Intolerance, Part 6: Fire from Heaven.
Dylan and Beka where lead out to the landing field where they had landed the Maru only hours before. Guards surrounded the cargo ship, guns up and ready. Stark stopped behind a computer conical set up on a table. The screen showed a radar image of the sky above the spaceport. A blip on the screen was slowly descending. Dylan swallowed: it was the drop-pod carrying Rommie to her death.
Stark turned to her two prisoners, "And now you will see the fate of all abominations before the eyes of God. You will see his justice done." Dylan pleaded with the First Minister, "What did Rommie ever do to you?" Stark glared at him, "It was created. Then it corrupted you and your entire crew into believing that it had true emotions. Then it corrupted you even further by making you believe you loved it." Dylan struggled to free himself of the guards that held him back, "Her name is Rommie! And she's more of a human being than you will ever be!" Stark smiled, "Soon she will be nothing more than a dark stain on your soul."
There was an ear-splitting roar as the drop-pod came into view, trailing smoke. There was a flash as its retro-rockets fired, slowing it for landing. The assembled guards aimed their weapons at the drop-pod, ready for any trouble. The smoke cleared, and the hatch opened. Dylan began to cry as Rommie stepped out, wearing a long flowing robe. She turned to Stark, "Here I am: let them go." Stark grinned, "I will, but only after they have seen your execution." She punched a command into the computer.
High in orbit, one of the fission-cannons turned to face the planet. A beam of pure energy shot down from the sky and impacted where Rommie was standing: designed to deal with attacking warships, the cannon vaporised the android instantly.
Dylan's legs gave way and he fell to the ground in shock. Beka started to cry.
Stark turned to them, "Now you may leave. I suggest you never return." A guard unlocked their handcuffs, and Beka pulled Dylan to his feet: his eyes where un-focused, his expression blank. The only sign that he was still conscious were the tires running down his cheeks. Without looking at Stark, Beka led him to the Maru.
The trip back to Andromeda was conducted in silence: Dylan sat comatose in the galley while Beka piloted. Andromeda was already pulling away from New Salem, and Beka was glad to see the last of the planet that had claimed Rommie's life, and perhaps Dylan's mind. She landed the Maru in it's usual spot, and lead Dylan through the Airlock. Dylan stood unmoving in the corridor outside the hanger, un-willing to think about what had happened.
A voice from behind him called out, "Dylan."
TBC
