~~*~~ Chapter 7 ~~*~~

"And a child shall lead them into the light."
--Perixan Proverb

Dylan stopped just inside the door to Trance's room, eyes wide with shock.

The room had been transformed into the Vedren forests of his childhood, with a variety of flora and fauna. The scent of earth and living things was so strong, he swore if he'd come in there blindfolded he would've thought he was planetside. The walls and floor were buried in soft, rustling leaves, creeper vines with maroon stems and brilliant green grasses. The center of the room held a thick-trunked tree whose branches ran parallel to the ceiling.

He entered the room staring up at the branches, wondering how stable they were, and bumped into a row of low bushes. He jerked back, startled. The bushes were a deep green, pine scented and very thick. He cocked his head in amusement when he saw the makeshift bathtub partially hidden behind them.

"Uh, Trance? Did all of this come from Hydroponics?"

"No. I brought a few souvenirs from my vacations." She shrugged and gave him her most innocent look.

"Ah. Could you let me know next time? Some of this stuff could be dangerous."

She giggled. "Oh, Dylan, I know my plants."

He turned to look at her and, for him, time momentarily stopped. She stood before him cradling a baby who cooed at him with chubby lips and stared with intelligent eyes. One tiny fist grasped Trance's tail like a lifeline. Dylan blinked in disbelief.

"Don't be mad," Trance said quickly, gauging his reaction. "He found me. Y'know he's really cute and the Soltan's are trying to kill him and ... here." She thrust the child toward him.

Automatically, he reached out and took the baby. He gazed into the large hazel eyes. The infant gurgled and played with his chin, looking serious. "Wait," Dylan said, "how do we know this isn't just a lost child? It--"

"He."

"He might have just wandered off from his Mommy."

"Then why would the Regent hide that fact?" Tyr asked, reclined against the tree trunk, arms crossed over his chest.

The baby swatted Dylan in the ear before plucking at the bridge of his nose. Evading the tiny groping fingers, Dylan unconsciously swung the child to one hip and bounced him gently. He shrugged. "Maybe he was embarrassed? Losing your children doesn't make you sound very competent."

"Misplacing a child is traumatic for a parent," Rev Bem pointed out. "There would have been screaming, crying, possibly panic."

Dylan stared at him, struggling for a rational explanation. He refused to believe anyone would intentionally hunt down a child. "So--"

"Fortnoy was lying," Tyr snapped. "They want the child. He's a threat."

"He's a baby!"

"The Regent apparently doesn't see it that way."

"Tyr--"

"Dylan, the practice of infanticide is prevalent throughout history, even in your human society. Look at the Biblical story of Jesus. Harrod killed off many infants simply because he was told Jesus would be King."

"Touche."

"They want to murder the child," Tyr argued. "To shape the future."

Trance nodded quickly, the sparkly spangles adorning her hair shimmering. "And not for good things, Dylan, for bad, bad things or else they would have just asked."

"And not resorted to subterfuge," Tyr added. "Think logically. Not only did they disguise the search, they wanted no help in performing it. Remember the prophecy."

Dylan's face grew grim. He gazed down at the infant, who reached out to stick an exploratory finger between Dylan's lips. The baby glanced up at him, cooing seriously.

"I, too, know of a prophecy," Rev Bem said. "Do not underestimate its power."

"Okay, I'll bite. Rev, what's your Prophecy of the Day?"

"Well, it's more of a distillation of many prophecies ... a theory, really," he began.

"The universe is at a crux, a crossroads. On one side is peace, the other chaos. I believe this is the crucial event. Many system prophecies say a messiah will rise to lead a new empire."

"Most cultures have messianic myths. That doesn't mean they point to this boy, to our new empire." Emotions roiled in his eyes as he tried to defend against the inevitable. But it just couldn't be. Messianic myths weren't about real God-given messiahs. As much as he hated to admit it, he knew they were created by men to support whatever beliefs would further their personal power and put more money in their coffers. His crew couldn't be correct. This sweet little child couldn't have been specifically sent to rule his Commonwealth. It wasn't possible, was it? That would mean there was no free choice. All events were predestined.

Unless ... someone was pulling the strings intentionally and wanted the Commonwealth restored. The concept was beyond him. Thinking about it made his head pound. The project was just too enormous, spanning eons and three galaxies. There were trillions of variables. Dylan was a simple man with a not-so-simple mission in life. That was all that mattered.

