After squaring away her and Dr. Zerachiel's things aboard the Ajax, Tasha joins the Karnor Elite for a relaxing brunch in the mighty airship's observation lounge. Both the view and the food are spectacular, and soon relaxed conversation gives way to necessity as Caravelli having been called away to attend to some business with the mages. This leaves Tasha free begin her exploration of the vessel, something she'd been itching to do ever since she first got a glimpse of it. While the Bellerophon is in almost every way a superior ship to the Ajax, its workings are largely incomprehensible to her. The Ajax is far closer to the familiar, intriguing Tasha with its innovations even as it provides a sense of familiarity and comfort.
Her first stop is the bridge, naturally. Surprisingly, the control center of the dirigible is divided into two decks, an upper and lower, with the lower deck actually hanging low enough to have a full circular view through the angled windows, so that one could even look back into the observation lounge. As Captain Tremaine (a white-bearded human whose uniform looks remarkably similar to those worn by Temple captains) explains, the lower deck is used for close maneuvering and docking as well as serving a military function. There are locked, box-like covers hiding the military bombsights and weapon controls, while what's open and on display is largely navigational equipment.
The upper deck is the main bridge, sporting an observation-lounge style curved window, while the command deck extends further back into the gondola. There are many unmanned stations along the rim, and three giant lanterns with mechanical shutters and controls that face out to the sides and forward: signal lights, since radios are put on airships for fear of being used as target beacons (or possibly igniting the hydrogen gas). The rear section of the bridge is taken up with navigational charts, which are kept on transparent films that can be loaded into a huge light table or projectors that shine them onto various surfaces and allow for zooming and panning around.
The currently loaded chart is used to show the course back to the Pit of Himar, and it is anything but a straight line. Tiny metal sticks are used, with a line wrapped around different grooves denoting altitude, extending the course into the third dimension. The chief navigator is happy to explain to Tasha about the need to fly a neutral course that doesn't violate any particular airspace belonging to one faction or another, whose territories don't actually bump up against one another but leave vast stretches of desolate desert between them. He notes that the Ajax is one of the few Expedition airships that make the complicated journey. A few miniatures in a drawer are taken out as well, showing other airship types, including the Intimidator-looking Silent-Ones Titan Carriers and the odd Imperial Flying Nests, which launch smaller powered aircraft.
The rest of the first day of Tasha's voyage on the Ajax is spent trying to convince the crew to let her help out a bit, eating, and getting some practice in with the Melchior before bedding down for the night. Even with the exhaustion of training within her Titan, sleep is slow in coming. The excitement of the day, the anxiety of her mission, and that peculiar feeling of being a passenger on board an airship rather than part of the crew serve to keep her mind busy. Eventually sleep does come, helped on by the soothing sound and motion of an airship in flight.
Morning comes early, with a loud pounding on the door to Tasha's cabin.
Tasha's eyelids creak open at the noise and she squints against the light. She quickly awaken fully – light sleeping and shifts having been a part of her life since childhood – and realizes that she had begun to get used to the relatively relaxed shifts and quiet of Bellerophon. "I'm here." She calls out, pushing herself to sitting and reaching for her clothes.
"Sun almost up," squawks a Vartan voice through the door. "Lots to do!"
"I'm coming Rapatia, just give me a moment to get dressed!" Much like waking up quickly, dressing quickly is a necessity trait for both air and space crews; you don't want to be the last dressed in a ship wide fire or a decompression emergency! In short order, Tasha has her uniform on, datapad stowed, and hair combed in to something passable. The door opens and the young woman smiles. "Where are we headed?"
Rapatia Talonstrike is wearing her formal military uniform, including the winged-sword emblem of the Confederacy. She's got two large, steaming mugs in her hands, and she holds one out to Tasha. "Bridge," she notes. "Going to use chart room; could only get an early slot for it."
"Oh, I swung by there last night," Tasha admits, accepting the mug and glancing down at it. "I assume this will be for work, then. I've been studying what little could be uploaded to my datapad, but digitized Pit maps just don't exist." After taking a sip, Tasha savors the drink a moment and adds, "You look very sharp in that uniform. Don't tell anyone, but it makes me extra proud to be a Vartan!" She laughs.
