Oh no, not another Disclaimer! Yup, I do not own Andromeda or its
characters. I am not making anything off of this story.
Thank you for reading and reviewing this story. Keep it up.
Now on to Chapter 8
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Tyr and Dylan were already on the bridge when Beka and Trance arrived moments later.
"What have you got Dylan?" Beka asked as she took her position at the helm next to Dylan.
"For those of you who came in late, we have a Capernan battleship off our port side hailing us," Dylan informed.
"Andromeda, let's see what they want."
"Trouble no doubt," Tyr guessed as he folded his muscled arms across his broad chest.
Andromeda's hologram interrupted the conversation saying, "Putting the transmission through now."
The view screen filled with the image of a Capernan ship's captain. He was a typical looking Capernan; small and with blue hair.
"I am Tokar, captain of the Capernan warship Eclad," the Capernan captain introduced himself.
"I am Captain Dylan Hunt of the Andromeda Ascendant," Dylan replied.
Tokar's face took on an expression of having just sucked on a lemon upon the mention of Dylan's name. "You are the Captain Dylan Hunt, who is attempting to restore the old Commonwealth, are you not?"
"That would be me. What can I do for you Captain Tokar?" Hunt asked, his voice oozing with false politeness. Dylan forced back a smile. The High Guard captain knew the odds were good that this Tokar was not going to provide a friendly welcome to Andromeda and her crew. After the fall of the Commonwealth most worlds didn't like Hunt's idea of restoring the Commonwealth and made their feelings known in no uncertain terms. This Tokar was no exception and Dylan had to laugh at the predictability it all. Others might think he was being morbid, but Dylan Hunt had learned along time ago the necessity of keeping a sense of humor, especially during the darkest times. This day definitely qualified as one of those darkest times.
Tokar gravely voice brought Dylan back from his thoughts. "You have violated Capernan air space. You will leave immediately or be fired upon," the Capernan demanded.
"Call me crazy but something tells me this Tokar is looking for trouble," Dylan wryly remarked to his crew.
"Gee, whatever gave you that idea Dylan?" Beka responded with a smile.
That was the first time today that Dylan had seen any of his crew members smile. They had all been too emotionally wrought over Harper's catatonic state to feel like smiling or joking. Dylan didn't feel like joking right now either, but forced himself to throw out a few one-liners for the benefit of his crew. Seeing the faint smile on Beka's face and hearing the return of her sarcasm made it worth the effort.
Dylan saw this confrontation coming from a light year away. The preliminary reports that Rommie had provided on Caperna had indicated that the planet would be unfriendly towards Dylan's attempts to bring their neighboring planet Ekartia into negotiations regarding joining the new Commonwealth. Dylan had made sure that Andromeda gave Capernan air space a wide berth so as not to give the Capernan's any cause to be hostile. Even so, the High Guard captain had a gut feeling the Capernans might try to pick a fight, and he was right. There was still a chance, however remote, that hostilities could be avoided. As a High Guard captain Dylan was obligated to attempt to avoid a confrontation if at all possible.
Dylan called upon his extensive diplomatic training and experience in responding to Tokar. "I am afraid a slight error has been committed, Captain Tokar. Our ship's sensors indicated that we are well away from Capernan air space. Perhaps your ship's sensors are in need of a slight adjustment."
The Capernan captain took on the appearance of mock outrage. Dylan could tell right away that this situation was not going to get better.
"The Eclad's sensors are in perfect working order Captain Hunt. Perhaps you should run a diagnostic test on your own ship's sensors," Tokar proposed.
AI Rommie shot Dylan a look that the said she had just been insulted. "All of my sensors are operating at maximum efficiency," the AI assured Dylan.
Dylan returned his attention back to the screen and Tokar saying, "Andromeda's sensors were recently calibrated and are operating at peak efficiency."
"Captain Hunt, are not implying that I am lying?" Tokar asked seriously.
Dylan sighed. This was getting old very fast. This Tokar guy was so obvious. The Capernan was really spoiling for a fight and Dylan was almost ready to oblige. However, Dylan reminded himself that he was representing the New Commonwealth and had to at least attempt to end this diplomatically. "I am not implying anything Captain Tokar. I was merely pointing out that we have found nothing wrong with Andromeda's sensors. Therefore, the problem must lie somewhere else. Perhaps you should have a full diagnostic run on the Eclad's sensors"
Tokar continued the pretense of having been insulted replying, "I will do nothing of the kind. Not only have you entered into Capernan air space but you have insulted a Capernan officer. You will apologize before leaving Capernan territory Captain Hunt."
