AN: THE LAST PART! Woo-hoo! Hope you like the ending, had a hard time with the last little bit, tried to get it just right. I want to thank everyone for sticking with this fic, now I'll be able to concentrate on Back From the Future :D
AN2: Since this is the last part, I would like to thank to all my reviewers :D aimless, that's great news, your fic was so well done, it'd be a shame you didn't think you got many reviews because of that :D Dawn, megg, et1, fanofsmith, Autumn Moon *blushes* wow! Thank you and thanks for all the reviews on my other stories :D Trin, Space surfer, Saramouche :D Jade, Claire and everyone else THANK YOU from the bottom of my little fanfic heart!
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Consciousness slammed into him like a freight train. Awareness, now that took a little longer. He dared not betray his return to wakefulness lest his adversary be watching. He was disoriented but until he got his bearings, he remained motionless. His patience paid off because slowly the events that landed him in his current state revealed themselves to his fog-filled mind. He heard voices murmuring nearby and groaned as he realized who they were and where he was. The voices quieted immediately and he felt someone approaching. He slowly opened his eyes and just as he had guessed saw Trance Gemini hovering over his bed in med bay.
"He's waking up." Trance said, turning to the rooms other occupants.
"What an amazing deduction." He whispered hoarsely shooting the purple woman his most exasperated glare. She ignored him and held his head up offering him a drink of water.
Dylan appeared on his right. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I was run over by a Magog swarm ship, twice."
"Well, Trance says you're going to be just fine." Dylan said encouragingly.
Beka came into view at the foot of his bed, arms folded, a smirk seemingly glued to her lips. "Lucky for you we got there when we did. Harper very nearly finished you off."
Tyr let his head fall back on the pillow, "Defeated by a kludge." He muttered closing his eyes against the memory.
Trance felt genuinely sorry for Tyr, his pride was bound to be bruised far more than his body. "Harper didn't mean to hurt you, he wasn't himself."
Tyr opened his eyes and stared at the girl. "Of that I have no doubt. Where is he?"
Rommie stepped forward ready to restrain Tyr should he be stupid enough to seek revenge on her engineer. "He's over there," she gestured to an adjacent bed, "Don't worry, he's been restrained."
Tyr frowned at the avatar's obvious attempt to mock him and turned his eyes to the area she indicated. He could barely make out Harper's small form amidst the various tubes and wires intertwining in and around his body. "What is his condition?" Tyr decided to ignore the trace of concern that laced his words.
"He's not doin' so hot, what the hell happened in there, Tyr?" Beka said, her smirk gone as she too gazed upon the fragile form of her friend.
"Why don't you tell me." Tyr said, addressing his statement to Trance rather than Beka.
"Well, it's a little complicated, are you sure you're up for this?" Trance said, "I mean, you have a couple of broken ribs and a broken leg. Your nano bots are nearly finished repairing a ruptured spleen but you'll still have to rest and take it easy for several days."
Tyr sighed, amazed that he had put his concern for the boy's welfare first, not even thinking to ask as to his own condition. He decided that he must have sustained a concussion for that was the only explanation for his very un-Nietzschean behavior. Shaking his head slightly he pushed those thoughts aside for the moment. "As you said, I will survive. Now, I would like it very much if one of you would explain to me how in the *hell* the ship's resident mudfoot was doing back flips on a broken leg?"
Trance visibly flinched at the force in Tyr's voice, "He, uh, I mean, there was this thing and it..." Beka put her arm around Trances shoulders trying to calm her down. Rommie stepped forward, and related the facts to Tyr, her android voice a clinical monotone.
"Beka didn't have a cold. She was exposed to a bacterium on Bangor Drift that manifested its symptoms as a virus. Upon recognizing the bacteria as foreign, her immune system responded and began destroying the invaders. As each of the microbes were destroyed, they released a toxin. When Harper kissed Beka, he received a dose of that toxin." Tyr opened his mouth to point out several holes in the avatar's theory but she held up her hand for silence and continued. "Alone, the toxins would have had little affect on Harper. However, he was additionally exposed to Axylcolase, a catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions in the limbic regions of the brain. Combined, these agents induced a severe reaction mimicking Phencyclidine more commonly referred to as "Angel Dust". This resulted in faster than normal reflexes, completely anesthetized pain receptors, and adrenaline in near lethal levels. Add to that uncontrollable rage, fear, paranoia, the list goes on. I could print up a copy if you would like to read the entire medical explanation."
