven as the Golden Guard and Belos would've probably disposed of me on the Day of Unity." Hunter admitted, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment.
"And you let me become a part of your family. I'm happy to have a sister like you, even if I'm adopted." Vee said kindly. "None of us can get Optimus back to his old self, it's you. We all know you have what it takes."
"You may be the only one who can do this, Luz." Arcee told her Human partner. "But I don't want you to think for a moment that I'll allow you to travel unchaperoned."
"Optimus chose you for a reason, Luz. And all of those points may be those exact reasons." Ratchet added.
Luz was very touched by what her friends had just said about her, causing her to reflect on all the good things she did in the Boiling Isles instead of the bad things for once. After so much thinking, she turned to her friends with a smile.
"I'll do it. For Optimus." Luz said with determination in her eyes, making her mother and friends smile happily in response.
(Linebreak)
On the Nemesis, Orion was preparing to type something different on his terminal.
"Okay, Optimus Prime." Orion said to himself before typing on the terminal, making an image of a large Cybertronian appear. "Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobot invaders. I reminded Starscream of him. And Lord Megatron said Ratchet was the Autobot leader. Someone is not telling the truth."
(Linebreak)
Back at base, Ratchet began explaining the plan on how to acquire the Decepticon Space Bridge.
"We will Ground Bridge directly into the Energon mine and make our way to the Space Bridge chamber, neutralising any Decepticon forces we encounter." Ratchet explained. "Once we secure the Space Bridge, we'll send for Luz."
Camila and Amity placed their hands on Luz's shoulders to comfort her.
"Stealth must be an absolute priority." Ratchet continued. "We will most certainly be outnumbered, and if any Decepticon should transmit an alert to the Nemesis…"
"The odds become four hundred to one." Wheeljack finished.
"Scrambling communications upon entry will certainly provide an edge in this regard." Ratchet said while holding a device.
"Taking the Bridge is the easy part. We need to hold it long enough for Luz and Arcee to get to Cybertron and back." Jazz told his teammates.
"Hunter managed to choose the right path and feel accepted. We can do this." Ratchet replied, making Hunter smile at him.
"What does any of that have to do with this?" Gus asked confusingly.
"And if Luz is gonna be part of this mission, then the three of us want to come with." Willow declared, gesturing to herself, Amity and Gus. "We'll help the rest of you guard that Space Bridge."
"And we don't wanna take no for an answer just because it isn't safe. We've braved a lot of things before and we're not afraid to battle whatever comes our way for that Bridge." Amity said firmly.
"Well, if you three want to help out that badly." Cliffjumper said, shrugging in defeat.
"You can join us when we've gotten that Space Bridge." Bulkhead added.
"What about us?" Vee asked as she mentioned to herself and Hunter.
"We will need you two to operate our Ground Bridge and manage the communications hub." Ratchet instructed.
"Whatever you say, Ratchet." Hunter replied.
"And Mrs Noceda will stand by in case of emergency." Ratchet added, earning a nod from Camila."
"Kid, it's time to suit up." Fowler told Luz.
(Linebreak)
Inside the Energon mine, the Autobots emerged from the Ground Bridge and they had their weapons drawn out for any Decepticons that would be inside.
"Clear." Bulkhead said.
"Clear." Jazz added.
"Clear." Arcee finished.
"Let's do this." Cliffjumper told the others before they all rushed into the mine entrance.
Two Vehicons were seen next to a drilling machine and everything was quiet to them, until Arcee landed in front of one Vehicon and kicked him in the face. She punched the Vehicon in the face and made him collapse as the other Vehicon pulled out his blaster, until Bumblebee tackled him towards Cliffjumper and he smashed him with a powerful head-butt.
"Not on our watch, you don't!" Bumblebee stated.
As the Vehicon stumbled back, Jazz knocked him on the head from behind and he fell down. However, a third Vehicon was shown to have been standing there and witnessed the whole thing.
"Command, this is Space Bridge control! We are under attack!" The Vehicon called on the com-link, but didn't receive a reply. "Command, do you read-"
The Vehicon was cut off when Bulkhead punched him with his wrecking ball and Wheeljack stabbed him with his blades, immediately taking him offline as Ratchet walked up with the jamming device in his hand.
"Shh." Ratchet said quietly.
Seeing there was no more Vehicons, Team Prime ran over to a nearby lift and it took them to a lower level, where a Vehicon was standing right in front of them.
"Going down." Bulkhead said, smashing the Vehicon in the head with both his wrecking balls, making him fall back.
The Autobots jumped off the lift and advanced forward before hiding behind some nearby boulders, seeing the Decepticon Space Bridge in front of them with loads of Vehicons guarding it on the control platform.
"By the Allspark." Ratchet whispered in amazement.
