Post by lee on Dec 14, 2018 21:48:54 GMT
Eye Awaken
(Legion of Tyranny)
Part One
Venegar 2986—
Sarya squatted down in the shadows of what, a couple centuries past, would have been the great dining hall of an opulent castle belonging to a member of Venegar’s ruling family. Traces of beauty and privilege could still be seen among the ruin and vandalism, but the girl paid it no mind. Her mind was fixed only on survival.
Had she been born when this place was new, her birth would have been celebrated throughout the world simply because of her bloodline. The fact that she was descended from Venegar’s last great empress no longer carried the weight it once did. In the two centuries since Empress Sarota’s reign, Venegar had become a world of political upheaval followed by an alien invasion.
Its current conquerors, a race of lizard folk feared collectively throughout the galaxy as The Feasters, were ruthless. To them, Sarya, a beautiful blonde humanoid that, were such things still important, had recently seen her twenty-first birthday, was good for only three things. When she was captured, she would first be used as a breeder. Once her usefulness as a producer of offspring was done, she would become a slave. When, or rather, if, she survived that and reached the day she could no longer work, she would become food.
Sarya preferred death.
Despite the fear that gnawed at her insides, she fought to keep each breath soft and steady. She also hoped the mustiness of the ruined castle would help mask her scent. She knew it wouldn't.
A noise from somewhere down the hall caused her to hold her breath and sink farther into the shadows. Religion was almost non-existent on Venegar now, the stories of gods and demons kept alive only in half-remembered memories, but that didn't matter to Sarya. At that moment, she prayed to anyone who would listen.
Seconds later, the first of the Feasters' hunting party cautiously slipped around the scarred door facing and into the dining hall, sticking to the shadows as much as possible. If it wasn't for the silvery glow of its eyes, Sarya would have lost sight of the alien completely.
“I can sssmell your sssweat, she-meat,” the Feaster said.
Sarya wasn't sure it was telling the truth, but the odds were against her regardless. Wisely, she chose not to answer. Her most immediate fear was that the alien would hear her heart beating against the inside of her chest.
“If you come out of you own accord,” the Feaster tempted, “I will give you food before we breed.”
It doesn't know where I am for sure, the girl thought. If it did, it would have taken me already.
The Feaster began to grow impatient. If he didn't catch the female soon, the rest of the hunting party would arrive and he wouldn't have the opportunity to mark her as his own. It was time to switch tactics.
Digging through his pouches, he located and removed a pair of goggles, the lenses as dark as the voids of space. The Feaster fit them over his eyes then removed a flash grenade from the bandoleer draped across his chest. The key to success now was speed. While the sudden explosion of light would stun his prey, it would also draw the immediate attention of his hunting companions. He needed to find the girl and begin impregnation before they arrived.
The scaly hunter tapped a button, causing the device to beep, and tossed it deeper into the room. A heartbeat after the third beep, it exploded in a burst of light that eradicated all shadows from the room.
Sarya heard the first beep and knew what was about to happen. She hadn't avoided capture for so long by remaining ignorant about her enemies. Before the second beep had ended, she had her palms buried as deep into her eye sockets as the bridge of her nose and cheekbones would allow. Despite her hasty precautions, however, the sudden invasion of light sent the girl rocking back on her haunches and off-balance.
She tumbled back against the wall panel that, instead of catching her, swung inward and sent her plunging into darkness. Knowing the need for silence when Feasters were around, Sarya was aggravated with herself for crying out in pain when she landed on the cold, stone floor far below.
Sitting up, she began to examine herself for possible life-threatening injuries. Other than a few scrapes and a couple places that would soon be discolored with nasty bruises, she decided she was both fine and lucky. It was at that moment she realized the only reason she was able to check for injuries was because there was light in this place. It was dim, as though dying, and seemed to pulse ever so faint. What Sarya found odd was the emerald hue. She continued to remain silent for several minutes, wanting to be certain the Feasters were nowhere near, then climbed to her feet and began to explore her forgotten haven.
The first curiosity she wanted to satisfy was the source of the pale, emerald light. Finding it was easy, figuring out what it was turned out to be a god bit harder. When she saw it, her first thought was that the majority of it was covered by a rough-made tarp of some sort. Drawing closer, she touched the covering with intentions of removing it, but drew her hand back in surprise when she discovered the tarp was actually flesh.
