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Really loving this Ministry work :P Tyler looked round the room as Mr Bossman asked to hear some information they may have gathered around here on what was causing this zombification. He listened as Antoni gave information as to where she was in testing and researching. Then Tyler decided that he should speak up with an idea that he had but he knew it was a long shot, but it was something.. right? "I had this thought but its not a good one" ok here goes time for him to shoot his thought process down "I was thinking that I know.. we check at security who comes into the Ministry. But that security doesnt check for things that people may be carrying so maybe..the infection was deliberately included in an item that was brought into the Ministry." he looked around to see people's reactions "So I was wondering if anything new had been brought into and added in the cafeteria just before the first zombie case was found. I have only been here a year.. but I am not sure if there was anything new that was brought into the cafeteria before that" he looked around at his colleagues "So has anything new entered the Ministry Cafeteria?" he put that question out there.. in case it could trigger an idea or something helping them closer to solving this case. He then sat back a bit letting people think about that, and letting Mr Bossman get some new information as to where they are in the research and testing part. Maybe someone had gifted the Ministry something that was infected, and they put it into the Ministry? He didnt know.. but he was just trying to help cause he wanted this case solved as much anyone else did. |
Is going all Resident Evil Umbrella Corp conspiracy here xD Melissa sat quietly and listened as Dacs, Emily and Tyler added their input into the investigation of the zombie epidemic. She was waiting for Elinor to present her findings first, just in case she had already solved the case...which would therefore had eliminated Melissa's hypothesis. But Melissa decided that she needed to share what she had discovered....even if it may end up making her the laughing stock of the MLE and the Ministry. Melissa raised her hand...wait should she have raised her hand? Did the others raise their hands before speaking? Melissa quickly put her hand down and coughed discreetly into her hand, hoping that the cough caught somebody's attention, before speaking up. "Sir, I've been assisting Esme in the collection of the food and drink samples at the Food Court. It was there when I got to thinking. Almost everyone who went to the Food Court came into contact, ate or drank something there. Yet not all of us have been infected. I got to thinking that it may not be something they consumed but rather something they breathed in . Something airborne." Melissa paused hoping that she had not lost anyone yet. Then she took a deep breath, slowly let it out and continued with her report. "I found something in the Food Court, that I'm sure everyone noticed but didn't think much about it." Melissa held up the petridish containing the sample that she had collected of the plant found in the Dessert Bar. Exhibit A. "This is a sample of a plant I found in the Food Court. I saw baskets of it hanging in the air everywhere there. I did some research on it. " Melissa held up the book entitled 'One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi'...Exhibit B..."and identified it as a Scottish Silver Fern." "The plant in itself is benign. It is used to boost one's immunity. But then I remembered someone mentioning that there was a flu epidemic here in the Ministry a year ago, and some people got really sick." "It was then that it dawned on me. Breathing in the spores of this plant would be safe for someone who hasn't been sick. But what if....what if the person's immunity had already been compromised because they were still recovering from a bad viral infection." Melissa paused to allow the others the chance to grasp what she was trying to say. She just hoped that she was making sense right now. "I've discovered that if a person's immunity system has already been compromised, exposing that person to something that is supposed to boost one's immune system just creates more complications." Melissa looked around at everyone. "Breathing in the spores of the Scottish Silver Fern, may have caused a mutation in their genetic system, which may have resulted in these zombie like characteristics." "Granted there may have been others who had caught the flu bug too and they haven't ended up being zombie like. Maybe they weren't as sick as the others...or maybe their immune system is a lot stronger....or maybe the mutation hasn't completed its cycle. Who knows." Melissa shrugged. "Sir is there any way we can find out whether those infected right now, did at one point in time last year get sick or get exposed to something viral?" Melissa asked Mr. Bossman. There she had said what had to say. Melissa slid down lower in her chair waiting for someone to scoff at her conclusions. |
