def generate_pattern(n):
    # Handle negative numbers by taking absolute value
    n = abs(n)
 
    # Ensure n is an odd number greater than or equal to 3
    if n < 3 or n % 2 == 0:
        print("The input must be an odd number greater than or equal to 3.")
        return
 
    # Initialize the matrix of size n x n
    matrix = [["e" for _ in range(n)] for _ in range(n)]
 
    # Fill the vertical line (center column) with '*'
    center = n // 2
    for i in range(n):
        matrix[i][center] = "*"
 
    # Fill the horizontal line (center row) with 'e'
    for i in range(n):
        matrix[center][i] = "e"
 
    # Print the matrix
    for row in matrix:
        print(" ".join(row))
 
# Test cases
generate_pattern(5)
print()
generate_pattern(7)
print()
generate_pattern(-9)
 

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