The character designer from Gundam Seed and a lot of other anime, he's awful at drawing characters with distinct faces, so it comes off like an anime with only five or six actors.
Hence, Hiraiface.
He didn't really kind of get past it until Majestic Prince I believe. (Which is also a great mecha series I might add) Where even if there's still some Hiraiface, it's mitigated by the characterization and personality.
Majestic Prince is something I haven't seen yet...I'll check it out sometime.
Post is likely to come tomorrow evening. I tried finishing it today, but there's a lot of areas I'm just not happy with right now. Some sleep and the upcoming weekend should fix that.
Acceptables ones. Now we have a tank for combination with the Phalanx (which we still lack combat stats for the prototype btw), as well as a heavily armed gunship.
Eh, to be honest, I don't really like the aesthetic.
It's too much monster and not enough human. It's like trying to ride Sheol's coattails, and that's not desirable.
Like, we're not trying to make Evangelions here--if our mechs happen to have organic components, at least we're not murdering children's mothers so that the robot can be made to move by their children.
Well, the omake already states it's a prototype and a proof of concept, not meant to be used in mass-production until we give him a shiny paintjob. So make it a Guyver instead.
Well, the omake already states it's a prototype and a proof of concept, not meant to be used in mass-production until we give him a shiny paintjob. So make it a Guyver instead.
Like, we're not trying to make Evangelions here--if our mechs happen to have organic components, at least we're not murdering children's mothers so that the robot can be made to move by their children.
Hey, don't tempt fate. We don't know if the QM will suddenly suffer a depressive crisis and pay it with the poor characters.
At least here we don't have a budget to worry about.
Not sure if it's viable with organic tech, seeing these are traditional sci-fi suits I think. Besides, it doesn't really matter, as power armor has no business in a Mecha-scale fight, unless we're talking about Samus' full power suit (pre-Other M's character murder and rape) at minimum.
Remember: In GaoGaiGar they needed to kill some moons of Saturn due to them being merged with enemies. After Fantastic Voyage to kill the cores, Gutsy Galaxy Guard decided that repeat would be impractical.
And prepared, just in case. By making a hammer big enough to make whole planets vanish into the light. Hikari Ni NAREEE!!!!
And no, anything even closely equivalent would wait till Season Three. We are currently in flashbacks of Season One, so no. Hahaha, no.
Never watched any other and GGG is starting to get tiring. Is there a movie that summarizes the series so that I can jump to the allegedly better OVAs?
You know the series is moving way too slowly when the bad guys start running out of options, to the point they repurpose a random mangaka writer as a mobile artillery piece.
That's the last chapter I watched (number 16 I think).
Remember: In GaoGaiGar they needed to kill some moons of Saturn due to them being merged with enemies. After Fantastic Voyage to kill the cores, Gutsy Galaxy Guard decided that repeat would be impractical.
That sounds awesome, but so far the series is quite tame. What I dislike is that apparently Gai has the contractual obligation of always do the killing blow, which means that previously badass characters suddenly are owned so that the main robot can be awesome.
That sounds awesome, but so far the series is quite tame. What I dislike is that apparently Gai has the contractual obligation of always do the killing blow, which means that previously badass characters suddenly are owned so that the main robot can be awesome.
Never watched any other and GGG is starting to get tiring. Is there a movie that summarizes the series so that I can jump to the allegedly better OVAs?
You know the series is moving way too slowly when the bad guys start running out of options, to the point they repurpose a random mangaka writer as a mobile artillery piece.
That's the last chapter I watched (number 16 I think).
@Basarin some questions about the Valiant and Mercury V
How long has the Valiant and Mercury V been around in-universe?
What episode or season would you say they are at Meta wise?
I'm trying to puzzle out how the Valiant, Mercury V and the Kausen "shows" would interact with each other, for lack of better words. I'm assuming that the Kusen show is late Season 1.
@Basarin some questions about the Valiant and Mercury V
How long has the Valiant and Mercury V been around in-universe?
What episode or season would you say they are at Meta wise?
I'm trying to puzzle out how the Valiant, Mercury V and the Kausen "shows" would interact with each other, for lack of better words. I'm assuming that the Kusen show is late Season 1.
Most of the timelines started pretty close with each other, which contributes to the general cluster-f the Earth Union was facing on and around 2070.
