Dylan was still restrained on the stretcher and Trance thought it would probably be a good idea to leave him that way for now. There may come a time when he would rather end his life than face the road to recovery that was in front of him. She would not give him that chance.

Trance rechecked Dylan's restraints. She adjusted them slightly, more to waste time than anything else. She was putting off what she knew was inevitable. Dylan was not coming back to her so she must go to him ... again. When she had finished checking, rechecking and adjusting his restraints she rechecked his vital signs and adjusted his IV. He was physically stronger than he had been the first time she tried this. Being stronger was good for him, bad for her. He was a very strong willed person and being physically strong on top of that made him a very formidable opponent and she was sure he would fight, both to stay Slave and to stay in what he perceived to be a "safe" place.

Trance stretched. She pulled a chair close to Dylan's bed and sat, laying her head on the edge of the bed and grasping Dylan's hand. She closed her eyes and "merged". Within mere microseconds she was standing in the simulation of Angel's keep, the "safe" place in Dylan's fractured mind.
 
 

@@@

She looked around. She was standing just outside the training room. // Okay, why here? I left Dylan in the atrium ... the Sanctuary. // Trance shrugged and peeked into the training room. Dylan was shackled to the cross. Argus stood behind him holding a whip. Trance walked into the training room and looked closely at the whip held by the lizard. It was unique and it wasn't a whip at all ... it was a lash. As she looked at it each individual end began to glow with an eerie white light. She could faintly hear a high whining sound. She approached Dylan and saw that he was sweating lightly. The lash fell with a soft slapping sound and Dylan flinched. Suddenly he stiffened. Trance watched his reaction. She could see the pain build as the light engulfed his limbs. // A nerve inducer! Those were outlawed years and years ago. Where did they get this thing? I have heard such brutal stories of abuses ... And Dylan was beaten with this … No wonder his mind is so broken. Slaves have gone insane over such abuses. It is a wonder anything of Dylan Hunt has survived this treatment. // What really amazed Trance was that Dylan did not cry out at the obvious agony he was enduring. He had been there before, and had probably been severely punished for responding to the pain by crying out. But how long could a man endure this before he had to cry out his pain? She was about to find out.

The scene played out before her. She watched Dylan's reactions to the torture without being able to stop it. Dylan was replaying this in his mind and she was relegated to bystander status. She tried to interfere, to get Dylan's attention but it was as if she weren't even there. For some reason he needed to relive this moment and she was helpless to interfere.

Dylan endured blow after blow with this instrument of torture. She watched him writhe in agony. At one point he passed out from the intense pain and it was then she noticed Angel. She stepped forward, spoke to Argus for a moment and then approached Dylan. She gave him a hypo-spray of something that brought him around. She then stepped back and told Argus to continue. The sound of the lash intensified and Trance knew that Argus had changed the settings. She was positive of it as the first blow fell on Dylan's back. He screamed his agony and Angel laughed. Trance could see the insanity shine from her gaze as she watched Dylan struggle against his bonds.

Angel approached Dylan as he struggled to catch his breath between blows. Se watched his face as the lash fell yet again. She bent forward and kissed Dylan. He pulled back slightly and she grasped his hair and pulled him to her, raping his mouth brutally. She pushed him away when she was finished and taunted him as the lash fell yet again. As Argus tortured him, Angel fondled him, bringing him to the brink of orgasm and then letting the lash do its work. Time and time again she did this until Dylan was begging for release. Angel then had Argus switch to the bullwhip and brought Dylan to orgasm as Argus ripped his back to shreds with the whip.

Angel left Dylan hanging in his bonds and left the training room. Argus approached the slave looked him over then turned and followed Angel out of the room. Trance was sickened by what she had observed. She walked around in front of Dylan. He was barely conscious. His eyes were unfocused and he panted for each breath he took.

"Dylan?" There was no response. "Slave! Look at me."

Dylan's eyes focused on Trance. He licked his dry lips. "Yes Mistress?"

"I am Trance. You are Dylan."

"I am Slave."

Trance laid her hand against Dylan's cheek, feeling the stubble rub against her palm. He closed his eyes briefly, rubbing his face against the pressure of her palm. "Look at me Dylan." His eyes opened. There were questions in those eyes. Trance shuddered against the emotions that were radiating from the man bound before her.

"What is Dylan, Mistress?"

"Dylan is you. Dylan is your name. Mine is Trance."

Dylan dipped his head. "As you say, Mistress."

"Trance. Say my name, Dylan."

"Trance." Dylan kept his eyes lowered.

"Thank you, Dylan. Now let's get you down from there." Trance reached up and unfastened the chains holding Dylan's wrists to the cross. He grasped the cross to steady himself as she released his ankles. The shackles themselves were locked around his wrists and ankles and so they had to stay for now. "Come Dylan. Follow me, please."

Dylan steadied himself then laced his hands behind his neck and followed Trance out of the training room. They walked down the now-familiar corridors to the atrium. Trance entered the atrium followed by Dylan. She found a bench and sat. "Please, Dylan. Sit." She patted the seat next to her and Dylan dropped to his knees beside where she sat. "Dylan, please sit next to me."

Dylan kept his eyes lowered. "It is not allowed, Trance."

"The Mistress makes the rules, Dylan. I wish for you to sit next to me. Drop your hands and do so now." She looked at Dylan, not dropping her gaze until he acknowledged her request with a small nod of his head and sat next to her on the bench. Trance sighed. "Now, lets’ talk, Dylan."

"Slaves are to be silent unless asked a direct question, Trance. A disobedient slave is punished and gagged for the remainder of the day."

"It is my desire to talk with you, Dylan. Therefore if you do not talk with me you are being disobedient. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Trance."

"Very good. Now answer a question for me, Dylan. Why were you being beaten?"

"I was being punished, Trance. Mistress Angel does not beat her slave for no reason."

"What was Mistress Angel's reason for beating you today, Dylan?" She could tell the conversation was bothering Dylan. He saw his beating as "punishment" and Trance was deliberately using the word "beating" to get a response from him.

"I was disobedient today. I spoke without being asked a question."

"What did you say that got Angel so angry?"

