Disclaimer: I don't own Andromeda so please don't sue. I'm not making anything off of this story so it wouldn't do any good to sue me.

A/N: Thanks to all of you have reviewed the previous chapters. Please continue to R&R.

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Chapter 4

Beka shut off the slipstream drive and punched a few buttons. The face of a Nietzschean Uber appeared on the Maru's view screen as she reached the perimeter security. Beka had her cover already figured out by now so there was no need to panic. Beka planned on telling the Nietzschean authorities she was a spacer pirate looking to score a salvage run. Just like the "good ole days."

"State your name and purpose," The Nietzschean Uber directed with cool authority.

"Rafaela Murvin," Beka lied. Giving her real name may attract unwanted attention. It wasn't a secret that Harper was now Andromeda's engineer and Burko would be able to connect Beka Valentine to Seamus Harper. "I'm here regarding a salvage job."

The Nietzschean Uber cast Beka a disapproving look. "You are going to have to be more specific than that. Where are you planning to land and who are you going to see about this salvage job."

Beka gave the name of a Than she had dealt with the last time she came to Earth for a salvage job. That was the first time she met Seamus Harper. "Solar Eclipse Descending."

The Uber still didn't look pleased and called one of his assistants over and the two Nietzscheans had a whispered discussion. After a minute or two the Uber addressed Beka. "You may proceed to land in Boston Ms. Murvin. There you will be issued the required visitor identification card. You will keep it with you and show it to any Nietzschean Defense Force soldier who requests to see it."

"No problem," Beka replied, as she ended the transmission. "Jerk!" she muttered to herself.

The blonde pilot guided the Maru to a smooth landing near Boston Harbor. As soon as Beka landed and went through the routine of getting her visitor ID from the Nietzscheans. Beka looked down at the picture on her ID and frowned. Why do ID pictures always come out looking like a mug shot? Beka thought to herself.

Beka went through the motions of looking up Solar Eclipse Descending at his so-called office. The Than seemed pleasantly surprised to see Beka and ushered her inside. The two quickly began discussing old times. After the small talk was finished Beka got to the point of her visit.

"The Nietzscheans are still uptight about security I see. The alpha leader must still be the same guy as last time I was here," Beka remarked casually as she finished the meal her host had offered. Beka was hoping the Than would unintentionally provide some information

"Yes, Alpha Burko has recently survived an assassination attempt and has stepped up security," the Emerald Than informed as he began clearing the small table.

Beka tried not to appear too interested in the news. She had to keep the tone casual. "Well, I can't say I'm surprised about the assassination attempt. Being the alpha male of a Nietzschean pride is not the safest job around."

Solar Eclipse chuckled as he returned to his seat. "You are quite right my dear. Now tell me, why are you hiding your identity? You are not in any legal trouble are you?"

Beka laughed at the question. "No, not in the least. I just have reliable information that a former business acquaintance named Gerentex is here on Earth. He owes me some money and I'm here to collect. I thought if I used a fake name he wouldn't catch on that I'm here. By the way, thanks for vouching for me and not telling the Ubers."

"You are welcome Beka. I owed you a favor, remember?" Solar Eclipse replied.

Beka smiled at the thought of the favor she had done for Solar Eclipse. It really wasn't much. Solar Eclipse needed a few illegal supplies which meant they were hard to get. Beka agreed to do run in return for a future favor. "You don't owe me on that favor any more Solar Eclipse. It was paid up years ago."

"I have heard of Gerentex but I don't recall hearing of him being here on Earth," Solar Eclipse remarked, changing the subject.

Beka shrugged as she got up from her chair. "It may be a wild goose chase, but I have to following the lead. It means a lot if I can get the money out of that rat face. Well, thank you for your hospitality Solar Eclipse. I better get going before Rat Face leaves this rock."

Solar Eclipse smiled and shook Beka's hand. "It was a pleasure Ms. Valentine. I am sorry I did not have any salvage jobs available for you."

Beka returned the Than's smile. "That's okay Solar Eclipse. I just thought since I was here on Earth I would see if you had anything going on."

"Well hopefully next time I see you I will have a job for you and the Eureka Maru," Solar Eclipse as he walked Beka to the door. "It has been far too long since your last visit Ms. Valentine. Please wait so long before returning."

"I'll try not to Solar Eclipse. Thank you again," Beka said as she hugged the Than.

