Disclaimer: No, I still don't own Andromeda or its characters.

A/N: Thanks to all who have posted reviews. Please continue to read and revue.

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Chapter 8

"I suggest ya put your weapons down Uber," Alfie ordered.

Head Uber growled and dropped his weapon. The Nietzschean was practical enough to know there would be another day to fight. He would have his revenge another day.

"Okay Uber, get your hands up and your but on the ground right now!" Alfie ordered.

Head Uber complied and now lying face down on the stone floor. Alfie directed one of his men to tie Head Uber's hands behind the Nietzschean's back some spare pieces of wire. As soon as the Nietzschean was satisfactorily tied up Alfie rushed to Beka and untied her arms.

Beka was just conscious enough to notice Alfie's presence. 'Who are you?" Beka mumbled through her pain.

Alfie helped Beka stand up before answering, "We're the Cavalry. Now let's get going. The Ubers that are left won't give us all day to get outta here."

Alfie motioned for one of his men to bring Head Uber with them. The Nietzschean was still strong enough to struggle and give the Earther trouble. Head Uber knew the Kludges would use him to as a hostage. The Nietzschean wasn't going to allow that to happen without at least putting up a struggle. Another of Alfie's men rushed over to Head Uber in an effort to assist his comrade. After a few moments of wrestling with Head Uber the two Earthers gained the upper hand and had the Nietzschean under control.

Head Uber was unceremoniously escorted into the hallway. As Alfie carried Beka out into the hallway they were met by two other of Alfie's gang helping Harper walk.

Harper could help flashing a broad grin upon seeing Beka alive. The engineer had held out hope that the Ubers kept Beka alive, but had prepared himself for the worst. Right now the sight of a very much alive Beka Valentine damaged or not, was all Harper cared to watch.

"Beka, you look like hell," Harper commented casually.

Beka manage to return the smile with one of her own. "Look who's talkin'. Let's go home. I'm getting tired of this place."

"I know what you mean. I'm tired of hanging around with this low class Uber crowd myself," the engineer joked.

Alfie and his men helped Beka and Harper down the hallway. Harper pushed off his the help and tried walking under his own power. Alfie tried moved to help his friend, but Harper shook off the attempt. "I'm good Alfie. I wanna walk outta here under my own power."

Alfie backed off, understanding his friend's need to show the Nietzscheans they hadn't beaten Seamus Harper down into submission. Alfie still kept a careful eye on Harper just the same. Beka had even tried to walk out under her own power but her left ankle had been injured, most likely broken, when Head Uber and his guards tied her up the Harper's botched rescue attempt. The blonde grimaced with pain as she tried to put some weight on the ankle.

"Easy there spacer, we don't want you knocking yourself unconscious," one of Alfie's men said as he grabbed Beka's right arm. The mudfoot took her arm and wrapped it around his shoulder.

The party walked past the numerous Nietzscheans sprawled out along the hallway. Harper spotted a gun next to a dead Nietzschean, leaned over and picked up the gun. "You don't mind if I borrow this do ya? Na didn't think so."

Beka, Harper and the Earthers continued down the hallway and turned the corner, when three Nietzscheans came running towards them. Harper ducked back around the corner with Alfie. The other Earthers pulled Beka back to the safe spot. Alfie pulled out a grenade from his satchel, reached around the corner and tossed the weapon at the Nietzscheans. The ensuing explosion took out two of the Nietzscheans. Harper disabled the remaining Nietzschean with his borrowed gun.

The group finally made their way out of their complex and into the outside world. The morning sun was just rising in the east. The Nietzschean resistance was minimal now and with Head Uber as a shield, the few remaining Nietzscheans were more reluctant to shoot. They preferred to fall back and regroup to fight again another day.

The Earthers and Beka made it to an opening in the sewer system and climbed down the ladder. Beka flinched as the foul stench of the sewers assaulted her nose. "You guys couldn't have picked another place could you? Like one that doesn't reek like a sewer?

Harper looked over at his friend face and sighed. "Aw come on Boss. What'd you expect? Earth isn't exactly Infinity Atoll you know."

Beka immediately regretted her comment, realizing these Earthers didn't enjoy living in the sewers. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that I way. I know you guys didn't choose to live down here on Earth under the Nietzscheans."

"It's okay. This place does smell, but after awhile ya get used to it," Alfie replied as they arrived at the mudfoot rebels' base. "Well, here we are m'am."

"Be it ever so humble, etc.," Harper piped up.

Beka looked around at where she had been taken. It was a utility room in one of tunnel offshoots. There had once been a door attached to the entrance but it appeared to be long gone. Beka was helped to a ratty, well- used couch that had seen better days. Beka was had considered just sitting on the floor, but felt she had already insulted her hosts enough for one day. She decided to just settle down on the couch.

"We'll wait here until it get gets dark again before trying to get to the Maru. We'll stand a better chance of avoiding the Ubers that way," Harper informed as he sat down next to Beka.

"You go take the slipfighter you used to get here Harper. I'm not going back to Andromeda yet," Beka announced, knowing what the engineer's reaction would be.

Harper looked confused. He knew Beka must have had a good reason for coming to Earth. Harper was hurt that Beka hadn't confided in him what that reason was. "Come on Beka, this is me you're talking to, Seamus Harper. Didn't we promise that we wouldn't keep anything from each other? Something made you come all the way here to Earth and I want to know why."

"No," Beka abruptly answered. She wasn't prepared to answer that question, no matter how much Harper pleaded.

Harper, for his part, wasn't about to give up so easily. "Why not? I want to help you and I deserve to know."

"I meant what I said Harper. I don't want to talk about it," Beka shouted as she stood up and limped away from the engineer.

Harper watched his friend with for a few seconds. It wasn't like Beka to act this way, which made him even more determined to get an answer. "Look, I know it hasn't been a Pleasant Valley Sunday here on Earth, but you lied to us about where you were going. I could understand you lying to Dylan, but why me? You know I wouldn't have cared where you went."

"I don't have to justify my actions to you Harper," Beka snapped back. "I had my reasons for coming to Earth, now drop it."

Harper was furious now. His face was crimson red. "Fine! If you want to say on this rock go ahead, have at it. But when you get back on Andromeda we're crewmates and no more. We're no longer friends cuz friendship is based on trust. If you can't trust me then I can't trust you. Trust is a two way street Boss Lady!"

His anger vented, Harper stormed out of the room. Alfie and his men looked at Beka with disdain. They had rescued Beka and Harper, but when push came to shove they would back their fellow mudfoot. Beka saw their scornful looks and felt ashamed. Now she was even more determined to exact her revenge on Burko. Maybe she would even be able to win back Harper's trust.