say unpack '(C.*/X/xa@1)3', "\003\003\003abcdef"; # prints 'aaa'
say unpack '(C.*/X/xa@1)3', "\005\004\003abcdef"; # prints 'cba'

##</code><code>##

say unpack '(C/xa@)3', "\003\003\003abcdef"; # prints 'bcd'
say unpack '(C/xa@)3', "\005\004\003abcdef"; # prints 'ddd'


##</code><code>##

say unpack '(C/xa@)3', "\003\003\003abcdef"; # prints 'bcd' - would like 'aaa'
say unpack '(C/xa@)3', "\005\004\003abcdef"; # prints 'ddd' - would like 'cba'