Those Who are doomed to repeat it Part 5: A Fortune Not Sought After [CW] [short story]

[SonOfRed]

Part one: The Secret of Mankind

Long ago, before the great collapse of mankind, humanity thrived and expanded. Humans were much more advanced and had intelligence far beyond that of the humans of today. Humanity owed their prosperity to a cosmic creature that had existed since the beginning of the comprehensible universe. When humans were just a weak and fragile being, this beast forged a bond with them. The humans called the beast Rassaghan, because the beasts real name was inconceivable to the human mind. Over many generations Rassaghan shared the secrets of earth to the humans, he told them what their earth is made of and what can be done with these materials. Thus Rassaghan started onto the path of the stone age.
As humans developed more and more, he told them new and exciting things. He got evermore complex with each secret he revealed to the humans. Humans then developed the thirst for knowledge, and asked Rassaghan where he obtained his immense wisdom and knowledge. He told humans of his travels across the universe and how he was a universal protector. He explained how he was tasked with traveling to each world and ensuring that the life on them develops according to how his master has planned. This sparked many new question from the humans, "What is in the universe?", "Will you teach us everything you know?", "Who is your master, and may we see him?". Rassaghan chuckled and simply replied, "The human race is not yet ready for those answers; they will be ready when they an find them on their own.". This angered the human race. The passion inside of them desired answers, but they knew they had no way of getting them. Rassaghan knew their anger and shared with them the biggest secret of their world, they secret of technology, as collateral. This pleased the human race, as they were excited to unlock the full potential behind technology. Rassaghan told them that he must go; that it is time for him to influence another world, and that he would return to rest at earth and to remain friends with the humans.
The humans mourned at the idea of their beloved friend leaving, but they knew he would not abandon them and would return as he said he would. Rassaghan then took to the heavens and left the earth for several generations. This gave humanity plenty of time to realize the full potential of their new technology. The studied and grew for many years, until they were the great and advanced race as mentioned earlier. They took pride in their advancements in technology, but what they took pride in the most, was a device created with very evil and traitorous intent. The device was made for the decomposition of an organisms molecules to be stored in a molecular stasis for easy transportation, but for their intentions, the capture of Rassaghan. The humans waited for the return of Rassaghan with the intent to capture him and force him to reveal the answers to the questions they desired to know the answers to.
Many years had passed and Rassaghan had returned. He was happy to see how far humanity had developed without his aid. He told them of the world he had gone to, a world much like earth, but with one tiny change that would become quite significant in the future. He finished his story and asked the humans to how him the new and wondrous things they had created. The humans obliged. They showed him building of tremendous scale, devices that could completely stop molecular motion, and even spacecraft that could travel for years. "This is all very impressive.", stated Rassaghan, "You have far surpassed my expectations for the human race."
At this time a man came from amidst the crowd of humans and said, "My name is Belz, I am the man who leads the humans, and we have some questions we wish for you to answer Rasssaghan".He firmly stated with a commanding voice, "What is in the universe!?", "Will you teach us everything you know!?", "Who is your master, and may we see him!?" Rassaghan chuckled like before and said, " Although you have grown much more than your ancestors, you still must find the answers to these questions on your own." Belz became enraged and began demanding Rassaghan to give him answers. Rassaghans chuckle turned into a hardy laughter as he explained that he finds it amusing for a being that knows so little to demand so much, from something it knows so little about. This angered Belz and he started demanding equality and that they have earned the right to know. Rassaghans laughter quickly stopped as he lunged at Belz, and stared at him face to face. "Not every ebeing is equal and not every creature has rights, be grateful for all I have given you! My master did not have to choose you but he did, and if he had not you would still be the idiotic primates you were when i found you!", Rassaghan said with a deep and terrifying voice.
Rassaghan then turned away and began to leave the humans once again. "It appears i was mistaken, in that you still have much longer until you have surpassed my expectations for humans", Rassaghan said with a disgusted tone. In his rage and shame Belz ordered Rassaghan to stop and pulled out their molecular storage device while Rassaghan's back was still turned. Rassaghan heard the cries of Belz and stopped briefly. he started to turn around, and as he did he was struck with the device. "Organic composition identified.", the device uttered, "Starting molecular decomposition." Rassaghan screamed in pain as his molecules were ripped from one another and all that he was was being stored inside of the cruel and sinister device.
The device shook furiously and eventually locked with a loud and reverberating snap which was heard by every human. Belz approached the device and held it in his hands. "I hold in my hands the knowledge of the universe.", Belz thought to himself. He held the device high above his head, and with a proud voice he said, "The human race has finally gotten its answers!"