Coffee is not as thick or sweet as Mateh, but it also doesn't leave a tar-like film behind. Tasha remembers Gabriel calling Mateh "twice-boiled espresso" but doesn't remember if he explained it or not. "We're going to use the Expedition charts," the Vartan Colonel explains, taking a swig from her own mug before standing aside so Tasha can come into the hall.
Tasha steps in to the hall and nods. Now that she's out of the way, Rapatia can see her cabin is fairly sparse with her one duffel bag of clothes. Her armored suit, necessary to assist in piloting her Titan, was left with the reactor to recharge during the voyage. "This should be interesting. What's your opinion of the terrain? How built up is the region?"
"Terrain seems alien to me," Rapatia notes, as they head to the bridge. "As for 'built up', you see for yourself soon." Once at the bridge, a young female human in a cadet uniform leads them to a chart station along the wall. "We've loaded the requested charts and overlays," she reports.
"Thank you, Cadet." Tasha glances at her human counterpart, wondering, briefly, how she came to be where she is and what her duties entail before walking up to the station. Sipping, she sweeps her keen eyes across the display, taking it all in. "Elamoore was a vibrant trading city, sometimes called the jewel of the forest, in the same way Abu Dabi was the jewel of the desert."
The map being projected is from many years back, when the pit first appeared. The city of Elamoore dominates the center of the circular pit, which may be roughly twenty miles across. It sits in the path of one of the Abaddonian canals, and the elevation chart shows the areas of flooding, including the old trade river that fed the city's port. The only other structure shown is the Winged Citadel, marked with the bound Star-and-Anchor symbol of the Knights Templar. Rapatia points out the citadel. "The Knights are not part of the Pit Treaty, as they have to remain independent according to their Charter," she explains.
Also apparent are several 'spires' and 'arches' of stone that rise up, and were clearly not part of the transplanted terrain; stone-encased structures of Sifran crystal.
"Interesting. And, quite the opposite of our own take on independence. Does that mean the Knights will be reluctant to meet with members of the JEF? Will the Council have issues with that?" Stepping forward, Tasha reaches her mug-free hand to brush across the map where the city lies. "To think, we all thought Elamoore was lost. Later we heard rumors later, but I'm not sure anyone believed them – not until they saw with their own eyes. I knew people in this port. Not well, but I remember faces … " Her head shakes, and she leans back. "I remember hearing that the Sifran crystalline structures did not teleport. They must resist translocation. That's interesting to know."
"It took time to reclaim the contaminated flood areas," Rapatia notes, advancing through several more years of the chart. The progression shows the construction of the dams at the canals, a series of aqueducts and the growth of industrial areas around the upper rim, while life domes began to grow inward from the cliff walls. By the time the 'current' chart is displayed, a rail line has connected to the pit and life-domes cover a considerable area, although not equally. The Confederates have a series of small domes instead of a single large one for their territory, while the Imperial dome seems the largest, also being the closest to the rail spur. The Expedition and Silent-Ones domes are the next largest. "Knights run the dam, provide electricity and pure water for the city – domes all have their own water purification systems," Rapatia explains, and points to some areas colored brown. "Lots of die off of original vegetation and trees here. Not enough sunlight, maybe. It's unclaimed area; nobody has resources to dome it over yet."
"Perhaps we can help with both resources and biomass development," Tasha murmurs, sounding distracted as she reviews the modern day Pit of Himaar. "Given we're dealing with a joint effort, will there be a flight schedule for hours-on-target for each factional region? Or, will I be focusing on these untapped regions? Our range should have been submitted with the other details, but if not, I can provide them along with other details, like charge time."
"Doing a complete survey of all areas would be ideal," Rapatia notes. "We all have different resource needs. Fresh groundwater is critical if we are going to expand agriculture, and coal is needed for fueling the other faction's machines. The Confederates need biomass – frankly, we'd like to harvest the dying areas before they're gone and wasted, then reclaim the land when we have the ability."
"Then if I can, that's what I'll do. I need a copy of-" Tasha pauses, then chuckles and shakes her head as she remembers she has access to all sorts of wonderful technology – including a datapad. She takes her pad out from its case, then, after powering it up and fiddling with it, holds the back up to the chart. A second later, she says, "There. I'll review this, and, along with a basic recon fly over of the region, create my flight plan and submit it to whomever needs it. I'll need to do some calculations, but Melchior can speed those up."
