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--></style></head><body lang=EN-US><div class=WordSection1><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='color:black'>NRPG: I had to split it up. Second half coming.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><o:p> </o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='color:black'>RPG:</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='color:black'>Mission: The Flames of Purity</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='color:black'>Day: 16 </span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='color:black'>Stardate: 2445.09.16</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>(Gamma Quadrant Planet – Power Supply Structure Exterior – 2O/CEO – Lieutenant Keira Merek - 1123 )<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Keira watched nervously as her friend moved forward with as much stealth as she could muster. She flanked around out of sight of the holographic sentry. Incase Erin tripped some kind of sensor, Keira was watching everything unfold through the sights of the rifle, ready to take out any threats to her Science Officer and friend.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Once Erin was in place Keira was able to see her cautiously remove the panel, and then unceremoniously smash it with a piece of stone debris.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>~Maybe some of me <i>is </i>rubbing off on her.~ Keira mused.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The rock filled with fractal metals was more than a match for the sensitive components housed in the panel. The hard-light construct ceased to exist, but the rifle it was holding, seized by gravity fell to the ground. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“That’s my cue.” Keira stated and sprinted to a rock outcropping she had seen earlier that she believed would make adequate cover for one or two shots. In response to her moving a pair of cultists fired rapidly at Keira but underestimated her speed and failed to lead her at all. The shots made sparks erupt behind her foot falls encouraging her to run faster. She waited for the pause in the volley and stuck her rifle out made sure one of the cultists was in the reticle and she squeezed the trigger twice, releasing a controlled pair on the one nearest to cover. She crumpled to the ground.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Keira looked through the sight for her next target, closing her left eye so she could put all her attention on her next target. As she panned to her right a phaser shot came in from the tree line. Zot had taken out the cultist she couldn’t see because she had closed her eye.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>~So that’s what the marksmanship instructor was talking about, use both eyes when using the rifle.~<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>She slinked back into cover as more shots whizzed by, “I owe that guy a drink.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Erin approached while there was a lull in the firing. "Not injured are you because you know he will have my head if anything happens to you."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Thanks to Zot I am unharmed,” Keira said.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Erin slung the Bajoran rifle over her shoulder and motioned for Zot to move forward.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='color:black'>"Come on hot shot. Your turn. Lieutenant Merek, would you be so kind to cover our asses whilst we take out the generator?"</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><o:p> </o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='color:black'>“It’s usually customary for the officer in charge of a group to go with the maneuver element. My talents could be utilized out here, however,” Keira pondered. “Keep you head on a swivel and your weapon at the ready. Check all your corners. We don’t know how many they have in there, but we know how many they will use, all of them.”</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><o:p> </o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='color:black'>"I know. Be careful. You are a much better shot than I am. You defending us just makes more sense. I promise we won't take long." Erin replied.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><o:p> </o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='color:black'>Keira nodded. “Wait for my signal,” she warned and edged her way around the corner to get a view of the path of travel. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><o:p> </o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='color:black'>~ No shots. Let’s keep their heads down. ~</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><o:p> </o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='color:black'>Keira keyed the selector from semi-auto to full auto, and held the trigger down for 3-5 shot bursts. Unless they were suicidal, anyone in there would keep their head down. Her phaser bolts hitting above and to the side of the entry way allowing the team a clear path to enter. Her hail of energy definitely kept anyone out of the hole blasted by shuttlecraft weapons, and may have also driven who ever was left, further in the structure.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><o:p> </o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='color:black'>“Go!” Keira gave the signal. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><o:p> </o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='color:black'>(Reply None)</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='color:black'>(Posted by Todd)</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></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></body></html>