Note: This is an idea that is slowly taking shape in my mind. Rather than wait until the story is
finished as in Spectre, I decided to start it off. If it doesn't make sense now, do not worry.
It will. Well, I hope it will at any rate. This is the second showing of this story since the first I uploaded
was a rough draft. Ooops.. heh heh
Disclaimer: I do not own Andromeda or the characters. Just having some fun writing.
Is that wrong?
Rating: Well, this is the first time I will be using that new "chapter" change thingy so I am not sure
right now if it will let me rate individual pages as of yet. So I shall play it safe and simply say
PG-13.
Apostasy
By
Brindheir
"…..Wayism. Oh, would the Magog have discovered this before Brandenburg Tor!"
- Prophet's Lament, circa 9872 CY
In the beginning…..
Rev Bem inhaled one last time before the energy field started to envelope him. It's tiny, tingling, dancing lights moved
up his arm making his hair stand on end. He turned to his crewmates and noted their mounting fear. His eyes
rested on Harper, the young man's arms wrapped around a worried Trance. So young, so full of promise….so…very dead?
There was nothing left to say. His mission one born of necessity.
Before he completely dissolved, his gaze shifted to Trance, whose eyes betrayed a slight understanding despite
her demeanor of fright.
And, then, he was gone.
"It is done." Came a voice from the first Harion.
"Temporal field is collapsing on us, Dylan!" shouted Beka as the ship began to shake violently.
"Maintain stations!" ordered the Andromeda Ascendant's Captain. The ineffectiveness of the order was not lost
to him as thoughts of unfinished purpose rushed through his mind.
"No!" shouted Tyr as he pounded his tactical console in frustration. "IT CANNOT END LIKE THIS!"
"Shields lost!" Andromeda's hologram yelled above the growing hum of the vibrating ship. "Hull breached!"
"Succeed Rev…" Dylan whispered as Andromeda went offline and the ship began to crumble apart. Within minutes,
the Andromeda Ascendant disappeared from existence all together.
The Harion's planet, that they were orbiting, suddenly grew cold, pitted and scarred as it's atmosphere vanished.
All traces of their civilization wiped away as if it never was.
***
9665 CY
It was almost time! The moment of deliverance upon them all!
A young human couple met on a station gracefully settled in a high Mars orbit. Sierra Station was the main hub of Inter-Commonwealth travel in the region. Exotic locations, vacation planets, and deep space cruises were available to any citizen who desired. As with anyone who has waited almost impatiently in expectation for loved ones, these two were no exception. The man dropped his bags upon seeing her and quickly closed the gap amid her cries of joy. They hugged each other passionately, the man slightly lifting her up. By the time he had retrieved his bags, the woman was chatting excitingly holding two narrow flexies. He stopped and looked at her, curiously taking a flexi from her hand. As he started to read, a smile formed.
No return! No haven for the anarchy!
A man came up to the couple. He was slightly small and rather unimposing. He asked with a quiet urgency if the woman would be so kind as to check on his daughter in the lavatory. He apologized for his intrusion but was worried for his little girl. The woman smiled and agreed. She kissed her companion as he took the flexies from her to deliver to an appropriate counter.
"Hurry back." he whispered and she flashed him quite a lovely look.
Oh, dear God, why? Why must our road be so narrow?
The small man directed her to the private facilities. She went through the door intent on rescuing a little girl with perhaps an embarrassing problem. The door snapped shut and a few steps into the room she realized that she was not alone. She turned around to see the small man staring at her with sad, sad eyes. Her surprise began to give way to fear.
"I…I am sorry." He choked out, tears starting to stream. "For you Marcy. There's no other way! I tried…. God, I really tried!" He pulled out a weapon.
The woman's shocked expression was starting to fade as she felt her body tense. She would fight!
NOW!!
The man came to the center of the registry area looking about. Suddenly, guards were running toward a mass of people. Someone was shouting. Someone was screaming. A group was forming in the direction of the lavatory. A quick chill ran through him as he dropped the flexies and bags. He started to run in the direction of the commotion but somehow he knew he would be too late.
….two bodies were found.
..and nothing remained the same…….
***
9667 CY (alternate)
"Are you sure this is what you want to do, Darian?" came a soft voice, it's owner a white haired man.
"Teacher, I have learned much. It's time to pass on that knowledge." Answered the young man, his tall figure towering over the older man., intent on his purpose. The ship was loaded.
"You haven't healed completely." The old man replied, noting Darian's dark eyes. How dark they were. The light of hope seemingly snuffed out with Christine's death.
"I..I don't think I will ever be," came the honest reply. "But helping other's learn the truths of the universe will help." The young man started toward his ship, trying to think of anyway to get the old man to leave.
".but at what cost to the taught? You would teach them pain?"
