The plans were set and the time for execution had arrived. The Calain unit had, moments prior, arrived and now the rebels began to gather their weapons and prepare for the ten minute trek to the waiting transport ship.
Leaning against a wall, Tyr watched the activity before him even as his mind conjured up a thousand arguments on his decided course of action. He heard Pranar order two of his soldiers to carry Hunt to the ship. Forcing himself to be immobile, Tyr watched as one soldier brutally grabbed Hunt's arms while the other soldier picked up his legs.
As they lifted Hunt from the ground, Tyr closed his eyes wishing he could also close his ears to Dylan's short scream of pain. But a second later, Tyr's eyes snapped open and he was at Dylan's side before the rebels guarding him could react.
Sliding his arms under the now unconscious Dylan, Tyr growled with contempt at the two men who 'carried' Hunt, "Release him. Now."
The two soldiers looked to Pranar and, upon his bemused nod, they relinquished their burden into the Nietzschean's strength. But Pranar sternly barked to his men,"Stay glued to them."
Cradling Dylan in his arms, Tyr was struck anew with his captain's vulnerability and tenuous grip on life. He clutched Dylan tighter to him and the unconscious man's head lolled against Tyr's chest.
"It's time, Nietzschean. Time to return the captain to his ship.....one final time," Pranar called out.
With resolve, Tyr followed Pranar from the cave, holding the man he had hours prior, declared "friend."
Any remaining lies that Tyr had consoled himself with about Dylan's health were shattered as he carried Hunt to the transport ship. Dylan's infamous strength, stubbornness and endurance could no longer battle the devastating effects of the long untreated critical injury. A coma had claimed Hunt, vastly diminishing his chances for survival, even if given medical treatment.
'Don't give up, Dylan. Stay with me,' Tyr silently ordered as he looked down at his friend's white face.
Once inside the ship, Tyr, with gentle care, lowered Dylan into a seat, eased his head back onto the headrest and securely strapped him into place. With one last fleeting look, Tyr left Dylan and headed for the pilot's chair. Pranar waited for him there.
"If you say more than protocol requires, I'll kill you. If you change the code you give to Andromeda, I'll kill you. If you betray me, my people will track you down and kill you," Pranar threatened.
A bemused look crossed Tyr's face. "Well, now that that has been cleared up, shall we complete our bargain?"
"By all means, let's proceed," drawled Pranar. Then he joined the rest of the undetectable "passengers" in the cargo hold.
Starting the ship's engines, Tyr checked the consoles a moment before lifting off of Randamal. Satisfaction grew in him at having finally managed to depart from Randamal but it could not outweigh the uncertainty that blanketed his future.
When Tyr was within real time communication range with Andromeda, he hailed the ship. "Andromeda Ascendant, this is Officer Anasazi. The code is break break 7 9 lexis break 4."
Without hesitation, Andromeda replied, "Code break break 7 9 lexis break, confirmed. Hangar Bay 2 is open for your boarding. Andromeda out."
Guiding the transport ship into hangar bay 2, uncertainty coursed through Tyr. He had no idea what the code had conveyed to Andromeda and it's crew. Taking a deep breath he rationalized that it actually didn't matter, he had his own plan of action.
Landing the ship without incident, Tyr was almost immediately joined by his cargo hold free loaders. Pranar ordered, "Engage the privacy mode ship wide."
Tyr looked to Pranar with new respect and contempt before he used the transport ship's communication to again contact the Andromeda. "Andromeda, engage privacy mode ship wide."
"Privacy mode engaged ship wide," Andromeda's protocol filled voice replied.
"Satisfied?" Tyr taunted the Calain.
"I'm getting there. Now, lead us to the Andromeda's command center."
With a word, Tyr stood up, met Pranar's eyes and then walked by him and out of the ship, never sparing a glance to Hunt. But Tyr heard Pranar's order, "Brauno, stay aboard with the good captain. Once the Andromeda's last resistance is over, you may finish what you incompetently began."
Tyr crossed the hanger bay with the invasion force in tow. He paused at the control panel outside the door that lead to Andromeda's interiors."