Now, Mercury V first emerged in 14 June, A.D. 2069. In classic Go Nagai fashion, when a kaiju was about to stomp through Kyoto, Mercury V emerged from Mt. Atago and proceeded to beat the everloving crap out of the kaiju. From that point on, Sheol's been focusing much more on Asia out of a grudge. I'd say the producers would be just about to wrap up Season 1 any day now.
Valiant first appeared in London on 6 July, A.D. 2069, when the Westphalians attempted to cause a lot of damage during parliamentary elections, and it's been fighting the separatists ever since. For the most part, however, it stays in the European District (as its mandate is limited there). As it is, it really doesn't have time to wander out, since Koenig really has it out for Valiant. That said, your removal of Warlord has caught his attention.
As for the Kausen, all I'll tell you is that Galbinus' crew made planetfall right around the time you were holding your first interview with Peters. The fight at Grand Coulee would have been the mid season 'oh shit son' big fight, and the first season would be winding down right around now.
On this note, I'm finally away from the crazy of work. I'm going to take some time to rest for a bit, before trying to finish the rest of the post. This week's been nuts.
FREE ACTION thanks to @HeavyBane - Imitation is the Best Form... - Apparently your debut of the Phalanx chassis had an audience with the advance party of Cavalier, Patch and Architect. That doesn't surprise or concern you.
What does surprise you? Patch and Architect, already at work modifying more of the Legion to be configuration friendly, have offered to try modifying a vehicle for you. This is not entirely altruistic, as Patch openly admits he's wanting to get additional practice in smoothening the procedure from Kaus physiology to human-based vehicle designs, but who are you to turn down free help?
It suddenly makes more sense when you find that this is going to be the "Alternate Mode" (or alt-mode as Cavalier puts it) for Galbinus himself. Wilde, Henry, Ignatov and Katarina have already volunteered to join in on this one.
Cost: Free
Duration: 1 Turn
Rolling for new design (2d6, Threshold of 5-6)
Will determine the form of Galbinus-R, will improve relations, will gain new configuration design for DFRI use
1201, 8 June, A.D. 2071
Motor Pool, Engineering Bay
"For the last time, Patch," Adam grumbled good-naturedly, "We get it! It's 'inefficient' like everything else we make!" From inside of his Steed, his ride held up a thick wad of cables up to Patch. "C'mon, we went from having nothing to building giant robots in a year! Cut us some slack, man!"
"I am only speaking the basic truth," Patch huffed as he took hold of the offered cables, and immediately adding the mess to the reassembly of the turret. "Objectively, our systems are more efficient." He shakes his head, light momentarily reflecting off of the face shield resting on his brow. "But that's because our systems have to be. We depend on them as our life support, and we need them to be that efficient to survive. Humans can get away with 'good enough.' The machines are just another means to an end."
"Well," Katarina says thoughtfully as she manipulated the servo arms to hold the turret casing in place while Patch worked, "Two hundred years ago, people were just figuring out heavier than air flight." The avatar on the nearby screen tapped her chin in thought. "If it weren't for the Free Brothers, we'd probably be exploring more of Mars by now!"
"Or a lunar colony," Henry added, sliding away from the bottom of the tank. Somehow, his shirt remained pristine and without a speck of grime. "Okay, that should do it for the engine. Are we almost done up top?"
"All finished." Wilde and Patch took a few steps back. "Ms. Katarina, if you would do the honors?"
"Right away!" Katarina smiled, then the screen began flickering with all manner of code criss-crossing it at speeds only Patch was vaguely following.
In a fit of shuddering, the Bulwark slowly began to rise. The front sets of armor and treads slowly unfolded into the arms as the frontal armor folded downwards to become the torso. The turret, interestingly enough, folded towards the opposite direction to form the back of the torso as the legs unfolded from the rear, pausing only to detach the main cannon towards the right arm. Finally taking two steadying steps, the chassis stood at attention; the test process had only taken about ten seconds.
"Everything looks steady," Patch murmured as he examined the console from his end. "Galbinus will have to readjust to account for the means in which the main weapon is mounted, but this should be fine..."
"Only one way to find out," Wilde said with a grin. "C'mon, let's take it for a spin at the Proving Grounds! The other guys'll get a kick out of it!"
"Just so we are clear," Patch said, with growing alarm that every other participant in the room was coming around to the idea, "This was your idea, not mine!"
