<div dir="auto"><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;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-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">NRPG. A massive thanks to Mat H for going with this. The timing of this one is a bit wibbly wobbly, as it starts just after Ailynn collapses, but ends roughly at the end of day 17.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;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-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;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-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Mission: The flames of purity</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;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-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Day: 16</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;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-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Stardate: 2445:09:16</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;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-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial;font-size:11pt;white-space:pre-wrap">(Location unknown - white room - FO Lt(sg) Ailynn Bracken and Prophet– 1250)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial;font-size:11pt;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Ailynn slowly came to. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The backdrop of her fight with Jost and the wraith that had encompassed him was already fading away, fading.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Fading to white.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Slowly she pulled herself up to her feet; looking at her hands and arms, she knew that she should feel sadness, and pain; but she couldn’t remember why, only that she didn’t want to anymore.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Hello?” She called out.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Slowly she became aware of a presence behind her. Turning sharply, she looked at the figure in front of her.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Human male…” She briefly ran her eyes over the usual tell-tale factors, before turning the boy around, and looking at the back of his neck, to see a familiar scar, uncharacteristically left. "5 years old."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"I remember you." She continued "C4 shrapnel incursion, severe threat of...well, pretty much everything to be honest."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“And now I’ll grow up to be a big boy, and help people.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Ailynn shook her head. “Cut that out. I know who you are.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The boy smiled as Ailynn took his hand and they stepped forward. Ailynn felt parts of her warm that she didn’t even know existed. “Cheater”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“You’re hurting Doctor.” the boy answered, the cadence of his delivery belied him. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“I killed a man. Two men actually, and at least three others that will never...well; you saw.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“This is a boring place...How about this?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The world swam around her, and the vineyards of Tuscanny swam into focus around her.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“You miss this…”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Ailynn felt her heart ache, “More than you...well… I miss this place.” Absent mindedly Ailynn picked a few grapes from a bunch just to her left and put them into her mouth, the sweet juice a contrast against the tart bitterness of the skin. “If you're after my attention, you have it.” Ailynn said irritably. “If I’m dead is this a judgement? At least tell me...or am I already in the cave of the wraiths?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">As she spoke she felt the hand that she was holding change, it became a man’s hand, the strong hand enveloped her own, small, and delicate. There was a gentle strength that warmed her heart somehow. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Holding her hand the room swelled again, this time turned into an office, it was covered in PADDs, the screen on the wall was showing the end of a comms, it was night. On the unit under the window were several photos.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"You're troubled still, the corporeal being needs to rest but her pah is eager, it wants to understand, explore, keep going. Now is it's momentary rest." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The man changed slightly from a ghostly form to a more solid image; unlike the normal apperations he seemed more solid, real. The uniform was clearer, grey yolk with red undershirt, commander pips, unseen right now to match the photo under the window. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"Come, sit down, you're probably hungry from your experience, those grapes won't fill you up, pancakes will" </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“I feel that I can’t rest. I always have. As if there’s something in me that is always driving me. As you say. My Pah.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Grabbing the pancakes from the replicator he watched as she eat.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Ailynn sat down, the sweet sting from the syrup already assaulting her senses. “Thank you.” She picked up the fork, and took a few mouthfuls of the pancakes, a stray drop of syrup escaping and dripping onto her chest. “Rats.” She ate some more. A rumble of appreciation from her stomach made her realise how hungry she actually had been. “Mum said she always used to have pancakes like these. Way back when she was on the Hades.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">As the moment dictated the prophet broke away from its normal rigid self, this was a person who needed a softer touch, the Sisko had taught them much about their presence. Sitting down at the chair the man watched still. "You need substance, your body needs food, for itself and its soul. Tell me child, what troubles your Pah?" The mans head tilted to watch Ailynn as she spoke. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“You’re right, of course. I am troubled, and I don’t know how to deal with it. I’m a doctor, a surgeon. I’m supposed to heal people, help them, even ones that are so twisted and misguided as Jost had become. I’m struggling to rationalize killing someone. There’s part of me that doesn’t want to wake up, so the pain goes away and I don’t have to deal with it. I’m...scared.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"Protecting and saving life comes with great risk, death is inevitable in some cases. Each outward and inward battle carries the troubles, weights and pain of loss. Life must always end." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">There was something, her mind was screaming something at her, and her conscious thought couldn’t yet translate what it was. As if a blanket had been put over her mind, trying to give the chaos of her thoughts some rest.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The man rose and the scene changed. They were now in a medical bay, sat on a bed; the room had an emerald tint, the mans undershirt was now blue with Lt pips. "Every step along your journey has been planned, each moment timed to prepare you for this. You have not, are not and will not be alone." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The man jumped off the bed and place a warm hand on Ailynns shoulder. