Infernal Resurgence (Worm/Exalted)

Week 4: Turn 3
26th January 2011

As you and Commissioner Henderson entered the meeting room, you were greeted by two stern-looking representatives from the Army. As you take your seat, you find yourself seated across from two stern-looking individuals in crisp military uniforms, one a Colonel and the other a Major. They introduce themselves as Colonel Adamson and Major Ramirez, respectively, and you can sense the weight of their authority in the way they carry themselves. Though "just" a Colonel and a Major, you couldn't help but feel that these two had some serious backing.

The Colonel clears his throat and begins.

"Thank you for meeting with us. I'm Colonel Adamson, and this is Major Ramirez. We've been informed of your... unique abilities, and we're here to discuss how they might be of interest to the military."

Lost 1 Essence -> Now at 11/12. Presence Excellency.

"Pleasure to meet you, Colonel, Major," you reply with a nod, acknowledging their introduction. "I'm Faust, and you know the good Commissioner."

"I'm a simple man Faust, so I'll be upfront. I understand that you have a knack for empowering individuals with powers. We're interested in what we can make of it." Major Ramirez says, his gaze intense.

You sit down with the Army representatives, and begin to explain the intricacies of your empowerment process.

"Gentlemen, I have two methods of empowerment," you begin, adopting a serious tone. "The first method is mostly free of cost, but it has its limitations. It involves two weeks of intensive training to give people powers, but the powers granted through this method have little room for growth."

The group leans forward, their interest piqued. "What kinds of powers can the first method give us?" one of them asks.

You nod, understanding their curiosity. "Well, the first method, it's more like a grab bag. It's easier, but the powers you get, they ain't gonna be as... flashy, let's say. You're lookin' at brutes and thinkers mostly. Lower ratings, but a balanced spread of abilities. It's more about survivin' and adaptin' than anythin' else."

You can see some disappointment in their expressions, but also a sense of understanding. They know that sometimes, the most practical powers are the ones that can make a real difference. "So, no flying or shootin' fireballs then?" one of them asks, half-jokingly.

You chuckle, shaking your head. "Not always. I can probably make a template of powers if you want, but that will cost ya. Maybe even do a custom job. It depends really. Takes more effort, but sometimes, the most ordinary-seemin' powers can be the most useful in the end."

Colonel Adamson raises an eyebrow, intrigued. "And the limitations?" he asks.

"They ah effective, but they lack the powah of the second method. Howevah, this method does have its cost. It makes it easiah for me to influence the individuals I empower, not something like mind control, but by making my words and ideas more convincin' to them."

Major Ramirez spoke up with interest.

"And what about the second method?" he asks.

"Now this second method ain't like the first. It's a deal, a pact, a contract with me. You want the real powah, the really high rating? You gotta give me somethin' in return."

You paused, knowing that your words carried weight. "I'm not talkin' 'bout money or favors. I'm talkin' 'bout doin' somethin' for me. Advancin' one of my goals, helpin' me out in a way that matters."

You lean in, your eyes intense. "But here's the thing, break that deal, and it ain't just a deal you're breakin'. It's like you're givin' me a piece of your soul. And let me tell ya, that ain't somethin' you wanna do lightly."

You emphasize the seriousness of the situation, making it clear that breaking the contract has serious consequences. "So if you're in, if you want the powah, you gotta be ready to hold up your end of the bargain. No backin' out, no turnin' back. You in or you out, but once you're in, there's no turnin' back."

As the two listens intently, Major Ramirez speaks up, a curious expression on his face. "What exactly are the costs of this second method? You mentioned a deal, but what does that entail?"

You pause, considering your response carefully. "Well, that's the thing. The costs, they ain't somethin' I can just lay out right now. It's... complicated. See, it depends on the deal we make, what you're willin' to do, what you're willin' to give up. And honestly, I'm not sure if I wanna disclose all the details just yet."

You can see the skepticism in their eyes, the uncertainty. They want to know what they're getting into, but you also know that revealing too much could scare them off. You decide to tread carefully, offering a partial explanation.

"I can tell ya this much, though. The costs, they're real. They're... personal. And once you make that deal, there's no goin' back. So you gotta be sure, real sure, that this is somethin' you wanna do."