"I backed away from Mistress Angel as she was binding me in the main hall." A flush rose in Dylan's cheeks. "I said no to Mistress Angel. I deserved to be punished."

"You backed away from Mistress Angel? Why?"

Dylan swallowed heavily and stared at his hands which were entwined in his lap. "I was afraid."

"Of what, Dylan? What scared you?"

"Mistress Angel was binding me in a rope harness and when she ran the ropes around my genitals I panicked. I took one step backward and said no."

"Did Mistress Angel often bind you in this manner?"

"Mistress Angel said she liked the look of the ropes on my body. She liked to use the ropes every day."

"Why did this bother you today?"

"This harness was new to me."

"So this was the first time she had used such an elaborate harness on you?"

"Yes M ... Trance." Dylan shifted a little on the bench and it was then that Trance noticed Dylan's ravaged back.

"Oh Dylan, I'm so sorry." She leaned back and looked at the mess that was his back. Ribbons of blood flowed down it from the open welts left by the bullwhip. She sighed and stood up. "Come with me, Dylan." Dylan stood beside Trance and laced his hands behind his neck. He followed her deeper into the atrium.

Trance walked down the paths of the atrium. It was more extensive than she thought. Dylan's mind had recreated it almost perfectly. He had had a lot of time to study it as he stood by Angel, awaiting her whims. Trance wound her way through the atrium, looking for a specific plant. Finally she found what she was looking for. She stopped and picked a few leaves from a large bushy plant then turned to Dylan. "Turn around, Dylan." He obeyed without a second thought. She took one of the large leaves and wiped his back with it. She stiffened at her touch but made no sound. She dropped the soiled leaf on the ground and then ripped up a few of the remaining leaves. She mashed the leaves together in her hands and used the sticky pulp as a salve on his back. The pulp of this particular plant had an anesthetic quality and Dylan sighed as the pain in his back was deadened.

Trance smiled at his response. His posture relaxed and she could see he was exhausted from his ordeal. "Come with me, Dylan. Let's leave this place. We can go home now."

Dylan turned to her and stared into her eyes. "Home Trance? What is home? I know only this place and this life. I am Slave. This is where I belong." Dylan clutched his gut, curling in on himself. "Trance! It hurts…" As Trance watched Dylan vanished before her eyes. She yelled her frustrations to the empty air.

@@@
 
 

Rommie hacked through to the medical bay as Trance awoke next to Dylan. // Trance looks almost transparent. // Rommie watched her solidify (for lack of a better word) then sit up and stretch. // I don't think I was supposed to see that. // Rommie broke the contact with the medical bay and erased her tracks in the Andromeda's computer system.

Trance looked around. "Andromeda."

"Yes, Trance."

"Did Rommie see what she was supposed to?"

"Yes Trance. Just enough to keep her out of here in the future."

"Thank you."

"Trance?"

"Yes Andromeda?"

"How did you know she would try to hack into there?"

"Rommie loves Dylan. It is only natural that she would try to see what was happening to him. What little she saw will not harm anything."

Andromeda blinked out and Trance sighed audibly. "Where did you go to, Dylan? What will I find the next time I visit your little world?" Trance stood. // First a shower. Phasing really taxes my stamina and it has been such a very long time since I used this ability. I'm guess I'm a little rusty. // Trance smiled and went to take a long, hot shower.
 
 

It was true that Trance didn't sleep much. She needed very little sleep and seemed to almost regenerate herself. Phasing for such a long time with Dylan taxed her reserves a little but after a long shower and a ten-minute nap she was ready to go again.

// Okay, Dylan. Let's see where you went // She took hold of Dylan's hand and prepared to phase once again. She took a deep, cleansing breath and sought Dylan's consciousness. As she phased with him she actually became nearly transparent. A part of her entered his mind, leaving half of herself behind to anchor her to the real world. By actually placing herself in Dylan's mind she was then able to interact. If she just sent her consciousness to him, she would be forced to be a bystander, unable to effect any changes on the events unfolding there.
 
 

@@@

Trance walked down the corridors of Angel’s keep. She soon found herself in the main hall. It was empty. "Dylan? Where are you?" At her words a panel opened in the wall revealing a walled courtyard. Argus stood outside near a door. The door burst open and Dylan staggered into the sunlight. He was momentarily blinded and disoriented. It was all the opening Argus needed and he felled him with a single blow to the back of the head.

She tried to find a door leading to the outside and failed. When she got back to the window Dylan had been stripped and strung up, spread-eagle, on a wooden frame. He was blindfolded and Angel was taunting him as she wrapped his loins in cloth and taped it close to his body. She next fitted him with a helmet and taped it in place. He hung there, struggling slightly. Suddenly he jerked and Trance noticed a large scorpion-like creature crawling on him. As Trance watched, helpless to stop this horror, dozens of these creatures crawled up the ropes binding Dylan in place. She could hear his screams fill the air. Angel and Argus watched from a safe distance upon a small platform. When Dylan was finally unconscious Angel motioned to Argus. He approached Dylan and brushed the scorpions away. They disappeared into the sand and Argus took Dylan down from the frame. Trance lost track of the trio as they moved toward the door and out of her line of sight. She was still trembling from the emotions raging through her at the sight of Dylan's body teeming with the deadly scorpions. // How did he ever survive that? // Trance looked for some way to get to where they were taking Dylan. // Relax, Trance. Dylan's mind will call you to him when he is again aware of what is going on. Right now he is unconscious. Breathe ... and wait. This story is not finished unfolding. //

Trance paced and soon her surroundings changed. She was in a bedchamber. Angel was tending to Dylan. He was paralyzed from the scorpion bites and she could see the agony and the hatred shine from his eyes. He was afraid. Angel had assured him the paralysis was not permanent but he did not know whether or not to believe her. Trance watched as Angel insinuated her way into Dylan's good graces. He was confused by her behavior but could not help but to see her as his savior. She tended to his every need. What Dylan did not see but Trance did, was that she was secretly feeding him bits of venom, keeping him incapacitated for a longer period of time. // If Dylan was truly bitten by the scorpions why would Angel have to inject him with more venom? // She also watched Angel begin his drug addiction. She seethed with anger but was unable to interfere, after all, this had already occurred. For some reason these were the images Dylan was reliving now and she was just along for the ride.