"You would be surprised, Dylan Hunt, by the ways of the Divine. The Avalon system's prophecy states, 'Arthur shall rise after the Universe's darkest hour, led by a knight of the table round.' In Mariah they say, 'A young boy shall redeem us from chaos and death to restore sanctuary.' The Glexuan bible says, 'The child of adversity shall bring the new Reign of Peace. He shall rise up from the ashes to realize the dreams of a man.' Shall I go on?"

Hope and disbelief battled on Dylan's face. "You can't compare this to King Arthur," he said lamely, unable to think of a solid argument.

"He is merely a symbol in the myth for a leader of great stature."

Dylan's mind raced. It all made sense and his crew certainly believed it. He had trouble trusting their judgment; a fault he was trying, consciously, to rectify. They were intelligent people. But, he had his doubts. He knew everyone was capable of atrocities, but slaughtering babies? Prophecies about the New Commonwealth? He still couldn't quite handle that. His disbelief won out. He shook his head.

"Superstitions. It has to be. I mean, how could ... how old are these prophecies?"

Rev Bem spoke up, "As old as 500 years many much younger."

"You see? How could a 500-year-old myth include the fall of the Commonwealth, the massacres that happened after, 300 years of chaos, you, me, the possible rebirth of the Empire and a tiny baby? It doesn't make sense. It isn't logical."

"Perhaps, the prophets had the ear of the Divine? Perhaps, he whispered to them so that they might prepare? Some things in the Universe yield no answers no matter how diligently we question them."

Dylan pursed his lips. "You have an answer for everything, don't you, Rev?"

The Magog shrugged his fuzzy shoulders. "I read a lot."

"But--"

Tyr cut him off, "Dylan, the Essiivv woman spoke of destiny and--"He glanced from one person to another. "A future Emperor."

"That doesn't prove anything. They could have read the same books."

"Dylan." Andromeda's voice came over the loudspeakers.

"Yes, Andromeda?"

"I've lost contact with my avatar. She does not respond."

Dylan frowned, puzzled. He handed the baby back to Trance. "What was her last location?"

"Crewman Victor's quarters."

Dylan frowned at the mention his deceased shipmate's name. "The Soltans?"

"Unknown."

"Keep searching. I'm on my way. Tyr?" He gave the tall Nietzschean a questioning look.

Tyr nodded and followed him.

"But, Dylan!" Trance called.

Dylan turned. Trance held out the infant. "Can we keep him?"

He snorted, struck by the humor of her serious question. His expression softened. For some reason, he had a hard time saying 'no' to her. "Temporary amnesty."

He and Tyr ran down the corridor.

^j^

Cural smiled. The direct course of action was always the best. He worked quickly on the door to the Slipstream drive chamber. The Regent's office had provided a scan of the Andromeda Ascendant before the party ... just in case. The Regent was well known for preparation. First, he disabled the sensors that would alert Andromeda to the intrusion. Then, he opened the door.

Child's play.

He grew more frustrated with every moment that passed in which his compatriots did not find the usurper. The Andromeda's crew was toying with them; moving the child from room to room, deck to deck, while his men scanned and ran themselves ragged. He was certain of it. He would show them. He would gain favor in the eyes of the Regent, a man touched by God. He would be paid enough to buy the freedom of his sisters from the Regent's harem, to free his little brother from the mines. They might even throw him a parade.

He shook his round head to rid himself of the fantasies and concentrate on his work. He found the control panels to the Slipstream Drive easily. Disabling it was a simple task – a snip here, a tug there. A few sparks flew and the acrid stench of burnt wiring plumed into the air. He smiled, satisfied.

He only had one task left.

^j^

Dylan and Tyr jogged through the corridors.

Abruptly, the Andromeda Ascendant rocked as a volley of laser fire slammed into her underbelly. They were tossed into the wall, bounced and landed in a heap. Tyr shoved the slightly smaller man off of him and leapt nimbly to his feet as the ship lurched again.

"Code Red, Code Red," Andromeda intoned through the ship-wide speakers.

"Incoming fire from the planet's surface."

Dylan stood. "What? I thought they were defenseless."

"Wolves in the fold," Tyr muttered.

"I have to get to Command. Find Rommie and the guards."

"And if force is necessary?"

"I want them alive ... but do what you have to." Dylan whirled and sprinted for Command.

