Fina, Brauno and Pranar had left the cave for a debate, one which Tyr guessed would be heated. But he knew who the victor would be, Pranar. Tyr knew that with his bargain with the Calain he had bought himself time, if not his life.
Crossing over to Hunt, Tyr crouched down by his captain, noting how the human was trembling with agony.
Dylan opened his eyes to view his visitor. "And here I thought you promised to NOT betray me.... at least today," his ragged voice echoing through the cave to the rebel guards' ears.
"I lied," Tyr sallied back also loud enough for their audience.
But when Dylan spoke again, his voice was barely audible even to the Nietzschean's enhanced hearing. "Nice bargaining with the devil for our lives."
Tyr returned just as quietly, "I was choosing the lesser of two evils."
"There's only one problem." And Dylan's eyes met Tyr's unflinchingly. "I'm not willing to risk the Andromeda ....even to save our lives."
This objection did not surprise Tyr and he met his captain's eyes with strength. "And what about the Andromeda's threat to both Randamal and Calain?"
A weak smile pulled onto Dylan's face, "The Calain may have believed your retribution story but I know better. Rommie and Beka would not attack Randamal or Calain."
"Really?" Tyr began confidently. "Then you underestimate their loyalty to you. Do you really believe they will let your death go unpunished?!"
"They won't know who to punish, Tyr. The only thing they will know is Fina's story."
Looking almost amused, Tyr drawled, "My message to the Andromeda was quite explicit."
"What?" Dylan demanded. "But we agreed it would be an SOS without details."
"Oh it was an SOS, it simply was a longer version. Let me see. I think it went something like "The Randamal Senators have betrayed Dylan and he is critically wounded. The planet has been invaded and Dylan and I are seeking refuge. Consider the Randamals and the invaders enemies."
A sigh escaped Dylan. "I'm surprised you didn't' order the Andromeda to destroy both parties."
A cocky smiled emerged on Tyr's lips.
"Oh great! You did give them that order," Dylan interpreted.
"Revenge is important to a Nietzschean. Now, unless you want the Andromeda to get that message and act upon my "order", I suggest you help me uphold this "bargain." Well, at least until we can extract ourselves from this situation."
Meeting Tyr's eyes, Dylan searched for the man's true soul. This plan called for Dylan to trust Tyr. For he risked not only his own life but the lives of his crew and his ship and his Commonwealth dream.
Sensing Dylan's internal struggle, Tyr remained silent, knowing words could not sway Dylan's final decision. No, he had either earned Dylan's trust or he had not.
But Dylan's mind was not focusing solely on trusting Tyr but on trust itself. He had trusted Rhade without limitation and that trust had, in essence, destroyed the Commonwealth, killed innumerable lives and banished Dylan to 300 years into the future. How could he even contemplate trusting again, let alone trusting a Nietzschean?! He wanted to say he had no choice but to trust Tyr, but he did have a choice. He could sacrifice Tyr's life and his own and rely on Rommie and Beka's good judgment. But that too, focused on trust. No matter how he tried to reconstruct his life, trust was still required.
"Why did you come here, to Randamal?" Dylan softly questioned of his friend.
Tyr sighed. The question had to be answered now and truthfully. "I didn't trust the Randamals and I thought you might be in danger."
Trust, there was that word again. It seemed no one was immune to trust's influence. It simply was an element of life.
But what struck Dylan the most was that Tyr had risked his life to protect him, and for no reason, save friendship. Placing his trust in Tyr now seemed the only fair thank you he could offer.
"Tell Andromeda code "Break Break 7 9 Lexis Break 4" when you first make contact," Dylan lowly ordered. But before Dylan could translate what the code meant, Tyr, hearing footfalls at the cave entrance, stood just as Fina, Brauno and Pranar came into view.
"Bargaining again, Nietzschean?" Pranar taunted.
Tyr didn't deny the Calain's accusation. "I never limit my odds for survival."
Brauno smirked, "I'm sure you don't."
Tyr ate by the firelight with the rebels, Pranar and Fina as if he were one of them but he knew better than that. The Calain needed him to get the Andromeda but that didn't make them allies.
With water in hand, Tyr stood and began to walk toward Dylan. Brauno stood up suddenly to block his way.
