The Next Day
The crew of the Andromeda slowly awoke stretching and yawning each in a fairly good mood, that is until they remembered what today was. They all got dressed and made their way to the officer's mess where they were going to meet before boarding the Maru and heading back down to Sintii. Rommie was the first to enter dressed in the formal black high guard uniform that was used for these kind of occasions she thought to herself 'This is the first time I've worn a uniform since Dylan left... And it's the last time I ever will again.' Whilst lost in her thoughts she didn't notice Beka entering the mess or saying "Morning Rommie"
Beka looked over when she got no reply, studying her closely she noticed that she looked like she was deep in thought staring off into space, Beka shrugged her shoulders and sat down next to Rommie with a cup of coffee. Beka was dressed in her nicest black outfit, it didn't even have any holes in it anywhere unlike what she usually wore. Trance was the next to enter she was wearing a dark purple cat suit that looked very distinguished when put together with her complexion. Trance said nothing as she walked over and asked the auto-chef for bacon and eggs, when she got them she moved over to the table at which Beka and Rommie were sitting and sat down opposite Rommie keeping her eyes downcast and started to eat.
Harper and Tyr entered the mess deck together, both of them looked up when they realized they were not alone in the room acknowledged everyone then sat down with out eating and with out any comments. Tyr was dressed in his black pants and had a black shirt and the long black trench coat that he had. Harper was also cleaned up and dressed in all black that no one even knew he possessed. The mess hall was quiet unlike usual no one made any small talk everyone was lost in his or her own thoughts and memories.
The alarm that had been set to announce 1 hour until the funeral sounded and everyone stood still silent and made their way towards the hanger bay in which the Maru had it's home. No one said anything on the way down with the exception of Beka asking for landing permission. Beka flew the Maru to the area that was designated as their landing platform and where a group of people waited to meet them. They exited the Maru and Rommie took the lead walking straight towards what looked to be the leader of their escort, when they got closer the man that was dressed in a High Guard uniform with a rank pin showing him as a Commander saluted and said
"Ma'am we are here to provide you with an escort so you won't have to push through the crowds of people lining the precession route"
"Thank you Commander, lead the way pleased" Rommie replied returning the salute
"Yes Ma'am. Squad form up and move out" and with that the rest of the soldiers moved around the crew and started to walk towards the steps of the Conclave where the services would be performed. As they were passing through the crowd Rommie heard a familiar voice calling out her name she looked and saw the very last person she had ever wanted to see again Molly.
"Rommie, Rommie can you hear me?" Rommie signalled a halt turned around and looked at Molly with such hate filled eyes that Molly stepped back suddenly afraid for her life. Beka had also turned around with Rommie and when she saw Molly she gently laid a restraining hand on Rommie's arm and whispered in her ear
"Rommie now is not the time or place to do something you will regret" Rommie turned and looked at her as she spoke
"Trust me Beka, anything I did to that... Woman, I would not regret" Rommie spat out she was still angry at Molly even though what happened between her and Dylan wasn't only her fault
"Well I can see that but think... If you do something like that... Today of all days it would disrespectful to Dylan's memory" Beka knew that would get Rommie's attention and it did
"Fine I won't do anything to her today but you hear this. One day I will and on that day you or anyone else had better not get in my way do you understand me?" Rommie spat before turning away and signalling the column to move again. As they started moving Molly quickly disappeared into the crowd never to be seen or heard from again.
