Difference between revisions of "Inner Sphere Standard (Battle Armor)"
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{{Update Needed|[[Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 32]]}}
 
{{InfoBoxBattleArmor
 
{{InfoBoxBattleArmor
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| image = Inner_Sphere_Standard_BA_LTMEG.png
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| image = IS Standard Battle Armor (Laser) Shrapnel015.jpg
 
| Name = Inner Sphere Standard
 
| Name = Inner Sphere Standard
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| Manufacturer = [[Ceres Metals Industries]]<ref name=TRO3058U-27>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', p. 27 </ref><br /> [[Corean Enterprises]]<ref name=TRO3058U-27/><br /> [[Cosby Myomer Research Firm - (Cosby BattleMech Research Firm)|Cosby Myomer Research Firm]]<ref name=TRO3058U-27/><br /> [[Defiance Industries]]<ref name=TRO3058U-27/><br /> [[Gibson_Federated_BattleMechs_-_%28Free_Worlds_Defense_Industries%29|Free Worlds Defense Industries]]<ref name=TRO3058U-27/><br /> [[Hellespont Industrials]]<ref name=TRO3058U-27/><br /> [[Irian Technologies]]<ref name=TRO3058U-27/><br /> [[Luthien Armor Works]]<ref name=TRO3058U-27/><br /> [[Kali Yama Weapons Industries Incorporated|Kali-Yama Weapons Industries]]<ref name=TRO3058U-27/><br /> [[Tanadi Computers]] <ref name=TRO3058U-27/>
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| Manufacturer = [[Ceres Metals Industries]]<ref name=TRO3058U-27>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', p. 27</ref><br/>[[Corean Enterprises MacAdams-Suharno|Corean Enterprises]]<ref name=TRO3058U-27/><br/>[[Cosby Myomer Research Firm - (Cosby BattleMech Research Firm)|Cosby Myomer Research Firm]]<ref name=TRO3058U-27/><br/>[[Defiance Industries]]<ref name=TRO3058U-27/><br/>[[Gibson Federated BattleMechs - %28Free Worlds Defense Industries%29|Free Worlds Defense Industries]]<ref name=TRO3058U-27/><br/>[[Hellespont Industrials]]<ref name=TRO3058U-27/><br/>[[Irian Technologies]]<ref name=TRO3058U-27/><br/>[[Luthien Armor Works]]<ref name=TRO3058U-27/><br/>[[Kali Yama Weapons Industries Incorporated|Kali-Yama Weapons Industries]]<ref name=TRO3058U-27/><br/>[[Tanadi Computers]]<ref name=TRO3058U-27/>
 
| Use = Line Unit
 
| Use = Line Unit
 
| Weight Class = Medium
 
| Weight Class = Medium
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The '''Inner Sphere Standard ''' was developed following the initial thrust of the [[Clan invasion]], as [[Inner Sphere]] powers rushed to duplicate the [[battle armor]] technology the [[Clans]] fielded. Lacking any battlefield salvage on which to base their development though, engineers were forced to work off of ancient rumors of early power armor suits like the [[Nighthawk]], more akin to armored [[Exoskeleton]]s than the "[[Elemental_(Battle_Armor)|Toads]]" currently rampaging through known space, and these prototypes fared poorly during testing.  It took salvage from the first victories over the Clans to truly kick-start the development of battle armor.  The [[New Avalon Institute of Science]] was the first to reproduce in part the Clans' Elemental armor as the Inner Sphere Standard in [[3050]].  These early Standard suits, dubbed gorilla suits<ref name=ClanTroops-38>''ClanTroops'', p. 38</ref>, were immediately distributed to [[Federated Commonwealth]] troops fighting against the Clans and select [[mercenary]] units such as the [[Gray Death Legion]].<ref name=TRO3058U-27/><ref name=LOS>''LosTech: The MechWarrior Equipment Guide'', p. 70</ref>  
 
