Please don't let this be 13 - Answers?
Disclaimer- As in parts 1-12.
"Dylan we have arrived at Harmony" Andromeda's hologram announced as she shimmered into existence on the bridge. "Harmony! Shouted Harper, I thought we were going on a supply mission." " I thought we could all do with some R&R" Dylan replied; but Harper had already run off to get his surf board.
As Harper run thought the ship with his surf board, he bumped into Beka, "wooh Harper slow down" she said, "hey, what's with the surf board?" "We, are going to Harmony" Harper replied excitedly "that's why Dylan wouldn't let you pilot he wanted it to be a surprise." "Oh" a stunned Beka replied. "I'm hitting the waves wanna come with?" He asked "I hear the golden sands stretch on a far as the eye can see." He said temptingly. " I'll see you down there" Beka replied, she had heard of Harmony's beaches and was more that willing to spend a little time there.
Tyr, and Trance soon head the news and were happy to get away and put the last few weeks behind them, even Rommie seemed keen to go.
Dylan decided that the planets universally know museum could wait till tomorrow, right now there was a spot on the beach with his name on it. He was surprised to see they had all ended up on the beach even Rommie and Tyr.
From his spot on the beach Dylan could see Harper and Trance in the ocean the former was splashing wildly at the latter who after looking for a second like she would rip his head off, bust into laughter at Harpers panicked expression; she then proceeded to dunk her friend under water he came up coughing and splashing which only served to heighten Trances amusement. The scene seemed to Dylan reminiscent of old days when Trance was still purple he was glad some of that young girl still remained within her. The scene quickly sobered though reminding Dylan that their past experiences would not be pushed behind them so easily this time.
Dylan became aware of a commotion to his left he turned that way to see Tyr and Rommie mid fight he was a about to get up and attempt to calm the situation when a whispered voice to the right which he identified as Beka told him that Tyr had coerced Rommie into a sparing session. Satisfied that no further intervention was needed Dylan laid back down to watch the match which had buy now gathered quite a crowd, Rommie appeared to be winning he noted with some pride although Tyr was far from out. As Dylan watched the fight before him he briefly wondered if this was responsible behaviour for his crew to be setting but then he had brought them here to relax not as officers they deserved their fun.
As Dylan caught site of his young engineer zipping though the crowd taking bets he was reminded again what Harper and indeed Andromeda her self had done to rescue them; they deserved proper recognition for this which Dylan had yet to give he would remedy that soon he thought. So Dylan lay back down on his sun bed and started planning.
To the sound of mixed cheers and boo's Beka went to get and ice cream then sat down to watch the fight curious of which of her two friends would win.
That evening the crew were invited to dinner by the planets governor after hearing that such high profile guests were staying on Harmony he had insisted throwing a dinner party to honour his special guests. Harper was dismayed by the news Harmony was supposed to be a pleasure planet but stuffy dinner parties were not his idea of fun yet again he would be expected to wear a suit and tie and, he was supposed to be on holiday!
Dylan of course insisted they all attend it would only be a few hours he reasoned to Harper and the governor would likely be offended if the full crew did not attend.
Beka was also not amused by the news she hated these things almost as much as Harper and had already been inquisitioned by Andromeda on what she planned to wear.
The dinner Harper had to admit wasn't all that bad he did have to wear a dinner suit but, it seemed to be having a favourable impression on the woman next to him which was making the experience almost tolerable.
A monitor was playing in the background showing the latest news Harpers eyes idly drifted towards it what he saw there made him choke on his wine. The crew turned towards him he was now staring wide eyed at the screen a look of total shock on his face "Harper are you ok" called Beka before she too caught sight of the screen and fell silent the others followed her gaze and similar reactions over took them.
"It's them" Harper eventually choked out. "You've seen the Abductor's" said the governor in shock "We were invaded by them" stated Rommie "they held us prisoner." "No ones ever returned alive from the Abductor's" stated the governor they've been terrorising the stars for a week now at first all that was reported was a series of ghost ships their crew's inexplicably missing; then we lost contact with the 'Investigator' our flag ship a search party was launched, a day later we found her, she appeared to have suffered the same fate this footage is what was recovered from the surveillance cameras.
