Rating: NC-17 (is there anything else<BG>)

Fandom:  Andromeda, of course!

Warnings:  Everything from A much Needed Vacation applies here as well.  Read with caution.  There is torture, bondage, angst, pain, slight insanity <G>, slavery ... and finally romance.

Disclaimer:  I don't own 'em.  I don't make any money off 'em.  Darn it! I'm just playing with them, honestly! I'll return 'em to their rightful owners when I'm finished and hopefully they won't be any worse for wear.

FEEDBACK is always welcome!

Trance studied the man lying on the stretcher before her. // Dylan, come back to us. // Dylan had been unconscious since his return to the Andromeda. Trance had been working nearly around the clock to heal his wounds, allowing no one else to enter the medical bay.

"Trance?"

"Yes Andromeda?"

"You need to sleep. Let me watch Dylan. You go get some rest."

"No. I want to be here when he wakes up. I need to see how badly he has been treated. I know his physical wounds ... now I need to know what I am facing for mental wounds."

"You will be of no use to him if you are exhausted."

"I sleep in here with him. You know that."

The hologram shimmered and disappeared. Trance bent over Dylan. "She loves you, you know." She brushed Dylan's hair off his forehead with her fingers. "Can you hear me Dylan? Come back to me."

Trance could force Dylan to wake but she chose not to take that path. She wanted him to wake on his own. In the meantime, she tended his wounds. She first healed his internal injuries, then his external wounds. After a few dozen sessions with the tissue knitter his visible wounds were completely healed. It was the wounds she couldn't see that worried her.

Trance checked Dylan's restraints then lay down on the stretcher next to his and went to sleep. She awoke in a couple of hours and got up to check on Dylan. He was awake and staring, unblinking, at the ceiling.

Trance bent over Dylan once again. "Dylan?" There was no response to her voice. She looked closer. His breathing was shallow, his skin moist, his muscles rigid. // Damn! The drugs. He must need a bigger dose. // Dylan was using every ounce of strength he possessed to hold back the tremors that signaled his addiction to the drugs. Trance turned to the counter behind her. She injected a small dose of the drug combination into the IV that ran into Dylan's arm. He sighed as the drugs entered his bloodstream then was silent.

Dylan blinked once before his eyes closed. Trance watched him closely. His lack of response was a defense mechanism, of that she was certain. But what would it take to get through to him?
 
 

Dylan lay as if sleeping. // I am Slave. Why did Angel sell me to this being? I don't know what she wants ... Angel! I can't be Slave for another. I don't understand what she wants of me. What is 'Dylan'? She uses this word like I should know it. I can feel my shackles, they bind me to this bed ... but my collar is gone. Is this being the only one here? Am I hers now? What will it take to please her? //

Trance watched Dylan. She knew he was not truly asleep but he was also not responsive to stimuli. He was somewhere in between in a trance-like state.

// How do I reach him? // Trance walked around the stretcher Dylan lay on. She rechecked his vital signs. He was healing. She shivered when she remembered the extent of his injuries when they had found him. How he had survived was a complete mystery to her. He had been brutalized in so many different ways. Suddenly Trance remembered Argus. // Yes! It might just work. //

"Andromeda. Engage privacy mode."

"Privacy mode engaged."

Trance took a deep breath. She stared at Dylan. // Why is this bothering you so much? Your people have held slaves for centuries ... millennia. //

Trance cleared her throat. She folded the sheet back, baring Dylan's chest. She ran one hand over the muscles of his chest and stomach, marking her territory. She could feel his muscles tremble beneath her touch. // Good. He knows I'm here. //

She slapped his face, just hard enough to get his attention. His eyes snapped open. Trance leaned over him. "Look at me, Slave." Dylan's eyes met hers. He still had not made a sound. "Very good. Mistress Angel trained you well." Dylan flushed slightly. Trance ran her hands over him once again, letting him know who was Master and who was Slave. She could see Dylan relax into his role. She leaned close once again. "Now, Slave. We are going to talk."

Confusion clouded Dylan's eyes. // Talk? This Mistress wants to talk? // Trance stood up. "Talking will allow me assess your training, Slave. You will answer all my questions, is that clear?"

"Yes Mistress." Dylan's voice was a croaked whisper after being silent for so many days.

Trance lifted his head and put a straw to his lips. "Drink." Dylan obeyed without question. // He does not ask to be released. He must be used to being chained. // Trance pulled the cup away and set it down. Dylan's eyes followed her every move. She was 'Mistress' now and he was programmed to obey. Trance turned back to Dylan. "I will set some ground rules for our relationship, Slave. They must always be followed. Do you understand?"

"Yes Mistress."

Trance sighed. "First, you must call me Trance." Dylan looked confused. "Trance is my name. I dislike being called Mistress. Say my name, Slave."

Dylan hesitated just slightly. "Trance."

"Very good, Slave." She chose to ignore his hesitation. She didn't want to reinforce her domination of him. "Second. You must always answer my questions truthfully, even if you think I will be unhappy with the answer. You will not be punished for being truthful. Understand?"

"Yes Mistress ... Trance."

Trance smiled. "Good, Slave. Third. I don't like calling you Slave. I will call you Dylan. It is your name and always has been."

Dylan's eyes clouded with confusion. // Dylan? I am Dylan? Why? // "You are Dylan. Do you understand this?"

"Yes M ... Trance."

"Do you have a question, Dylan?"

"No ... Yes. Why am I not Slave? Does Dylan mean Slave to your people?"

"Dylan is your name, not your designation. My name is Trance, yours is Dylan."

"Why does a slave need a name?"

"My rules. You are a person, therefore you need a name. Any more questions?"

"No."

"Good. Now ... How do you feel?"

"I am fine, Trance."

"Don't lie to me Dylan. I want the truth. You were in pretty bad shape when you came here. How do you feel?"

"I am feeling fine. Maybe a little stiff ... sore."

"That is probably from lying still for so long."

Dylan looked down. "How long have I been here?" // ... and away from Mistress Angel. //

"Always look at me when you talk to me Dylan. You don't need to fear asking a question." Dylan looked up at her. "You have been here five days."

"Five days..." It was whispered, unbelieving.

"Yes, Dylan. You have been ... here, for five days." Dylan closed his eyes briefly to let that information sink in. // Five days! // " I have another question for you Dylan."

Dylan looked up at her. "You were severely beaten when you came to us. Was this a common occurrence?"

"I disappointed Mistress Angel. I was only beaten when I deserved it."

"No one deserves to be beaten, Dylan."

