Redemption
By Dawn Nyberg
Disclaimer: Tribune owns the characters of Andromeda. No profit is being made.
READ AND REVIEW!
******************************************************************
Harper shifted uncomfortably in his bed inside the holding cell. He felt his hair smoothed away from his forehead and his eyes shot open. He looked directly into Trance's.
"Good morning sleepyhead," her voice soft and gentle.
"Trance?" Harper was a little sketchy on why she was there. "Why are you here?"
"Don't you remember? I came to take care of your injuries after the second trial."
"Oh yeah …" he smiled. "I guess I was pretty whipped.You didn't have to stay all night." But, he was glad she did.
"I wanted to make sure you were okay."
"Thanks. What time is it?"
"Don't worry the sun has barely come up and the last trial isn't until sundown."
"Yeah." Harper sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stood up. "You should go Trance." His voice was hesitant. He didn't want to see her go, but it was better that she did. He had to focus.
"I guess you're right." Trance stood from her sitting position on the corner of the bed. She started to walk toward the door and stopped. "Harper?" she turned slowly to face him.
"Yeah?" Trance smiled and walked to him. She reached up a hand and brushed his cheek with the back of her hand. He instinctively met her hand with his and held it against his cheek.
"Don't die today Harper." Trance's voice was matter of fact.
"Well, my little pixie … I have a feeling you have a better idea of what's going to happen today than I do." Her eyes were serious, but she remained silent for a long moment -- her hand still against his cheek. Harper broke the silence, "I'm going to die aren't I?"
"No future is certain, Harper. You don't want to kill him do you?"
"Not if I don't have to. I understand where he's coming from."
"How?"
"It's a long story and I don't want to cover it again. His brother killed mine and I avenged my brother's death. Now, he wants revenge and I can't blame him. I may not trust him, but I don't blame him. And, even though he wants me dead – I don't hate him for that."
"You're a good man, Harper. I know you have secrets … we all do." She gave him a knowing smile. He knew she was also speaking of herself. She raised her other hand up to his vacant cheek. She caressed his it and without any warning she moved in closer.
She hovered near his mouth. Harper couldn't move – he just stared into her eyes. He wanted this … God how he wanted this! Her lips began a tentative kiss … lips meeting briefly and pulling back … both testing the water. He cupped the back of her head gently and she smiled. He pulled her to him. Their lips met. The kiss consumed them and their world stopped. They separated and the moment was over.
"Trance?"
"Yes?" Her eyes traced his every feature.
"I need to say somethings …" She placed a single finger over his lips stopping his speech.
"Later."
"But…" he mumbled beneath her finger.
"No buts. I should go." She couldn't hear him say the things he wanted to. Not because she didn't want to hear them, but she knew he thought he may not get a second chance. She couldn't even entertain the idea. Harper would survive … he had to. She was gone before he even had a chance to assimilate what had just happened.
** Sundown **
He had been given back a knife prior to entering the Grand Hall. The massive crowds from the previous day were not there, but it was a full room. Harper spotted the crew of the Andromeda. He saw Beka and their eyes met. He tried to convey in his eyes to her that he was sorry for making her feel betrayed. She was like an older sister to him. He couldn't really read her and that felt strange. He met eyes with Dylan and Tyr, but Trance would not look at him. She stared at her hands that were folded in her lap and didn't look up. He understood.
"Mr. Harper," the Chancellor began. This is simple you and Gavin Calle will fight to the death. You have both been given a knife as a weapon. The rules are … there are no rules. There will be no interference from the outside. This is a trial by hand-to-hand combat. The only goal is to survive. And, Mr. Harper if you survive you will be given your freedom and will be free to leave Brescia. Do you understand?"
Harper nodded.
The Chancellor looked at Gavin, "Officer Calle, are there any questions?"
Gavin shook his head, 'no.'
"Let the fight begin."
"I'm going to gut you," Gavin hissed as he and Harper circled each other.