They continued on through the crowds in silence Rommie fuming about having been brought out of her thoughts by Molly of all people. Beka was trying to hide the fear of Rommie she had had when she looked into Rommie's eyes as she warned her to not get in her way when she went to deal with Molly. Beka made a mental note 'Never, ever, ever get in between Rommie and a man' with that out of the way Beka continued to walk in silence hoping that Molly went into hiding, for her own sake. They reached the steps to find a podium with a photo of Dylan sitting at the top of the stairs underneath was a closed coffin, they couldn't have an open coffin as there was not enough of a body left to even fill a bag. The coffin was only for show. Rommie and the rest of the crew moved up to stand beside the coffin and stood silently as they waited for the wayist that was going to perform the last rights and allow Dylan to pass to the after world to arrive. They saw the person walking up the steps towards them, as he got close they could see what looked to be fur jutting out from underneath the hood. When he pushed his hood back everyone was pleasantly surprised by who it revealed... It was Rev. Rev favoured each of them with a smile before turning to the crowd and starting his eulogy
"Captain Dylan Hunt was a great man...." The eulogy continued for about 20 minutes with Rev talking about how he had meet Dylan and how important Dylan was to him as a friend. By the end of Rev's eulogy the crew of the Andromeda had tears streaming down their faces, even Tyr had a few tears that he was unable to hold back. As Rev's eulogy came to a close the coffin that was meant to have had Dylan's body in it was lifted up with anti-grav harnesses and moved into a drone that was made specifically for the purpose of taking the coffin into the Sun which Sintii orbited. When the coffin was loaded, the drone shot off into space directly towards the sun. Everyone followed the drones passage for as long as they could before looking back down standing at attention and saluting towards the picture of Dylan, everyone saluted even the civilians. After ending the salute people started to move away eventually leaving the crew of the Andromeda alone with Rev.
"How have you all been?" Asked Rev when they were finally alone "I mean besides the obvious grief that you all must be going through"
"Well aside from the grief we are all fine, physically at least" replied Trance with a small smile.
"Yeah I'm fine now that the Magog Larvae are no longer a problem... Thanks for sticking around to see it Rev" said Harper still upset about Rev leaving before a cure was discovered. He was glad that Trance was able to come up with a surgical procedure that was both effective and painless before they could hatch.
"Yes sorry about that Harper, I had not intended to leave the way I did or when. It was just something I needed to do" "What about you Beka? Tyr?" He said, he did not ask Rommie, as that was a conversation he wished to have in private with her.
"I'm fine Magog, why don't you just go back to whatever hole you crawled out from and leave us in peace." Said Tyr before turning and walking in the direction in which the Maru was parked
"Don't worry about him Rev he's just finding it hard to cope with the loss of such a good friend" said Beka trying to ease his mind. "And to answer your question I'm fine as well"
"Well good"
"Hey Rev are you going to be coming back to the Andromeda with us?" Asked Trance
"I wish that I could but my journey is not yet finished. Maybe someday I will be ready to return but that day has not yet come. Now if you all don't mind I'd like to talk to Rommie for a few moments in private?"
"Sure thing Rev. Trance, Harper lets go back to the Maru and make sure Tyr doesn't break anything" Beka said before grabbing both of them and pushing them towards the Maru to get them moving "It's been good seeing you again Rev"
"Likewise Beka. Likewise" Rev turned and watched them leave he waited until they were out of earshot before turning back to Rommie who had not moved from where she had been standing since she arrived.
"Andromeda, how are you dealing with this?"
"What do you mean Rev? I'm just a machine I don't have emotions."
"Andromeda you and I both know that's not true" when she didn't respond he continued "I'm curious as to why Dylan was out in the middle of nowhere by himself, it's not like him to just leave like that something must have happened do you know what?" Rommie knew he was probing for answers and he did deserve them, after all he was also Dylan's friend.
"Yes I know why he was out there. It was my fault..." With that the floodgates opened again and she sobbed the whole story out to Rev who just stood there listening. When she was finally finished he said
"Andromeda you can not blame yourself for things that were beyond your control."
"What do you mean? I responded to that kiss I didn't have to but I did. How can you say that situation was beyond my control?"
"From what you told me you forgot all about Dylan correct" she nodded "well isn't it possible that somehow, someway an outside source was affecting your judgement and memory recall abilities?"
"I suppose but if there were any machines capable of doing such a thing my sensors would have picked it up.... Wouldn't they?" This was a possibility they hadn't really looked into.
"Maybe... Maybe not. I think the only way to be sure is to go back to the drift where this all started and look around."
"But Rev me just trying to clear my conscience is not a good enough reason to go back to Vegas drift"
"Ok... Then what about going back to the place you first met this Mat person, you never know there might be something about him or the people he works for there."
"That's brilliant Rev... We never even thought about that. I've got to go sorry I can't stick around longer but we have to move quickly just in case"
"That's ok Andromeda I understand" he said and started to walk away he had taken no more then 5 steps when he turned back and called out "Good luck"
"Thank you Rev, I think I'm going to need it" Rommie replied before dashing off towards the Maru to tell everyone about the idea Rev had given her.
