"I have this strange feeling, Rommie. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I think there must be something I'm missing. I need to figure it out," Dylan mused. The captain sat at the desk in his office on board the Andromeda, looking at a scrolling display.
According to Monarchean law, not only could people be held accountable for their crimes, but so could the machines they had used to commit them. This was a blanket law which dated back to the time when the first AI's had come into existence and people had feared that machines would one day turn on their creators. And although, the Eureka Maru's computer paled in comparison to the Andromeda and many other AI's in existence, the law still applied to it.
Dylan was appalled by the entire situation. He felt trapped between a rock and a hard place. He knew how important the Eureka Maru was to his first officer, but at the same time getting the Monarcheans to sign the Commonwealth charter was an important cause as well. And he certainly didn't want to turn them into his enemies. He had enough of those already without raising more hostilities.
"Speaking of strange feelings," Holo-Rommie flickered into view. "Try being held at gunpoint all night."
"Come again?"
"The hostile Platean vessel. It came with its weapon ports open and targeted on me. The captain of it hailed me and demanded my surrender. They claimed I was suspected of aiding and abetting a fugitive from justice and threatened to board me if I didn't cooperate," she frowned as she related the story and there was a tone of disbelief in her voice. "I was tempted to fire a round of warning shots at them, just to show them how ridiculous an idea it was, but then decided to wait for them to make the first move. As I suspected," she continued and couldn't help sounding pleased with herself. "They were bluffing. Over the course of the next hour, they sent similar threats until receiving a transmission from the planet which informed them that matters were being dealt with on the surface by the Monarchean government. But I recorded their messages in case you wished to view them. There were sixteen in all."
On one of Andromeda's wall screens, a still image appeared of an alien. It had an armadillo-like head with pale eyes and yellow skin, just like the massive alien Dylan had seen at the ball. Its teeth jutted out of the edges of its mouth like a crocodile's. This was the notorious Yil Yimur.
Dylan shook his head with a smile. "No, that's okay, Rommie. I think I have a pretty good idea what they said. But I'm glad you were able to hold down the fort while we were away."
Andromeda's onscreen AI appeared accompanied by a beeping reminder noise. "Dylan, you have an appointment to meet with Harper and Beka on the Command Deck."
Dylan stood up. "I'm on my way."
When Dylan entered the deck, he observed that Beka appeared calmer and more at ease attired in her everyday wear. Harper looked as if he hadn't had a wink of sleep but his erratic movements made Dylan suspect the engineer had downed at least a half gallon of Sparky Cola before coming to the Command Deck.
Dylan listened solemnly as Harper and Beka explained to him exactly what the Yil Yimurs were all about and asked a question from time to time for Rommie had very little information about this puzzling species in her database. Dylan frowned and asked, "And why hasn't the Free Trade Alliance done something to shut down the Yil Yimurs' questionable business practices?"
Beka grinned at his question. Dylan had so much to catch up on. "Yil Yimurs are the litigation scum of the universe. Pass through any space they control and they come up with fines, fees, and taxes for little or no reason at all. It's a cargo carrier's nightmare."
"Yeah," Harper nodded. "And since, these guys are big and smart and could tie you up in law suits until you're old and gray, people just pay them. Its cheaper. Or you try to stay outta their way altogether. FTA probably hasn't acted 'cause the Yil Yimurs are so smart. Got stations spread out and they put down roots there. They ingratiate themselves with the community. And they certainly know how to throw a party to keep the locals happy while fleecing any tourists who happen into the area. Think about it, Dylan. Its not like the locals, for instance the Plateans, are gonna say to the guys who are wining and dining 'em with a few gifts thrown into the bargain, 'Well, its been great but hey you're getting unfair revenue off folks who don't even live here, get outta town.'"
"A lot has changed in three hundred years," Dylan nodded.
Harper felt finished with his explanation and moved on to a plan of action. "So Dylan, our best bet is to grab the Maru and scram."
"Harper and I worked out a plan right here," Beka tapped a flexi in her hand.
"I admire your initiative," Captain Hunt replied.
"But?" prompted Beka suddenly worried as she was detecting that truth-justice-and-the Commonwealth-way tone in his voice.
"I can't do that."
"Why not?" Beka demanded.
