Welcome to Star Trek Simulation Forum

Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to contribute to this site by submitting your own content or replying to existing content. You'll be able to customize your profile, receive reputation points as a reward for submitting content, while also communicating with other members via your own private inbox, plus much more! This message will be removed once you have signed in.

Saek tr'Vosh

Members
  • Content count

    193
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by Saek tr'Vosh

  1. "Oww." Saeks shoulder smashed into the bulkhead of the tiny craft. It was obvious from the earlier acrobatics that Psi' was as skilled a pilot as he was a hunter. The manuever to get them on board was truly a thing of beauty. However, since it was designed for four and there were now seven of them aboard, it was a tight fit. As Psi banked and turned back away from the mothership, Saek caught a glimpse of the battle field below. Whitish blue blobs bounced around like childrens toys covering the ground..streaming from the mouth of the vessel like a flow of tetreon particles. He also saw a couple flecks on green amidst the chaos...undoubtedly, Psi's zero yy'a requirement had been broken...Rihan blood had been spilled. Suddenly, another ship began a straffing run, dropping nitro canasters followed by another vessel doing clean up with its disruptors. It was magnificent. All those little frozen beasties glittering in the sunlight io moment..the next...blown back to Vorta Vor. " I love the smell of liquid Nitrogen in the morning.." said Saek..although it was mostly covered by the sound of weapons fire. His thoughts went back to the mothership. The diversionary tactics they had planned were now shot. While NDak main push had preoccupied the blobs initially, the friendly fire incident along with the sheer numbers of the creatures had yy'a'd any shot at getting on the ship without the creatures knowledge. It occured to Saek that the initial tunnel section would prove to be a fatal funnel..na room to manuever..na room to escape..the creatures numbers were simply too great. However, they could with some precise shooting, sheer the forward section off..then either disrupt the tunnel section or tractor it out of the way...shortening the distance to the Oira considerably...even with the main portion of the ship being underground...it could work. It definitely improved the odds of success. The craft came to a halt as Psi began yelling at Saeks team to get out and get going to the rally point to regroup. Saek decided he would mention his plan to the XO..to get his take on its possible success. Saek drew a deep breathe..." Rekkhai....io moment...I have an idea........"
  2. CBS??? Never happen... Unless, of course..the Enterprise just runs around Space examining crime scenes.. ;) :) :P
  3. Vosh gripped each of his disruptors tightly. It was real. The knot in his stomach let him know it. However, it was na fear that he was feeling...instead, it was an overwhelming sense of Anticipation. He looked back to t'A as she scanned the foliage ahead of them..wondering if she felt it, too. He almost envied the front line troops..they purposely engaged the blobs and took the fight to them. His job was to get as close to ground zero as possible without attracting any attention. Retrieving the data files would be quite a feather in an officers cap..and io he planned on earning. Of course, the idiotic blunder from the air support did na help the odds of success. He made a mental note to find out who was piloting the craft and have Koga pound them in sparring practice. On the upside, his little squad had made excellent time and was now in visual range of the craft. The only drawback being they were minus io AFRO. He glanced over at the coward to his left...he should have let t'A yy'a him..because after he got back to the ship..he would wish he was yy'a. Vosh grinned an evil grin..thinking.."if I can na break him..Ma' Lyn certainly can." He turned his attention back to the vessel...and the seemingly safe thi hundred meters between it and his team. It was...for the most part...easy, so far....almost, too easy.