"I did not follow Mistress Angel's orders as she wished. She punished me only when necessary."

"Is this true, Dylan? Or did Angel change the rules to make you disappoint her and to give her a reason to punish you?"

"I..." Dylan searched for words to explain what his existence had been with Angel, and failed.

"It's okay, Dylan." Trance changed direction. "Would you like to get up now?"

Dylan tested his restraints then looked up at Trance. "Yes ... if ... if it pleases you, Trance."

"No Dylan. Do you want to get up? This isn't about me or about pleasing me. It is about you." She unfastened his restraints. "Let me help you to sit."

"I'm okay. I can do this"

"No Dylan. You are still weak. You need my help and you will accept my help. Angel may have punished you for being weak but I never will."

Trance helped Dylan to sit on the stretcher. "Thank you, Trance."

Trance smiled. "You're welcome, Dylan."

Dylan was still very weak and he swayed slightly. He gripped the edge of the stretcher tightly.

"Dylan are you okay?"

He took a deep breath and looked up at her slowly. "I think so, Trance."

"I'm going to help you to that chair over there. You grab your sheet to cover yourself and I will move your IV. I want this hooked up awhile longer. It is giving your body healing nutrients."

"Sheet?"

"Yes, Dylan. You are still naked under there."

"So?"

Trance blushed, realizing that Angel had kept Dylan unclothed for her amusement. "I would prefer it if you were covered, Dylan."

"Am I not pleasing to you?"

"Dylan. I did not bring you here to 'please' me in that manner. Let's just get you to that chair, shall we?"

Trance grabbed hold of the IV pole with one hand and grasped Dylan's arm with the other. "Ready?"

Dylan held the sheet to his loins and stood by the stretcher. He swayed for a second and Trance helped to steady him. He closed his eyes and swallowed heavily against the darkness threatening to overtake him.

"Are you okay, Dylan?"

"Just a little dizzy, Trance."

"Let's get you into that chair. I don't want to have to pick you up off the floor."

Together they moved slowly the few feet to the chair. Trance helped Dylan to sit and arranged the sheet over his lap. "Are you comfortable, Dylan?"

"Yes, thank you. I'm just very tired."

"Your body is still trying to heal, Dylan. That's what is making you tired. Are you hungry?"

"Not really." Dylan looked slightly worried.

"Don't worry, Dylan. You will eat when you are hungry. You are getting all the nutrients you need through your IV line right now."

"You're not angry?"

"No, Dylan." Trance laid her hand on Dylan's arm. "I'm not angry at you. Why should I be angry?"

"Argus told me Mistress Angel would be angry if I didn't eat. He said he would have to force me to eat..."

"So they threatened you to get you to do what they wanted."

"I am Slave. It is my duty to obey."

"No Dylan."

"I don't understand, Trance."

Trance sighed. He was childlike in his innocence of thought. Everything was so simple ... but it was her job to dispel his beliefs. "If you could be anyplace right now, where would you choose to be?"

Dylan did not hesitate. "With Mistress Angel." He dropped his eyes quickly when he realized what he had said. // Oh no! Now I have made Trance angry. She will have me beaten. //

Trance saw Dylan begin to tremble and laid her hand on his arm. He jumped at the contact and gasped. When he looked up there was fear in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Mistress ... Trance. I did not mean..."

"Shh ... It's okay Dylan. Why would you choose to be with Angel? She put you on the cross. She had you beaten nearly every single day."

"No. Mistress Angel was good to me. She ... comforted me. She showed me kindness. She was my light in the unending darkness."

"Dylan, Angel put you in chains. She had you beaten."

"Mistress Angel only punished me when I broke her rules."

Trance sighed again and rubbed her forehead. "Okay, Dylan. Let's try something else. How long were you with Angel?"

Dylan looked confused. "I don't understand."

"How long were you at Angel's keep? Where did she buy you from?"

Dylan dropped his eyes once again. "I don't know."

"You have no memories of a time before you were with Angel?"

"No M ... Trance."

"It's okay Dylan. I have another question for you and then I will let you rest. Are you ready?"

"Yes."

"Do you ever dream? Dreams about someplace other than the keep, dreams about other people? Maybe people from your past?"

Dylan swallowed heavily. "No."

"Are you sure Dylan?"

Dylan wouldn't look at her. "I'm sure Trance."

Trance knew he was lying. She sighed, disappointed in his mistrust of her. She was sure he had dreamed of his past. // What is he so afraid of? // Trance smiled at Dylan. "Ready to get back into bed, Dylan? You really should rest now."

"Yes Trance."

Trance helped Dylan back to the bed, moving the restraints out of the way as she helped him to lie down. He lay on his back, putting his hands to his sides as if he were waiting for her to restrain him once again. She ignored the movement and covered him up. "Get some sleep, Dylan. I will be right here if you need me."

Dylan closed his eyes, wondering how he was going to be able to rest when his new Mistress didn't even care enough about him to shackle him.
 
 

Trance watched Dylan for some time. // His training was quite thorough. I need to find a way to break through his conditioning. Think Trance. // Trance sighed. She was frustrated. There was something she was missing // What is it? What am I missing here? // Trance walked over to a com unit. "Andromeda?"

"Yes Trance?"

"I need information on brainwashing and deprogramming techniques."

"Searching ... Here are some articles for you to read, Trance." Andromeda hesitated. "Trance, how is he?"

"He is confused. His injuries are nearly healed … his physical injuries, that is. His mental injuries ... Andromeda, I need to help him get past his conditioning."

"If anyone can do it you can, Trance. Can I tell the crew how he is doing?"

"Andromeda, you have had access to his medical records."

"Yes Trance. I have read your entries."

"Then you know the extent of his injuries. We must never let the rest of the crew know of these injuries or of how incapacitated Dylan has become."

"I understand, Trance."

"Dylan would be mortified if anyone ever gained access to those files, Andromeda. Can you please seal them?"

"Aye, Trance."

"Thank you Andromeda. Would you tell let Rommie know Dylan is getting better … and let her know I will need her help soon."

Andromeda blinked out. Trance turned to her computer screen and pulled up the articles left there for her. She found much useful information on a manifestation known as the Stockholm Syndrome. It was first documented on Earth and offered much insight into Dylan's fractured psyche.
 
 

The Stockholm Syndrome

                       2 - The other cannot escape, so her or his life depends on the threatening person.

The not knowing was what was holding back Trance's ability to treat Dylan's psychological wounds. There had to be a way of getting that information out of him … but how?

