|
The Alien Wars 6:
The Fall of Eden
Session Start: Mon Feb 12 18:52:36 2018
Session Ident: #TAW-Session91
* Now talking in #TAW-Session91
* kalonZombie has joined #TAW-Session91
* Xanatos has joined #TAW-Session91
<DeathStar> :O
* Sara has joined #TAW-Session91
<kalonZombie> A wild DS appears
* kalonZombie chucks a Pokeball at him
* DeathStar flails and is now the item, rolling
* kalonZombie releases and lets him follow around like in SoulSilver
* Xanatos does the thing.
<Xanatos> WINK
<ChadWinters`> Don't wink at me!
* Seraphna has joined #TAW-Session91
<kalonZombie> wonk
<Sara> wank
<Seraphna> wark
<kalonZombie> kweh
* ChadWinters` gnaws on air
* Jackieness has joined #TAW-Session91
<DeathStar> Alright
<DeathStar> Let us begin
<DeathStar> THE EVIL
<DeathStar> 3
<DeathStar> 2
<DeathStar> 1
<DeathStar> -0-
<DeathStar> 10-637.7.24
<DeathStar> Location: The Underground Base, Top Floor
<DeathStar> 6* 4 days later, in Cheryl's center command center, the teams are main two teams have been gathered right now. The Special Ops and Black Ops, with Cheryl going over the reports.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> So Vodka is pretty sure that clones are being hit by some sort of virus
* ChadWinters` leans against the back wall.
<Xanatos> <Marcus> I'm getting some Weapon virus flashbacks.
<kalonZombie> <Ash> Similar to the virus that got to me?
<Xanatos> <Cole> That was like...a computer virus? This sounds different.
<ChadWinters`> Except we're don't know the reason why they'd want to target Clones.
<DeathStar> *Cheryl peers at the paperwork* Clone degradation has been an issue if one clones tissue too much. Like Cran did decades ago. Though clone degradation usually occurs a bit differently
<Xanatos> <Kane> Do we have any idea how it is being spread or how Adeline came in contact with it?
<Jackieness> <Josephine> "Maybe they are trying to kill Cran, uncaring about the collateral."
<DeathStar> 6* Cheryl rolls her chair over to the board. Taiga is there too, wearing glasses*
<ChadWinters`> Unless they're intent is to force someone out of hiding or clean up a mess
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Let me give a lesson.
<DeathStar> *Cheryl draws a brain*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> This is a normal brain
<kalonZombie> <Ash> Woah, good brain.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> *Cheryl then draws a bunch of 0's beside it, about 10*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> The circles representant no damage.
* Nyaomi has joined #TAW-Session91
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Clone degradation basically is this. If I cloned this brain, you might get: *she does another brain, then does 9 circles with 1 X.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Then if you did it again, *she repeats with 2 Xs*
<kalonZombie> <Mi'Na> And the longer you go the more X's you get...
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Right. That was what Cran did long ago.
<Xanatos> <Cole> I'm all O and you got an X. 6* He says, looking at Ash.
<kalonZombie> <Ash> Pfft. I've got more Os than you, Macbook Pro.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Now, looking at the reports
<DeathStar> *Cheryl taps the example* The virus is acting a lot like clone degradation
* Chaintan has joined #TAW-Session91
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> You are getting 0's turning into X's
<Seraphna> * Angela muses, peering over it, Angelos doesn't look very happy about the subject considering how he was made.
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Despite one clones being one time clones
<Xanatos> <Marcus> Do you think the idea was to hide the virus by making it seem like degredation?
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Yes. And it is even effecting cloned limbs it seems like
<ChadWinters`> So it's doing what years of cloning does in a fraction of the time.
<Seraphna> Angela> "...Well shit."
<Xanatos> <Kane> How many of us have clones limbs?
<DeathStar> <Taiga> I imagine over the years, a few
<kalonZombie> <Mi'Na> So I suppose the answer is to look towards a cure.
<DeathStar> <Taiga> It could bring down the cloning industry down
<Seraphna> Angela> "SHould have gotten the freaking robot hand."
<Nyaomi> <Mem> Hurray for those of us with high regenerative capabilities.
<Jackieness> <Myria> *advertises a sale on cybernetic limbs to all team members*
<Sara> <Kaori> Gross.
<ChadWinters`> The question is why though.
<Nyaomi> * Chii raises a hand cheerfully. "And demons."
<Seraphna> Angela> "Question, would cutting the limb off and replacing it help?"
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Oh I'm sure. Until the virus hits the new limb
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Probably faster
<Seraphna> Angela> "With a cybernetic one."
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> *shrugs* You could I suppose. *she eyes the report* The problem is the virus is hitting people at differnent routes. Adeline got hit quickly due to her wound. Wade is fine so far since we got to him
<Nyaomi> <Mem> This is where Angela starts replacing half the population's cloned parts with mechanical and takes over the world when she goes evil.
<Seraphna> Tabetha> "Myria's side business will boom."
<Nyaomi> * Mem pauses. "Again."
<Xanatos> 6* Kane slowly rubs his face, dark circles under his eyes.
<ChadWinters`> Have we been able to track a ground zero where it began?
<Seraphna> Angela> "Booo. I wouldn't. I was just thinking about myself there. I mean, I was going to go for the robot hand originally."
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> No. In fact I think we need a clone exprt, Cran
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Anyone object?
<Xanatos> <Marcus> I can go grab him.
<kalonZombie> <Ash> Great. Let's go Cran hunting.
<Seraphna> Angelos> "And he's already working on the problem. So it's the best idea."
<Seraphna> * Angelos says, frowning.
<Jackieness> <Josephine> "Perhaps makign an appointment at his corproate tower will be more expedient."
<Nyaomi> <Mem> I could... just call him?
<DeathStar> *Cheryl brings up holovid, where news reports talk about how people with cloned parts are dying*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Whatever you do, you need to hurry. It is spreading.
<Seraphna> Angela> "See that's not very comforting."
<DeathStar> *Darien looks up from his paperworks*
<kalonZombie> <Mi'Na> Let's give him a call five minutes before this meeting started.
<Nyaomi> <Mem> Your midget-self had him on speed dial. We've kind of been... on each other's address book since.
<ChadWinters`> Bring him in.