"If the Confederacy is going to survive, we need that biomass," Rapatia says quietly. "Our industrial power is severely reduced since the Imperials captured our central Life Dome… and now they have some new technology to create domes out of vegetation. They could take over the Pit with something like that."
Tasha glances at the older Vartan and listens soberly, then nods. "I'll do all that I can to see everyone gets what they need. If necessary, I'll request extra time here to make sure my mission is a success."
Rapatia nods, then points out the area opposite the citadel, where the second canal dam is placed. "This is the Silent-Ones' pumping station, where they raise the canal water back into the canal so it doesn't flood the pit. It's also where the only heavy weapons in the Pit are located; the Silent-Ones Lawbringer Titans. They defend against incursions from the canal. I almost wish the background radiation hadn't faded away, so that the machines wouldn't work. We still depend on the Knights for a police force in Elamoore itself, which is neutral ground."
"Will I be based with the Lawbringers, or somewhere more neutral?" The younger Vartan inquires.
"All of our airfields are outside the pit, but Elamoore still has one," the Vartan points out, tapping the display in the appropriate spot. "We still use the river for transport, but the airfield is only used for light planes – too light for cargo, and unarmed. All Imperial. That would be the best place to base your Titan: Neutral ground, central location."
"That sounds good. I'll have to advise the the crew there of my take off and landing needs, as the plasma jet engines are strong enough to damage even metal if allowed to vent against it. Landing is a bit easier, at least. And I'll admit, I'm looking forward to seeing Elamoore and its people. And, if it's all right, I may also do a bit of personnel scouting," Tasha says, glancing at the Colonel for confirmation.
The edges of the woman's beak curl slightly in a Vartan grin. "The city is the place for that, certainly," she agrees. "The political stresses are all out on the surface there."
Tasha's brows rise as she asks, "I guess I'm going to get a lot of odd looks and people assuming I'm either pro-Confederate or pro-Expedition?"
"Yes," Rapatia notes. "Don't squander the confusion, is my advice. Use whichever image will benefit you most in a given situation."
"I'm not keen on manipulating people these days, but I'll consider it. I'd prefer they see me and the JEF as we are, if at all possible," the young woman replies.
"In that case, talk to the Knights," the Vartan suggests. "They're already a blended force, and may have insights on recruiting."
Tasha nods and smiles to that. "That's good advice, they've certainly been at this longer than we have." She glances at the chart, then nods again, as if deciding something. "I think I'm ready."
"No more questions?" Rapatia asks, eyebrows raised up.
"Oh, lots of questions! But, not of the mission important kind. I figure I'll learn from seeing and doing. I should ask who I'll be reporting to, and if I need an escort, or anything of that sort?" Tasha takes a sip of her coffee as she perks her ears, and decides she likes the taste.
"Escort? I don't know," the big Vartan says, crossing her arms in thought. "I think you'll be in the Council building. But no idea if you'll need escorts. Maybe if you ask for one?"
"I'm not worried about myself exactly, so much as I am worried about what I represent and what would happen if something happened to me. Imagine if I disappeared or was assaulted – who would be blamed? What about what I know? For once in my life, I actually have to worry about myself for reasons primarily concerned with the welfare of others," shesays, chuckling a bit despite the grim topic. "It's a peculiar thing, aye?" Tasha shakes her head, takes a sip, then asks, "Do you think I've forgotten anything?"
"We've both probably overlooked things," Rapatia admits. "I have a military mindset – it limits me. I'm aware of politics, but don't understand the manipulations, deals and compromises involved. You could talk to someone smarter than me though; I just wanted to give you the general overview of the situation."
"And you have, I think; thank you, Colonel." Tasha raises her mug in thanks, bobbing her head respectfully before saying, "I'm basically a civilian, and you already know the complicated manner I ended up where I am, so, I can almost guarantee I've missed something. But, my primary mission is simple, at least: scan the Pit and don't fly in to anything. The rest, as I see it, is a bonus."
"Ah, but you have another mission too: Make a good impression," Rapatia notes.
"That is always my mission, Colonel," Tasha says, giving a big smile. "I'll do the best I can."