The '''Inner Sphere Standard ''' was developed following the initial thrust of the [[Clan invasion]], as [[Inner Sphere]] powers rushed to duplicate the [[battle armor]] technology the [[Clans]] fielded. Lacking any battlefield salvage on which to base their development though, engineers were forced to work off of ancient rumors of early power armor suits like the [[Nighthawk]], more akin to armored [[Exoskeleton]]s than the "[[Elemental_(Battle_Armor)|Toads]]" currently rampaging through known space, and these prototypes fared poorly during testing.  It took salvage from the first victories over the Clans to truly kick-start the development of battle armor.  The [[New Avalon Institute of Science]] was the first to reproduce in part the Clans' Elemental armor as the Inner Sphere Standard in [[3050]].  These early Standard suits, dubbed gorilla suits<ref name=ClanTroops-38>''ClanTroops'', p. 38</ref>, were immediately distributed to [[Federated Commonwealth]] troops fighting against the Clans and select [[mercenary]] units such as the [[Gray Death Legion]].<ref name=TRO3058U-27/><ref name=LOS>''LosTech: The MechWarrior Equipment Guide'', p. 70</ref>  
  
−
At the same time the [[Capellan Confederation]], [[Draconis Combine]], and [[Free Worlds League]] also began developing battle armor suits based on captured Clan armor.  That these suits were functionally identical to the FedCom Standard has been chalked up to corporate espionage, illegal technology sharing, or both.  Regardless, all of these early Standard suits were markedly inferior to the Elemental suit they were based on, including weaker offensive firepower, less armoring, and an inability to use [[jump jets]].<ref name=ClanTroops-38/><ref name=TRO3058U-27/><ref name=LOS/>  Continuous refinement of the suit eventually rectified this last problem by the time of the [[Battle of Tukayyid]] in [[3052]], leading to the final production model of the Inner Sphere Standard.  However, the limitations of Inner Sphere technology means the suit still pales in comparison to the Elemental.<ref name=TRO3058U-27/><ref name=LOS/>
+
At the same time the [[Capellan Confederation]], [[Draconis Combine]], and [[Free Worlds League]] also began developing battle armor suits based on captured Clan armor.  That these suits were functionally identical to the FedCom Standard has been chalked up to corporate espionage, illegal technology sharing, or both.  Regardless, all of these early Standard suits were markedly inferior to the Elemental suit they were based on, including weaker offensive firepower, less armoring, and an inability to use [[jump jets]].<ref name=ClanTroops-38/><ref name=TRO3058U-27/><ref name=LOS/>  Continuous refinement of the suit eventually rectified this last problem by the time of the [[Battle of Tukayyid (3052)|Battle of Tukayyid]] in [[3052]], leading to the final production model of the Inner Sphere Standard.  However, the limitations of Inner Sphere technology means the suit still pales in comparison to the Elemental.<ref name=TRO3058U-27/><ref name=LOS/>
  
 
Despite its relative inferiority the Standard has remained quite popular throughout the Inner Sphere, proving to be a flexible and efficient suit in service to the Great Houses; it also served as the basis for many other battle armor designs, most notably the [[Cavalier]] and [[Raiden]].  Falling prices and a willingness of manufacturers to find new markets rather than cease production also meant these suits soon found their way into the hands of mercenaries, personal security and police forces.  Although the Federated Suns eventually shifted production completely to their Cavalier suits, the standard suit remained in production in all of the other realms to a greater or lesser extent for several years, seeing service in many conflicts such as the [[Jihad]].<ref name=TRO3058U-27/><ref name=LOS/>
 