Lost 1 Essence -> Now at 10/12. (They botch the last resist roll) (TMWSTW)

As you observed the two individuals, you couldn't help but notice the subtle cues that hinted at their conversation being guided from afar. There were no visible earpieces or devices, but the way their eyes flicked to certain points and their body language shifted suggested they were receiving instructions.

Despite this, you can tell that the people on the other side seemed genuinely interested in your offer, though cautious about the costs involved. It was paradoxical, but you noticed that they seemed to trust you more when you emphasized the costs and consequences. Perhaps it was the clarity and transparency in your explanation that resonated with them.

The two in front of you, on the other hand, were easier to read by virtue of being there. They appeared more at ease when they learned about the costs. It was as if they wanted to test the waters, to see if the price was worth the power. Their demeanor suggested a pragmatic approach, weighing the benefits against the risks before committing to anything.

You continued to observe, intrigued by the dynamics at play. It was clear that both parties were considering your offer seriously, each with their own set of motivations and concerns. As the conversation progressed, you could sense that a decision was imminent, and you awaited their response with anticipation.

Colonel Adamson and Major Ramirez exchange a glance, clearly contemplating the implications of your offer. After a moment of silence, Colonel Adamson speaks up.

"We're interested in both methods," he says. "We'd like to explore the possibilities further and discuss the potential for collaboration between your abilities and our military objectives."

He paused, before making a proposal unexpectedly.

"How about this? Why not send over Advent and your other team members to us for testing. It'll speed up the process significantly."

You paused, considering his offer carefully. Sending your team members away for testing was a big decision. It could lead to advancements in the political arena, but it also meant placing their safety in the hands of the army.

"Why do you need them?" you asked, trying to gauge his intentions.

"We want to test your team members to get a solid idea of what to expect," he began. "They weren't made for the army, so starting with them would help assuage a few fears."

You nodded, understanding the reasoning behind the request. Testing would provide valuable insights into your team's capabilities and limitations, helping the Army get a better idea of your capabilities by seeing and testing what you have access to than just relying on what you sell to the army.

"I understand," you replied. "But I want time to sleep on this."

Adamson nodded.

"Gentlemen, with that out of the way," You say with a smile, knowing that you had to act fast, "I've got something here that's gonna blow your socks off. I'm talkin' about Plasteel, Ceramite, and a lightweight steel that'll make your tanks and planes feel like feathers. No tinker tech here, all stuff a factory can churn out."

You started with Plasteel, explaining its incredible strength and flexibility.

"Plasteel, a plastic as good as steel. It can take a hit and keep on goin'. It's perfect for armor, vehicles, and even buildings. And the best part? We can make it right here, using materials from our own backyard. No need to ship it in from halfway 'round the world."

Next, you moved on to Ceramite, highlighting its lightweight nature and durability.

"Ceramite is a game-changer for the aerospace industry. It's tough as nails but won't weigh you down. Plus, it's resistant to heat and corrosion, so it'll last longer than traditional materials."

Finally, you revealed your formula for a lightweight steel that was stronger than anything currently on the market.

"This steel is a marvel of modern engineering. It's much stronger than traditional steel but also much lighter. And because we can make it locally, it's gonna save you a bundle in production costs."

As you explained the benefits of each material, the army representatives listened intently, nodding and jotting down notes. They could see the potential these materials had for military applications, from armored vehicles to aircraft to fortified structures.

"And let me tell ya," you added with a grin, "these materials ain't just for show. We've tested 'em up and down, and they're ready for whatever you can throw at 'em."

You leaned forward, eager to share the next breakthrough. "Now, lemme tell ya 'bout our electric motor system. It's a real game-changer. Our system gives ya performance that's way superior to a fossil fuel engine. We're talkin' 'bout faster acceleration, higher speeds, and better efficiency."

The army representatives looked impressed, leaning in to hear more.

"But that ain't all," ya kept on, "We've also developed a revolutionary battery technology that can charge incredibly quickly. Imagine a cah that can be fully charged in 'round five minutes. That's the kind of innovation we're talkin' 'bout."

You explained that these advancements could have significant implications for military applications, such as electric vehicles with unprecedented speed and range, as well as rapid charging capabilities for a variety of equipment.