  4. *****CLASSIFIED COMMUNIQUE***** Ural tr'Psichore -Eyes Only- Jolan tru, tr'Psichore... My name is Sarin t'Vosh. I'm sure au recognize the name. My son has na spoke of au ..but do na feel bad because we have na spoken in quite some time. I can tell by aus service record au are career Galae and a Rihan of the highest order. It is for this reason I am contacting au directly. Au should na feel compelled to discuss the content of this message with anyio...Any-Io. Having said that..I want my son out of d'heno. I have read the reports and know how the department is viewed. I am, of course, na blaming au..au having just arrived..na doubt in an attempt to rectify that very problem. My son is young, Ural..and full of words like honor and duty...noble words, to be sure. However, I am na going to stand back and watch him throw his life away because he was too nice...or too gullible to see what was happening. The leadership in the department is suspect...the N'Dak name is well known...as well as the shame brought upon them by the traitorous acts of their oldest boy...pity really..fruit falling that far from the tree...but I digress. Someio of aus obvious skill should have na trouble in finding a way to transfer my son. I do na care how au do it...I just want it done...I am aware of the mission to the planet and the risks involved. I would consider it a personal favor if au would make sure he is out of harms way. And now we reach the point where au wonder who this old fool thinks she is... Well, let me assure au I am neither old nor a fool...and the Praetor would consider it a personal favor if au saw things my way on this. I have thoroughly enjoyed this conversation...I await word of Saeks transfer. Hann'yyo, Ural...au will find me a powerful ally. Jolan tru. Sarin t'Vosh Daise Maenek - Psychological Conditioning Institute *****End Communique*****
  5. Did I mention how much I hate trying to post this stuff... :P Feel like I forgot one or two..but...they must not be memorable so ...who cares ;)
  6. Saek sat alone at his desk in dheno. t'A was prepping their gear; NDAk was yelling at someio...somewhere. All in all, he was ready. He had trained hard for this mission. He would na allow his fathers death to be a distraction. But..right now..his thoughts were on his mother. It had occured to him, that if something went wrong on the planet..he would na get the chance to say goodbye. So...with that in mind...Saek opened a comm chanel to ch'Rihan. He was 98% sure his mother would be there...which was why he was willing to risk reprimand..and as the comm opened...he saw his mothers face and couldnt help a smile. "Jolan tru, Sarin....au look well" said Saek. The face of the female Rihan was na all that old...yet it had aged a bit in the past few months..." Jolan tru, Saek...as do au...though I must admit I am surprised to hear from au." She arched a brow..."Is this an official communique?" Saek frowned and quirked a brow.." NA exactly...I was just concerned about au. I am about to go on a.....assignment..its classified..so do na bother asking..." At this the woman nearly choked with laughter..." Dear boy...au have been gone too long..space has made au a bit dense, I see..."she paused just long enough for it to annoy Vosh "Aus father was the personal maenek of the Praetor himself...a position sought after by every maenek in the empire..do au na think he would na know the whereabouts and condition of his son? We know of aus encounter with the creatures..as well as aus injuries..we went over the reports from a.....t'Ksa was it?.....She seemed to be a capable maenek....au know..au should transfer into her department..with aus background...." Saek frowned " Mother..now is na the time...." She continued.. "My point is we..aus father and I followed aus career......we......He...was very proud of au. Au have done well...now its time to face reality...au are na some lowly dheno officer...au should be a healer! Come home..and fulfill aus destiny..." Now it was Saeks turn to laugh..."Right, mother....I will just leave the Galae...after a few months....Like THAT is going to happen..." His mothers look took on a more somber appearance..." it has already been arranged, son...all au need do now is return home...nothing will appear on aus record...DO au realize the opportunity? Au are the last male Vosh..au have to continue the bloodline..." Saek stood..his chair toppling behind him..."Au would have me abandon my friends and crewman..and slither back to Rihan...a coward?? Is THAT the bloodline au wish to propagate, mother??" Sarin tried to recover her composure..." Na, son ..that is na what I meant...au have been through so much..there is na shame..especially after losing aus father.." Saek eyed the woman carefully as he spoke... "why, Sarin...au do na appear to be in grief...tell me, mother...did au know the lowly dheno tha yy'a my father?" Now it was Sarins turn for indignation " I am STILL aus mother and au will na speak to me in such a manner..au WILL show me respect..." SAek laughed..." au remind me of someio on board...and Sarin..respect is earned..if au can na see what I am trying to do here then we are wasting each others time...Hann'yyo for aus concern..but I am na leaving this crew to face this enemy alone...and I may end up yy'a....but I will have my honour......" Saek changed the subject.." Does Ll'eona know?" Sarin looked away a moment "Na....she is in the middle of finals..I see na need to distract her.." Vosh chuckled..." ahh...I see....au know I am preparing for battle and au tell me..but au do na wish to distract her from her exams....makes perfect sense..." Sarin frowned..."I did NA tell au..and furthermore I did na want au to know...it was that idiot daise dheno at the institute that filed the report with the Galae..." Saek sighed..."ie mother....I know..those dheno officers are mere buffoons....Give Ll'eona my love when au see her...I must be going...........I love au....." Sarins frown melted as she tried to respond....."Saek...au know I just want........" Saek closed the comm...straightened his uniform...and headed out to meet up with t'A and the others...it was finally time for payback.
