Alas, yet another disclaimer! I do not and never have owned Andromeda or its characters and I am making didily squat, i.e. nothing for this story. Thanks for your kind reviews and keep reviewing. The more reviews the faster I type. Okay? On to Chapter 9

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"Rommie, damage assessment!" Dylan called out.

The ship's hologram instantly appeared in front of the High Guard captain saying, "I detect minor damage to deck 3 section 31. It appears that the damage is mostly contained to that area. There was damage to my defense shields. My shields are at 80% efficiency."

"Hopefully we won't have to take another hit. Beka, let's see how the Andromeda's new torpedo works," Dylan suggested.

She had already entered the coordinates and was ready fire before Dylan gave the word and didn't need any urging to fire.

"I'm already on it Dylan. Firing Torpedo 2," the blonde announced as she pushed a button on her console.

Andromeda's crew watched the view screen waiting to see if the missile would hit its target. Moments later the missile hit the Eclad.

"The Eclad's shields absorbed most of the missile's impact," the hologram reported. "I am detecting some damage to the ship's defense shield however. I am also detecting minimal damage to the Eclad's engineering section."

Tyr went back to his station and began pouring over the data Andromeda fed to the console.

Captain Tokar appeared on Andromeda's view screen looking slightly disheveled. "That was a foolish move Captain Hunt. The Eclad has suffered no damage. Your ship's sensors will attest the veracity of my information. That is if the Andromeda is in top condition as you say it is."

Dylan smiled at the Capernan's audacity. Capernan's were known for their inability to acknowledge committing a lie even when confronted with overwhelming evidence. "Now you know better than that Captain Tokar. Adromeda has already detected damage to the Eclad. Why don't you give up this charade and let us continue on our way in peace before people are killed."

"You wouldn't be afraid of a little blood being spilled would you Captain?" Tokar sneered.

"Not if it is spilled for a good reason Captain. And this is not a good reason," Dylan retorted.

An evil smile crossed Tokar's face. "Ah, but this is the best reason I can think of Captain Hunt. Your misguided effort to restore the Commonwealth needs to be stopped, especially when it interferes with Capernan's relationship with our neighbor Ekartia."

"I have no intention of interfering with Caperna's relationship with Ekartia," Dylan argued. "Ekartia is interested in examining the possibility of joining the New Commonwealth and the Andromeda is merely on a diplomatic mission to Ekartia."

Tokar let out a snort as he attempted to stifle a laugh. "Do not take me for a fool Captain Hunt. Ekartia has designs on Caperna and your so called, diplomatic mission is merely a rouse to funnel illegal arms to Ekartia."

Dylan continued to press his case, even though he knew Tokar's had obviously already made up his mind to attack the Andromeda. "I assure you Captain Tokar that the Andromeda Ascendant is on a purely diplomatic mission. We are not transporting arms to Ekartia."

"Your assurances mean nothing Captain. Your lies are transparent and now you and your crew will pay for those lies," Tokar promised.

"If you insist Captain," Dylan replied as he nodded to Beka.

Beka had been waiting for the signal to fire another missile and immediately obeyed. "Firing Missile 4."

Missile 4 was on target to hit the Eclad on the starboard side near its main power core when a pulse came from the Elcad, destroying the missile.

Dylan and his crew were disappointed but not very surprised. The seasoned crew had come to expect the unexpected.

"Rommie, explain what just happened to Missile 4" Dylan ordered calmly.

"I don't understand it Dylan. Somehow the Capernans managed to hide pulsar cannon from my sensors," The AI answered sounding slightly bewildered. It was a blow to her ego, although AIs weren't supposed to be burdened with such human emotions.

"That is not the answer I would have preferred to hear," Tyr flatly stated.

"It's not the answer I preferred giving," AI Rommie replied dryly.

Dylan was beginning to become concerned. It wasn't like the AI to miss anything with her scans. "There had to be a logical explanation."

"Agreed, but what is it?" Tyr questioned. He found Andromeda to be accurate in the past. However, blind trust was not the Nietzschean's strong suit.

Holo Rommie was busy analyzing the data she collected from the attack. "I have finished checking the data and apparently the Eclad had cloaked the pulsar cannon using some form of stealth technology."

"See, a logical explanation Tyr," Beka retorted.

"Well people, let's not give Tokar another chance to use that pulsar cannon. Fire number 1 and 3 missiles at the in the pulsar cannon's direction," Dylan ordered

Beka and Tyr feverishly entered coordinates and pushed buttons before Missile 1 and 3 fired at the pulsar cannon. Missile 3 was hit with the pulse from the cannon. Missile 1 was also hit by the pulse but the resulting explosion severely damaged the Eclad's defense shields.

"The Eclad's defense shields are at 62% capacity," Holo Rommie informed.

Trance was fidgeting nervously at her station next to Beka. "Dylan, if you can spare me I should go check on Harper. I want to make sure he's okay."

Dylan had almost forgotten about Harper being all alone in his quarters. Although Rommie would have reported if Harper had been injured during the attack, Dylan still felt the engineer should not be alone at a time like this. Dylan was glad Trance was looking out for the earthling.

The High Guard captain nodded his approval. "Of course, Trance. Go stay with Harper. I'll let you know if we need you up here."

Out of the corner of their eyes Beka, Tyr and Dylan caught sight of AI Rommie raising an eyebrow as her forehead wrinkled..

"What's wrong Rommie?" Dylan asked, expecting more bad news regarding the battle with the Eclad.

"Harper has left his room," the AI reported calmly without emotion.

Trance stopped in her tracks and turned around to face AI Rommie. "Where is he headed Rommie? I should go to him."

Holo Rommie popped up in front of the golden skinned alien answering, "Harper is on Deck 4 and headed down to Deck 3."

"That little mudfoot is heading for Section 31 to repair the damage," Tyr guessed as he glanced up from his console.

Dylan and Beka exchanged concerned looks before Dylan asked the obvious question of the avatar. "Is Harper in any kind of shape to be making repairs?"

"As I have said earlier, Harper has suffered no physical damage," AI Rommie reminded her captain.

"Trance, you better find Harper just the same. If he is talking coherently, and I mean coherently for Harper, let him make the repairs," Dylan instructed the ship's medic.

Trance immediately headed out the bridge doorway without saying a word. The alien smiled to herself. She had a feeling that her best friend was starting to recover.