<Nyaomi> * Mem shrugs and dials Cran.
<Seraphna> * Angelos grumbles, pulling out a datapad and calling Alexander. Pausing instead though when Mem does.
<DeathStar> <Cherry> Assuming he's not dead yet. *she notes, eating grapes*
<Xanatos> <Marcus> Do I need to go prep a shuttle or can one of you teleporting fucks go get him?
<kalonZombie> 6*Angelos DOES have a message from Lin'Daa to bring home milk, though
<Nyaomi> <Mem> Well then my dismally small friends' list would get shorter.
<ChadWinters`> Then we'll talk to a cloned versio nof him. 6He notes to Cherry
<Jackieness> <Josephine> "Or pulling a Howard Hughes in his penthouse."
<DeathStar> *Cran's face appears on the screen as he's contacted. Spots and skin dying on his face*
<DeathStar> <Cran> Yes?
<Nyaomi> <Mem> Howard Hues? What shade is that? Purple?
<ChadWinters`> 6SPoC peers over at Marcus.
<Seraphna> Angelos> "I think you know why we're calling already."
<ChadWinters`> Seem's he's been affected by something.
<Nyaomi> <Mem> Hey Alex. We'd like your expertise on your field." She's oblivious, being blind.
<DeathStar> *Cran makes a face* Oh nice to be wanted suddenly
<Seraphna> ANgelos> "Hey, I've wanted you for some time baby."
<Nyaomi> <Mem> Suddenly!? Didn't we talk last week?
<Nyaomi> * Mem pauses, peering toward Angelos oddly.
<Seraphna> * Angelos delivers it dryly.
<Jackieness> <Josephine> "This just got Freudian."
<Nyaomi> <Mem> Huh, so that's what you're into.
<DeathStar> *Cheryl slides her chair away from Angelos*
<Seraphna> Angelos> "I'm into women. Damnit people take a joke."
<ChadWinters`> You coming in then? 6He looks at the screen
<Seraphna> Angela> "Oh god he got my humor way too exactly."
<DeathStar> <Taiga> *Deadpans at the screen*
<DeathStar> <TAiga> Coming in...
<Nyaomi> <Mem> I'll come get you.
<kalonZombie> <Mi'Na> You're so into women you get women pregnant three days after meeting them.
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Come get him...
<Xanatos> <Kane> I'll be in medical if we get a lead. 6* He tells Cheryl, stepping out and moving to go sith with Adeline.
<Seraphna> Angela> "Maybe we should go to him?"
<Nyaomi> '* Mem clicks the call off as they keep joking.
<Nyaomi> * She leans in toward Taiga and shows her teeth.
<Nyaomi> <Mem> Something to say, stripes?
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Oh no. Not a thing
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Marcus
<Xanatos> <Marcus> Yup, I'll go prep a shuttle.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Form a team of those present and go to Cran.
<Nyaomi> * Mem pats Taiga's head roughly, then heads for the shuttle bay.
<Seraphna> * Jennifer leans in. "Need a geneticist?"
<Xanatos> 6* Marcus stands up and points around to everyone.
<Xanatos> <Marcus> Let's go. 6* He moves off for the shuttle bay.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> The rest of us will keep working with Vodka here
<Nyaomi> <Hope> Wouldn't this be something worth talking to.. uh.. mom, about?
<Nyaomi> <Hope> Nanotechnology and cellular breakdown and all.
<DeathStar> <Zephyr> Yeah. I'll call Megumi in to help Vodka
<Nyaomi> * Hope thumbs up.
<Seraphna> * Jennifer shrugs. "I'll go with them so someone knows what to actually tell Vodka."
<Xanatos> 6* Cole slowly stands up and gives a slight stretch, then move off. *THNK THNK THNK*
* ChadWinters` moves to grab some things from his room. SPoC blinks then moves towads the shuttle bay
<DeathStar> -SCENE SHIFT-
<DeathStar> Location: Alexandria Corporations
<DeathStar> 6* Katherine looks around as they are led down into the basement. They would see a few clones of Angelos floating in a tube, as Cran is there with a lab coat
<DeathStar> <Vesta> Creepy place
<Seraphna> Angelos> "I dunno, the room seems full of handsome."
<Xanatos> <Marcus> Cheryl know you been working with him? 6* He says to Angelos, glancing to him.
<kalonZombie> <Mi'Na> ...Don't let my mom see this or she'll order a dozen.
<Seraphna> Angelos> "I did tell her."
<ChadWinters`> Seem's about right. 6He peers, wearing one of those camo masks to change his facial appearance
<Xanatos> <Marcus> Alright, fair enough.
<DeathStar> <Cran> They have no mind. *He notes about the clones* They're just for tissue samples
<Nyaomi> <Mem> Funny you say that, matchstick. Wasn't long ago your sister and you were into this kind of thing for your grandpappy, wasn't it?
<Xanatos> 6* Cole pokes things as he passes them.
<ChadWinters`> 6SPoC looks at a tube, eyeing the cloned Angelos
<Seraphna> * Tabetha peers around while Jennifer eyes things with a trained eye.
<Xanatos> <Marcus> You look rough. 6*He says to Cran
<DeathStar> <Cran> Anyway, I've been gathering tissue samples from those with the virus, including myself. I can tell this much. It is manfuctured.
<ChadWinters`> So much do you know about this new virus?
<kalonZombie> <Ash> Don't poke too much Tandy 500, you might break something important.
<Seraphna> Jennifer> "If it's manufactured it must have some form of control element..."
<DeathStar> *Cran peers at it his notes* Perhaps. But the more I try to control the virus, it adapts.
<Jackieness> <Josephine> "Any evidence of the source?"
<ChadWinters`> That was a given. Does this track with anything from VI or something you've run across in the past?
<Xanatos> <Marcus> Then don't control it?
<Seraphna> Jennifer> "Have you tried counter culture viruses?"
<DeathStar> <Cran> None of the older VI viruses match it
<ChadWinters`> What's your take on it?
<DeathStar> <Cran> I've run dozens of tests on the virus and tried to learn from it. It's trained to adapt. My fear is this
<DeathStar> <Cran> If I mess with it anymore, or try to learn too much, it could jump to humans
<DeathStar> <Cran> And not just clones
<Xanatos> <Marcus> That would be even worse than the shit situation we're in right now.
