Title: Egg Whisk
Chapter 3
By: X
X0832001@yahoo.com
Rated: PG(maybe 13)
Disclaimer: I own nothing and am getting no money (I know, you're shocked)
Dylan looked at his orders for the hundredth time. He couldn't believe it. First, that a people with a history like the Elmarins would even be considered for membership, and then that the Andromeda was expected to transport them. The Andromeda, it was the ship carrying a young man who the Elmarins had reduced to the brain behind a weapon, and that was who they called upon. Captain Hunt had protested immediately. He was still furious with the Elmarins and couldn't imagine what this situation would do to Mr. Harper.
Harper had gotten better so fast for 3 reasons. 1.) As tragic as it was, this wasn't the first time something like this had happened to him. He was experienced enough to know life always continues plodding along. 2.) He was on Andromeda, the safest place he had ever know, surrounded by friends who tried hard to make him feel like less of a freak and more like the same engineer he had always been. 3.) The Elmarins were far away and couldn't get him again. Now #3 was gone.
Hunt banged his fist on the desk. Why the hell did he have to follow orders? There was no way this could work out well.
It was just too unfair. No one should have to relive their nightmares and yet Harper already had; and was being forced to do so again. As he sat at his desk, mentally preparing himself to inform the rest of the crew what their latest mission was he considered his options.
Maybe they could just sedate Harper for the 3 days or so the Elmarins were on Andromeda. It wouldn't be too hard. Trance probably had something in Med deck that would work. Tyr was stealthy enough to sneak up on the boy. Ever since the engineer's latest trauma that had been difficult. But, Tyr had been a mercenary, no doubt pulled a few more delicate operations. They could just leave Harper in blissful unawareness of the Elmarins; he'd just wake up and never know they'd been near him again. Dylan sighed. But, that wasn't really fair to Harper. He was a human being- despite how the Elmarins treated him. He deserved to have the information, to make his own decisions about what he wanted. So; there would be no knocking out Mr. Harper.
Dylan stood up, ready to go through the door and tell the crew. He'd start with Beka and maybe she could help break it to Harper. He was bound to freak out. Dylan might need help to keep him from hurting himself. As he crossed to the door Andromeda's hologram appeared, blocking his path to the door.
"Dylan, Lourna Phillips has disappeared" Dylan looked perplexed. Andromeda sighed, "From her room at the institution she has been at since her recovery from Lobas."
Dylan didn't know what to say. Now he understood why the Elmarins were meeting with the Commonwealth. They were just gathering up those that had escaped. The anger that had been brewing in the back of his mind since this mess had been dropped on him. It had just overlaid the old indignity of having his engineer kidnapped, of failing to protect his own.
Now he had to tell Harper not only were the Elmarins coming on board, but he wouldn't be paranoid to think they were coming for him. The unconsciousness plan leapt back into his mind. Well, the unconscious, unresponding body of their engineer would be harder to protect anyway. By the Divine he hoped they didn't wind up in a situation where they were dependent on Harper being able to run away.
Harper was asleep. He looked so tense. Andromeda looked at her sleeping engineer. Dylan was striding through the corridors on his way to Beka. They'd both be here to wake Harper in 10 minutes. If Andromeda could sigh in this form she would have. The crew had accepted Harper as completely recovered. They thought their patience and behavioral revisions had brought him back to where he had been. Beka was the only one who appeared unsure it was a complete recovery. She was more of a mother hen than before, gently laying hands on him more than before and checking that Harper was eating, taking his vitamins, and getting some sleep. Frequently Andromeda had caught Beka looking through old files from the Maru, mostly pictures. Not being a mind reader Andromeda didn't know what she was thinking, but she was pretty sure it was about Harper. Of course, Beka wasn't alone with her watch over Harper. Andromeda herself had been particularly observant of the engineer. She knew for sure that Mr. Harper wasn't the same.
Harper had always been an unusual observation. His sleep pattern was irregular; he'd go days before he made it back to his quarters. He could sleep completely dead to the world, or be woken up even a small shift in course. He'd have nightmares and the room would echo. But when he was asleep he looked reasonable peaceful. Since he'd returned the nightmares were nightly and he was far from peaceful. He was obviously tensed, ready to strike or bolt.
The door chimed and Harper had jumped out of bed and landed in a crouch before he even got his eyes all the way open.
"Come in" he announced, straightening up. Beka and Dylan came in wearing there best fake smiles. Not being an idiot Harper saw right through the grins. "What's wrong bosses?"
"We have a new mission from the Commonwealth."
"Oh-kay, we don't normally come to my room to tell me about our mission. Do I have to build something?"
"No"
"So? What's the mission?"
Dylan bit the bullet, "Transporting the Elmarins to…" Harper had visibly paled the mention of his former captors. "A meeting to discuss Commonwealth membership."
Beka swept forward and grabbed Harper around the wrist and under his elbow. She felt some of his weight lean into her. Going into shock was a real possibility for him. As his stomach dropped into his feet Harper clapped his hand over Beka's around his wrist. His words were so fast that Beka only caught 45% of them. The less experienced Dylan was lucky to pick up on a quarter of what the little engineer was saying. "Oh-I-see-OK-then-the-the-Elmarins-are-coming-Ok-just coming here-to my-home-where-I am-But-but-OK-because-the-war-is-over-don't-need-me-anymore-so-nothing-to-worry-about-no-no-wouldn't-try-anything-anyway-I'm-safe-here-got-you-guys-yeah-OK-everything-is-fine.
Dylan didn't know exactly what he said but got the idea pretty well. This was going to be hard news to break. "Well, Mr. Harper, it is possible the reason the delegation arranged to be transported by the Andromeda is because of you." Beka felt the rest of Harper's weight suddenly in her arms. Every muscle in his arms, and she assumed legs from the way he was leaning, was tensed. He was ready to escape.
Beka pushed her friend back until he hit the bed and she pushed him down to sit on it. Under her fingers she felt his pulse pounding like a hammer. She moved her hand to hold his and found it ice cold. It was a textbook fight or flight response. "Hey Shorty, don't worry, we'll keep you safe."
"Yeah; course you will. I'm not worried" was the distant reply.
The unfairness was infuriating. Dylan left Beka to try and bring Harper around. Pausing down the hall he made a call to Trance- just in case.
"We're bringing a delegation of Elmarins on board."
"I know"
"Of course you do. Any hints?"
"Nope"
"Keep Med Deck ready for if Mr. Harper goes into shock."
"Will do"