"And where's our Nietzschean going? To tend to the corpse?" Brauno taunted.
Sensing Fina and Pranar's eyes on him, Tyr stated loudly enough for their hearing, "If Hunt dies, so does you chance of destroying the Andromeda."
Brauno reached for the water, "I'll give the corpse a drink." His tone indicating Dylan would not benefit from his bedside manner.
Tyr didn't relinquish the water and unleashed a growl. Immediately Brauno stepped back out of the Nietzschean's path.
Tyr had only taken a step forward when Pranar leveled his weapon at him. "Let the human tend to his own kind. It is against your nature to protect the weak, I believe. Haven't you sacrificed enough of your honor for this human already?" Pranar spat. "Come and tell me your plan to destroy the Andromeda."
Brauno again reached for the water and, reluctantly, Tyr released his hold. He watched motionless, as Brauno walked to Dylan and bent down by the barely conscious man.
A shot singed into the ground inches from Tyr's leg, earning his attention. "We plan NOW," the Calain demanded and pointed to a place at his side that would put Tyr's back to Dylan.
Stifling a growl, Tyr obeyed Pranar and claimed a seat at his side, but not at the space the Calain had indicated. Instead, his seat gave him a clear view of Hunt.
"Tell me your plans, Nietzschean," Pranar demanded, amused at the officer's seating choice.
Tyr focused on the Calain's furry face. "As I have already outlined, Andromeda will allow a strange ship to board if she reads Hunt's living presence aboard and if I give the proper codes." Here Tyr's voice turned derogatory. "Hunt is fanatical in his protocol. He even insists that I wear this ridiculous uniform." He shot a look to Fina. "He wouldn't even allow you to sign his damn constitution ahead of schedule."
Fina nodded, "Yes, but his strict protocol worked to our advantage then."
The Calain's mind was sharp and focused on his task. "And what code will you be giving the Andromeda, Nietzschean? The orders to kill us all?" Before Tyr could rebuke the accusation, Pranar demanded, "Tell me the code, now!" as his weapon muzzle rested under Tyr's chin.
At Tyr's hesitation, Pranar snarled, "Hunt's life has its usefulness. Your life does not. Tell me the code!"
"If I tell you the code, THEN my life will have no worth to you. No, I think I shall keep the code to myself," Tyr boldly countered.
"Brauno, show Hunt my displeasure with his officer!" Pranar called to the rebel leader standing by Hunt.
With pleasure, Brauno kicked Dylan in the side, hard enough to send the injured man rolling to his stomach.
Dylan's agonized cry vibrated throughout the cave, even as Tyr, regardless of his own precarious situation, surged to his feet, knocking Pranar backwards to the ground.
"Take a step and this corpse will be ready to be buried," Brauno threatened, his weapon drawn and it's muzzle digging brutally into Dylan's injured back.
Tyr froze, trembling with rage. "You kill him and there will be nothing in the universe to stop Andromeda's revenge!"
Gaining his feet, Pranar stood at Tyr's side and calmly asked again. "Tell me the codes you will give to the Andromeda or Hunt dies here, now and painfully."
Watching Dylan clutch the ground in agony, defenseless to any brutality brought to bear on him, Tyr bitterly gave up the code, knowing he could very well be forfeiting his own life. "Break Break 7 9 Lexis Break 4."
Pranar bent down and retrieved a small keyboard and entered the code. Then, he smiled for the first time.
"Well, what's the code mean? Was he going to betray us?" Fina trilled impatiently.
Standing, Pranar eyed Tyr for a moment. "That's a hard question to answer."
Fina pressed, " What did the code mean?"
"The Nietzschean's code seems valid, even appropriate," Pranar replied, his eyes never leaving Tyr's. "But what trap do you plan to spring on us once we board the Andromeda?"
"We want the same thing," Tyr reassured coolly.
"Do we? I sense Hunt's life means something to you. And not just a key to get aboard the Andromeda," Pranar probed.
Sensing that an out and out lie would no longer suffice, Tyr shrugged, "Regardless, his life does not mean more than my own."
The smile returned to the Calain's face. "I know." He paused a moment. "How about if I give you another reason to aid us?"
Tyr looked to Pranar with interest. "And what would that be?"