<Seraphna> * Jennifer frowns. "Maybe we should just focus on it's removal then."
<ChadWinters`> Think that's part of it's design? Force someone to leave it be and take out all clones and cloned material or risk exposing humanity to it?
<kalonZombie> 6*Mi'Na looks worried, because if it can jump to humans that likely means it can jump to Gitari
<Xanatos> 6* Cole stares at Ash's face and slowly reaches out to poke an empty test tube.
<Jackieness> <Josephine> "Alright... let's ask this... what would someone gain from making an anti-clone virus?"
<Seraphna> Tabetha> "It would be a devious one..."
<DeathStar> <Cran> No. I think there's a control there. So they can shut it off. I think it's to stay out hand
<kalonZombie> 6*Ash doesn't stop him. He breaks it he buys it.
<Seraphna> Jennifer> "So we either need the control or we need to change the hosts, since we can't change the virus itself."
<ChadWinters`> So we need to find whoever created it. Something like this isn't easy to make.
<kalonZombie> <Ash> So we find the control, tell it to stop, and then be big damn heroes.
<DeathStar> *Darien wanders the lab, peering at things as he listens, glancing at Cran*
<DeathStar> <Cran> You know species that can heal and change things.
<DeathStar> <Cran> I think you need to bring in famfrits and kitsune
<Xanatos> <Marcus> Something this complicated, can't be THAT many people that would have the skill to do this, right?
<DeathStar> <Cran> Maybe use Weapons with healing speciality
<Seraphna> Jennifer> "Yes... definately."
<Seraphna> * Jennifer wiggles her long, pointed ears for emphasis.
<Nyaomi> * Mem leans in, an arm around Vesta, nodding toward Darien. "Speaking of grandpappy."
<DeathStar> <Cran> It's a virus at it's basic form. And it adapts
<ChadWinters`> And hope it doesn't decide to jump to them.
<Seraphna> Jennifer> "Cauceus... might resist being brought out of retirement."
<Seraphna> *Caduceus
<Seraphna> Jennifer> "But I'll contact him."
<Nyaomi> <Mem> Bet he'll be thrilled. He loves having anything to do with us lot.
<ChadWinters`> We should get a hold of Virulent also. This is her area of expertise
<Seraphna> Jennifer> "More like he enjoys getting to brag about saving us from ourselves."
<DeathStar> <Cran> I would bring them all in. If the virus can be rendered back to a weaker state. It'll give us time
<Seraphna> * Jennifer nods and starts making the calls. Including some important Kitsune / Kitsune Goddesses she might know.
<Xanatos> <Marcus> Do you want to coninue working here or come work in our lab?
<DeathStar> *Cran picks up his data and other stuff* I will come. *Vesta watches Darien read over the data and turns to join them*
<Seraphna> Jennifer> "We'll have to be careful not to have clones working too close to one another or we might defeat our own efforts."
<Seraphna> * Angelos waves in his hazmat.
<DeathStar> *Cran points at Angelos* Nice try. But look at your face
<ChadWinters`> We should get going, time isn't on our side right now
<Xanatos> <Marcus> Yeah we're keeping everyone seperate.
<Seraphna> * Angelos groans. "Well I already knew I was infected."
<Seraphna> Angelos> "I was trying not to make it worse for you."
<DeathStar> <Cran> The virus seems to worse for me so I wouldn't worry
<Xanatos> <Marcus> Yeah, let's get on back.
<Seraphna> * Angelos nods. "THat's why Angela kept her distance on this one."
<DeathStar> -SCENE SHIFT-
<DeathStar> Location: Tokyo, Erevis' Place
<DeathStar> 6* X slaps down a sake bottle, at Erevis' place as the new Deblin place is built across the way
<DeathStar> <X> And then I threw Dias 5 miles into the sky
<Xanatos> <Drasek> Little prick had it comin, I bet.
<Seraphna> Jaime> "So high...."
<DeathStar> *Zephyr is packing Megumi's stuff to teleport her back to the base*
<DeathStar> 6* Erevis listens, a white streak in her red hair these days, as her human body seems to be having some side effects to losing her progenitor pwoers*
<Xanatos> <Xan> So do you think there's anything the rest of us non-genetic knowing types can do?
<Xanatos> 6* Xan says to Zephyr.
<DeathStar> <Zephyr> Do you know anything about viruses?
<Xanatos> <Xan> I do not.
<Seraphna> Sammael> "Only the computer kind."
<DeathStar> *suddenly the doors to the front door busts open and Sen, having come across from the Giblin residence that is under contruction* <Sen> Tora has collapsed while we were building a room
<DeathStar> *X pauses in drinking another sake and Erevis tilts her head*
<Seraphna> Jaime> "Oh no... she's like... super clone."
<Xanatos> 6* Xan glances around at the others then looks to Sen.
<DeathStar> *X and Erevis rise up, with Erevis lifts Xan up* <Erevis> You wanted something to do
<Seraphna> Sammael> "Should we bring her to the base or would that cause contagion...?"
<Xanatos> 6* Xan nods and moves to go retrieve her.
<Nyaomi> <Megumi> 5 miles? How would the dumbass not have died. That's clear into the air ocean.
<Xanatos> <Drasek> Y'think they'd need some Progen juice to help sort this mess?
<DeathStar> *Sen hurries back, looking paniced for once, unlike her normal emotionless state. As Xan arrives, he would find Tora face down, and there seems to be no sploches to indicate an infection, but she is not breathing either*
<Xanatos> <Xan> Oh fuck she's not breathing. 6* He starts doing CPR to try to stabilize her.
<Nyaomi> * Megumi makes a face and walks over, not interfering with Xanatos, but touches her with a fingertip and closes her eyes.
<DeathStar> *X kneels and Erevis checks her pulse as X opens up her shirt to do CPR. As she opens the shirt, the sploches cover her body and Xan would find the bones brittle, as if the virus is eating away at Tora. X grimaces* <X> I think there is more to this virus than we realize*
<DeathStar> -TIME JUMP-
<Seraphna> Jaime> "H-How long has she been like this...?"
<DeathStar> Location: Underground Base
<DeathStar> 6* Vodka and those at the base go through the data with those on it, Adeline looking weaker as Vodka studies her chart and the virus.*
* ChadWinters` looks over at the monitors, reading the data and charts. 1"Something still bothers me about this."