That was it. The last straw. Dylan was not in the mood to leave neutral airspace or apologize to this knucklehead. And after what had happened with Harper, Dylan wasn't in the mood to play Tokar's game anymore. He decided to end the farce right now. "I'm afraid I can't do that Captain Tokar," Dylan responded with a sly smile, knowing what was coming next.
"If you do apologize and leave this sector in 3 minutes then I will be forced to order my crew to fire on your ship," Tokar threatened.
Tyr raised an eyebrow, obviously mildly amused at the ridiculousness of the confrontation.
"I don't think so," Dylan retorted. "We have not violated Capernan air space Captain Tokar, so my crew and I will just be continuing on our scheduled route to Ekartia with no apologies."
"That would not be wise Captain Hunt," Tokar warned. "The Eclad is heavily armed. Your ship would not survive a confrontation."
AI Rommie and Dylan exchanged glances. Rommie again was insulted as her sensors had detected that Andromeda and the Eclad were fairly evenly matched. Harper had made a few "improvements" to Andromeda's weapons arsenal and defense shields which were not exactly in any known engineering manual. Rommie had protested when Harper informed her of his plans but the engineer merely replied with his usual "Trust the Harper" aside. Now Rommie had to admit to herself that she was glad she agreed to the changes.
"You don't seem to have much faith in the Andromeda and her crew Captain Tokar. If you attempt to fire on the Andromeda you will find that is a grave mistake," Dylan admonished as he leaned against the railing in front of him.
"We shall see who is right, Captain Hunt!" Tokar vowed as he motioned to one of his crewman with his right hand.
"Rommie, shields up!" Dylan ordered.
Beka rapidly entered coordinates and pushed buttons at the console in front of her in an effort to move Andromeda into the best possible angle for a possible counterattack.
Tyr was busy evaluating data regarding the Eclad's tactics and defenses. The Nietzschean was entering in as many possible scenarios as he could before the missiles impacted.
Seconds later each of Andromeda's crewmembers held onto bridge's railing and braced for the expected impact. Andromeda rocked with the impact.
"Everybody okay?" Dylan shouted as he looked around the bridge. To his relief, Trance Tyr and Beka were still standing. At least nobody appeared hurt.
"No harm no foul," Beka remarked as she went back to piloting the Andromeda.
"That Capernan pestilence will have to do better than that!" Tyr sneered.
Trance was also unharmed, but was not as cocky as her friends. Her thoughts were with her friend from earth sitting alone in his quarters while the Andromeda was under fire.
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Tyr and Dylan were already on the bridge when Beka and Trance arrived moments later.
"What have you got Dylan?" Beka asked as she took her position at the helm next to Dylan.
"For those of you who came in late, we have a Capernan battleship off our port side hailing us," Dylan informed.
"Andromeda, let's see what they want."
"Trouble no doubt," Tyr guessed as he folded his muscled arms across his broad chest.
Andromeda's hologram interrupted the conversation saying, "Putting the transmission through now."
The view screen filled with the image of a Capernan ship's captain. He was a typical looking Capernan; small and with blue hair.
"I am Tokar, captain of the Capernan warship Eclad," the Capernan captain introduced himself.
"I am Captain Dylan Hunt of the Andromeda Ascendant," Dylan replied.
Tokar's face took on an expression of having just sucked on a lemon upon the mention of Dylan's name. "You are the Captain Dylan Hunt, who is attempting to restore the old Commonwealth, are you not?"
"That would be me. What can I do for you Captain Tokar?" Hunt asked, his voice oozing with false politeness. Dylan forced back a smile. The High Guard captain knew the odds were good that this Tokar was not going to provide a friendly welcome to Andromeda and her crew. After the fall of the Commonwealth most worlds didn't like Hunt's idea of restoring the Commonwealth and made their feelings known in no uncertain terms. This Tokar was no exception and Dylan had to laugh at the predictability it all. Others might think he was being morbid, but Dylan Hunt had learned along time ago the necessity of keeping a sense of humor, especially during the darkest times. This day definitely qualified as one of those darkest times.
Tokar gravely voice brought Dylan back from his thoughts. "You have violated Capernan air space. You will leave immediately or be fired upon," the Capernan demanded.
"Call me crazy but something tells me this Tokar is looking for trouble," Dylan wryly remarked to his crew.
"Gee, whatever gave you that idea Dylan?" Beka responded with a smile.
That was the first time today that Dylan had seen any of his crew members smile. They had all been too emotionally wrought over Harper's catatonic state to feel like smiling or joking. Dylan didn't feel like joking right now either, but forced himself to throw out a few one-liners for the benefit of his crew. Seeing the faint smile on Beka's face and hearing the return of her sarcasm made it worth the effort.