"With pleasure," Tyr said to the captain's retreating back. Buoyed by the fact that he'd be blessed with his fight after all, he bounded toward Crewman Victor's quarters with renewed enthusiasm.

^j^

Dylan skidded through the door to Command as Beka barked into the Com system, "Dylan? Dylan, permission to return fire? Let me blast the crap outta them!"

"Denied. Evasive maneuvers," he said, skidding to a stop beside her.

Sparing him a glance, she piloted the ship around another salvo. The Andromeda bucked with the near misses. "I've already taken us out of geosynchronous orbit, out as far as the three moons."

"What're they firing?"

"Don't know. But, it packs a punch. They aren't careful, they'll pulverize one of their own moons and us too."

"Take us out further." Dylan dashed to the weapons console, reading the data scrolling across the screen.

"Why don't we just slipstream outta this dive?"

"We have something they want. Andromeda?" he said.

Her image appeared on the view screen on the wall. "Yes, Dylan?"

"Identify weapon and its source."

"Beams suggest Gattling Pulse Cannon. Origin is a portion of Castle Catoria."

"That explains where they hid such a huge weapon. Vernius is all farmland but the Castle's enormous."

"And why they didn't want us to go to the surface," Beka said, steering between incoming laser bolts. "Had to meet 'em in the little berg 10 miles from the Castle to pick up the rations. You sure know how to pick 'em."

"I try," Dylan quipped, punching buttons and locking in on the cannon.

"We are being hailed," Andromeda said.

"Put it through."

The Regent's cadaverous face appeared. His dark spidery eyes narrowed. "Captain Hunt, no doubt you now know there is no bomb."

Dylan straightened, assuming a formal stance, a stance that exuded power and confidence. He met the Regent's glare unwaveringly. "No doubt."

"Return the usurper and we will allow you to depart without further ... incidents."

Dylan let the moment stretch. He glared at the Regent, trying to make him sweat, pretending to think the offer over. Behind him, Rev Bem entered Command and stopped near his elbow. Dylan glanced at him then back to the Regent. "No."

The Regent's face drained of its little color. His eyes widened until the irises floated in a sea of off white. A tiny muscle in his cheek twitched.

Dylan grinned imperceptibly. "Check," he mused. He loved it when they got nervous.

The Regent bared large white teeth. "You misunderstand the importance of this child," he said, underscored with a low snarl.

Dylan shook his head slowly. This guy just didn't get it. "We're on the same page, Regent Fortnoy. You will cease-fire or we will destroy your weapon. You didn't really think you could hide it from a High Guard ship of the line, did you?"

A wide grin stretched the thin skin on the sides of the Regent's face. Dylan shivered as a chill sent spidery fingers down his spine and limbs.

"End transmission," Dylan said.

In the pilot's seat, Beka swallowed hard, her blue eyes widening in fear. She covered it quickly, but knew his face would haunt her nightmares.

It occurred to Dylan that the threat didn't bother the Regent at all. "Dive!" he ordered.

The first officer blinked in surprise, but reacted instantly. The Andromeda dove sharply. A barrage of laser fire splintered a section of the upper hull.

"Where's it coming from?" Beka shouted over the whine of the engines and crackle of sparks from various control panels.

"One of the moons. Correction, two of the moons have opened fire. Incoming," Andromeda intoned.

Buffeted by blows from above, below and to one side, the Andromeda lurched like a puppet on a string. Dylan returned fire while Beka fought to keep them in one piece. She steered them around most of the laser fire. A few hit their targets.

"Dylan! Let's get outta here!" Beka shouted.

"Go!"

Beka braced herself and activated the Slipstream Drive. The ship lurched forward, spluttered and drifted.

"Slipstream Drive and some internal sensors off-line," Andromeda said.

"Terrific," Beka muttered, feverishly working to get the sublight drive started. It caught and the ship started forward. "We lost some time on that one."

"They're targeting Engineering," Dylan called. "Beka?"

"I'm trying. We're past the moons, but there's no telling the range on those weapons."

"Estimated range is to the fourth planet," Andromeda said.

Beka shook her head. "Long way to safe, boss."

"Do your best."

The room filled with the sounds of distant explosions as the Soltan weapons found purchase. Andromeda's weapons discharged, an echoing whine filling the air. The acrid stench of burnt wiring made Beka sneeze.

"Andromeda, report," Dylan barked.

Her image appeared on the view screen. "I'm showing incomplete circuits, cut wiring perhaps, in my Drive room."