<Xanatos> 6* Kane sits by her, leg bouncing as he holds her hand.
<DeathStar> <Vodka> What is that? *Adeline mumbles now and again about brains and power*
<Seraphna> * Angela in a seperate room goes over the data and tries to look at it from a logical level. While Si'Chii rubs her head worriedly.
<kalonZombie> 6*Mi'Na appears behind Si and rubs her shoulders "It'll be alright, my sweetest."
<DeathStar> *Cheryl leans back in her command center, sending Marcus' group after Virulent and Caduceus, and kidnapping any other healer they can think of*
<ChadWinters`> I'm concerned who's behind it. If it's Destiny, it'd make sense. If it's VI or someone else, what's their endgame. Money? Seem's to simple
<DeathStar> <Vodka> I am not being master mind.
<Xanatos> <Kane> ...what would money have to do with this? 6* His legs stops bouncing as he eyes Chad
<ChadWinters`> Sell a cure.
<Seraphna> Angela> *over the comms* "Could simply be to target people they know to be clones. Could be a distraction from something else."
<DeathStar> *Vodka works over the data Cran gave when he was dropped off by Marcus on their way*
<ChadWinters`> But which clone or clones.
<ChadWinters`> A distraction I could see, but for what?
<DeathStar> <Vodka> *she focuses on something and zooms in* Mister Kane. You are being computer guy yes?
<Xanatos> <Kane> Perhaps there simply is no motive. Chaos is a powerful thing.
<Xanatos> 6* Kane nods, rising and moving over to Vodka.
<DeathStar> <Vodka> Even in science, many people are .. .what is word
<Seraphna> Angela> "Well this is acting up just after we learn that VI is in play again, and that they have an agenda in the works."
<DeathStar> <Vodka> Putting mark on creations? Ownership? Dick waving?
* ChadWinters` looks over at Kane/Vodka
<Seraphna> Angela> "Lot of terms for it, but Trademark works."
<ChadWinters`> A mark, something that shows it's their work. Most times it's their without them realizing it
<Xanatos> <Kane> Signature. That's the term you're looking for.
<DeathStar> <Vodka> I am sure virus signature. Woven into virus
<Xanatos> 6* Kane leans in to peer at what she's looking at.
<DeathStar> *Vodka zooms in on a section* This part does not seem to do much virusing. Perhaps you can figure out if mark is there
* ChadWinters` moves to look beside Kane, studying it
<DeathStar> *Zephyr arrives with Megumi and any other who came*
<DeathStar> *Zephyr looking dirty and angry*
<DeathStar> <Zephyr> We're here
<Seraphna> * Jaime peers around, looking worried but wanting to see what's going on. "Tora's real sick..."
<DeathStar> <Zephyr> Tora is dead
<Xanatos> 6* Kane begins run that piece through a few routines, trying to extract some sort of identification.
<DeathStar> *Zephyr wipes her hand on her clothes, smearing gunk*
<Seraphna> * Jaime shivers a bit.
* ChadWinters` makes a copy of the code, and begins cross referencing with everything he's come across over the years
<Sara> * Kaori looks unsettled
<DeathStar> *Cran rolls his chair into medical bay* Where's the body? I'd like to examine it then. *He lowers his goggles, looking like he could care less. *Zephyr eyes him*
<DeathStar> <Cran> Kaori can be my assistant
<DeathStar> *Cran rolls off*
<Sara> * Kaori almost vomits. "Oh boy..."
<Xanatos> 6* Drasek walks in and rolls up his sleeve.
<Sara> * She moves away
<Sara> * Dutifully
<Seraphna> Angela> "Tora..."
<DeathStar> -SCENE SHIFT-
<Xanatos> <Drasek> This thing is getting serious, so I get you lot permission to my gooey bits.
<DeathStar> (lol oh Drasek)
<DeathStar> Location: Mexico
<DeathStar> 6* Marcus' Team arrives in Mexico
<DeathStar> 6* Vesta steps out and eyes the area, where half naked men do a sexy dance and lotion each other up
<Seraphna> Jennifer> "Yep, this is Caduceus' version of Paradisio alright."
<DeathStar> *Katherine stares, looking unable to look away*
<Xanatos> <Marcus> Did Cad steal away to my special place?
<ChadWinters`> <SPoC> Special place?
<DeathStar> *Katherine peers at Marcus, seeing him in a new light*
<Seraphna> Jennifer> "...Do I really want to know why this is your special place?"
<DeathStar> <KAtherine> Oh...you swing that way
<Xanatos> <Marcus> I got over my depression near here.
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "...what the hell?"
<Xanatos> <Marcus> SO much Tequila. It was nice. 6* He begins to move off to find Caduceus, following the last known location on his datapad.
<Seraphna> Jennifer> *sighs and follows, sadly, knowledgable about what Cad likes, it has scarred her for life*
<DeathStar> *Cherry slides out and throws her lolita outfit, spreading her arms out*
<DeathStar> <Cherry> Lotion me
<DeathStar> *The men bury Cherry to her neck*
<DeathStar> <Cherry> No fair!
<DeathStar> *she naked girl flails*
<Seraphna> * Tabetha sighs and floats her out.
<Xanatos> <Cole> My temperature gauges are going pretty high here.
<Seraphna> * Tabetha then floats a towel around her.
<DeathStar> *they find Caduceus surrounded by cabana boys, lotioning him up and feeding him fruit*
<ChadWinters`> <SPoC> These men make you hot and bothered? 6She looks at Cole
<DeathStar> <Cherry> Sigh. So how hot here.... *she walks in a towel, the dress too hot to wear*
<Xanatos> <Cole> Huh? It's over 100 degrees.
<Seraphna> Jennifer> "The only thing missing from this picture, Cad, is the martini with a little umbrella in it."
<kalonZombie> <Ash> Nah, Colecovision's fans just aren't working properly.
<Xanatos> <Marcus> He Cad, what's up?
<DeathStar> *Vesta relaxes in the heat, sipping drinks*
<DeathStar> <Caduceus> *sees them and jerks* Oh god. My ex student is here
<DeathStar> *Caduceus feels his old pains acting up*
<ChadWinters`> <SPoC> I see. My apologies. 6she looks over at Caduceus. 1"We are in need of your expertise."