Despite its relative inferiority the Standard has remained quite popular throughout the Inner Sphere, proving to be a flexible and efficient suit in service to the Great Houses; it also served as the basis for many other battle armor designs, most notably the [[Cavalier]] and [[Raiden]].  Falling prices and a willingness of manufacturers to find new markets rather than cease production also meant these suits soon found their way into the hands of mercenaries, personal security and police forces.  Although the Federated Suns eventually shifted production completely to their Cavalier suits, the standard suit remained in production in all of the other realms to a greater or lesser extent for several years, seeing service in many conflicts such as the [[Jihad]].<ref name=TRO3058U-27/><ref name=LOS/>
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The Inner Sphere Standard uses a unique [[Modular Weapon Mount]] taking up its right arm.  Typically the mount can take one standard battle armor weapon, such as a [[Machine Gun (Battle Armor)|Machine Gun]] or [[Flamer (Battle Armor)|Flamer]] useful against conventional [[infantry]], or a [[Small Laser (Battle Armor)|Small Laser]] or [[One-Shot]] [[SRM-2 (Battle Armor)|SRM-2]] launcher for attacking hardened targets. Starting in [[3061]]<ref>''[http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/1630/is-standard-battle-armor-lrr MUL online date for the ''IS Standard (LRR)'']''</ref> during the [[Capellan-St. Ives War]] several units equipped with Inner Sphere Standard battle armor armed their units with [[Light Recoilless Rifle (Battle Armor)|Light Recoilless Rifles]].<ref name=TRO3058U-27/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League)'', p. 40</ref>  Instead of taking one standard weapon however the mount can carry two "secondary" weapons, such as [[Submachine Gun]]s or [[Gyrojet Rifle]]s, similar to an [[Anti-Personnel Weapon Mount]].<ref name=LOS/><ref name=CBR>''Classic BattleTech RPG'', p. 142-143</ref>
 
The Inner Sphere Standard uses a unique [[Modular Weapon Mount]] taking up its right arm.  Typically the mount can take one standard battle armor weapon, such as a [[Machine Gun (Battle Armor)|Machine Gun]] or [[Flamer (Battle Armor)|Flamer]] useful against conventional [[infantry]], or a [[Small Laser (Battle Armor)|Small Laser]] or [[One-Shot]] [[SRM-2 (Battle Armor)|SRM-2]] launcher for attacking hardened targets. Starting in [[3061]]<ref>''[http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/1630/is-standard-battle-armor-lrr MUL online date for the ''IS Standard (LRR)'']''</ref> during the [[Capellan-St. Ives War]] several units equipped with Inner Sphere Standard battle armor armed their units with [[Light Recoilless Rifle (Battle Armor)|Light Recoilless Rifles]].<ref name=TRO3058U-27/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League)'', p. 40</ref>  Instead of taking one standard weapon however the mount can carry two "secondary" weapons, such as [[Submachine Gun]]s or [[Gyrojet Rifle]]s, similar to an [[Anti-Personnel Weapon Mount]].<ref name=LOS/><ref name=CBR>''Classic BattleTech RPG'', p. 142-143</ref>
  
−
Like the Elemental the final form of the Inner Sphere Standard can leap 90 meters at a time, although engineers were never able to figure out how to combine this ability with the additional SRM-2 pack.  It also carries less protection than the Elemental: it's 450kg of armor can withstand a full burst from an Inner Sphere [[Large Pulse Laser]] and keep the pilot alive.  The Standard's left arm ends in a [[Battle Claw]], allowing the suit to make anti-'Mech attacks or utilize an [[OmniMech]]'s handholds to ride into battle.<ref name=TRO3058U-27/><ref name=LOS/>  The integrated [[Medipack]] in the suit helps keep the trooper alive when injured, although not to the same degree as the [[Clan Life Support Sustaining Unit|Clan LSSU]] standard in the Elemental.<ref name=CBR/>
+
Like the Elemental the final form of the Inner Sphere Standard can leap 90 meters at a time, although engineers were never able to figure out how to combine this ability with the additional SRM-2 pack.  It also carries less protection than the Elemental: its 450kg of armor can withstand a full burst from an Inner Sphere [[Large Pulse Laser]] and keep the pilot alive.  The Standard's left arm ends in a [[Battle Claw]], allowing the suit to make anti-'Mech attacks or utilize an [[OmniMech]]'s handholds to ride into battle.<ref name=TRO3058U-27/><ref name=LOS/>  The integrated [[Medipack]] in the suit helps keep the trooper alive when injured, although not to the same degree as the [[Clan Life Support Sustaining Unit|Clan LSSU]] standard in the Elemental.<ref name=CBR/>
  