Part 2: A Friend Betrayed

An immense roar of rejoice flooded the crowd. Finally the answers they so desired were literally at their fingertips. The humans immediately began preparations. in a matter of months they had developed a device capable of storing Rassaghan outside of the molecular decomposition device. They placed they device inside of their container, their prison for Rassaghan. As he was released Rassaghan released another terrifying scream as he did when he was captured. When he was completely restored he panted and moaned as if he were out of breath and in pain. Belz stepped up to the cage. "Well Rassaghan, it seems as if you have no choice but to give in to our demands now.", he stated. Rassaghan chuckled like he did many other times the humans demanded things they could not receive. You still won't seem to grasp the concept that i cannot share this knowledge with you.", he calmly said with a smirk on his face. "Lies!", Belz yelled, "How dare you continue to lie to us, your friends!" "friends don't imprison one another and try to force them to do what they simple cannot.", replied Rassaghan. "Why is it that you cannot share your knowledge with us?", said Belz. "Because my master has told me that those things are not meant for the beings I influence, and that they are not impossible for you to learn but you must learn them on your own.", Rassaghan said with a still voice. "I am your master now." Belz said with a menacing grin, "I will do with you as i please and you will comply with everything I ask of you, or we will find a way to get it forcefully." Rassaghan just sat down and never uttered another word.
Days had gone by and Belz became impatient, he gathered his greatest minds to create devices which could be used to get Rassaghan to reveal his knowledge. The first of the three scientists came to belz weeks later with a device intended to read Rassaghans mind. Belz was very pleased with this and so they used the device on Rassaghan. As it turned on Rassaghan cried in pain as a beam of light as red as blood covered his head and part of his chest. The machine ran for about thirty minutes while Rassaghan shouted in agony, but eventually the machine broke. Sparks flew, gears shot out from the machine, soon the device caught fire. Rassaghan simply laughed and stated, "The human mind is a primitive thing. To learn all that i know you must think beyond your mind; into your soul and the very fiber of your being." A month had passed and the second scientist came to Belz with a device capable of dealing extreme amounts of pain to any living creature. Belz was ecstatic to use this device, "If we cannot read his thoughts, then we will force him to tell us through torture." Belz thought to himself.
The device was ready and Belz started it without remorse. As it began Rassaghan yelled a terrifying yell, a yell that made the very soul of a man cry out as if it shared the pain of the creature. As Rassaghan continued to scream, Belz stood and watched with a blank and soulless look on his face. "If you give us answers we will stop and release you and you never have to see us again.", Belz said with a low, monotone voice. "Why would i wish to leave? I love the humans, no other being has brought me as much happiness or sorrow, and yet I am only intrigued as to how you will find the answers you are looking for when you realize this will not work.", Rassaghan said with a calm voice even as he was i unfathomable pain. Belz was infuriated by this, and in his rage he destroyed the device with his bare hands.
About a year had now passed and Belz was on the verge of insanity. Every day he pestered the third scientist demanding he finish his project, that the human race needed his project to complete their goal of learning Rassaghans secrets. The scientist kept delaying until finally Belz ordered the scientist to be executed. Belz sent men armed with the weapon designed by the second scientist.
They found the third doctor and brought him to Belz. Belz furiously roared at the scientist, "I have given you everything our world has to offer, and i have even given you my patients. Yet i still don't even know what you are building. Explain to me, what will your device do, and maybe i will spare you." The scientist was in tears,"Oh please Belz, give me a few more months and i promise we will get the answers we have long desired for.", the scientist spurted out in a shaky voice. "Tell me what your device does you swine!", Belz commanded. "It's a cloning device sir," the scientist said," It will clone Rassaghan and thee clone will have all of his memories and knowledge and power, but i have found a way to erase the memory of ever having a master". Belz stood back; he picked the scientist up from the ground. "Ah, there we go. That is what i needed, an explanation. Now you may leave. You've intrigued me, and promised me my answers. So for your sake, you had better not be wrong."