Ahem, going a different direction....... XD It was when Wes slammed the door shut that Roxanne realized what a mistake her seating arrangement had been. Not because of who she was sitting across from, but she realized that she was sitting near enough to Wes to be in danger if he decided to go all 'Hulk smash' again. And he looked mad enough to do it too, if someone said the wrong thing. Meep. Not to mention that she definitely wouldn't want to be one of those who hadn't shown up to this impromptu meeting. She waited for her turn to speak, then launched into her report, gulping nervously. "As for the round up front, all the zo-infected people have been caught and put into quarantine. Except for one, a Mr. Dimtri Burton, whom I don't believe has been seen around recently." She started mentally preparing herself to duck then, afraid that that statement would just anger Wes more. After all, who wants to hear that one zombie is still on the loose somewhere? And as for Melissa's theory....... "I believe that Tyler was closer to the mark when he mentioned someone sneaking the infection in. With all due respect Melissa, if this thing was airborne, a lot more of us would have it. Since that's not the case, it's probably a bacterial infection, which means it's harder to catch, but also harder to get rid of. And more likely to be caught from food, or sharing glassware and silverware with an infected person." The next bit was something that she'd just realized a few days ago, but had decided to think over a bit before presenting it to anyone. And something that scared her a bit, too. "I don't know if anyone else has realized this or not, but most of the infected have some sort of connection to this very department. Skander and Kensi, who are both employees, Mrs. Ferguson, and I believe Simon and Ms. Tanner are close, no?" She sent a look down at the person in question for conformation before continuing. "I'm not saying anything's definite right now, but it might be something to look into, especially if Tyler's theory turns out to be correct." Which she personally was hoping that it didn't, because what if this hypothetical attacker wasn't done? |
Saul listened to the one girl tell her speech about spores and what not, but he shook his head silently to it. The only part he agreed to was that he also ate in the food court, but wasn't infected. He was stopped before by his old friend Derek though, this was where he learned about the zombie infection. It was also where he learned that Dmitri was one of the infected too. His eyes widened as the other girl spoke up just after she gave her information. Dmitri was still out there! "Should a small team go and round-up Dmitri Burton?" Not him though, he was fine doing the small jobs."I know him through a friend who works in Accidents and Catastrophes, So I could help pinpoint where he might be." |
Melissa listened as Roxanne made her point. She had to admit that her reasoning made a lot of sense. "Hmmm...if it is a case of a bacterial infection, and that it was possibly brought in or transmitted by someone, uh...has anyone interviewed the bartender or the people who brought in the food? Did we manage to quarantine them too?" Melissa asked. All she knew was that the infected people had been quarantined but she wasn't sure whether the people who had the most contact with the contaminated source had been. |
Simon watched as more and more MLE employees filed into the conference room, absently making note of who was there both familiar and non. Finally Wes appeared and sat down, clearly angry and what was happening and seemingly anxious as the rest for answers. The YATI bit the inside of his cheek as the meeting began and quite a few were not there including Jax, head auror. Oh well, perhaps he was on an assignment, he mused to himself, the young man switching back attention as orders were given for the information on hand to be shared with those gathered. Having been assigned and busy taking care of things, namely guarding the suspect, in the DeTalone case, Simon was out of the loop in the deeper details of the illness. So he stayed quiet, listening intentively as various co-workers that were on the case to speak including Dacs. He couldn't help be anxious on the results of those tests, concerned not only for the group as a whole including his former boss, but his friend. It started to get interesting when theories were being thrown out instead of facts and unknowns. Could it be bacterial? Or something more sinister? It wouldn't be the first time the Ministry was attacked both from the inside and outside and it surely wouldn't be the last. |
Legend had been in the room from some time. It had probably been hard to notice him since he was doing a fairly good job of sitting, quietly with his hands in his lap. On his face there was no expression or even amusement in his eyes. And when Wes stormed in Legend simply blinked. Reports. Right. He had no clue. Not after he had been ordered to keep watch of the crazy locked up lady with Simon. So Legend did the next best thing, and simply stared at Wes. |
