Description: Hot on the coattails of his (painful) meeting with Rugal, the strongest Canadian faces off against the Bernstein heir. A short and also pain-filled battle ensues, but in the end cybernetics are still no match for a Kaiser Wave. (Winner: Adelheid)
The illustrious, the exotic, North Outskirts of Southtown. Home to the highway, patches of grass and dense areas of trees and shrubbery, and occasionally, vagabond hobos hitchhiking their way into Southtown from god only knows where. And today? The wholly dull setting of Southtown's outskirts get to play host to a spectacular Neo League fight.
Truly, a dramatic stage for epic one-on-one combat.
Camera crews have gathered around a particular section of the north outskirts today in preparation for a designated league match to be broaadcast over public television across the globe. Why such a bland location was picked is beyond these men; they're just here to set up and try to keep up with the action as best they can, a job that's much more difficult than it sounds.
The crews have just about finished preparing when the first opponent makes his arrival, a few minutes ahead of schedule. Almost as new to the league as he is to the world of publicized fights in general, the hulking mystery Canadian known only as Maxima has arrived early if only simply to prepare. He doesn't quite know who he's fighting, but odds are he'll get a very good idea the moment he gets a chance to see them in person. The rogue agent is, of course, as cautious as always. Fighting at such public events like this and Saturday Night Fight means he must be especially careful of potential NESTS agents tracking down him or K'. But he's not particularly worried about that now. Right now... all he concerns himself with is the fight that lies ahead.
Rubbing either wrist in slow, easy motions, Maxima comes to a stand at his full, intimidatingly large height, his leather jacket creaking as he stretches out his arms -- really just a formality at this point. Most of his muscle has been replaced with synthetic mockeries of human musculature. Afterwards, he just waits, massive arms crossing over his chest as he looks around him with an arched eyebrow. "... Wow," he notes, "this place is a pretty dull location to fight at."
Epic! Minivans on the highway, the whirring glory of Japanese sports cars: and of course, the rustic, historic clearing off the overlook of the main drag going out of Southtown. It's scenic! It's picturesque! ... it's easily accessible on the commute home?
The second combatant is what we like to call fashionably timely, which is to say he shows up just as the proverbial upswing of the crowd and announcer lend the impression that the fight is about to start. The ride the young Bernstein shows up on would likely even make K' smile. ... inwardly. The chrome and cerulean beast revs mightily as Adelheid all but launches up into the roundabout leading towards the grassy clearing, skidding sidelong to a smooth, practiced stop. At least, as smooth as such a stop /can/ be.
Adel takes a moment to regard his hulking adversary - who else could Maxima /be/ - from behind the mirrored, gloss black of his riding helmet. The BMW K1200S with the top trim, and then some, looks brand spanking new, as does the leather riding gear the 'R' Lieutenant sports. The helmet is pulled free, and the young warrior gives a brisk shake of his head, setting his platinum mane to its proper, albeit still windblown, place.
Crimson eyes hold to Maxima attentively, almost thoughtfully. Of course, the announcer takes Adel's arrival as reason to ramp up the excitement yet again, but the blonde doesn't seem to be paying any attention at all. He just smoothly dismounts his bike (safely OUT of the clearing, beside the crowd), and walks the distance towards Maxima. He's done his stretches, and the casual calm is part of the show.
See, now, Maxima is something of a motorcycle enthusiast himself. It's been a while since he could afford anything like a nice bike, however, what with him busy looking for suitable shelters from rampaging genetically enhanced assassins while simultaneously getting enough money to get the basic necessities for living -- for a normal person, anyway. So as Adelheid rides in on that blue-and-silver bike, the hulking Canadian takes a moment of his time to give an appreciative stare at the man-made piece of vehicular art. As Adelheid approaches, Maxima heaves a long sigh, gloved fingers rubbing at the back of his head.
"Lucky punk," he ruefully declares. If only Maxima had a chunk of cash to spare.
