Intolerance, Part 4: A change of government

The Eureka Maru landed next to Cain's ship, and the Dylan and Beka followed the First Minister to his office. The double-doors opened, and Cain stopped short: a dozen armed soldiers filled the room, gun pointed at the three newcomers. A large chair behind Cain's desk span round, reviling Stark, an evil grin on her face. Cain was in shock, "Helena? What is going on here?" Stark smiled, "Come know Ulysses, aren't you going to introduce us?" Cain was to shocked to do anything but comply, "Captain Hunt, Miss Valentine, this is Minister Helena Stark, my deputy." Stark shook her finger, "Deputy no more: I'm First Minister now." Dylan was confused, but decided to try and broker peace, "What do you want?" Stark smiled, "Nothing much: just your Androids head on a silver platter."

Dylan was shocked, "What do you want with Rommie?" Stark glared at him, "So, the abomination has a name, does it?" Cain was still trying to come to terms with what had happened, "Helena, what's come over you?" Stark laughed, "Nothing's come over me Old Man: I've always been like this, but you where to weak to notice. And now it's time for you to retire. Permanently."

There was a gunshot, and Cain looked down to see blood poring from a wound in his stomach. His last thought was: why doesn't it hurt? His body fell to the floor, his lifeless eyes staring up at Dylan. Stark smiled, "Captain Hunt, I'd like you to meet my predecessors head of security, Mark Stone." Dylan turned to see Stone, smoking gun in hand, smiling. Stark continued, "Who has just shot the first minister. Regrettably, my security detail were to upset to try and take him alive." A dozen guns went off, and Stone's ragged corps fell next to Cain's.

Stark pulled a gun, "Thankfully we where able to capture two off-worlders who may have been involved. They are, 'helping us with our enquiries', I believe the term is." Stark walked round from behind the desk, and stood before Dylan and Beka, "Hand over the abomination and you may go free. Refuse, and watch as our planetary defence grid destroys your ship, then face public execution. Choose."

Dylan was too shocked to speak, so Beka stepped in, "What do you hope to gain from this?" Stark grinned, "What do I hope to gain? The destruction of abomination your captain is so fond of. Oh yes, we know about that. The late Mr Stone was able to discover that much while on your ship. I must say Captain Hunt: fornicating with an android? You sicken me. Now, let's go see what your crew has to say about this."

Tyr was sitting in the pilot's chair, reading, when alarms started going off. He dropped his book as he stood up, "Ship, what's going on?" Andromeda's image filled the main screen, "New Salem's planetary defence grid just came on line. Over two-dozen fissions-cannons and missile-batteries have locked on to us. Incoming communication from the planet." Tyr sat back down, "Put it through." Andromeda's image was replaced with Starks, "This is First Minister Helena Stark calling the Andromeda Ascendant, respond." Tyr nodded, "This is Tyr Anasazi, ranking officer onboard. Why have you targeted us?"

Stark grinned, "Blunt and confrontational: just what I'd expect from an Uber. Who is the senior Human onboard?" Tyr blinked, "You want to talk to Harper?" Stark shrugged, "If that is their name, yes." Tyr activated the com-system, "Mr Harper to command, at the double." Less than a minute passed before Harper came careening thorough the hatch, Trance not far behind, "What's going on?" Tyr pointed at the screen; "This 'woman' wants to talk to the highest ranking human on ship. It appears that I don't count." Confused, Harper looked at the screen, "So, how can I help you?"

Stark smiled, "It's very simple: If you don't hand over your android to us in the next hour, your ship will be destroyed, then your Captain and First Officer will be executed." Harper blinked, "Er, can you give us a moment to think this over?" Stark nodded, "Very well: I will contact you again in five standard minutes." The screen went dead.

TBC