"Captaincy of the Andromeda."
Tyr's eyebrows rose in shock.....and interest.
tbc
Crossing over to Hunt, Tyr crouched down by his captain, noting how the human was trembling with agony.
Dylan opened his eyes to view his visitor. "And here I thought you promised to NOT betray me.... at least today," his ragged voice echoing through the cave to the rebel guards' ears.
"I lied," Tyr sallied back also loud enough for their audience.
But when Dylan spoke again, his voice was barely audible even to the Nietzschean's enhanced hearing. "Nice bargaining with the devil for our lives."
Tyr returned just as quietly, "I was choosing the lesser of two evils."
"There's only one problem." And Dylan's eyes met Tyr's unflinchingly. "I'm not willing to risk the Andromeda ....even to save our lives."
This objection did not surprise Tyr and he met his captain's eyes with strength. "And what about the Andromeda's threat to both Randamal and Calain?"
A weak smile pulled onto Dylan's face, "The Calain may have believed your retribution story but I know better. Rommie and Beka would not attack Randamal or Calain."
"Really?" Tyr began confidently. "Then you underestimate their loyalty to you. Do you really believe they will let your death go unpunished?!"
"They won't know who to punish, Tyr. The only thing they will know is Fina's story."
Looking almost amused, Tyr drawled, "My message to the Andromeda was quite explicit."
"What?" Dylan demanded. "But we agreed it would be an SOS without details."
"Oh it was an SOS, it simply was a longer version. Let me see. I think it went something like "The Randamal Senators have betrayed Dylan and he is critically wounded. The planet has been invaded and Dylan and I are seeking refuge. Consider the Randamals and the invaders enemies."
A sigh escaped Dylan. "I'm surprised you didn't' order the Andromeda to destroy both parties."
A cocky smiled emerged on Tyr's lips.
"Oh great! You did give them that order," Dylan interpreted.
"Revenge is important to a Nietzschean. Now, unless you want the Andromeda to get that message and act upon my "order", I suggest you help me uphold this "bargain." Well, at least until we can extract ourselves from this situation."
Meeting Tyr's eyes, Dylan searched for the man's true soul. This plan called for Dylan to trust Tyr. For he risked not only his own life but the lives of his crew and his ship and his Commonwealth dream.
Sensing Dylan's internal struggle, Tyr remained silent, knowing words could not sway Dylan's final decision. No, he had either earned Dylan's trust or he had not.
But Dylan's mind was not focusing solely on trusting Tyr but on trust itself. He had trusted Rhade without limitation and that trust had, in essence, destroyed the Commonwealth, killed innumerable lives and banished Dylan to 300 years into the future. How could he even contemplate trusting again, let alone trusting a Nietzschean?! He wanted to say he had no choice but to trust Tyr, but he did have a choice. He could sacrifice Tyr's life and his own and rely on Rommie and Beka's good judgment. But that too, focused on trust. No matter how he tried to reconstruct his life, trust was still required.
"Why did you come here, to Randamal?" Dylan softly questioned of his friend.
Tyr sighed. The question had to be answered now and truthfully. "I didn't trust the Randamals and I thought you might be in danger."
Trust, there was that word again. It seemed no one was immune to trust's influence. It simply was an element of life.
But what struck Dylan the most was that Tyr had risked his life to protect him, and for no reason, save friendship. Placing his trust in Tyr now seemed the only fair thank you he could offer.
"Tell Andromeda code "Break Break 7 9 Lexis Break 4" when you first make contact," Dylan lowly ordered. But before Dylan could translate what the code meant, Tyr, hearing footfalls at the cave entrance, stood just as Fina, Brauno and Pranar came into view.
"Bargaining again, Nietzschean?" Pranar taunted.
Tyr didn't deny the Calain's accusation. "I never limit my odds for survival."
Brauno smirked, "I'm sure you don't."
Tyr ate by the firelight with the rebels, Pranar and Fina as if he were one of them but he knew better than that. The Calain needed him to get the Andromeda but that didn't make them allies.
With water in hand, Tyr stood and began to walk toward Dylan. Brauno stood up suddenly to block his way.
"And where's our Nietzschean going? To tend to the corpse?" Brauno taunted.