Trance's musings were cut short by a muffled moan from the stretcher where Dylan lay. She went to him quickly. He had not moved from his original position except to raise one hand to his lips. He was moaning into his closed fist, trying to hide his distress even in sleep.

Trance reached out to him. "Dylan?" He jumped at her touch and his eyes flew open. "I'm sorry, Dylan. You were having a dream." The irony of that statement was not lost on her since he had told her earlier that he didn't dream. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, M ... Trance." Dylan blushed at his slip. It was difficult for him to remember to use her name.

Trance understood the trouble he was having using her name so she ignored his slip. Using her name was part of his "de-conditioning".

"What were you dreaming about?"

"Nothing ... I don't remember." Dylan refused to meet her eyes.

"Dylan. One of my rules is that you are not allowed to lie to me. I know you were dreaming, am I right?"

"Yes Trance."

"Now, tell me what you were dreaming about. I can see by the look on your face that you do remember the dream. In fact, it has you upset for some reason. I want you to tell me about it now."

Dylan looked at her for the first time and sighed. // Will she punish me for dreaming of something or someone other that her? // He cleared his throat nervously. Trance patted his arm. "It's okay, Dylan. I'm just trying to help you here. I need to know what you were dreaming about."

"I..." He paused and cleared his throat again. "It was a place ... full of trees and flowers. It was beautiful there and I felt like I spent a lot of time there."

"And this upset you?"

"No!" He blushed at his outburst. "I mean ... I was there ... and then I wasn't alone." His voice trailed off as if he were afraid of speaking about his dream.

"Who was there with you, Dylan? Was it Angel?"

"No." Dylan looked at his lap. "I couldn't see her face. I never see her face."

It was then that Trance knew he had been having memories of the Andromeda and her crew. She was elated. Whatever Angel had done to him had not erased his memories of who he was so completely that those memories couldn't be revived.

"Very good. Now get some rest. I think we may go on a little trip soon."

"A trip?" Dylan was fearful. He hadn't been out of the room he was in since he was brought here.

"Don't worry, Dylan. I'm sure you'll like this place. Now get some rest."

"Okay." Dylan closed his eyes.

Trance watched him for a few minutes then went back to her reading. She was looking for some insight into how best to go about his deprogramming.
 
 

Trance read more articles. It was about two hours later when she finally looked up from her computer screen and stretched. She looked over at Dylan. Something was not right. She approached the stretcher he lay on. He had curled up on his side, facing away from her. As she reached his side she noticed he was shaking slightly. She touched him and he screamed, arching his back at her touch.

"Dylan!" She grasped his shoulder, rolling him gently onto his back. He curled up, lifting his shoulders and pulling up his knees. He was in excruciating pain. "Dylan. Why did you let me believe you were okay?" She was speaking for her benefit alone … Dylan was in no condition to either comprehend or answer her query.

Trance reached for the drug vial on the counter then hesitated. He needed to come clean from the drugs that he was addicted to. She checked his vital signs. His heart rate was elevated which was not surprising since he was in so much pain. He was flushed and sweating slightly from the exertion of keeping still and quiet in the face of such overwhelming pain. He was shaking from the withdrawal symptoms. Nothing life threatening at the moment. // Will Dylan see this as punishment for his transgressions … for telling me of his dreams? Do I treat his symptoms, give him more of the drug or let him wear it off? What I do here will either crumble his trust in me or solidify it. //

In the end Trance wavered in her convictions to let Dylan weather this particular storm and she gave him a very small dose of the drugs he was addicted to. He took his first deep breath since his attack began and looked up at Trance. "Please, Mistress. I need more. I will do anything..." He mustered up all the seduction he was capable of at the moment and reached out to her. She took hold of his hand and kissed it gently.

"Dylan. You are addicted to some very powerful drugs. It was against my better judgment that I gave you the small dose that I did. I will stay here while you recover, but I will not give you more of the drugs."

"You are punishing me ..."

"No!" Trance interrupted him. "No, Dylan. I'm trying to help you."

Dylan closed his eyes, sullenly dismissing Trance and her assurances. He grimaced once again and clutched at his sides, drawing up his knees in pain. His breath came in ragged gasps. "Trance! I ... can't ... do ... this!" He screamed once again and ripped at his covers, throwing them to the floor. As Trance bent to retrieve it he ripped the IV out of his arm and tried to get up.

"Dylan!" Trance calmly wrestled him back down on the stretcher. She refastened his shackles quickly and covered him with the sheet. He surged against the shackles binding his wrists to the table and curled into a semi-seated position. He kicked wildly at her. She bent over him, pushing him gently back. "Dylan. Lie still. You will injure yourself."

"Trance help me!"

Trance fastened a pair of restraints to the foot of the bed. "Dylan. I am going to restrain your ankles now. I don't want you to hurt yourself … okay?"

"Trance!" Dylan was barely able to talk. He groaned through clenched teeth. "Please!"

Trance fastened the shackles around Dylan's ankles as gently as she could. "Trance! I … can’t..." Suddenly Dylan's back arched in pain and he clenched his jaw to keep from screaming aloud.

"Dylan. Hold on..." Trance bathed Dylan's sweaty brow with a cool cloth. She murmured to him, letting him know he was not alone. Suddenly he began thrashing, arching off the stretcher. Trance forcibly pushed him back by the shoulders. He had begun having convulsions, yet another of the more unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Trance placed a wide restraining belt around Dylan's chest, binding him tightly to the stretcher. She next gave him a small dose of a drug to help stop his convulsions. She did not give him any more of the drugs he was addicted to.

The combination of drugs Angel had been giving him was poisoning his system and his withdrawal would be long and painful. All she wanted was to help him get through it in one piece. Trance leaned close once again. "Dylan, breathe through the pain. The medicine I gave you will help end the convulsions but this process will still be painful for you. Stay with me."

Dylan looked up at Trance. "Why are you doing this?"

"Doing what Dylan? I am trying to help you."

"Why?"

Trance looked at Dylan for a moment, her concern written plainly on her face. "Because we love you."

Dylan was confused. At that moment another wave of excruciating pain hit and he writhed on the bed in agony. Trance tended to him, bathing his face with moist cloths and keeping him focused on her and trying to distract him from his pain.

Trance knew Dylan would retain little of what happened in the next few hours so she decided to talk to him about what his life was before Angel. Even if he didn't consciously recall the information he would retain some of it subconsciously and it would help him to accept the truth of who he really was and what had happened to him.