For the love of a Mandrake could Aron NOT have to run all over the Ministry with all this drooling zombie beaver stuff? Probably should come up with a name or something for all these people - and NOT zombies because these people were not undead - and the infected just sounded like something from a bad muggle movie. Meh, he would leave that to Mr. Head Cabbage. Entering the conference room a little later since he had been in the lab organizing all his samples, including the new gnawed on wands, he found that he had come in just in time to hear the one honking daffodil of a woman talking about airborne diseases and other rubbish. Yeah, Aron was getting a little peeved over this whole situation and mostly because he was being called to all corners of the Ministry. He had research to do people! "We ruled out the airborne cause months ago. I've been around these people and haven't become infected myself," he said as calmly as possible as he slid into his seat and handed Wes a report of all the names of those showing symptoms just for reference along with a quick report on the wands. "Jade over in Accidents and Catastrophes is trying to get memories from those infected as to what they ate before becoming...whatever it is they are now." He then turned his attention to Wes and lifted the bag of gnawed on wants. "Besides the drooling, showing weakness or lack of magical ability, it also seems like they like to gnaw on wood." See, drooling beavers as it were. "Is there a way I can get the wood and core of these wands identified? I don't know a thing about wandlore and I don't want to break these apart for lab testing. Call in someone from Ollivanders perhaps? Or does that weighing thingamajig do that sort of thing?" He actually had never used one, so he had no clue Aron then paused and turned to Roxanne. "As for this potentially being an attack on our department...I'm am not so sure about that seeing as I have samples from people in various other departments as well. International Magical Cooperation and Game and Sports being among those." |
Crashing this joint yo To say that Layla had a rocky relationship with this department was an understatement but that would not deter her from coming to this meeting. She had slipped in just in time behind Wes and frowned as the man slammed the door shut. She felt the breeze from that. What had gotten his knickers in a bunch?..Err.well besides all the infected zombie people they all stashed away somewhere in their department. NOt wanting to seat herself around their conference table, Layla conjured up her own comfy arm chair at the back and got settled in, quick notes quill and parchment at the ready. When this story got out it would make front page news..undoubtedly, she'd make sure of that. Layla had to scratch a few things off quickly remembering that she was sent to the Prophet to keep the ministry looking good in the public's eye so it was ministry first and scoop later..or something like that, she'd figure out how to make this a good story and try to make the MLE department look like they were actually doing their job. And there in lied the challenge for her. MLE..pfft. |
Melissa watched as Aron came rushing into the room looking all flustered. She couldn't blame him. He must be working overtime trying to find the cause of infection. As she listened to Aron's report she frowned. Besides him, Roxanne had also discounted the airborne theory. She had tried to explain that not everyone would be infected especially if they didn't have a compromised immune system and she had tried to explain that her version of airborne was not one passed from one person to another by coughing or sneezing or even kissing. The reason she had used the work airborne was because it had been breathed in. But Melissa decided to remain silent. Who was she to question the supposedly more knowledgeable senior staff of her department? She was here to help brainstorm the various possible means of contamination and help nip this epidemic in the bud before it spread. She had given a thought as to why the infected had a penchant for wood. She figure that while she was here in this meeting that she would try to figure out the reason for it. |
Was it odd that Josh felt alone in this place even though there were people around? Standing in silence, his arms folded. He just listened as the others spoke. He had admitted to the Head Auror; he had been off his track because of many troubles in his life so he had no idea about how the zombie case was going on. It was wrong, of course and he knew that soon he might be yelled at because of it but what could he do? He let out a deep sigh and looked at Simon and Legend. They were silent too. Okay then he would not get any attention if he just stood and stared too, would he? *stare* |
Elinor continued pacing in a shallow line, listening carefully as others volunteered information. She was still peeved, but finally took in a deep breath and stepped up, seting down her folder and placing her palms down on the table. "I also don't believe the infection is airborne," she volunteered, giving an almost approving look at Mister Aaron Ashbury Hawthorne Doughnut Eater Touch Everything-- The first one of it's kind, no doubt. "However," she looked back to Melissa, whom she made clear that she was not trying to discredit. "It is entirely possible that this plant may have had something to do with the nature if the infection. I'm not finished looking at the second samples of DNA I collected earlier today, but perhaps I can find some connection between the two." She took a pause and flipped open the folder, glancing down at the top sheet of paper inside. "Now... As I said, I'm not nearly done with my samples, but I have a theory as to why the infected subjects who are manifesting symptoms crave wood. I contacted our consultant