"That will not be necessary." Tyr said. He vaguely wondered what the odds were of Harper being exposed to that specific combination of chemicals. Knowing Harper though, Tyr figured those odds were a lot less significant than for the average person. He glanced again at the bed where Harper lay. "Will he be all right?" Four sets of eyes focused on him and he quickly added, "For this ship to survive, it must have an engineer and as he appears to be the only one, it would be in all our best interests to keep him alive."
Trance, having regained her composure laid a hesitant hand on Tyr's arm and took a deep breath, "It's not good. Harper has a broken leg, two broken ribs, a punctured lung, severe lacerations, and a fractured skull. He lost a lot of blood which, in hindsight, probably saved his life as it rid his body of the toxic chemicals." Trance's voice was shaking as she recalled treating Harper's grievous wounds, "I set his leg and put a tube in his chest to re-inflate his lung. I sutured the cuts on his arms and I am monitoring his brain for swelling. He's still unconscious." She looked helplessly at her crewmates, "I've done all I can, the rest is up to him."
Beka resumed her position at Trance's side. "He'll pull through. My shorty is to stubborn to die."
"I had to defend myself." Tyr blurted out. Again everyone's attention focused on him.
"Don't worry, Tyr, we understand what happened. You had no choice, Harper was completely out of control." Dylan said, "Believe me, if there had been any doubt as to the circumstances surrounding his injuries, I doubt you would have woken up at all."
Tyr nodded slightly; he understood the underlying threat in Dylan's words. He was not completely trusted by the captain and with good reason. Tyr had no desire to earn the crew's trust, they were merely a means to an end. If that were true, why did he feel the need to explain his actions, why did he care what they thought of him? Why hadn't he just killed Harper rather than risk harm to himself? Tyr sighed, suddenly feeling very tired. Trance picked up on her patient's weariness and began the task of shooing everyone out of medical. "I have to check Tyr's vitals and then he needs to rest."
"But what about Harper?" Beka protested, unwilling to leave her friend.
"Andromeda has been monitoring Harper's condition the entire time, there is no change. I want you to get some rest too. I'll call you as soon as there is anything new, I promise." As soon as the doors slid shut behind the last concerned crewmember, Trance turned her attention to Tyr. "How are you feeling, really?"
"I know what you are trying to do. Don't waste your breath. I do not feel guilt, remorse, fear, anger, or any other wasteful emotion over my actions as they concern the little professor. I do however feel tired so please complete your tasks in silence and leave me be."
Trance nodded and quietly checked Tyr's monitors, however she felt compelled to add one more thing, "He looks up to you."
Tyr gave her a disgusted look, "What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about Harper. You are everything he's not."
Tyr scoffed, "If it is as you say, why would he make such a spectacle of avoiding me?" Tyr paused, scowling, "No, you are wrong. He hates my people and, from his perspective, he has every right to. I could never induce any emotion in that boy but fear."
Trance looked thoughtful as she recorded Tyr's medical information on a flexi. "Fear, yes, there is still fear but there is also a growing respect." She leaned in close and whispered conspiratorially, "The only reason he made such a game out of avoiding your sparring sessions was because he couldn't stand letting you down. He knew you were disappointed in his progress even though he was trying his best."
Tyr lay back to digest this information. Trance smiled softly then left him to his brooding. Tyr watched her tend to Harper, trying to make sense of the thoughts racing through is mind. Fear he could understand he was feared wherever he went. He had grown accustomed to and come to expect that reaction. It came naturally with being Nietzschean. The ability to inspire fear in one's enemies was a valuable survival trait. Tyr found it hard to wrap his mind around the concept of respect. Sure, he'd been trying all his life to garner the respect of his peers, his *Nietzschean* peers. Since the fall of his pride, everything he had done had been to bring the words respect and Kodiak back together. However, respect from a kludge, now that was venturing into uncharted territory. He had neither sought nor expected anything from this crew. Not friendship, not loyalty, not concern or sympathy. He was completely taken off guard by Trance's words.
