Face the Music, part 4
Dylan was completely overwhelmed by what had been said: he had known Andromeda for four years, not counting the time spent frozen by the singularity, and he had never once guessed the depth of her true feelings for him. But now certain things became clear: Andromeda occasional coldness to Beka, Rommie's tendency to smile whenever he was around, the fact that she always stood as close to him as she could. Had he really been so stupid as not to notice all of that? He turned to her, "We better get back to the Maru. We can discuss this on Andromeda." Without saying a word, Rommie stood at walked from the maze. Dylan followed her so not to get lost, but found himself keeping his distance.
Rommie was still crying to herself. Why had she told him everything? She could have lied, made up a story to cover her actions. But no: she had let it all come out. What will Andromeda say? The main AI had carefully hidden her feelings for Dylan for years, and now he knew everything. Not only had she alienated her captain, but also herself. She wished Rev Bem had not gone on sabbatical: somehow the monk always knew what to say to make things right.
The rest of the crew where silent when they reached the Maru. Rommie locked herself in the crew-quarters while Dylan sat quietly at the mess table. The trip back to the Andromeda was silent apart from Beka's request for clearance from air-traffic control. Subdued, they walked from the hanger deck and headed for their own quarters, each deep in thought. Dylan followed Rommie, hoping that they could talk more in the privacy of her quarters, but the hatched closed in his face.
Rommie sank to the floor, crying. Andromeda's holographic form appeared before her, "You told him then." It was more of a statement than a question. Rommie nodded, unable to find the words. The hologram knelt down beside Rommie, "I know how you are feeling, and what you said to Dylan about ending this. Did you really mean it?" Rommie looked up, "Is there any other way of handling it?" the hologram shrugged, "I don't know." The main AI appeared on the display screen, "How could you tell him?" The hologram turned round, "Can't you see she's hurting?" The AI glared, "And you think Dylan isn't?" The hologram stood, "You always take his side!" The AI bilked, "I always take his side? You're me! So is she! WE always take Dylan's side." It was the holograms turn to glare, "Only because of the feelings YOU developed for Dylan!"
Rommie screamed through the tears, "SHUT-UP! SHUT-UP! SHUT-UP! The pair of you! Just leave me alone!" shocked, the hologram blinked out and the main AI vanished from the screen.
TBC
Dylan was completely overwhelmed by what had been said: he had known Andromeda for four years, not counting the time spent frozen by the singularity, and he had never once guessed the depth of her true feelings for him. But now certain things became clear: Andromeda occasional coldness to Beka, Rommie's tendency to smile whenever he was around, the fact that she always stood as close to him as she could. Had he really been so stupid as not to notice all of that? He turned to her, "We better get back to the Maru. We can discuss this on Andromeda." Without saying a word, Rommie stood at walked from the maze. Dylan followed her so not to get lost, but found himself keeping his distance.
Rommie was still crying to herself. Why had she told him everything? She could have lied, made up a story to cover her actions. But no: she had let it all come out. What will Andromeda say? The main AI had carefully hidden her feelings for Dylan for years, and now he knew everything. Not only had she alienated her captain, but also herself. She wished Rev Bem had not gone on sabbatical: somehow the monk always knew what to say to make things right.
The rest of the crew where silent when they reached the Maru. Rommie locked herself in the crew-quarters while Dylan sat quietly at the mess table. The trip back to the Andromeda was silent apart from Beka's request for clearance from air-traffic control. Subdued, they walked from the hanger deck and headed for their own quarters, each deep in thought. Dylan followed Rommie, hoping that they could talk more in the privacy of her quarters, but the hatched closed in his face.
Rommie sank to the floor, crying. Andromeda's holographic form appeared before her, "You told him then." It was more of a statement than a question. Rommie nodded, unable to find the words. The hologram knelt down beside Rommie, "I know how you are feeling, and what you said to Dylan about ending this. Did you really mean it?" Rommie looked up, "Is there any other way of handling it?" the hologram shrugged, "I don't know." The main AI appeared on the display screen, "How could you tell him?" The hologram turned round, "Can't you see she's hurting?" The AI glared, "And you think Dylan isn't?" The hologram stood, "You always take his side!" The AI bilked, "I always take his side? You're me! So is she! WE always take Dylan's side." It was the holograms turn to glare, "Only because of the feelings YOU developed for Dylan!"
Rommie screamed through the tears, "SHUT-UP! SHUT-UP! SHUT-UP! The pair of you! Just leave me alone!" shocked, the hologram blinked out and the main AI vanished from the screen.
TBC
