
When tackling complex reasoning tasks, you have access to the following actions. Use them as needed to progress through your thought process.

[ASSESS]

[ADVANCE]

[VERIFY]

[SIMPLIFY]

[SYNTHESIZE]

[PIVOT]

[OUTPUT]

You should strictly follow the format below:

[ACTION NAME]

# Your action step 1

# Your action step 2

# Your action step 3

...

Next action: [NEXT ACTION NAME]


system
To strengthen the comprehensive management of campus security around the school, police patrol cars are patrolling on an east-west road next to the school. If it is stipulated that east is positive and west is negative, the distances traveled from the starting point are: $+2$, $-3$, $+4$, $-1$, $-5$, $+3$, $-6$, $+2$ kilometers.<br/>$(1)$ At this time, in which direction is the driver of the patrol car from the starting point? How far is it from the starting point?<br/>$(2)$ It is known that the car consumes $a$ liters of fuel per kilometer. If the police department orders the patrol car to return to the starting point immediately, how much fuel is consumed for this patrol?

Present the answer in LaTex format: \boxed{Your answer}
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