Tyr decided he'd had enough introspection for one day. He sat up and began to unhook the various monitoring devices taped and strapped to his body. Trance had left the room so he didn't have to worry about her insisting that he remain in medical. He gingerly set his injured leg on the floor and slowly tested his weight on it. The repair nanobots were working well but it was still sore. He hobbled to the foot of his bed and found his clothes in a locker. He dressed slowly, his thoughts returning to the pathetic sight on the opposite bed. Before he knew what he was doing, he found himself at Harper's bedside. A war raged on his face upon seeing Harper's still form. His Nietzschean upbringing demanded retribution for the physical attack, his survival instincts screamed that he should not let someone live that may present a future threat. He knew, though, if he followed his impulses, he would loose valuable allies and the diminishing but still very real possibility of taking the ship for himself. Deeper than that lie the truth; he couldn't kill Harper in cold blood. Before him was a man who had saved his life numerous times, a man Tyr found himself beginning to respect.
Harper, as though aware of the mental battle being fought mere feet from him, began to stir startling Tyr out of his reverie. Monitors started beeping as the young man's eyes fluttered and he began the slow journey back to consciousness. Before Trance could reappear, Tyr gathered his things and limped out of medical.
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True to her word Trance alerted everyone that Harper was waking up and that he would be ok, after a couple of weeks in bed, that is. During which time he proceeded to drive the rest of the crew crazy with his boredom. Tyr kept his distance during Harper's convalescence. Not only did he not visit Harper but he also began distancing himself from the rest of the crew, determined to not let his relationship with any of them become a weakness. He could not afford to let anything interfere with his ultimate plans of glory.
When Harper was released from medical, he avoided Tyr like the plague. Despite everyone's assurances that Tyr had no hard feelings about their encounter, Harper just wasn't willing to risk life and limb at the hands of a ticked off Nietzschean (again). Finally, with Trances constant urgings and encouragement, he decided to try talking to Tyr.
Harper stood in the doorway of the gymnasium. He could see Tyr slowly twirling a punching bag, seemingly lost in thought. Harper hesitated and turned to leave, having changed his mind. "What do you want." Tyr's voice froze him to the spot.
"Uh, I ah..." He stammered. "I mean, um..."
"Perhaps you should return to medical, you seem to have developed a stutter from your blow to the head." Tyr said, turning to face Harper.
"Ha, ha, nice to see I didn't break your funny bone." Harper quipped, relaxing a little. He took a couple of steps through the doorway. "I came her to...I mean...ah hell, Tyr, I'm sorry about what happened." He stopped and stared at the floor, his hands absently fiddling with a piece of wiring.
"How much do you remember?" Tyr asked trying to appear nonplused by the young man's apology.
"Not much, just kinda flashes, I want you to know that I would never, uh, in my right mind, try to hurt anybody on this ship." Harper chanced a glance up at Tyr, hoping the larger man knew what he meant. He was still ready to bolt, just in case Trance had been wrong about the Nietzschean's 'we need the engineer alive' attitude.
Tyr nodded ever so slightly. He crossed his arms and studied the human. "As you said you were not in your right mind but for future reference, you'll have to tell me when you are in your right mind so I will be able to tell the difference."
Harper gaped at Tyr but upon seeing the twinkle in the Nietzschean's eyes he relaxed the rest of the way and lightly punched Tyr in the arm. "Yeah, well I may not remember much but I know I mopped the floor with ya."
Tyr growled and quickly grabbed Harper in a headlock. Harper squirmed as he was treated to a Nietzschean sized noogie. When Tyr finally released him, Harper made a fuss of straightening his clothes and his hair, a fake scowl on his face. He couldn't hold the mask for long though and soon was treating the Nietzschean to one of his famous lopsided grins. "So, big guy, do you think you could teach me to do that..." He waved his hand in the air, "...that whatever it was I did."
Tyr couldn't stop the small chuckle that escaped his lips. He turned back to the punching bag, and said nonchalantly, "Next time don't be late."