As the hours passed Trance talked. "There was this wonderful starship Captain. His name was Dylan Hunt. He had lived for over three hundred years."

"Fairy tales, Trance?" Dylan gasped from the pain as he tried to talk.

"Just listen to the story, Dylan. Focus on the sound of my voice. It will help you to withstand the pain you are going through."

"Talk away then, Trance. Anything to..." Dylan clenched his jaw against the waves of agony washing over him. An involuntary groan escaped his lips as wave after wave of pain hit.

"Look at me Dylan." Trance bent over Dylan, forcing him to look up at her. She could see the pain clouding his vision. "Captain Hunt had been caught up in the Neitzchean uprising. His best friend and first officer of the Andromeda Ascendant betrayed him. He and his ship were caught on the event horizon of a rogue black hole for three hundred three years."

Trance stood up to ease the ache forming in her bent back. She tried to maintain eye contact with Dylan. He closed his eyes as another wave of pain assaulted his senses. "Dylan? Look at me. Stay focused."

"Trance." He was gasping for air. "Please ... I ... please ... just a ... little ... more." He thrashed his head from side to side on his pillow. "I ... can’t..." His screams of agony cut off the rest of his thought.

Trance laid her hands on either side of his face. "Dylan, look at me." She was struggling desperately not to give in to her urge to sink to the floor in tears. "Dylan. You have to help me here. Pay attention to me. Listen to my voice."

Dylan opened his eyes once again. They were glazed with pain. "Trance..." He licked his dry lips.

Trance held a straw to his lips. "Drink Dylan." He latched on and began to drink. She pulled it away again. "Just a little Dylan. I don't want you to get sick."

"Thanks."

"Now back to my story, okay?"

Dylan gave her a feeble smile. "Whatever you say. You're the boss."

"Where was I? Oh yes. Three hundred three years later a salvage ship called the Eureka Maru came along and pulled his ship free from the black hole. As the ship broke free from the event horizon of the black hole the stasis Captain Hunt had been in was dispersed and he 'awoke'.

Captain Hunt had ordered the evacuation of the Andromeda Ascendant just before becoming caught in the black hole so he was alone on this starship of his ... all alone except for the artificial intelligence of the ship called Andromeda."

Trance watched Dylan closely during her telling of his story. She watched him grimace in pain and yet he struggled to stay focused on what she was telling him. She continued with her story. "Well, the crew of the salvage ship was working for a Nightsider. This being wanted to sell the Andromeda Ascendant for a lot of money. The crew of the Maru didn't know or care about what was going to happen to the ship. They just wanted their share of the money. No one knew the captain of the Andromeda Ascendant had survived the black hole.

When Dylan learned the salvage crew was trying to take over the Andromeda Ascendant he launched a one-man war against them. The Nightsider had brought reinforcements and tried to kill Captain Hunt. He failed, but he did kill one of the crew of the Maru."

"But she lived..." Dylan’s voice was a whisper. Trance looked down at him and saw that his eyes were closed. // He probably doesn't even know he said anything. But it's a start! //

"That's right. Dylan took her body to the medical bay and she lived."

Dylan clenched his jaw against the sudden renewed onslaught of pain. He tried not to cry out and nearly succeeded. "Oh god, Trance. Make it stop. I … can't ... take ... much ... more."

Trance sniffed back her tears and wiped the sweat from Dylan's fevered brow. "You can make it through this, Dylan. You took a lot more than this from Angel."

Dylan was silent in his agony. // But the drugs made it easier to bear ... //

"When the Nightsider realized he was losing the battle against Captain Hunt he abandoned the crew of the Maru onboard the Andromeda Ascendant and tried to push it into the black hole. When the crew of the Maru encountered Captain Hunt and realized the Nightsider had tried to double-cross them they sided with him to bring about the capture of the Nightsider and the freedom of the Andromeda Ascendant."

// By creating a white hole ... // Dylan tried to reign in his thoughts and concentrate on what Trance was telling him, but they seemed to wander and fill in parts of the story ahead of what Trance was telling him. // How can I know this? //

"Trance..."

"Yes, Dylan?"

"How..." Dylan tried to question his knowledge but succumbed to the pain and his exhaustion and darkness overtook him.

Trance checked his vital signs once again. He was stable. "Sleep well, Dylan." She bent and kissed his fevered brow then settled down on the stretcher next to his to get some rest while she could. // I have a feeling this will be a long night. //
 
 

Trance awoke some time later. Dylan was still sleeping, albeit restlessly. He had spiked a fever in the night so Trance gave him a hypo-spray to bring it under control. She knew Dylan would be waking soon and the next eight hours or so would be very rough. After that enough of the drugs should have exited his system for him to be more comfortable. It would probably be a few days before he was ready for the little trip Trance had planned.

Trance was sitting by his bed when Dylan next awoke. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm all right, Trance."

"Dylan. I don't expect you to be 'all right'. Now answer my question again ... and be truthful this time."

Dylan eyed her warily. "How do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"How do you know I'm not being truthful? Angel didn't want the truth. She wanted answers that pleased her. Do you know what I mean?"

"Yes Dylan, I know exactly what you mean. Angel wanted to make herself happy ... I want to make you happy. There is a big difference."

"Why do you want to make me happy?"

"Because you are important to me."

"I am a slave, Trance. How can I be important to anyone?"

"You'll see Dylan. Things are not always as they appear."

"If you say so, Trance."

"Glad we got that straight." Dylan looked at her and she smiled. "A little joke, Dylan."

"Oh."

"Now. How are you feeling, Dylan?"

"Not great Trance."

"Any more pain?"

"Yes ... but it is not unbearable like before."

"Good. I don't want to keep giving you drugs if I can help it. You need to get the drugs out of your system and I don't want you to become dependent on another combination of drugs while I'm trying to wean you off the ones you are addicted to."

"Trance?"

"What is it?"

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course you can."

"Isn't a drugged slave easier to control?"

"Probably."

"Then ... why?"

"Why? You mean why get you off the drugs when you would be easier to control with them?"

"Yeah..."

"I'll be sure to tell you sometime, Dylan. You might even figure it out on your own in the next day or two. Until that time, suffice it to say ... I don't want you to be dependent on any drugs. They are not good for you and will eventually kill you."

"So you are just taking care of your investment, right?" He looked relieved, like he could handle a simple explanation like the one he gave. He was not sure he could handle a more complicated reason.

"Something like that, Dylan. Something like that."

Dylan relaxed back onto the bed. He was still restrained and he didn't seem to mind. Trance reached for the straps holding him down and he closed his eyes and gulped in air as if afraid.