Dylan saw this confrontation coming from a light year away. The preliminary reports that Rommie had provided on Caperna had indicated that the planet would be unfriendly towards Dylan's attempts to bring their neighboring planet Ekartia into negotiations regarding joining the new Commonwealth. Dylan had made sure that Andromeda gave Capernan air space a wide berth so as not to give the Capernan's any cause to be hostile. Even so, the High Guard captain had a gut feeling the Capernans might try to pick a fight, and he was right. There was still a chance, however remote, that hostilities could be avoided. As a High Guard captain Dylan was obligated to attempt to avoid a confrontation if at all possible.
Dylan called upon his extensive diplomatic training and experience in responding to Tokar. "I am afraid a slight error has been committed, Captain Tokar. Our ship's sensors indicated that we are well away from Capernan air space. Perhaps your ship's sensors are in need of a slight adjustment."
The Capernan captain took on the appearance of mock outrage. Dylan could tell right away that this situation was not going to get better.
"The Eclad's sensors are in perfect working order Captain Hunt. Perhaps you should run a diagnostic test on your own ship's sensors," Tokar proposed.
AI Rommie shot Dylan a look that the said she had just been insulted. "All of my sensors are operating at maximum efficiency," the AI assured Dylan.
Dylan returned his attention back to the screen and Tokar saying, "Andromeda's sensors were recently calibrated and are operating at peak efficiency."
"Captain Hunt, are not implying that I am lying?" Tokar asked seriously.
Dylan sighed. This was getting old very fast. This Tokar guy was so obvious. The Capernan was really spoiling for a fight and Dylan was almost ready to oblige. However, Dylan reminded himself that he was representing the New Commonwealth and had to at least attempt to end this diplomatically. "I am not implying anything Captain Tokar. I was merely pointing out that we have found nothing wrong with Andromeda's sensors. Therefore, the problem must lie somewhere else. Perhaps you should have a full diagnostic run on the Eclad's sensors"
Tokar continued the pretense of having been insulted replying, "I will do nothing of the kind. Not only have you entered into Capernan air space but you have insulted a Capernan officer. You will apologize before leaving Capernan territory Captain Hunt."
That was it. The last straw. Dylan was not in the mood to leave neutral airspace or apologize to this knucklehead. And after what had happened with Harper, Dylan wasn't in the mood to play Tokar's game anymore. He decided to end the farce right now. "I'm afraid I can't do that Captain Tokar," Dylan responded with a sly smile, knowing what was coming next.
"If you do apologize and leave this sector in 3 minutes then I will be forced to order my crew to fire on your ship," Tokar threatened.
Tyr raised an eyebrow, obviously mildly amused at the ridiculousness of the confrontation.
"I don't think so," Dylan retorted. "We have not violated Capernan air space Captain Tokar, so my crew and I will just be continuing on our scheduled route to Ekartia with no apologies."
"That would not be wise Captain Hunt," Tokar warned. "The Eclad is heavily armed. Your ship would not survive a confrontation."
AI Rommie and Dylan exchanged glances. Rommie again was insulted as her sensors had detected that Andromeda and the Eclad were fairly evenly matched. Harper had made a few "improvements" to Andromeda's weapons arsenal and defense shields which were not exactly in any known engineering manual. Rommie had protested when Harper informed her of his plans but the engineer merely replied with his usual "Trust the Harper" aside. Now Rommie had to admit to herself that she was glad she agreed to the changes.
"You don't seem to have much faith in the Andromeda and her crew Captain Tokar. If you attempt to fire on the Andromeda you will find that is a grave mistake," Dylan admonished as he leaned against the railing in front of him.
"We shall see who is right, Captain Hunt!" Tokar vowed as he motioned to one of his crewman with his right hand.
"Rommie, shields up!" Dylan ordered.
Beka rapidly entered coordinates and pushed buttons at the console in front of her in an effort to move Andromeda into the best possible angle for a possible counterattack.
Tyr was busy evaluating data regarding the Eclad's tactics and defenses. The Nietzschean was entering in as many possible scenarios as he could before the missiles impacted.
Seconds later each of Andromeda's crewmembers held onto bridge's railing and braced for the expected impact. Andromeda rocked with the impact.
"Everybody okay?" Dylan shouted as he looked around the bridge. To his relief, Trance Tyr and Beka were still standing. At least nobody appeared hurt.
"No harm no foul," Beka remarked as she went back to piloting the Andromeda.
"That Capernan pestilence will have to do better than that!" Tyr sneered.
Trance was also unharmed, but was not as cocky as her friends. Her thoughts were with her friend from earth sitting alone in his quarters while the Andromeda was under fire.