 
==Variants==
 
==Variants==
 
*;Gorilla suits: Early production models of the Standard designed by the NAIS and rushed into production by [[Blackwell Industries]]. These gorilla suits, as they came to be known, had only 50% as much armor as Clan Elementals, lacked the Clan LSSU, and could support only a single, though modular, weapon system. Their first test by [[Team Banzai]] against [[Clan Jade Falcon]] on [[Planting]] in October 3051 was successful.<ref name=ClanTroops-38/>
 
*;Gorilla suits: Early production models of the Standard designed by the NAIS and rushed into production by [[Blackwell Industries]]. These gorilla suits, as they came to be known, had only 50% as much armor as Clan Elementals, lacked the Clan LSSU, and could support only a single, though modular, weapon system. Their first test by [[Team Banzai]] against [[Clan Jade Falcon]] on [[Planting]] in October 3051 was successful.<ref name=ClanTroops-38/>
  
−
*;Baka : A [[Dark Age]] variant used by the [[Draconis Combine]] this model removes the jump jets and replaces them with additional SRM-2s. The variant was named from the HUD displaying the word "Baka" when a trooper tries to jump.<ref name=tro3150>''Technical Readout: 3150'', p. 222</ref>
+
*;Baka : A [[Dark Age]] variant used by the [[Draconis Combine]] this model removes the jump jets and replaces them with a pair of SRM-2s. The variant was named from the HUD displaying the word "Baka" when a trooper tries to jump.<ref name=tro3150>''Technical Readout: 3150'', p. 222</ref>
  
 
*;Fa Sure : This Dark Age variant is used by the [[Duchy of Andurien]]. It carries a [[Mine Dispenser]] instead of the Modular Weapon Mount of the original.<ref name=tro3150/>
 
*;Fa Sure : This Dark Age variant is used by the [[Duchy of Andurien]]. It carries a [[Mine Dispenser]] instead of the Modular Weapon Mount of the original.<ref name=tro3150/>
  
 
==Custom Variants==
 
==Custom Variants==
−
*;"The Hive" : Used by the members of the "Four Myths and a Funeral" team on [[Galatea]], the battle suits known as "The Hive" trade the standard armor for 280kg of [[Advanced Armor|advanced battlesuit armor]]. The modular weapon mount on the right arm has been removed and replaced with an [[Armored Glove]]. The Hive armor suits keep the Battle Claw on the left arm, and adds a [[David Light Gauss Rifle (Battle Armor)|"David" Light Gauss Rifle]] in an underslung mount beneath it. The most dramatic upgrade, however, is the [[Experimental Technology|experimental]] [[Battle Armor C3 System]] carried by the Hive. This system allows the members of the Hive to send targeting information to their teammates in [[Manticore#Custom Variants|The Ballista]], a heavily modified ''[[Manticore]]''. BV (2.0) = 35 (without active C3 network)<ref>''Experimental Technical Readout: Gladiators'', p. 14</ref>
+
*;"The Hive" : Used by the members of the "Four Myths and a Funeral" team on [[Galatea]], the battlesuits known as "The Hive" trade the standard armor for 280kg of [[Advanced Armor|advanced battlesuit armor]]. The modular weapon mount on the right arm has been removed and replaced with an [[Armored Glove]]. The Hive armor suits keep the Battle Claw on the left arm, and adds a [[David Light Gauss Rifle (Battle Armor)|"David" Light Gauss Rifle]] in an underslung mount beneath it. The most dramatic upgrade, however, is the [[Experimental Technology|experimental]] [[Battle Armor C3 System]] carried by the Hive. This system allows the members of the Hive to send targeting information to their teammates in [[Manticore#Custom Variants|The Ballista]], a heavily modified ''[[Manticore]]''. BV (2.0) = 35 (without active C3 network)<ref>''Experimental Technical Readout: Gladiators'', p. 14</ref>
  