"Because the Monarcheans are involved in this too. They are allied with the Plateans. The same ones who are trusting this case to Monarchean jurisdiction. If we were to simply cut out and run, what effect would it have on their alliance? I want to reestablish the Commonwealth to stop wars, not start them."
"Well, it isn't like you haven't done that before when Elssbett--" Beka started to stay.
"That was a special case, Beka," Dylan replied with a look that read, you're testing my patience. "Not a situation of my crew's own making. This is. Now, I will do everything within my power to help you get your ship back, Beka, other than deliberately defy Monarchean law. Rommie, how long do we have to prepare?"
"According to public records, the trial of the Eureka Maru is scheduled to begin in two days," replied Andromeda.
"Good." Dylan nodded at the information. "Harper, you are to stay onboard the Andromeda until further notice and you'll be reimbursing me for that fine."
"Understood, boss," replied Harper, for he had no desire to come face to face with a Yil Yimur or another Monarchean jail cell. "Well, if you don't need anything else," Harper said, backing off towards the door. "I'm gonna catch some Z's."
Dylan nodded and Harper departed.
"Rommie, get ready to leave orbit," said Dylan, as he plotted in a course on a nearby console.
"Leave orbit?" asked Beka with eyebrows raised. "Andromeda," Beka said with authority. "Engage privacy mode."
"Privacy mode engaged. Authorization Acting First Officer Beka Valentine," the ship responded.
Dylan looked at her. "What's the matter, Beka?"
Beka looked ready to explode. "What's the matter? Let me recap the last twenty-four hours for you: I wore a dress you didn't notice, went to a ball I didn't want to go to, exercised my diplomatic muscle without breaking bones, spent the night in jail and now you're not even concerned that my ship, my prize possession is going to be demolished if we don't do something! All so you can make friends with these...these butterfly people!"
"You did want me to do something?" Dylan replied. "We're leaving orbit to go back and take a look at the scene of the crime. I'm hoping to find something to use in defense." Dylan nodded towards the pilot's chair but Beka failed to take her usual position.
"I see." Beka went over to a console and tapped a button.
"Privacy mode, disengaged," said Andromeda.
Beka crossed her arms and looked at Dylan. Her venting was done and she felt more rational. "What's to prevent them from tearing my ship to pieces while we're away?" asked Beka.
"Administrator Elva, has given me her personal guarantee that no harm will come to your ship until a decision has been reached."
Beka didn't look convinced.
"The Maru is under guard," Dylan explained.
Beka looked thoughtful. "Alright. Do it your way." She tapped the flexi of plans in her hands. "But prep a shuttle, Andromeda. I'm going back to the surface. I'm not leaving the vicinity of this planet without my ship."
"We'll contact you when we return," said Dylan with a stiff nod, drumming his fingers on the console. "Considering the situation I believe it would be better to stay on board the Andromeda but I--"
"I'm not going back alone. I'm taking Trance with me."
"Okay," Dylan conceded. "But you're not to do anything, anything until we get back. Is that understood, Beka?"
"I said we'd do it your way, didn't I?" said Beka and started to leave.
"Beka," Dylan's voice called to her a halt.
She stopped reluctantly at the edge of the doorway and tapped her foot with impatience. What was he going to do now? Forbid her to go?
"Next time I'll notice the dress."
Beka flashed him a smile.
Dylan listened as Beka's footfalls tripped down the corridor and disappeared. A curious expression crossed his face and he said aloud, "Butterfly people?"
Tyr intercepted Beka in the corridor.
She walked by him and held up a hand. "Wait! Don't tell me. The box again. Am I right?"
Tyr fell into step with her. "Is it a weapon of some kind?" he asked.
"A weapon?" Beka asked with a laugh. "This is really bugging you, isn't it?"
"Because if it is Nietzschean weaponry, it could be very dangerous in the hands of someone who has no experience with it," Tyr continued. "An attempt to use it without knowing what sort of safeties were installed by the weapon's creators--"
"Yes, yes. I know. Nietzschean's love their booby traps. But I'm in a hurry right now, Tyr. No time to chat. Trance," Beka spoke into her communicator. "We're getting ready to return to the surface. Meet me on Hangar Deck."
"That box--" Tyr insisted.
"No one's getting near it anytime soon. I left it hidden on the Maru, Tyr. And even if you could get onboard the Maru, I doubt you'd ever find it." She had hidden it well this time and no one knew the recesses of her ship as well as Beka Valentine did.