It could have been the girl's touch, or maybe just her close proximity, but something caused the source of the emerald light to float up from its resting place and it grow brighter. Sarya got her first real look at the being.
It was easily three feet in diameter, possibly closer to four, and resembled a large floating eye. The pupil was midnight green and surrounded by an emerald iris. The sclera appeared to be tea green, although that may have been a result of the unnatural green glow. Although the eye was unblinking, the flesh that Sarya had mistaken for a tarp covered most of the back of the eye and formed a brief lid at the top and bottom of the eye. An opening in the skin allowed a short, apparently dead, optic nerve to hang from the eye. To Sarya, the nerve appeared to have been severed and cauterized. Beyond the fact she was confronted by a giant floating eye, she was unnerved by the veins that ran from the back of the eye to the iris. They writhed—slowly—like serpents on a late fall morning.
“What are you?” Sarya whispered.
A voice so faint she could barely make out all the words touched her mind. It spoke of bright days and dark nights, then a burst of green energy engulfed her head.
Part Two
Another Universe, The Distant Past—
“We are certain of these findings, are we not?” The question came from the lips of Appa Ali Apsa, a Maltusian and one of the self-appointed “Guardians of the Universe”.
“We are,” another Maltusian, this one named Ganthet, answered.
Appa rubbed his blue-skinned chin. “An entire universe vibrating at a different frequency, but without the balance of order and chaos.”
“It appears both exist,” Ganthet said, “but evil and chaos are more prevalent.”
“Have we any right to interfere in what appears to be the natural way of another universe?” Appa asked.
“Normally, I would confess we did not,” Ganthet said, “but this is not a normal time. We have detected an incursion from this other universe. Our Manhunter units were able to contain this incursion, but when we attempted to send them through, they suffered severe malfunction.”
Appa rose from his council seat and began to pace, not from nervous anxiety, but he found it helped him collect and focus his thoughts. It was not a habit the other Maltusians appreciated. Appa, nevertheless, continued to pace. “You seek to send a sentient being to this other universe.”
Ganthet nodded. “We do.”
“Has a sentient been chosen?”
“We have been seeking one whom we believe might be capable of surviving,” Ganthet replied. “It is possible such a sentient has been located.”
“And I am to be the recruiter,” Appa said, retaking his seat.
“Yes,” was Ganthet's simple reply.
* * * * *
“Why me?” Appa asked Ganthet after the council had dispersed.
“We believe this will require an emotional plea,” Ganthet replied, “and you appear to be the last Maltusian with any remnants of emotion.”
Appa smiled at the irony. “I will do what I can. Who is this sentient and what world does it call home?”
“The sentient is the last of a race of giants that once called the planet Oa home,” Ganthet said. “It calls itself “Ekron”.”
Part Three
Oa, Another Universe, The distant Past—
“Your...uniqueness makes you the perfect sentient to investigate this other universe,” Appa said as he floated before the giant's eyes.
Ekron blinked as he considered the small blue alien's request. “I am all this world has, and it is all I have,” he finally replied.
“That is merely existence,” Appa pointed out. “Yet, what is existence without purpose?”
Again, the giant thought before answering. Huge shoulders sagged as he spoke. “It is emptiness, and loneliness, and something I would willingly surrender for a chance to live before it is my time to die.”
The Maltusian was beginning to realize why his brethren chose Ekron. Before he could comment, however, the giant looked skyward and raised his hand. A beam of emerald energy erupted from his hand and disappeared beyond the clouds. Seconds later, a silent explosion lit up the heavens.
“A meteor was on a collision course,” Ekron commented before his guest had a chance to question his actions. “I sense these things and the energy responds to my will.”
“And this energy comes from you?” Appa asked, his mind already planning ahead.
“It comes more from the planet,” Ekron confessed. “It merely reacts to my needs, day or night.”
Appa's mind was already reaching out to his own people. Maltus was a dying planet while Oa had untold eons ahead of it. The limitations and corruptibility of the Manhunters was becoming apparent. If the Maltusians could claim Oa as their own and harness her energy.... He purposely left the thought hanging in hopes of stirring a little emotion among the rest of his kind.
“What if we could give you purpose and protect your world?” Appa asked.
Ekron studied the proposal at great length while his guest waited patiently. At length, he moved to stand and Appa remained at eye level as he did so.