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
−
Image:Clantroops_p039.png|Team Banzai's First Special Forces Infantry Strike Platoon (The Steel Gorillas), First Squad, gorilla suits in close combat with a Clan Elemental.
+
Inner_Sphere_Standard_BA_LTMEG.png|Inner Sphere Standard from ''[[LosTech: The MechWarrior Equipment Guide]]''
−
Image:ISBA_gorilla_suit_JFSBp004.png|An early model "gorilla suit" in action
+
IS Standard Battle Armor (MG) RGilClan v32.jpg|Inner Sphere Standard (MG) from ''[[Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 32|RG:iClan vol. 32]]''
−
Image:ClanTroops_gorilla_suits_counters.png|A reinforced squad of early I.S. Standard Battle Armor "gorilla suits" counters as provided in ''ClanTroops''.
+
IS Standard Battle Armor (Laser) Shrapnel015.jpg|Inner Sphere Standard (Laser) from [[Shrapnel_(magazine)/Issue_15|''Shrapnel'' #15]]
 +
Clantroops_p039.png|Original Inner Sphere Standard ("gorilla suit") in action from ''[[ClanTroops]]''
 +
ISBA_gorilla_suit_JFSBp004.png|Inner Sphere Standard in combat from ''[[Jade Falcon Sourcebook]]''
 +
ClanTroops_gorilla_suits_counters.png|Tokens of Inner Sphere Standard from ''ClanTroops''
 +
IS Standard CA.png|Inner Sphere Standard from ''[[MechWarrior: Counterassault|MWDA CA]]'' dossiers
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  

Latest revision as of 01:42, 10 April 2024

IS Standard Battle Armor (Laser) Shrapnel015.jpg
Inner Sphere Standard
Production information
Manufacturer Ceres Metals Industries[1]
Corean Enterprises[1]
Cosby Myomer Research Firm[1]
Defiance Industries[1]
Free Worlds Defense Industries[1]
Hellespont Industrials[1]
Irian Technologies[1]
Luthien Armor Works[1]
Kali-Yama Weapons Industries[1]
Tanadi Computers[1]
Use Line Unit
Weight Class Medium
Tech Base Inner Sphere
Cost 400,000 C-bills
Introduced 3052
Technical specifications
Mass 1,000 kg
Top Speed 10.8 km/h
Armament

Modular Weapon Mount:

Armor Type Standard
BV (1.0) 33 (Flamer)
31 (Machine Gun)
37 (Small Laser)
26 (SRM-2)
BV (2.0) 38 (Flamer)[2]
38 (Machine Gun)[3]
44 (Small Laser)[4]
34 (SRM-2)[5]
49 (LRR)[6]

Description[edit]

The Inner Sphere Standard was developed following the initial thrust of the Clan invasion, as Inner Sphere powers rushed to duplicate the battle armor technology the Clans fielded. Lacking any battlefield salvage on which to base their development though, engineers were forced to work off of ancient rumors of early power armor suits like the Nighthawk, more akin to armored Exoskeletons than the "Toads" currently rampaging through known space, and these prototypes fared poorly during testing. It took salvage from the first victories over the Clans to truly kick-start the development of battle armor. The New Avalon Institute of Science was the first to reproduce in part the Clans' Elemental armor as the Inner Sphere Standard in 3050. These early Standard suits, dubbed gorilla suits[7], were immediately distributed to Federated Commonwealth troops fighting against the Clans and select mercenary units such as the Gray Death Legion.[1][8]