Within a matter of days, Dylan was able to sit up in a chair and his voice was once again his. He was weak, but Angel was fostering this to increase his dependency on her. Trance watched Angel help Dylan to a chair, refusing his request for clothing. // So it begins. This is where his true slavery begins. She is slowly molding him into the slave she wants and here is where she shows him his place in her house. //

It was the very next day that Argus led him, in shackles, to the main hall, allowing him only a scanty loincloth for covering. Angel had him shackled on the circle for hours until he was about to fall down from exhaustion. He was then led to the baths where he was forced to endure the ministrations of Argus. His true training had begun. After the baths he was led to Angel's bedchamber and chained to her bed.

Trance watched and relived the fear and uncertainty with Dylan. He was still High Guard. He was still Dylan Hunt. But he was playing her game.

@@@
 
 

Trance awoke next to Dylan in the medical bay. // Wow … I can’t believe I fell asleep. // "Andromeda?"

"Yes, Trance?"

"How long have I been asleep?"

"Just a couple of minutes. You fell asleep almost immediately after you came back from…"

"Thanks Andromeda." Trance stood and stretched. "Any change in Dylan’s vital signs?"

"No Trance. He is still in a coma, but he does seem to be getting stronger."

"Good. I’m going to get something to eat and then I’m going back to Dylan."

"Are you sure that is wise, Trance?"

Trance looked up at the hologram, surprise written on her face. "What do you mean, Andromeda?"

"This is wearing you out. I don’t want to put your life at risk."

"This is my decision, Andromeda. Dylan is more important than I am. Besides, I have no intention of dying." She turned on her heel and scampered into the back room to get something to eat.

The hologram seemed to stare at Dylan for a moment then shimmered and was gone. Trance ate a light meal then went back to Dylan’s bedside. She leaned over him. "How do I convince you to come back to me, Dylan?" She smoothed his hair back with her hand and sighed audibly. She sat next to him and laid her hand on his chest. She concentrated on the steady rise and fall of his chest and soon entered a light trance-like state once again. Then she phased…
 
 

@@@

// Blinded … deaf … Can I hum, anything to hear some kind of sound!? I can’t take this anymore. Bound … ropes, so tight. Holding me … comforting, actually. //

The crack of Angel’s hand against his face brought Dylan’s silence once again. He swallowed around the gag that filled his mouth and shifted slightly in his bonds to ease aching muscles. They were in the Sanctuary. Dylan could feel the moist air caress his face. He was on his knees, bound tightly with a rope harness, hands behind him with a rope running between his ankle and wrist shackles. He was effectively hobbled, hog-tied. Unable to move and at Angel’s mercy he was blinded, gagged and had his hearing cut off with earplugs.

//Sensory deprivation. So that’s how she did it. // It was a sure way to crack someone’s psychic veneer.

// How long have I been here? // Trance watched as Dylan searched, struggled with his captivity and finally, after literally hours bound at Angel’s feet, gave in to the role of slave.

She certainly knew what she was doing. It was obvious to Trance that Angel had "broken" many slaves before Dylan. But what had happened to them? It was also obvious that the keep was not full of trained slaves. A few servants, nothing more. Dylan seemed to be her new "pet", so what had happened to her old one? Trance watched as Angel casually reached out and caressed Dylan, letting him know that she was his only hope against the darkness. She was his only human contact. She alone cared whether he lived or died. He rubbed against her hand and she smiled. Yes, she knew exactly what she was doing.

Eventually, when she saw Dylan begin to sway from exhaustion she unfastened the rope binding his ankles to his wrists. Dylan could feel her hands on the ropes. He had no strength left to fight, he simply waited for what was to come next. He did not anticipate, he did not worry, he was simply at her mercy. He was Slave. When the ropes were removed she fastened a longer chain between his ankle shackles and then helped him to stand. He moaned as he shifted position and Angel slapped him once again. She then attached a leash to his collar and led him out of the atrium. Still blinded, deaf and unable to speak he stumbled along behind her. Trance followed.

Their destination was Angel’s chambers. Argus had prepared a pallet on the floor at the foot of Angel’s bed. This was where she led Dylan. She helped him to lie down and left him there. He could be in a prison cell for all he knew. She climbed on her bed and watched him struggle with his captivity before giving in to his exhaustion and falling asleep. Angel smiled and went to sleep, content in the knowledge that her new pet was progressing as she had hoped.

Trance fumed. She had filled in the blanks in Dylan’s recollection of the events. It was she that surmised Angel kept Dylan in her chambers and not in a prison cell. She would have wanted to see just how well her tactics were working.

@@@

Trance came and went from Dylan’s tortured mind nearly a dozen more times before she saw her chance. Once she saw it, she took it and damn the consequences.

@@@

Dylan was tethered in the atrium once again. He was alone but he had no way of knowing that. Angel had him blinded, gagged and deaf once again. It was becoming quite her favorite way of seeing him presented to her. Trance walked up to Dylan and touched him gently, laying her palm against the side of his face. He rubbed against her and moaned softly behind his gag. She loosened the gag and removed it gently. He licked his lips but made no other move or sound. // Well trained … // She held a bottle of water to his lips and he drank greedily. She pulled the water bottle away before he could drink too much and he gave a small sound of displeasure. She put her finger to his lips and he immediately quieted, blushing from shame. // Ah, Trance Gemini. If only you were into slaves at this stage of your life. He would be a perfect specimen for your stables. So much to give up to save the universe. // She ran her hands over his trembling flesh before she caught herself and came back to the present. // Forget your life before, Trance. You are Dylan’s friend, not his Mistress. Get him out of here and back to the Andromeda before it is too late. //

Trance reached up and removed the earplugs from Dylan’s ears. He rubbed his face against her hand in supplication and she smiled. // Such a pretty gesture. Angel teaches her slaves well. // Trance squared her shoulders and reached out to Dylan. She ran her hands over his chest, clearly showing him that he was her property. He did not move or make a sound. "Dylan, you have hidden here long enough. You will come with me now." He flinched at the sound of her voice and gasped softly. It was obvious that he was not expecting any voice other than that of Angel. His head turned slightly, searching out the owner of the new voice. "It is Trance, Dylan. You belong with me now. I took you from this place once and you must come with me now."