"Where's Harper?"

"He accompanied my avatar."

"Great. Ship-wide."

"Activated."

"Tyr," Dylan called, his voice echoing in the empty corridors. "Round up our guests and get Harper down to fix the Drive, now! Close channel. Beka, get us out of here. Andromeda, return fire. Target their weapons and demolish them."

"Even the cannon inside the Castle?"

"Yes." Dylan jogged toward the door.

"What about Vernius? The town?"

"As little collateral damage as possible. Do your best."

"Where are you going?" Beka said.

"To fix the Drive myself."

^j^

Merath lay in wait, crouched in the shadows, his back pressed against the sharp metal of a corridor support. He licked his full lips and held his scanner up with trembling fingers. The tiny machine emitted beeps that were inaudible to humans, but well within the range of Soltan hearing. The quickening beeps indicated that a being of at least partial Soltan blood approached. He knew Jonay and Cural were in far distant parts of the ship. Thus, his quarry was found. A rush of fear ran through him. He didn't relish the thought of killing a child, but it was his duty. If he let the child escape, he would be executed, as would his wife. He dared not fail. He did not care that prophecy deemed the child a future ruler. The Regent was a tyrant and a vicious leader. Merath thought the child might be better. Too bad circumstances were as they were. He shivered, readjusting his grip on his laser pistol. His knees began to ache, but he remained still. The soft beeping from the scanner raced.

Trance and Rev Bem stopped in the corridor, now lit to normal human brightness. Trance hugged the baby tight, smiling at him and tickling his sides. She glanced up at the Magog priest and frowned. "Do you think that's the right thing, Rev?"

He nodded, the auburn fur on his lumpy head waggling. He adjusted his cloak with clawed fingers. "Yes. We should confer with Dylan before acting."

"Maybe we should prepare the Maru?" she suggested. "Just so we're ready. I mean, Dylan must be busy now with the attack and all so we could save a step."

"How do we know he will approve of our plan?"

The Andromeda jerked to the side again. Rev Bem thrust one hand against the wall to steady him and caught Trance with the other as she pitched sideways. He stood her upright.

"Thanks." She gave the ceiling a nervous look. "He will. I know Dylan will approve. I mean, look at this little defenseless baby. How could he give him back?"

Rev Bem regarded the child with kind eyes. "Mm, I agree. Humans have a strong weakness for their young."

"So?"

He sighed. "We will prepare the Maru for any eventuality."

They took a fork in the corridors toward the hanger bay housing the Eureka Maru. After a few steps, Rev Bem sniffed the air and touched Trance's arm softly.

"Trance, I smell --"

Merath leapt from his hiding place, weapon outstretched. He stood in a half- crouch, a grimace crinkling the slack skin of his ash-grey face. "Don't move ... please."

She squeaked in surprise.

The infant shrieked, reacting to her fear.

"Deposit the child on the floor and depart," Merath ordered, motioning with the gun.

Instinctively, Trance's arm tightened around the baby. "No!"

"I will kill you."

Rev Bem growled.

Trance shifted, turning the baby away from their attacker and her backside toward him, her tail held close to her body.

The Soltan grew impatient. "Put down the usurper now!"

Rev Bem took one step to the side, drawing Merath's attention. Trance's tail whipped around and slapped the gun from his hand. He gasped. Rev Bem leapt onto him, knocking him to the floor. He grabbed their attacker's shoulders and smacked the man's head on the floor. When the Rev straightened, Merath lay still, unconscious.

"I will take him to the brig," said Rev, "you get the child safely to the Maru."

She nodded quickly and scampered away, humming to shush the infant's crying.

^j^

Tyr jogged to crewman Victor's quarters. Half-crouched outside the door, he scanned the areas using all of his senses. It was silent. The faint metallic taste of blood hung in the air. The acrid tang of burnt wiring clung to the walls. He knew Harper was inside; he could smell the faint sickly sweet aroma of old Sparky Cola, a scent that oozed from every pore of Harper's body. He entered the room with his weapon ready, swinging it from side to side to cover any intruders. He found none. A brief thorough search uncovered Harper's still body lying atop Rommie's inert form. A pang of regret stabbed his chest. Tyr felt the engineer for a pulse. It was steady and strong. Harper had a nasty red bump on the back of his head that spread dark purple tendrils like fingers through his mussed dirty blond hair. Tyr rolled him onto the floor and slapped his cheeks lightly.