"Wait!" Pranar shouted as Tyr's finger hovered above a button. Stepping to Tyr's side, Panar studied the controls.
"I have to open the door, unless you can run the ship from here," Tyr drawled with disdain.
Pranar looked at the control a moment longer before fixing his gaze on Tyr. He pulled his gun and leveled it at Tyr's head. "Open the door."
Snorting mockingly, Tyr took a step closer to the console and tapped two buttons. But as Pranar watched the interior door in vain, the hanger bay door slid open and space's cold, merciless grasp clutched onto the beings gathered on the hangar deck.
The human rebels were the first to fly from the deck into space, followed by Fina and the Calain unit. Tyr gripped with one hand the bar around the door to Andromeda' interior as space's void wiped around him like he were a kite in its power. Somehow, Pranar had slammed into the transport ship and found a hand hold on it's hull.
A growl escaped Tyr as his hand began to slip it's grip. Still, he did not give the order to shut the hangar doors. He looked to the Calain and watched with satisfaction as Pranar lost his purchase and slid down the ship toward the abyss of space.
But before Tyr could be certain of Pranar's fate, the bar he gripped broke free and he found himself a victim of his own trap. Flying toward space, he screamed above the howl of the wind and the freezing agony in his chest, "Andromeda, Close hanger doors!"
Almost unexpectedly, he impacted harshly with the closing hangar bay doors. Moments later, he crumbled to the floor as gravity was restored again to the hangar bay. For a minute, Tyr lay on the deck, drawing in pained breaths. Then with determination, he picked himself up and strode menacingly to the transport ship.
The ship's engines tried to flare to life as Tyr stormed through the ship's door and immediately ducked. Brauno's shot from the pilot's chair zinged harmlessly into the wall.
"You killed them all!" Brauno yelled as he charged Tyr, firing as he approached.
Diving for the man's legs, Tyr easily tackled the rebel to the ground even as he sank his bone blades in his forearm into the human's chest. Agony and surprise seeped from the rebel's eyes.
Mercilessly enjoying the man's death, Tyr sneered, "Now I believe you understand." He leaned in close, his eyes boring into the dying man's soul. "YOU were the corpse as soon as your cyborg attacked Hunt." The rebel sputtered his last breath, his denials dying with him.
When Andromeda's door opened, the sight of Tyr carrying Dylan greeted Beka, Rommie and Harpers' fierce, armed stances.
"What happened?" Beka demanded as she spared a look into the now secure hangar bay before holstering her weapon.
But Tyr was already striding toward medical with his burden. "Get Trance to medical," he ordered loudly.
Beka ran to catch up with him. "She's already there. Tyr.." she began to question.
"I suggest you move Andromeda to a less conspicuous location. Now," Tyr cut in.
Stumbling to a stop, indecision tore through Beka a moment before duty took over. She spun on her heel and ran for Command.
Before Tyr had completely crossed Medical's threshold, Trance was beside him, her purple hand reaching for Dylan's pulse.
"He lives, barely," Tyr answered her unasked question as he carefully laid Dylan unto the nearest bed.
Immediately Trance was checking Dylan's vital signs even as she urgently questioned, "What happened to him?"
Looking down at his comatose friend, Tyr angrily growled, "A laser seared into his back and the wound was untreated."
Trance's eyes shot to Tyr's with concern. "When was he injured?"
"Three days ago," he lowly answered.
Trance's look turned from worry to horror. "Help me roll him over," and Tyr did as she asked and then ripped Dylan's shirt to reveal his unmarred back.
"But..." Trance began but Tyr cut her off.
"It's an illusion, some spray the Randamal's use to conceal injures to their human slaves."
A furious look overcame Trance even as she reached for an instrument on her medial tray. Then before she turned back to her work, she met Tyr's anxious look and sympathy dulled her fury. "I think it's best if you leave, Tyr."
But Tyr stood his ground, "I'll stay."
"Please, Tyr, leave." Trance's imploring tone had Tyr's eyes meeting her own. "You've already done all you could for him. Now, I must do all I can for him. Alone."