The next few days of the trip were busy. Once Elamoore was chosen as the base of operations for Melchior, Tasha had to coordinate with the Ajax crew to plan out the actual transfer. The dirigible would enter the pit over the Expedition zone, and 'drop' the Gryphon at high altitude to fly on to Elamoore under it's own power. Ajax would follow and deliver the Council, Reactor and other supplies afterward. Composing the simulation and practicing it took most of the day. The third day was taken up by Dr. Zerachiel, who wanted to get a real tour of the airship and requested Tasha's presence. Together they viewed the giant steam-turbine generator and powered the electric motors and other systems, and was powered by coal-oil. The fact that Ajax was big enough to carry all the fuel and water needed for a round-trip to Tartarus made it unique among the fleets of Abaddon.
The day of launch required Tasha spending a lot of time in Melchior just waiting, while quick-release systems were implemented on the cargo-crane systems that would lower the Gryphon below the ship. After what seemed like hours, the cargo doors finally opened, revealing the odd terrain of the transformed Pit: Factories on the edge of the cliffs, and a vast expanse of glass before the actual ground could be seen.
Armored and connected, Tasha observes a multitude of mentally projected view screens and readouts as she prepares to launch. Among the monitored regions are the hangar, as well as each restraint. The readouts show many levels of engineering, including power core, engine status, sensors, and flight surface monitors. It's all check and re-check, a repetition of preparedness to avoid any unforeseen disasters. And, now that the bay doors have opened, the Melchior's engines begin to wake to idle speed. "Melchior, Ajax, engine pressure rising to idle, all systems O.K.; we will be ready for drop in t-minus twenty seconds." As she practiced, the plan is to drop the Melchior and allow it to glide away from the Ajax's air space to avoid any damage from the plasma jet trails… After that, it's free sky to the airfield.
With a rumble, the clamps holding the Titan release and retract, and the crane begins to lower Melchior into the airstream. Ajax has slowed to just 10 knots for stability, and once the Gryphon is suspended thirty feet below the airship the cables stop, awaiting the release signal (which would be Melchior spreading its wings).
Even were the noise of engines and air gone, the Melchior's ancient but exacting technology would make the spreading of its control surfaces nearly silent. First the wings and then the tail extend and fan out to aerial drop launch specification. A heat haze trails behind the engines, and soon a pink glow, barely visible, appears as well. "Melchior, Ajax, release."
The cables all release from the hardpoints on Melchior's back, and the Gryphon is flying free for the first time on Abaddon.
As the Melchior begins to lose altitude its wings catch the air allowing it to descend in to a controlled glide. Tasha feels that pressure in her back, that hepatic indication the engines are reaching flight speed and as the Melchior clears Ajax's airspace a gout of plasma flame lances out from behind the craft! After untold ages, the sound of a jet engine breaks the silence over an Abaddonian city.
"Melchior, Elamoore, inbound," Tasha wills across her radio comm.
The radio is silent, of course. Nobody on the ground has the equipment to pick it up. Instead, Tasha sees a flickering light in the distance, where her maps say Elamoore lies.
"We're much apart from the world below, in time and in space," Tasha whispers from her mind to her machine's. "Looking down on the world, I feel apart from it, far ahead, and far behind … " Externally, the Melchior lights as well, activating flight and formation lighting to better help it stand out in the sky. "But the world calls out to us, because we belong there." In short order, the ancient Titan and its young pilot are descending towards the beacon.
The landscape has changed from what Tasha remembers; more barren. The spires and arches add to the unreality of it all, making large details actually seem small. But Elamoore looks familiar at least, and she knows where the airfield is. The beacon becomes visible as more than just a spot of light; it's a shuttered lantern like those on the bridge of the Ajax, but held aloft by a Silent-One's Lawbringer Titan instead of mounted on a tower.
"I was here not so long ago, Melchior. I was just a girl lost in the present who couldn't see past her own nose. And now, here I and again, and everything is different." In Tasha's mind, the Lawbringer pops in to a smaller window, along with the airstrip, and the city. "I'm not just here for myself now; others depend on me. Maybe it's vain, but I'm proud of this day. I'm proud to return like this, with you." Soon the black spot on the horizon of Elamoore becomes a bird-like entity, fast approaching the landing strip. "I just wish Elamoore had fared better." A black avian metal god looms towards the city, adjusting its flight arrangement to land. "Here we go."
