DISCLAIMER: This story is based upon the television show Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda owned by Tribune Entertainment. It is not affiliated with any of the above. It is created for free entertainment only and no copyright infringement is intended.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: First of all, thanks to those of you who gave those kind comments on my short story, "What's the Catch?"
This story, Trial of the Eureka Maru, began with two separate story ideas. One had to do with a mysterious box. The other began with a statement Beka made about the Eureka Maru in the episode, "The Honey Offering." Then, I thought, hey...why not mix these two short story ideas and make them into one longer story. The combination worked and this story was born.
CATEGORY: Just drama because it has a little suspense, mystery, angst, humor and action.
TIMELINE: Somewhere after The Honey Offering in the 1st season.
SPOILERS: Lots from All of Neptune's Great Oceans and minor ones for The Honey Offering, Music of a Distant Drum, and Fear and Loathing in the Milky Way.
TRIAL OF THE EUREKA MARU
by Leah
Copyright 2001
"Well, thank you, Administrator Elva," Captain Dylan Hunt answered the face on the screen. He was standing on the command deck of his starship, the Andromeda Ascendant, putting on the best of his diplomatic airs. He was dressed in a dark blue uniform, his broad shoulders were held back in a stance that spoke of the now ancient High Guard, and his long hair was combed to perfection. "My crew and I would be happy to attend."
The face was that of a woman with elfin features. Her eyes were almond-shaped and dark. Her nose was upturned and small. Her skin was a soft silvery color and her hair was like dark silk threads. She smiled at his response. "It would do much to cement this new friendship between our peoples. And with acquaintance, we may even consider entrance into your Commonwealth. I look forward to speaking with you in more depth at the ball."
"And I, you," Dylan returned graciously with a nod of his head.
Her image disappeared from the screen as the communication ended.
Andromeda's holo image of her AI appeared next to Dylan. The AI's manifestation was that of a brown-eyed brunette wearing a red uniform. "That seems to have gone well." Her eyes began to move back and forth rapidly. "They're sending the details for tonight's ball. Formal dress. I have a lot of arrangements to make," the hologram announced and flickered away.
Captain Hunt couldn't keep the look of pleasure from creeping onto his features. His blue eyes sparkled in anticipation of advancing his greatest hopes for the galaxies. A restored Commonwealth.
"Oh goody!" said Trance, jumping up and down.
Dylan looked back at the young alien who was affectionately known sometimes as the Purple Girl.
"A party. I love parties! Can I go, Dylan? Can I go?"
"I don't see why not," Dylan said, sharing in Trance's delight. "All of us have been invited."
"Great!" said Trance, skipping off the command deck. "I can't wait to tell, Beka."
"Dylan," Andromeda said, the image of her AI appearing on screen.
"Yes," asked the captain, fixing his attention on her.
"My sensors have picked up the Eureka Maru. Harper and Rev Bem are returning from their trip to Platea. ETA, two hours." Platea was a nearby planet, known to be friendly to trade and commerce. It had been in the neighborhood of the system they were currently visiting, two hours and one slipstream jump route from the planet where Dylan was trying to foster support for the new Commonwealth. So when Harper had suggested he take the Maru to resupply, Dylan had raised no objections. Rev had accompanied because there were some old friends of his currently living on Platea and the Magog wanted the chance to get reacquainted with them while Harper was shopping for the ship.
Dylan nodded. "Right on time. Give them clearance to dock in the usual hanger and inform me when they've arrived. I want to give them the good news."
In one of the Officers' Quarters, decisions of a different sort were being made.
"I like them both!" Trance approved the selection of dresses for the ball that Rommie, Andromeda's avatar a.k.a. The Ship Made Flesh, was currently holding up.
"It appears Beka has a different opinion," Rommie replied, watching as another dress--this one a royal purple--was flung across the room by the first officer to join the growing discard pile.
"Really, Trance?" challenged Beka Valentine's voice from under a billow of red cloth as she slipped into the next selection. "Why don't you wear them then?"
Trance didn't seem to catch the complaint in Beka's voice and proceeded to answer her quite literally, "Oh, because Rommie didn't pick them out for me. She picked them out for you. And besides, none of those would fit me, Beka. My tail, you know." And Trance tapped her purple tail on the floor twice as if to emphasize the point.
"What's wrong with that one?" asked Rommie. "I hope you appreciated the effort I made to ensure none of the dresses were pink and all of them are fashioned to allow freedom of movement."
"They look so pretty on you." Trance's eyes lit up with an idea. "Oh! I just thought of something to make you even prettier." And without another word of explanation, Trance ran out the door.
Upon Trance's exit, Beka felt free to speak more freely. Most of the time, as the first officer, she tried to take the lead--at least when Harper or Trance was in hearing--in supporting Dylan's decisions. But now, her blond head emerged from the neck of the dress and she grumbled, "Wouldn't be going to do this thing if it weren't for Dylan." Beka sighed. She deepened her voice in an imitation of Captain Hunt. "Beka, this is the perfect way for you to pursue an advancement in your diplomatic skills." She sank back into her own vocal tones. "That's why Dylan thinks I should go."
Rommie silently recalled Captain Beka Valentine's last diplomatic effort. She had hurled insults at the leaders of the planet, then basically told them they would be lower than scum, idiotic, as well as stupid if they chose not to join the Commonwealth. "I think Dylan makes a good point."
"You're his ship. You have to think that," Beka objected. She pulled uncomfortably at the collar of the dress. "But I never needed to be particularly worried about diplomatic skills before. Now, if I don't go it'll seem like I'm afraid to meet the challenge. Rommie, there's nothing wrong with me just wearing a regular uniform now is there? Who said it had to be a dress?"
"I drew that conclusion. Protocols clearly state that at a formal function such as this representatives of the Commonwealth must do their utmost to make a good impression. Having studied and observed the culture of these inhabitants, I concluded that a female first officer wearing familiar formal attire such as this, would make the best impression upon the inhabitants. Dylan would most likely agree."
"What makes you think that?" Beka probed, always acutely interested in any impressions Rommie had about Dylan.
"Dylan has a saying. When in Rome, do as the Romans do," Rommie replied seriously.
"Rommie, do you remember everything the man says?" queried Beka.
Rommie was saved the trouble of answering that question when a screen in the room lit up and the AI's image appeared, "Sorry to interrupt. But Beka, you wished to be informed promptly when your ship returned. The Eureka Maru has just docked in the hangar."
Beka shrugged off the dress and slipped back into her regular attire. "Fine," she said. "Do what you want. I'll wear it. I've gotta go." She flung this parting comment over her shoulder and bolted away.
Rommie didn't hesitate. She stepped over to Beka's Might-Wear-If-It-I-Were-On-My-Deathbed pile and pulled a dress from it. Rommie glanced into the mirror as she held up the dress. "I think the white," she told her holographic counterpart as she flickered into the room.
Holo-Rommie nodded in agreement.