"That's fine!" Katarina said cheerfully, already directing the rudimentary guidance systems onboard to stomp steadily towards the Proving Grounds. "C'mon, Patch! We had to stress test it sometime!"
"Not like this!"
Gained new chassis! Pending name, 'Consul' or 'Centurion' has been suggested. Galbinus-R can now configure into the new chassis!
What is Gattai? Why does your pilot keep saying that? - You aren't surprised that additional details about the Timberwolf and the Foxhound have already filtered back to Galbinus. But he's approached you with a surprise offer: could you modify several Legionnaires to conduct combining configuration?
He understands this is asking quite a bit out of you, but he's willing to compensate you for your assistance.
Cost: 3 RP (1 RP Locked Next Turn)
Duration: 3 Turns
Chance for Breakthrough (2d6, Threshold of 5-6)
Chance to gain bonus to future Combination experiments. Gain greater relations with Legion. Will be able to call upon Legionnaire Combiner on occasion for reinforcements. Will gain Temporary RP income for the next four turns
Ignatov...has concerns about this project.
It's not about the actual configuration process; Wilde and Henry have this nailed down to an art form at this point. All they're going to need is to wait for Patch to prepare them with alt-forms and then they can look into modifying hardpoints.
No, the issue he actually brings up is a curious one you'd never thought you'd have to deal with: the volunteers' mental health.
"You must imagine it like this, Major," he explains one day when he briefs you about the procedure. "You are, in effect, asking three individual minds to merge into one. We hardly understand the human brain as it is, and Sam has only solidified the principles behind the Psychic Theater." He shakes his head. "I can scarcely imagine what sort of effect this is going to have on the Kausen. Will they retain their individuality? Or will they have difficulty remembering who they are?"
Agreeing this was a problem that had to be addressed, you and Ignatov both traveled to the Enclave to speak with Galbinus about this. To your surprise, not only was he still adamant that the experiment proceed, the volunteers all insisted they wanted to go through with it, regardless of the risks.
In effect a verbal waiver.
"Do not misunderstand us, Doctor," Galbinus says. "I truly appreciate your concern for the volunteers' welfare. But we have reason to suspect that Tyrannous is attempting his own experimentation with this procedure, and with far less concern than you display. We need every advantage we can acquire."
Still, he was grateful for Ignatov's concern, and agreed that there was no need to rush and take risks needlessly with this procedure. His mind somewhat more at ease, Ignatov seems more prepared to face the challenge. When you last left him, he and Patch were deep in consultation over how best to proceed.
Ignatov is uncertain of how this is going to go, but he's up for the challenge.
The Yukimura Institute - Besides the K-Class Materials (which you're keeping under wraps), you haven't had much to do with the Kaiju yet. Now that you have the Intelligence Services' backing, it might do to send Wallflower to the Yukimura Institute directly. See what he can learn and find out about how they do business, particularly with the Black Guardian of the North.
Cost: 1 RP (1 RP Locked Next Turn)
Duration: 2 Turns
Wallflower and Anna have been poking around at the Yukimura Institute.
They're quite surprised at the amount of security that's present around the otherwise idyllic Kyoto laboratory. Still, Anna's credentials are able to get them in for at least a few interviews.
Dr. Rin Yukimura can best be described by Wallflower as tired. Two years of 'round the clock preparations against the next Kaiju attack is clearly taking its toll on the older man, but he's gamely hanging in there. He apologized for just how many barriers of security they had to pass - they passed no less than three checkpoints armed to the teeth and several automated sentry turrets - but he revealed a detail that took even Anna by surprise.
Dr. George Sheol was fond of sending human-sized abominations as 'infiltrators' to try and make life extremely difficult for the Yukimura Institute.
Still, he seemed to welcome the break, and was quite agreeable to show them around, with the caveat that certain details were going to be kept off-limits. Anna and Wallflower had no disagreement there, and Yukimura began to espouse, in classic lecturer style, the principles behind the Aeon Particle Theorem, the very thing that makes Mercury V possible...
Wallflower is quite aware he's only going to get the PR-friendly version veering just barely on the side of official, but he'll take what he can get. Especially if he can get his hands on any data regarding the kaiju.
Slowly gaining additional details about Mercury V and the Kaiju.