Sensing Fina and Pranar's eyes on him, Tyr stated loudly enough for their hearing, "If Hunt dies, so does you chance of destroying the Andromeda."
Brauno reached for the water, "I'll give the corpse a drink." His tone indicating Dylan would not benefit from his bedside manner.
Tyr didn't relinquish the water and unleashed a growl. Immediately Brauno stepped back out of the Nietzschean's path.
Tyr had only taken a step forward when Pranar leveled his weapon at him. "Let the human tend to his own kind. It is against your nature to protect the weak, I believe. Haven't you sacrificed enough of your honor for this human already?" Pranar spat. "Come and tell me your plan to destroy the Andromeda."
Brauno again reached for the water and, reluctantly, Tyr released his hold. He watched motionless, as Brauno walked to Dylan and bent down by the barely conscious man.
A shot singed into the ground inches from Tyr's leg, earning his attention. "We plan NOW," the Calain demanded and pointed to a place at his side that would put Tyr's back to Dylan.
Stifling a growl, Tyr obeyed Pranar and claimed a seat at his side, but not at the space the Calain had indicated. Instead, his seat gave him a clear view of Hunt.
"Tell me your plans, Nietzschean," Pranar demanded, amused at the officer's seating choice.
Tyr focused on the Calain's furry face. "As I have already outlined, Andromeda will allow a strange ship to board if she reads Hunt's living presence aboard and if I give the proper codes." Here Tyr's voice turned derogatory. "Hunt is fanatical in his protocol. He even insists that I wear this ridiculous uniform." He shot a look to Fina. "He wouldn't even allow you to sign his damn constitution ahead of schedule."
Fina nodded, "Yes, but his strict protocol worked to our advantage then."
The Calain's mind was sharp and focused on his task. "And what code will you be giving the Andromeda, Nietzschean? The orders to kill us all?" Before Tyr could rebuke the accusation, Pranar demanded, "Tell me the code, now!" as his weapon muzzle rested under Tyr's chin.
At Tyr's hesitation, Pranar snarled, "Hunt's life has its usefulness. Your life does not. Tell me the code!"
"If I tell you the code, THEN my life will have no worth to you. No, I think I shall keep the code to myself," Tyr boldly countered.
"Brauno, show Hunt my displeasure with his officer!" Pranar called to the rebel leader standing by Hunt.
With pleasure, Brauno kicked Dylan in the side, hard enough to send the injured man rolling to his stomach.
Dylan's agonized cry vibrated throughout the cave, even as Tyr, regardless of his own precarious situation, surged to his feet, knocking Pranar backwards to the ground.
"Take a step and this corpse will be ready to be buried," Brauno threatened, his weapon drawn and it's muzzle digging brutally into Dylan's injured back.
Tyr froze, trembling with rage. "You kill him and there will be nothing in the universe to stop Andromeda's revenge!"
Gaining his feet, Pranar stood at Tyr's side and calmly asked again. "Tell me the codes you will give to the Andromeda or Hunt dies here, now and painfully."
Watching Dylan clutch the ground in agony, defenseless to any brutality brought to bear on him, Tyr bitterly gave up the code, knowing he could very well be forfeiting his own life. "Break Break 7 9 Lexis Break 4."
Pranar bent down and retrieved a small keyboard and entered the code. Then, he smiled for the first time.
"Well, what's the code mean? Was he going to betray us?" Fina trilled impatiently.
Standing, Pranar eyed Tyr for a moment. "That's a hard question to answer."
Fina pressed, " What did the code mean?"
"The Nietzschean's code seems valid, even appropriate," Pranar replied, his eyes never leaving Tyr's. "But what trap do you plan to spring on us once we board the Andromeda?"
"We want the same thing," Tyr reassured coolly.
"Do we? I sense Hunt's life means something to you. And not just a key to get aboard the Andromeda," Pranar probed.
Sensing that an out and out lie would no longer suffice, Tyr shrugged, "Regardless, his life does not mean more than my own."
The smile returned to the Calain's face. "I know." He paused a moment. "How about if I give you another reason to aid us?"
Tyr looked to Pranar with interest. "And what would that be?"
"Captaincy of the Andromeda."
Tyr's eyebrows rose in shock.....and interest.
tbc