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"We have known your presence for some time, the result of two great troubled loves. It is time to allow your own troubles to be free."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“My troubles...” She sighed and stretched slightly as the pancakes settled in her stomach. She may have eaten too quickly. “...are many and varied. Some tried to dominate me, others define me.” The alarm bell was ringing loudly, but her mind still wasn’t listening. “I am known?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"You are one of few, but you are one of many" </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“My corporeal form is tired, and my Pah, although adventurous and yearning to learn, occasionally has trouble with riddles.” Ailynn smiled gently, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The man smiled a warm smile, he allowed his eyes to come clearer. Walking into the office he endured Ailynn followed, allowing the picture to be seen, the same picture that had been in the Bracken household and offices for years. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"You are known" smiling again the prophet revealed it's true form. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The universe swam around her. A single point of existence. The picture that she saw was buried so deeply in her memory that she’d known every detail for as long as she could remember. Her mum, stunningly beautiful, wearing the pips of LtCmdr with her dark hair framing her face, and a happy, mischievous twinkle in her eye, all of her life Ailynn had been able to see how deeply in love she was with the man in the picture. A man whose face she’d always remembered, and thought of, and a face that she’d always yearned to simply just be able to see, just once. Wearing the red uniform and Commanders pips, she wondered now what rank he’d have attained had…</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">As the figure in the room revealed his face, Ailynn felt not just her heart, but her entire insides sink to the floor. Her eyes erupted into tears. Holding her hands over her mouth in shock, she managed to breath long enough to utter a word. </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br><br></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">A word that she’d longed to say aloud all of her life.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Daddy?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"My child" The Prophet encompassed her for a moment. Changing the scene again they were now on a planet fires raging around them, Mil was driving and Ailynn next to him as they dodge the fire balls. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“I know…” She was still crying. “But you have no idea how much I’ve always…” managing to stop herself, she corrected the sentence. “Okay so I know that you do. Why me though? Dale always says our family has a habit of getting in the way…?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"You have great sadness, but great strength. Strength that was needed to right great wrongs." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">There was a shift in atmosphere and Mil changed again Red undershirt, Commander pips and a more relaxed frame, still driving.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"So kid, you're confused why you're here? Confused about what's going on? Your grandmother would have worked this out by now. Where's those Bracken brains?" He placed a hand on her knee and patted it.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">She laughed. “Flatterer.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"You don't like riddles? I never did. You've been chosen, not in some massive way, but like every woman in your family you have a task. I'll tell you now, ask your mum about her missions but don't let her fob you off, she knew I didn't like them but they will help you find strength in what you've been through." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Mum worked SpecOps. That much I know. I also know that she spent a lot of time even when she was in research dodging 31’s influence. I know I’m clever Dad, dammit, but my brain doesn’t work the way that Dale’s does."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Mil laughed, more than a prophet would normally, but he was enjoying taking the memories of this being </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"Ask her about ‘Awaken’, she was deeper in a lot more things than she lets on. Her pain will be your understanding. Every Doctor must end life when the time comes." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Ailynn’s mind was moving slowly forward, not burdened by physical distraction, she sighed “I had no choice back there. Did I.” It was phrased as a question, but wasn’t. “Jost was more wraith than person.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"There is always a choice, but it is not always yours to make." Mil spun the buggy as a fireball exploded. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">They appeared in a morgue. There was a body laid out, full dress uniform. The body was holding a Bajoran earring, the one that was given to her mum by her paternal grandmother at the announcement of her pregnancy. Standing either side of the table the Prophet returned to a more dignified stance. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"This was an end, one of great importance in your family. The ending you have just been through is even more powerful, you have returned balance, extended journeys, righted wrongs." He picked up the earring  and moved alongside her</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“I’m the one that walks the path, the pivot. My job isn’t done.” she spoke gently, quietly, her voice dropping to a whisper to respect the dead, even though they were simply echoes. ~you sure Lynn?~</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"You have been known, you have been chosen, you have been reborn" he handed the earring to her. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">She took the earring, hundreds of years of her father’s family history rested in her palm. The more she looked, the more she saw. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Embracing her one last time he whispered in her ear "you are loved."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">She should have been sad, a small part of her still yearned to stay, to never return. The intricate jewelry in her hand however had reminded her of something. The message, and it’s delivery was kind, and gentle. Loving. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">It’s meaning came home to her a little more sharply.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">She was indeed a creature of two paths. A healer and a fighter. That had been the lesson on how to defeat Jost, however moving forward a new lesson had had to be learned. She was a creature of two paths, her mothers, and her fathers. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The part of her that was her mother, was palpable. In all respects it was Ailynn that was at fault. She had spent her entire childhood and teenage years committing herself to be ‘better than mom.’ The jewelry in her hand had carried a message, a message that Ailynn took to heart, that in her pursuit of her mother's shadow, perhaps she had neglected her father’s.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Slowly, the white faded, and the familiar view of Exeter’s sickbay slowly came into focus.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">fin.</span></p></div>