Part 3: A Long Wait

Many years had past since Belz had been told of the cloning device, and in those years humanity has grown even more advanced. The human race had thrived and pushed technology to the brink. There has never been a time in the earths history where it had flourished and prospered as it did now.
In these years of prosperity Belz had become a more patient ruler. He did not mind waiting on the third scientist, just as long as his promise was fulfilled. Belz had taken this time to find a wife, a beautiful woman named Gitrian (Jitriaan). Belz and Gitrian were happy; Belz, with his power, could have easily picked the most beautiful or the smartest woman of the entire human race. He could've slept with any whore he pointed to, or any woman already married. Belz did not desire those things, he wanted a woman who would not fear him. He needed a companion he could call equal. He had first met her when the second scientist was working on the device for torture. She was assisting the second scientist and in the middle of the project the realized that they needed a special mineral, a mineral the was very rare on earth. She was tasked with requesting permission to mine the mineral from Belz himself. At the time the mineral, known as trillium was only used for medical technology, as an anesthetic, for its properties that can effect the way the brain perceives pain.
Being the strong political power that he is, Belz would never admit this, but he fell for her the moment he saw her. You may be thinking that this is stereotypical as a storybook romance, but strangely enough it was not her appearance that cause Belz to fall in love, but the way she entered his chambers. Normally to see Belz, one must go through guards and even then Belz had to decide if you were worth his time. Gitrian was not one to wait for something that wasn't guaranteed. She shoved one of the guards to the ground and sprinted to the room where Belz was already seeing someone. As she was running towards the room, two more guards prohibited her from easily seeing Belz. The guards ran towards her, as she was running head on towards them. She didn't know what she could do, so she relied on instinct. Without hesitation, Gitrian jumped and drop-kicked one of the guards.
Around this time Belz had finished his current meeting, and was leaving his chamber. When he opened the door the guard who Gitrian had kicked fell onto it and it flung wide open and almost hit Belz in the face. There was Gitrian, fighting the second guard with all she had left in her. Sadly, it wasn't much and the guard began dragging her away. She probably would've been imprisoned if it hadn't have for Belz demanding a meeting with her. He made it seem as though he was enraged, but inside his heart was racing. As she entered, she immediately began her proposal for trillium. Belz had no idea what to think; he went from being love struck to confused and a little infuriated. though on the inside he was overjoyed to be talking with someone who has such backbone, such nerve, such ferocity as she did.
As for Gitrian, she came in with disgust. She despised the fact of having to ask permission from the person who assigned them their task. Midway through the meeting though, she had become engrossed by his deep, elegant voice. She was somewhat happy to be talking to him and especially because he did not just give in to her demands. He debated and argued as if she were a man. As a woman with beauty; who took care of herself, she was surprised at how well he kept his blue eyes focused of hers. It was apparent that they made each other feel as equals.
The meeting went on for hours, both of them making one valid point after the next. Eventually Belz did allow her the trillium, but only because there could be no substitute and because the device it was for has great importance to him. Although the debate was over, the conversation still went on. They began discussing other problems, and talking of meaningless quarrels, such as the pronunciation of caramel. They did not care what they talked about, they just loved the in depth and sophisticated conversations. The shortest argument they had was an hour long conversation about if myths like ghosts and dragons exist; they both agreed that they do not.
They continued to meet regularly to talk and discuss more meaningless topics, and so they meet at least once a week. Of course when you meet once a week and have a strong affinity for one another you eventually go beyond just talking, they began to get more physical. About a month of them even knowing each other and Belz and Gitrian had conceived their first child, which would later come to be a beautiful girl named Kliap(Clee Op). Most people would believe that they got married after they had conceived a child, but Gitrian had never even told Belz before he made his announcement to be wed.
They had not been engaged but for about a month before they got married. Belz even cleared land on top of the earth tallest mountain at the time. he had a house built there so that his wife and his children could see the whole world before them, and so that they could be the closest they could be to the heavens. With the arrival of his newborn daughter Belz swore to treat her ,and all of his other children after her, better than royalty. he wanted to treat his children as if they were gods, and his wife as if she were his goddess. To most this seems a bit over the top, but to Belz, this is what his family meant to him.
Gitrian once again conceived a child. A boy, who would later become the spitting image of his father. He would be named Gliad(Gl eye add), and if a father could pick favorites among his children then Gliad would be Belz's choice. He grew to have the same golden hair as his father, and the gleaming blue eyes that his family had had for many generations. Belz was insistent on raising Gliad to become a far greater ruler than himself, by teaching him to flourish where Belz had failed.
They had lived a happy life. A life any human would easily be jealous of and a life that could turn even the sternest of men, such as Belz, into loving compassionate people. These are the effects fatherhood has on men. Belz played with his children, he loved them unconditionally. He stayed loyal to his wife, and they remained happy with each other. They even found time to meet up once a week and talk like they always did when they first met. Belz had never been a happier man. he went from being a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders, to a man who could care less as long as those that matter most where safe and protected from any and all harm. It's a shame that the cloning device was nearing completion, otherwise his happiness might have lasted.