"What's wrong, Dylan? Are you in pain?"

"Yes!" // Please don't take off my chains, Trance they are the only things anchoring me here. // Dylan hesitated a moment. "No." He looked guilty.

"Dylan. What is wrong?" Dylan didn't say anything. "Dylan? Look at me." Dylan looked at Trance. "I need you to tell me what is bothering you."

"I can’t..." The reply was a barely whispered sound of anguish that tore through her heart. His eyes brimmed and he blinked the tears away.

"Dylan. Please tell me what is wrong so I can help you."

"So many things are different here, Trance."

"Yes?"

"You are nice to me."

"Of course I am nice to you!"

"No. You don't understand. I..." He looked away again.

"Dylan. Look at me. What don't I understand?"

"You don't understand what it is to be Slave."

"Maybe I don't, Dylan. So tell me. Educate me Dylan. I want to know what your life has been like, living in Angel's keep as Slave." Dylan took a deep, shuddering breath. Trance stood beside him, looking down at the anguish on his face. "Dylan? Do you want me to remove your restraints?"

"No!" The fear was evident on his face. "Please Trance, leave them be."

"Okay Dylan. How about the strap across your chest? You don't really need that one any more."

"All right." Trance unfastened the strap and laid it aside. Dylan took another deep breath. "Thanks Trance."

"Now tell me your story Dylan."

"I don't know where to start."

"What is the first thing you remember?"

Dylan thought for a minute. "Pain. A pain so intense I thought I would implode. A fire that traveled along my body, setting my nerves on fire."

"Where were you when you felt this pain, Dylan?"

"The training room ... on the cross."

"Why were you there?"

"I don't know. I must have been bad ... done something to upset Angel. She punished me if I upset her."

"What happened there, Dylan?"

"Argus beat me. He used the nerve inducer lash and the bullwhip. Angel watched. She comforted me, helped me through the pain. Always..."

"Always what, Dylan?"

"Hmm?"

"You said 'always'. What were you thinking of?"

"I don't know. It must have slipped my mind " Dylan frowned and Trance could see him struggle to remember.

She laid her hand on his arm. "It's okay Dylan. Tell me what else you remember about this particular day."

"I was trying to say something and Angel got really angry. Argus beat me ... I must have fallen unconscious." Dylan's eyes had a far-away look and Trance knew he had tapped into a real memory. She decided to talk him through it.

"Why do you say that?"

"When I opened my eyes Angel was holding my chin up. She told Argus I was awake and to continue."

"Continue?"

"Beating me."

"Why was she doing this Dylan?"

"Why? Does it matter? I am Slave. She could do what she wanted."

"There was a reason. You said you had done something to upset Angel. Can you remember what it was?"

"She wanted me to say something ... something I didn't want to say." The memory was hazy as Dylan tried to focus in on it. "I kept repeating ... something. I can't remember. It made her so very angry. The pain! Argus switched to the bullwhip, ripping my skin to shreds. I could feel the blood run down my back. Finally I said it. I gave in and said the one thing Angel wanted to hear. I had to say it." Dylan's voice was laced with the pain the memory brought.

"What did you say Dylan? What was it that Angel wanted to hear?"

"Yes Mistress." Dylan's voice was a mere whisper as the realization of his place settled into his consciousness.

"She had to make you say 'Yes Mistress'? Doesn't that mean you probably weren't a slave before you wound up at Angel's keep?"

Dylan looked up at Trance with wide eyes. "I don't know."

Trance patted Dylan's shoulder. "That was good Dylan. I think that was a real memory, don't you?"

Dylan looked up at her. "I don't know, Trance. It seemed real."

Trance decided to change the subject. "Are you hungry, Dylan?"

Dylan thought about it for a minute. "A little, I guess."

"Still not too hungry, Dylan? That's okay. How about something light?"

"Okay Trance."

Trance began unfastening Dylan's restraints. "Trance?" She could hear the panic lacing his voice.

"Shh. It's okay Dylan. I understand you feel more secure in these but I need you to sit up to eat. Come on. You can do it." Trance helped Dylan to sit then to stand and move to the chair once again. She pulled up a small table near Dylan and went to the com unit. "Andromeda, I need a plate of something light."

"Aye Trance."

A few minutes later a droid entered the medical bay. Trance took the tray from the droid and sent it on its way. She put the tray on the table and reached to pull a chair up for herself. Dylan stared at the tray. // Is this a test? What does Trance expect of me? //

Dylan dropped to his knees by the table, lacing his fingers behind his head. He lowered his eyes, waiting for Trance to make the next move. Trance looked at him wondering what had triggered this behavior. She could see Dylan take deep, even breaths. Trance watched the transformation happen right before her eyes. Dylan was Slave again and she had no idea what had happened to make this occur.

Trance sat back and took a deep breath, trying to calm her troubled mind. Dylan heard her sigh and steadied himself. If a blow was coming he would be ready to take it. "Dylan?" Dylan did not react to her voice. Trance cleared her throat. "Dylan! Look at me."

Dylan seemed almost to mentally shake himself awake. // Mistress Trance still calls me Dylan. Why? // He looked up at Trance, then dropped his eyes once again. "Yes Mistress?"

// Mistress! I don't think so! // "Look at me Dylan." Dylan obediently raised his eyes. "What is rule number one?"

Dylan looked confused for a moment. "I don't understand your question, Mistress."

"Dylan. Think for a moment. We set some ground rules. One was that I would call you Dylan and one, the number one rule was about what you were to call me. Do you remember this rule, Dylan?"

Confusion clouded Dylan's eyes. // Why is she testing me like this? Look at the tray! She wants me on my knees // "Yes..."

"Yes what Dylan?"

Dylan swallowed heavily. He was trembling with fright. He opened his mouth and closed it again. A lone tear rolled down his face.

Trance stood up and pushed her chair back. Almost immediately Dylan prostrated himself in front of her. Trance dropped to the floor beside Dylan and laid her hand on his bare back. "Dylan." Her voice was a mere whisper. "Dylan, sit up please."

Dylan pushed himself up so he was sitting on his heels once again. He raised his arms to lace his fingers behind his neck and Trance grabbed his hands in hers. "Dylan don't do that." Dylan looked down at their hands. "Dylan?" He looked up at her. "Come Dylan. Sit next to me." Trance stood, pulling Dylan to his feet next to her. "Sit here..." She helped him into his chair once again and covered him with the sheet. He looked up at her with such confusion and pain in his gaze that her breath caught in her throat. She took her seat next to him and smiled at him. "Let's eat, shall we?"