"We know very little of the Abductor's" continued the governor; "we don't even know their true name just that they appeared from nowhere one day and stated abducting crews. It is rumoured that they are testing people, playing mind games, to see how different species react to stimuli then recording and cataloguing the results; though no one knows for sure as no one has ever returned to tell the tale. Is this the abductors you speak of? Did you really survive an encounter with the abductor's you must be even stronger and brighter than it is rumoured."
"Actually we have mister Harper here to thank for our safe return; the abductors as you call them missed him and he set out to rescue us." The governor and this team turned to face Harper he blushed under their scrutiny unused to the praise."
For once Harper seemed reluctant to regale them with his rescue story he was unaccustomed to being asked for it, and anyway the experience seemed too private to share. Harper had only seen the briefest insights into his friends suffering and had no wish to relate the story so he stayed unnaturally quite the governor seemed to understand this and quickly changed the subject but, Dylan knew this would not be the end of the matter.
With the lighter topic of conversation and copious amounts of alcohol provided buy the governor the crew seemed to relax a little they even agreed to attend a party that was being held the following evening.
When the crew returned to the ship their sombre mood had returned with them; each drifted off to their rooms. Alone in his quarters Harper fretted about his friends he had picked up on their need for privacy and had let them have their space. Harper had seen only the briefest glimpse of what his friends had been though but he knew it matched the atrocities he had seen on Earth his friends were suffering and he wanted desperately to ease their pain but knew the best thing he could do for them now was let them sought though their troubled minds. Not wanting to be alone Harper called for Andromeda and the two chatted till the early hours of the morning till Harper fell asleep.
Beka laid on her bed and tried to sleep but her restless mind would not permit it. Beka couldn't believe what she had learnt today: those people, the abductors, had been studying her, she felt used, those people had locked her in a cage just so they could study how she reacted. The memory made Beka glance at the door just to be sure it was still open a fraction, just enough to let her see the long corridors beyond her room.
Trance also had trouble sleeping but now things were a little clearer to her since the Governor told them what he knew of the abductors. Now Trance understood what she had seen, they had made her watch what appeared to be Dylan's death as part of some sick mind game then watched to see how she reacted, she had been used as a lab rat, they all had.
Dylan awoke with a scream his heart was pounding from the nightmare and he noticed the sheets around him were soaked with sweat. The nightmare had been so real he could still feel their punches raining down on him he checked for new wounds just to be sure but, all he could see was fading bruises.
Dylan closed his eyes again as sleep over took him once more but, the nightmares returned afresh as he saw visions of himself on those large viewing screens he had seen with Harper; on the screen they were beating him while watching aliens took notes. The scene faded and Dylan was again sitting at the governors dinning table the mans words rang in his head "It is rumoured that they are testing people, playing mind games, to see how different species react to stimuli then recording and cataloguing the results".
Dylan still couldn't quite believe that all that had happened to them appeared to be some alien races study of humanity. The abductors captured and tortured people to add to their library, this couldn't go on these people had to be stopped.
Giving up on sleep Dylan headed to the gym to vent his anger; there he found the remnant's of the punch bag laying over the gym floor it appeared someone had had the same thought already; "What happened here?" he asked more to himself than anyone "Tyr" was the one word reply he received.
Earlier Andromeda had silently watched Tyr's attack on the punch bag it seemed to be what he needed so she said nothing, she could after all easily replace the bag.
Andromeda could still sense Rommie's emotions they were like echoes to her, less intense, but still it pained her to see her avatar suffer this way. She reached out, via their connection, to try to comfort her, the cyber equivalent of holding hands, and Andromeda felt Rommie relax just a fraction and, she herself took comfort in their closeness.
Authors note: I'm amazed to say I've still not finished there's still another part in me hopefully it won't take me so long to write it. Hope this was worth waiting for. I just couldn't find the inspiration, it turns out all I needed was vast amounts of caffeine at 1 in the morning. All donations of high caffeine content cola gratefully received and of course review's.
Rommie's Voice a.k.a Claire.