"Teacher, that is the lesson of the universe. I will show them how to prevent it or, at the very least, how to deal with it." Darian started to board.
When you can't? The old teacher knew that there was no reaching the young man. The Seminary had only been a temporary distraction. What was the purpose for Christine's death? To even voice the existence of one to account for her death, however, would be to severe his friendship with the young man. What did the universe hold for his young pupil? The boy was bright. Exceptionally so! Just where would he go?
He asked.
"Go?" answered Darian. "Beyond the Commonwealth. To fulfill a desire I had before I met Christine, a desire I thought would be forgotten."
The old man watched the single crew vessel lift up toward the expanse of darkness, toward destiny. He would never see this pupil, this son of his, again.
..and the ship vanished.
***
9750 CY (alternate)
"Brandenburg Tor! All attention is focused on this once recluse settlement as the first contact ships from the Magog settle into orbit. On hand to meet them is Admiral Stark of the High Guard and Spring Rivers Flowing of the Triumvirate. The Magog's mighty vessels seem intimidating which is countered only by their belief in extreme benevolence. Already our universities are pouring over their rather rigid system of beliefs, a philosophy simply known as "The Way." The inclusion of the Magog would increase the size and population of the Commonwealth by a third…
The word came from Tarn-Vedra to officially open unification dialogue with the Magog after their invaluable help in combating and containing a plague that struck the Brandenburg Tor colony without warning. Were it not for the Magog intervention, the entire colony might have been decimated beyond salvage. How fitting the first Unification Accords are to be signed and witnessed here in orbit over where it all started. The Commonwealth stands poised to welcome their new brothers, the Magog…."
- InfoTel Excerpt.
***
10087 CY (2 days ago)
"Rev?" Came a voice into the room.
The Magog opened his eyes and surveyed the vast array of plant life that surrounded him. He breathed in, satisfied that the new day was in good hands. He turned to the voice, his eyes falling on a young woman. Well, not so young and not a woman. A starship.
The avatar of Andromeda noticed his attention and spoke again, as if hurried.
"Captain Hunt would like you to come to the command deck. Something about a transmission for your eyes' only. An emergency of some sort."
Rev Bem sighed inwardly. Everything rushed. Do this. Do that. Never did anyone just stop to reflect on where they were and how fortunate they were to be there. His lips formed that enigmatic smile of his.
"Then I shall go there immediately …and Rommie?"
The avatar was in the process of turning to walk away, having procured his compliance, when she stopped to face the rising Magog.
"Yes?"
"Good Morning."
Rommie raised an eyebrow. "Good morning to you too," She responded, a slight smile forming and then left.
As Rev started to leave the ship's lighting darkened. He paused a moment, a familiar thought tugging at his mind.
As quickly as it came, it was dismissed. The bridge awaited.
***
10067 CY (20 years ago)
The room was dark. Not that it bothered the young one. The blackness provided no limitations for him. He simply sat
in his corner watching the tightly shut door. His talons he rubbed against the hard floor his mouth ready to blind.
This place was different from the cave he had been previously kept in. At least the cave had a constant trickle of water running
down its walls to cool the burn wounds inflicted on his back.
The very nature of his being screamed for retribution, his senses moving into a growing frenzy at the smell of his own blood. How
long had he been here? A dark rage began to drown out coherent thought. When was the last time he had eaten?
"Lunch Time!" came several taunting voices beyond the door. The voices laughed just outside and the lights flickered on. His eyes stayed
rivited to the door as it started to swing open.
The young Magog instantly moved to the door, with an incredible speed that was inherent in his race. The chains that bound his wrists
and ankles snapped tight and his quick advance stopped. That didn't stop him from trying to escape as his matted and knotted hair was pulled from
his skin around the shackles.
A man (human?) moved his foot out and connected with the hurting Magog. The creature gasped in pain and went down. The man grinned.
"Turn the other cheek, Magog."
Several others came in behind the man carrying another person, unconscious.
"Brought you dinner, freak!" said one of the body's carriers.
The unconscious man was suddenly heaved toward the Magog. His natural instincts took hold immediately as his talons gripped the body before
it hit the floor. He hauled the helpless victim toward him ignoring the intruder's audience. His teeth broke skin before his self control asserted itself.
The bloodthirst was almost insatiable. With a yell of frustration, he flung the body aside.
The intruders murmured with disappointment, their entertainment ruined. The leader, however, smiled grimly (almost as if he was the Devil incarnate).
"You can't fight forever. Besides, don't you believe in confession? Or the release of some eternal spirit? Do it, confess it, and you are forgiven, no?"
The man motioned everyone out and before he walked out he glanced back at his captive. "Besides, you don't necessarily believe in a God, do you?
So, who would know?"
And the door clanged shut. The darkness that followed was welcome as the echo of boots retreated away. Why hadn't he heard them before?
Silence.
***