Still, as Adelheid makes his skidding stop and finally removes that helmet, Maxima's eyes see a whole different level of things than any normal person. Preliminary scans of the young man, to determine age, height, build -- identity. Adelheid? He wonders idly over the young man. Odds are, things will fall into place soon enough. Until then?
Until then, Maxima rotates either shoulder and rolls his neck at a slow, easy pace, offering the young man before him a friendly grin. "Nice bike," he offers by way of compliment, dark eyes falling to it. "Brand new, too. Must have cost an arm and a leg, huh?" Yet, as he speaks, the announcer begins the preparations, calling out either opponent's names. As he does, Maxima lowers, both hands clenching into massive fists.
"Don't expect me to go easy on you just because you have a nice bike, though." A joke. After all --
He doesn't anticipate Adelheid will be going easy on him, either.
The fight begins with the shrill call of the announcer, and as soon as Maxima is sure that Adelheid is ready? He begins to run forward, with surprising speed for someone his size. His intent is simple, and straight forward: using his momentum to his advantage, he intends to plow into Adelheid shoulder-first. Fairly simple, but if it connects... Adelheid is going to be flying backwards with all the force of being struck with a massive battering ram. "HMPH!!"
COMBATSYS: Maxima has started a fight here.
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Maxima 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Adelheid has joined the fight here.
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Adelheid 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Maxima
COMBATSYS: Adelheid dodges Maxima's Strong Throw.
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Adelheid 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Maxima
A sportbike is certainly a farcry from the claustrophobic confines of the Noah, or even the high-tech surroundings of one of the 'R' jetcraft or helicopters... good, old fashioned German engineering. Of course, it's not exactly old fashioned at all, but the engineering and freedom aspects certainly still apply. Maxima's fancy-schmancy 'sensors' would no doubt be going a little bit wild over this particular youth... he's not your typical kid, even by fighter standards, that much is evident just in the way he carries himself... but confirmed by the far above-average signature of chi energy within him. The lithe blonde is practically a capacitor, viewed against the ebb and flow of nature around him. A prodigy.
He lives up to it in the first moments, his answer a brief nod, accompanied by an almost restrained smile, "Try to keep your eyes off the pinstripes." This Maxima guy gets it, at least as far as Adel can tell. A fact which is also confirmed in action, rather than sensory perception, as the sturdy canuck barrels forward. The menacing missile that is Maxima inspires the Bernstein heir to all but glide to the side, throwing himself into a graceful, smooth evasive leap. One which doesn't carry him too far, at all. One which unflinchingly reverses, sending the smaller Adel full bore in on Maxima.
One black gloved hand stretches out, fingers open, palm seeking to rather unconventionally clasp, painfully, over the charging canuck's features. Hopefully, before he can right himself. Should his grip be found? Adelheid won't even have time to hit the ground, and test whether his one arm can loft Maxima's girth in traditional Bernstein fashion, before a sharp tug and heave of that arm would send a tremendous gout of silvery wind point-blank through Maxima's skull, with force to knock the biggest giant backwards via the explosion of angry-edged greyish power.
COMBATSYS: Adelheid successfully hits Maxima with Scorpion Deathlock.
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Adelheid 0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0 Maxima
Of course, a motorcycle can't compare to the kind of technology Maxima has immersed himself in over the last few years, or even what his body is mostly composed of. But some loves die hard, and his love of motorcycles is one of them.
His readings on young Adelheid, however, are nothing truly disconcerting. After being in the presence of people like Igniz and Rugal Bernstein, these readouts his mind feeds him in a constant stream are unusual for a boy his age, but not unheard of. The young Kurow Kirishima he met before was something similar, and as such... he approaches this in a similar manner.
Adelheid, however, proves himself to be rather spry. Moving off to the side, Maxima makes note of the boy's swift nature. The attack, in and of itself, was slow; but Adelheid will be someone to deal with on a slightly faster level.
Of course, all this thinking sets him up poorly for what comes next. While he turns to face Adelheid, he can't respond in time to the sudden grip on his features. If Adelheid even tries to lift him, of course, he might find it unbelievably hard and, considering the boy's build, likely impossible. Throwing something that weighs near five hundred pounds would likely injure the offender instead of the something in question, after all. However, that gout of silvery chi does its work: connecting, it blows Maxima backwards, sending him stumbling in a painful backwards path. "... huh. Nice power output."