on magical and non-magical plants, after hearing this theory about the fern, and they gave me a list of sixteen essential elements that all plants require to grow. This list included Zinc and Potassium. The first samples of out subjects were all within the realm of normality. But the samples I have of the people already manifesting symptoms are deficient. Guess what two elements are alarmingly low in the genetic makeup of our subjects who are more progressed in this illness?" She rifled briefly through the papers. "If this theory turns out to be viable, the cure could be something as simple as a series of injections to stabilize the body's production of these nutrients. As for why these people are affected, I don't know if they had prior illness, however," she looked back at Melissa, who seemed a bit discouraged after Aaron had voiced his concerns. "It would explain why contact with the subjects isn't dangerous to everyone. Not only have myself and Mr. Ferguson been in the room, but I knew an employee of level three was in there for some time, and our own samples are unchanged." She took in a breath, having said pretty much all she had to say, and briefly eyed the door. Elinor wanted to get back to her lab so she could finish this. She wanted this over with. |
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Melissa sat up when Elinor submitted her findings to the rest of the people in the room. She smiled gratefully at her when she didn't discount her theory. The fact that she had not totally ruled out the possibility of the fern being partly the cause of the infection, made Melissa respect her even more. At least Elinor was willing to explore all options. She sat forward when Elinor revealed that the victims' genetic makeup had indeed changed and was currently deficient in zinc and potassium. Melissa frowned trying to comprehend what Elinor was telling them. Were the victims turning into plants or did they subconsciously know that they were lacking the two elements all humans needed and were trying to get it from the plants? Right now, all Melissa knew was that the victims has been exposed to something. Was it accidental or did someone knowingly and deliberately expose people for nefarious reasons? If it was the latter, what was their reason for doing it? |
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"Never preface anything you have to say with, 'but it's not good,'" he told the guy sternly before cracking a rare smile, "especially not good ideas like that one." He moved his pen back to his notepad and circled what Tyler had said, adding some big stars and asterisks for emphasis. "This. This is what we need to follow up on." Wes cleared his throat and looked around the room. "Where's Jaxton and Gabe? They should be taking the lead on Tyler's brilliant idea. You, of course," he pointed at the new guy again, well aware how intimidating that could be, "should look into this too. Form a team, take some Aurors, and review the records we have in the security office. We'll ALSO be needing to question the maintenance and those... Specialty area people." Since the outbreak had started in their area, as they now knew, they could be possible suspects. "Again, good idea, Tyler. Keep up the good work." He gave the man a nod and turned to the next person. SPOILER!!: Airborne, not airborne, plant to blame? airborne, samples report, and so forth people "Now hold on a hot minute," Wes held up his pen hand with the palm flat in the air, "I think you're ALL on to something here. Let me think." He tossed the pen down and stood up, pacing back and forth for a few silent seconds. "What if," Wes continued to pace, "the cause of this outbreak came in on an infected Silver Fern? Perhaps it IS airborne, and IS caused by a defect in the plant, but the infection only sticks to... I don't know, certain foods?" He looked at Melissa, Aron, and Elinor, specifically. "Maybe it has to react to heat or coldness to activate. You guys would obviously know more about this stuff than I do, but that would explain why only certain people got sick, from eating certain foods. I think it's time to stop focusing on what is wrong with the infected employees and instead focus on finding a cure. Elinor, you're on the right track." He resumed his seat and quickly made a few notes while they were still fresh in his mind. "I'm going to talk to someone from DERP to see what they make of all this. I'll also see if they can get someone to work on a cure with you, Elinor, and the team from A&C. We'll have to add in questions about the plant decor when we interrogate the cafeteria workers," Wes continued as he wrote with his head down, "but this is good. Great work. Now, about rounding up Dmitri Burt---." Quote:
Wes had no idea who she was or why she looked familiar, but she needed escorting out, and he was not going to say another word until SHE was GONE. "Legend, show this woman to the reception area of the office and tell her to make an appointment for later. This meeting is for MLE personnel ONLY." |