“When shall my journey begin?” the giant asked.
The first of the council—those required to open the portal to the other universe—arrived soon after Appa confirmed his desire to leave Oa. For the briefest of moments, they allowed themselves to feel excitement over the power the world exuded.
Ganthet approached Ekron and held a small device up before him. He studied the readings on the small screen before it disappeared into the folds of his crimson robe. “It is as I suspected,” he stated. “All of your time on Oa has allowed you to absorb this a portion of this world's energy. While it is only a drop compared to what this world has to give, it should be enough to grant you power until your dying day eons from now.”
* * * * *
Untold ages passed as Ekron traveled the width and breadth of his new home, until, at last, he discovered the source of this universe's evil and chaos. It was the third planet circling a minor star and known by the mundane name, Earth. Despite its initial apparent insignificance, he felt an irresistible draw to the planet.
Confident in his abilities, the giant allowed himself to be led and arrived in the mountainous region the inhabitants called “Tibet”. Waiting for him was single human dressed in the robes of a monk.
“Such power,” the human said, staring up at the giant. “I want it.”
“I am Ekron,” the Oan replied. “I am seeking the source of all evil and chaos, and my search has brought me to your world.”
“We are all seeking something,” the monk replied. “My quest for power has drawn you here.”
The first indication his confidence had been his downfall came when Ekron sense the building of arcane power; it was unlike anything he had encountered before.
Raising his arms, the monk began to chant words unknown to even the denizens of this world. Energy erupted from his hands and became great bands that surrounded the giant, rendering him immobile. The continuous chanting bore into Ekron's brain, preventing him from focusing on his own energy. If he could just comprehend the human's power, he believed he could counter it. Like a mighty tree, he crashed to the ground.
“Free me,” Ekron tried to demand.
“Who are you to command Volthoom?” the monk asked.
Ekron was finding it hard to form words, or even thoughts, but he knew if this human stole all of his energy from him, the results would be disastrous. Pitting his willpower against the arcane energies of Volthoom, he managed to free one arm.
The monk smiled. “Such power, indeed.”
“It...is power...you...shall not...have!” Ekron roared. Focusing as much of his energy into his eye, he dug his fingers into the socket and ripped it free. Before the startled Volthoom could react, the giant drew back his arm and launched his eye into the depths of space.
Part Four
Venegar, 2986—
Sarya was filled with a great sadness, such so she nearly forgot her own situation. It was only when she heard the voices of the Feasters coming from above.
“The she-meat mussst have essscaped down thisss hole.”
“She mussst ssstill be alive,” a second replied. “I sssmell very little of her sssweet blood.”
“Activate anti-grav beltsss.”
Sarya started to scream, but a green bubble enveloped her. Her voice went no farther than her own ears.
“Do not be afraid.”
She knew, instinctively, she was hearing the voice of Ekron.
“But,” she said with a sob, “the Feasters are coming for me.”
“You are of good heart; the Guardians would agree you are a worthy recipient of my power.”
Sarya could hear the Feasters getting closer.
“I sssee light from below.”
The young woman was on the verge of panic.
“Calm yourself. You have nothing to fear.”
The first of the Feasters appeared.
Sarya stretched her arm out in a feeble attempt at self defense; she was caught by surprise at the result. A burst of the same green energy surrounding her shot from Ekron's pupil and slammed the two Feasters hard against the wall. There was a sickening thud, and Sarya knew they wouldn't be rising again.
“That was...incredible,” she said.
“My connection to the life force is growing weaker. My power shall never forsake you as long as you always do good and protect others.”
“What about you?” she asked. “What will happen to you?”
“Once the connection is severed, eye shall be nothing more than a vessel at your command. Use the power wisely.”
“What can I do with this power?” she asked.
“Whatever you will.”
The young woman looked at her garments, tattered and filthy, and imagined herself in something clean and new. In an instant, she found herself dressed in a green robe trimmed in white. Beneath it was white form-fitting leggings and a white-trimmed in green top.
“How do I look?” she asked
There was no reply, merely the unblinking gaze of Ekron's eye.
Sarya felt a tear run down her cheek. She reached out and touched the eye. “I promise to do my best to protect and aid those who need it, whether in the brightest of days or the blackest of nights, and evil shall learn to fear the Emerald Guardian.”