Odd commentary aside, though, Maxima is hardly down, or even stunned for long. Soon enough, he is moving -forward-, lurching towards Adelheid in an attempt to snap out his hand and grip the young man by the face. If successful, he'll lift the boy up... before simply tossing him into the ground like a ragdoll, with incredible force and speed.
COMBATSYS: Adelheid blocks Maxima's Quick Throw.
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Adelheid 0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0 Maxima
If Maxima were disconcerted, well. Adelheid would be disappointed. As it is, he's here for a /real/ fight... and when one is raised by Rugal Bernstein, that is a rather lofty definition indeed. Not to mention a degree of fearless pain tolerance. Adelheid blasts Maxima back, flexing his lithe but surprisingly muscular arm back to his side, as the stumbling canuck reverses his own momentum.
Deep crimson eyes narrow, flicker with an alert intensity of their own. He draws a deep breath before Maxima's hand closes sharply on his own face, his eyes squeezing shut. Up, up... and down. Booted feet kick around just as the slam begins, and he hits the ground solidly, but already in a roll. The young Bernstein flees the canuck's mighty grip in that singular tumble, twisting about sharply in an attempt to catch Maxima behind his ankle with one of his own feet, a sharp application of leverage meant to drop the much larger fighter to the ground.
COMBATSYS: Maxima interrupts Medium Throw from Adelheid with Maxima Lift.
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Adelheid 0/-------/-======|=====--\-------\0 Maxima
There's something to be said about trying to drop massive men when they're prepared. Especially unusually heavy individuals like Maxima. Being almost entirely composed of metal alloys has certain advantages. For example... when Adelheid lashes out so quickly after Maxima's own attack, the large Canadian is more than adequately prepared. That leg swipes out and slams into Maxima's ankle in a painful way, but before it can go any further...
... Adelheid will feel massive hands plucking him straight off the rough ground in a sudden blur of motion, holding him with a grip of steel as he is lifted high into the air. Only a moment later, Maxima brings him DOWN in a disorienting onrush of wind, SLAMMING the young man back-first against his right, raised knee with a powerful and unpleasant crack before he simply THRUSTS the 'R' lieutenant up and through the air, propelling him straight away from the massive Canuck.
Wait. Adelheid's boot more or less hits dead stop when it slams against Maxima's tree-trunk of a leg. NOT the leverage he was looking for. Clearly, Maxima has found his. The Bernstein heir goes sailing away, courtesy of air Canada, his skull still ringing from the sharp impact that preceded the flight. He regains his bearings somewhere across the clearing, just in time to land in a heap. It's a quickly corrected heap, however, as the graceful Bernstein rolls back to a crouch, his gaze snapping back upwards towards Maxima.
Don't lose focus. Keep an eye on the opponent. And then some, it seems, because the platinum blonde all but launches out of his crouch, careening the distance between himself and Maxima in short order. His goal? He's looking to clench both hands at about chest level, and quite literally jack the huge Canadian up.
Contrary to hypothesis, there is indeed strength, or at least power in those arms to do just that... and should Maxima suddenly leave the ground? Well, the upward flight would be the least of his concerns, as both of Adelheid's feet blast off the ground, joining Maxima in the air for a brief, full-throttle flight across the clearing in a shockwave of invisible energy. The intended landing? Maxima's back meets reinforced overlook rail. WHAM. Better hope it holds?
COMBATSYS: Maxima interrupts God Press from Adelheid with Maxima Missile.
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Adelheid 1/------=/=======|=======\-------\0 Maxima
Maxima is prepared for anything. He's gleaned what he needs to from Adelheid's style and his all-too apparent focus in this particular battle. What's more concerning to the Canadian, though, is the young man's style. It reminds him of something else, someone in particular, but right now... he can't quite place it.