Disclaimer- As in parts 1-12.
"Dylan we have arrived at Harmony" Andromeda's hologram announced as she shimmered into existence on the bridge. "Harmony! Shouted Harper, I thought we were going on a supply mission." " I thought we could all do with some R&R" Dylan replied; but Harper had already run off to get his surf board.
As Harper run thought the ship with his surf board, he bumped into Beka, "wooh Harper slow down" she said, "hey, what's with the surf board?" "We, are going to Harmony" Harper replied excitedly "that's why Dylan wouldn't let you pilot he wanted it to be a surprise." "Oh" a stunned Beka replied. "I'm hitting the waves wanna come with?" He asked "I hear the golden sands stretch on a far as the eye can see." He said temptingly. " I'll see you down there" Beka replied, she had heard of Harmony's beaches and was more that willing to spend a little time there.
Tyr, and Trance soon head the news and were happy to get away and put the last few weeks behind them, even Rommie seemed keen to go.
Dylan decided that the planets universally know museum could wait till tomorrow, right now there was a spot on the beach with his name on it. He was surprised to see they had all ended up on the beach even Rommie and Tyr.
From his spot on the beach Dylan could see Harper and Trance in the ocean the former was splashing wildly at the latter who after looking for a second like she would rip his head off, bust into laughter at Harpers panicked expression; she then proceeded to dunk her friend under water he came up coughing and splashing which only served to heighten Trances amusement. The scene seemed to Dylan reminiscent of old days when Trance was still purple he was glad some of that young girl still remained within her. The scene quickly sobered though reminding Dylan that their past experiences would not be pushed behind them so easily this time.
Dylan became aware of a commotion to his left he turned that way to see Tyr and Rommie mid fight he was a about to get up and attempt to calm the situation when a whispered voice to the right which he identified as Beka told him that Tyr had coerced Rommie into a sparing session. Satisfied that no further intervention was needed Dylan laid back down to watch the match which had buy now gathered quite a crowd, Rommie appeared to be winning he noted with some pride although Tyr was far from out. As Dylan watched the fight before him he briefly wondered if this was responsible behaviour for his crew to be setting but then he had brought them here to relax not as officers they deserved their fun.
As Dylan caught site of his young engineer zipping though the crowd taking bets he was reminded again what Harper and indeed Andromeda her self had done to rescue them; they deserved proper recognition for this which Dylan had yet to give he would remedy that soon he thought. So Dylan lay back down on his sun bed and started planning.
To the sound of mixed cheers and boo's Beka went to get and ice cream then sat down to watch the fight curious of which of her two friends would win.
That evening the crew were invited to dinner by the planets governor after hearing that such high profile guests were staying on Harmony he had insisted throwing a dinner party to honour his special guests. Harper was dismayed by the news Harmony was supposed to be a pleasure planet but stuffy dinner parties were not his idea of fun yet again he would be expected to wear a suit and tie and, he was supposed to be on holiday!
Dylan of course insisted they all attend it would only be a few hours he reasoned to Harper and the governor would likely be offended if the full crew did not attend.
Beka was also not amused by the news she hated these things almost as much as Harper and had already been inquisitioned by Andromeda on what she planned to wear.
The dinner Harper had to admit wasn't all that bad he did have to wear a dinner suit but, it seemed to be having a favourable impression on the woman next to him which was making the experience almost tolerable.
A monitor was playing in the background showing the latest news Harpers eyes idly drifted towards it what he saw there made him choke on his wine. The crew turned towards him he was now staring wide eyed at the screen a look of total shock on his face "Harper are you ok" called Beka before she too caught sight of the screen and fell silent the others followed her gaze and similar reactions over took them.
"It's them" Harper eventually choked out. "You've seen the Abductor's" said the governor in shock "We were invaded by them" stated Rommie "they held us prisoner." "No ones ever returned alive from the Abductor's" stated the governor they've been terrorising the stars for a week now at first all that was reported was a series of ghost ships their crew's inexplicably missing; then we lost contact with the 'Investigator' our flag ship a search party was launched, a day later we found her, she appeared to have suffered the same fate this footage is what was recovered from the surveillance cameras.
