Corona Astralis: Part Three
Beka jumped when Tyr entered the Maru.
"How is she?"
"Gillian does not know who she is. The only memory she has is of the last two months she spent working in the brothel on Eldorado Drift. Bolivar's guard recognized her and bought her out. Rebecca, she was branded a slave!"
Beka was speechless. Tyr ran his hands over his face. His hate for the Drago-Katzov has reached a boiling point. Unable to control himself he screamed and punched a hole in the wallboard. His face was twitching as he tried to contain his rage. He took several deep breaths and continued speaking, a little calmer now.
"I saw a brand on her arm, a mark of Drago-Katzov slavers. These brands were put on prisoners of war, on people like me. She was not grabbed incidentally -- someone wanted her. And I think I know who."
"Cuchulain. Do you know why, though?"
"You are right, I am positive it was his doing. Could be a number of reasons. Dylan has made Cuchulain open a personal vendetta on him after the Acheron. I am his long-term enemy and everyone knows Gillian and I are close. And another thing – someone must have seen what she did to this idiot who tried to shoot us on the New Orleans Drift. If she could be convinced or coerced to use her telekinetic abilities in battle -- the possibilities are endless. They could have simply wanted to use her as a weapon."
Tyr kept pacing the cabin. He didn't know what to do. Beka came up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. It was comforting and her scent was calming. He longed for her but he was afraid he would be too aggressive and might accidentally hurt her. Beka guided him to the bunk and they sat down. She took is face in her hands and kissed him. Breaking off, she looked him in the eyes:
"Tyr, you have to calm down and keep yourself together. I feel that Dylan has become unstable and his nerves are frayed. You need to be strong; you have to be the rock for him, for Gillian, and for me. Get some rest, Tyr, I have a hunch we'll have a lot of work to do and soon."
He kissed Beka, gently at first, but she responded with such fierce passion that he lost his control and soon was drowning in the ocean of sensations that was Beka. He couldn't think any more; all he could do was feel. Feel her hands in his braids, on his chest, caressing, exploring, teasing, feel her lips, her entire body molding to his in perfect harmony. In his entire life he has never experienced anything even remotely like this.
In the aftermath of their lovemaking Tyr pulled Beka close, kissed her forehead and said, "If you would give me a child, that would make me the happiest man in the known world."
'Did he say "man"? Man in human terms?' Beka thought, but didn't say anything. She just kissed him and pretended to drift off.
* * *
Hirohito Koyasaba spent many hours talking to Dylan. He also thought that Gillian's kidnapping was not an accident and was almost sure that it had a lot to do with her telekinetic abilities. Dylan was surprised.
"You think Drago-Kazov are interested in her "gift"? Why?"
"You told me yourself, she killed a man with barely a thought and a flick of her wrist. Do you realize what power she possesses? Her mother and few others together triggered a supernova! Even if she can't be used as a weapon, the gene responsible for her abilities can be isolated and added to their genetic map."
"Can she learn to control that power?"
"Absolutely. I was a part of the research team on Samurai home world, and there is a system of meditative exercises that allows people possessing these abilities to be in control of them so they wouldn't harm themselves or others. As soon as Dr. Ratischer regains her memory, she can start training."
"You really think she will remember herself again?"
"Her memory loss was induced artificially by a neural blocker. Doctor Pascal detected and identified it with my help. Samurai used this technique as well. If she remained where she was, he would have been receiving boosters of the drug to retain her amnesia. I estimate that it will wear off in a few weeks."
"Do you need her to stay here so you can train her? I was planning to take her back to Andromeda."
"No, I don't have to be there in person. I will record the sessions for her and she can always contact me with concerns and questions.
* * *
Several days later Gillian's condition improved to the point where Doctor Pascal agreed that she could travel. Dylan was eager to leave. Gillian was not sure, but she was hopeful that maybe on the Andromeda she would remember something. She was experiencing strange flashbacks, jumbled visions of people and places she didn't know. Sometimes they did have familiar faces in them, but she couldn't recognize anything else.
On the Andromeda everyone was happy to see Gillian, but she felt lost and confused. Her memory refused to come back. Day after day, she walked around not knowing what to do with herself. Dylan was careful and attentive to her, but she felt strange coldness in his manner, like he was distancing himself purposely. She spent a lot of time with Trance, sweet purple girl, always cheerful, always helpful. Sometimes the dark Nietzschean spent time with her, but her inability to remember usually put him in a brooding mood.
