Dylan sat at his desk, trying to digest the flexi that sat upon it. He massaged his temples with his fingers, struggling to take an interest in the economics of interstellar haulage, and why a new commonwealth would disrupt them enough that the FTA was demanding guarantees of tax relief. He was grateful for the distraction presented by the chiming of his door's annunciator.

"Come."

Rommie walked in, holding another flexi and an expression of concern. Dylan looked up and feigned a grimace.

"Rommie, if anyone else is complaining about how a renewed Commonwealth would ruin trade, displace millions and tear holes in space-time, respectfully tell them I cherish my ignorance and to go away."

Rommie smiled, and then reverted to her usual business-like manner. "No, Dylan. It's about the old Commonwealth records you wanted me to track down. As far as I can tell, the best place to start looking would be San-Ska-Re."

"San-Ska-Re? Why there?"

"It was one of the few worlds to survive the Fall almost intact. When Tarn-Vedra disappeared, it became the de facto capital of what was left of the Commonwealth."

The Than homeworld, mused Dylan. This would be much easier if Dawn was still here.

"Rommie, how much diplomatic credit do we have the Than at the moment?"

"Insofar as they give credit to anyone, we're in quite good standing. The Hegemon's Heart, and how we handled the Bokor affair should give us a little leverage." She paused, and added "And, of course, I am still the most powerful warship in the Known Worlds." Rommie grinned. The Andromeda's presence alone could still reduce even belligerent systems to docile civility.

"Rommie, what would I do without you?," chuckled Dylan. "Tell Beka to lay in a course for San-Ska-Re. The Overdiamond has an appointment with me."

---

Seen from orbit, San-Ska-Re had little to commend it. An arid, mostly desert world, it had the outward appearance of an oversized asteroid dragged into orbit by it's young, hot blue sun.

The crew watched from the bridge. A flight of Brilliant Carapace-class Than fighters had formed up around them as them as they 'streamed in, and Dylan had received strict instructions about not leaving their "protection" – or their arcs of fire, he thought.

Rommie's eyes flickered as she talked to her ship-self. "Captain. We are receiving a hail from the flight commander."

"Onscreen," he replied, drawing himself up to his full, impressive height. After much ummming and ahhhhing, it had been decided that his old High Guard uniform would be best for what was, after all, their first official meeting with the Than Hegemony.

The viewscreen came to life, showing a brilliant emerald-green Than. Although much of it's head was invisible behind a flight helmet and eyeshields, the irritated twitching of its mandibles was all too visible. Dawn had done much the same thing, usually at crew who complained about the ride.

"Captain of the vessel Andromeda. I am Commander Breeze of Evening, of the Hegemony Defence Fleet. State your destination and intentions."

"This is Captain Dylan Hunt, of the starship Andromeda Ascendant. We are here to request an audience with the Overdiamond."

"Very well. Maintain a holding orbit. You will be given approach routes for your shuttlecraft shortly."

"From which we will not deviate."

"Very well, then. Ska-endtr, myon. Evening out." The viewscreen returned to a view of San-Ska-Re. Dawn was just breaking, with the harsh, actinic light of the sun beginning to spill around the planetary disc.

"What was that he said, Rommie?"

"Its literal translation is 'at my coming home'. Figuratively, it might be taken to mean 'until we next meet'."

"Beka, prep the Maru. Trance, come with me. Mr. Anasazi, you have the bridge."

---

"…..and engine power-down…complete."

The Maru touched down to little fanfare at the Diamond Seat starport. Dylan opened the airlock to find a platoon of Than soldiers arrayed down the entryway. At their head stood a Sapphire Than. He was motionless, save for a gentle waving of his antennae. His hands were clasped before his waist, and insofar as Dylan had ever learned to read the faces of Than, he looked expectant.

After a moment, he began to amble toward the waiting party. As he did, the warriors snapped to attention, their forearms crossed above their chests to reveal the honours painted onto their bony carapaces. Almost automatically, Dylan saluted back.

"Welcome, captain. I am Moon over Water. I serve the Overdiamond, and until such time as you depart, I serve you too. Your journey must have tired you, and the Overdiamond will not have it said that we mistreat our guests. Come."

He turned and began to walk, and the Andromeda party fell in behind. They were led to a waiting groundcar. Ushered in by more soldiers, Dylan, Beka and Trance climbed into the cool, dim, interior, allowing the vehicle to depart.

"Well, hot is the word I'd use. I'd swear I could feel my eyeballs cooking," was Beka's first observation.

Moon over Water turned to look at her. Although his expression was unchanged, the laughter in his voice was clear. "I had almost forgotten how fragile humans are. It is hot, but it is also home. I have never been offworld, and I know no different."

Beka almost looked chastised. "Forgive me. Home for me was anywhere in space. On my ship, Dad's ship, someone else's ship……you quickly get used to environmental regulation."

Moon over Water turned his eyes to Dylan. "And you, Captain Hunt? Do you find our homeworld……disagreeable…as well?"

Dylan was suddenly uncomfortably aware of how loaded the question was. This is why I'm a starship captain and not a diplomat., he thought. "If it's not Tarn-Vedra, then I'll never truly be comfortable," he replied, with a smile to soften the answer.

"Ah-ha! An honorary Vedran! Surely the Overdiamond will be even more keen to see you. You see, captain, your reputation precedes you. We are aware of your work out there," he swept his arm toward the ceiling " and of the favours you have rendered the Than. These have not been forgotten, but – ah." The groundcar had slowed to a halt outside an imposing sandstone building, with slit-like darkened windows and an impressively sized porch. A pair of soldiers flanked the door, an ornate brass portal two stories in height.

"In the days of the old Commonwealth, this was the House of Conclaves. Now we use it for official functions. I'm sure you'll find the guest accommodations comfortable," he stopped to look at Beka, "even if you find our planet less so."

The doors opened onto a hall and grand staircase only just half the size of one of Andromeda's hangars. Moon over Water motioned them up the stairs to a broad passageway, off which were many smaller doors.

"During Commonwealth dinners, more diplomacy was accomplished in this gallery than in official session. See for yourself." Moon over Water indicated the floor with a sweeping gesture of the hand, and sure enough, the carpet was worn, in some places to the tiles underneath. "We chose to keep it, for old time's sake."

Pushing open one of the side doors, Moon over Water swept inside. "Miss Valentine; Miss Gemini. If you find anything less than satisfactory, the wall comm will reach our guestmaster." Leaving them to gape, Moon over Water shut the door and turned to Dylan.

"Will you walk with me, Captain Hunt?"

---

"Understand, Captain, that we of the Than have no reason to love the Commonwealth. Our history shows us that where the one has failed us before, it will more than likely fail us again. If you come on Commonwealth business, you will find your time has been needlessly wasted."

"I regret that. However, this visit is not on the behalf of the Reformed Commonwealth. It is a matter of……curiosity. You are Sapphire; which subject do you study?"

"Who better than a scholar of history to meet with one who would rebuild the Commonwealth?", asked Moon over Water with a chittering noise Dylan remembered was laughter. "And what is the nature of your curiosity?"

"It concerns the last days of the High Guard, some of their tactical decisions. We made some interesting discoveries on our last trip, and I was hoping to find some clue as to their significance in the Commonwealth archives." He paused, and took a breath. "Do you think that the Overdiamond would find such acceptable?"

"Captain, you misunderstand me. I do not speak Common well, but I thought I made it clear that I serve the Overdiamond; I do not presume to speak for her." He pointed. "Your room, captain. I must make arrangements."

---