Dylan reached out to the tray with trembling fingers and picked up a grape and held it to Trance's lips. He waited for her to take it from his fingers and it was then that she realized what had happened. // Angel made him feed her. I bet she fed him too … and made it very sexual. Just another way to bind him to her. No wonder he was so confused by this! // Trance put her hand on Dylan's and gently pushed his hand to his own lips. "You do not need to feed me Dylan. You need to eat this food to get strong and healthy again. You eat what you want and I will do the same, okay?" She smiled and picked up a piece of star fruit and put it in her mouth. "Eat! It is very good."

Dylan looked at the grape in his fingers and put it in his mouth. He did not take his gaze off of Trance. "Eat, Dylan." He picked up another piece of fruit and ate it also. "Try a cracker. They are very good." // And they are one of your favorites. //

Dylan seemed to relax a little as he and Trance ate the light meal. He did not eat very much before he was unable to continue. Trance noticed when he began to look uncomfortable. "Dylan? Are you okay?"

"Yes."

"If you have had enough to eat then don't try to have any more. Your body is still trying to recover."

Dylan seemed to relax. "Thank you Trance."

Trance smiled. He had remembered rule number one. Trance ate a little more then stood and removed the tray to a remote area of the medical bay. She called for a droid to pick it up and dispose of it. Dylan flinched as the door whisked open and seemed to curl in on himself. The droid picked up the tray and left. Trance sealed the door behind it and turned to Dylan once again. He watched her every move, still uncertain about his own role in this place.

"Are you tired Dylan?"

"A little Trance, but..." Dylan stopped then started to stand. Trance stopped him and he sat once again.

"But what Dylan?"

"Nothing Trance. I can go back to bed now."

"No Dylan. You said you were a little tired ... but?"

Dylan looked at his lap, saying nothing. Trance lifted his chin and looked into his eyes. "But what Dylan? I want you to tell me exactly what you were thinking."

Dylan fidgeted nervously. "But I would like to sit here for a little while, Trance." He wiped his hands on the sheet then continued nervously, "If ... if it pleases you, M ... Trance." He looked down at his lap as he finished speaking.

Trance shook her head. "Yes, Dylan. Sitting here is a good idea. Not because it pleases me but because it is what you want. It will also give us a chance to talk."

"Talk?"

"Yes Dylan. Let's just talk for awhile."

"What would you like to talk about Trance?"

"Tell me about your life with Angel, Dylan."

Dylan looked surprised. "What would you like to know?"

"Tell me about a typical day. What would you do?"

"No days were 'typical' at the keep. Every day was different." Dylan's eyes clouded for a minute and Trance knew he was thinking about something. She left him alone with his thoughts for a couple of minutes before she interrupted him.

"Tell me about some of the things you were expected to do, Dylan." Dylan looked at her, stricken. "I want to hear about your time at the keep. Pick anything you feel comfortable talking about."

"I don't know where to start, Trance. Each day brought new things. Some days I did nothing more than kneel by Angel's chair in the main hall while she worked. Some days I spent shackled on the circle in the main hall ... blinded, deaf…" Dylan trailed off and shivered with remembered emotion. "Always Angel was there to ground me. Even when I was isolated by the blindfold or unable to hear I knew Angel would reach out to me and pull me back from the edge of the abyss." Dylan looked at Trance. "Angel kept me sane in an insane world."

"Dylan, Angel created your insane world."

Dylan shook his head, refusing to listen. He was shivering slightly. Trance noticed and stood beside his chair. She used a medical scanner to record his temperature. He was running a fever again. If this fever progressed like the last one he would soon be in the throes of withdrawal again.

"Dylan, you are running a slight fever again. Let me help you to your bed." Dylan allowed Trance to help him stand. He swayed slightly as she helped him to the stretcher. He sat on the edge and looked up at Trance.

"Trance ... I think I'm going to be sick." Trance grabbed a basin and held it as Dylan retched uncontrollably. When he stopped she got a wet cloth and helped him to wash up, hoping to help make him feel a little better. He smiled weakly at her as she helped him to lay back on the stretcher. He was shaking uncontrollably now and she covered him with the sheet once again. "T-t-trance, I'm f-f-freezing!" His temperature had skyrocketed in just a few minutes. Trance grabbed a blanket and put this on Dylan as well. Dylan began moaning softly.

"Dylan. What can I do for you?"

"God T-t-trance! It hurts so much!" Dylan gritted his teeth, trying to hold in the sounds of his pain.

// Regular as clockwork. The damn poisons he was given … I could just kill that witch! // Trance mopped Dylan's brow and murmured to him as he writhed in agony on the bed.

"Trance, I ... I can’t..." Dylan looked up at her. "Trance, please..."

Trance knew what Dylan was pleading for. "Dylan, I can't give you any drugs. It would only make things worse. You need to get those poisons out of your system." She brushed his hair back from his burning forehead with her fingers. "I'm so sorry, Dylan." Trance's last words were whispered but Dylan heard them and was surprised by the compassion in her voice.

// Trance continues to surprise me. She does not act like a master of slaves. Who is she and why did she buy me from Mistress Angel? What is it she wants from me? // Dylan's thoughts were interrupted by waves of nearly unbearable pain. He screamed in agony, unable to hold back any longer.

"Trance! "

Hologram Rommie blinked into the medical bay as Dylan screamed and writhed on the bed. "Trance ... may I help in some way?"

Dylan looked up at the sound of her voice. What he saw astounded him but he had no time to dwell on it as another wave of pain hit him. He threw back his covers and tried to sit. Trance pushed him back down gently but firmly. "Dylan, try to relax. Breath through the pain."

Dylan tried to see around Trance. "Trance ... who...?"

"Andromeda! Privacy Mode! Now!"

"Aye, Trance." The hologram faded as Andromeda answered Trance's order.

Dylan's back arched off the stretcher as another wave of pain hit him. "Trance, I..." His eyes rolled back and the convulsions began.

"Damn!" Trance raced to fasten the restraints on Dylan's arms and legs before he could injure himself. As he arched off the stretcher again and again she finally fastened the wide strap around his heaving chest. The cords stood out on his neck as he fought against the straps, heaving upward uncontrollably as Trance watched helplessly.

