9

In next few days, their relations, based on new facts slowly managed to become a daily routine. As of first, they have had some troubles adapting. Especially Tyr, Harper and Beka have had their problems, watching how the relation between Dylan and Rommie changed from day to day. It was more than obvious, that Dylan looked at Rommie differently as before. Slowly, step by step, she managed to persuade him, that it is of his best interest, to include her in his life more than before. And their relation slowly evolved into a man-woman relation. There were no emotional outbursts, yet. But it was clear, that emotional tension between them grew and it was in fact only a matter of time, when they'd get to the point of no return, when they'd gave in, and admit their true feelings for each other.

They were just exiting the slipstream near the Amandura system, as they received a distress call from a nearby planet. It was very disturbed, so that they could hardly understand it, but they did understand, that Kalderans have attacked the planet.

"It seems, that our dear friends Kalderans are everywhere and are virtually asking to get their butts kicked," commented Harper sarcastically upon hearing the news.

Dylan was looking angry and was just walking around the bridge in silence. After some rounds, he finally stopped and looked at Tyr: "It seems, we'll have to intervene. Andromeda, do you detect any ships around the planets?"

Rommie opened her mouth to answer, but was cut off by the main AI, appearing on the screen: "No, Dylan I do not detect any ships in this system. Also my long range sensors don't give me any data about possible ships."

Rommie looked annoyed at the AI, which returned the same look and disappeared.

In fact, it was interesting to see, how the relation between Rommie and Andromeda changed in a past few days. As more as Rommie took upon human habits, as more as she got attached to Dylan, the more annoyed looked Andromeda at all this. If it wouldn't be stupid, someone might think, Andromeda is getting jealous at Rommie's newly established relation with Dylan.

Dylan caught the exchange of these looks between Rommie and Andromeda and smiled a bit. "You now Rommie, you'll have to get used, that sometimes it must be Andromeda to answer my questions. Not to underestimate your capabilities, but it's just ... you no longer have the connection with the AI and in such cases, it will have to be her to answer me."

Rommie looked at him with some kind of helplessness in her eyes: "I know, Dylan, but the moment you request an information and call my name, I try to react as before. I've been doing it for so many years and it's hard to forget it in a few days."

Dylan nodded and added: "Well, I have a suggestion, how to make it easier. Of course, if you both agree," and he looked expectantly at the screen. Andromeda's AI appeared and looked at Dylan.

"So, we all noticed, that you two have had, let's say, a small dispute over some issues lately. And as a matter of fact, you do have more and more different personalities. So, in order to avoid possible misunderstandings, I suggest, we all adapt a bit to it and use name Andromeda for you," and he looked at the AI, "and Rommie for you," and he looked at Rommie.

Rommie and AI looked at each other and slowly both nodded.

"Well, that would be solved. But now, to continue. Tyr, Trance, you'll go with me to the planet. We must find out what happened down there. Beka, you have the command."

He just wanted to turn and leave as he heard Rommie: "No, Dylan, I strongly disagree. I won't stay on Andromeda. I want to go to the planet too."

He turned around in surprise and looked at Rommie, who left her place behind the console and stood right behind him, her arms crossed behind her back. "How do you mean, you won't stay aboard Andromeda? It was my specific order and you are disobeying it?" He sounded very hard and angry, but it didn't scare Rommie as it would have done just some days ago. The circumstances have changed and she became much more self-conscious and much more prepared to argue with Dylan. Especially in such cases, when he was involved. She thought to herself, that she couldn't possibly let him go down there alone, not after the Kalderan attack.

Rommie looked him straight in the eyes, not withdrawing. They stood there for a moment and then Dylan sighed and asked: "And why do you disobey my order?"

"Because I know I can be of a much more help on the planet then here on Andromeda. The fact is, I have more experience in such situation than you. And therefore I insist I go with you. Not to forget the database, which is now as a memory still in me."

Dylan sighed. He was pretty sure, that it could be dangerous down there and was trying to protect Rommie from getting into danger. But, on the other hand, he knew, that he wouldn't be able to persuade her to stay on Andromeda, if she really decided to go with him. He also noticed the growing self-consciousness, which Rommie expressed, and this, combined with her stubbornness, of which she had more than enough even before, as an android, she was a formidable opponent and someone, with whom it really wasn't easy to play around.

"OK, if you insist, then come with us. But I warn you: no stupid heroic actions, understood? You'll stay behind me all the time. And should it become dangerous, you'll seek the first possible shelter and you'll not get involved in the fight. If you are ready to accept this conditions, you can come along. If not, you stay put!"

Rommie smiled at Dylan, satisfied, that she managed to persuade him and confirmed: "I accept the conditions, SIR!"

Dylan couldn't help but laugh at her reaction, especially seeing her sparkling eyes. He really couldn't miss her enthusiasm to go with him. And once more, like so often in the past few days, he admired her for coping so well with the new situation. He noticed also, she's been acting more woman- like towards him and it was a pleasant feeling. He caught himself in the thought, that she's a really remarkable woman, not only beautiful, but also intelligent, compassionate, brave. He noticed that such thoughts began to distract his attention from other duties and chased them away. For a while it even worked.

"OK, then let's go. Tyr, you take care of weapons, Trance, you prepare the medical equipment and you Rommie, you gather all necessary scanners and other instruments we could need on the planet. We leave in 10 minutes."

They went their own way to fulfill their assignments and met in 10 minutes at Maru on the hangar deck. In order to avoid possible troubles, they decided not to wear their uniforms and put on some civilian clothes rather. Rommie, for some mysterious reason chose to wear black pants and a top, which left her bellybutton uncovered and put a leather jacket on. Dylan gasped for air as he saw her coming his way. She looked so feminine, so desirable that he could hardly control his thoughts and convince himself to look the other way. So he missed Rommie's self-assured smile as she saw his reaction to her choice of clothing. Yes, Rommie really came a long way in these few days! A long way from being an avatar to being a woman, who knows perfectly well how to attract the man she had chosen. And she was obviously working very hard on this matter. She never missed a chance to show her best feminine side to Dylan. May it be with clothing, with looks, with hairstyling, with small, innocent touches. She definitely was fighting her battle to win his love.

TBC