Dylan shook his head almost imperceptibly. Trance unfastened his blindfold. He blinked in the sudden light. "Look at me Dylan." Dylan stared straight ahead as if he didn’t hear her speak. She reached up and turned his face to hers. "You are Dylan. I am Trance. You will do well to remember this." Dylan blinked and tried to look away once again. Trance held his chin firmly and forced him to look at her. "I am Mistress here, Dylan. Do you understand me?"

"No." Dylan’s voice was barely a whisper, broken from disuse.

"No? No you don’t understand or no I am not Mistress?" Dylan blinked and tried to look away again but Trance held him tightly. "I asked you a question, Dylan."

Dylan shifted slightly. "I … Angel is my Mistress. This is where I belong."

// Well, at least he has the sense to look embarrassed. I will just have to show him that I am in charge here. // Trance pulled all her strength together and swung her hand. It connected with the side of his face, rocking his head back. His eyes opened in surprise and he clenched his jaw against the sounds that threatened to erupt from him. In this realm Trance did not have a lot of power and she had to literally stretch herself thin in the other realm to accomplish any such show of strength. The more strength she expended here the less she would have to pull herself home again. She knew this but was willing to take the chance if it meant bringing Dylan home again.

Trance looked into Dylan’s eyes. "Did I make myself clear, Dylan?"

Dylan dropped his eyes. "Yes Mistress."

"The name is Trance. Try that last one again, Dylan … and get it right this time."

"Yes Trance." Dylan swallowed hard.

"Very good. Now let’s get out of here." She bent and unfastened the chain running between Dylan’s ankle shackles. She tugged on Dylan’s leash, leading him forward.

And suddenly they were in Angel’s chambers. Argus awoke the pair with the news that the Slaver’s ship was in orbit. He reached down and unfastened the chain tethering Dylan to the bed. Dylan panicked and bolted. Argus chased him, finally running him down and rendering him unconscious, but not before Dylan landed one solid blow to the lizard.

Trance blinked and realized her disorientation was due to the fact that Dylan’s mind had jumped ahead once again. They were back in the training room. Dylan was tethered to the cross. He looked into Angel’s eyes. She smiled and told Argus to first pay him back for the punch he landed and then to punish him for her. He was to get ten lashes with the nerve inducer at level five. After that he was to get twenty stripes with the bullwhip. Angel left plenty of stimulants for Argus to use on Dylan should he lose consciousness during his punishment. She wanted him fully aware of his torture.

Trance retched as she watched the "special" punishment Argus meted out. As the blood ran in rivulets down Dylan’s legs Argus began the lashes Angel had ordered for her slave. // Gods! How did he ever survive this brutality? Dylan? Is there any hope of getting you back in one sane piece? //

Trance was able to interfere in this memory only when Argus had finished with Dylan. It was then she had rescued Dylan from Angel’s keep and she went through the same motions once more.

After she had dismissed Argus from the training room she helped Dylan down from the cross. This time, instead of rendering him unconscious she led him out of the training room on his leash and to the atrium once again. There she unfastened his chains, leaving only the wrist bands, ankle bands and collar. She sat him next to her on the bench and held his hand tightly. "Close your eyes, Dylan." Dylan followed her orders without hesitation. "Now, listen to the sound of my voice. Follow my voice, Dylan. Come home with me."

@@@
 
 

As Trance finished saying those words she phased once again. She was back on the Andromeda. She was very weakened by the ordeal but she was able to sit up next to Dylan. Holding his hand she bent close and spoke. "Dylan, follow my voice. Come to me Dylan." She murmured over and over to him but there was no sign that he heard her. "Damn it Dylan! I gave you a direct order! I am in charge here. Come to me now!"

Andromeda blinked in at her outburst and stared at her. Trance turned to the hologram. "Don’t Andromeda. Engage privacy mode now."

"Aye Trance. Privacy mode engaged." The hologram blinked out.

Trance stood over Dylan. "Dylan. Slave. Open your eyes now." She ran her hands over his naked flesh, marking her territory, asserting her authority. It sickened her to act this way but she was losing him and that was totally unacceptable to her. She would do anything to bring Dylan home again. He was vital to the success of the new Commonwealth and to the future of the universe.

When Dylan still did not respond to her authority she took a deep breath, let it out slowly, then slapped him across the face. His eyes flew open and he stared up at her. "Welcome back, Dylan."

He said nothing but continued to stare at her. "Are you back to stay?" Dylan looked into her eyes but said nothing. Trance leaned over him, stared into his eyes and whispered, "That was a direct question, Dylan. Did you forget all your training?"

Dylan blushed and looked away from Trance. "I do not know the answer to your question, Mistress … Trance."

Trance pushed herself upright. "You belong here now, Dylan. You are never going back to Angel. Do you understand this?"

"Yes Trance."

"Very good, Dylan. Now, it is very late and I am very tired. Get some rest, Dylan. Tomorrow we will go for a little walk. There is something I want you to see. Before I go to sleep is there anything you need?"

"No Trance."

"Would you like me to remove your restraints?"

"No Trance."

"Can you answer a question for me Dylan?"

Dylan looked surprised to be asked to answer a question instead of being told to do so. "Yes Trance."

"Why do you wish to keep the restraints on?"

Dylan looked away. He was fighting to answer the question. Trance allowed him time to formulate an answer. She knew this was an important admission for him to make. She waited. After a minute he cleared his throat. "I am used to them Trance. They make me feel … safe?"

"I understand, Dylan. You may keep them for tonight. I can’t promise any more than that."

"Thank you Trance."

"Good night Dylan."

"Good night Trance."

Trance curled up on the bed near to Dylan’s and fell almost immediately asleep. Dylan was not so fortunate. He lay awake for quite some time, wondering what this new life of his would be like.
 
 

When Dylan awoke the next morning Trance was unfastening his restraints. She left the bands on his wrists and ankles but freed him from his tethers. // One step at a time. It will be enough for him to get used to the freedom of movement. I think I will leave the bands for now. They will make him feel more comfortable. //

"Good morning, Dylan."

"Good morning, Trance."