  7. wanted to give enough time for everyio to pitch in their thi cents... OK...Farscape....what network monkey dropped the ball on this show...I mean...great plots...superior writing...interesting characters...and its gone... :D While the other night tied up some loose ends...there was STILL plenty of story left It just bugs me when these network suits just look at numbers and have NO clue about programming... and yes..Im in television..so I DO have a clue.... ::thinking back to Scorpius and John as crash dummies:: Man, I miss that show.. and now..the rebuttle from the accounting department?
  8. :) ....easily.... though my fav is :D for some reason, the other reminds me of that commercial with the toothless old people eating the candy bar......I dont know why!!! the determining factor in purchases...Marketing or Choice?
  9. Mo Webb playing Ratchet Heres an actress actually "playing" a video game... Let me know what I win... how about Angelina Jolie eating Spaghetti...Yum...?
  10. :) ....slacker.......... ;) Na worries, bro.... :P PS....I miss au... :D :) :lol: :lol:
  11. Sorry it took so long... ****************RIHANNSU STAR EMPIRE DATA BASE***************** Personnel File: Name: Saek tr'Vosh Rank: Arrain Gender: Male Height: 1.83 m (6 ft) Weight: 67.2 kg (180 lbs) Age: 24 Eyes: Green Hair: Black Distinguishing Features: Scar: 5 centimeters in length, located in front of Right ear. Cause-Unknown Scar: 8 centimeters in length, on back of Right leg. Cause- HIC malfunction Personal Data: Birthplace: ch'Rihan Father: Kevlarr tr'Vosh / Daise Maenek, Rihannsu Center for Healing Mother: Sarin t'Vosh / Director, Psychological Conditioning Institute Siblings: Io Sister / Ll'eona t'Vosh / Maenek student Recent History: Completed pre-Maenek training: Joined Galae instead of continuing Maenek school. Graduated the Galae Academy in the top 10 percentile excelling in thi Dimensional Battle Tactics and hand-to-hand combat. Service Record: 0404.05 Commissioned as Erein, graduating Galae Academy 0404.22 Assigned to RES Talon, Khreriov t'Rexan commanding 0405.16 Temporary field promotion to Daise Dheno 0406.24 Promoted to Ne'Arrain
  12. ****************RIHANNSU STAR EMPIRE DATA BASE***************** Personnel File: Name: Saek tr'Vosh Rank: Arrain Gender: Male Height: 1.83 m (6 ft) Weight: 67.2 kg (180 lbs) Age: 24 Eyes: Green Hair: Black Distinguishing Features: Scar: 5 centimeters in length, located in front of Right ear. Cause-Unknown Scar: 8 centimeters in length, on back of Right leg. Cause- HIC malfunction Personal Data: Birthplace: ch'Rihan Father: Kevlarr tr'Vosh / Daise Maenek, Rihannsu Center for Healing Mother: Sarin t'Vosh / Director, Psychological Conditioning Institute Siblings: Io Sister / Ll'eona t'Vosh / Maenek student Recent History: Completed pre-Maenek training: Joined Galae instead of continuing Maenek school. Graduated the Galae Academy in the top 10 percentile excelling in thi Dimensional Battle Tactics and hand-to-hand combat. Service Record: 0404.05 Commissioned as Erein, graduating Galae Academy 0404.22 Assigned to RES Talon, Khreriov t'Rexan commanding 0405.16 Temporary field promotion to Daise Dheno 0406.24 Promoted to Ne'Arrain 0408.19 Promoted to Arrain
  13. Io word of advice...if au plan on graduating... Follow the mission briefing as well as the chain of command..this may prove difficult since au have lost rank, it seems... Contribute to the overall plot development without using ACTION statements or being antagonistic and au will be well on aus way to graduating.... Jolan tru!