Defense Force Actions
Upgraded Radar Tower – BG Peters has no complaints against you and Sasaki wanting even greater radar coverage. Not only would this provide greater local radar coverage, this would allow you to tap further into the EUDF Global Network. This is more expensive than the Outposts, but also allows you to see much farther than your local area.
Cost: 1 RP Locked
Duration: 1 Turn
Progress to Security Net, Greater Local Security, Greater Awareness of Global Threats
The DFRI was already somewhat distinctive from a distance. A curious mixture of an idyllic country-side university from the Old World, mixed with the modern defenses and security of a secret facility. The figures scurrying around the grounds could easily be mistaken for students going to class, but on closer examination they are armed personnel guarding researchers and technicians completing very important work.
And now, a new feature joins this strange mixture of peace and war.
In a square grassy lawn where a water fountain might have been, a massive radar dish points itself to the heavens, sending and receiving all manner of transmissions second by second. Making it possible is the incredibly tall reception tower next to it. A mixture of human and Kausen architecture, it collects and distributes data amongst all the outposts and the Legion Enclave.
The eyes and ears of the Security Net, there is now very little realistic chance of any infiltrators making it into the campus grounds like before.
Now you don't have to rely on forces such as Armistead's to give you early warning.
Security Net as high as it's going to get for a long time. Infiltration no longer a viable possibility.
Aviation - Go full ham on it - You expected Wilde and Henry to make a passionate plea about making something new. You were not expecting your entire staff (AI included!) to make a pitch for building something brand new from the ground up. No one knows how this is going to turn out, but this is an all-hands-on-deck project if you authorize this. What will it be able to do? Who the heck knows?
But when you have this many experts converging on a project like this...
Cost: 1 RP Locked
Duration: 1 Turn
Gain new class of dropship
- ???
- It is pretty good as it turns out.
Followed by Interlude.
Engineering Actions
K-Circuitry - The Phalanx shows that the K-Circuitry enables much more power and reaction time from pilots enabled with it. However, the Phalanx needs that extra power to simply move normally (even if it still hits really hard). What would happen if you put that into the Beowulf and its Formation components?
Wilde and Henry's answer: "Let's find out!"
Duration: 2 Turns
Chance to increase basic combat stats of the Beowulf and Formation modes (2d6, Threshold of 5-6)
Despite additional testing, Wilde and Henry have concluded that they have coaxed as much performance out of the Beowulf as they're going to get. That said, they still coaxed a lot of additional performance out of the Beowulf!
You will not say no to simply giving the Beowulf the chance to punch enemies in the face even harder than it did before.
It's just a pity that it's all it did, but perhaps you're getting spoiled by all the successes you've had in the past half year.
Regardless, this performance is now also extending towards its Combination forms, the Timberwolf and the Foxhound. All three were already potent war machines, but now you can be proud of them being that much more dangerous to anyone who got on the wrong end of your directed deployments.
K-Circuits, you decide, are going to be standard issue.
Beowulf and attached forms now Strike for 2 HP by default! K-Circuits an available option for construction in future Super Robots!
The Shield Wall - The Perseus has all manners of avenues to approach for a combined form. Tooling it into a Core unit is not the issue: finding something suitable for combining with it is. Henry is recommending something heavier, while Wilde is suggesting something you already have on hand that's lighter. However you go about it, Katarina takes the time to remind everyone that new technologies are available to help make either method a bit more viable.
Cost: 1 RP Locked
Duration: 1 Turn
Chance for Breakthrough (2d6, Threshold of 5-6)
Insights into what is required for Phalanx Combine Formations
The Perseus, you decide, is almost becoming a victim of its own successful debut.
For now, the new chassis from the Bulwark is a viable candidate as part of a combined form, but you're not trusting that until you've subjected it to further testing (or until Galbinus gives it his seal of approval). You could feasibly include the V-33, even with the new form that's coming down the pipeline, but that's still a very vague maybe.
Still, you have other options to pursue. But not much. A tracked vehicle such as the Buckler, and something as heavy as the Perseus, might just have to settle for something lighter. Not something to give it increased armor or stature like the Timberwolf does for the Beowulf; the Perseus doesn't need it.
What it does need is armaments. As Henry said, if you're going to capitalize on a strength, double down on it.
As crazy as it sounds, Wilde and Henry are eyeing the Jackals and the V-33s as candidates as well...