Swallowing hard, Tyr gave another look to Dylan before he strode out of medical.
TBC
Leaning against a wall, Tyr watched the activity before him even as his mind conjured up a thousand arguments on his decided course of action. He heard Pranar order two of his soldiers to carry Hunt to the ship. Forcing himself to be immobile, Tyr watched as one soldier brutally grabbed Hunt's arms while the other soldier picked up his legs.
As they lifted Hunt from the ground, Tyr closed his eyes wishing he could also close his ears to Dylan's short scream of pain. But a second later, Tyr's eyes snapped open and he was at Dylan's side before the rebels guarding him could react.
Sliding his arms under the now unconscious Dylan, Tyr growled with contempt at the two men who 'carried' Hunt, "Release him. Now."
The two soldiers looked to Pranar and, upon his bemused nod, they relinquished their burden into the Nietzschean's strength. But Pranar sternly barked to his men,"Stay glued to them."
Cradling Dylan in his arms, Tyr was struck anew with his captain's vulnerability and tenuous grip on life. He clutched Dylan tighter to him and the unconscious man's head lolled against Tyr's chest.
"It's time, Nietzschean. Time to return the captain to his ship.....one final time," Pranar called out.
With resolve, Tyr followed Pranar from the cave, holding the man he had hours prior, declared "friend."
Any remaining lies that Tyr had consoled himself with about Dylan's health were shattered as he carried Hunt to the transport ship. Dylan's infamous strength, stubbornness and endurance could no longer battle the devastating effects of the long untreated critical injury. A coma had claimed Hunt, vastly diminishing his chances for survival, even if given medical treatment.
'Don't give up, Dylan. Stay with me,' Tyr silently ordered as he looked down at his friend's white face.
Once inside the ship, Tyr, with gentle care, lowered Dylan into a seat, eased his head back onto the headrest and securely strapped him into place. With one last fleeting look, Tyr left Dylan and headed for the pilot's chair. Pranar waited for him there.
"If you say more than protocol requires, I'll kill you. If you change the code you give to Andromeda, I'll kill you. If you betray me, my people will track you down and kill you," Pranar threatened.
A bemused look crossed Tyr's face. "Well, now that that has been cleared up, shall we complete our bargain?"
"By all means, let's proceed," drawled Pranar. Then he joined the rest of the undetectable "passengers" in the cargo hold.
Starting the ship's engines, Tyr checked the consoles a moment before lifting off of Randamal. Satisfaction grew in him at having finally managed to depart from Randamal but it could not outweigh the uncertainty that blanketed his future.
When Tyr was within real time communication range with Andromeda, he hailed the ship. "Andromeda Ascendant, this is Officer Anasazi. The code is break break 7 9 lexis break 4."
Without hesitation, Andromeda replied, "Code break break 7 9 lexis break, confirmed. Hangar Bay 2 is open for your boarding. Andromeda out."
Guiding the transport ship into hangar bay 2, uncertainty coursed through Tyr. He had no idea what the code had conveyed to Andromeda and it's crew. Taking a deep breath he rationalized that it actually didn't matter, he had his own plan of action.
Landing the ship without incident, Tyr was almost immediately joined by his cargo hold free loaders. Pranar ordered, "Engage the privacy mode ship wide."
Tyr looked to Pranar with new respect and contempt before he used the transport ship's communication to again contact the Andromeda. "Andromeda, engage privacy mode ship wide."
"Privacy mode engaged ship wide," Andromeda's protocol filled voice replied.
"Satisfied?" Tyr taunted the Calain.
"I'm getting there. Now, lead us to the Andromeda's command center."
With a word, Tyr stood up, met Pranar's eyes and then walked by him and out of the ship, never sparing a glance to Hunt. But Tyr heard Pranar's order, "Brauno, stay aboard with the good captain. Once the Andromeda's last resistance is over, you may finish what you incompetently began."
Tyr crossed the hanger bay with the invasion force in tow. He paused at the control panel outside the door that lead to Andromeda's interiors."
"Wait!" Pranar shouted as Tyr's finger hovered above a button. Stepping to Tyr's side, Panar studied the controls.