You pause, before going for the killing blow.

"Finally Colonel, I want to introduce you to our highly efficient man-portable solar panels. These are revolutionary in their design and efficiency. We have a man-sized panel that can charge something the size of a car in roughly an half an hour. Imagine the implications for remote operations or in areas where traditional power sources are scarce. This would also simplify logistics, removing the need for fuel."

The Colonel raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the potential of the technology. "That's impressive, Faust. Being able to charge a car in half an hour could be a game-changer for our operations. How portable are these panels? Could they be easily deployed in the field?"

"Absolutely, Colonel. These panels are designed to be lightweight and easily deployable. They can be set up quickly and efficiently, providing a reliable source of power in even the most challenging environments. If there is some light, the panels will pick it up."

The Colonel nodded, clearly impressed by the demonstration. "This could be incredibly useful for our forward operating bases and remote outposts. I'll need to discuss this with my team, but I can see the potential here. Well done, Faust."

As the meeting concluded, you felt a sense of satisfaction. Your solar panels could not only benefit the military but also have far-reaching implications for humanitarian and civilian use. It was another step forward in your quest to change the world for the better.

Lost 1 Essence -> Now at 09/12. (TMWSTW)

You could tell that the army were intrigued, recognizing the potential advantages of such technology for their operations. They asked detailed questions about the reliability, durability, and scalability of the electric motor system and the fast-charging battery.

As the meeting concluded, you felt a sense of pride in your team's achievements. The electric motor system and fast-charging battery represented a significant step forward in the field of electric propulsion, with far-reaching implications for both military and civilian applications.

You sat across from the army representatives as you concluded your pitch. You note that their expressions were thoughtful yet eager. They had listened attentively as you made your proposal and now, they were ready to make their offer.

"Faust," Colonel Adamson began, "we're incredibly impressed with what you've shown us today. These technologies have the potential to be game-changers for the military and beyond. However, we believe there's an opportunity here that could benefit both parties."

"What do you have in mind, Colonel?" You say as you raise an eyebrow at his words.

"We propose that instead of producing these materials and motors yourself, you patent them and allow others to produce them under license. You would still retain the rights to the patents, of course, but by opening up production to others, you could accelerate the adoption of these technologies and ensure their widespread use."

You nodded, understanding the logic behind his proposal. "So, we would lose out on some immediate profits from manufacturing, but we would make up for it in royalties and other benefits?"

"Exactly," Colonel Adamson confirmed. "By allowing others to produce these technologies, you would not only ensure their rapid deployment but also generate a steady stream of income through royalties. Additionally, you would gain favor with various industries and governments, opening up new opportunities for collaboration and partnership."

You leaned back in your chair, considering his words carefully. It was a bold proposal, one that would require you to sacrifice short-term gains for long-term benefits. But the potential rewards were undeniable.

You leaned in, scratching your chin as you thought about the Colonel's proposition. "Colonel, while I appreciate the offer, I gotta point out that gettin' these technologies patented and protected will likely take years. The patent process is slow as molasses, and even with expedited procedures, it could be a good while before we see any real protection."

The Colonel chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Faust, I think you'll find that the army is interested enough in what you're offerin' to make an exception. We understand the importance of these technologies and the potential impact they could have on our operations. If you decide not to share the specifics of your inventions, we'll respect that. However, we will expect certain assurances in return."

"Such as?" you inquired, intrigued by his response.

"We'll expect you to sign long-term contracts with us, ensuring that we have access to these technologies for a set period of time. We'll also require certain guarantees regarding the quality and performance of the materials and motors. In return, we'll provide you with the resources and support you need to expedite the patent process and ensure that your inventions are protected as quickly as possible."

You nodded, understanding the terms of the agreement. It was a fair deal, one that would allow you to protect your intellectual property while still benefiting from the army's interest and support.

The Colonel then speaks up, his expression serious. "Faust, I want to make sure we're clear on something'. While we're interested in your technologies, the deal we're discussing' is contingent on those materials and motors performing' as you've described. We'll need samples for testing', to ensure they meet our standards and specifications."