"Promises – Promises," Harper quipped. Gavin lunged for him with his knife. Seamus blocked the knife with his blade and bound it down. Calle side- stepped and managed to draw his blade across Harper's forearm before the young engineer countered and thrust him away.
"First blood," Gavin retorted with menace in his voice.
Harper moved quickly and feigned his knife to the left and waited until Calle followed that lead and then he changed his approach suddenly. He caught Gavin across the hand. Calle pulled his hand back in pain. "Bastard!"
Harper smiled. "Sticks and Stones."
They both circled one another like animals. Both bleeding.
Harper and Gavin both went at each other at the same time.
Blade to blade.
The noise of metal hitting and sliding filled the room. Harper got in close and used his free hand to punch Gavin in the face. Blood erupted from his newly broken nose. He stepped back spitting out a mouth full of blood. "Now, the gloves are off!"
"Were they ever on?" Harper practically laughed. They began circling again. "This doesn't have to continue … you can end this."
"I plan to … with your corpse at my feet. I will have justice for my brother."
"It won't bring him back!" Harper's voice rose. "Killing Louden didn't bring mine back!" He yelled. Gavin looked at him for a moment. Your brother killed mine."
"You lie!"
"Turns out your brother was a poor loser in Johng-Johng. He shot my brother in the back."
"No! Louden wasn't a killer. You are! I saw you kill him!"
"Yeah, I did. But, I saw him kill mine."
They continued to circle. Gavin lunged again, but his concentration was a little off. Harper used that. He disarmed Gavin quickly – tossing the man's knife away. Harper grabbed Calle by the neck and held his blade against his pale skin. "Go ahead! Finish it!" Gavin spat. "You're a killer!"
"I became what I was made," Harper's voice was low. "Your brother was not a honorable man. I regret the pain I caused you, but I have walked in those shoes," Harper whispered this in Gavin's ear. The room was silent – everyone was holding their breath. "I don't want to kill you … don't make me."
"Screw you!" Gavin fought the grip, but Harper's grip tightened. "You have to pay for what you did."
"I all ready have!" Harper yelled this and his voice echoed in the quiet room. His voice dropped again. "I don't regret removing a cold blooded killer from the universe, but I have paid."
"You're not judge and jury. You're a hypocrite… you call my brother a cold blooded killer, but you are one too!" Harper realized he was right. He had hunted Louden and killed him. Revenge or not … it was murder.
"You're right," he offered as he still held his knife firm. "But, I was young, too young and all I saw for a year was flashes of my brother dying. He was all I had left. Revenge never brings redemption only pain. I won't kill you." Harper lowered his knife and released Gavin.
Those words, 'revenge never brings redemption only pain' rang in his head. "He boasted about a kill," he spoke suddenly. "I didn't know it was your brother. He said it was a man who cheated him in Johng-Johng. I always doubted that … he was awful at Johng-Johng, but I didn't care … he was my big brother … I…"
"I know. He was always larger than life … like mine. We were both little brothers, man. But, this can end now. I'm not the man I was six years ago … hell, I was never that man, not really. Anger and missing my brother created a monster …I'm not that person anymore."
Everyone strained to hear, but nothing was reaching any of them. The men's voices were only low enough for the two of them to hear. Gavin and Harper both gauged each other silently. "The balls in your court. You're the one that can end this."
"You could have ended it by killing me," Gavin offered. "But, you didn't and a cold blooded killer wouldn't have shown mercy. You're free to go. I release my claim of trial." Gavin turned to speak to the Chancellor and formally release Harper. Everyone knew he was about to end the trial. A movement out of the corner of his eye reminded him of what he had arranged. A battle clone had been hidden away and trained a high-powered crossbow on Harper. His orders to shoot in the event Gavin lost. Calle realized that the clone took the disarmament of his weapon and Harper still holding one as a loss. He turned and yelled, "No!"
It was too late the steel arrow penetrated Harper through the back and pushed through his chest. Harper's eyes were wide as he looked down at the arrow that stuck out of his chest. The silver rod wet with blood … his blood. Seamus collapsed to his knees. He looked at the arrow with curiosity and laughed as he began to pitch forward …
By Dawn Nyberg
Disclaimer: Tribune owns the characters of Andromeda. No profit is being made.
