Author's Note: Thank you to all who read and reviewed The Biological Imperative: sass angel, adb, Randi, Tora Tigress, CyberAngelOne, Stephanie, a bee, lil'bite, Bolo, Echoes of the Mind, Bob, Promise, Berry, Deep Red, Lanaraofearth, Tora T, and Doukeshi03. Sorry for mistakes with Andromeda specifics, thanks to all who posted info on it…your insight is much appreciated. Here's a question to all Andromeda fans: What happened to the Orca Pride? Because I'm going to add them to the story to add to the number of different Prides interested in Buffy…maybe I'll even add a small group of Drago-Katsov…that'll spice things up a little bit….*grin*…I'm pretty sure that Charlemange Bolivar is a relatively young and new leader, at least I believe he is. If he's not…oh well. Anyway, so he only had 6 wives and 5 children, he hasn't had the time to accumulate more. Again, thanks to all who reviewed.
Chapter 4On the way to the Medical Deck, Charlemange explains the Magog barrage in more detail.
"We were stationary in Rubius Prime when they attacked, coming out of nowhere. It happened so fast…a quick volley of canon fire…we barely had the time to retaliate before they attached themselves to the hull of the first ship. We managed to escape…running from battle like cowards…but it was the only way to save the remaining woman and children. To insure the survival of the Sabra-Jaguar Pride. As I said, my wives and all but one child were on board, along with 37 other mates and offspring of our males. By providence, my mother had taken my youngest son, Elsbet's son, to the main ship. Ever since, they've been on our trail, attacking us whenever they find the opportunity. At last count, we've lost 78 of our Pride. Now that we've joined with the Andromeda and have time to regroup and contact the rest of the fleet, I believe that we can destroy them. We have to."
In a quiet corner of the Medical Deck, Dylan updates Trance on the Sabra-Jaguar situation. As they talk, a steady influx of injured Neitzscheans enter.
"Oh," Trance quietly exclaims, "that's terrible. All those people…that poor man."
"I'll be on the bridge if you need me," he intoned silently, "I have to relay to Andromeda the information on the Magog. It seems we have only two days before they catch up to us." He sighed and walked over to Charlemange's side. "I'd like you to join me on the Command Deck once you get patched up. I just need to inform Andromeda." Dylan leaves the med bay.
Trance joins Bolivar's side and starts to mend his wound. "I'm sorry," she says, "it looks like it's going to scare."
Charlemange grimaces, "Ahhh. In time, all beauty must needs fade," he remarks ruefully. "Even my own perfectly proportioned visage."
"Ummmm. Is this all…"she asks, thinking of the many ships outside.
"Yes, all who have sustained an injury in the last 2 days and managed to survive," Bolivar said, turning his sutured brow away from Trance. "We've already taken care of…" He stops as a woman enters, bearing a tiny baby in her arms. "Sophia…" he whispers.
"Hush my son, your babe sleeps finally. There has been no mother's milk for him since Elsbet and the others died in the first Magog wave. The women have too many worries for me to add this little one to their burdens." With a slight swish of her whispy dress, she turned to Trance. "I am Sophia Bolivar of the Sabra-Jaguar Pride…Matriarch. I was wondering if you had anything better for my grandson than the artificial swill we've been forced to give him. He is Traed Bolivar…son and heir of Charlemange Bolivar and the Sabra-Jaguar Pride."
"Let me see what I can do. Hello," Trance coos as she reaches out for Traed. "Hi, my name is Trance and aren't you a handsome young man. How old is he?"
"Almost 4 months now," replied Sophia.
"Well, aren't you just a big boy, yes you are. Let's see what Rommie has for you." Trance said, heading for the med consul next to her unconscious patient. The baby gave a gurgle, waving his fists. Sophia clasps her son's shoulder reassuringly as she moves to follow Trance.
"Be good son," Charlemange said, longingly looking toward his son and mother.
"Sire," interrupts one oh his men, reminding him of his duties. Together, they move on to reassure the people.
"Who is this," queries Sophia, indicating the sleeping girl.
"It's okay, she's a friend. She just got a little bobo, but by tomorrow she'll be all better." Trance told her as she fed Traed the special formula Andromeda's systems recommended.
"She's quite beautiful for a human," Sophia said absentmindedly. "Look, he likes it. That's a good boy. Eat up and grow strong like your father, like you elder bro…." She trails off, belatedly remembering that they are gone now.
"It's all right," Trance reassured, "Dylan and all of us will help. Your all safe here."
Charlemange Bolivar enters onto the Command Deck with three other Sabra-Jaguar warriors.
"Ah, Bolivar. I was about to notify you. I think that we should leave here, find another place to recoup before the Magog track down your ships." Dylan explained as he went to Bolivar's side.
"Please, we could die at any moment and loose the purity of our genes forever. I think that you can call me Charlemange."
"Uh, alright," Dylan answered, brow furrowed. "Andromeda, open a channel to the main ship for Boli-um Charlemange. Beka, be prepared to enter slipstream."