It all comes to a head, however, when Adelheid displays a technique that one man and one man alone has made truly famous. When the young blonde has gotten back on his feet, and starts to slide forward as if -floating- across the ground with hands forward... something triggers inside Maxima's mind. A callback to the man he hand only fought days before.
"Rugal Bernstein...?"
Maxima utters the name as Adelheid begins his charge, but still prepares himself. Body tensing, lowering itself in preparation, Maxima's right fist clenches. As Adelheid SLAMS into Maxima, the large Canadian goes skidding backwards painfully... before -thrusting- his foot out behind him, digging into the earth beneath him to stop dead in his tracks before he can strike the railing. At the same time, his massive right fist strikes out, SLAMMING in an upwards-aimed punch to crash into Adelheid's jaw and launch him up and away, with a strike that might oddly feel reinforced, as if Maxima's entire hand were covered in steel. "HMPH!!"
Steel fists are categorically /unfair/. Alright, maybe it's no worse than a lot of the blow Adelheid's felt training with his father, but however resilient the youth's jaw is, it's less resilient than a rampaging fist. His fearsome slam abated, Adelheid reels backwards, keeping his footing this time... however barely. There's a vague, almost irritated question in his intense crimson eyes as he rights his attention on Maxima with a frown.
Does /everyone/ know that name? Certainly, if Rugal has his way... well. He holds back, considers. Not out of pain, but out of thought - and perhaps a measure of agitation, "This has nothing to do with him." Adelheid replies simply, managing to keep the sharper edges out of his voice. He's here for a fight, not... whatever agenda his cybereyed father has with this walking tank. Adelheid flanks, for the moment. Breathing in, breathing out, he centers his chi and watches, apparently curious as to Maxima's intentions, now.
COMBATSYS: Adelheid gains composure.
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Adelheid 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Maxima
Maxima's physical might can't really compare to a titan like Rugal's, but still, there is something -off- about it. Despite his obvious height and build, the strength behind his blows, his grappling abilities... it's all in all rather -unnatural-. Fortunately, Adelheid hasn't even seen the tip of the iceburg -- otherwise, he might have some other things to be concerned with in terms of categorically unfair.
Still, it seems Adelheid has paused in his forward march, stopping his offensive after having determined Maxima's own plan of attack. The cyborg just smiles at the young man's words, offering an apologetic shrug. "Sorry. This is a time for fight, right? Not a time for chat." He only pauses for a minute, carefully scrutinizing Adelheid as he seems to hold back and prepare. Should he wait in the ranks as well? Or...
... or, press an offensive. Pushing off one foot, Maxima takes to a run towards Adelheid, jumping into a surprising long leap about midway through. Raising his left hand high into the air, he brings it DOWN with a sudden, speedy swing, seeking to SLAM it into Adelheid's left shoulder, where shoulder blade meets neck. "HMPH!!!"
COMBATSYS: Adelheid blocks Maxima's Quick Punch.
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Adelheid 1/------=/=======|=======\-------\0 Maxima
For a warrior born and raised, well... to say Maxima is an enigma is definitely more than fair. Adelheid's senses may not be as attuned as the more monastic or spiritual, but a degree of innate talent comes with that familiar tingle, that understanding of how chi ebbs and flows within and without one's surroundings. Maxima, well... Maxima boils with it, and yet... it doesn't seem to flow, not the way its intended. Adelheid has little time to ponder the rhyme or reason - the Canuck is right, this is a time to fight. The descending chop meets an equally potent rising forearm, the sweeping deflection seeing Adelheid step smoothly aside, teeth gritting. It's a jarring impact, but one his rather dense musculature absorbs. As he steps left, his right foot snaps upwards... as if to kick Maxima: IN THE CROTCH.
Only, the platinum blonde isn't even seeking to connect with his boot. He moves aside, and twists away, the cleaving sweep of his heavy motorcycle boot dragging a ragged edge of rampant chi along the ground with a comparatively subdued clanking of buckles and zippers. Nice boots, too.