Part 4:It Is Finished

The day had come. The day that the cloning device would be used had dawned upon the human race. Many saw it as a day to rejoice; especially Belz, who had long awaited the arrival of the machine that was promised to give him everything he had hoped for, answers. Its a shame that history would never remember this day as momentous. Many will even come to revere this day and claim it never existed, but even as time fades the memory of any day, there will be one who will serve as a constant reminder. One, to remind people that today the human race was put in their place. By a being that considers itself to be a god.

The day was hot, and very humid. Belz and his family were out on a hillside; Belz and Gitrian sat and watched while Gliad and Kliap played. Belz sat down, leaned back into grass, and started to doze off. As he was about to fall asleep he was woken up by Gliad, who had jumped on his fathers stomach to keep him up. "Come play with us daddy!", yelled Gliad as he continued to keep his father awake. "Okay, Okay", Belz replied as he stood up and started to make his way to the field where his children were playing. He may have been tired, but Belz was happy with his life. He couldn't help but smile and be proud about all he had accomplished. In this moment Belz had something that was more important to him than eternal knowledge. This was short lived, as the third scientist came to Gitrian and ask her if she could get Belz for him. "Belz!", she yelled, "I think... I think it's time." Belz's smile and lighthearted expression quickly faded, and in it's place the face of the powerful world leader reemerged. He calmly walked over to the third scientist and said, "Let us talk in my quarters, so that my family can enjoy this lovely day in peace."

As they arrived at his quarters the scientist took a seat, and Belz shut the door behind them. "So tell me, is it finished?", Belz said in a deep, monotone voice. "Y-y-yes s-s-s-sir, i-it's finished.", the scientist uttered in fear. Belz leaned walked next to were the scientist was sitting and leaned in to his face, "And it will do everything I was promised it would do?" Belz said in the same monotone voice. "Y-y-y-yes s-sir.", The doctor quickly said. "Then tomorrow..." , Belz said with a stern and vicious look on his face, "You will show me." The scientist gulped and simply shook his head about five or six times liked a scared child. He was too scared to even speak at this point. "Good, now leave. I want to spend the rest of this nice day with my family, and I'm sure you want to do the same after spending so many years on your device.", Belz calmly stated. The scientist said nothing, but quickly stood up and walked towards the door without making a sound. "STOP!", Belz suddenly spurted before the scientist could leave, "Where do you live? I would love to send a gift of gratitude to the man who has promised me great things, and brought me great news." Without even turning around the scientist muttered, " I-I-I-I live in my l-l-lab s-s-sir". "Why do you live in your lab?" Belz asked in a very confused manner. "I c-c-c-couldn't p-p-pay for my house while I-I was working on the d-d-d-device.", he said. "Oh? And what of your family? Could you not simply live with them?", Belz stated. "M-m-my family? I-I never knew my f-f-father, and my m-mother died w-w-when I-I-I was just a b-b-boy.", the scientist said with his back still turned to Belz. Tears started to form in his eyes and his voice was cracking more than usual. " Do you have any loved ones?" Belz asked. "I-I-I had one. A b-beautiful woman who loved science as m-m-much as I.", the scientist said. His voice was starting to clear now, and as he wiped away a single tear on his cheek he turned around and said, "We were childhood friends and we fell in love and even lived together for some time. I never proposed because she was too busy on a project and I was too nervous." "Well what happened?", asked Belz in a somewhat compassionate voice. " She found someone else. She never told me who and she left me after a while of seeing him, but recently I figured out on my own. I don't think she knows that I know, and i doubt she'd even recognize me. I've become quite thin working on your device.", the scientist said trying to remain calm; choking back tears. "Tell me who this woman is and the man who took her from you and i will be sure to show them the full extent of my wrath!" Belz screamed, "They will know the true penalty for betraying one of my loyal servants!" " It's alright m'lord", the scientist calmly said, he had put on a serious face and had choked back every ounce of sorrow in his expression, " They will know soon enough." And with that the scientist left.

