The Recovery of Dreams

[Crowley]

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"Liam" stood silently as the Starlight team reviewed the data presented to them for their upcoming mission. He smiled behind the anonymity that the helmet provided. This was the kind of thing he missed. He was tempted to remove the helmet and scream surprise much like his wayward daughter had done moments before but he fought the urge to do so. This was their moment.

He was only here to ensure that they recovered the ship and that all data related to his research was either preserved or erased to prevent it from falling into other hands. He wasn't clear how long the influence of his mysterious benefactor/manipulator had hung over him and how much of his designs were influenced by whatever it was. He wasn't about to see his friends and comrades become influenced by that same force. He wasn't about to see Starlight, his creation, become a tool to be wielded by it.

Brad had grown into the position of Director. Clearly he was meant for leadership. If "Liam" had to reveal himself, would he offer the Directorship back? Or would he punch him out? Probably the latter. He watched as the man he had considered a brother work with the various teams to dictate the plan moving forward as the entered Earhart. He smiled again despite himself, he was proud of his friend for what he had achieved in a short time.

His daughter, Rose, knew that he was standing here yet she did her best to ignore him either to not give him away or because she hated him. Again, no doubt the latter. He had thought she was dead and he had wept when he discovered that she yet lived . He blamed himself for running away instead of doing all he could to save her from the experience she had endured in Alberta and Earhart. Though, he noted the change in her. No longer was she the ignorant starry eyed child who he had once called his Starlight. Now, she was a force to be reckoned with. A brilliant mind with a penchant for combat to boot. She had become him, something he had wanted to shield her from...though children often took after their parents, if you wanted them to or not.

Leo had finally got his doctorate. "Liam" nodded subtly only briefly gaining the attention of Dante next to him. Leo had long since been a brilliant mind within SLRC and he was pleased that he had come back at Brad's request. He was an intelligent man who understood the nuances between engineering and science. It was good he was here.

Then there was Dante, the ever present enigma. "Liam" had recruited him before his departure with the express note that he reported only to him. While he would report to Brad as well, the lions share of the information gleaned was given to "Liam" instead. This was due to his prior influence but now it was a case of protection. He snorted, Raven had been right. Be careful the information you give out to others, the deep dark is dangerous. He hated himself for agreeing with the Technocrat, but she had been right after all.

There were various other faces in the meeting that he did not recognize. No doubt Brad had recruited more brilliant minds in the intervening years. Good, they would need it for the trials ahead.

"Liam" continued to be a statue, standing next to Dante. At one point during the conversation, Brad had mentioned Sailas in his musings, leading Rose to look his way with a shadow across her face. No doubt she would never forgive him, nor would any of the others if it came to light of his involvement in this operation. He just had to hope if it came to that, they would understand the reason for his disappearance...eventually, anyway.

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"HERE TO STAY"