  14. Vosh stood silently until the HIC doors slid shut..then turned to t’Aehjae “What the elements are au trying to prove?? And do NA bring rank into this because aus actions show au obviously do na care for the Galae…” he was na sure why he cared…but it genuinely bothered him she could na control herself. True to form, t’Aehjae exploded in another Rihan fit of rage “ I DO CARE... that is why I am so…hot tempered. We DID work as a team …near the end, just not soon enough and they did na recognize it! Vosh shook his head “They recognized it...they just can na say that....do au na see? Ndak, even tr’Psichore have to push us..they NEED to push us…these are yy'aing machines............. t'Aehjae’s fit seemed to reach its peak “NA, I can NA see.. Each has to find their own working order…We did that near the end…we even worked…well together." Vosh spoke in the same tone trying to bring her wrath back in check “ IE...and if au pursue this…I will have to attempt to get in sync with someio else...an utter waste of time, ie? t'Aehjae turned away, her voice slowly returning to normal “I do know io thing.. N'Dak is near yy'aa to me. Vosh, knowing the walls had ears, tried to downplay her comment “ I understand au are upset.......but we have a job to do.” He walked up behind her speaking low “why na prove them all wrong?” t'Aehjae took a deep breath trying to slow her breathing “Very well..” turning back to face Vosh “Let us begin..” Vosh nodded “Using two disruptors should help...” then he stopped “Why do au do that?” t'Aehjea continued…oblivious to the question for a moment “… as soon as I freeze Au fire the disruptor…then when they get numerous..” she paused.. “Do what?” Vosh tilted his head down and looked at her from the corner of his eyes… “ insist on conflict, then act as if nathing is wrong? Why na simply ignore him.... au are obviously a capable officer, but au are well on aus way to ...dismissal...I just do na understand..." t'Aehjea sighed “I was once Daise Dheno .. I had a bad mission … he was promoted over me… Io of these days, he knows I will retake that title…besides, He can na dismiss me Only tr'Prischore or t’Rexan have that authority." Vosh tapped his temple “Ie, I know...I was Daise for awhile too…remember. I read the files…but au are giving him ammunition... with aus actions..." t'Aehjea shook her head “Na, I know my limits.. I have hit them with him but not yet with tr'Prischore” the hint of a smile crossing her face. Vosh started to protest but decided against it “but...well...it’s aus life......au know what au are doing…I hope.....” t'Aehjea eyed Vosh for a moment taking a deep breathe “ IE, I do. She knelt bringing the rifle up to her shoulder “Are au ready?” Gripping two disruptors this time, Vosh took a deep breathe. “ie..BEGIN EXERCISE” As the Blobs appeared, t'A sniped several at a distance as Vosh fired over her head...but the creatures just kept coming and began to surround the two… Vosh shouted over the sound of the weaponry “Remember to make the nozzle adjustment for close calls...” t'Aehjea countered with her own reminder “Be mindful not to allow them to get above us” She adjusted the nozzel as the blobs drew closer. Vosh watched as the things closed in.. “Steady.......steady..........and...........now!!” t'Aehjea, in a swinging motion fired a wide spread freezing all within reach while Vosh fired over each shoulder blasting the frozen beasties. Time passed quickly as blobs appeared then were rudely dispatched. While the two performed well together..the sheer number of creatures overwhelmed them. Vosh cursed as the two were consumed… “ @$*!..computer...time and yy'a count.." t'Aehjea sighed as the HIC voice called out “20 microns…357 yy’a" Vosh looked to t'A “much better...but still na good enough...” t'Aehjea nodded in agreement “Next round! BEGIN!!!" Vosh grinned despite himself “Computer, Begin Amoeba 500...” The program started over again…with the two Rihans moving around the battlefield. They moved a little more in sync this time…anticipating the others actions. Things looked promising until..inexplicably…t’A stopped firing momentarily…and two blobs lept toward the duo from behind Vosh. t'Aehjea shouted “ COMPUTER HOLD!” Vosh look puzzled…like someio woke from a dream “Wha?..........what happened?” tAehjea looked up seeing io above each of them as Vosh followed her glance “ugh............where did they come from?” t'Aehjea lowered her head.. “My apologies… I was na concentrating on this task. I was beginning to tire and…I had flashbacks of the lashings." Vosh , while aggrevated at the distraction…because they had been doing so well…decided na to chastise her under the circumstances.. “Well…best to get it out here and now…instead of planet side...and get someio...namely me…yy'a......” t'Aehjea laughed almost unnoticeably and nodded “Lets begin again” Vosh closed his eyes, took a deep breath and prepared himself “ Computer, reset time and begin.... This