(Obviously not the end.)
(Legion of Tyranny)
Part One
Venegar 2986—
Sarya squatted down in the shadows of what, a couple centuries past, would have been the great dining hall of an opulent castle belonging to a member of Venegar’s ruling family. Traces of beauty and privilege could still be seen among the ruin and vandalism, but the girl paid it no mind. Her mind was fixed only on survival.
Had she been born when this place was new, her birth would have been celebrated throughout the world simply because of her bloodline. The fact that she was descended from Venegar’s last great empress no longer carried the weight it once did. In the two centuries since Empress Sarota’s reign, Venegar had become a world of political upheaval followed by an alien invasion.
Its current conquerors, a race of lizard folk feared collectively throughout the galaxy as The Feasters, were ruthless. To them, Sarya, a beautiful blonde humanoid that, were such things still important, had recently seen her twenty-first birthday, was good for only three things. When she was captured, she would first be used as a breeder. Once her usefulness as a producer of offspring was done, she would become a slave. When, or rather, if, she survived that and reached the day she could no longer work, she would become food.
Sarya preferred death.
Despite the fear that gnawed at her insides, she fought to keep each breath soft and steady. She also hoped the mustiness of the ruined castle would help mask her scent. She knew it wouldn't.
A noise from somewhere down the hall caused her to hold her breath and sink farther into the shadows. Religion was almost non-existent on Venegar now, the stories of gods and demons kept alive only in half-remembered memories, but that didn't matter to Sarya. At that moment, she prayed to anyone who would listen.
Seconds later, the first of the Feasters' hunting party cautiously slipped around the scarred door facing and into the dining hall, sticking to the shadows as much as possible. If it wasn't for the silvery glow of its eyes, Sarya would have lost sight of the alien completely.
“I can sssmell your sssweat, she-meat,” the Feaster said.
Sarya wasn't sure it was telling the truth, but the odds were against her regardless. Wisely, she chose not to answer. Her most immediate fear was that the alien would hear her heart beating against the inside of her chest.
“If you come out of you own accord,” the Feaster tempted, “I will give you food before we breed.”
It doesn't know where I am for sure, the girl thought. If it did, it would have taken me already.
The Feaster began to grow impatient. If he didn't catch the female soon, the rest of the hunting party would arrive and he wouldn't have the opportunity to mark her as his own. It was time to switch tactics.
Digging through his pouches, he located and removed a pair of goggles, the lenses as dark as the voids of space. The Feaster fit them over his eyes then removed a flash grenade from the bandoleer draped across his chest. The key to success now was speed. While the sudden explosion of light would stun his prey, it would also draw the immediate attention of his hunting companions. He needed to find the girl and begin impregnation before they arrived.
The scaly hunter tapped a button, causing the device to beep, and tossed it deeper into the room. A heartbeat after the third beep, it exploded in a burst of light that eradicated all shadows from the room.
Sarya heard the first beep and knew what was about to happen. She hadn't avoided capture for so long by remaining ignorant about her enemies. Before the second beep had ended, she had her palms buried as deep into her eye sockets as the bridge of her nose and cheekbones would allow. Despite her hasty precautions, however, the sudden invasion of light sent the girl rocking back on her haunches and off-balance.
She tumbled back against the wall panel that, instead of catching her, swung inward and sent her plunging into darkness. Knowing the need for silence when Feasters were around, Sarya was aggravated with herself for crying out in pain when she landed on the cold, stone floor far below.
Sitting up, she began to examine herself for possible life-threatening injuries. Other than a few scrapes and a couple places that would soon be discolored with nasty bruises, she decided she was both fine and lucky. It was at that moment she realized the only reason she was able to check for injuries was because there was light in this place. It was dim, as though dying, and seemed to pulse ever so faint. What Sarya found odd was the emerald hue. She continued to remain silent for several minutes, wanting to be certain the Feasters were nowhere near, then climbed to her feet and began to explore her forgotten haven.
The first curiosity she wanted to satisfy was the source of the pale, emerald light. Finding it was easy, figuring out what it was turned out to be a god bit harder. When she saw it, her first thought was that the majority of it was covered by a rough-made tarp of some sort. Drawing closer, she touched the covering with intentions of removing it, but drew her hand back in surprise when she discovered the tarp was actually flesh.