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The crew of the Andromeda slowly awoke stretching and yawning each in a fairly good mood, that is until they remembered what today was. They all got dressed and made their way to the officer's mess where they were going to meet before boarding the Maru and heading back down to Sintii. Rommie was the first to enter dressed in the formal black high guard uniform that was used for these kind of occasions she thought to herself 'This is the first time I've worn a uniform since Dylan left... And it's the last time I ever will again.' Whilst lost in her thoughts she didn't notice Beka entering the mess or saying "Morning Rommie"
Beka looked over when she got no reply, studying her closely she noticed that she looked like she was deep in thought staring off into space, Beka shrugged her shoulders and sat down next to Rommie with a cup of coffee. Beka was dressed in her nicest black outfit, it didn't even have any holes in it anywhere unlike what she usually wore. Trance was the next to enter she was wearing a dark purple cat suit that looked very distinguished when put together with her complexion. Trance said nothing as she walked over and asked the auto-chef for bacon and eggs, when she got them she moved over to the table at which Beka and Rommie were sitting and sat down opposite Rommie keeping her eyes downcast and started to eat.
Harper and Tyr entered the mess deck together, both of them looked up when they realized they were not alone in the room acknowledged everyone then sat down with out eating and with out any comments. Tyr was dressed in his black pants and had a black shirt and the long black trench coat that he had. Harper was also cleaned up and dressed in all black that no one even knew he possessed. The mess hall was quiet unlike usual no one made any small talk everyone was lost in his or her own thoughts and memories.
The alarm that had been set to announce 1 hour until the funeral sounded and everyone stood still silent and made their way towards the hanger bay in which the Maru had it's home. No one said anything on the way down with the exception of Beka asking for landing permission. Beka flew the Maru to the area that was designated as their landing platform and where a group of people waited to meet them. They exited the Maru and Rommie took the lead walking straight towards what looked to be the leader of their escort, when they got closer the man that was dressed in a High Guard uniform with a rank pin showing him as a Commander saluted and said
"Ma'am we are here to provide you with an escort so you won't have to push through the crowds of people lining the precession route"
"Thank you Commander, lead the way pleased" Rommie replied returning the salute
"Yes Ma'am. Squad form up and move out" and with that the rest of the soldiers moved around the crew and started to walk towards the steps of the Conclave where the services would be performed. As they were passing through the crowd Rommie heard a familiar voice calling out her name she looked and saw the very last person she had ever wanted to see again Molly.
"Rommie, Rommie can you hear me?" Rommie signalled a halt turned around and looked at Molly with such hate filled eyes that Molly stepped back suddenly afraid for her life. Beka had also turned around with Rommie and when she saw Molly she gently laid a restraining hand on Rommie's arm and whispered in her ear
"Rommie now is not the time or place to do something you will regret" Rommie turned and looked at her as she spoke
"Trust me Beka, anything I did to that... Woman, I would not regret" Rommie spat out she was still angry at Molly even though what happened between her and Dylan wasn't only her fault
"Well I can see that but think... If you do something like that... Today of all days it would disrespectful to Dylan's memory" Beka knew that would get Rommie's attention and it did
"Fine I won't do anything to her today but you hear this. One day I will and on that day you or anyone else had better not get in my way do you understand me?" Rommie spat before turning away and signalling the column to move again. As they started moving Molly quickly disappeared into the crowd never to be seen or heard from again.