"Harper, we need you. Wake up, Little Man."

The smaller man came around slowly. A spark of alertness lit in his pale blue eyes. He shoved himself onto his knees, baring his teeth and staring around the room with wild eyes. "Where are they? Those lying double- crossing ... let me show them the airlock."

Tyr stood. "Relax. They've gone."

"Yeah, well just let me catch them!"

Tyr sighed and, just as he had done during their battle with the Magog, explained patiently, "The Slipstream Drive is inoperative. Fix it. We have been infiltrated and it's been sabotaged."

"What? I need a doctor here."

"Whine when you are alone and without a mission."

Harper noticed the avatar limp at his feet, her coffee brown eyes staring sightlessly at the ceiling. "I have to fix Rommie."

The Andromeda lurched as a laser hit the upper decks. Harper was tossed into Tyr. The Nietzschean stood him upright.

"Or, I could fix the Slipstream Drive so we can get the heck outta here."

"Exactly."

"And, you're gonna off the zombies?"

Tyr gave him a slight grin.

"Kick 'em for me, huh?"

The Nietzschean beamed at the skinny engineer. At times like this, the boy showed such potential. "Count on it," he promised as they took off toward the room where the Slipstream Drive was located.

^j^

Dylan climbed the ladder to the upper level, swinging easily from it to the corridor and breaking into a sprint before his feet touched the floor. Sweat dribbled down the side of his face.

Andromeda's voice emanated from the overhead speakers. Ghostly echoes followed him through the empty corridors. "Dylan, Tyr has found Harper. He's injured, but will meet you in the Drive Room. Rommie is unavailable."

"Understood," he called, barreling around a corner.

Suddenly, an arm shot out of the shadows and clotheslined him, hitting him just below the neck. He fell backward, swept off his feet. Jonay dove for him. Coughing, Dylan kicked out one foot, caught the smaller man in the solar plexus and shoved.

Jonay flew through the air and smashed into the wall. As he slid to the floor, Dylan jumped up. Jonay pulled a laser pistol from his belt, aiming it shakily at the tall Vedren.

"Hey, now," Dylan help up a placating hand, smiling diplomatically. "You don't want to shoot me."

"Do not stand in our way, Alien."

"Why would I do that? Andromeda," Dylan called, "internal defenses." He leapt into the air, catching hold of a metal ceiling beam.

For a split second, Jonay looked confused. He raised his weapon. The floor electrified. Sparks bounced around Jonay's boots like leaping fish. He made a choking sound. After a few seconds, the current shut off and he fell backward with a thud.

Dylan dropped to the floor and checked him for a pulse. "Thanks, Andromeda. Have a drone drag him to the brig."

"Will do."

"Status?"

"Rev Bem has locked one Soltan in the brig. You caught another. There is one running loose. Tyr and Harper are proceeding to the Slipstream Drive Chamber. The Soltans seem to be recharging their weapons, giving us a brief reprieve."

Dylan thought quickly. His crew had things under control. If he had one major fault, it was that he trusted his crew implicitly. It had gotten him into trouble before. But, he wasn't about to give up the practice now. "I'm returning to help Beka."

He sprinted back to Command, slowing imperceptibly at cross-corridors to be prepared for attack.

^j^

The Andromeda bucked under the renewed onslaught. Trance pitched forward, flipping herself in the air so that she hit the deck on her shoulder, the infant safe atop her chest. She groaned in agony. Her entire right side burned with pain.

"Great," she muttered, lying on her back on the cold floor. "I think I chipped a tooth." She held the baby away from her and checked for injuries. "Good, you're fine. You'd better be fine, little man, because a lot of people will depend on you someday."

The baby regarded her seriously. His large hazel eyes melted to green, reflecting a change in mood. He burbled to her, reaching out to caress her cheek.

She smiled. "I know." She struggled to her feet, cradling him in the crook of her left arm. Her right shoulder throbbed, but she knew it would fade. She healed very quickly. She jogged toward the Maru.

Her footfalls in the hanger deck were hollow and seemed unusually loud to her ears. The child's soft, "Da da da ... " echoed eerily behind Trance as she entered the Maru.

Her time working for Beka on the crew of the Eureka Maru served her well. With the child on her lap, she did a quick pre-flight check.

"No, no," she chimed when he reached for the buttons and colored lights. "I know the lights and handles are pretty, but you really could mess things up by playing with them." She swung her tail up and twitched it to entertain him, completely the checks with quick efficiency.