It could have been the girl's touch, or maybe just her close proximity, but something caused the source of the emerald light to float up from its resting place and it grow brighter. Sarya got her first real look at the being.
It was easily three feet in diameter, possibly closer to four, and resembled a large floating eye. The pupil was midnight green and surrounded by an emerald iris. The sclera appeared to be tea green, although that may have been a result of the unnatural green glow. Although the eye was unblinking, the flesh that Sarya had mistaken for a tarp covered most of the back of the eye and formed a brief lid at the top and bottom of the eye. An opening in the skin allowed a short, apparently dead, optic nerve to hang from the eye. To Sarya, the nerve appeared to have been severed and cauterized. Beyond the fact she was confronted by a giant floating eye, she was unnerved by the veins that ran from the back of the eye to the iris. They writhed—slowly—like serpents on a late fall morning.
“What are you?” Sarya whispered.
A voice so faint she could barely make out all the words touched her mind. It spoke of bright days and dark nights, then a burst of green energy engulfed her head.
Part Two
Another Universe, The Distant Past—
“We are certain of these findings, are we not?” The question came from the lips of Appa Ali Apsa, a Maltusian and one of the self-appointed “Guardians of the Universe”.
“We are,” another Maltusian, this one named Ganthet, answered.
Appa rubbed his blue-skinned chin. “An entire universe vibrating at a different frequency, but without the balance of order and chaos.”
“It appears both exist,” Ganthet said, “but evil and chaos are more prevalent.”
“Have we any right to interfere in what appears to be the natural way of another universe?” Appa asked.
“Normally, I would confess we did not,” Ganthet said, “but this is not a normal time. We have detected an incursion from this other universe. Our Manhunter units were able to contain this incursion, but when we attempted to send them through, they suffered severe malfunction.”
Appa rose from his council seat and began to pace, not from nervous anxiety, but he found it helped him collect and focus his thoughts. It was not a habit the other Maltusians appreciated. Appa, nevertheless, continued to pace. “You seek to send a sentient being to this other universe.”
Ganthet nodded. “We do.”
“Has a sentient been chosen?”
“We have been seeking one whom we believe might be capable of surviving,” Ganthet replied. “It is possible such a sentient has been located.”
“And I am to be the recruiter,” Appa said, retaking his seat.
“Yes,” was Ganthet's simple reply.
* * * * *
“Why me?” Appa asked Ganthet after the council had dispersed.
“We believe this will require an emotional plea,” Ganthet replied, “and you appear to be the last Maltusian with any remnants of emotion.”
Appa smiled at the irony. “I will do what I can. Who is this sentient and what world does it call home?”
“The sentient is the last of a race of giants that once called the planet Oa home,” Ganthet said. “It calls itself “Ekron”.”
Part Three
Oa, Another Universe, The distant Past—
“Your...uniqueness makes you the perfect sentient to investigate this other universe,” Appa said as he floated before the giant's eyes.
Ekron blinked as he considered the small blue alien's request. “I am all this world has, and it is all I have,” he finally replied.
“That is merely existence,” Appa pointed out. “Yet, what is existence without purpose?”
Again, the giant thought before answering. Huge shoulders sagged as he spoke. “It is emptiness, and loneliness, and something I would willingly surrender for a chance to live before it is my time to die.”
The Maltusian was beginning to realize why his brethren chose Ekron. Before he could comment, however, the giant looked skyward and raised his hand. A beam of emerald energy erupted from his hand and disappeared beyond the clouds. Seconds later, a silent explosion lit up the heavens.
“A meteor was on a collision course,” Ekron commented before his guest had a chance to question his actions. “I sense these things and the energy responds to my will.”
“And this energy comes from you?” Appa asked, his mind already planning ahead.
“It comes more from the planet,” Ekron confessed. “It merely reacts to my needs, day or night.”
Appa's mind was already reaching out to his own people. Maltus was a dying planet while Oa had untold eons ahead of it. The limitations and corruptibility of the Manhunters was becoming apparent. If the Maltusians could claim Oa as their own and harness her energy.... He purposely left the thought hanging in hopes of stirring a little emotion among the rest of his kind.
“What if we could give you purpose and protect your world?” Appa asked.
Ekron studied the proposal at great length while his guest waited patiently. At length, he moved to stand and Appa remained at eye level as he did so.