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THE END! Happier words were never spoken! :D Oh, yeah, I totally made up all the medical stuff so if it's WAY off, sorry :D
AN2: Since this is the last part, I would like to thank to all my reviewers :D aimless, that's great news, your fic was so well done, it'd be a shame you didn't think you got many reviews because of that :D Dawn, megg, et1, fanofsmith, Autumn Moon *blushes* wow! Thank you and thanks for all the reviews on my other stories :D Trin, Space surfer, Saramouche :D Jade, Claire and everyone else THANK YOU from the bottom of my little fanfic heart!
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Consciousness slammed into him like a freight train. Awareness, now that took a little longer. He dared not betray his return to wakefulness lest his adversary be watching. He was disoriented but until he got his bearings, he remained motionless. His patience paid off because slowly the events that landed him in his current state revealed themselves to his fog-filled mind. He heard voices murmuring nearby and groaned as he realized who they were and where he was. The voices quieted immediately and he felt someone approaching. He slowly opened his eyes and just as he had guessed saw Trance Gemini hovering over his bed in med bay.
"He's waking up." Trance said, turning to the rooms other occupants.
"What an amazing deduction." He whispered hoarsely shooting the purple woman his most exasperated glare. She ignored him and held his head up offering him a drink of water.
Dylan appeared on his right. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I was run over by a Magog swarm ship, twice."
"Well, Trance says you're going to be just fine." Dylan said encouragingly.
Beka came into view at the foot of his bed, arms folded, a smirk seemingly glued to her lips. "Lucky for you we got there when we did. Harper very nearly finished you off."
Tyr let his head fall back on the pillow, "Defeated by a kludge." He muttered closing his eyes against the memory.
Trance felt genuinely sorry for Tyr, his pride was bound to be bruised far more than his body. "Harper didn't mean to hurt you, he wasn't himself."
Tyr opened his eyes and stared at the girl. "Of that I have no doubt. Where is he?"
Rommie stepped forward ready to restrain Tyr should he be stupid enough to seek revenge on her engineer. "He's over there," she gestured to an adjacent bed, "Don't worry, he's been restrained."
Tyr frowned at the avatar's obvious attempt to mock him and turned his eyes to the area she indicated. He could barely make out Harper's small form amidst the various tubes and wires intertwining in and around his body. "What is his condition?" Tyr decided to ignore the trace of concern that laced his words.
"He's not doin' so hot, what the hell happened in there, Tyr?" Beka said, her smirk gone as she too gazed upon the fragile form of her friend.
"Why don't you tell me." Tyr said, addressing his statement to Trance rather than Beka.
"Well, it's a little complicated, are you sure you're up for this?" Trance said, "I mean, you have a couple of broken ribs and a broken leg. Your nano bots are nearly finished repairing a ruptured spleen but you'll still have to rest and take it easy for several days."
Tyr sighed, amazed that he had put his concern for the boy's welfare first, not even thinking to ask as to his own condition. He decided that he must have sustained a concussion for that was the only explanation for his very un-Nietzschean behavior. Shaking his head slightly he pushed those thoughts aside for the moment. "As you said, I will survive. Now, I would like it very much if one of you would explain to me how in the *hell* the ship's resident mudfoot was doing back flips on a broken leg?"
Trance visibly flinched at the force in Tyr's voice, "He, uh, I mean, there was this thing and it..." Beka put her arm around Trances shoulders trying to calm her down. Rommie stepped forward, and related the facts to Tyr, her android voice a clinical monotone.
"Beka didn't have a cold. She was exposed to a bacterium on Bangor Drift that manifested its symptoms as a virus. Upon recognizing the bacteria as foreign, her immune system responded and began destroying the invaders. As each of the microbes were destroyed, they released a toxin. When Harper kissed Beka, he received a dose of that toxin." Tyr opened his mouth to point out several holes in the avatar's theory but she held up her hand for silence and continued. "Alone, the toxins would have had little affect on Harper. However, he was additionally exposed to Axylcolase, a catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions in the limbic regions of the brain. Combined, these agents induced a severe reaction mimicking Phencyclidine more commonly referred to as "Angel Dust". This resulted in faster than normal reflexes, completely anesthetized pain receptors, and adrenaline in near lethal levels. Add to that uncontrollable rage, fear, paranoia, the list goes on. I could print up a copy if you would like to read the entire medical explanation."