"I trust you slept well."

"Yes Trance. Thank you."

Trance held out her hand. "Come Dylan, let’s have breakfast, shall we?"

Dylan took Trance’s hand and let her help him to sit. She then led him to the nearby chair, helped him to sit and covered his lap with a blanket. He looked at her like he wanted to ask her a question but he held his tongue. Trance noticed the look and decided to let him think about it. If he wasn’t going to ask her why she covered him up she was not about to offer an explanation. Once she had Dylan settled Trance got breakfast and set it up on a small table which she pulled over in front of Dylan. He looked at her when she sat next to him but made no move toward the food.

"You can eat, Dylan."

"Thank you Trance." Dylan began eating, tasting of nearly everything she had put out but in actuality eating very little.

"Dylan, you have been ill. You must eat to heal. Please have some more breakfast."

"Yes Trance." Dylan blushed slightly at the reprimand and bent to his breakfast once again. He was so confused by everything. With Angel he was not allowed to eat a full meal. He was supposed to eat only when Argus allowed it. What he ate with Angel was only from her hand.

Trance could see what a strain it was for Dylan to sit with her and eat a meal. // So Angel had him eating from her hand. Nice touch … erotic. Time to get back to reality. // When they had finished their breakfast Trance left Dylan sitting in the chair and cleaned up their mess. She came and went from the room a number of times and Dylan did not move from his place. Finally Trance came back into the room and dropped something on Dylan’s lap. He flinched and looked down at his lap.

"Pants Dylan." Dylan looked at her questioningly. "Pants. You must get dressed today. We are going on a little field trip."

"Field trip?"

"Yes Dylan. Now get dressed."

Dylan held up the pants. "Dressed Trance?"

Trance sighed. This was getting tiresome. // Breathe Trance. It’s his training. // She turned to Dylan and saw he was smiling at her. "You!"

"Just a small joke Trance. I’m sorry." Dylan blushed and looked at his lap.

"Dylan. Look at me." Dylan raised his eyes to hers. "Don’t apologize to me for your little joke. It is the most promising sign I’ve had from you through this entire nightmare."

Dylan cocked his head. "I’m not sure I understand Trance."

"That’s all right, Dylan. You will … soon. Now I’ll go in the other room to give you some privacy. You get dressed and then we’ll go."

Dylan stared after her as she went into the other room of the medical bay. He found her behavior very strange. Not only would Angel never have let him get dressed, she also would allow him no privacy … for anything. This would take some getting used to. Dylan shook his head and stood, letting his blanket fall to the floor. He stretched, the muscles in his back rippling. He thought he heard a quick intake of breath and turned quickly but there was no one there. // I guess I just imagined it. // He pulled on the pants and was just sitting again when Trance walked back into the room. He stood quickly and put his hands behind his neck, lacing his fingers as he had been taught.

Trance reached out and pulled his hands away from his neck. She held them tightly and looked into his eyes. "You don’t need to do that here, Dylan."

"Yes Trance. I’m sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Dylan. You are still unsure of your life here. You will soon learn what it is to be a free man."

"Free Trance? I don’t understand."

"I didn’t bring you here to be my slave, Dylan. I brought you here to return your life to you." She watched the emotions play across his handsome face. "Come Dylan. Let’s go for a walk, shall we?"

"If you say so Trance." Dylan looked very nervous at the prospect.

"Do you have any questions for me before we leave this room?" Dylan hesitated. He swallowed heavily and looked at the floor. "Come on Dylan. You know you can ask me anything."

"Are there any other people here, Trance?"

"Yes Dylan. There are six of us that live on this ship."

"Ship? We are on a ship?"

"Yes Dylan. We are on a beautiful warship. Her name is the Andromeda Ascendant."

"Like in the story?"

Trance looked surprised for a minute but quickly recovered. "I didn’t think you would remember that story Dylan."

"I don’t remember all of it Trance … Just pieces."

Trance looked about to say something then changed her mind. "Shall we go now?"

"Trance?"

"What is it, Dylan?"

"Can I ask one more question?"

"Of course."

"Will we meet any of the people that live here Trance?"

"Not today, Dylan. I have made sure that we will be alone today, just you and me. I didn’t want to overwhelm you on your first day out."

"Thank you Trance. I’m not sure I am ready to meet your friends."

// They are your friends too Dylan … // "Ready to go Dylan?" Trance smiled at him and opened the door leading into the corridor. It was deserted as she had promised. Andromeda had the crew quite busy at the moment. Harper was working in the slipstream core with Tyr; Beka and Rommie were on command. Andromeda was also monitoring all shipwide communications. Not only was no one in the corridors, they were also unable to watch Dylan’s progress through the ship. No one but Andromeda and Trance knew their destination.

Dylan hesitated on the threshold, unable to take that first step into the corridor. Trance sensed his fear and turned to him. She held out her hand. "Come with me Dylan." She took his hand and wrapped his arm around her waist. She then put her arm around his waist. "Let’s go Dylan. I think you’ll like my little surprise." Dylan took a deep breath, let it out slowly and took his fist step out of the medical bay.
 
 

Dylan gasped in surprise as the door whisked open in front of them. "Trance! What is this place?" He walked in and looked around. Trance followed with a huge smile on her face.

"This is the hydroponics garden. I spend a lot of time here tending the plants. I had a feeling you would like it here too." Dylan looked at her as if to ask a question. He hesitated. "What is it, Dylan? You should know by now that you can ask me anything."

Dylan cleared his throat. "I’m not sure what to ask. It’s just that this place seems … familiar somehow."

"That’s good Dylan. Let’s sit over here for a few minutes." She took his hand and led him to a bench. "So. Tell me what is familiar about this place."

"I’m really not sure."

"That’s okay. Let’s try something. Close your eyes." Dylan did as he was told. "Now, think about this place. What comes to your mind first?"

Dylan sat with his eyes closed for a few minutes. She could feel the tension radiate from him. Suddenly she reached out and took his hand. He gasped softly at the contact then relaxed. Trance closed her eyes and phased.
 
 

@@@

Trance saw the hydroponics garden through Dylan’s eyes. He walked through the garden, touching the plants carefully. He smelled the scents of the plants. They were all around him. He bent and retrieved something from the ground. When he straightened he had a huge smile on his face.