<Xanatos> <Marcus> SO, lots of Clone people are dying, we need your brainpan.
<Xanatos> <Cole> You'll eventually run out of names. 6* He says to Ash.
<DeathStar> *Caduceus drinks a martini out of the pecs of a body builder*
<DeathStar> <Caduceus> So? Jennifer is smart
<DeathStar> <Caduceus> Well, kinda smart
<DeathStar> <Caduceus> ... smart for road kill
<ChadWinters`> <SPoC> Apparenlty not smart enough for this virus.
<DeathStar> *Caduceus does an ehhh and hand wave*
<Xanatos> <Cole> We're pretty desperate here, need anyone that could help.
<DeathStar> *Darien looks around, observing all this*
<Seraphna> Jennifer> "Extra minds always help, plus there's your power."
<DeathStar> <Darien> ...
<Nyaomi> * Mem starts walking toward Caduceus, a subtle grin across her lips.
<Seraphna> Jennifer> *peers at her datapad* "We're... already losing people. And it's only getting worse the longer we take." *she holds it out to him*
<DeathStar> <Caduceus> The mewling cries of the weak. *He grabs his cane and lifts himself up*
<DeathStar> *and takes the datapad, eyeing it*
<DeathStar> <Caduceus> Oh my, made a deal with the devil have we?
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Can you say potential pandemic?"
<DeathStar> <Caduceus> Gotten that desperate?
<Seraphna> Jennifer> "Yes."
<ChadWinters`> <SPoC> It would appear so, yes
<Nyaomi> <Mem> So you're that weapon with the magic healing touch. I've always wanted to meet you.
<Xanatos> <Marcus> The devil?
<DeathStar> *Caduceus pinches Cassandra's butt* So cute. *he eyes Mem* It's nice to see you. Oh wait. You can't see
<Seraphna> Jennifer> "He's been researching this for some time now so he's the first they thought of. Plus he's already heavily infected so he has motivation to help."
<DeathStar> *Katherine stares at this guy*
<Nyaomi> <Mem> There's plenty for me to look at in regards to you. Why, I'd say you're a regular christmas tree for me.
<Seraphna> Angelos> "Even my handsome self is suffering."
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "... ... ...we just need most of this guy... right?"
<DeathStar> <Caduceus> I guess I can help. *he snaps his fingers and 10 cabana boys lift him up and carry to the shuttle*
<DeathStar> <Caduceus> You know you got a sore on your dick, right? *he tells Angelos*
<Nyaomi> <Mem> Say." She follows his entourage. "How much could I dissect one of these boys before you couldn't return them to a recognizable state anymore?"
<Seraphna> Angelos> "Don't make me cry."
<ChadWinters`> <SPoC> Thank you Cadaceus.
<DeathStar> <Caduceus> Oh my. I'd just let you do it and have them send you to jail.
<Xanatos> 6* Marcus rubs his face and then moves to leave. Cole meanwhile knocks sand out of his armor, before running to catch up.
<DeathStar> <Katherine> She scares me
<Nyaomi> <Mem> If jail mattered to me I'd have been a goner long before 'big sis' found me.
<DeathStar> -TIME JUMP-
<DeathStar> Location: Underground Base
<DeathStar> 6* Kaori is now blood soaked as Cran pulls out organs and scans and weighs them
<Nyaomi> * Megumi observes from a safe, clean, distance.
<DeathStar> *the two find what looks like words in the virus. An OG can make it clearer*
<Sara> * Kaori shudders even as she hands over tools when prompted
* ChadWinters` nods to Kane
<Sara> <Kaori> I-I think I saw something...
<Xanatos> 6* Kane's player holds up a middle finger, but Kane seems to be ready.
<Sara> <Kaori> ...that I can never unsee...
<DeathStar> *Cran nods and with some work, leans back* I might have a working prototype for an anti-virus thanks to this. But I fear it might adapt without some fire power. *He peers up* Just take a long bath. *a spleen falls down*
<DeathStar> *Up, Down, Left, Right, Right, Left, Down, Up
<DeathStar> 5
<DeathStar> 4
<ChadWinters`> durllrud
<DeathStar> 3
<Xanatos> durllrud
<DeathStar> 2
<DeathStar> 1
<DeathStar> -0-
<DeathStar> *the words are V.I*
<Xanatos> <Kane> ...V.I.
* ChadWinters` taps his comm. 1"It appears this is VI's work"
<DeathStar> *Cran cleans up and goes to work on the anti virus completion*
<DeathStar> <Cran> Good job Kaori
<Sara> <Kaori> Y-Yes.... s-sir
<Sara> <Kaori> *shudder*
<DeathStar> *Cran moves in and works in medical bay*
<ChadWinters`> Why sell two clones at an auction, then release a virus that can kill them....6He crosses his arms
<Xanatos> 6* Kane shifts to his datapad and begins pulling up any and all information on old VI bases, checking to see if there's been any activity at them including power, water, and network traffix.
<Seraphna> Angela> "Maybe it was a safety net in case they got sold to the wrong people."
<Xanatos> (traffic)
<DeathStar> <Vodka> Well, the clones were being sold in another sector of space
<Seraphna> Angela> "Or maybe we're back to the old days and VI works in factions and sectors again."
<ChadWinters`> Right. But if information on the virus got out, it'd hurt business.
<Seraphna> * Angela makes a sound of affirmation at Vodka over the comms.
<DeathStar> *Cran looks up* What are you talking about?
<Xanatos> <Kane> There's a signature hidden in the virus. VI.
<ChadWinters`> VI's reared it's head again. Considering what Lev said a few days ago.
<ChadWinters`> Or were you asking about the clone thing? 6He looks over at Cran.
<Seraphna> Angela> "VI was selling clones of Aya and Eve. VI is on the virus. Weapon Lev name dropped VI just before shooting up a court room and telling us they had a much bigger agenda already in play. O think that about covers it."
<DeathStar> *Cran pauses, his face a bit unreadable, a twitch as he goes back to the anti-virus. Kane would find nothing really base wise, especially with all the Sun VI chaos. Other than what Ben found with the old codes to alert them VI was back, it seems they've gone quiet again*
<DeathStar> *Adeline jerks and begins and her monitor begins to alert them that she's in trouble*
<DeathStar> <Vodka> Oh dear. *she hurries over with paddles*
<Jackieness> <Josephine> "Hmmm... an avalanche of evidence. Almost seems too much."