One day she accompanied Trance to the hydroponics. This vast space served as on-board gardens as well as Dylan's basketball court. He was playing one-on-one with Tyr and the game was very aggressive. Gillian stopped to watch them play. During one of the especially tense moments both Tyr and Dylan jumped up and slammed into the board that held the hoop. The impact disconnected the board together with the part of the heavy metal structure attached to it. Neither Tyr nor Dylan saw it and continued to fight over the ball. Gillian saw that the whole thing was about to fall and sharp pipes would pierce them like bugs. It was too late to get them out and she screamed "NO!" and suddenly the structure turned and flew into the opposite side of the court and crushed into the wall. Hunt and Anasazi were stunned for a moment, and then they ran over to Gillian who almost collapsed. Trance was supporting her and talking to her soothingly:
"Gillian, it's alright, they are alright, no one was hurt. Look at me, Gillian, please just look at me!"
Gillian looked into her eyes and suddenly she saw – she couldn't even say what she saw. It seemed that the Universe itself was in Trance's eyes, endless and limitless. And then Gillian remembered. Her memory came back as an avalanche of feelings and visions and emotions that she simply couldn't handle, and she lost consciousness.
She came to in Medical. Trance was there, and so was Tyr, but not Dylan. She looked at Nietzschean:
"Good to see you, Uber!"
Tyr smiled and hugged her gently: "Welcome back, Kludge!"
Beka came in, followed closely by Rev and Harper. And still no Dylan. Gillian had a sinking feeling that he just didn't want to see her, but she tried to convince herself that he was just busy. He'll show up.
Several hours later Trance said that she could go back to her quarters. Tyr and Beka came to take her there. But still Dylan hasn't come.
After she got back to her quarters Gillian showered and changed.
"Rommie, where is Dylan?"
"Dylan is in his quarters."
"Thank you."
Gillian decided to go and talk to him. She walked over to his door, hesitated a moment but pressed the access button.
"Come in."
She walked in and saw Dylan sitting at his desk, reading.
"Hi."
"Hi."
"Busy?"
"Yes, I have a lot to do. Paperwork never ends."
"You were so busy that you couldn't come and see me?"
"I knew you were ok."
Neither said anything for sometime. Gillian waked over to the shelf and saw the glass globe she gave Dylan for his birthday. His followed her with is eyes and asked:
"Was there anything you wanted? Because I really do have a lot of work to do." Gillian was stunned but she answered in a calm voice:
"Actually I was wondering, I remember I stayed most of the time here. Even when you were busy working, you always said you liked me to keep you company. You don't like it any more?"
"I would rather prefer you stay at your own quarters."
She came up closer and asked, almost sarcastically: "I take it you wouldn't want my company at night as well?"
Dylan looked at her, irritation clear on his face: "How many times do I have to say, I am busy!"
"Don't worry, Dylan, I am leaving."
"That's what you do best!" His last remark hit her when she was closing the doors.
* * *
All was well on the good ship Andromeda. If one didn't count the palpable tension between the Captain and the Chief Medical Officer. They were not talking to each other and their misery was contagious. Rommie was sure now that old High Guard regulations regarding the relationships within the ship's crew were good as gold. She was worried that if something were to happen between Tyr and Beka, mutiny would be unavoidable.
One day Gillian was working on her research in Medical when Dylan came in.
"I am leaving."
"What?"
"I have to meet with Madam Ortiz on Sinti. There are two more worlds, former members of her alliance that are interested in joining the Commonwealth. She wants me to be prepared for the negotiations."
"Who is coming with you?"
"No one. I am going alone."
"Would you like me to come?" Her voice was tentative.
"No, I don't want you to." He sounded harsh. It was not intentional but that was how he felt. He was angry at Gillian but couldn't bring himself to talk to her about it. He didn't have to leave, Isabella Ortiz offered to come to Andromeda, but he felt the need to get away and sort out is feelings. The flight to Sintii will take a couple of days each way; it will give him ample time to think. He continued: "I will be back in a week."
Feeling suddenly numb, Gillian nodded, not looking at him, "I will see you then. Have a safe trip." Dylan waited for a few moments, than turned around and left.
Few hours later she realized that nothing would get accomplished, so she abandoned her experiment and went to the Obs deck. She just sat there, looking at the stars. Tears came unbidden but somehow welcome. Right now she didn't know what to do. Tyr walked in soundlessly as usual.
"You are crying." He came closer and put a hand on her shoulder.
"No, just thinking."
"Liar."
She wanted to say something snappy but couldn't. She just fell apart. Tyr held her and let her cry. When she was able to talk again, she said:
"I don't know what to do. Since we came back form Jaguar Prime, since I got my memory back I have felt like I lost Dylan. And now -- he came to tell me he was leaving. And he was -- I can't explain, it sounded like he was dismissing me. And another thing -- when we were on Jaguar, he showed me the engagement ring he gave me, told me he kept it for me. But he never gave it back to me. I guess he does not want to marry me any more."