"I remember this…"

Trance stayed transparent, in the background of his memories and let them flow around and through him. He was finally on the right track.

@@@
 
 

Trance phased back to her normal self just before Dylan opened his eyes. He stared at her for a minute, choosing his words carefully. What he had seen, the memory he had pulled to the surface of his mind unsettled him. Dylan cleared his throat and looked away from Trance, his eyes searching his surroundings. "Trance? How is it that I remember this place? I have never been here before … have I?"

When he looked up at her Trance thought her heart would break. The anguish in his eyes cut like a knife through her very soul. Trance took Dylan’s hand in her own. "Dylan. Do you remember the story I told you? The one about the Andromeda Ascendant?"

"Parts of it…"

"Do you remember the Captain’s name?"

Dylan thought for a minute then raised his eyes to hers. "No … at least I don’t think I remember it."

"That’s okay. What do you remember of the story?"

"I remember there was a great warship named the Andromeda Ascendant. It was stuck in a black hole during a battle…" Dylan rubbed his forehead, determined to revive lost memories. "The Captain … his name…" He looked at her, frustration etched on his features. "I can’t remember his name Trance. Why can’t I remember his name?"

// Because it is too close to you, Dylan. // "Just give it a couple of minutes, Dylan. Think about the story. It will come to you." She watched Dylan struggle with an elusive memory, then suddenly he looked at her. The emotions radiating from him were almost too much for her to bear. "What is it Dylan?" She waited.

Dylan stood and walked around the hydroponics bay for a couple of minutes. He finally stopped right beneath the basketball hoop. He picked up the ball that was lying on the floor. He stood with it in his hands. He stared at the ball, rolling it around in his hands. "I remember this Trance. And I remember your story." He looked up at her. "His name was Dylan Hunt. Trance? Am I Dylan Hunt?"

Trance stood and started toward him. "Yes. You are Captain Dylan Hunt."

The anguish radiated from him. "How can that be? Why do I not remember?"

Trance took the frightened man into her arms. He laid his head on her shoulder as she rubbed his back. "Angel made you forget who you were so you would become her perfect slave." She pushed him back and looked into his eyes. "You were too strong for her. You retained a piece of yourself, hidden away where she couldn’t get to it and destroy it. You kept that part of yourself safe from her so you could come back to us. You are Captain Dylan Hunt and you are home."

Dylan swayed on his feet. "Trance…"

"Dylan! Come, sit here next to me." She helped him back to the bench. "You’re tired out from all this excitement. Rest and then we can go someplace where you can get some sleep."

"Trance? I still don’t remember…"

"That’s all right, Dylan. It will all come back to you. We have plenty of time to revive your memories."

"Trance?"

"What is it?"

"Thank you."

"You’re welcome, Dylan."

The pair sat in silence in the hydroponics garden until Dylan felt strong enough to walk back to the medical bay. Trance watched Dylan for any signs of additional memories but was disappointed. He walked beside her as if he had never seen the ship before. // There must be something here to trigger his memories. Think Trance … //

Dylan took in his surroundings with a blank face but inside he was in turmoil. Everything was so unfamiliar to him. He knew he should remember all this but his mind refused to cooperate. // What happens to me if I never regain my memories? This is all so strange to me … yet I know I should remember this place. //

Dylan stumbled as they reached the medical bay. Trance caught hold of him and led him to a bed in the back room. "Trance?"

"This bed will be more comfortable for you, Dylan. I thought you would prefer it over the medical stretcher."

"Thank you, Trance. But who…?"

Trance smiled. "I had one of Andromeda’s droids move it in here for you. I will sleep in the other room…"

"No!" Dylan looked down at the floor. "I’m sorry…"

"What is wrong?" Trance reached out and took Dylan’s hands in hers.

"Nothing is wrong Trance."

"Look at me Dylan. What is rule number one around here?"

Dylan’s eyes snapped up to meet hers and he straightened his shoulders. "Rule number one is to call you Trance."

Trance smiled. "Okay … Then what is rule number two?"

"Rule number two is to never lie to you, M … Trance." Dylan looked over her head, afraid to meet her eyes and see the disappointment of him reflected in their depths.

"Okay, now tell me what is bothering you."

"I was slightly worried about being in here alone, Trance. It was unnecessary and wrong of me to question your decision. This slave begs your forgiveness." Dylan dropped his eyes.

"Dylan, you are not a slave."

"But…"

"No buts, Dylan. I brought you back from Angel’s keep because you belong here. You are not a slave and you never should have been one."

Dylan just stared at her, unable to comprehend all the intricacies of his position on board the Andromeda Ascendant, if that was indeed where he was.

Trance could sense his great unease. "Dylan, I … don’t sleep much." She smiled at him. "I will be doing some research tonight and I will be right here outside this door. You need your rest. You’re exhausted from all that you have been through. You get some sleep and I will be right here if you need me. Okay?"

Dylan smiled to hide his nervousness. "Okay Trance. Thank you."

"Good night Dylan." Trance turned and left Dylan alone in the room.

"Good night Trance." His whispered reply tugged at her heartstrings but she knew in her heart that she was not the one to bring comfort to this man. There was another better suited for that role and when he was ready, she would bring the two together and let their natures take over.

Dylan watched Trance walk away from him, leaving him alone in the room. He was unsure of what to do next. He looked around at his surroundings, his eyes resting on the bed. // I am tired … I guess I just have to take a chance on Trance telling me the truth and I can get some rest now. If she wants me she will come and get me. // Dylan undressed, carefully folded his trousers and laid them on the counter in his room. He stretched his aching muscles for a minute. He turned suddenly at the sound of a soft gasp. There was no one in the room with him. // Okay, that is the second time I have heard someone when there is no one else in the room with me. Am I finally going insane? //

Trance’s voice from the other room momentarily startled him. "Would you like some tea, Dylan? I am making a cup for myself."

Dylan hesitated. // A test? Am I supposed to have tea because Trance is having tea? // Trying to figure out his position here was an exhausting task. Trance’s voice filtered back to him once again. "I know you’re tired, Dylan. Why don’t you just get some rest."