* ChadWinters` raises an eyebrow at Angela openly saying the clones names and being wrong. He studies Cran's expressions tho, clicking his tongue
<Xanatos> 6* Kane jerks his attention away from the datapad and quickly hurries over, trying to help Vodka the best he can.
<DeathStar> *Cran seems to be peering at Adeline right now*
<Seraphna> * Angela can't see the eyebrow raise. Though being wrong may have been intentional.
<DeathStar> <Vodka> Her body is breaking down. I am giving her shots to boost her system
<ChadWinters`> Well Lev and Sunny are our only connections to VI right now.
<DeathStar> *Zephyr watches worriedly*
<ChadWinters`> <C> Ben, did Mem get anywhere on tracking Lev?
<Xanatos> <Kane> Is there anything you can use from me to help her? Blood or anything?
<DeathStar> <Ben> The tracking went as far as a fast food joint, then they teleported
<DeathStar> <Vodka> Her bones are breaking down and system. She needs a famfrit with manifestation
<ChadWinters`> Will putting her in stasis buy her any time? 6He looks over at Vodka
<DeathStar> <Vodka> It is 50/50
<Seraphna> Angela> "Megumi here yet? Have her work her magic."
<Xanatos> <Kane> Where's Megumi? 6* He says to Zephyr
<DeathStar> <Zephyr> I brought her. Ako is here. She might know manifestation
<Sara> * In the background, Kaori throws up into a trashcan
<ChadWinters`> What could they be trying to clean up...All the parts of Spade we found, those were cloned right?
<Xanatos> <Kane> Anyone. Anyone that can help. 6* He taps his comm calling for a famfrit to medical.
<DeathStar> *A bit later Ako appears, wearing KEllin's shirt for some reason. She flails as Vodka makes her touch Adeline and Ako's hands glow, sustaiing her*
<DeathStar> <Vodka> ... she is stablizing
<Seraphna> ANgela> "Most of them are with Erevis, the ones that can manifest that is. I could call more in if we need them so Ako doesn't overtax herself?"
<DeathStar> <Vodka> The brain of Spade, it seems to be the real thing I am believing
<Xanatos> 6* Kane lets out a breath of relief and nods to Ako.
<ChadWinters`> So not cleaning up that.
<Xanatos> <Kane> Thank you.
<DeathStar> <Vodka> Let us hope the others arrive soon. *Ako peers at Kaori, blinking*
<DeathStar> -SCENE SHIFT-
<DeathStar> Location: A suburb
<DeathStar> 6* Marcus arrives where Virulent and her sister, and the sister's kid.
<DeathStar> *Caesura
<Xanatos> 6* Marcus leans forward and knocks on the door.
<ChadWinters`> 6SPoC peers at the house.
<DeathStar> *Nearby there is a burger joint. Two people are in it, by chance
<DeathStar> *The door opens and Virulent peers out, then deadpans
<DeathStar> <Virulent> ... you guys
<Xanatos> <Marcus> Sup
<ChadWinters`> 6SPoC glances over at the Burger Joint briefly before bowing to Virulent. 1"We need your assistance."
<DeathStar> <Virulent> Tell me Dias isn't here too and there's another dragoon war
<Xanatos> <Marcus> Sorta! Someone is unleashing a virus attack on clones.
<Xanatos> <Marcus> Can you help?
<Seraphna> Angelos> "No Dias though. Actually not sure what he's doing."
<DeathStar> <Virulent> ... *sighs* I guess I owe you one. Caesura, I'm stepping out for a bit. *She heads and gets in the shuttle, where Caduceus is naked and being lotioned down*
<Xanatos> 6* Cole glances around, then eyes the burger joint and rubs his stomach.
<DeathStar> <Virulent> .... *she pukes*
<Seraphna> Jennifer> "You get used to it."
<ChadWinters`> <SPoC> ...Yes, we should've mentioned that.
<Xanatos> <Cole> Can we grab food before we go?
<Xanatos> <Marcus> We really don't have time.
<DeathStar> *Vesta leans out the window, while Darien works on his datapad*
* Jackieness` has joined #TAW-Session91
<Xanatos> 6* Marcus turns and moves for the shuttle, Cole eyeing the burger place sadly before walking back for the shuttle.
* Jackieness has quit IRC (Killed (NickServ (GHOST command used by Jackieness`)))
* Jackieness` is now known as Jackieness
<DeathStar> *Vesta begins to fly them up*
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "We can't make him put on his pants."
<DeathStar> <Vesta> Back to the base
<Seraphna> Jennifer> "Double time."
<DeathStar> *Vesta begins to fly back when a van drives out of the burger joint with a giant burger on it, likely the burger joint's. A delivery van*
<DeathStar> *It speeds away at a 100 MPH and then the burger joint explodes a moment later, food flying everywhere*
<ChadWinters`> <SPoC> That....doesn't seem good.
<DeathStar> <Vesta> ... you don't see that every day
<Xanatos> <Cole> Sure glad I didn't go get a burger now.
<Seraphna> Jennifer> "Hrm..."
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "...who bombs a McBurger?
<DeathStar> *the burger van drives off into the surburb*
<ChadWinters`> <SPoC> We should find out.
<DeathStar> <Darien> We have a virus rampaging, don't we?
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "What about the clone plague?"
<Xanatos> <Marcus> We need to get them to the base. Cole, Ash, do the teleporty thing to get the smart nerds back to base, we're going to go van chasing.
<Xanatos> 6* Cole holds out his hands.
<Xanatos> <Cole> Let's go. This'll probably feel weird for all of you and you might throw up afterward.
<DeathStar> *Darien shakes his head* You know this is a diversion
<DeathStar> <Darien> *he touches Cole*
<Xanatos> <Marcus> I...mean sure but what good am I going to do at the base against a virus?
<Seraphna> * Jennifer touches Cole.
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "REmember, you're going to need to touch Caduceus."