You nodded, understanding the need for thorough testing. "Colonel, I assure you, our materials and motors are top-notch. We've put them through rigorous testing ourselves, and I'm confident they'll meet, if not exceed, your expectations."

He nodded, seeming satisfied with your answer. "Good to hear. If they perform as promised, there shouldn't be a problem."

You breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Colonel. I'll make sure you have the samples as soon as possible."

(What you get will be subject to negotiations. This is only what you are willing to offer.)
CHOOSE 1: Super Humans for the Army

[] Accept the deal to make super humans for the Army using only Oath of One Hundred Devil Disciples
-This only reveals information on Oath of One Hundred Devil Disciples.

[] Accept the deal to make super humans for the Army using Oath of One Hundred Devil Disciples and Soul Commerce
-This reveals info on both. But you get some soul contracts, which helps your cult rating and magic reagent production.

[] Do not make super humans for the Army.
-Does not reveal any more information than what is already revealed/known.

CHOOSE 1: On Sending People to the Army, they will be gone for 2 weeks max: (This has unspecified gains i,e. The Mystery box option ??? depending on what is picked)
[] Send Kurt and all 6.
[] Send only Kurt.
[] Send only the 6.
[] Do not send any one.

CHOOSE 1: On Material and motors: (This will NOT be subject to PRT interference)
[] Accept to give licenses to others to manufacture the Solar panels, Battery, material and Motors.
-You will have to rely on other plans for revitalizing Brockton Bay and the money infusion will help set them up. (Fishing and salvaging)

[] Do not license it out. Keep it in-house.
-Higher profits but limited production and any disruptions in production will make the army unhappy. Keep in mind that the ABB will try and interfere.
 
I think we can find another way to revitalize the Bay and it would do the most good overall to share the designs. Not sure about the army.
Let me put it this way. You already have plans to revitalize the Bay, without keeping the technology in house. Also, what you give to the army will leak out to the public as it generally does, but perhaps a bit quicker. So production will only initially be limited to the army getting priority.

You are also not limited from producing it yourself, even if you license it nor are you limited from selling to the public.

The deal is that

1. The Army wants Priority
2. They want to spread it around so that more of it is produced and less chance of the factories being destroyed.

They do not care if the public buys it, they just want their stock first.
 
Why did his accent change randomly half way through? Just felt really weird…

As for licensing. Can we actually keep up with demand? Can we set up enough production? On the other hand, we can always license further down the line if we struggle with production, so I think holding off on that makes a bit more sense for now. The other option is that we license it out ONLY to the army and military use (not other governmental use), and only we can produce it for everyone else. This keeps them happy, this still gives us a large market. We can keep narrowing this option as well.

Superhumans… the devil path makes more sense to me. Less risk for both sides and tbh, a fully trained and prepared human can on most parahumans anyway. Giving them a leg up will just make it easier. The soul commerce on the other hand can possibly lead to more Teacher type accusations and make things complicated for everyone involved.

Plus, the question is, do we really need to? We can give them baseline superhumans, but there's no particular reason for more. With the former and materials, we'll already get political and monetary support. We don't need more from them.
 
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Why did his accent change randomly half way through? Just felt really weird…
Sorry about that. Things got missed in the editing. Will go back and edit it a bit.
As for licensing. Can we actually keep up with demand? Can we set up enough production? On the other hand, we can always license further down the line if we struggle with production, so I think holding off on that makes a bit more sense for now.
In theory, yes. In Practice? Yes but that depends on a number of factors and your choices.

So you can but it would be "easier" to just delegate it. The cost of that ease is less profits but also wider societal influence. Think carefully why electric motors and the solar panels are so game changing. The answer is the Endbringers. With Ocean shipping all but stopped and Behemoth targeting most power production and Scion destroying most nuclear technology, having the means to produce cheap energy in reasonable quantity and having an engine that can make use of the said cheap energy is a game changer.

This is why the Army wants that tech so badly. It is not just the military implications but the civil ones as well, though the army are going to priorities the military ones for now. As far as they are concerned? The super material is secondary compared to those two tech.
Plus, the question is, do we really need to? We can give them baseline superhumans, but there's no particular reason for more. With the former and materials, we'll already get political and monetary support. We don't need more from them.
They want Super Humans, not super trained humans.