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Tyler dude made some good points... though a part of her wondered why the security check points hadn't picked up on these things. Did they not monitor stuff like that? Jaxton.. the man was a ghost. In good ways and bad... but she wasn't about to sit back and do nothing. She wanted active roles. "I'm happy to volunteer and help coordinate this... YATI's will benefit from some extra work." AKA... please get her out of this office. Stupid weird intruder lady should leave, yes. Wes' reaction couldn't have been better. |
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Wes's anger was a tad frightening. It really did draw him in to listen however, because the possibility of not listening if Wes directed a question to him was just not something he'd want to happen. Eyes flickering to the woman as Wes' voice boomed, Legend blinked. Er-was she...a new employee? He had no clue. This woman.....this woman. He had no clue who she was.....so...SHE HAD TO BE AN INTRUDER! And....apparently he had to escort her out? Legend's eyes fell on the parchment in her hand and before Wes had said another word he drew his wand. "Accio Parchment! This is a confidential meeting lady." That meant no note taking or anything. Standing up, Legend made his way over to the woman and motioned his hand to the door. Come on now. Get up and out, he didn't want to use force or anything. |
Pretending this is after the feast and everyone knows about her BOG candidacy ;) Ha, so she was right, Tyler had been close to the mark. Or had a good theory, anyway. But the next thing kind of confused her. Not surprising though, considering that she had never been one for lab work and the like. Too much of testing and chemistry and junk. Nope, she dealt better with facts and reasoning. She was glad, though, that she had also made a valid point. The thought that this may have been an attack on the department though...... yeah that was just a scary thought. One that had her staring blankly ahead. Going back to a previous thought, what if the attackers weren't done? Roxanne had noticed Layla the moment she had entered. Really, the election had come to that already? Spying on each other? She gave a smirk when Wes told Legend to escort her out. Then Legend summoned her parchment, which just made Roxanne's smirk wider. "Really, you've sunk that low already?" And that was all she was going to say on that matter. |
Seriously? This meeting was taking to long already from his standards. He had things to do, and now that reporter lady was taking up more of their time! He slumped in his chair and waited for what was his name? Legend... What were they gonna do with Dmitri Burton? |
Anybody wanting to be part of Tyler's team can VM or PM me :) Tyler listened to Melissa's theory which he had to say he thought was a good one from the beginning when she mentioned it to him in the office. But suddenly people were shooting her idea down and saying that he had a point. He? had a point? But he was thinking that it was not such a good one, cause if was right then that would cause panic and their security would be questioned. Then Aron piped up as well as some others who were not entirely shooting down Melissa's theory, cause who knows that could be right too you know! Cant shoot down what hasnt been looked into thoroughly! Then it was Mr Bossman's turn! Text Cut: Mr Bossman and everyone else in the room He was suddenly feeling very nervous as that pen got pointed at him, he nodded "Never will happen again Mr Ferguson" then he was smiling at him.. wait! even he thought that Tyler's idea was a good one, Ty watched as Mr Ferguson wrote that down and circled it. Well being in law enforcement he had dealt with security alot, so it was only fitting that it should apply here too.. cause afterall they had security here that could be faulty or needed to be looked at. He felt elated on the inside but he didnt let it show as they were told they needed to follow up on this, and Tyler smiled as Wes wanted people to be taking the lead on his idea before pointing back at him.. which was quite.. intimidating but he probably had a reason for it. He was to work on this too? well he.. he could do that. He was to form a team now? he nodded "Yes Mr Ferguson I will that" He looked around the room.. did anyone want to question and review the records with him.. maybe after the conference was over he could ask a few of them and maybe send out memos to others that he may have missed asking. Tyler noted down that he had to question the maintenance people and Specialty area lot as well.. and looking into the records they have down in security office. He smiled as he was told it was a good idea again "Thank you Mr Ferguson" he said before he listened to Mr Bossman talk about Melissa's theory as well as adding his bit in there. He watched as Mr Bossman started pacing the room as well as coming out with a theory as to how this could have happened. Tyler had to admit it did sound like it could have happened like that. It was possible, so that couldnt be left out either Tyler watched as his boss sat back down again to make some more notes, and talked about talking to other departments to see if they could get this done. Get a cure and solve this once and for all. Tyler nodded along and he looked at his boss as he looked at a woman that was sitting there, as Wes questioned who she was, Tyler hadnt seen her before so he kept quiet. He wanted to nod that it was for MLE people only but he refrained from doing so and instead just listened as the Legend guy took the parchment away and told her it was a private meeting. He wondered what Roxanne meant when she said that the woman had sunk so low, was she a spy? spying on them and their meeting? So there was no trust within the Ministry now? Or did she not trust them.. they were doing their work! No need to snoop around.. they will get this case solved.. he hoped. |