Persues has two potential Combine Formations! Testing can be pursued soon!
Functional Supplemental Development - The fragments are smart enough to fill in the blanks given enough hints. Katarina suggests placing the AI in areas where it can observe where you want it to work. The likeliest candidate right now is the Engineering Bay, but that can be changed if you wish.
Cost: 1 RP Locked
Duration: 1 Turn
Will gain new AI Supercomputer Personality, Will be slotted as an Adviser Personality. Rolling this turn for personality.
The new advisers always find a way to surprise you. By now, the 'girls' have their own dynamic with each other and the staff.
Diana is a little fussy and doesn't always check with people before she does something, but she's always going out of her way to find ways to the optimal solution.
Ivanna has the patience of a guru, and always manages to stay calm and cheerful even in the face of the ridiculous.
Katarina is the 'big sister,' always encouraging, always darting between the mainframe servers to see if there's someone who needs help. Or to chide someone who's doing something risky.
But as the newest adviser's avatar finally compiles...well.
She's certainly got the right mindset where she's working.
"Alrighty then," is the first thing she says. "What needs doing?"
You blink. "Hello to you too-" you say.
"Oh, right, name's Lana," she says with a shrug. "But enough of that!" Rolling up her sleeves in the screen, she immediately casts her gaze about the workshop. "C'mon, there's work to do already!"
Ignatov simply chuckles. "Calm now, child," he says fondly. "You only just compiled yourself. Find Katarina, now; she'll show you what needs doing."
"Sounds good then!" Without any fanfare, she immediately disappears, presumably to go search for her older sister.
You just look at Ignatov. "And she's supposed to work with Wilde and Henry?" you ask incredulously.
The older man simply raises an eyebrow at you. "Can you think of anyone better that can keep them on track?" he asks.
You find he makes an excellent point.
Gained new adviser: Lana! Passive Bonus: Stubborn. Rolling a 1 on any dice will prompt a Re-Roll.
Triple Change - You still wonder if there's at least one more configuration for the V-33 you can squeeze in. Wilde and Henry aren't promising anything, but they agree it's worth a look.
Cost: 2 RP (1 RP Locked Next Turn)
Duration: 2 Turns
It turns out that the addition of Anti-Gravity treatments is giving new life to the V-33 frame. Last year, with the best human engineering technologies offered, it was known for having two modes: jet fighter and rotary craft. It was, and remains, an incredibly versatile craft. But it does not truly excel at either role.
Wilde and Henry's answer: give it another form on top of that.
Now, even with Anti-Gravity they are still facing severe limitations. With all the engineering and designs already in place, and keeping in mind they're only trying to add another modification and not just a brand new frame, there's only so much they can do. So the answer is to make the humanoid form an entire mission pod set in its own right.
Currently dubbed the 'Tertius' configuration, it promises to be the forerunner for a brand new class of Mecha for the EUDF. The Duo are undecided if we should be using it for our own purposes, but that's a discussion for another day.
They'll have something by next month.
Tertius configuration in development!
Combinations for the Steed - the Steed is early power armor at best. But Wilde and Henry are wondering if it can be configured to combine into even bigger power armor with another vehicle. This is a relatively light project.
Cost: 2 RP (1 RP Locked Next Turn)
Duration: 3 Turns
The Steed, in contrast, is proving to be a bit more difficult than they originally anticipated. All of the proposed vehicles have something or other that renders it unviable as a protective armor-set. The Jackal is right out, as is the Phalanx; the internal mechanisms would threaten to simply crush the Armor, which would defeat the whole purpose of the exercise.
Still, if ground-based vehicles aren't cutting it, perhaps aerial based ones will. Henry is suggesting the V-33, giving that now venerable frame even more utility.
Wilde is suggesting, half-jokingly, they should just 'stuff the damned thing in the Pilum and call it a day.'
Interestingly enough, Henry isn't dismissing that idea...
Brainstorming is commencing. Wilde may or may not be serious about the Pilum. Henry is very serious about that idea.
Reforging the Shattered Spear - Due to the...mishap with the chemical composition of the Pilum's remains, this is easily going to be the most expensive project to re-initiate. At the rate it's going, it's actually just slightly less expensive than the damned dropship! But this promises to easily be one of the most potent projects you get your hands on, and you'll be able to produce your own versions of it! Like hell you're letting anyone else get their hands on it though.
