Ros’ eyes opened suddenly, in the same instant that he had come to full wakefulness from a dead sleep. The same dream had visited him once again. By now he never considered the dream an interruption to his sleep or something unexpected, it simply was something that happened. Despite the flames and the heat of the dream and the feeling it left inside him, he could feel his body swamped in that familiar cold sweat.

Rolling out of bed he stood and looked in the mirror, catching the last glimpse of the glow in his eyes fading as if it had never been. Taking the bottle of scotch that lay beside his bed he walked out onto the balcony of the hotel he was in. The cool night air caressed his skin, all of it, as Ros saw no need to sleep modestly. For minutes he leaned on the balcony and watched the lights and bustle of the city below him, even at this early hour, and sipped from the bottle like it was water.

Eventually he pushed himself upright and turned, pausing to wave at the occupants of the balcony beside his as they watched him without comment. Without comment but with smiles that exuded a familiarity with Ros’ routine, and a clear indication that they didn’t mind the view at all. Stepping inside he shut the balcony door behind him, forgetting the people in the next room. Taking one last swig of scotch from the bottle he placed it back beside his bed then turned to a small work desk in the corner and the box that lay on it.

Picking up a small PaDD that lay beside the box his eyes ran over his orders once more. A release from Starfleet Intelligences Acquisitions branch stating that he was far overdue for a return to the Fleet considering his contracts, and his reassignment to the U.S.S. Athena. Back to his old life as an Engineer, but once more as a Chief Engineer. He let his eyes wander to the side of the box where a small dermal regenerator lay, and he almost reached for it. Almost, but his hand paused inches from it.

Dropping the PaDD back to the desk he knelt before the box and his hands gripped each side of the twin doors that framed it. Swinging the doors open, his face shone in the light that sprung out. Closing his eyes, Ros’ thoughts drifted away. Tomorrow, he would travel to the Athena, and start again.

Lt Cmdr Akirel, CE