"Thank you, Starscream." Arcee said, causing Cliffjumper to look at her in surprise. "Who else would it be?"
Two Vehicons patrolling the area heard a noise and they aimed their blasters to whatever was there, only for them to suddenly spot a drill machine flying towards them and they tried to blast it apart. Unfortunately, the drill machine ended up crashing onto them and the Autobots began charging forward while firing their blasters, causing the Vehicons to do the same as most of them got shot down. Arcee jumped up and shot one Vehicon down while Cliffjumper drop-punched one in the face while both Autobots landed on the platform. After Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Wheeljack and Jazz destroyed the other Vehicons, Ratchet walked onto the platform and approached the controls.
"A masterpiece of engineering." Ratchet said, impressed.
"Is it operational?" Cliffjumper asked as Ratchet pressed a button, turning the controls on.
"Fully." Ratchet answered.
"Perimeter secured." Wheeljack informed, standing guard with Bulkhead.
"No more Cons for us to battle." Jazz added as he and Bumblebee approached the others. "We're in the clear."
"Now the scary part." Arcee said, a bit worried.
"I'm shutting down the scrambler in order to contact base and maintain communication for the remainder of the mission." Ratchet announced.
(Linebreak)
The Hexside Squad, Fowler and Camila waited patiently at the base to hear the all-clear.
"Strike team to base, objective secured." Ratchet said on the communication system.
"That's your cue." Fowler said to Luz, who was now wearing a space suit and holding a helmet underneath her arm.
Luz nodded before she walked down the stairs and reached the floor, followed by the others as the Ground Bridge was fully active. Amity, Willow and Gus stood beside her before facing their friends.
"Make sure to stay safe, you guys." Vee said with a smile.
"We'll be waiting." Hunter told them.
"Safe journeys, kids." Fowler saluted.
Luz then approached Camila as she was showing signs of concern.
"I'll be back, Mama. I promise." Luz vowed.
"Okay, Luz. Go now." Camila replied. "Optimus needs you."
"We're ready when you are, Luz." Gus said from behind.
Luz joined her Hexside friends and they all saluted to the others, who gave them their own signs of farewell. Luz, Amity, Willow and Gus then walked into the Ground Bridge and vanished once they were fully in.
(Linebreak)
On the other side, they appeared in front of the Autobots and the Ground Bridge vanished behind them.
"Reporting for duty, Bots." Willow said with a determined smile.
"Guard duty, that is." Amity corrected.
"I'm locking onto Cybertron." Ratchet informed, working at the controls.
"You ready?" Arcee asked Luz, who took out the Key to Vector Sigma.
"I sure am." Luz answered with a smile.
"We know you can do it, sweetie." Amity said, smiling kindly.
"I'll leave the Space Bridge portal open in order to eliminate any communication lag over the great distance and make it easier for you to locate when you're ready to return." Ratchet explained.
"Easier to locate? You're not going to send us straight to Vector Sigma?" Luz asked.
"Vector Sigma's true location is shrouded in myth and rumor, Luz. It is said the path of the Primes leads there." Ratchet told her. "We must be confident that Optimus will guide you."
Luz nodded in understanding before placing the key away, showing that she was fully ready.
"Crossing from one planet to another isn't gonna be dangerous, right?" Gus asked in concern.
"Don't worry, Space Bridging is just like Ground Bridging." Arcee reassured.
When Ratchet walked to the controls, he pressed a button and caused the Space Bridge to turn on as the force of the vortex began to shake the entire area.
"Just a little more intense!" Cliffjumper shouted.
"You could've told us that, earlier!" Willow called out.
Arcee and Luz then began walking over towards the Space Bridge portal, while the others watched them leave from behind.
"Good luck, Luz." Amity said.
(Linebreak)
When Arcee and Luz reached the end of the Space Bridge, they both found themselves on Cybertron in it's current state. The area was completely grey, the moon shined down and hundreds of Cybertronian buildings and landmarks were absolutely damaged. To Luz, this was quite amazing to her.
"I don't believe it. I'm on another world besides the Boiling Isles." Luz remarked, smiling brightly. "Arcee, this is amazing. Arcee?"
When she looked to her Autobot Guardian, she noticed that she had a depressed expression on her face.
"This isn't how I wanted you to see my home." Arcee admitted in sadness.
"I-I'm sorry." Luz apologised.
"In the fog of war, it's hard to see beyond the next leg of the mission, or the next punch in the fight." Arcee lamented. "We did everything to save Cybertron. But when the fog finally lifted, there wasn't much left to save."
"Arcee, Luz, do you copy?" Ratchet asked on the com-link.
"Roger, Ratchet. We've made it to Cybertron." Luz replied.