Trance monitored Dylan's vital signs. She was concerned as his temperature kept rising. As his temperature reached dangerous levels Trance uncovered him. She then covered him with a cooling blanket. The blanket had circulating ice water in it. She monitored him closely so his temperature wouldn't fall too low. Dylan's screams of pain turned into moans as the convulsions lessened. He was still in a lot of pain and soon exhausted himself. Trance watched as Dylan slipped into unconsciousness once again. Even unconscious, the pain made Dylan moan occasionally. Trance wiped the sweat from her forehead as she settled in to watch over Dylan. // Dylan how can I help you? //

The hours passed. Trance watched Dylan struggle with his addiction and her hatred grew. Hatred for everything Angel stood for. Slave smuggling, kidnapping, brainwashing. The list was long but Trance's memory was longer. Somehow, sometime she would avenge her friend.
 
 

"Andromeda?"

"Yes Trance?"

"Please do another scan."

"Trance I just..."

"Andromeda. Please. Another scan."

"Scanning..."

Hologram Rommie appeared in the medical bay. "Trance. All brain functions are normal."

"Rommie ... he has been unconscious for three days." Trance rechecked the tubings feeding nutrients into Dylan's body. She brushed the hair back from his brow tenderly. "Come back to us Dylan. We need you. Rommie? What are his EEG readings?"

"He has slipped into a coma, Trance. Dylan's readings are minimal."
 
 

Dylan was dealing with his own demons.

***

"Say it, Slave."

"I am Dylan Hunt, HE509 5C2 1922."

"Not any more. Argus, do it."

"Yesss Missstresss."

The lash bit into his back, setting his nerve endings on fire. He screamed as the agony ate its way into his psyche. He tottered on the edge of the great abyss. As the nerve inducer lash repeatedly bit into his back he fell, screaming and hit the bottom of the great pit.

"Yes Mistress," was his whispered reply.

***

***

// I am Slave. I am here at the whim of my Mistress, Angel. She is here to condition me in her service. //

"Kneel at my side, Slave."

The slave kneels.

"Lace your fingers together behind your neck."

The slave obeys.

Mistress Angel caresses Slave's face and he leans into her touch, eager to please, reluctant to disappoint. The Slave purrs at her pleasure.

***

***

A slap rocks his head back. He had not been paying attention to his Mistress. She was angry.

// Please! Not the blindfold again! The darkness ... // Slave trembles in fright. The isolation of theblindfold will be completed with the addition of the earplugs. Slave knows what is coming but is unable to prevent it. He pleads as the blindfold is placed around his eyes. His body trembles with the addition of the earplugs. When the gag is added he sinks into the pit once again. He is utterly alone in his isolation, yet he is chained in the most public of places in the keep. Everyone shares his misery even though he is totally alone.

***

***

Running ... endless running ... blinding light ... and utter darkness. Hanging ... arms aching ... heat ... hands ... caressing ... // Oh God no ... Where? ... What is happening? //

"Hi Slave. You wanted to be out here. Let me teach you a little about my planet. The one native inhabitant ... la petite morte ... the little death. Scorpions of my planet..."

Pain ... numbness ... crawling, biting ... darkness once more.

***

***

Helpless ... depending on Mistress Angel for all support. Paralysis ... fear ... taunting. // Help me! I don't belong here! //

***

***

Explosions ripping through space, destroying all that is precious to the slave that is chained in this room. "All hands lost..."

Taunting laughter ... pain ... "No!"

// Don't leave me! How will I survive without you? //

***

***

Unending darkness ... pain ... fire ... caressing ... comfort ... Angel ...

// I am Slave. I have a purpose in this place. I serve. //

***

***

Shackles ... chains ... collar ... blindfold ... gag ... darkness ... light ... security ... comfort ... hands ... skin ... heat ... Slave.

***

***

The training room. Chains ... shackles ... Pain ... Fire ... drugs ... euphoria ... floating ...

// Death ... so close ... Is there anything to fight for? They are all gone ... I am Slave, nothing more. //

***

Images and emotions ... all that he is, all that he has been through ... a fractured psyche.
 
 

"Trance?"

"Yes Rommie?" Trance wiped the exhaustion from her face with her hands. She had been sitting by Dylan's bedside for four days. Four days of nothing, no sign of life, each hour seeing him slipping farther and farther from them.

"Dylan's readings have changed."

Trance sat up, reaching out to the man lying so still beside where she sat. "Changed how, Rommie?"

"We are losing him. His life signs are fading."

"No!"

"Trance if you have any powers ... anything at all ... you had better use them. Dylan is slipping away a little more with each passing minute."

"Andromeda. Engage privacy mode."

"Aye."

The hologram faded away and Trance looked around the medical bay. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. // By all that is powerful and holy ... help me to save this man. He is vital to the peace of the Commonwealth. // She opened her eyes and laid her hands on either side of Dylan's head. She put her forehead against his and closed her eyes again. She sent forth her consciousness.
 
 

@@@

"Dylan?" Trance wandered around, calling out, hoping to find a glimmer of her friend. "Dylan? Can you hear me?" She turned at an indistinguishable sound. "Dylan? Is that you?" She moved toward the sound. There was a soft, flickering light up ahead. She moved toward it.

The sight that greeted Trance as she entered the training room was one she had seen before. Dylan was splayed out on the cross, blood running down his back. This time, however, fire ran along his limbs, charring him. His head was thrown back, a soundless scream issuing forth from his throat. Argus was standing to one side of the cross, holding a lit torch.

"Argus! Put that down and leave this place."

Argus bowed low to the ground. "Yes Great One."

Trance approached Dylan slowly. She reached out to him and the flames licked at her wrists. She drew back slightly. Dylan rotated his head to the side, facing her. Flames danced behind his sightless eyes. Trance closed her eyes, centering herself, and repeated her earlier prayer. She then reached out again and laid her hands on his forehead. A scream erupted from his throat. She held her hands there for a minute, letting her healing powers enter him. She then ran her hands along his back and limbs, extinguishing the flames there. He sagged in his bonds, barely breathing.

She stood directly behind him, leaning against his body, letting him feel her presence along his flayed limbs. "Come back to us, Dylan. We need you. Rommie needs you ... Beka needs you ... Tyr needs you ... Harper needs you. Remember us, Dylan. Remember your life. Remember your ship. Remember the Commonwealth ... all that was lost and all that can be once again, thanks to your undying faith." Trance leaned into him, running her hands around in front of him, melding his body against hers. Orange flames licked his skin, cold flames sending her healing powers into his ravaged flesh. "Feel me, Dylan. Feel my life flowing into you. Feel the coolness mending your injuries, calming your fears. Feel my love flowing through you …love for who you are and what you stand for. We need you, Dylan Hunt. Come back with me. I will help you heal."