He continued to fuss, so she carried him to a low bench with a harness and seat belt, fastened him in and turned to return to the controls.

Cural blocked her path.

A gasp of surprise escaped her lips. "Oh, this one," she muttered. This was one of the futures she had seen.

He let the comment pass. Aliens were unreasonable ... faithless. They didn't comprehend that the Regent was the one true ruler, ordained by God and blood to lead everyone.

"Step aside, Creature. The usurper must die." He aimed his pistol at the baby.

She stepped into the line of fire, determination darkening her lavender features.

"Look I don't know why you'd kill a sweet innocent baby but I really think you should reconsider for the sake of your karma if nothing else."

He bared his teeth. "I'm not listening, Disbeliever."

"Put down the gun," she ordered, lowering her voice.

"Do you want to die, Woman?"

She raised one eyebrow menacingly, transforming her innocent face into that of an avenging angel. A cold, ancient wisdom glittered in her dark eyes. "Do you?"

He blinked rapidly, suddenly uncertain. Strengthening his resolve, he shifted his fingers to grip his weapon more tightly. "You have no idea who that is," he nearly spat out the words and cocked his head to indicate the infant.

"I know exactly who he is," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "I made him. Do you know who I am?"

He stared at her for a moment, trying to delve beneath her words. "If you do not support my Regent then you are a casualty of war."

"Really?" she said in a sweet, little girl voice. Her tail flicked back and forth, cat-like. She closed her eyes. Behind him, there was a small noise.

He whirled, weapon ready.

She grinned humorlessly and vanished from his perceptions. It was a trick she learned as a child from her Granny, a temple priestess. She could easily make herself invisible to people if she concentrated enough, focused her psychic energy. Thought waves were electrical impulses. Her kind could project those energies and change the perceptions of others. She would pinpoint his mind, convince his subconscious that he couldn't see her. To his conscious mind, she disappeared even though she might be inches away. She could make him believe he couldn't hear her. But, that wasn't the plan. She cloaked his vision, made him think he couldn't see her or the child. A simple trick. He turned back to where she had been.

His eyes widened in shock. He spun in a circle. They were gone! He growled in fury. "What is this! A game!"

She danced away from his waving arms, hurried to the baby and moved him to another part of the ship, stepping lightly. He could still hear her if she wasn't careful. The child safe in another room, she ran back, anxious to teach him a lesson about the consequences of destroying innocence.

The man spun slowly, staring at every nook and cranny.

She strolled up to him, careful to avoid touching him. It was time to scare him. Leaning close behind him, she whispered just loud enough for him to be unsure whether or not he heard her voice, "You're going to die." She savored the look of terror that infused his face.

He whirled, eyes wide and wild.

She pranced around the large man, just out of reach. "Run," she whispered. "Forget the boy."

"Ghosts!" he screeched. "Sorcery!"

She giggled softly. The sound echoed all around him. His dark eyes were wide with terror, his breathing fast and labored. A sheen of sweat slicked his brow and trickled down his nose. He didn't wipe it away, didn't notice it at all. She stepped closer and brushed her fingers against the back of his neck with a feather-light touch.

He howled in terror. She ducked away from his flailing arms.

"I am death," she whispered, purposely letting the last word draw out and fade.

His hands shook. He fired two wild rounds down the long hall into the main ship, whirled and fired at random in the command. Trance stood back and watched him, arms crossed over her bosom. He was like an animal, sniffing the air to find her. His eyes had lost all sanity. He had forgotten the child, forgotten his Regent.

Trance was satisfied.

Abruptly tired of the game and afraid he'd damage the Maru, she stepped forward to disable him. As if sensing her ghostly presence, he spun and ran blindly. Sprinting at full speed, he collided with a metal beam. The gong of his head hitting metal reverberated throughout the ship. He fell to the floor, dead. Startled, Trance stared at him for a long moment. Sadness and relief flooded over her.

Then, the Maru lurched as another salvo hit the Andromeda. "How sad," she murmured, "but necessary." Sometimes sacrifices had to be made for the greater good. She couldn't allow all of her hard work to come to naught. The Regent would never gain more than regional power over a few systems, but she knew what type of ruler he was. She couldn't allow him to kill off the best hope for peace in the triple universes.