Tyr looked at her: "Have you ever tried talking to him? Everyone noticed you two were avoiding each other, ever since you got your memory back."
"I tried. He just seemed so cold, so distant – it's like I don't know him any more. I guess it is my fault; after all, a man can only take so much before he reaches his limit. I'll have a serious talk with him when he comes back."
"So, what are you going to do if it is over between the two of you?"
"I could always go stay with Father for a while. I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it."
* * *
Several days later Tyr was on the bridge when Rommie informed him of an incoming message form Sintii. When the view screen lit he saw Isabella Ortiz.
"It is good to see you again, Mr. Anasazi."
"Madam Ortiz, what can we do for you?"
"I was wondering when Captain Hunt was planning to come to Sintii? I was expecting him yesterday morning, but when he didn't show until today I began to wonder, maybe we had misunderstood each other?"
"Madam Ortiz, Captain Hunt left for Sintii three and a half days ago. Are you saying he did not arrive?"
Isabella Ortiz looked worried. "It looks like he is missing. I will alert the planetary security."
Tyr nodded: "Thank you. Please inform us on your progress, Madam Ortiz. We will begin our search immediately and in turn notify you as soon as we know anything. Andromeda out." He switched the view screen off. Holo-Rommie appeared and Tyr ordered: "Ship, inform Captain Valentine and the others of the situation. Bring Harper to the bridge, we will require his assistance on tracking down Eureka Maru."
* * *
Andromeda followed Maru's trail but it brought her to the empty space sector that held no more clues on Dylan's whereabouts. All scans showed nothing but the space dust. The entire crew gathered in Command and were discussing further options or rather lack of thereof. Holo-Rommie suddenly appeared next to her avatar.
"Multiple slipstream portals opening. I detect a Nietzschean destroyer and seven Garuda class fighters. All Drago-Katzov."
Beka was at the command console instantly: "Battle stations!"
Rommie cocked her head: "Beka, their weapons are idle and – yes, the are hailing us."
"Put it through."
The face on the view-screen made Gillian flinch. "Cuchulain." She said to no one in particular. Beka folded her arms across her chest: "What can we do for you, Fleet Marshall Cuchulain?"
"Actually, Captain Valentine, it is something that I can do for you. You see, you have something that belongs to me. And to ensure that I get it back, I had to take something – or someone -- that belongs to you. He snapped his fingers and two soldiers dragged someone in. Cuchulain grabbed the man by his hair and jerked his head up and everyone on the bridge of Andromeda saw Dylan's bloodied face. The Nietzschean let go of him and snapped his fingers again and Dylan was taken away. "You see, Captain Valentine, Mr. Anasazi took something from us. And I want it back. You have two hours to get ready for an exchange. Otherwise you'll have the honor of collecting pieces of Captain Hunt's body from different parts of the galaxy. And if I detect any of Andromeda's weapons active, I'll kill Hunt instantly." The transmission ended and for a moment everyone was silent. Suddenly Gillian spoke:
"I will handle this."
Everyone turned to her, surprised. She continued: "I know what he wants, and there is no way I can let him have it."
"You can't possibly know what it is that he wants."
"Tyr, you just thought about it. If you do not believe me, I can tell you that he is referring to the item in Storage Area 15."
"So, when did you start reading our minds?" Anasazi was livid.
"I don't read your minds, at my level of telepathy I would need your cooperation to do it. Right now I picked up your thoughts because you are too agitated. Satisfied?"
"For now."
"Ok, could we get on with it?"
Rommie looked unsure: "What exactly do you have in mind?"
"A little manipulation, some blackmail and maybe a tad of threat."
"It sounds like a recipe for disaster." Beka was skeptical.
"It will work. Rommie, do you have a schematic of the destroyer or a similar type of vessel?"
"Yes."
"Bring it up please." A holographic blueprint appeared on the console. "Harper, if I wanted to disable this ship, leave it dead in the water, but not to destroy it, how would I do it?"
Seamus walked up to the blueprint and cocked his head: "You would have to disable the slipstream core and exotic matter reactor. That will leave them seriously crippled."
"If these items were removed from the ship, would it do the trick?"
"Yeah, and the exotic matter reactor will blow up as soon as it is out of the protective shielding."
"Good. Rommie, hail the Nietzschean ship please."
"Hailing." Moments later Cuchulain's face was on the view screen. His smile was smug: "I see you have reached your decision rather quickly, Captain Valentine?"
