"Who controls the past now, controls the future. Who controls the present now, controls the past."
George Orwell
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As the ship exited slipstream Arthur turned on the comms,
"Besieging Athena goddess of wisdom, your help is required." Beka turned to Dylan and mouthed 'Athena'. Dylan just shrugged. "This is the goddess Athena, who dares besiege me."
"It is I Zeus. It seems I've left my thunder-blots at home and I have a pesky dragon problem on the way."
"Acknowledged Zeus. Head to co-ordinates 342 mark 32. I'll have the others ready." Arthur turned to Dylan.
"You're call. You still have time to run for Sinti or you can head to the co-ordinates." Dylan turned to Beka.
"Take us in." The Maru flew for the arranged point as the Drago-Katsov force exited slipstream.
"It appears they have support too. I'm reading five destroyers, a cruiser and three dozen Garuda class fighters." As they approached the point, Beka turned to Arthur,
"You do realise the meeting point is inside that asteroid belt?"
"Not quite. Once at the point emit a signal on frequency fifty-four and pull-up hard." Beka did as instructed and pulled away as form behind the belt emerged a Glorious Heritage class cruiser, two Siege Perilous class destroyers and three frigates. The ships opened up on the Nietzschean task-force with no regard. Dylan stared at the cruiser. It was painted pure white.
"I know that ship." Arthur just smiled.
"Thought you might. It's the Perpetual Wisdom. The destroyers are the White Fang and the Black Scar. The others are the Pinta, the Nina and the Santa Maria." They sat and watched the battle unfold before them.
"I thought the Wisdom was destroyed over Earth." The former High Guard vessels had routed the enemy and were giving chase. Just as the last enemy Destroyer activated its slipstream drive, a missile volley ripped into its hull blowing the ship apart. The pack turned around and approached the Maru.
"This is Athena, are you okay?"
"We're fine. Prepare the guard. I've found him." Answered Arthur.
"You found.. Yes Sir. Welcome back." The link went dead.
"Beka, take us in."
"Sure Dylan."
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As the foursome exited the hanger, a platoon of troops in Lancer armour approached. Tyr reached for his weapon.
"Relax Tyr. It's an honour guard." Said Dylan. As the guard took up positions on either side of the group Arthur stepped forward to greet a blond woman with sky-blue eyes.
"Arthur you're back." Said the woman and walked up to hug him. Arthur returned the hug.
"It's okay child. You really think I'd let them get me when we're this close." Arthur turned to face the Andromeda crew. Before he could say anything Beka spoke,
"How the hell did you get a ship of the line up and running." Arthur gave Dylan a full High Guard salute which a bemused Dylan returned. Tyr just looked on in anticipation.
"Captain Hunt allow me to formally introduce myself. I and Fleet Admiral Arthur Pendragon of the People's Republic of Camelot."
"Camelot? King Arthur? They're just myths." Stated Tyr. Arthur turned to Tyr
"Just like the Red Wolf."
"Point taken." Arthur turned back to Dylan.
"Advanced Research Station Camelot?" Asked Dylan. Arthur just nodded, "Is the Excalibur there?" Again Arthur nodded.
"However the ship is not operational at the current time. He's being prepared for the Magog Worldship." All three of his hosts turned to him.
"How the hell do you know about that?"
"Research Station Camelot was handed the task of preparing for the Worldship after the Andromedas first run-in." Dylan looked at his friends,
"It's true, but I thought it fell along with the commonwealth." Arthur shook his head and indicated for them to start walking.
"No it didn't. When the Nietzscheans arrived to capture the station and the Excalibur we preparing for a secret mission into Magog territory."
"But we had a treaty." Stated Dylan. Arthur had to fight down the anger.
"They were monsters as I'm sure you are well aware now. Several High ranking members of the High Guard actually agreed with the Nietzscheans about the Treaty of Antares."
"Shame they were quiet about it." Remarked Tyr. Arthur shrugged.
"Hindsight's a bitch. Anyway, the High Guard vessels there included the Excalibur, the Wisdom and two of her sister ships along with two dozen smaller ships. The Nietzscheans had expected only three or four ships and so were royally trounced. Immediately after all capable ships were deployed." Dylan nodded,
"Yes. From what records I can find the Excalibur led some fight backs. But I thought all High Guard vessels were destroyed at the Witchhead Nebula?"
"Not all. The Excalibur himself was delayed by a Nietzschean task force near Earth. By the time he, I, arrived it was over." Dylan looked at Arthur, his face seemed familiar before but now he knew.
"You're the Excalibur." Arthur face turned into a sad smile.
"Yes. I'm the avatar of the Excalibur." Arthur seemed to collect his thoughts and stopped just outside the ships bridge. "It has been along time since I've seen Andromeda. Far longer still since I saw a commonwealth officer. Then out of the blue one of my officers handed me this flexi. It stated that the Commonwealth was back. When I realised this I knew I had to find her and you Captain. I had to see if this was for real. And now I will." Arthur walked onto the bridge and walked down to his station. Beka, Dylan and Tyr just looked around.
"Dylan, have we walked into an alternate universe or something?" The bridge was identical to Andromedas', right down to the shine on the floor. Arthur took over the Captains station and Athena the first officers. Turning to the three newcomers on the bridge, he began to address the crew.
"Wisdom, activate the intercom. All hands this is the captain. For three hundred years we have prepared for the Magog, but today something special has happened. As many of you are well aware the Commonwealth is being restored by Captain Dylan Hunt on board the Andromeda Ascendant. And along with members of his crew we now go to restore the only hope this universe may have. For the Commonwealth."
"For the Commonwealth!" Came the reply form everyone on board the ship. Arthur closed the intercom.
"Captain Hunt If you would do the honours." Dylan was taken startled. Instead of an ally they had found a High Guard legend. If they could repair the Excalibur they'd have a huge lift for fighting the Worldship. Regaining his composure he nodded to Arthur,
"Thank you. Turning to the pilot he said, "Set course for Sinti, maximum safe speed."
"Aye Sir." Came the reply and the pack moved off.
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Sorry if it seems slow but there's a lot of background info comming up.
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