<div dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">NRPG: Gaps for replies previously requested.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Mission: The flames of purity</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Day: 16</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Stardate: 2445:09:16</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">(Gamma Quadrant Planet - Temple interior – Entity Host Trentin Jost and FO Lt(sg) Ailynn Bracken – 1210)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Ailynn watched, powerless for a moment as the Jost Wraith took care of the remains of the away team, her brain working fully, whilst her body kept up the calm front. ~calm?~ It was a genuine surprise, even to herself, but she was in fact, utterly calm, and in control of all her emotions.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Oh, really? This is not the end, but it can be yours.” He brought his right hand up which was now immolated with flame ready to strike the final blow.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“ENOUGH. RELEASE THEM.” She snapped. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Little canary you protest?” He addressed Bracken ignoring the security officer’s reaction to pain.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Ailynn’s voice was furious, not just a tone of command, it was the whole orchestra, it wasn’t a hint of steel, it was the whole foundry. “Don’t patronise me. You haven’t killed me yet.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Lieutenant, I quite think we should take this outside.” He said, still gripping the security officer’s side. He now gave him a telekinetic shove pushing over three pews before he vaulted over the last one falling between the fourth and fifth set of benches. “Lead the way.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Offering me out? Fighting in the playground? Are you twelve?” However, she turned, and picking up her tricorder, tucking it into the belt that she was wearing, stepped outside.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Plastered on the former priest’s face was the biggest broadest grin his body could accomplish. As Jost’s eyes took in what was wrought, all this destruction, the Wraith, feeding off the darkness and pain was finally strong enough to take over. In his own mind Jost was pushed aside. The ancient evil had now taken over.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">

(Gamma Quadrant Planet - Temple exterior – Entity Host Trentin Jost and FO Lt(sg) Ailynn Bracken – 1212)

</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“I’m assuming that by now," Ailynn said as they stepped outside onto the plaza out the side of the temple. "That I’m talking to the wraith? You’ve made a grotesque number of mistakes.” Ailynn paced, waving her finger at the Jost Wraith. “You used him, that was mean. The translations that you gave him were horribly vague. He traded his soul in for power that you knew wouldn’t last beyond you switching this on, because you were always going to kill him anyway.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“I used Jost?” He said still grinning ear to ear. “No, my little canary, I used all of you.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">He continued, moving forward, “Starfleet, the Bajoran Government including your vaunted “Vedek Assembly”. Heh, a collection of old, self serving fools.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“You used the remnants of the old Starfleet.” She snapped back, stepping around, “sycophants and traitors. All of whom were cast aside in the purge. As to the Vedek assembly. Self serving is one thing they’re not. You’ve badly miscalculated if you’re mistaking devotion of service for lining one’s own nest; and as to fools...I only see one.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The being laughed.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“The interdimensional being that can’t keep one annoying stupid little girl in a cage. Canary? You do not want to hear me sing.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Enough,” he said menacingly, “time to end you.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">With a back hand the being shoved the Lieutenant another 7 meters across the ground.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal" id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-20b1cc3c-7fff-cc5a-36a3-80aebbe92d93"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“I am not afraid of you.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“You will be,” He said and pulled a large 40 kg rock off of a nearby talus field. He threw it striking the ground near her feet. He stepped forward.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">She knew that she should be afraid, terrified to the core, but actually the unnerving thing was that she wasn’t. Of course, turning that into a battle plan while she was dodging rocks was something that was alluding her at the moment. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Best shot? All that time in your timeless prison, and you can’t hit me with that? I wonder if the encroaching time is eating away at your senses as well of what remains of your putriescent soul.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“So, you wish to be struck?” He asked, glaring at her. “Your, wish..” </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">He levitated countless dime sized pebbles and jagged stones from the mountain side. Sending them hurtling toward her at amazing speeds, like hail coming in sideways. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“..granted.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Standing her ground, but bracing to be cut to ribbons by the stones, she raised her left arm, the one that had been marked by the azure tattoo from the Prophets themselves, and swiped it to her left, managing to deflect most of the stones. A good number of them inflicted dozens of cuts to her body and face.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Laughing, she turned back to the Jost Wraith. “Wasn’t sure that was going to work…”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“So they have chosen…” he remarked. “SO HAVE YOU FINALLY NOTICED ME?” He screamed to the heavens, yelling at those who now lived in his former home. “No matter it will just make my victory sweeter.” He waived his hand toward himself calling the large stone from before striking her in the back. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Ailynn felt ribs creak, and crack. ~So there are limitations. That seems unfair.~. Spitting blood, Ailynn pulled herself back up, and stepped toward him, “No, they noticed ME. I’ll concur that you’re the stronger, maybe just maybe you CAN kill me, but I’ll take up as much of your time. Time that you’re running out of, because that’s something that you have no understanding of, and you still haven’t gloated about my unworthiness, I wonder if it’s because you can’t see it.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">He stepped forward again advancing, grinning sadistically. He was now between the Lieutenant and the large tachyon array. “I see the darkness in things, like tinted lenses they color all I see. Just because they’ve shielded you and I can’t see your Pah, doesn’t mean I can’t kill you just the same.” His hands were now wreathed in flames.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Swallowing deeply as she looked at the flames, Ailynn pulled herself up to her full height, and nodded. “THEN TRY.” She stared him deep in the eyes in defiance. She knew that he could at any second, but she also knew that the more she pulled his attention away from everything and toward her, the more likely it was that she’d get to him somehow.