Title: Effervescent Essence
Author: Harper's aka Weird_Peace
Rating: PG-13
Synopsis: Sequel to And You Thought Larvae Were Bad. I highly suggest you read the first fiction.
Disclaimer: I don't own 'em, but I love 'em anyways.
Spoilers: Season Two spoilers.  

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Harper found Trance in Hydroponics. He took a few moments to calm himself the rest of the way down, knowing that yelling at Trance wasn't going to get them anywhere. Plus, there was their little addition to think about.

"First I think I'm going crazy seeing a certain purple brother, and now you're in here like old times." He shook his head, joining her by some rather beautiful plants he was sure she could name in an instant.

"Loki visited you already?" Trance didn't attempt to conceal the surprise in her voice. Harper raised an eyebrow.

"So you know about this?"

"A little. I don't know as much as Loki does, that is." She began to notice the tension in Harper's body. He looked a little sick. "What did he do to you?"

"Oh nothing. Well unless you count the fact that I saw my cousin onboard the Andromeda, and he just happened to be infested with Magog larvae, something I have previously had a bad experience with. Oh, and not only was I not in time to save him, but I was the only one that could kill him because we made a stupid pact back on earth that if one of us was ever infested, the other one would make sure they never hatched." Harper allowed himself to draw in a shaky breath. "But otherwise, it was nothing."

"I'm so sorry," Trance said quietly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I didn't know it'd be this bad."

"Trance, what's going on?" Harper was trembling lightly under her fingertips. She sighed and pulled him closer.

"It's called The Test," she explained. "When one of my species goes through the pregnancy procedure, they must also past a test. The test consists of a certain number of challenges that are presented to the parents to be to see if they are ready to take care of a child. The number and types are dependent on the guardians. If we both pass, our child stays with us. If one of us fails, we have sort of a restrain against that parent. If we both fail, the restrain is against both of us."

"Restrain?" Harper had been listening attentively for once. "That doesn't sound good."

"We are not allowed to go near the child...ever." She looked down at her boots. "If it's just one of us, that parent will be forced to leave the Andromeda and the child. If it's both, then our child is sent to my species where they will raise him."

"Well like hell if I'm going to let them take my child from me," Harper said vehemently.

"Well all we have to do is pass our tests," Trance shrugged. "Of course, when the next test begins, we'll both forget everything about this. You won't remember this conversation, your last challenge, or even who and what Loki is. The same goes for me as well."

"What ever happened to true and false on a written flexi?!" The young man jumped up and began to pace. "You've gone through your first test?" Harper stopped in midstep. "It wouldn't have anything to do with me waking up from that bacteria?"

"You were dying." Trance pulled her knees to her chest, suddenly looking very the young purple girl she had once been. "Loki had put a deadly disease in you, and I had to choose between saving you and keeping my family. You can guess which one I chose."

Harper was stunned. She had picked him over her family?

"Trance..." He just stared at her. "Trance, you shouldn't have done that."

"I knew you would say that." A tiny smile tugged at her lips. "That's why I didn't want to tell you at first, that is, before I learned it was a test. Don't worry Harper. I didn't lose my family. Just like you didn't actually kill Brendan."

"Right." Trance notice he didn't seem convinced. "What did that have to do with parenting?"

"It showed that even under extreme circumstances, you could still carry out promises. It means more than some think."

"Don't I know." Harper wrapped his arms around his stomach.

"I'm sorry you have to go through this, but it's a custom among my people. And it's believed that if you can survive not only the tests, but also the aftermath of them, then you will be strong enough to care for one of our kind. It's really..." Trance stood up suddenly. Harper turned around, following her gaze. Loki grinned.

"It's time."

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"As you can see, the Commonwealth's principles apply to all species. Even Nietzscheans." Dylan handed Alexander a flexi. Andromeda noted the way Aegis glanced it over, placing it aside with other facts Dylan had asked her to keep of the Nietzschean. Like how his personality had changed as he encountered each member of the crew.

"The old Commonwealth made the same mistakes; signing a treaty with the Magog was not a bright move. It brought about their downfall." Alexander wasn't the best of his pride, but he knew what to ask. It seemed...rehearsed almost.

"And as you can see, I'm not out to make peace with the Magog," Dylan replied. "In fact, that's one of the main purposes of rebuilding this Commonwealth. In less than two years, the Magog will have restored their worldship and be coming to wreak havoc on all of known space. If you want to protect your people, your wives and children and family, signing the charter is your best option for survival."

"And what about your crew?" Aegis spoke for the first time since entering the room. "You're ship was originally meant to hold over four thousand beings, and you are now reduced to 5. Why haven't you taken on any more crew?"

"Will all due respect, Mr. Relathir, the universe has changed in three hundred years. It's...hard to tell who I can and can't trust. And you've met most of my crew?" Aegis nodded. "Well then, you should know just how well they can take care of this ship."

"One of your crew is pregnant," Aegis pointed out.

"A matter that hasn't interfered with her production yet," Dylan countered.

Before the conversation could continue, Andromeda's hologram appeared between the three of them, facing Dylan.

"Dylan, I hate to interrupt, but you're needed in Hydroponics." The look on her virtual face told him he better go, and go quick.

"Excuse me, I'll be a few minutes. You're welcome to anything at the bar until I come back." Dylan walked calmly to the hallway, and then sprinted as soon as he heard the door behind him close. "Rommie, what's going on?"

"You're not going to believe it."