It is powers or no powers. No in between.
 
CHOOSE 1: On Sending People to the Army, they will be gone for 2 weeks max: (This has unspecified gains i,e. The Mystery box option ??? depending on what is picked)
[] Send Kurt and all 6.
[] Send only Kurt.
[] Send only the 6.
[] Do not send any one.
I am up for sending them, but I would want an oath for their safe passage and safe return. If they aren't willingly to make that oath no deal.

Also make it clear that the representative is swearing on behalf of and representing the army. It's a nice misdirection about how our organization cursing ability works.
 
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I am up for sending them, but I would want an oath for their safe passage and safe return. If they aren't willingly to make that oath no deal.
I can say up front that no oath is required. The army is not about to kill the golden goose. Consider this WoG.

That said, there are ways of weaseling out of it. The Army is not a monolithic organization where one person calls the shots. There are factions and factions within factions. So you could get the oath, it would be genuine but some one from the other end of the country may make a call to kill them and nothing the guy who swore the oath would be able to do against that.

Though, that said, once again, the option does not risk them.
 
I can say up front that no oath is required. The army is not about to kill the golden goose. Consider this WoG.

That said, there are ways of weaseling out of it. The Army is not a monolithic organization where one person calls the shots. There are factions and factions within factions. So you could get the oath, it would be genuine but some one from the other end of the country may make a call to kill them and nothing the guy who swore the oath would be able to do against that.

Though, that said, once again, the option does not risk them.
That is what I expect, however also make it clear that the representative is swearing on behalf of and representing the army. It's a nice misdirection about how our organization cursing ability works.
 
If we do keep it in house then we are going to want to not send our people to testing. We are going to need them to protect our factory from the ABB.
[x]Plan mostly factory.
-[X] Accept the deal to make super humans for the Army using only Oath of One Hundred Devil Disciples
-[X] Send only 2 of the 6.
-[X] Do not license it out. Keep it in-house.
 
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Provisional choices (except the last, which is fairly set):

CHOOSE 1: Super Humans for the Army
[X] Do not make super humans for the Army.
-Does not reveal any more information than what is already revealed/known.


Not an US citizen here, but don't soldiers swear an oath of loyalty to their country and the laws thereof, or something to that effect? Both Charms require the empowered to swear loyalty to us (explicitly so in 100 DD case), and I feel that forcing people to break or twist their existing oaths would be against brand for Faust.
If that's the case, we can even point out that issue and gain brownie points for honesty.

CHOOSE 1: On Sending People to the Army, they will be gone for 2 weeks max: (This has unspecified gains i,e. The Mystery box option ??? depending on what is picked)
[X] Send Kurt and all 6.


We can afford to send everyone. They are good, but they are not Circle, making more of them is trivial. And even if they are sworn to us, I'd still like to have Kurt as a trusted lieutenant at their head.

CHOOSE 1: On Material and motors: (This will NOT be subject to PRT interference)
[X] Accept to give licenses to others to manufacture the Solar panels, Battery, material and Motors.


We have other ways to make money actively, and there should be enough work to go around along the way.
Selling licenses does not prevent us to build and sell our own products, by the way. We just lose the monopoly.
 
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Not an US citizen here, but don't soldiers swear an oath of loyalty to their country and the laws thereof, or something to that effect? Both Charms require the empowered to swear loyalty to us (explicitly so in 100 DD case), and I feel that forcing people to break or twist their existing oaths would be against brand for Faust.
If that's the case, we can even point out that issue and gain brownie points for honesty.
Your right only read the update before, but now I read the charm and an oath of loyalty seems to be required. Is Danny misrepresenting on purpose?
 
To clarify, the oath needs to only last two weeks. After that, they are free to go.

Even otherwise? The charm, by itself, does not enforce oaths.
 
Our whole rep is built around pacts and Bad Things happening to those who break them; even if swearing the oath itself did not present any other issue, I would not be willing to use the fact that this specific oath to us can be broken with little consequence as a sales argument.
 
[X] Accept to give licenses to others to manufacture the Solar panels, Battery, material and Motors.
[X] Send Kurt and all 6.
[X] Accept the deal to make super humans for the Army using only Oath of One Hundred Devil Disciples.
 