They continued on through the crowds in silence Rommie fuming about having been brought out of her thoughts by Molly of all people. Beka was trying to hide the fear of Rommie she had had when she looked into Rommie's eyes as she warned her to not get in her way when she went to deal with Molly. Beka made a mental note 'Never, ever, ever get in between Rommie and a man' with that out of the way Beka continued to walk in silence hoping that Molly went into hiding, for her own sake. They reached the steps to find a podium with a photo of Dylan sitting at the top of the stairs underneath was a closed coffin, they couldn't have an open coffin as there was not enough of a body left to even fill a bag. The coffin was only for show. Rommie and the rest of the crew moved up to stand beside the coffin and stood silently as they waited for the wayist that was going to perform the last rights and allow Dylan to pass to the after world to arrive. They saw the person walking up the steps towards them, as he got close they could see what looked to be fur jutting out from underneath the hood. When he pushed his hood back everyone was pleasantly surprised by who it revealed... It was Rev. Rev favoured each of them with a smile before turning to the crowd and starting his eulogy
"Captain Dylan Hunt was a great man...." The eulogy continued for about 20 minutes with Rev talking about how he had meet Dylan and how important Dylan was to him as a friend. By the end of Rev's eulogy the crew of the Andromeda had tears streaming down their faces, even Tyr had a few tears that he was unable to hold back. As Rev's eulogy came to a close the coffin that was meant to have had Dylan's body in it was lifted up with anti-grav harnesses and moved into a drone that was made specifically for the purpose of taking the coffin into the Sun which Sintii orbited. When the coffin was loaded, the drone shot off into space directly towards the sun. Everyone followed the drones passage for as long as they could before looking back down standing at attention and saluting towards the picture of Dylan, everyone saluted even the civilians. After ending the salute people started to move away eventually leaving the crew of the Andromeda alone with Rev.
"How have you all been?" Asked Rev when they were finally alone "I mean besides the obvious grief that you all must be going through"
"Well aside from the grief we are all fine, physically at least" replied Trance with a small smile.
"Yeah I'm fine now that the Magog Larvae are no longer a problem... Thanks for sticking around to see it Rev" said Harper still upset about Rev leaving before a cure was discovered. He was glad that Trance was able to come up with a surgical procedure that was both effective and painless before they could hatch.
"Yes sorry about that Harper, I had not intended to leave the way I did or when. It was just something I needed to do" "What about you Beka? Tyr?" He said, he did not ask Rommie, as that was a conversation he wished to have in private with her.
"I'm fine Magog, why don't you just go back to whatever hole you crawled out from and leave us in peace." Said Tyr before turning and walking in the direction in which the Maru was parked
"Don't worry about him Rev he's just finding it hard to cope with the loss of such a good friend" said Beka trying to ease his mind. "And to answer your question I'm fine as well"
"Well good"
"Hey Rev are you going to be coming back to the Andromeda with us?" Asked Trance
"I wish that I could but my journey is not yet finished. Maybe someday I will be ready to return but that day has not yet come. Now if you all don't mind I'd like to talk to Rommie for a few moments in private?"
"Sure thing Rev. Trance, Harper lets go back to the Maru and make sure Tyr doesn't break anything" Beka said before grabbing both of them and pushing them towards the Maru to get them moving "It's been good seeing you again Rev"
"Likewise Beka. Likewise" Rev turned and watched them leave he waited until they were out of earshot before turning back to Rommie who had not moved from where she had been standing since she arrived.
"Andromeda, how are you dealing with this?"
"What do you mean Rev? I'm just a machine I don't have emotions."
"Andromeda you and I both know that's not true" when she didn't respond he continued "I'm curious as to why Dylan was out in the middle of nowhere by himself, it's not like him to just leave like that something must have happened do you know what?" Rommie knew he was probing for answers and he did deserve them, after all he was also Dylan's friend.
"Yes I know why he was out there. It was my fault..." With that the floodgates opened again and she sobbed the whole story out to Rev who just stood there listening. When she was finally finished he said
"Andromeda you can not blame yourself for things that were beyond your control."
"What do you mean? I responded to that kiss I didn't have to but I did. How can you say that situation was beyond my control?"
"From what you told me you forgot all about Dylan correct" she nodded "well isn't it possible that somehow, someway an outside source was affecting your judgement and memory recall abilities?"
"I suppose but if there were any machines capable of doing such a thing my sensors would have picked it up.... Wouldn't they?" This was a possibility they hadn't really looked into.
"Maybe... Maybe not. I think the only way to be sure is to go back to the drift where this all started and look around."
"But Rev me just trying to clear my conscience is not a good enough reason to go back to Vegas drift"
"Ok... Then what about going back to the place you first met this Mat person, you never know there might be something about him or the people he works for there."
"That's brilliant Rev... We never even thought about that. I've got to go sorry I can't stick around longer but we have to move quickly just in case"
"That's ok Andromeda I understand" he said and started to walk away he had taken no more then 5 steps when he turned back and called out "Good luck"
"Thank you Rev, I think I'm going to need it" Rommie replied before dashing off towards the Maru to tell everyone about the idea Rev had given her.
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