Instead of answering, Beka stepped aside letting him see Gillian. His smile was gone and it was obvious he didn't know what to say. Gillian sneered: "Have a mere kludge like me rendered you speechless?"
"You are supposed to be…"
"What? A whore at "Butterflies"? Or maybe dead? Well, I am here. And not only I have regained my memory, I also remember quite well everything you and your goons did to me. And let me tell you, payback is a bitch. Let me demonstrate." She looked at Cuchulain and his head suddenly snapped back and he staggered, like he would from a blow.
"You little witch! You said you couldn't use your power at will! You lied to me!"
"What did you expect, that I would jump at the opportunity to be your lab rat and a handy weapon? Besides, I didn't lie. I really didn't know much about what I can actually do at that time. But believe me, I do now." Gillian looked at him again and this time he grabbed his groin and doubled over.
"You see, Fleet Marshall, as much as I would like to turn you into a wall decoration on your own bridge, right now I have more pressing matters to attend to. You hold Captain Hunt against his will. I want you to release him and I want you to do it quickly, or the consequences will be dire. Am I clear?"
"Few blows are not going to make me give up the Progenitor's remains." Cuchulain spat, panting.
"I have warned you. Observe." Gillian turned and concentrated on one of the cruisers. Pieces of hull began to tear off of it. She was plucking them like crust off the bread. She was doing it slowly enough to give the pilot a chance to eject. As soon as she saw a pod coming out, the cruiser imploded. She turned back to Cuchulain: "Was I convincing enough?"
"So, you can destroy the ship. You will kill your Captain with it."
"Not if you let him go. And by the way, I want the Eureka Maru back too."
"And why would I do all that?"
"That's why." Gillian concentrated and suddenly Cuchulain grabbed his throat. He looked like he was choking.
"You -- are -- strangling me!'" he coughed, turning blue.
"Very perceptive, Marshall. If you like me to stop, you know what to do." He writhed, hands at his throat, and then he sank to the floor, gasping.
"Alright," he spoke hoarsely, "what do you want?"
"I want Captain Hunt and Eureka Maru released immediately." Cuchulain barked the orders to his crewmen. Gillian turned to Rommie: "Please monitor activity on the Dragan ship, I want to be sure they are doing what they are told."
"Monitoring. Dylan is being taken from the brig. He is not going to the Maru but the guards are taking him to the escape pod."
"Why is Captain Hunt not on the Maru?" Gillian looked at Cuchulain and his breathing became labored again.
"The rust bucket you call Eureka Maru was damaged. Its environmental controls were compromised. Hunt has to be transported in the escape pod. Both the pod and Eureka Maru will be towed to Andromeda by one of my smaller fighters. It will disengage the tow grappling hooks when Andromeda is ready to bring the ship and the pod inside. Will this be to your satisfaction?"
Gillian looked at Rommie and Beka. Both nodded their agreement and Gillian said: "Proceed." She released Cuchulain but kept an eye on him.
"You may prepare your docking bays for the incoming cargo." Rommie switched the visual from Cuchulain to the outside and they saw the Dragan fighter tow the Maru and the escape pod towards Andromeda. When they were close and Andromeda opened the docking hatch, the unexpected happened. The fighter suddenly turned 180 degrees and sped away. Opening the slipstream portal it disappeared before anyone could do anything. Gillian was too shocked to even say anything when the view screen showed the laughing face of Cuchulain:
"Never underestimate a Nietzschean, my dear. You should have learned by now, but after all -- what could be expected from a kludge! Well, what can I say -- happy hunting? And yes, the pun was intended." The link was broken and the Nietzschean ship took off. But before it got to the slipstream portal it stopped, as if it hit an invisible wall. Something shot out of it like a rocket and exploded immediately. Another subject followed it.
"Rommie, what was it?" Beka was puzzled.
"It appears that the destroyer suddenly ejected its slipstream and the exotic matter reactors. The latter exploded instantaneously. Wait – and their weapons array exploded as well. Beka, we are being hailed."
"Ignore them. I don't have time for them, we have to get Dylan. Let's go." Tyr looked at Beka:
"This is a perfect opportunity for us to finish Cuchulain once and for all. Few well-aimed missiles should do the trick."
"I can't risk it. If he manages to get the message to the fighter, they may kill Dylan. His safety is my first priority. Besides, I do not shoot unarmed people. Rommie please set a course following the Dragan fighter. "
"Aye."