Dylan sagged in relief. "Thank you Trance."

"Good night, Dylan."

Dylan climbed, naked between the covers of the bed just as Trance called out once again. "Dim lights in room two Andromeda."

He startled when a response was heard. "Aye, Trance." The disembodied voice intrigued him. What was this Andromeda? Was this the embodiment of the great warship? The voice triggered an emotional response in him that was totally unfamiliar. He fell asleep trying to figure out what it all meant.
 
 

@@@

"I’m here, Dylan."

She came toward him, dropping her clothing along the way. She stepped into the shower and ran her hands up Dylan’s dripping chest. He bent his head to claim her mouth with his own. Their bodies molded together as the water poured on them from above. He swept her up into his arms and stepped, dripping, from the shower. He carried her to his bed and gently laid her on the covers. She gazed up at him with her big brown eyes and he moved to cover her with his body. They kissed and Dylan felt his world start to tremble…

@@@

Dylan awoke with a start. The dream had seemed so very real. His heart was pounding, his breath shallow and rapid. He clenched the covers on either side of him, staring up at the ceiling. // Just who is this woman? Why does she move me so? Is she real or imagined? The voice … it is familiar somehow. //

Trance knew the minute Dylan awoke. She waited, hearing his distress but wanting him to exorcise his own demons when he was able. She also wanted him to feel comfortable coming to her with any problems. // Hell, he probably thinks he can’t get out of bed without my permission. I want him to reason this out on his own. I told him he was not Slave. Let’s see what he does with this information. // She purposefully moved about in the main room of the medical bay, waiting to see if Dylan would come to her or if her would stay in the other room. She continued with her reading, sipping her tea as she read. She could feel Dylan’s questions, his distress at the unknown. She knew he had awoken from a very powerful dream. He was still being monitored and the readouts told her his heart was racing and his breath was shallow. // That must have been some dream! // Trance smiled at the thought. // I bet I can guess just what or who he was dreaming about! //

A couple of minutes later Trance heard a small noise behind her and turned. Dylan stood in the doorway. Trance sucked in her breath. The man was naked. // Breathe Trance. By all that is divine and holy he is beautiful! What I wouldn’t give to be a slave-owner once more. I doubt he is even aware of the picture he paints, standing there naked with the leather bands still around his wrists and ankles. Okay Trance … try to be good. He is not for you. His destiny lies elsewhere. // It was one of the most difficult things Trance had had to do in a long time but she finally found her voice. "What can I do for you Dylan?"

Dylan hesitated in the doorway then stepped forward. "I … I’m not sure." He stared at the floor, anywhere but at Trance. Trance, however, couldn’t take her eyes off of him.

"Is it something to do with the dream you had?"

Dylan’s eyes snapped to Trance. "How? … How did you know I…?"

Trance smiled and stood up. She approached Dylan and took his hands. "Come. Sit with me for a few minutes." They sat and Trance watched Dylan fidget and try to get comfortable. "Tea?"

Dylan shook his head then blushed and spoke quickly. "No M … Trance. Thank you."

Trance smiled at his discomfort. "Dylan. Andromeda is still monitoring your vital signs. I saw your heart rate increase, your respiration get faster and more shallow. I saw you wake. Hence, I surmised you had a disturbing dream. Care to talk about it?"

"Andromeda?"

"The ship."

"Oh."

"Tell me about your dream, Dylan."

"I … There was a woman. A very beautiful woman. She comes to me…" Dylan stopped and blushed.

"You loved this woman."

Dylan looked up at Trance. "I guess so. I mean … it all seemed real, Trance. It all seemed familiar some how."

"Do you know this woman’s name? Was it Angel?"

"No! … I mean, no Trance. It wasn’t Angel. She was petite, gorgeous, exotic even. She had dark hair and the biggest liquid brown eyes."

"She sounds quite lovely, Dylan."

"Yes, she was. But who is she? And if she is real, why can’t I remember her?"

"Don’t push it, Dylan. Your memories will return."

"Trance? Was I involved with anyone before…?"

"Before you were kidnapped and sold as a slave?"

Dylan gasped. "Is that really…?"

"Yes Dylan. You were on vacation. You were stalked, followed from Shaharazad Drift. The slave trader had a profile he was looking for. Angel wanted a handsome, strong, healthy, fit slave. You fit the profile and were traveling to a remote place alone. The slaver kidnapped you, probably ambushed you, drugged you and sold you to Angel before you ever awoke. One minute you were enjoying the peaceful beach on a remote planet and the next you were … where Dylan? What is your first memory of Angel’s keep?"

Dylan hesitated as if searching for an ever-elusive memory. There was raw pain in his gaze when he finally lifted it to Trace. She wanted nothing more than to take him in her arms and erase all the horrors he had endured over the last five months, but she knew that would cause more harm than good. No, Dylan’s comfort must come from another source. She simply couldn’t afford to get involved with this man, the universe couldn’t afford it.

Finally Dylan spoke. His words were soft and wracked with anguish. Trance blinked away sudden tears. "I remember pain. I was in a cell with what I thought to be a madman. He was in rags and had obviously suffered many humiliations." As Dylan relived the memory of his first impressions of Angel’s ownership his eyes took on a faraway aspect, as if he were truly reliving that time in his mind. "We were shackled and I remember thinking that I was in a lot of trouble if they had us shackled and in a cell." His voice dropped to the barest of whispers. "Little did I know just how right I was." Dylan shivered a little and Trance got up, picked up a blanket from one of the medical bay stretchers and wrapped it around his shoulders. Dylan gave no sign that he noticed the blanket. He was lost in his memories. He was silent for a few minutes, minutes during which Trance watched the emotions play across his face. She knew he was experiencing some very powerful images. She sat back and waited for him to speak.

Suddenly he straightened a little, pulled the blanket around himself and began to speak once again. "My … memories are … jumbled. I was … drugged. Some things I seem to remember could never have happened."

"Such as?"

Dylan looked at Trance quickly almost as if he had forgotten she was there with him. "I remember talking to my cell mate and then he disappeared right before my eyes. He … faded away. Impossible."

"Go on. What else do you remember?" Trance filed away that little piece of information to mull over at a later date. Something told her it would be important in trying to figure out exactly what happened to Dylan while he was with Angel.