The airfield is littered with small, fragile looking aircraft that look more like mutant kites with propellers than anything natural. Several are moving away to clear more space. The Titan on the ground begins moving the lantern up and down, which Melchior translates for Tasha as 'Circle Approach', a request to lose speed by making a loop around the airfield first.
As directed, Melchior banks and begins a rotational pattern above the airfield, looking not unlike a bird of prey circling its next meal. "Think we can scan that Lawbringer? I'm curious what you think of it's combat ability versus ours."
"Protocol when dealing with Silent-Ones melee Titans precludes active scanning of opponents," Melchior replies.
"Why am I not surprised the Silent-Ones make even this more complicated? Never mind; I can guess anyway. Steam power, hydraulics, and over-complicated controls can't match the elite of Khattan engineering; although, I bet their pilots are top notch." The ancient machine continues to circle, giving those on the ground a good, if hard to make out the details of, view of it. The roar of its engines washes across the land like the cry of a storm. "And besides, they're not opponents – hopefully."
The Lawbringer waits until Tasha has circled the airfield several times – either until its satisfied with her speed or else just thinks she's been up long enough for everyone to get a good look at her – then flashes the landing signal.
The ebony Titan shifts from its holding pattern and breaks away from the airfield, moving in to a pattern of straight lines and turns until it is aligned with the runway, which it then descends upon. It's wings rear and its body follows, jets flaring over the ground before it touches down. Without a metallic landing zone, the Titan takes two steps to ensure its stability before coming to a halt. Then, it booms, "Pilot Cadet Tasha, Joint Expeditionary Force. We are Melchior; thank you for your assistance."
The Lawbringer flashes something off towards the distant Ajax to indicate a successful landing, then hooks the signal lamp to its swordbelt. It then gestures towards an airship hangar, and turns to walk towards it.
Melchior proceeds to follow along, striding across the runway. As it follows, its head shifts to scan the area, seeming to take in the sights. While the pilot sounds friendly enough, Melchior's visage never changes from its eternally severe expression.
There are plenty of onlookers at the edge of the field, clustered together in groups – mostly homogenous, divided by faction.
One by one, each group pops in to Tasha's mind as a separate window. She tries to gauge their reaction as a indicator of the social climate to come.
The hangar isn't huge, but it's big enough for a ship like the Rake to drydock in, basically a huge, reinforced arch made of stiffened fabric over a skeleton of wood. The crowds seem excited by the spectacle, but nuances of emotion are difficult to discern, since when the people aren't watching the Titans, they're turned to talk (or sign) to one another.
In an effort to make a good impression, Tasha directs the Melchior to raise its hand in greeting to the onlookers. "Never to early to start making friends," she thinks to her AI, even as another window shows the approach of the hangar bay – her Titan's new temporary home.
A few of the onlookers wave back before being blocked by the walls of the hangar. There's a small crew of Silent-Ones inside, being the most familiar with Titans, along with a rolling stair-ladder for pilots to use to get in and out of standing machines.
The hand lowers and Melchior's head returns forward even as the machine slows to a stop. After scanning the area, the hand rises again and points at a rear westward spot not currently occupied.
A cat with glowing wands heads for the indicated area and uses standard airship docking gestures to guide her forward.
Again the ancient machine moves until it has entered its parking area and turned to face forward. The heat of the engines still linger even as they spin down to a halt. "Melchior, I'm disembarking now. Let me know if anyone attempts entry, especially if they use another Magi interface. And … Welcome to Elamoore!"
"Beginning shut down sequence," the machine replies. "Be careful of hot engine surfaces."
"Take care now; have a good rest." Soon, Tasha is disconnected and sitting up from her command chair, pulling her helmet out from under it. After tucking that under her arm, she exits, clip-cloping down next to the left foot of her Titan. Save for the gloves and her bare head, her look makes her resemble her machine in miniature. She extends her free hand and signs, "Thank you for the guidance."
Most of the ground crew are surprised at the signs, at least from the way their ears move (since they're all wearing masks). Several roll the ladder to the Lawbringer. The chest opens up and another masked and armored cheetah exits and climbs down the ladder. One of the crew, whose mask has the stylized symbols for "Commanding-Hand" on it signs, "It will be an hour before the airship arrives. Please explain what support systems your machine requires."