-To be continued

Part 5: A Fortune Not Sought After

The next day had come, and with it a fire had been reignited inside of Belz; his burning passion for unlimited knowledge had overtook him once again. He awoke and immediately began getting ready to watch the machine, that he had patiently waited for, finally accomplish its intended purpose. His thirst for his answers even drove Belz to act much differently to his family. His son came to him asking to play, and he quickly declined, and even scolded his son for distracting him during this important day. His daughter fell and cut her arm. On any other day Belz would've picked her up and would've tended to her wound, but instead Belz disregarded her and left his wife to care for their daughter. The anticipation, and the lust for an immeasurable amount of knowledge had cause Belz to not even see his family, which he cared for more than his own life, any different than a waste of his precious time.

When Belz finished preparing he sent a messenger to get the scientist, and a large group of men with plenty of equipment for transportation to bring the device to Belz. He felt no need in going to the scientists lab since he had waited so long for this moment. Belz, although he had put on the face of a stern and proud ruler, was nervous and his leg jittered slightly with excitement. His palms were sweaty, and his heart was pounding. Only a hand full of moments ever made a strong man such as Belz feel so weak.

About an hour later the men had returned with the device, the scientist, and Rassaghan. Belz could hardly contain his excitement, and screamed, "Hurry up and prepare everything. I am tired of waiting!" The men, slightly petrified in fear, paused briefly; then immediately began unloading the machine and setting everything up according to the scientists specifications. Large cylinders were stacked next to one another, and many different chemicals were placed together accordingly. It was a very extensive device, much more complex and a great deal larger then the other two devices.

As Belz watched he spotted a peculiar looking piece. It was a pedestal-shaped piece with a very long needle protruding from it. Belz asked the scientist, "What is that part over there for?" The scientist stopped instructing the men and turned to Belz. "O-o-oh, w-well in o-o-o-order for the c-c-clone t-to grow on its o-o-o-o-wn, i-i-it requires a-a-a sample of d-d-dna to b-bond to for a b-b-base.", the scientist muttered. Belz didn't pay attention to the what the scientist was saying. He was to busy staring at the needle with a slightly discomforted face, he may have been a strong man, but even strong men can have phobias. "So will someone have to have that needle jab them?", Belz said worryingly. "Y-y-yes sir, b-but I will be the one t-t-to do th-th-that.", the scientist stated. Inaudibly, Belz left off a sigh of relief, and the men continued setting up the device.

After about twenty minutes or so, the device had been set up and Rassaghan had been moved to a new container specifically designed for the cloning process. The moment was only about ten minutes away, and as the Scientist began preparing himself, Belz had a brief moment of selflessness, and realized that none of this would not be possible if it had not been for the scientists undying loyalty to him. Belz walked over to the scientist, put his hand on his shoulder and said, "I never knew your name. I have been too busy awaiting the arrival of this device to even acknowledge the ingenious mind that created it. So please, tell me your name, and history will never forget it as long as I shall live." The scientist was shocked. He had never expecting to see such a strong, independent leader such as Belz, to humble himself enough to show a sense of equality between himself and another human being. In a clear and strong voice the scientist said, "Secru, my name is Secru". Belz paused a minute and smiled, "Secru, huh? Wait here, I have something I must bestow to you." Belz got the nearest guard and gave him an order, "Go to my chambers and next to my dresser, there is a painting of the crest of my family on the wall.(The crest looked much like the modern letter 'A', but it was designed to look regal and elegant.) In the center of the painting you will feel a small crevice. Pull on it and it will reveal a drawer, hidden withing the wall with a wooden box inside. Bring me that box, but do not open it." The guard nodded his head in compliance and dashed towards Belz's house.