"That will not be necessary." Tyr said. He vaguely wondered what the odds were of Harper being exposed to that specific combination of chemicals. Knowing Harper though, Tyr figured those odds were a lot less significant than for the average person. He glanced again at the bed where Harper lay. "Will he be all right?" Four sets of eyes focused on him and he quickly added, "For this ship to survive, it must have an engineer and as he appears to be the only one, it would be in all our best interests to keep him alive."
Trance, having regained her composure laid a hesitant hand on Tyr's arm and took a deep breath, "It's not good. Harper has a broken leg, two broken ribs, a punctured lung, severe lacerations, and a fractured skull. He lost a lot of blood which, in hindsight, probably saved his life as it rid his body of the toxic chemicals." Trance's voice was shaking as she recalled treating Harper's grievous wounds, "I set his leg and put a tube in his chest to re-inflate his lung. I sutured the cuts on his arms and I am monitoring his brain for swelling. He's still unconscious." She looked helplessly at her crewmates, "I've done all I can, the rest is up to him."
Beka resumed her position at Trance's side. "He'll pull through. My shorty is to stubborn to die."
"I had to defend myself." Tyr blurted out. Again everyone's attention focused on him.
"Don't worry, Tyr, we understand what happened. You had no choice, Harper was completely out of control." Dylan said, "Believe me, if there had been any doubt as to the circumstances surrounding his injuries, I doubt you would have woken up at all."
Tyr nodded slightly; he understood the underlying threat in Dylan's words. He was not completely trusted by the captain and with good reason. Tyr had no desire to earn the crew's trust, they were merely a means to an end. If that were true, why did he feel the need to explain his actions, why did he care what they thought of him? Why hadn't he just killed Harper rather than risk harm to himself? Tyr sighed, suddenly feeling very tired. Trance picked up on her patient's weariness and began the task of shooing everyone out of medical. "I have to check Tyr's vitals and then he needs to rest."
"But what about Harper?" Beka protested, unwilling to leave her friend.
"Andromeda has been monitoring Harper's condition the entire time, there is no change. I want you to get some rest too. I'll call you as soon as there is anything new, I promise." As soon as the doors slid shut behind the last concerned crewmember, Trance turned her attention to Tyr. "How are you feeling, really?"
"I know what you are trying to do. Don't waste your breath. I do not feel guilt, remorse, fear, anger, or any other wasteful emotion over my actions as they concern the little professor. I do however feel tired so please complete your tasks in silence and leave me be."
Trance nodded and quietly checked Tyr's monitors, however she felt compelled to add one more thing, "He looks up to you."
Tyr gave her a disgusted look, "What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about Harper. You are everything he's not."
Tyr scoffed, "If it is as you say, why would he make such a spectacle of avoiding me?" Tyr paused, scowling, "No, you are wrong. He hates my people and, from his perspective, he has every right to. I could never induce any emotion in that boy but fear."
Trance looked thoughtful as she recorded Tyr's medical information on a flexi. "Fear, yes, there is still fear but there is also a growing respect." She leaned in close and whispered conspiratorially, "The only reason he made such a game out of avoiding your sparring sessions was because he couldn't stand letting you down. He knew you were disappointed in his progress even though he was trying his best."
Tyr lay back to digest this information. Trance smiled softly then left him to his brooding. Tyr watched her tend to Harper, trying to make sense of the thoughts racing through is mind. Fear he could understand he was feared wherever he went. He had grown accustomed to and come to expect that reaction. It came naturally with being Nietzschean. The ability to inspire fear in one's enemies was a valuable survival trait. Tyr found it hard to wrap his mind around the concept of respect. Sure, he'd been trying all his life to garner the respect of his peers, his *Nietzschean* peers. Since the fall of his pride, everything he had done had been to bring the words respect and Kodiak back together. However, respect from a kludge, now that was venturing into uncharted territory. He had neither sought nor expected anything from this crew. Not friendship, not loyalty, not concern or sympathy. He was completely taken off guard by Trance's words.