"Sometimes it seemed like someone was sifting through my memories. It was like I didn’t have control over my own thoughts. Probably because of the drugs … but it was really weird."

// Or maybe someone really was sifting through your memories, Dylan. This is just too strange not to be contrived by someone. Shifting memories, impossible images. There might be something here … // Trance was brought back to the present by a sudden move from Dylan. He stood and began pacing around the medical bay. "Dylan? What is it?"

He stopped in front of her, clutching the blanket tightly around himself as if he was trying to hold himself together. "They killed him Trance."

"Killed who, Dylan?"

"My cell mate."

"Did you see it happen, Dylan?"

"No. Angel showed me. She opened the window seals and made me look at his body. He was hanging in the courtyard and those scorpion things were eating him…" Dylan clutched his gut and crumpled to the ground. Trance knelt beside him and held him as he relived that memory.

"She said that would happen to me if I didn’t behave. The scorpions … they…"

Trance laid her hand on Dylan’s arm. "It’s okay, Dylan. I know about the scorpions. I saw that memory before when I was trying to bring you back to us."

Dylan looked at her, not comprehending what she was trying to tell him. "What do you mean you saw that memory?"

"I have a few … psychic abilities, Dylan. I helped bring you out of a coma by helping you to overcome some pretty painful memories." Trance mentally chastised herself for the little lie she told Dylan. // It would not do anyone any good for me to explain my abilities to him … and it could prove to be very dangerous. //

Dylan stared at her. "I … remember you…" He grabbed his head and closed his eyes. "By the Divine, Trance! I don’t know what to believe any more! What is true and what isn’t?"

"Shh Dylan. It will be all right. I think you’ve had enough for tonight. Why don’t you try to get some more sleep?"

"I will Trance … and thank you … for everything."

"Good night Dylan."

Dylan want back to bed, fully prepared not to get any more sleep but desperate for respite from Trance’s questions and his own returning memories. What was most surprising was how quickly he fell back to sleep … and began to dream.
 
 

@@@

He was on the Observation Deck, looking out the window at the Black Hole. The dark-haired woman walked up beside him and laid her hand on his arm. "Dylan, I’m sorry you had to leave her behind. She loved you very much."

He turned to her. "You can’t understand. I loved her with all my heart."

The woman had tears in her eyes. "But I do understand, Dylan. I love you with all my being. I am not just an invention of Harper’s. I am a woman, with all the feelings, wants, needs of any woman."

Dylan looked at her as if seeing her for the first time. // By the Divine, she is beautiful… but this is wrong! I can’t be in love with her. It is not allowed. //

She ran her hand gently up the side of Dylan’s face. "I feel you, Dylan. Protocol be damned. I love you. I love you, Dylan…"

As Dylan reached out to touch her she faded away. "No! Come back…"

@@@

Dylan mumbled in his sleep. He tossed and turned but try as he might his fragile mind was not yet ready to remember everything from his past … or everything from his nightmare on Angel’s world. The remainder of Dylan’s night was filled with fragments of memories, both real and implanted by Angel. His mind was overworked and his bodies unable to rest properly, even in sleep.

Trance read until very late and monitored Dylan. She noticed he had a number of separate and distinct dreams or fragments of dreams. His mind seemed to wander, never resting on one thing for too long. His brain was working overtime. Trance could only hope there would be no detrimental effects. // As long as this does not happen every night he should be okay. Anyone can survive a night or two of restless sleep. Dylan is still weak and I must make sure he gets some much-needed rest tomorrow. //

Trance finally allowed herself a couple of hours of sleep, but not before she visually checked on Dylan. She stood over him, watching him sleep. He mumbled something and Trance reached out to him, smoothing his hair back form his forehead and murmuring to him, soothing him. She watched him calm and sink deeper into oblivion. She knew it wouldn’t last but every minute of true deep sleep was precious. "Sleep well, Dylan … and may all your memories be happy ones."

Trance slept … and very soon Dylan began to be haunted by his memories once again.

@@@

"Dylan? Dylan, are you awake, my love?" She kissed Dylan gently. He murmured in his sleep and rolled over. She smiled gently and climbed out of bed. She bent a retrieved her clothes from where they were scattered. Holding her clothes to her chest, she bent and kissed Dylan once again. "Good-bye, my love," she whispered.

@@@

"Rommie!" Dylan sat up in bed, gasping from the force of his latest dream. He was shivering from emotion. As he struggled to regain control Trance rushed into his room.

"Dylan? Are you okay? I heard you call out."

"Call out to who, Trance? What did I say?"

Trance opened her mouth to tell him but just closed it again. // Do I tell him that he called out for Rommie? Do I lie? Is he ready to face his feelings? // Trance took a deep breath. Dylan was staring at her.

"Trance? I need to know."

"What Dylan? What do you need to know?"

"I need to know who this woman is that I keep dreaming about. Was I in a relationship when I disappeared? Am I married? Who is she, Trance?"

Trance paced. She did not meet Dylan’s eyes, afraid he would know she was not telling him the whole truth. "You were not in a relationship when you were taken, Dylan."

"Oh."

Trance risked a look at Dylan. He looked so lost. He hung his head, staring at the floor, trying to piece together his memories.

"You have to remember you had been lost in time for over three hundred years. You lost your entire family, friends, fiancé."

"I was engaged? Is this the woman that is in my mind?"

"I don’t think so Dylan. I think it is the one person you were, are closest to now."

"Then why do I get the feeling I was not allowed to love her? My memories feel like fantasy rather than reality."

"All things in good time Dylan. Go back to bed. We’ll talk in the morning."

"But…"

"No buts, Dylan. You need your sleep."

Dylan dropped his head. "Yes Trance." He lay back down on his bed and closed his eyes.

Trance sighed, uncomfortable with her position as "mistress" in Dylan’s eyes. Trance watched Dylan long enough to see him settle in and fall back to sleep then she turned and went back to her cot in the outer room of the medical deck. There would be time enough in the morning to try to explain to Dylan the intricacies of crew and Captain on the Andromeda. She fell asleep almost immediately, still aware of the man in the other room to whom she had pledged her support.

Part 3

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