Not so nice is the ragged-edged, silvery lance of whirling wind energy, the self-contained gale reaving forward, the waist-high lance seeking to rampantly wash over Maxima, and drive the rampaging Canadian back. Unlike that nasty surprise Maxima is packing, this is all natural, home-grown German uber.
COMBATSYS: Adelheid successfully hits Maxima with Reppukyaku.
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Adelheid 1/------=/=======|=======\==-----\1 Maxima
Definitely not of the norm, Maxima -- but that can be mulled over later, as can Adelheid's connections to Rugal Bernstein. There is a fight in progress, after all, and a second's mistake could be cause for a good deal of concern. Maxima never pauses in his straight charge, his left hand sweeping downward in a quick, but potent strike. Adelheid is likewise swift to avoid it, striking out with something of his own -- something that comes quick, and with unmistakeable strength. As he finds Adelheid's leg coming up in a kick towards family jewels that are very likely no longer there, Maxima jerks himself backwards, as if to move away from it. Yet... that isn't what Adelheid is planning, and the Canadian knows it. He can see the sudden spike in chi outputs; as that silvery, wind-laced crescent force of energy sweeps outwards, his hands jerk up, as if to defend himself--
--Just a moment too slow. That energy crashes into him, with enough force to send him staggering back a fair distance away from Adelheid as it splashes over him entirely. His torso smokes from the blow, and he shakes his head, blinking in the aftermath. This kid packs quite a punch, but--
--but, soon enough, Maxima is -shooting- himself forward, intent toslam his hands down towards Adelheid and clamp down firmly on either side of the boy's body. If successful, he'll simply lift Adelheid up... and then bend -backwards-, to send the young man crashing rather painfully into the ground in a sudden, brutal suplex.
COMBATSYS: Adelheid dodges Maxima's Quick Throw.
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Adelheid 1/------=/=======|=======\==-----\1 Maxima
If Adelheid thought to put Maxima away with the blast of energy he unleashed, well... he certainly doesn't show it. The wake of energy sees the Bernstein heir landing gracefully, in a fluid, unpredictable stance on slightly bent legs. His fists hover before him, his jaw clenches and unclenches, and then Maxima's momentum predictably reverses. This time, the 'R' Lieutenant makes his move before the Canuck can secure his grip. The swift reverse action Adel executes is, like Maxima himself, not stalled long on the retreat. Rather than charging in full-bore, however, Adelheid tries a slightly different approach.
An aerial approach, one perhaps inspired by the bulky foreigner he's up against. After all, Maxima does look like a hell of a wrestler. The graceful blonde launches himself into a foreward leap, nearly inverting and kicking out towards Maxima for... a dropkick?!?! Why no, Virginia: this particular attack happens to be a flying clothesline. Against the odds, perhaps against better sense, but with the clear intention of slamming the large warrior to the hard dirt.
COMBATSYS: Maxima fails to interrupt Medium Throw from Adelheid with Bunker Buster.
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Adelheid 1/-----==/=======|===----\-------\0 Maxima
As swift as he displayed before, Adelheid deftly outmaneuvers Maxima's attempt to get a solid grapple upon him. Undeterred, however, the large man twists around to see what Adelheid will attempt next. He is already guessing what's to come -- and finds himself right on the money as Adelheid rushes forth with an attempt to floor Maxima. So, what does the massive Canadian intend to do?
The answer to that is relatively simple. It's clear in his posturing and the tensing of his body that he has every intention of barreling straight though Adelheid's attempted clothesline. Sadly, though... that's not exactly how things work out; instead of barreling into and intercepting Adelheid, the cybernetic Canadian finds himself stopped short before he can get a chance to by a sudden, sweeping clothesline. Typically, there'd be no way the attack could floor him. It's just a matter of his mass versus Adelheid's own. If he were grounded -- but he's not, and up and running as he is, the clothesline is just enough for his unsettled feet that he suddenly finds himself toppling -over- and slamming STRAIGHT into the ground on hands and knees. "Whoof! Fast, too..."
Slowly, Maxima pulls himself back onto his feet. Of course, the process leaves him sadly prone to more attacks, but... he'd be dumb to think Adelheid -wouldn't- capitulate on that. "Damn."