<ChadWinters`> <SPoC> I must admit, I do not have much use in terms of virus's
<DeathStar> <Vesta> *snerks as Caduceus leans and presses against Ash*
<Xanatos> <Marcus> If Cheryl needs me to come in I can divert and do that. 6* Cole touches Cad and Virulent and any other nerdy type like Katherine and teleports away.
<DeathStar> <Caduceus> Warp me
<kalonZombie> 6*Ash holds out his hands "Wait, you mean your teleport still does that thing, Macintosh 3000?
<Seraphna> * Angelos touches Cole.
<DeathStar> *Caduceus wiggles*
<DeathStar> -SCENE SHIFT-
<Xanatos> 6* Marcus lets Cheryl know what's going on.
<DeathStar> Location: Underground Base
<DeathStar> 6* Cheryl leans back in her command center as Virulent, caduceus and Cran work on strengthening the anti-virus
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> So VI made it
<ChadWinters`> Unless someone's trying to convince us it's them, yes
<Xanatos> <Kane> Yes, try as I may there doesn't seem to be any active location either.
<ChadWinters`> They may be off planet.
<Seraphna> Angela> "There's also the possibility that VI in general is just a smokescreen to a different group."
<Seraphna> Angela> "Still seems weird that Lev told us they exist at all."
<ChadWinters`> Most likely because they wanted us to know. He was most likely saying exactly what he was supposed to say.
<DeathStar> *Cran walks in with Virulent, CAduceus, Megumi, Jennifer, and others, holding a green, Umbrella like canister
<Sara> <Kaori> Perhaps knowing the existence of the group is supposed to intimidate us
<Xanatos> 6* Kane glances towards it, arching his brow.
<Seraphna> Angela> "That's my point."
<DeathStar> <Cran> We're done, we think. Just need a subject to test it on. If you're willing for someone to be risk trying it on them
<Xanatos> <Kane> Don't you suffer for this affliction? 6* He regards Cran curiously.
<Xanatos> (from)
<DeathStar> <Cran> Yep. But if it fails, I'm out and can't help make another
<Seraphna> Angela> "Should it be someone already heavily infected? I get Cran waiting in case it doesn't work, we'd still need him to fix this."
<DeathStar> *Cran shows his teeth in a smile*
<Seraphna> Angela> "Angelos is on his way back I think."
<ChadWinters`> What's the chance someone will die if it fails?
<Seraphna> Angela> "He's pretty infected at this point."
<Xanatos> <Kane> I do not want to risk Adeline. I am okay with risking Angelos.
<DeathStar> <Cran> There is a chance it can fail and make their condition worse, and less likely to accept another cure when we fix
<DeathStar> *fix it
<Seraphna> Angela> "So it should also be someone with a strong resistance."
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> *she studies Kane*
<Xanatos> <Kane> I will only allow Adeline to be injected if there is no other option or if we're certain it will work. 6* He states clearly.
<ChadWinters`> We could put Angela in containment and inject it into her arm, worse case we cut off before it spreads
<DeathStar> <Cran> Just so you know Angelos this virus might be affecting people with my genes worse
<Seraphna> Angela> "I am cool with a robot hand if it fails. Myria's already preparing the damn rig."
<DeathStar> <Cran> If it fails, you're in trouble
<Nyaomi> <Megumi> I second injecting it into Angelos.
<Nyaomi> <Megumi> but rather than the talking one, how about one of the potatos?
<Seraphna> Angela> "And I don't actually have Cran's genes. In fact I'm not genetically related to any Cran now."
<DeathStar> <Cran> The potatos as you call could be tested
<Nyaomi> * Megumi brings up her wristwatch, a custom datapad. "Love, did you contaminate one of the spare parts?"
<DeathStar> <Cran> But their genes aren't quite him either
<DeathStar> <Cran> I'm trying to get his progenitor powers back so I've been splicing stuff into them
<ChadWinters`> Plus, they're just spare parts. It'll be hard to know how it'll react to a live subject
<Nyaomi> <Megumi> Oh boy, more progenitor stuff...
<Seraphna> Angelos> "I'm willing, though if it fails I'm fucked I guess."
<Xanatos> <Kane> How close would they be? Using a clone without conciousness would be more ideal.
<kalonZombie> <Mi'Na> Don't worry, your spawn lives on in my mother
<ChadWinters`> I thought we were going to. 6He motions to Angelos
<Nyaomi> <Megumi> Assuming you did, Love, add this to the pot.
<Seraphna> Angelos> "Just not Potato #3, I love him the most."
<DeathStar> *Cran muses* Splicing Drasek's genes in one, and pre Erevis' losing her powers into antoher
<Nyaomi> * Megumi scans the vial Cran was carrying, sending it over her system to Love.
<DeathStar> <Cran> I'd say choice 1 99.6% close and the other is 99.5% close
<Nyaomi> <Megumi> If we end up with gruel, we're in trouble. If we get curry, we'll move onto the baked potato instead.' She gestures at Angelos himself.
<Seraphna> Angela> "Seems a systematic way of doing it."
<DeathStar> *Cheryl makes a face* With that difference, isn't that like a chimp?
<Seraphna> Angelos> And we can always make more potatoes."
<Jackieness> <Myria> *pops up and mearures Angela's hand before disappearing again*
<Nyaomi> <Megumi> Adeline will be an absolute last." She notes to Kane. "Would be a terrible waste of a beautiful mind."
<Xanatos> 6* Kane nods to Megumi.
<Xanatos> <Kane> I agree. She's a gem.
<Seraphna> Angelos> "I feel so loved and valued right now."
<DeathStar> *Love works off screen*
<ChadWinters`> We should make a decision soon. More people are at risk than those here.
<Nyaomi> <Megumi> Gem's a little rougher cut, I'd say.
<Nyaomi> * Megumi remains deadpanned, even after the joke.
<Nyaomi> * She peeks at Chad, having been acting already, then shrugs.
<Xanatos> <Kane> I'm comfortable with using the Angelos clones for now. Cheryl?
<DeathStar> <Love> The results are hard to judge, sorr.
<Nyaomi> <Megumi> Easy was never our forte.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> We'll have to get the virus into them
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Which means more time
<Nyaomi> * Megumi hits a display alternate on her wrist, projecting a holoscreen and displays the test runs.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Does Adeline have that time?
<ChadWinters`> Probably not.
<Nyaomi> * Megumi glances at Zephyr.
