Harper cut open the metal barrel with his nano-welder. Without labels, he could only guess as to its contents; but it had been heavy and difficult to move. As the air had had gushed inside, he swore he heard a gasp followed by a cough.
He pulled off the cover and stepped back, unsure if he wanted to look inside.
He didn’t have to look. A tall, dark man rose from the barrel. He was as tall as Captain Hunt and as burly as Tyr.
“I never thought I’d says this,” Duncan MacLeod said, “but take me to your leader.”
* * * * * *
DISCOVERY
“I’d not believe you except that I was caught in a black hole for three centuries.”
Dylan surveyed the longhaired stranger carefully. “That’s quite some story you tell about a race of immortals. I’m surprised I’ve never encountered one.”
“There’s one in particular I believe might have survived.”
The man reached in his pocket and showed him a faded picture. Dylan smiled.
“So, you have seen him.”
“He goes by the name of Lach and is on only inhabited planet in the Trillin system. But . . .”
“But . . .”
“He has the plague.”
“He’ll live.” Duncan sighed.
* * * * *
ENCOUNTER
The two men long separated eyed each other as Duncan walked down the ramp from the lander.
“Why it’s Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod.” Lach smiled slightly. “I figured you were dead.”
“I was for a few thousand years, until the barrel I was sealed in was salvaged and opened.”
“By the crew of starship Andromeda none-the-less.”
“It is truly amazing that its captain not only believed my story but knew where to find you. He told me about your illness from which you now seem to have recovered.”
“Did he tell you I bit him on the neck?"