Tyr decided he'd had enough introspection for one day. He sat up and began to unhook the various monitoring devices taped and strapped to his body. Trance had left the room so he didn't have to worry about her insisting that he remain in medical. He gingerly set his injured leg on the floor and slowly tested his weight on it. The repair nanobots were working well but it was still sore. He hobbled to the foot of his bed and found his clothes in a locker. He dressed slowly, his thoughts returning to the pathetic sight on the opposite bed. Before he knew what he was doing, he found himself at Harper's bedside. A war raged on his face upon seeing Harper's still form. His Nietzschean upbringing demanded retribution for the physical attack, his survival instincts screamed that he should not let someone live that may present a future threat. He knew, though, if he followed his impulses, he would loose valuable allies and the diminishing but still very real possibility of taking the ship for himself. Deeper than that lie the truth; he couldn't kill Harper in cold blood. Before him was a man who had saved his life numerous times, a man Tyr found himself beginning to respect.
Harper, as though aware of the mental battle being fought mere feet from him, began to stir startling Tyr out of his reverie. Monitors started beeping as the young man's eyes fluttered and he began the slow journey back to consciousness. Before Trance could reappear, Tyr gathered his things and limped out of medical.
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True to her word Trance alerted everyone that Harper was waking up and that he would be ok, after a couple of weeks in bed, that is. During which time he proceeded to drive the rest of the crew crazy with his boredom. Tyr kept his distance during Harper's convalescence. Not only did he not visit Harper but he also began distancing himself from the rest of the crew, determined to not let his relationship with any of them become a weakness. He could not afford to let anything interfere with his ultimate plans of glory.
When Harper was released from medical, he avoided Tyr like the plague. Despite everyone's assurances that Tyr had no hard feelings about their encounter, Harper just wasn't willing to risk life and limb at the hands of a ticked off Nietzschean (again). Finally, with Trances constant urgings and encouragement, he decided to try talking to Tyr.
Harper stood in the doorway of the gymnasium. He could see Tyr slowly twirling a punching bag, seemingly lost in thought. Harper hesitated and turned to leave, having changed his mind. "What do you want." Tyr's voice froze him to the spot.
"Uh, I ah..." He stammered. "I mean, um..."
"Perhaps you should return to medical, you seem to have developed a stutter from your blow to the head." Tyr said, turning to face Harper.
"Ha, ha, nice to see I didn't break your funny bone." Harper quipped, relaxing a little. He took a couple of steps through the doorway. "I came her to...I mean...ah hell, Tyr, I'm sorry about what happened." He stopped and stared at the floor, his hands absently fiddling with a piece of wiring.
"How much do you remember?" Tyr asked trying to appear nonplused by the young man's apology.
"Not much, just kinda flashes, I want you to know that I would never, uh, in my right mind, try to hurt anybody on this ship." Harper chanced a glance up at Tyr, hoping the larger man knew what he meant. He was still ready to bolt, just in case Trance had been wrong about the Nietzschean's 'we need the engineer alive' attitude.
Tyr nodded ever so slightly. He crossed his arms and studied the human. "As you said you were not in your right mind but for future reference, you'll have to tell me when you are in your right mind so I will be able to tell the difference."
Harper gaped at Tyr but upon seeing the twinkle in the Nietzschean's eyes he relaxed the rest of the way and lightly punched Tyr in the arm. "Yeah, well I may not remember much but I know I mopped the floor with ya."
Tyr growled and quickly grabbed Harper in a headlock. Harper squirmed as he was treated to a Nietzschean sized noogie. When Tyr finally released him, Harper made a fuss of straightening his clothes and his hair, a fake scowl on his face. He couldn't hold the mask for long though and soon was treating the Nietzschean to one of his famous lopsided grins. "So, big guy, do you think you could teach me to do that..." He waved his hand in the air, "...that whatever it was I did."
Tyr couldn't stop the small chuckle that escaped his lips. He turned back to the punching bag, and said nonchalantly, "Next time don't be late."
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THE END! Happier words were never spoken! :D Oh, yeah, I totally made up all the medical stuff so if it's WAY off, sorry :D