Never underestimate the little guy with the momentum! And a clenching arm around your throat, anyway. The lithe Bernstein proves the more agile in the sudden crash-landing, landing (mostly) on his feet and quickly shoving back to them in a quick step and a half clear of the impact. This gives Maxima a moment to get on his feet, right? Right? ... maybe not.
With all that gear in his skull, Maxima would probably sense the surge of chi before anyone. But it's no secret to the Bernstein heir that the burly Canuck has a fair measure of fight left, setbacks aside, and whether warning is enough in this case or not... well.
Both of Adelheid's hands sweep forward, his arms brace, his jaw tightens and his eyes harden as a surge in his inner chi reflects in the fiery depths. Before him, the earth all but erupts in an explosion of dirt and grass, shrapnel blown outwards and away in the momentary coalescence. The wave is nearly as big as Maxima himself, focused of pure, swirling wind: luminescent silvers, flaring whites, a brilliant mass of gleaming power and darkly crackling blades of sheer energy. The Bernstein prodigy's entire body tenses, muscles flexing, focus perfect, as a gutteral cry echoes the sheer tumult of raw chi bearing down on Maxima.
COMBATSYS: Adelheid successfully hits Maxima with Crown Prince.
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Adelheid 0/-------/----===|=======\-------\1 Maxima
Of course, Maxima saw this coming before he even really 'saw' it. The sudden surge in chi is a herald to the pain that is to come. While it's really nothing in stark comparison to the full force of Rugal's Orochi-tinged wrath, it is nonetheless something wholly painful to experience. It's something akin to the furious force that K9999 had pummeled him with before, at least in overall intensity. It simply doesn't carry the mutant agent's unbelievable rage behind it; simply pure, unfiltered chi.
Pure, unfiltered pain, as well. Maxima knows it's going to hurt before it even strikes him. As the silver chi and power-laden winds crash into him, the force of it alone is enough to launch Maxima straight off his feet, blowing the cyborg in the air from the explosive intensity. The fight, at this point, is over; Maxima knows this is largely due to his failed gambit, but still... this has been something of a valuable learning experience.
But... it's not over yet. Maxima lands in a roll, digging up the earth beneath him as he comes to a stop. "... heheh... pretty good...!!" Slowly, the mountain of a machine man clambors back onto his feet. And as he does? ... he simply BREAKS into a charge towards Adelheid, dropping low to the ground as he seeks to take a solid grip onto the young man's waist...
COMBATSYS: Maxima can no longer fight.
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Adelheid 0/-------/----===|
COMBATSYS: Adelheid dodges Maxima's Maxima Revenger.
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Adelheid 0/-------/----===|
COMBATSYS: Adelheid has ended the fight here.
Not over yet, indeed. The tidal wave of rampant power washing over Maxima goes a long way towards putting the nail in the proverbial coffin, however. The following charge is more desperation, or stubborn tenacity than it is deadly intent, but Maxima's focus isn't what it could be, and rather than be subjected to the brutal followthrough, it behooves Adel to be nowhere near the initial grab. Of course, in this case, nowhere near translates to 'saved by the skin of his teeth'. Adelheid dances backwards, and leaps clear, landing at the edge of the clearing in an impressive high jump. No, he's no match for his father... that much, he is all too keenly aware of. But what he is? Well, by this point Maxima is well aware, "You're... strong." The platinum blonde offers through deep, exerted breaths, the subtle smile returning to his features, "But it takes more than strength!" Might Adelheid has been taught - directly and indirectly - how to deal with, quite well. Daddy loves him and wants him to succeed.
As a lesson, well... Maxima is quite interesting, and a stark contrast, to Adel at least, from his compatriot, K'. The style is certainly unique, as is the fighter, "I've never seen anyone fight... the way you do." A more serious, respectful tone. The fight's bravado ebbs, and at heart, Adelheid is mostly appreciative for the conflict.
Log created on 19:44:40 09/13/2007 by Adelheid, and last modified on 12:09:27 09/14/2007.