READ AND REVIEW!
******************************************************************
Harper shifted uncomfortably in his bed inside the holding cell. He felt his hair smoothed away from his forehead and his eyes shot open. He looked directly into Trance's.
"Good morning sleepyhead," her voice soft and gentle.
"Trance?" Harper was a little sketchy on why she was there. "Why are you here?"
"Don't you remember? I came to take care of your injuries after the second trial."
"Oh yeah …" he smiled. "I guess I was pretty whipped.You didn't have to stay all night." But, he was glad she did.
"I wanted to make sure you were okay."
"Thanks. What time is it?"
"Don't worry the sun has barely come up and the last trial isn't until sundown."
"Yeah." Harper sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stood up. "You should go Trance." His voice was hesitant. He didn't want to see her go, but it was better that she did. He had to focus.
"I guess you're right." Trance stood from her sitting position on the corner of the bed. She started to walk toward the door and stopped. "Harper?" she turned slowly to face him.
"Yeah?" Trance smiled and walked to him. She reached up a hand and brushed his cheek with the back of her hand. He instinctively met her hand with his and held it against his cheek.
"Don't die today Harper." Trance's voice was matter of fact.
"Well, my little pixie … I have a feeling you have a better idea of what's going to happen today than I do." Her eyes were serious, but she remained silent for a long moment -- her hand still against his cheek. Harper broke the silence, "I'm going to die aren't I?"
"No future is certain, Harper. You don't want to kill him do you?"
"Not if I don't have to. I understand where he's coming from."
"How?"
"It's a long story and I don't want to cover it again. His brother killed mine and I avenged my brother's death. Now, he wants revenge and I can't blame him. I may not trust him, but I don't blame him. And, even though he wants me dead – I don't hate him for that."
"You're a good man, Harper. I know you have secrets … we all do." She gave him a knowing smile. He knew she was also speaking of herself. She raised her other hand up to his vacant cheek. She caressed his it and without any warning she moved in closer.
She hovered near his mouth. Harper couldn't move – he just stared into her eyes. He wanted this … God how he wanted this! Her lips began a tentative kiss … lips meeting briefly and pulling back … both testing the water. He cupped the back of her head gently and she smiled. He pulled her to him. Their lips met. The kiss consumed them and their world stopped. They separated and the moment was over.
"Trance?"
"Yes?" Her eyes traced his every feature.
"I need to say somethings …" She placed a single finger over his lips stopping his speech.
"Later."
"But…" he mumbled beneath her finger.
"No buts. I should go." She couldn't hear him say the things he wanted to. Not because she didn't want to hear them, but she knew he thought he may not get a second chance. She couldn't even entertain the idea. Harper would survive … he had to. She was gone before he even had a chance to assimilate what had just happened.
** Sundown **
He had been given back a knife prior to entering the Grand Hall. The massive crowds from the previous day were not there, but it was a full room. Harper spotted the crew of the Andromeda. He saw Beka and their eyes met. He tried to convey in his eyes to her that he was sorry for making her feel betrayed. She was like an older sister to him. He couldn't really read her and that felt strange. He met eyes with Dylan and Tyr, but Trance would not look at him. She stared at her hands that were folded in her lap and didn't look up. He understood.
"Mr. Harper," the Chancellor began. This is simple you and Gavin Calle will fight to the death. You have both been given a knife as a weapon. The rules are … there are no rules. There will be no interference from the outside. This is a trial by hand-to-hand combat. The only goal is to survive. And, Mr. Harper if you survive you will be given your freedom and will be free to leave Brescia. Do you understand?"
Harper nodded.
The Chancellor looked at Gavin, "Officer Calle, are there any questions?"
Gavin shook his head, 'no.'
"Let the fight begin."
"I'm going to gut you," Gavin hissed as he and Harper circled each other.
"Promises – Promises," Harper quipped. Gavin lunged for him with his knife. Seamus blocked the knife with his blade and bound it down. Calle side- stepped and managed to draw his blade across Harper's forearm before the young engineer countered and thrust him away.