"I have to open the door, unless you can run the ship from here," Tyr drawled with disdain.
Pranar looked at the control a moment longer before fixing his gaze on Tyr. He pulled his gun and leveled it at Tyr's head. "Open the door."
Snorting mockingly, Tyr took a step closer to the console and tapped two buttons. But as Pranar watched the interior door in vain, the hanger bay door slid open and space's cold, merciless grasp clutched onto the beings gathered on the hangar deck.
The human rebels were the first to fly from the deck into space, followed by Fina and the Calain unit. Tyr gripped with one hand the bar around the door to Andromeda' interior as space's void wiped around him like he were a kite in its power. Somehow, Pranar had slammed into the transport ship and found a hand hold on it's hull.
A growl escaped Tyr as his hand began to slip it's grip. Still, he did not give the order to shut the hangar doors. He looked to the Calain and watched with satisfaction as Pranar lost his purchase and slid down the ship toward the abyss of space.
But before Tyr could be certain of Pranar's fate, the bar he gripped broke free and he found himself a victim of his own trap. Flying toward space, he screamed above the howl of the wind and the freezing agony in his chest, "Andromeda, Close hanger doors!"
Almost unexpectedly, he impacted harshly with the closing hangar bay doors. Moments later, he crumbled to the floor as gravity was restored again to the hangar bay. For a minute, Tyr lay on the deck, drawing in pained breaths. Then with determination, he picked himself up and strode menacingly to the transport ship.
The ship's engines tried to flare to life as Tyr stormed through the ship's door and immediately ducked. Brauno's shot from the pilot's chair zinged harmlessly into the wall.
"You killed them all!" Brauno yelled as he charged Tyr, firing as he approached.
Diving for the man's legs, Tyr easily tackled the rebel to the ground even as he sank his bone blades in his forearm into the human's chest. Agony and surprise seeped from the rebel's eyes.
Mercilessly enjoying the man's death, Tyr sneered, "Now I believe you understand." He leaned in close, his eyes boring into the dying man's soul. "YOU were the corpse as soon as your cyborg attacked Hunt." The rebel sputtered his last breath, his denials dying with him.
When Andromeda's door opened, the sight of Tyr carrying Dylan greeted Beka, Rommie and Harpers' fierce, armed stances.
"What happened?" Beka demanded as she spared a look into the now secure hangar bay before holstering her weapon.
But Tyr was already striding toward medical with his burden. "Get Trance to medical," he ordered loudly.
Beka ran to catch up with him. "She's already there. Tyr.." she began to question.
"I suggest you move Andromeda to a less conspicuous location. Now," Tyr cut in.
Stumbling to a stop, indecision tore through Beka a moment before duty took over. She spun on her heel and ran for Command.
Before Tyr had completely crossed Medical's threshold, Trance was beside him, her purple hand reaching for Dylan's pulse.
"He lives, barely," Tyr answered her unasked question as he carefully laid Dylan unto the nearest bed.
Immediately Trance was checking Dylan's vital signs even as she urgently questioned, "What happened to him?"
Looking down at his comatose friend, Tyr angrily growled, "A laser seared into his back and the wound was untreated."
Trance's eyes shot to Tyr's with concern. "When was he injured?"
"Three days ago," he lowly answered.
Trance's look turned from worry to horror. "Help me roll him over," and Tyr did as she asked and then ripped Dylan's shirt to reveal his unmarred back.
"But..." Trance began but Tyr cut her off.
"It's an illusion, some spray the Randamal's use to conceal injures to their human slaves."
A furious look overcame Trance even as she reached for an instrument on her medial tray. Then before she turned back to her work, she met Tyr's anxious look and sympathy dulled her fury. "I think it's best if you leave, Tyr."
But Tyr stood his ground, "I'll stay."
"Please, Tyr, leave." Trance's imploring tone had Tyr's eyes meeting her own. "You've already done all you could for him. Now, I must do all I can for him. Alone."
Swallowing hard, Tyr gave another look to Dylan before he strode out of medical.
TBC