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--></style></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>When it rains it pours…</p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“<span style='color:black'>The only way to defeat fear is to tell it 'No'." No - we will not take shortcuts on the path to righteousness. No - we will not break the rules that protect us from our basest instincts. No - we will not allow desperation to destroy moral authority.” - Michael Burnham, Star Trek: Discovery</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“No, I’m from Iowa, I only work in outer space.” – Adm. James T. Kirk, “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Todd Holladay<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SGT, IA ARNG (Retired)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='border:none;padding:0in'><b>From: </b><a href="mailto:exeter-rpg@startrekfreedom.com">Paul Sleeford via exeter-rpg</a><br><b>Sent: </b>Sunday, March 14, 2021 3:12 PM<br><b>To: </b><a href="mailto:exeter-rpg@startrekfreedom.com">Exeter</a><br><b>Cc: </b><a href="mailto:sleefordpaul01@gmail.com">Paul Sleeford</a><br><b>Subject: </b>EXETERRPG: (03 - 06:30, 06:40) COO Ensign (sg) Paul Sleeford</p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Mission: Murder on the Exeter Express<br>Day:03<br>Stardate: 2445.12.03</span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>(USS Exeter - Ops Office - COO Ensign (sg) Paul Sleeford 06:30)</span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Sleaford woke with a stiff neck and a back that felt like a battalion of heavy infantry had held a parade on it, slipping his feet off of his ruined desk he stood and stretched, seeing the still full glass of malt on the desk he shook his head as he placed it o the replicator pad and watchedched it vanish, taking the bottle he walked to the wall, opening the small arms safe he placed the bottle in and closed the door. Walking out he headed home to shower. </span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>(USS Exeter - Quarters - COO Ensign (sg) Paul Sleeford 06:40)</span></p></div></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Walking into his quarters he stripped off the uniform he'd had on for the past twenty four hours, throwing it into the corner he walked naked to the shower</span>, as the water cascaded over his body the stress and the strain began to leave, the memories would stay forever, he'd seen people die, during marine training they'd lost half a dozen recruits when the small craft they'd been training in crashed into a mountain, the following investigation stated pilot error, the remaining recruits knew different, they'd been complaining for months about shoddy maintenance.</p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Grabbing a towel, he wrapped it around his waist and padded back to the lounge area, grabbing a simple breakfast he sat on the sofa and ate, the sound of an incoming message on the PADD, broke his thoughts, reading the message he nodded, the summons to the captain's ready room was expected after the ordeal he's been through. Closing his eyes he took a deep breath, </p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>=/\= Bridge to Ensign Sleeford =/\=</p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>"Sleeford, whats up?"</p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>=/\= We have an incoming private communication from New Caledonia =/\=</p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Having accepted the call he was surprised to see the face of his sister appear on the small screen. Seeing the tear stained eyes Sleeford stood and approached the screen</p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>"Jean? Whats up?"</p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>"It's dad, he passed away after a heart attack three days ago, we know you cant get home in time, so I said I'd tell you, we buried him this morning on the back field, over looking the valley.</p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Jake and I are moving into the farm to help out mother"</p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Lowering his head for a few seconds Sleeford felt a tear roll down his cheek, looking up he smiled, "At least she'll see more of the kids,", Laughing he looked up, "That will keep her busy, chasing those two around the farm, thank you for letting me know, give my love to everyone." </p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Closing the connection, Sleeford sat and stared into space for several seconds. </p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>(Replies none)</p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal>(posted by Alistair)</p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div id="DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2"><br />
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