At the same time the Capellan Confederation, Draconis Combine, and Free Worlds League also began developing battle armor suits based on captured Clan armor. That these suits were functionally identical to the FedCom Standard has been chalked up to corporate espionage, illegal technology sharing, or both. Regardless, all of these early Standard suits were markedly inferior to the Elemental suit they were based on, including weaker offensive firepower, less armoring, and an inability to use jump jets.[7][1][8] Continuous refinement of the suit eventually rectified this last problem by the time of the Battle of Tukayyid in 3052, leading to the final production model of the Inner Sphere Standard. However, the limitations of Inner Sphere technology means the suit still pales in comparison to the Elemental.[1][8]

Despite its relative inferiority the Standard has remained quite popular throughout the Inner Sphere, proving to be a flexible and efficient suit in service to the Great Houses; it also served as the basis for many other battle armor designs, most notably the Cavalier and Raiden. Falling prices and a willingness of manufacturers to find new markets rather than cease production also meant these suits soon found their way into the hands of mercenaries, personal security and police forces. Although the Federated Suns eventually shifted production completely to their Cavalier suits, the standard suit remained in production in all of the other realms to a greater or lesser extent for several years, seeing service in many conflicts such as the Jihad.[1][8]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Inner Sphere Standard uses a unique Modular Weapon Mount taking up its right arm. Typically the mount can take one standard battle armor weapon, such as a Machine Gun or Flamer useful against conventional infantry, or a Small Laser or One-Shot SRM-2 launcher for attacking hardened targets. Starting in 3061[9] during the Capellan-St. Ives War several units equipped with Inner Sphere Standard battle armor armed their units with Light Recoilless Rifles.[1][10] Instead of taking one standard weapon however the mount can carry two "secondary" weapons, such as Submachine Guns or Gyrojet Rifles, similar to an Anti-Personnel Weapon Mount.[8][11]

Like the Elemental the final form of the Inner Sphere Standard can leap 90 meters at a time, although engineers were never able to figure out how to combine this ability with the additional SRM-2 pack. It also carries less protection than the Elemental: its 450kg of armor can withstand a full burst from an Inner Sphere Large Pulse Laser and keep the pilot alive. The Standard's left arm ends in a Battle Claw, allowing the suit to make anti-'Mech attacks or utilize an OmniMech's handholds to ride into battle.[1][8] The integrated Medipack in the suit helps keep the trooper alive when injured, although not to the same degree as the Clan LSSU standard in the Elemental.[11]

Variants[edit]

  • Gorilla suits
    Early production models of the Standard designed by the NAIS and rushed into production by Blackwell Industries. These gorilla suits, as they came to be known, had only 50% as much armor as Clan Elementals, lacked the Clan LSSU, and could support only a single, though modular, weapon system. Their first test by Team Banzai against Clan Jade Falcon on Planting in October 3051 was successful.[7]
  • Baka 
    A Dark Age variant used by the Draconis Combine this model removes the jump jets and replaces them with a pair of SRM-2s. The variant was named from the HUD displaying the word "Baka" when a trooper tries to jump.[12]

Custom Variants[edit]

  • "The Hive" 
    Used by the members of the "Four Myths and a Funeral" team on Galatea, the battlesuits known as "The Hive" trade the standard armor for 280kg of advanced battlesuit armor. The modular weapon mount on the right arm has been removed and replaced with an Armored Glove. The Hive armor suits keep the Battle Claw on the left arm, and adds a "David" Light Gauss Rifle in an underslung mount beneath it. The most dramatic upgrade, however, is the experimental Battle Armor C3 System carried by the Hive. This system allows the members of the Hive to send targeting information to their teammates in The Ballista, a heavily modified Manticore. BV (2.0) = 35 (without active C3 network)[13]

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, p. 27
  2. ↑ Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 38
  3. ↑ Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 41
  4. ↑ Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 39
  5. ↑ Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 42
  6. ↑ Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 40
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 ClanTroops, p. 38
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 LosTech: The MechWarrior Equipment Guide, p. 70
  9. ↑ MUL online date for the IS Standard (LRR)
  10. ↑ Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 40
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Classic BattleTech RPG, p. 142-143
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Technical Readout: 3150, p. 222
  13. ↑ Experimental Technical Readout: Gladiators, p. 14

Bibliography[edit]

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