Trance reached up and unfastened Dylan's shackles, he sagged against her. She cradled him against her body, holding him close as he drew strength from her. There was a light around them, pulsing faintly in time with his heartbeat. Trance led Dylan out of the training room and back into the light.

"I need you to come home with me, Dylan."

"Dylan is gone. Only Slave remains."

"There is enough of Dylan left in you that he remembered Rommie when he saw her in the medical bay."

"I ... you're wrong, Trance. Dylan died on the cross."

"And I disagree. I can sense Dylan in you. I know you went through hell on the cross, Dylan ... but somehow you survived. By pulling in on yourself you were able to seal off your sense of self. It was damaged, ravaged by the brutality you suffered but it is still inside of you. You can resurrect Dylan Hunt if you choose to."

"Dylan has too much pain. Slave has restrictions, yes ... but there are rules he obeys and less emotion to bruise. The emotion was left with Dylan. He bears the scars of the cross."

"And you don't? What is on your back?"

"Not those scars, Trance. Dylan's mind remembers all that happened. By partitioning it away, I no longer have to deal with the brutality. It can no longer harm me. I am Slave. I have a place and a function. I need no more than that."

"But what about Dylan? Where does he fit in?"

"Dylan is gone."

"No. He's not. I know he is there, inside you. We need him to come home."

"No. I can't do that. Dylan is too..."

"Fragile?"

"Messed up. Dylan is too messed up to come back."

"I can help."

Dylan stubbornly shook his head. Trance sighed. "Dylan. You are not going to die on me. You will come back to me … and now that I am sure Dylan is still inside you someplace I am going to bring him back, with or without your help."

"You can try..."

Trance left Slave sitting on a stone bench in the atrium and returned home.
 
 

@@@
 
 

"Andromeda?"

"Aye Trance."

Trance was bent double, leaning on the edge of Dylan's bed. Her breathing was ragged. She reached behind her and grasped the chair. She sat down gingerly and hung her head.

"Are you all right, Trance?"

"I will be. It always takes a lot out of me"

"What does?"

"It isn't important, Andromeda. What is important is that I have been speaking with Dylan."

"My readings show Dylan is still in a coma."

"Yes he is..."

"Then how...?"

"It's best if you don't know that."

"Okay..."

"Andromeda? Have Dylan's vital signs stabilized?"

"Yes Trance."

"Good. I need you to do me a favor, Andromeda."

"Anything Trance."

"I need you to make sure I am not disturbed for any reason. I will need to focus on Dylan and I cannot be interrupted for anything. Can you do this for me?"

"Aye Trance."

"Thank you Andromeda. Engage privacy mode."

"Privacy mode engaged."
 
 

"Andromeda, how long does Trance plan on staying locked up on the medical deck?"

"As long as it takes for Dylan to heal."

"Really?" Beka paced on the command deck. "Patch me through to the medical deck, Andromeda."

"I can't do that Beka."

"And why not?" Beka planted her feet on the deck, crossed her arms and scowled at the hologram of the ship.

"Trance asked that she not be disturbed for any reason."

"And who is the Captain here, Andromeda?"

"Dylan Hunt is my captain." The ship's hologram crossed her arms and looked smugly at her first officer.

"And who is the acting captain, Andromeda?"

"Why, you are, Beka. And that still does not get you access to the medical deck." The hologram shimmered out of existence as Beka threw a flexi at it. A snicker brought her spinning around.

"Do you have something you would like to say, Mr. Harper?"

"Nope. Not me! ... Quiet as a mouse ... Leaving." He grinned and sprinted past her.

"What about you?" She whirled on Tyr who was lounging against a console staring at her.

"Only one thing, Beka."

"And what would that be?"

"Want to go back to my quarters and fool around?" He growled deep in his throat and pulled her to him in a bone-crushing embrace. Their lips met and Tyr's hand went to the back of Beka's head, holding her steady. Their tongues danced, sending tendrils of desire along their nerve endings and igniting their passion. When Beka finally pushed away from Tyr she was breathless, as was he. He held her about the waist, gently but firmly. "You haven't answered my question, Beka." His voice held a hint of laughter.

She smiled up at him. "I thought I answered your question quite plainly, Mr. Anasazi. If you need it spelled out for you " She ran her hands over his chest then leaned in for another kiss. "That was a yes in case you were wondering."

Tyr threw back his head in laughter. "Come Beka. Rommie! Take over the bridge for Beka."

"Sure thing, Tyr." Rommie watched them depart, shaking her head at them. She then turned back to her task, breaching the security of the medical deck. // At least I won't have anyone asking questions about what I'm doing. //

A couple of minutes later Harper walked back in. "Hiya, Rom-Doll!"

Rommie sighed. "Hello, Harper. I thought you were hiding from Beka and Tyr."

"Well, I finished working on the slipstream and I thought I would find out what else needs to be done. So, where's Beka? I thought I'd ask her what's next on her ‘Things to Keep Harper Out of Trouble' list."

"Beka is with Tyr ... and I doubt they want to be interrupted."

"Oh … I see ... a little horizontal mambo, huh? Oh well. What are you up to Rommie?"

"Nothing Harper. I'm just manning command for Beka."

"Sure." Harper hopped up on the railing near the console Rommie was working at. "So. What are you really doing?"

"Harper! I resent your insinuation that I am doing something other than what I am supposed to be doing."

Harper looked down sheepishly. "Sorry Rommie. Guess I'll go find something to fix ... or something."

"Bye Harper."

"It's just that I'm bored with Trance being shut up on the medical deck."

"Good bye Harper."

Harper hopped down. "Bye Rommie."

Rommie watched Harper leave then went back to her task. // Why do I have to be so good at keeping things running so smoothly? How am I going to sneak a peek into the medical deck when I have it locked out? Andromeda, how can I get past your security without tipping you off to what I am doing? Ah! A diagnostic routine. It just might work. // "Mr. Harper?"

"Yeah, Rom-Doll?" Harper's voice was tinny over the com.

"I'm detecting a tiny glitch in deploying the slipstream runners. Could you and Andromeda run a complete system diagnostics on it?"

"I don't see anything Rommie." Rommie punched in a few more commands on her computer terminal. "Wait! There it is. Wonder where that came from..."

"Just see if you can fix it, Mr. Harper."

"Will do. Thanks, Rommie."

Rommie sighed and went back to her computer hacking.

Part 2

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