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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"You have got to be kidding me!" Harper yelled, grabbing the flexi and reading it over. "How can she be going into labour, she's dead!"

"It's true, her cervix has already started to dilate. This process, like everything else during Trance's pregnancy, is speeding along twice as fast. In other words, we don't have much time to get ready." Rommie turned back to the Marias who where busy setting up the area for the delivery.

"What can we do to help?" Beka asked.

"Tyr, I assume you've gone through the proper training for delivering a child." The Nietzschean nodded. "Good. I want everyone but you and Harper out of here," the android said. "I need the two of you to get sterilized. Now!"

Nobody dared to disobey Rommie. Beka, Rev, and Dylan quickly left the room. Tyr and Harper walked over to a small area where Andromeda released a strong chemical to kill the bacteria on their clothing and skin. She then vented the chemical and allowed the two to strap on aprons to protect their clothing.

"I've got it," Tyr said, tying the strap around Harper's neck and waist. The boy was shaking so hard he couldn't get it himself. "Calm yourself."

"You're not the one with the dead mother about to give birth to your child," he hissed back. Tyr ignored Harper.

"Deep breaths," he said, and Harper followed his instructions, gently chanting Rev's mantra to help as well. Tyr stuck his hands in a tub of liquid latex, gloves instantly forming on his arms. Harper, after he finally stopped shaking, did the same.

They both walked over to find Rommie had dressed Trance in the white robes they used in medical. The pixie was also positioned in a squatting manner while the android peered into the robes. She looked over as the two entered the area.

"Harper, I want you to stay up by her head. She doesn't seem to be sweating or experiencing any pain, but if she does come to halfway through the delivery, I want you to be there." Harper nodded and took his place at the head of the bed, gently stroking Trance's hair as Tyr joined Rommie at the foot of the bed.

"I don't believe it." Harper looked up at Rommie who was looking very shocked.

"What's happening?" he asked, the fear obvious in his eyes.

"The baby is just sliding out on it's own, no pushing whatsoever," Rommie said in amazement. "This has to be the most painless birth in the history of the known universe."

"Looks like you got lucky," Harper whispered to Trance. He didn't receive a response. "Please say you'll wake up from this," he whispered softly. "I'm so sorry for yelling at you and for making things so stressful on you. But I promise I'll try and work it out with you. Just don't actually die on me now ok?"

There was a sudden jolt as the ship began to rock.

"Hey! We're trying to operate here!" Harper yelled to no one in particular. Andromeda's holo appeared next to her counterpart.

"It's the Than!" she yelled incredulously.

"They sure picked a hellava time to start picking on us!" Harper growled, holding Trance's prone body steady when the ship rocked with another explosion. Andromeda's hologram began to flicker.

"They've sent out swarms of drones that're attaching themselves to my hull. It's feeding something into my system," she said, looking pissed the only way Rommie could. "Reserve power is being drained from my systems. Current power is..." The lights on the ship went off and Rommie collapsed to the ground.