time, as the creatures came, there was na hesitiation or delay in their attack...likewise, there was na hesitation in the manner in which the two Rihans returned their attack. They moved as io, in near perfect sync. The HIC reverberated with the sound of Disruptor fire and the hiss of the nitro rifle. Beads of sweat ran down Vosh’s forehead and after a while, the sound of t’Aehjeas labored breathing was almost as loud as the nitro rifle…and still they fought…until finally…everything stopped. The two Rihans stood in the center of the field… panting from their efforts. At first, Vosh thought something was wrong with the program...then the realization hit each of them. t'Aehjae squealed with joy and as she turned, Vosh saw something he had never seen before…a genuine smile on her face. She turned to face Vosh and without warning, gave him a quick hug. Before Vosh could react, she was already on her way out of the HIC. She paused in the door before leaving… "Hann’yyo Saek…we are ready to take them on, now…Oh…if au ever speak of that to me or anyio else…next time…” she held up her thumb and index finger…making a mock disruptor “I will NA miss…do au understand?” she said…pointing at his head. She left without a response from Vosh. Vosh stood in the empty HIC…shaking his head “ Women…pfft….but…at least someio knows my first name…” He picked up the nitro tank and rifle and slung them over his shoulder… “it’s a start…”
  15. Saek stood in the empty briefing room. He had hoped Dhar would defend herself in front of the other officers but she was still unsure of herself..pity...she had potential, he thought. Suddenly, it occured to Vosh...t'Aejhae possibly viewed him in that manner...and NDak...well everyio knew how he viewed everyio else...inferior...waste of space...a nuisance. It seemed the lessons learned on the planets surface were going to be short lived. Perhaps the problem was na with the other members of the crew...perhaps the problem was with him..and his blasted duality. Some changes were in order...and he needed to make them happen. He would confront t'A and explain that he was still a little stressed from the attack on the planet instead of writing her up...na sense in her gettting her legs broke again. He would na let his hatred of the blobs take over his judgement...he would conduct himself as an officer of the Galae..this was the path he had chosen and he would walk it with honor and destinction...but perhaps a move would be beneficial...something to consider, at least. Vosh picked up the ISD on the table and proceeded to the HIC. Ironically it was the same HIC were he and tr'Vixen had been nearly yy'a'd. Now, he had programmed the blobs to attempt the same thing...in order to test the freeze, yy'a plan they had. Once Engineering completed a prototype, he could use it to gauge the creatures response time. If all went well, he would let NDak know and bring the freeze teams in to practice before going planetside. The time was almost at hand...now to see if their plans would pay off...
  16. Saek had had enough...he drew his disruptor and cracked t'Aejhae across the back of the head knocking her unconsciouse. He then turned seeing a look of disbelief on Dhars face as she reached for her weapon. Saek fired on her at point blank range...her face slowly disappearing as she screamed. "Whose laughin now, eh wench.." said Vosh..grabbing t'As boot and dragging her from the Armory. After a few meters, Saek encountered NDAk...whose mood had na improved. "And just what do au think au are doing?" inquired the Daise. "I am dragging her to the nearest Airlock, do au wish to help?" fired back Vosh. NDak frowned..."Are au kidding, I just got these boots cleaned, shes aus problem now.." Smiled NDak..realizing he might get rid of two birds with io stone. Seeing the look, Vosh replied "And it was self defense...she fired at me..." NDak began to walk off..over his shoulder closing with.."just have the report on my desk first thing in the morning..and remember to get those troops ready." Vosh reached his destination..tossing the limp body inside..."And to think..I was nice to au...pfft...have a nice trip.." With that, Saek sealed the hatch and sent t'A sprawling into space..the only downside being she was na awake to know he had yy'a her.... ..............Vosh blinked.............. t'Aejhaes laughter had gotten louder... Saek Bellowed...."Au will get what is coming to au..I swear...Im going to have a chat with the Daise..and the new XO if necessary..." He stormed out of the armory... turning before the doors could shut ..."and perhaps he can break aus legs again..in an attempt to teach au respect for io's fellow officers..." Vosh set off for the dheno office. He hated to bring more trouble on a fellow dheno..but playing around with disruptors was completely unprofessional and uncalled for...he did na know what Ndak would do..but he imagined it would na be pleasant for t'A..and that was just fine....