"We know very little of the Abductor's" continued the governor; "we don't even know their true name just that they appeared from nowhere one day and stated abducting crews. It is rumoured that they are testing people, playing mind games, to see how different species react to stimuli then recording and cataloguing the results; though no one knows for sure as no one has ever returned to tell the tale. Is this the abductors you speak of? Did you really survive an encounter with the abductor's you must be even stronger and brighter than it is rumoured."
"Actually we have mister Harper here to thank for our safe return; the abductors as you call them missed him and he set out to rescue us." The governor and this team turned to face Harper he blushed under their scrutiny unused to the praise."
For once Harper seemed reluctant to regale them with his rescue story he was unaccustomed to being asked for it, and anyway the experience seemed too private to share. Harper had only seen the briefest insights into his friends suffering and had no wish to relate the story so he stayed unnaturally quite the governor seemed to understand this and quickly changed the subject but, Dylan knew this would not be the end of the matter.
With the lighter topic of conversation and copious amounts of alcohol provided buy the governor the crew seemed to relax a little they even agreed to attend a party that was being held the following evening.
When the crew returned to the ship their sombre mood had returned with them; each drifted off to their rooms. Alone in his quarters Harper fretted about his friends he had picked up on their need for privacy and had let them have their space. Harper had seen only the briefest glimpse of what his friends had been though but he knew it matched the atrocities he had seen on Earth his friends were suffering and he wanted desperately to ease their pain but knew the best thing he could do for them now was let them sought though their troubled minds. Not wanting to be alone Harper called for Andromeda and the two chatted till the early hours of the morning till Harper fell asleep.
Beka laid on her bed and tried to sleep but her restless mind would not permit it. Beka couldn't believe what she had learnt today: those people, the abductors, had been studying her, she felt used, those people had locked her in a cage just so they could study how she reacted. The memory made Beka glance at the door just to be sure it was still open a fraction, just enough to let her see the long corridors beyond her room.
Trance also had trouble sleeping but now things were a little clearer to her since the Governor told them what he knew of the abductors. Now Trance understood what she had seen, they had made her watch what appeared to be Dylan's death as part of some sick mind game then watched to see how she reacted, she had been used as a lab rat, they all had.
Dylan awoke with a scream his heart was pounding from the nightmare and he noticed the sheets around him were soaked with sweat. The nightmare had been so real he could still feel their punches raining down on him he checked for new wounds just to be sure but, all he could see was fading bruises.
Dylan closed his eyes again as sleep over took him once more but, the nightmares returned afresh as he saw visions of himself on those large viewing screens he had seen with Harper; on the screen they were beating him while watching aliens took notes. The scene faded and Dylan was again sitting at the governors dinning table the mans words rang in his head "It is rumoured that they are testing people, playing mind games, to see how different species react to stimuli then recording and cataloguing the results".
Dylan still couldn't quite believe that all that had happened to them appeared to be some alien races study of humanity. The abductors captured and tortured people to add to their library, this couldn't go on these people had to be stopped.
Giving up on sleep Dylan headed to the gym to vent his anger; there he found the remnant's of the punch bag laying over the gym floor it appeared someone had had the same thought already; "What happened here?" he asked more to himself than anyone "Tyr" was the one word reply he received.
Earlier Andromeda had silently watched Tyr's attack on the punch bag it seemed to be what he needed so she said nothing, she could after all easily replace the bag.
Andromeda could still sense Rommie's emotions they were like echoes to her, less intense, but still it pained her to see her avatar suffer this way. She reached out, via their connection, to try to comfort her, the cyber equivalent of holding hands, and Andromeda felt Rommie relax just a fraction and, she herself took comfort in their closeness.
Authors note: I'm amazed to say I've still not finished there's still another part in me hopefully it won't take me so long to write it. Hope this was worth waiting for. I just couldn't find the inspiration, it turns out all I needed was vast amounts of caffeine at 1 in the morning. All donations of high caffeine content cola gratefully received and of course review's.
Rommie's Voice a.k.a Claire.