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--></style></head><body lang=EN-US style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1D2228'>Mission: Murder on the Exeter Express</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1D2228'>Day: 2</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1D2228'>Stardate: 2445.12.02</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><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1D2228'>(USS Exeter – Science Labs – 2O/CEO – Lt. Cmdr. Keira Merek – 2023)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1D2228'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1D2228'>"After you…" she spoke and then paused. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1D2228'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1D2228'>Keira saw her friend looked drained, not her usual self.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1D2228'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1D2228'>“You okay?” Keira asked, genuine concern in her voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1D2228'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1D2228'>"I'm tired. I feel like I have nothing left in me but I am here to help in whatever way I can. " Erin said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1D2228'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1D2228'>Keira’s heart ached seeing her friend feel this way. It hurt more in that she didn’t know how to help her. Keira barely knew how to take care of her own emotions that often slipped the reigns of control, let alone helping someone else deal with theirs. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1D2228'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1D2228'>“I know you’re giving a lot, and I appreciate your help.” Keira said meekly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1D2228'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1D2228'>(Reply Erin, if you want, and room for more)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1D2228'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1D2228'>“Let’s go check on Mister Sleeford. The quicker we finish the quicker we can head home.” Keira said. The only way she knew how to deal with problems is to power through them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1D2228'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1D2228'>(Reply Erin, or none)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1D2228'>(Posted by Todd) </span><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><div id="DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2"><br />
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