***

Harper maneuvered the slipstream fighter off of Andromeda more quickly than he should have, but he knew Rommie would forgive him. No harm no foul he figured. Minutes later the engineer engaged the slipstream drive and was navigating the slipstream to Earth. How the young engineer hated the place. If it weren't for Beka, Harper would be happy to never return. It wasn't as if the engineer had any family left there since his cousin Brendan led the uprising against the Nitezschean Ubers.

Harper managed to sneak the slipfighter past the Nietzschean authorities the same way he had done with the Maru when he visited his cousin Brendan for the last time. The engineer had devised a stealth device that would keep the Nietzscheans from seeing the ship. Harper could then land the slipfighter anywhere on the planet without it being seen, even by sensitive scanners. Unfortunately, Harper hadn't yet perfected the technology to work on anything larger than the Maru.

Harper hoped Beka wouldn't meet the same fate as Brendan. The Nietzscheans wouldn't be kind if they found out the blonde spacer came from the Andromeda. Well, Seamus Harper to the rescue as usual. The young man thought to himself.

Harper unbuckled his seatbelt and reached out to the console in front of him. After tapping a button the display screen came to life. "Okay show daddy Seamus what you can do and find Beka."

Harper stared at the display screen on the slipfighter for a few seconds before it gave him the information he wanted. "That's a good a good girl." Suddenly a worried frown crossed the young man's face. "Boston huh? Now why would Beka go to Boston? She doesn't even know anybody there." Harper shrugged off the thought. Right now where Beka was and going and why wasn't important. What was important was finding the blonde pilot and bring her back onto Andromeda.

Harper opened the hatch walked down the ramp. When he was far enough distance away from the slipfighter, Harper pulled metal rectangle object from his pants pocket and pushed a button. The hatch to the slipfighter closed and the vehicle seemed to disappear from sight.

Harper walked along the edge of town taking care to keep out of sight of any Nietzscheans. Andromeda's engineer was still wanted by the Ubers. The Ubers had long memories and were sure to have kept their records regarding a certain mudfoot named Seamus Harper.

Harper found a manhole cover and found a good hiding place from where he could stake out the sewer. Harper knew it wasn't safe to let anybody see him go down the manhole. The young man learned in his childhood on Earth that the walls have ears and eyes. For a mudfoot living on Earth paranoia was a virtue.

***

Beka headed for the Maru and grabbed some supplies she would need for her secret mission. A gauss gun and some small explosives Harper had designed should do the trick. The explosives were a last resort and the gauss gun was for self defense. Beka wasn't going to let Burko die quickly in an explosion or by a shot from a gauss gun.

The blonde pilot went about finding a rental station where she could rent some ground transportation. Beka asked a few Nietzscheans who pointed her to a run down building a few blocks up the street. Beka was in the process of renting transportation to take her to Burko's compound where she planned to begin trailing the Nietzschean in preparation for the kidnapping. Beka was haggling over the rental price of a hovercraft when she spied a group of five Nietzschean Ubers entering the building. Beka tried to keep her composure as she pretended not to be interested in the Ubers.

The group of the Ubers stopped in front of Beka. "Are you Rafaela Murvin?" One of them asked.

"Yes, what can I do for you?" Beka asked with surprise, hoping she looked innocent enough.

"You will come with us," the Uber ordered as the others aimed their gauss guns at her.

Beka reluctantly left the building and was roughly shoved into an official Uber hovercraft. "Would one of you mind telling me where you're taking me and why?"

"Quiet! You will speak only when spoken to," barked the Uber that had spoken to Beka earlier.

That did it. Beka had just lost control of her temper. "Look Mr. Whatever Your Name Is. I have a right to know."

"Shut up!" the Uber shouted as he slapped Beka with the back of his fist. The Uber sitting on the other side of Beka punched her in the stomach. The two continued beating Beka until she lost consciousness.

***

As soon as the area was clear of humans and Nietzscheans Harper removed the manhole cover and climbed partly down the ladder. He made sure to replace the manhole cover, making as little noise as possible.

Harper made his way down the ladder and hopped down into the slimy water. The young man suddenly remembered why he didn't like the sewers. Not only was the water foul but the rats and roaches were everywhere.

Harper got a quarter mile down the tunnel when it branched off to the left and right. The engineer had no sooner taken the fork to the left when his head felt like it exploded. Immediately everything went black as the engineer slipped into blackness of unconsciousness.