Despite all the efforts, their attempts to catch up with the Maru and Dylan were futile. When yet another jump brought them to an empty area of space, Gillian hit the nearest console with her fist: "Bastard! Damned bastard!" She continued yelling and the selection of expletives she used made Beka laugh despite the dire circumstances. Rev Bem exclaimed: "Doctor, please!" Harper was turning red, Rommie raised her eyebrows and Tyr finally clamped his hand over her mouth:
"Do not disgrace yourself with such language!"
She wriggled frantically but unsuccessfully and finally calmed down enough for him to release her. When he removed his hand from her mouth she said:
"I apologize. I just -- I guess I am just too mad."
Tyr was just as furious but he was trying to channel his anger into something productive. He looked at Beka: "Where is the Purple one?"
"Why?"
"Did she not locate Dylan and the Ship when they were on Hell 9?"
"Yes, she did. Rommie, please ask Trance to come here ASAP"
"Trance is already on the way."
Trance walked in to the Command and approached the star chart. Tyr started saying something to her but she interrupted:
"I know, I need to find Dylan, like the last time. Right?" Everyone nodded their confirmation and Trance turned to Gillian:
"Give me your hands and look me in the eyes."
Tyr snorted: "Shouldn't she be looking at the star charts?" Trance turned to him and answered, unperturbed:
"Gillian and Dylan are emotionally in tune, even though they have been at odds lately. She is telepathic, as you know and I am going to help her find Dylan. When she has the feeling of him we'll locate it on the Star chart. Easy, actually." She returned her attention to Gillian: "Ok, concentrate. Do you feel or see anything?"
Gillian looked into Trance's eyes and again she was lost in the starry swirls. She saw one star get bigger and bigger, it was coming closer at a frightening speed. Wait, it is not a star, it's a planet. White and snowy, and cold, so cold… She started shivering, the cold was overwhelming, all the could feel was cold and pain, so much pain, it was taking over, sucking her in, she couldn't move, she couldn't breathe and … Trance broke off their connection. She went over to the Star chart and pointed: "There. Dylan is there." Going back to Gillian she hugged her: "You did great! You found him!" Gillian couldn't answer; she was still shivering, tears running down her face. Tyr took off his coat and wrapped her in it.
Rommie magnified the point Trance showed and Tyr and Beka recognized it immediately: "Damn, it's the Ice world. Five mining planets, all covered in ice and snow, all seismically unstable. Well, let's go" Beka went over to the piloting station and took controls: "Brace for Slipstream!"
* * *
The pod landed on the rock and started rolling down, hitting every bump on its way. It stopped finally and the hatch opened with a slow hiss, letting in cold air. Dylan looked at the panel and winced at the coordinates he recognized. The Ice World. Not the same planet where he encountered scworms but one of the same system. Great, just great. He made himself move and got out of the pod. He was not at all sure why did Cuchulain suddenly decide to let him go and wanted to get away form the pod as soon as possible, just in case it was going to explode or something. Every step was an agony, but he willed his legs to take one, and another, and another, slowly moving but feeling cold air engulfing his body. He didn't have enough strength to run to warm up, so he pressed on walking, knee-deep in snow, his bare feet numb from the cold, not noticing sharp shards of ice cut into his soles, marking his trail with blood. Suddenly the ground gave in and he was falling down, sliding and bumping and finally hitting his head one time too many and blacking out before landing twenty-something feet below surface level.
* * *
When Andromeda arrived to the Ice World to Beka's immense joy the Eureka Maru was there, orbiting one of the planets on autopilot. After Rommie's drones searched the ship and determined that it was not booby-trapped and more or less functional, Rommie pulled the Maru into the Hangar bay. She kept scanning the planets, searching for Dylan, and on the fourth one she detected the crashed life pod with Drago-Katzov markings and faint life sign, but she couldn't identify it or determine its origin. They had to go planetside to search further.
"Rebecca, is Eureka Maru in any condition to be taken to the planet?" Tyr was concerned. If it was not, they will have to take slip fighters down and these were built to carry only one. Under different circumstances he would just bring one in tow for Dylan, but everything indicated that Hunt was injured and most likely will not be able to operate the fighter alone.
"Yes, it is. I am going to get her ready, we'll be leaving as soon as you get the gear." Gillian stood up: "I am coming too. No ifs or buts." She and Trance left the command and went to the Medical. Gillian put together the things she felt were needed in addition to her regular emergency kit.
"Trance, get things ready here. Most likely he will be hypothermic, get the warmer running. And make sure we have enough..." Trance put a hand on her shoulder
"Gillian, everything will be alright. Just go and get him, we'll fix him. And then you can fix everything else." Gillian sighed. If only she could be so sure.
Onward To Part Four!
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