"First blood," Gavin retorted with menace in his voice.
Harper moved quickly and feigned his knife to the left and waited until Calle followed that lead and then he changed his approach suddenly. He caught Gavin across the hand. Calle pulled his hand back in pain. "Bastard!"
Harper smiled. "Sticks and Stones."
They both circled one another like animals. Both bleeding.
Harper and Gavin both went at each other at the same time.
Blade to blade.
The noise of metal hitting and sliding filled the room. Harper got in close and used his free hand to punch Gavin in the face. Blood erupted from his newly broken nose. He stepped back spitting out a mouth full of blood. "Now, the gloves are off!"
"Were they ever on?" Harper practically laughed. They began circling again. "This doesn't have to continue … you can end this."
"I plan to … with your corpse at my feet. I will have justice for my brother."
"It won't bring him back!" Harper's voice rose. "Killing Louden didn't bring mine back!" He yelled. Gavin looked at him for a moment. Your brother killed mine."
"You lie!"
"Turns out your brother was a poor loser in Johng-Johng. He shot my brother in the back."
"No! Louden wasn't a killer. You are! I saw you kill him!"
"Yeah, I did. But, I saw him kill mine."
They continued to circle. Gavin lunged again, but his concentration was a little off. Harper used that. He disarmed Gavin quickly – tossing the man's knife away. Harper grabbed Calle by the neck and held his blade against his pale skin. "Go ahead! Finish it!" Gavin spat. "You're a killer!"
"I became what I was made," Harper's voice was low. "Your brother was not a honorable man. I regret the pain I caused you, but I have walked in those shoes," Harper whispered this in Gavin's ear. The room was silent – everyone was holding their breath. "I don't want to kill you … don't make me."
"Screw you!" Gavin fought the grip, but Harper's grip tightened. "You have to pay for what you did."
"I all ready have!" Harper yelled this and his voice echoed in the quiet room. His voice dropped again. "I don't regret removing a cold blooded killer from the universe, but I have paid."
"You're not judge and jury. You're a hypocrite… you call my brother a cold blooded killer, but you are one too!" Harper realized he was right. He had hunted Louden and killed him. Revenge or not … it was murder.
"You're right," he offered as he still held his knife firm. "But, I was young, too young and all I saw for a year was flashes of my brother dying. He was all I had left. Revenge never brings redemption only pain. I won't kill you." Harper lowered his knife and released Gavin.
Those words, 'revenge never brings redemption only pain' rang in his head. "He boasted about a kill," he spoke suddenly. "I didn't know it was your brother. He said it was a man who cheated him in Johng-Johng. I always doubted that … he was awful at Johng-Johng, but I didn't care … he was my big brother … I…"
"I know. He was always larger than life … like mine. We were both little brothers, man. But, this can end now. I'm not the man I was six years ago … hell, I was never that man, not really. Anger and missing my brother created a monster …I'm not that person anymore."
Everyone strained to hear, but nothing was reaching any of them. The men's voices were only low enough for the two of them to hear. Gavin and Harper both gauged each other silently. "The balls in your court. You're the one that can end this."
"You could have ended it by killing me," Gavin offered. "But, you didn't and a cold blooded killer wouldn't have shown mercy. You're free to go. I release my claim of trial." Gavin turned to speak to the Chancellor and formally release Harper. Everyone knew he was about to end the trial. A movement out of the corner of his eye reminded him of what he had arranged. A battle clone had been hidden away and trained a high-powered crossbow on Harper. His orders to shoot in the event Gavin lost. Calle realized that the clone took the disarmament of his weapon and Harper still holding one as a loss. He turned and yelled, "No!"
It was too late the steel arrow penetrated Harper through the back and pushed through his chest. Harper's eyes were wide as he looked down at the arrow that stuck out of his chest. The silver rod wet with blood … his blood. Seamus collapsed to his knees. He looked at the arrow with curiosity and laughed as he began to pitch forward …