[X] Accept the deal to make super humans for the Army using Oath of One Hundred Devil Disciples and Soul Commerce

[X] Send only the 6.

[X] Do not license it out. Keep it in-house.
 
Patenting and licensing imply that the manufacturing methods would become widespread knowledge. I think the army would prefer to keep this tech as secret as possible and out of the hands of other countries.
 
Patenting and licensing imply that the manufacturing methods would become widespread knowledge. I think the army would prefer to keep this tech as secret as possible and out of the hands of other countries.

They are the ones who proposed patenting the technology in the first place, specifically in order to make them widespread faster.

"What do you have in mind, Colonel?" You say as you raise an eyebrow at his words.

"We propose that instead of producing these materials and motors yourself, you patent them and allow others to produce them under license. You would still retain the rights to the patents, of course, but by opening up production to others, you could accelerate the adoption of these technologies and ensure their widespread use."

You nodded, understanding the logic behind his proposal. "So, we would lose out on some immediate profits from manufacturing, but we would make up for it in royalties and other benefits?"

"Exactly," Colonel Adamson confirmed. "By allowing others to produce these technologies, you would not only ensure their rapid deployment but also generate a steady stream of income through royalties. Additionally, you would gain favor with various industries and governments, opening up new opportunities for collaboration and partnership."

Worst case, again not an US citizen, but gouvernements generally have the power to classify the patents of tech they deem critical before they are published, meaning you can only access them or get a licence if you are vetted by the government or the military.
 
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Patenting and licensing imply that the manufacturing methods would become widespread knowledge. I think the army would prefer to keep this tech as secret as possible and out of the hands of other countries.

They are the ones who proposed patenting the technology in the first place, specifically in order to make them widespread faster.
It depends. The main goal is to mass produce it?
If so keep in mind that Dragon is going to be able to reverse engineer it at the minimum.

It is not thinker tech so it is entirely crackable.

The patent protection is less, no kne else can use it, and more no one else can profit from it. At least in the US and WIPO countries.

You cannot practically protect it unless you use Sorcery, but at thst point, it becomes thinker tech, at which point, you are back to square one.

The main draw is that it is not blacked boxed.

The patent protections were always about profits and not profiliration.
 
Votes as they stand. Not a lot of votes. Will see if things change in a few hours.
Adhoc vote count started by Yzarc on Mar 31, 2024 at 10:07 AM, finished with 18 posts and 4 votes.

  • [X] Send Kurt and all 6.
    [X] Accept to give licenses to others to manufacture the Solar panels, Battery, material and Motors.
    [x]Plan mostly factory.
    -[X] Accept the deal to make super humans for the Army using only Oath of One Hundred Devil Disciples
    -[X] Send only 2 of the 6.
    -[X] Do not license it out. Keep it in-house.
    [X] Do not make super humans for the Army.
    [X] Accept the deal to make super humans for the Army using only Oath of One Hundred Devil Disciples.
    [X] Accept the deal to make super humans for the Army using Oath of One Hundred Devil Disciples and Soul Commerce
    [X] Send only the 6.
    [X] Do not license it out. Keep it in-house.
 
@fictionfan, can you add sending more than two people? At least three, if not four? We want them to see a good spread of upgrades.

[X] fictionfan
 
@fictionfan, can you add sending more than two people? At least three, if not four? We want them to see a good spread of upgrades.

[X] fictionfan
But we are going to need our people to protect our factories. They make an obvious target for the ABB, E88 remnants and the PRT. Now that last one is more likely to come in the form of legal challenges, but I wouldn't put it past them to throw their weight around in other ways if the factories aren't defensed.
 
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But we are going to need our people to protect our factories. They make an obvious target for the ABB, E88 remnants and the PRT. Now that last one is more likely to come in the form of legal challenges, but I wouldn't put it past them to throw their weight around in other ways if the factories aren't defensed.
It's not like they'll be gone for very long.
 
Hmm......votes are still tied.

I'll wait for a few more days before calling it, but having said that, do you feel that there is a problem with the votes? I did figure out that you guys do not like complex votes, but this is important as it determines which way the story goes and is your first steps outside Brockton Bay.

Not just that, but if you have any other problems please let me know.
 
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