Who wants Melissa to do what? Just VM or PM me Melissa listened as Mr. Ferguson finally spoke up after listening to everybody's report. She smiled at Tyler when he got praised by the big guy himself for his idea. 'Okay we now have something to go on. Tyler is going to find out what was brought in and work with Dacs and the Yatis. Elinor and Aron are going to find the cause and the cure. What do I do? Go back to collecting samples and leave the analysing and investigating to those that Mr. Ferguson assigned the tasks to?' Melissa thought to herself. She shrugged. She didn't mind doing either or even going back to collecting samples. She was just glad that she had been able to present her idea to everyone. She waited to see who would leave the room first. |
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She nodded as she agreed with Wes on the ideas of the others."I could help with questioning the maintenance and speciality department. That was the next step. I've already made her aware that we maybe needing to speak with members of the department." Dacs added as she looked at the brilliant MLE employees. "A solid bunch here Mr. F." she remarked with an approving smirk. |
Pffttt- Wes Legend and whats her face Clearly Mr.Wes Ferguson was in a bad mood or whatever but this was some pretty good stuff that she was getting here. Her quill moved swiftly across her paper and Layla's eyes darted around the room taking in the faces of the employees there... And then Wes happened.... Layla frowned deeply and caught the man's eyes briefly. You'd think he'd be a lot more sensible about doing something like this. She didn't fight however or make a scene in anyway. Nope she got what she wanted..only now she wouldn't be so nice about what she'd be writing in the paper. No, she'd just have to make it up to the minister in some way or the other. Her frown deepened even more..(if that was even possible) when the young man who was sent to escort her out took her quill. Well that was fine she had heard enough and that was that. And on her way out Layla paused as Roxanne dared to make the statement she did. Well excuse her. Did she need to tell her that this had nothing to do with the BoG, she wasn't as caught up in that or desperate for the position as some people and clearly this woman wasn't even worth an answer. No, nose in the air Layla stepped from the conference room and headed straight for the prophet. |
Something finally clicking in Simon. The unfamiliar woman came into the conference room and at first Simon thought she might have been a member of the other departments that were assisting them. However Wes' reaction to her presence soon cleared that thought out, the man asking Legend to escort her out of the room and department. Turning back to the discussion, the YATI paid attention to all the bits and pieces being thrown out. Airborne versus edible and everything in between. The department head even brought up good points as the older man tried to round up the ideas into one conclusive range of thoughts. Simon listened for what he might been needed on even though a part thought he might be stuck on watch guard duty once more, though Emily spoke up in their stead to try and pull the YATIs onto the case. However his attention was pulled away as Dacs mentioned foodstuffs that looked harmless being not so harmless, bringing the culprit back to ingestible. What was it that had Kyle been eating or drinking that day she had first been ill? Simon closed his eyes momentarily to try and sift through his memories of the day so long ago for anything that might be a clue. And finally it hit him...and he spoke up for the first time during the meeting. "You might attention to the hot beverages. Kyle...I mean Miss Tanner may have been drinking either hot chocolate or cider that day." At least he hoped his memory was serving him well. And Dacs at least would likely remember what day he was referring to. |
Everybody, but mostly Saul and Dorian with a little of Layla at the end Multitasking. That's what Roxanne was doing right then. While she was busy listening to everything else that was going on, she began to search her pockets for a couple of pieces of scrap paper and a pen. Surprisingly and thankfully, she found some and quickly scribbled a note on both. She sent one discretely floating to Saul, making it land right in front of him. Text Cut: Note for Saul The second note was a little longer and was slid nervously across the table to Dorian. Text Cut: The second note She didn't add any of the stuff to the second note that she had to the first because, quite frankly, he knew all that. Once that was done, she sat back and waited for Layla to be escorted out. And of course the woman would put her nose in the air. She seemed like that type. Roxanne thought about calling after her that she'd drown like that, but thought better of it. She had both her job and the election to think about. |
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