Deviation
Disclaimer: Andromeda is owned by Tribune, John Wyndham is to be given credit for the stuff people recognise as his, I'll be more specific later.
Spoilers: Nothing so far.
Summary: While a planet petitions for membership in the Commonwealth, Dylan, Harper and Trance are captured by a rogue, anti-government group. With seemingly tragic consequences.
Apologies for any spelling/grammar/other mistakes. I haven't had a proper English class in over a year. But the dreaded S word stars back next week, and my grammar and stuff will improve. I would love reviews to keep my mind off school and to keep me writing.
"We are here today to begin the process of joining the new Commonwealth....."
Dylan listened to the Minister as he made his speech. It seemed to be going well. The peoples attitude towards the Commonwealth was very positive. Dylan was beginning to believe that it might work.
"We have fought long and hard to achieve peace and purity.........."
At the beginning it had seemed too good to be true. The planets strategic position was exactly what the commonwealth needed to have a bigger influence on this area of space. It was also strategically important because of it's position - Five main slipstream paths crossed this system.
"It is an ongoing battle, for we must always be vigilant against those who strive to create a godless society and to bring forth tribulation upon us........."
Dylan was making a list of the pro's and con's while Minister Golian Strorm made his speech. Religion was an important part of the society. It dominated everything. The men and women wore crosses on their clothes. Their customs and sayings all had a religious aspect. The bible was the most important possession in any home.
"We have achieved so much and joining the Commonwealth will only strengthen our will, and our resolve..."
The tribulation which was mentioned in many sayings and sermons was apparently some kind of nuclear disaster that occurred many centuries ago. The planet then went into recession and the disaster was said to have been brought on by God because the people had defied Him and needed to be shown the error of their ways. They believed that now they were heading on the path set for them by God.
"In Purity Our Salvation!"
Strorm voice rang loud across the conference room. The speech had been broadcast all across the planet. As Strorm finished, the congregation erupted into applause.
The political representatives stood, including Dylan and Rommie, and made their way to the exit. Security was tight, and this puzzled Dylan because there were no known dissident groups or factions on the planet. At least, that is what he had been told.
He thought over Strorms speech as they made their way outside. Some aspects of it worried him. Too much religion and too little politics. The peoples religion might the only thing that could cause problems with their joining the Commonwealth.
Harper and Trance were waiting outside. They were accompanying Dylan to the reception and Rommie was returning to the ship.
Beka and Tyr were reviewing different reports the government had compiled. Tactical reports, resources, technological advancements, research. All the important things.
Dylan, Trance and Harper made their way to the archway where transport was waiting to take them to the reception. Minister Strorm had gone on ahead.
As they waited for their transport to arrive Harper told Dylan about the places they had visited.
"Their technology is amazing, they have these huge research centres, and, Dylan you have got to see the projects they are working on. They would seriously rival the Perseids for ingenuity. But they aren't as crazy."
Trance stayed fairly silent. Dylan was still getting used to her new gold personality. She seemed a little apprehensive, she hadn't wanted to accompany them but Dylan wanted her to be there. He still felt there was something off about the Labrador people. So named after the area where their society and religion had begun.
Their transport arrived in the form of a type of hovercar. It pulled up beside them. The door opened and Dylan was too slow to react. He felt something sharp hit his arm. He reached for his force lance but found himself bundled into the car along with Trance and Harper. And then, nothing.
. . .
His mind woke first, slowly, groggily. What? Where? He remembered everything suddenly. Like a burst of film, in Technicolor. Strorm, the conference, the hovercar.
He opened his eyes. It was dark. His eyes adjusted slowly. There was a dim light coming from somewhere beyond him. He slowly sat up and surveyed his surroundings. His arms and legs protested at the movement.
He was in a cell of some kind, behind bars. But the walls of the cell itself were rough stone. A cave? He was in a cave?
After a while he realised that the cell was at a junction where a number of tunnels met. People walked through them from time to time. He tried speaking to some but they ignored him.
He closed his eyes and rested for a while. Listening for sounds of people. Where were Harper and Trance? As the effects of the tranquilliser wore off, he began to feel more like himself. Aware, alert.
He heard a small sound and looked out. It took him a while to notice the child, a girl, peeking round the corner at him. He smiled.
"Hello there, what's your name? I'm Dylan." He kept his voice gentle and friendly, hoping she would be able to tell him something.
"Do you know where my friends are? Is there someone I can talk to, an adult maybe?" He took a step towards her, nearer to the door of the cell. She looked maybe six or seven, long brown hair, dark uncertain eyes.
He took another step towards the front of the cell. The girl bolted, he could hear her footsteps as she ran down the tunnel. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. Great. Just Great.
. . .
An hour or so later, three people appeared from one tunnel and walked purposefully towards him. The group comprised of a middle-aged man, a young woman and the young girl he had seen earlier. She was hiding behind the first woman.
"Who are you? Where are my people? Why are you holding me prisoner?"
The man and woman looked slightly taken aback at his barrage of questions. The man spoke first.
"We are a group who disagree with the ideals of the government and the persecution of people like us." At this point something passed between the man and woman, a look but more than that.
"We have brought you here because we believe that you may be able to help us but I fear after you hear what I have to tell you, you won't."
"A new type of tranquilliser was used to render you unconscious. It was necessary to be able to bring you here. You seem to be recovering from the effects very well. Unfortunately the young man who was with you reacted very badly to the tranquilliser. He is in a coma but we are still hoping he will pull through. The woman, we did not recognise her species and unfortunately we did not think of the consequences of our actions."
He seemed flustered now, upset and his eyes shone with regret. "I'm afraid, she has died"
. . .
Is Trance really dead? Will Harper wake up? Who are these people and what do they want with Dylan?
Find out in chapter two when the story gains an interesting, slightly disturbing twist.
By the way my sister thought I should call it: dun d-dun d-dun dun shiny scalpel.