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Grinning he brought both flaming hands together and pulled them back, drawing energy from some interdimensional spring. The flames built on each other growing in size and heat. He pushed forward with both hands base of palms touching but both hands open and pushed the ball of fire towards the taller woman.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">This time, Ailynn raised both her hands, stepping forward and wincing in preparation for the blast. She knew that she could limit it, but she also knew that this one was going to take her.</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">~PLease not this easily...Prophets if I die now...I’m sorry.~</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The blast was indeed reduced once more in its power, but still a sizeable proportion caught her, searing the skin on her arms and scorching her clothes, the blast wave itself sent her flying back, her left hand side crashing into the boulder that Jost had nearly hit her with earlier. The medic in her knew she didn’t dare even think about the broken bones she had already gained. Adrenaline was thankfully stopping her from feeling the pain, but her time was limited.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Dragging herself back to him, pain beginning to happen. “That...wasn’t...kind.” She slapped him round the face, knowing it was a stupid, pointless move, but she felt fetter as she stared him in the eyes once more. She knew that his next move would overpower her, but she would stand here to the last, wasting his time, knowing that the moment that he was waiting for was virtually at hand, and that he needed to act now.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Impressive resilience. Do you want more pain? Or should I end it now?” He teased her.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Do what you need.” She snapped back defiantly, literally nose to nose. “Either way, you’re out of time. GO TO HELL.” She found herself laughing in his face.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Very well.” He said. His joviality gone and now stern faced he threw her across the plateau landing some meters away. With his other hand he caused flames to erupt in a small circle around her. “Back into your gilded cage.” </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Looking up to the sky without the aid of any instruments he sighted in his objective. He walked to the panel and pressed the activation sequence.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Ailynn picked herself up, excruciating pain ran down her right hand side. It hurt to breath, her ribs creaked and she knew that some were broken. Judging by the pattern of her breath, a punctured lung, as well as the telltale high-pitched stridor, and deep sooty coloured tint to the phlegm that indicated serious burns to her airway. All this on top of probable pelvic injuries. ~that’s even before the small matter of…~</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">She looked up, suppressing a tingle of excitement as she watched Jost initiate the machine. The flames around her were not an illusion, she could feel the heat on the burns that her skin had already sustained.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The machine began a warning klaxon. Buzzing of some internal problem. The screen showed a build up beyond the machine’s ability to contain. The Wraith could tell it was set to overload but didn’t know how to shut it off. This was Jost’s creation; he needed Jost to help fix it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">~This is your creation, fix it!~ The Wraith commanded and pleaded with the being whose body he inhabited.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">:: You betrayed me. As the Lieutenant said: Go to hell!:: Jost thought back laughing.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The machine’s build up finally reached past the recommended and theoretical limits of it’s design. The explosion wasn’t a physical one, as the machine simply lost containment of all the chronitons it was collecting. A blue/white wave issued out from the machine in all directions. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">For a brief moment multiple images could be seen of the two of them. All existing at once. A visual chronicle of the past few minutes from them walking out into the yard and all the blows that were struck. Just as quickly the images all coalesced into the present time.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Wha…” The being staggered for a moment his arms flailing and his legs felt like a semi-solid substance. The ring of fire holding the Lieutenant disappeared.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Stepping forward, her right leg dragging painfully behind her Ailynn grinned. “I DID NOT THINK THAT WAS GOING TO WORK!” She grinned, knowing that the Wraith had an eternity in the fire caves to remember her face. “I told you...TOLD YOU!” She coughed, a deep wracking cough that spat up bloody, sooty phlegm. “Sure, I’m not sure I’ll survive my injuries; but here’s the thing. I outsmarted an ancient godlike being. I DID. A bloody mortal, and you get to think about that.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The wraith, weakened, was now struggling to maintain control.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Jost! This is all on you. Now reap the consequences.” She continued to approach, and was once more nose to nose. “Never let it be said a Bracken isn’t a fighter, even if she’s a healer. I am Paladin.” she spoke through gritted determined teeth.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Jost had control of one side as the Wraith maintained control of the other. Jost’s right arm punched the Lieutenant in the side, as the Wraith pushed what control he had to vanquish his foe.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Excruciating pain erupted through her body, she could feel her strength and her lifeforce begin to fade.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Jost struggled to maintain control of the other side, forcing the words out. “I accept….my….fate.” He pulled the dagger out attempting to end his own life. It was caught by the Wraith controlled arm gripped at the wrist. “Kill me.” Jost pleaded as he reversed the grip that the wraith had on his own hand pulling the Wraith arm up exposing his torso.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Ailynn coughed horribly once more, struggling for strength of breath. Grabbing the dagger she drew on what remained of her strength, and plunged the dagger into Jost’s chest with innate, surgical precision. Speaking in ancient Bajoran, a tongue that she’d never known, Ailynn whispered; “I damn thee both, thy souls shall burn in fire eternal, thy pain, neverending.” She looked into the eyes of the body that she held, “Jost. I know you’re still there. For what it’s worth…” She coughed deeply, and struggled to draw breath. “I’m sorry. But you opened the door to him, it has to close behind you.” She pulled out the dagger, and tucking it into her belt; her own light fading rapidly spoke to him. “The metal of Bajor, delivered by the mettle of Bajor. I damn thee both.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Moments after she pulled the dagger out flames erupted from the now lifeless body of Trentin Jost. The Wraith and Jost sunk into the caves of damnation, where they began their eternal fate.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Ailynn collapsed to her knees, her consciousness fading to zero, the vista in front of her fading to blackness, and the blackness itself fading even further into…</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><br></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">(reply Any, None)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">(posted by Mark and Todd)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br class="gmail-Apple-interchange-newline"></p></div>