Tasha watches the ramp roll up, curiously watching her fellow Titan pilot even as she distractedly signs, "None. The … " She has to look back when she realizes the sign for what she's about to say may be several thousand years old, an unused relic of a bygone era. Without any recourse except to omit part of what she was going to sign, she tries anyway, " … The fusion reactor is all that is required. My Titan will self-evaluate and correct anything that does not require dedicated maintenance. Be careful of the engines, though; the are hot enough to burn, and parts can incinerate a person if contacted and a charge persists." She thinks for a moment, then makes the gesture for "wait there's more," and adds, "The reactor will need to be guarded, as damage or tampering with it can result in serious danger."
The other pilot approaches Tasha and Commanding-Hand, but does not interrupt. His mask identifies him as Tomorrow's-Hope.
"We will request guards from the Knights Templar," Commanding-Hand signs.
Tasha glances at the approaching pilot and smiles, but soon returns to her focus and finishes explaining with, "Once the reactor has arrived, all that needs to be done is to connect the high voltage lines and allow my Titan to charge. Otherwise, it is largely self sufficient." She offers the man her hand, then presents it to the newly arrived pilot. "Always nice to meet another pilot," she says out loud, given her hand is busy.
It takes a moment before Commanding-Hand takes her hand and shakes. It must still be an unusual practice to the Silent-Ones – maybe they see it the same as people who talk see kissing?
"I would like to spar with your machine," Tomorrow's-Hope signs. "I can have another sword brought if needed."
Whatever the case may be with handshakes, Tasha decides it's too late to take it back, and so presses forward. And besides, having a flirty presence is hardly new for her. Once she has her hand back, she signs, "I would like that, as well, as long as you don't mind I'm new at this. Do you use specialized practice weaponry, or should I employ my own melee weapon, when it arrives?"
"We use practice weapons," the cheetah replies. "I would be curious to see your weapon."
"It is a curious weapon, certainly!" Tasha steps back, gesturing to her Titan's hands, "There is also active cutting edges in the talons, capable of cutting Expedition-era armor plating. I haven't had much of a chance to practice combat, given my other duties and piloting demands. If I can schedule it, I'd certainly like the practice. For now, though, … " She turns back, letting her hands falls, "I should report in, and maybe say hello to the crowd."
The other pilot nods, and then signs, "Who do you check in with?"
"I … " Tasha blinks, then sweeps her gaze across the hangar, searching for anyone who looks official. "I'm not sure, actually. I was told that I would stay in the PHTO Council building, so I assumed a representative would be here. Perhaps they're outside?"
"Do you wish an escort?" the cheetah signs. "The council will not arrive for some time yet, but you can wait here for them if you like."
"That would probably be for the best. As much as I hate to sign, I can't risk an incident if something happens to me. I would like to visit with the crowd, so lets head that way? They came all this way to see me, and I don't want to show their interest is not appreciated," Tasha signs back, nodding, then gesturing towards the hangar exit.
Tomorrow's-Hope accompanies Tasha out of the hangar. The crowds have thinned some, but the remaining onlookers have clustered together into a single convenient mob. Two armored Nagas bearing the symbol of the Knights Templar stand between them and the field itself, acting as a buffer.
Tasha, still armored given she doesn't have much choice at the moment, lifts her hand and waves a shiny gilded gauntlet to the crowd as she approaches. Even as she beams a smile at them, she admits aside in whisper, "This feels like what I should be doing, but I can't help but feel a little full of myself anyway."
Several people react by waving and trying to get Tasha's attention - and she begins to notice some peculiarities: the people at the front of the crowd, regardless of race, all seem to be dressed similarly and showing the same amount of enthusiasm. Each has something in one hand, and there are cameras being trained on her. There's even what must be a tripod-mounted motion-picture camera, being cranked by a Jupani in a squashed, backwards-worn cap.
"I … wasn't expecting cameras," Tasha whispers aside. "Here goes … !" Stepping forward, Tasha settles her face in to a friendly smile, ears perked, and tail wagging. "Oi, what a crowd! And cameras! You're all putting me on the spot, aye? But first, let me say thank you for coming out to see me – it's really very gratifying to be welcomed with such interest; I haven't been in Elamoore in years!" She barks a laugh, then holds out her hand up, foretsalling inqueries a moment so she can say, "But let me introduce myself: I am Pilot Cadet Tasha, of the Joint Expeditionary Force. My Titan's name is Melchior – we are Melchior. Now, questions?"
