Chapter 7

Beka, Trance, and Harper all found seats within the room as Jessea started explaining to them who she was.  Kael stood silently by a set of stairs going up to a second floor.

"I am the leader of a rebel faction against the government of Orkana Prime," she began.  "Kael is part of this faction also."

"Why do you want to overthrow the government?" Beka asked, quite concerned with whom they have gotten themselves involved with.

"The government has not been very kind to the majority of the people on this planet.  They rule us with an iron hand, reaping the rewards of our labors.  They give special treatment to those that are in the Academy and to those that are 'gifted', however, the majority of the people are not."

"Gifted?  You mean like genius?"  Harper asked.

"No, not quite Seamus.  By gifted, I mean like Kael.  To have the ability to warp and bend physics.  Although our entire race has this ability to some degree, some of us are better at it then others. However, being intelligent usually goes hand in hand with being able to manipulate these forces.

"My group is preparing to launch a strike against the Academy soon.  I would be happy to have you along with our group, if that would be possible. Yes?" Jessea asked as she saw Harper raise his hand.

 "Please, don't call me Seamus, just Harper," he bluntly stated.

"I'm sorry Jessea, but, I don't think that we can help you," Beka said apologetically.

"I understand," Jessea said with a sigh.  "It's very dangerous, and I cannot expect you to help out people that you barely know."

"No, we would be happy to help you…" Trance started to say.

"But our captain," Beka took over, "is in discussion right now with your chancellor about being in the Commonwealth.  I don't think that he would be really happy if we would go about stirring up trouble and trying to cause a revolt."

"Too late for one of those two criteria," Harper muttered. Beka elbowed him in the ribs and he was quiet.

Suddenly a beeping sound came from one of Harper's pockets.

"What the hell is that?" Beka said surprised.

"Oh, it's just my local transmitter," Harper answered, pulling a small black box out of his pocket.  "I made it so that the Andromeda can contact us when the need to."  His eyes got big when he finished what he was saying.  "Uh oh, that means that Tyr CAN find us…"

"You better see what he wants," Beka said exasperated as the beeping continued.

Harper pressed a button on the box, "Harper here," he said, almost scared.

"I finally got a hold of you!" Tyr's voice was heard.

"Is there something that you needed," Harper said, trying to sound casual.

"No, I'm fine, however, our wonderful Dylan has gotten himself into a bit of trouble.

"What kind of trouble?" Beka said worriedly.

"Well, it's nice to know that you're there too Beka," Tyr said coldly.  "He has been…detained by the Chancellor and now, he's going to be coming to take the Andromeda."

"This is not good," Trance said.

"No it's not," Tyr replied. "I suggest that you try to find him and Rommie without getting yourselves killed in the process..." His voice trailed off for a second. "Because I want the enjoyment of punishing you when you get back."

"Roger." Harper said, turning off the transmitter.

"This is just great," Beka said, holding her forehead.

"Well, it appears that our enemy is now the same," Jessea said.

"Yeah, it seems that way doesn't it," Beka replied sighing.

"I don't suppose that you could, possibly…you know…" Trance began to say.

"We'll help you," Jessea said, putting her hand on Trance's shoulder.  "I'll do everything I can to help you get your captain back.  This seems to be a good time as any to start the revolution, and the more people we have, the better our chances."

"When do we start?" Harper exclaimed.  "Time to show those Academy freaks who's boss."

"Not so fast," Jessea intervened.  "It's going to take me a little bit of time to get everything in place."  She frowned and walked to the door.  "I'm going to have to leave for a while, make yourselves at home.  When I get back we'll leave, so be ready.  Try to get some rest while I'm gone.  If you need anything just ask Kael." She quickly turned and walked away.

"Waiting," muttered Harper, "I always hated waiting."