The guard returned with the box and Belz took it and presented it to Secru. "The contents of this box has been passed down my lineage since man had first been touched by the graces and knowledge of Rassaghan.", Belz said as he bowed his head slightly to Secru. "My family had created this to represent the strive for humans to be perfect, to know all. My father told me when he gave it to me that only the man that can reach unlimited knowledge, can rightfully wear this.", Belz said as he opened the box to reveal a spectacular golden ring with the crest of royalty on it. "It was told to me, that whoever does prove themselves worthy of the ring must be given a new name, and that his new name will be born from his old name with the symbol of the royal crest now being present in his name.", Belz finished. Secru took a step back. He was blown away. This man before him was nothing like Belz, showing modesty and respect unlike the strong and powerful leader most new him as. Secru took a minute to answer, but when he did he replied," I cannot accept this yet. I have not proven that i am worthy of it. I don't even know if my machine will work and bring humans unlimited knowledge; until I have done that, please keep the ring." Belz closed the box and quietly returned to where he and his family were watching. Secru finished preparing and was now ready to start the machine.

Secru hit a button and the machined activated with a loud metallic sound that slowly became quieter with time. he flipped a switch and an automated voice started speaking. "Extracting host dna.", it said as a large needle was thrusted into Rassaghan's side. Rassaghan twitched slightly and his face showed that he was in much pain, but unlike before he let out no scream. He tried his best to conceal his pain from those observing. After the machine had collected a fresh sample it spoke once more, "Please provide a dna sample for the host to bond.", It said. Secru took off his jacket and lifted up his shirt. The needle on the large pedestal-like device thrusted into his chest, pierced his sternum and went directly into his heart. Gitrian shielded her children's eyes and looked away in horror, but Belz kept watching. He could only stare as the machine drained the life force from Secru and he fell to the ground. No one knew what to do, they had no idea what had happened or why. Belz just kept staring at Secru's lifeless body with his mouth wide open. The machine spoke yet again, " Bonding host dna with donor dna". The device whirred and the cylinders were filled with the chemicals, while a clear device in the center began to form a creature. It was truly a horrifying sight to behold.

All focus was taken off of Secru's corpse, and instead everyone had their eyes glued to the tube with the life form being created inside. No one seemed to understand. The creature in the tube looked nothing like Rassaghan. Rassaghan walked upright and had many features like a human, but this creature, this thing. It formed four legs and looked more like a horse. The sky had now grown dark with dreadful black clouds and the wind picked up. The beast had stopped developing and now it just sat in the tube. Belz slowly approached it, but before he got near it, it had opened its eyes to reveal it's green eyes with a menacing red center. It broke open its container with a violent explosion that knocked everyone nearby to the ground, and it rose into the air and stared down to the terrified people watching below.

Everything was dead silent, other than the sound of the wind picking up. Belz picked himself up off of the ground and broke the silence saying, "Creature, do you know why you were created!" The beast just stared back at him. "Do you know your purpose!", Belz yelled. The beast just continued to stare at him menacingly. Belz became enraged and screamed, "Obey your new master, and answer me!" The beast still stared, only now it began to descend. It got close to Belz. It looked him dead in the eyes with its lifeless face. It seemed to not even have a mouth, but yet a voice came from it saying, " I have no master. I will listen to no one. Especially not the man who took my beloved Gitrian away from me!"

-To be continued

Edited March 25, 2015 by SonOfRed

[Knight_Teutonic]

A very interesting story. I will wait for the next part.

I posted here as I saw no topic designed for feedback, if there is one, the mods have my consent to remove this comment.

Edited March 1, 2015 by Knight_Teutonic

[SonOfRed]

nah go ahead, i'll start a feedback if people really want, but idk if people will like it that much, but I do have plenty of ideas

[SonOfRed]

Welp i finally got time to write up part three. It'll add a bit of character developement and whatnot. Oh and feel free to comment if you want. I don't mind.

[SonOfRed]

Oh yeah i also cleaned some stuff up and maybe it a bit easier to read because my grammar and spelling was terrible. It still is, but just not as much.

[SonOfRed]

Sorry to anyone who wanted an update. I didn't mean for it to take this long, but hey it's here. I'll try to stop taking so long with updates, but work keeps me busy. I don't even think anyone reads this, but in case I'm wrong, don't hate me for being very bad at regular updates

[SonOfRed]

Finally made part 5, and i gave names for all of the parts so they could be identified. I don't know why i did that though. It's not like anyone is reading this.