Said chemical composition is also still there. Wilde and Henry want to know what the hell was coating this thing, and why it initiated a response now.
Cost: 3 RP due to incident (1 RP Locked Next Turn)
Duration: 3 Turns
Reconstruct the Pilum
Speaking of the Pilum, reconstruction is proceeding on schedule. Having isolated that mystery chemical composition, once they determined that the basic frame was either scoured of it or was already burnt off by the Arc Cannon, the Duo got to work.
The frame itself survived in pieces, far more than it had any right to. With the basic skeletal frame still intact, all the Duo really need to do is 'flesh it out' with internal wiring, armor plating, and their patented (seriously, they patented it) configuration hardpoints. Here, though, they are in a bit of a debate over whether or not to make the Pilum its own mecha, or to make it the dedicated armor set for the Steed custom model.
They are splitting the difference so far by at least making room for the Steed's Armor mode to get in and pilot.
The chemical composition has proven to be some sort of lubricant with interesting properties. In the previous month, an electric charge accidentally set off the composition on the claws, prompting an almost muscle memory-like reaction. The composition itself serves to reduce friction, but Henry determines that the K-Circuits already do a decent job of what this composition was trying to do. You could look further into it, but you already have something better.
They'll have further details next month.
Reconstruction of the Pilum proceeds on schedule.
Science Actions
Dispersion Field Plans – "It's a damned force field!" At least that's what you think you heard Max cackle. You're not sure. You just know that Galbinus told you it's not a complete set of the plans. It's just as much of the plans that some former shield engineers in the Legion scribed down from memory. On the plus side, it means you can create something uniquely yours.
Duration: 2 Turns
Chance for Breakthrough (2d6+1d6, Threshold of 5-6, Katarina's Support Applied)
Progress in Xenotechnology, New Combat Options
Still nothing but setbacks.
From what reports you get through the garbled Angrish and German coming out of the woman's mouth, the Dispersion Field is incredibly finnicky and inconsistent. It's potent when it works, but it seems to have a mind of its own on whether or not it's on the clock. The result is far more destroyed prototypes than you are comfortable with.
That, and an incredibly angry woman with a deep understanding of esoteric energy fields.
Ivanna reports anxiously that it's probably best to give the Xenotech laboratories a wide berth this month.
Max is getting annoyed. She will solve this, dammit!
Kaiju Biotechnology - Your Sunday Best - K-Scale in miniature? This looks promising to look into! This has the potential for both mass distribution within the wider EUDF, but also has the potential to become new material for your pilots. That, and Sam is wondering at the fact that signals between the K-Scale and the MMI continue to bounce off each other. He thinks he can make use of this.
That said, better get started with it now before the changes Peters was talking about get a chance to stick their oars in.
Cost: 2 RP (One Time Investment)
Duration: 1 Turn
Chance for Breakthrough (2d6, Threshold of 5-6), Ivanna's Calm Applied
Progress in Kaiju Biotechnology
The K-Suit, as Sam has dubbed it, is functional. He seems fairly puzzled, as that's as far as he went. From everything he's been able to determine, it serves as a very functional suit of armor. Lightweight, flexible, and decently tough, capable of withstanding small arms fire and piercing shrapnel for a limited time. It could even be forged the same way as K-Scale, complete with shock therapy to encourage a humanoid growth pattern.
But Sam is not confident that this is the end of it. He's still detecting reactions with directed MMI signals. But when MMI signals hit the K-Suit scales, the signals go wonky, and disperse much like a beam of light hitting a prism.
Yet he still seeing signals of its own bouncing off that could be utilized.
Despite his reservations about starting up new programs so soon from the program overhaul, Sam quite frankly asks you for additional support in figuring this out. He promises you that this is going to have all sorts of applications for controlling the Super Robot.
K-Suit unlocked! New Kaiju Biotechnology Action Unlocked!
Dammit, kinda wanted the Tron expy to be our pilot... If that's out, could we get Aile or Ashe from the ZX series as our pilot? Whenever we get to do that again...
To be fair, Stubborn is a re-roller power, which is pretty sweet. Tron...Well, that would have given people an idea of what to expect out of her, if the relevant series weren't ancient. Maybe Ignatov will recognize that...