She smiled wistfully. Dylan would be happy if he knew all she had done. It was his dream come to fruition. Without the child, he had little chance. Desperate people need a single person to rally behind, to give them hope. Dylan was an excellent catalyst, but he was no emperor. He was charismatic enough, but he lacked the guile and the desire. Uniting the New Commonwealth into a living thing would have to be done for him.

She dashed back to the controls and finished preparing the ship for departure.

She would take care of Cural later.

^j^

"You go first," Harper whispered.

Tyr tossed him a dark look. "Of course." He wouldn't trust his life to the diminutive human. Despite his grudging respect for the human's engineering genius, he didn't even trust Harper to defend Harper.

Tyr spun his body through the open door to the Slipstream Drive Chamber, gun before him like a pointing finger. The walkway was empty, the room echoing with the sporadic hiss of loose wiring bouncing against metal. Locating the sound, he saw swinging wires give off a shower of sparks each time they swung too close to the metal wall. The Slipstream Drive pulsed a sickly color. He scanned the room, checking in every direction, including the ceiling. "The room is clear," he announced.

Harper pushed past him, clambering over the walkway railing and pulling a tool from his ever-present toolbelt to repair the wiring.

"How long?" Tyr asked from the doorway.

Not looking up, Harper shrugged. "Fifteen minutes? Ten? Can't be exact until I know what all the zombies did."

"Hurry." Tyr left. He had to find the intruders and had no idea where they had gone. "Ship," he said.

"Yes, Tyr?"

"Scan for the Soltans."

"Two are in the brig. The other is ... on the Eureka Maru."

"Thank you." Tyr sprinted for the hanger bay.

^j^

"Target the Castle," Dylan ordered.

"Targeted."

"Fire."

Andromeda unleashed a barrage of weapons fire. Far below, on the planet's surface, a beam of light pierced the castle fortress where the big gun was held. People ran pell-mell, desperate to find safety. The beam shimmered, absorbed by the fortress' shielding. The air filled with static and the acrid stench of burnt plastic. The beam from space stopped. The shield buzzed, deafening those nearby, then blinked off.

"First volley did not penetrate to the castle."

"What?"

"Apparently they have shielding."

"Fire number two. I want that shield down, NOW."

The next beam hit the unprotected building. The gun and fortress exploded in a shower of sparks, shrapnel and pulverized bricks. Choking clouds of red dust filled the damp air.

"Target destroyed," Andromeda said.

Dylan nodded with satisfaction. Maybe this would show the Regent that he wasn't the biggest dog in the neighborhood. "Target the closest moon."

Suddenly, the Andromeda rocked. The repercussion from the impact echoed through the hull.

"Incoming! They're giving us all they've got." Beka turned in the pilot's seat to flash Dylan a smile. "Getting desperate, I'd say."

She waggled her eyebrows.

"Moon targeted," Andromeda droned.

Lights flickered as a volley of laser fire hit Andromeda's port side. Plumes of gray smoke puffed into the air.

"Fire."

"Did not penetrate shield."

"These people suck! Fire again."

"Firing."

The moments stretched interminably as the Soltan weapon rapidly fired on the Andromeda. After four salvos of returned fire, the moon's shield and weapons complex exploded in a brilliant white light.

Dylan breathed a short sigh of relief and turned his attention to the other moon, just coming into range around the planet's edge. Throughout the ship, small fires sent plumes of smoke into the air. The recyclers whined with the strain. Bots rushed to put out the fires and make repairs. The interior of the Andromeda was clouded with a faint fog of smoke.

^j^

Rev Bem scurried onto the Command Deck. For a moment, he watched the action then he crossed to Dylan's side.

"I must speak with you, Dylan."

Dylan spared him a glance. "I'm kinda busy here."

"Then I shall come right to the point. They will pursue the child until he is dead. However, I know of a safe-haven in the Belan system."

"And you want permission to take the Maru and the child."

"Precisely."

Dylan quickly weighed his options. He couldn't raise a child on the Andromeda; it would be in too much danger. He couldn't return the child to the Regent. The man was obviously unstable or, at the very least, capable of murdering an innocent baby. If his friend knew of a sanctuary, so be it. "Fine. We'll distract them."

"Thank you. Trance and I shall leave post haste. The Divine be with you." He turned and ran as fast as he could for the Maru.

A blast of laser fire hit the Andromeda, tossing him hard against the doorframe. He pushed off and reeled down the corridor. Their reprieve was over.

TBC in ch 8