<DeathStar> *Darien leans back, arms crossed*
<Seraphna> Angelos> "...Just let me tell my pregnant girlfriend what's happening and we'll test me..."
<ChadWinters`> We have Angela's arm. That's close and can be fixed.
<Nyaomi> <Megumi> There's a telepad in our home. Have Tora brought here.
<Seraphna> Angela> "We can test my arm... I don't want Adeline to die."
<DeathStar> <Zephyr> WIll it work on her remains?
<Nyaomi> <Megumi> She hasn't been dead twenty-four hours. We will get a reaction if it would work.
<kalonZombie> 6*There is a message to Angelos to bring some flour and eggs.
<DeathStar> *Zephyr blanches and has Kaori help her*
<DeathStar> <Zephyr> Come on Kaori
<Xanatos> 6* Kane quietly nods to both Angela and Angelos, not about to deny their volunteering.
<Sara> <Kaori> ...Y...es
<Nyaomi> * Megumi lets her go, closing her eyes, murmuring.
<Sara> * Kaori covers her mouth
<Nyaomi> <Megumi> She hasn't been dead hours. I doubt there's much I could do for her, but if there is I will try. I owe Sen that much.
<Seraphna> Jennifer> "We could cut her arm off and test it right away. It's painful, but her risk of infection would then be zero."
<Seraphna> Angela> "I've had worse."
<Nyaomi> <Megumi> Regardless, Tora is the kind that would want me to proceed if it helped save lives.
<DeathStar> *Cran goes to the morge in the base*
* ChadWinters` moves over to the container and hols out his hand for the injector.
<DeathStar> *Zephyr and Kaori both get Tora's body out of the bag and set it down, as Cran gets it ready. Setting up the monitor for everyone to watch*
<DeathStar> <Cran> Test #1 proceeding
<Xanatos> 6* Kane crosses his arms, looking nervous.
<Seraphna> * Angelos lets Lin know what's going on while they test and to come in.
<kalonZombie> 6*His phone explodes with messages at this point
<Nyaomi> * Megumi walks around behind them, peering at the body and them, silently moving to the opposite side, resting her hands on either side of Tora's head.
<Seraphna> * Angela bites her lower lip, tough but still not enjoying the prospect.
<DeathStar> *Cran injects it into the Tora at the key infection point* Done
* ChadWinters` watches the monitor, his arms crossed again
<DeathStar> *Cran moves to go to the medical lab. Zephyr looks ill*
<ChadWinters`> How long before we get a reaction? 6He glances at Cran as he walks in
<DeathStar> *As they are observing, Marcus' team arrives, covered in fast food, ketchup, and other stuff. Vesta slings ketcup*
<DeathStar> <Vesta> Sunny had an ambush
<Seraphna> Tabetha> "Bomb happy, that woman."
<DeathStar> <Cran> Soon
<Xanatos> <Marcus> Mustard in the eye stings like a bitch.
<ChadWinters`> 6SPoC wipes her hand on Tabetha's back.
<Xanatos> <Marcus> How's it going here?
<DeathStar> *Megumi would detect the virus retreating slowly*
<ChadWinters`> You wasted time trying to find a test subject for a potential cure
<ChadWinters`> *We*
<ChadWinters`> I assume she got away?
<Nyaomi> * Megumi takes a deep breath, exhales, then focuses, seeing if she can resuscitate her, or at least grasp her with the Talekeeper's ability.
<DeathStar> <Vesta> Yes. Lev can teleport
<Seraphna> Angelos> "Okay, looks positive. Do we need a test #2? I think I'm ready."
<Nyaomi> <Megumi> Though I doubt this has been tried with a non-Famfrit.
<DeathStar> *Megumi unfortunately cannot. Especially with many organs missing from the autopsy*
* ChadWinters` looks over at Kane. 1"Do you want a live test subject or are you ready to try on Adeline?
<Xanatos> <Kane> *C* Vodka, how is Adeline's vitals?
<Nyaomi> <Megumi> You don't have time for more trials.
<DeathStar> *Cheryl turns and looks at the team* Well, it seems we can proceed making the anti-virus. *Darien watches the screen, arms crossed*
<Nyaomi> <Megumi> Go to Adeline now.
<DeathStar> <Vodka> Even with the manifestation, Adeline is growing weaker. We need the cure in the next hour or so
<Nyaomi> * Megumi closes her eyes and takes another deep breath, trying to abscond Tora's memories with the talekeeping
<ChadWinters`> Hopefully. 6He looks over at Cheryl
<Seraphna> Angelos> "If we're going with this one than we may as well inject me to test."
<Xanatos> 6* Kane steps out and moves for the medical bay.
<DeathStar> <Cran> We can make more of the cure. Do not worry.
<DeathStar> *Cran lets out a breath, as Darien rises and moves to assist*
<Xanatos> <Marcus> Well uh, I guess we should go shower. 6* He tells Vesta and the others that stayed with him, before he trudges off.
<DeathStar> -TIME JUMP-
<ChadWinters`> 6SPoC nods and moves to clean up
<Seraphna> * Angela closes her eyes, moving to medical to help and use her powers to give Adeline more time.
<DeathStar> 6* The group, after passing the cure around, and stopping the virus, and making it retreat, has reset the clone virus and put it dormant, giving them months, maybe years to find the VI mastermind who unleashed it (cont)
<DeathStar> 6* Cran, after curing himself, has returned to his corporation and moves to a computer, eyeing some military contracts, narrowing his eyes as he thinks that VI likely unleashed the virus to stop him, and along the way weaken the team with the clone virus, then stopping it later. Reaching over, he opens an offer to aid the military more by reopening something, and clicks yes. Reopening the military organization: Janus
<DeathStar> -END-
<Seraphna> Heh, and we have Janus' core R&D team on our team too. <_<;
<Seraphna> Chad, Kane and Angela.
<DeathStar> I doubt they'll join the new Janus
* Xanatos reminisces about his victory over Chad and Angela just like an old man.
* ChadWinters` high fives Xan
<Xanatos> WHAT HAVE YOU EVER ACCOMPLISHED HUH!?
<ChadWinters`> Absolutely nothing!
* Xanatos has left #TAW-Session91
Session Close: Mon Feb 12 21:54:44 2018
|