  17. Vosh sat alone in Main Dheno...knowing that na good would come of the meeting between t'Aejhae and NDak. Vosh mumbled.."oh, to be a fly on THAT wall..." He was typing away on an ISD, trying to configure a disruptor to be compatible with Liquid Nitrogen...when NDak quietly stormed into Dheno. Looking up, Vosh nodded to NDak .."rekkhai..." NDak eyed the buttkisser..."tr'Vosh...we should begin to prepare a plan of attack to present to the new Daise Erie 'Riov.." Vosh stood and walked over to the main table.." I believe cold is the place to start..." Before Vosh could finish, NDak continued.. " It may be their weakness, but they will na be there..I surmise they will most likely be nesting in io of the warmer swampy regions..we should plan our attack with that in mind..." Vosh meant a weapon utilizing cold but he understood it best na to agitate the already agitated Daise..."I found the vessel just off io of the rivers..we would need to determine my original beam-down coordinates and cross reference with the topography to find the exact location..." NDak nodded.." Au get that information...I want two full squadrons of Dheno ready to move on this.." Vosh frowned..remembering the feeling of the buzzsaw cutting through his back..."do au think that will be enough?" NDak raised a brow...remembering how much fun just io of the things had been.."au are correct..how many do au think we need?" Vosh looked up at NDak...almost surprised at the question..."I had envisioned at least four squads...two in each region in a closing pattern...we would have to watch crossfire...but I believe it would be most effective..." Without taking a breathe, NDak continued.. "Make it six...I want them totally surrounded..." Vosh sneered involuntarily..."box the filthy buggers in and irradicate them...nice.." NDak matched his expression..."my thoughts exactly....I want the squads armed to the teeth...once science has filed their report, arm the troops...I want au to personally see that the weapons check out." Vosh straightened his uniform..thinking this could be the first time he and NDak had agreed.."ie, rekkhai...gladly...au understand this is personal now..." NDak stopped short and looked Vosh in the eyes..."Do NA let aus personal hatred for anything interfere with aus duties...it would be aus downfall...again..." Vosh nodded..."understood.....do we have any Liquid Nitrogen based weapons or delivery devices..the cold would be an effective means of corralling them"...looking over at the ISD. NDak shook his head.. "Na...although Im sure au could work with Engineering to rig some..I will contact Laehval on that...In the meantime, I expect au to be readying the rest of the weapons" "Very well then ...we have our work cut out for us..." said Vosh turning to go... NDak stopped him.."Io more thing...as I just told t'Aejhae..if au can na follow orders, and respect aus fellow officers, au will find ausself on a io way trip back to ch'Rihan..is that clear? Vosh stopped short of the door and turned to address his Daise.." Perfectly, rekkhai..." NDak nodded.."well get to it then........"
  18. ::sitting near the beach watching Jeane very closely..having already had two brushes with disaster already this season...as well as having had to miss the LARP to prepare to evacuate my family:: I applaud my CO for taking the initiative to squash this junk...my uncle chose to stay in Panama City..away from the main brunt of IVAN...however...they have had SEVERAL tornadoes and a lot of damage....BUT.... Until you have made an investment in life..such as a home and family...you might want to keep derogative comments to a minimum... ANYWAY......I love you guys....you are all awesome..STSF rocks....God bless you all, America and our freedom loving neighbors...
  19. Na sure...but Ive always liked two dollar bills so.....$2 Left turn or Right turn?
  20. :can't belieive na io mentioned Dallas...::
  21. ::drops the PC card (political correctness):: Well, personally I think opera is about as much fun as a root canal...but.. I did Enjoy Phantom as Les Mis'..but they are musicals so.I guess I have no comment... carry on....
  22. Ok...so if I hadnt had to fool with the image not being posted thingy my cabbage would have been first...I would have got away with it I tell au..if it wasnt for those meddling kids and their dog...
  23. Purple Cabbage Na what au expected but Purple cabbage na less.. Now..how about an Illudium Q-37 explosive space modulator
  24. ¿?

    Uh..Travis....your siggy.... (w) Classic has two s's...... :P
  25. ¿?

    so sorry..I have been away for awhile.. au = you aus= yours (in my dialect) Aus= Australia you's= Sopranos See..clear as mud...