(Linebreak)
In the base, Vee, Hunter and Fowler cheered happily for Luz and Arcee's successful trip, while Camila sighed in relief.
"Thank goodness." Camila said.
(Linebreak)
"Well, that's the first step done." Gus admitted.
"True, Gus." Bumblebee replied in agreement.
"Just keep the sightseeing to a minimum, Huh?" Bulkhead told the duo on Cybertron.
"Indeed. We don't know if your journey ahead is five clicks or five thousand." Ratchet added.
(Linebreak)
"Understood. We're out." Arcee replied before ending the call.
"Okay, Ratchet said that the Key Card would guide us, but I don't exactly know how that's supposed to happen." Luz admitted, pulling out the Key to Vector Sigma.
Just then, the Key Card began glowing a bit and Luz moved it about until it flashed brighter in a certain direction.
"There you go." Arcee said before she transformed and allowed Luz to hop on her.
Arcee then began driving ahead as Luz used the Key to Vector Sigma to help guide them.
(Linebreak)
Back at the control area, the Autobots and Hexside Trio waited for them to complete their mission.
"This could take a while." Cliffjumper admitted.
"Do you think we should've brought some board games?" Amity questioned.
"Space Bridge control, do you read me?" Breakdown's voice asked on the controller. "Space Bridge control, this is Breakdown. Your status report is overdue."
"Scrap." Bulkhead muttered worriedly.
"What now?" Willow asked in a whispery tone.
Wheeljack cleared his throat and prepared to say something, only for Ratchet to stop him.
"Wheeljack, no. He'll recognise your voice." Ratchet told him.
"I can make it lower. Higher?" Wheeljack asked, changing his voice to those exact tones.
"He would recognise mine, as well." Ratchet said.
"And mine." Gus added.
The others looked at each other and realised that none of their voices would work in this situation, with Amity's voice giving them away due to not that many female Decepticons in their crew.
"Come in, Space Bridge control! Don't make me come down there and dent some engine blocks!" Breakdown threatened.
"Somebody say something, pronto!" Fowler stated on the com-link.
"Ratchet, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Amity asked as she and the Autobot medic had the same idea.
"Indeed. Vee, patch in Agent Fowler." Ratchet ordered, much to the special agent's surprise on the other side.
(Linebreak)
On the Nemesis' main deck, Breakdown was nearly out of patience as he still didn't get a reply.
"You have one nanosecond to respond or-" He began to say.
"This is Space Bridge control. Situation normal." Fowler's voice informed.
"Normal? You sure about that?" Breakdown asked.
(Linebreak)
"We were just… calibrating the subsystems and we, uh, had a surge. But it's fine now. How are you?" Fowler asked, causing him and the others to drop their mouths in horror.
"Uh… never better. I know it's thankless down there." Breakdown replied, much to everyone's relief. "Keep up the good work."
"Will do. Control out." Fowler said before cutting off, sighing in relief.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile, Orion continued to type into his terminal for answers, but they wouldn't allow him for some reason.
"Why would the Decepticon archives be so heavily encrypted?" Orion asked suspiciously.
Using his master archivist skills, Orion typed in all the correct codes and the image of the strong Cybertronian began to reshape itself into something else. When the new image was shown, Orion's optics widened in shock.
"How could I possibly be… Optimus Prime?" Orion questioned.
However, Soundwave had discovered this as well and showed it to Megatron.
"Even our encryptions couldn't keep him from the truth." Megatron said, turning his back in frustration. "Orion has much to accomplish, and he will stay the course. Even if I must inflict great pain to ensure the completion of Project Iacon."
(Linebreak)
Back on Cybertron, Luz and Arcee continued to drive their way across the ruins of Cybertron. The Hispanic girl held the Key to Vector Sigma up and saw that it was directing them to a city ahead.
"That way." Luz instructed.
"Towards Kaon?" Arcee asked in surprise.
"The Decepticon capital. Perfect." Luz said sarcastically.
When they reached a large bridge leading into Kaon, Arcee pulled over.
"We're on foot from here." Arcee said, causing Luz to get off.
The female Autobot then transformed and brought out her blaster.
"Don't want engine noise to attract the wrong kind of attention." Arcee told Luz, looking around cautiously.
"Decepticons?" Luz asked.
"Vermin." Arcee answered.
Luz brought out the Key Card again and looked to where it was lighting.
"This way." Luz said before she and Arcee began crossing the bridge.
But what neither of them knew was that laying right underneath the bridge was some kind of pod, which opened up to reveal a large insect-like Cybertronian with deadly teeth, extra arms on it's chest, a bulky figure and a red visor. The insect Cybertronian stretched it's limbs and growled lightly before getting on all fours and rapidly crawling underneath the bridge as it picked up the scent of prey, which just so happened to be Luz and Arcee.
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