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"With Open Eyes"
(Previous Post: "Shadow Walking")

"All men dream - but not equally. Those who dream by night, in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity... But the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible. This I did."
-T.E. Lawrence
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Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section D-2, Level 8, Observation deck
Stardate: 63076.0255

Eve Dalziel stared at the ANUBIS, wondering what the others saw as they examined the damaged vessel. Some saw the remnants of a warrior, whose spirit was searching for redemption. Others saw it as a wounded child, returning to the fold for rest and comfort. Still others saw it as a merely cluster of metal and circuitry. A select few saw it as an entity, somehow alive and more than just a physical spacecraft. Thanks to the last mission, for many it was a symbol of both hell and salvation.  Much like the infinite expansion of the universe, a glimpse at the ship brought thoughts and memories much larger than the sum of its parts.

But for Eve, it had become home. As nice as the station was, it was not where she wanted to be. And as surprised as she had been that their mission was being pushed ahead, she was grateful for the diversion. It was what had driven her out of bed so early.

"Ensign Dalziel," a familiar voice said, trying to sound congenial.

"Admiral," Eve replied, stunned by the appearance of Koniki at such an out of the way time and place. She straightened her posture out of habit.

"At ease, Ensign. While this meeting is purely business it is anything but orthodox."

"I guess I'm not the only early riser," she said, still wondering how the Admiral was able to find her so quickly. Although, she was not naive. There was a heightened interest in the crew since their return.

"I have a delivery of classified information, to be read by you upon the departure of the HATHOR and then given immediately to Captain Morningstar." Admiral Charles Koniki didn't waste time with any further niceties, offering an encrypted PADD to the Counsellor.

Eve stared at the backlit device in her hand. "Shouldn't I bring this to-" she began, then faltered, realizing that she currently didn't have a superior Intel officer to present the data to. She was somewhat on her own.

The Admiral saw the flicker of doubt in the Counsellor's eyes. She had never given him a reason to be concerned about her abilities. "Remember you have people counting on you, even if they don't realize it themselves."

Not fully understanding the weight of the Admiral's words, Eve nodded in acceptance. "Of course, Admiral."

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Setting: USS HATHOR, Bridge
Stardate: 63076.0510

Eve shifted uncomfortably in her seat as the HATHOR sped towards the VALLA ROYAL. She couldn't speak for the others, but she desperately wanted to assist the CO of the ANUBIS in any way possible. The hunt and retrieval of the mysterious box immediately took a backseat to the retrieval of one of their own.

But was it possible to rescue someone who didn't know they needed to be rescued?

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Susan M Ledbetter
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Ensign Eve Dalziel
Counsellor
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501