“When shall my journey begin?” the giant asked.
The first of the council—those required to open the portal to the other universe—arrived soon after Appa confirmed his desire to leave Oa. For the briefest of moments, they allowed themselves to feel excitement over the power the world exuded.
Ganthet approached Ekron and held a small device up before him. He studied the readings on the small screen before it disappeared into the folds of his crimson robe. “It is as I suspected,” he stated. “All of your time on Oa has allowed you to absorb this a portion of this world's energy. While it is only a drop compared to what this world has to give, it should be enough to grant you power until your dying day eons from now.”
* * * * *
Untold ages passed as Ekron traveled the width and breadth of his new home, until, at last, he discovered the source of this universe's evil and chaos. It was the third planet circling a minor star and known by the mundane name, Earth. Despite its initial apparent insignificance, he felt an irresistible draw to the planet.
Confident in his abilities, the giant allowed himself to be led and arrived in the mountainous region the inhabitants called “Tibet”. Waiting for him was single human dressed in the robes of a monk.
“Such power,” the human said, staring up at the giant. “I want it.”
“I am Ekron,” the Oan replied. “I am seeking the source of all evil and chaos, and my search has brought me to your world.”
“We are all seeking something,” the monk replied. “My quest for power has drawn you here.”
The first indication his confidence had been his downfall came when Ekron sense the building of arcane power; it was unlike anything he had encountered before.
Raising his arms, the monk began to chant words unknown to even the denizens of this world. Energy erupted from his hands and became great bands that surrounded the giant, rendering him immobile. The continuous chanting bore into Ekron's brain, preventing him from focusing on his own energy. If he could just comprehend the human's power, he believed he could counter it. Like a mighty tree, he crashed to the ground.
“Free me,” Ekron tried to demand.
“Who are you to command Volthoom?” the monk asked.
Ekron was finding it hard to form words, or even thoughts, but he knew if this human stole all of his energy from him, the results would be disastrous. Pitting his willpower against the arcane energies of Volthoom, he managed to free one arm.
The monk smiled. “Such power, indeed.”
“It...is power...you...shall not...have!” Ekron roared. Focusing as much of his energy into his eye, he dug his fingers into the socket and ripped it free. Before the startled Volthoom could react, the giant drew back his arm and launched his eye into the depths of space.
Part Four
Venegar, 2986—
Sarya was filled with a great sadness, such so she nearly forgot her own situation. It was only when she heard the voices of the Feasters coming from above.
“The she-meat mussst have essscaped down thisss hole.”
“She mussst ssstill be alive,” a second replied. “I sssmell very little of her sssweet blood.”
“Activate anti-grav beltsss.”
Sarya started to scream, but a green bubble enveloped her. Her voice went no farther than her own ears.
“Do not be afraid.”
She knew, instinctively, she was hearing the voice of Ekron.
“But,” she said with a sob, “the Feasters are coming for me.”
“You are of good heart; the Guardians would agree you are a worthy recipient of my power.”
Sarya could hear the Feasters getting closer.
“I sssee light from below.”
The young woman was on the verge of panic.
“Calm yourself. You have nothing to fear.”
The first of the Feasters appeared.
Sarya stretched her arm out in a feeble attempt at self defense; she was caught by surprise at the result. A burst of the same green energy surrounding her shot from Ekron's pupil and slammed the two Feasters hard against the wall. There was a sickening thud, and Sarya knew they wouldn't be rising again.
“That was...incredible,” she said.
“My connection to the life force is growing weaker. My power shall never forsake you as long as you always do good and protect others.”
“What about you?” she asked. “What will happen to you?”
“Once the connection is severed, eye shall be nothing more than a vessel at your command. Use the power wisely.”
“What can I do with this power?” she asked.
“Whatever you will.”
The young woman looked at her garments, tattered and filthy, and imagined herself in something clean and new. In an instant, she found herself dressed in a green robe trimmed in white. Beneath it was white form-fitting leggings and a white-trimmed in green top.
“How do I look?” she asked
There was no reply, merely the unblinking gaze of Ekron's eye.
Sarya felt a tear run down her cheek. She reached out and touched the eye. “I promise to do my best to protect and aid those who need it, whether in the brightest of days or the blackest of nights, and evil shall learn to fear the Emerald Guardian.”
(Obviously not the end.)