Chapter Six
The ruins of Coruscant filled the lower field of view on Andromeda's Observation Deck. It was a transfixing site, a world that had stood as the Capital of a galaxy spanning civilization for more than 20,000 years; twice as long as Tarn-Vedra had served the Commonwealth. Coruscant was a world whose population had stood in un-numbered billions; a population that was now largely dead, massacred by an invading force whose only goal seemed to be the complete destruction of civilization.
And now it was all going to happen again.
"Hello Dylan," Rev Bem said turning away from the view.
"Rev," Dylan replied taking up a position beside the only Magog he had ever called friend.
Looking back out toward the devastation below Rev said, "I was just thinking about…"
"Time," Dylan finished.
"How did you know," Rev asked in surprise.
"Because that is exactly what I have been thinking about, Rev," he responded, "The nature of time. When we travelled back to the 'Battle of Witch Head' we concluded that time itself was fixed, the events that happened were consistent with history, we were always meant to be there."
"Of course now here we are again," Rev nodded, "trying to discover if we can indeed change history."
"Exactly," Dylan replied, "The question that we must ask ourselves, is whether or not it is worth the risk to try."
"I don't think you truly understand, my old friend," Rev told him, "In the end you either do change history or you fail to do so, there is no 'try.'"
"Uh, Dylan," Harper called out quietly as he approached, "Can I talk to you for a minute."
"Of course Harper," Dylan responded, "What's on your mind."
Harper looked sheepishly down toward the deck, obviously very nervous about something.
"Perhaps I should go," Rev offered.
"No it's ok Rev," Harper told him, "you can stay."
"What is it Harper," Dylan asked with a little concern.
"Uh, well, the thing is, well…, here," Harper finally managed handing Dylan a small disk, "Just look at this, its something Luke wanted me to show you."
"What is it," Dylan asked.
"Just watch," Harper said as he activated the device.
A small holoprojection of Master Skywalker appeared on the disk. It seemed to be looking straight into Dylan's eyes as if looking beyond, into his very heart and mind.
"Captain Hunt," the small recorded message began," I am sorry I was not able to deliver this message to you in person, but I was unavoidably called away.
"When I first met you, all those years ago, I felt there was something special about you and your crew. I am now convinced that there is something special, but I did not realize at the time how far off I was. Dylan you and your crew have much yet to do, and many battles yet to fight and it is your peculiar talents that will drive you on.
"There is one among your crew who has the potential to be something even greater then any of you could possible imagine. Seamus Harper has demonstrated to my satisfaction that he has a power talent in the Force.
"It is no accident that Harper seems to have an amazing gift for mechanics, this is a common trait among many who have latent Force abilities.
"Harper has the ability and he is very strong in the Force and with your permission I would very much like to see him trained as a Jedi."
The holo faded and Dylan began to stare at Harper.
"So boss," Harper inquired, "what do ya think?"
"Harper, I need you here," Dylan began, "You're my chief engineer. Who will fix the ship if you're gone?"
"Ah, come on Dylan," Harper responded, "You have a full crew now, and trust me Thompson can handle it."
"Is this what you really want to do Harper," Dylan asked.
Perhaps for the first time Harper truly stopped to think about that question. His life for the past few years had been aboard the Andromeda. The opportunity that Luke provided was far to great for him to pass up. As a Jedi, Harper could possible be a greater help to Dylan's mission then any one could have imagined.
"Yes," Harper replied with the full gravity of the answer completely in mind, "Yes I do."
"Pack your things then Harper," Dylan ordered.
Harper bolted from the Obs deck as fast as he could, heading for the machine shop and his quarters to gather his things.
"Does this mean that you have decided to stay," Rev asked.
"Yes," Dylan responded quietly," There is only one way to change the future Rev, and that is by doing. There is no try."
"I understand," Rev responded.
"You're going with him aren't you," Dylan asked.
"Yes, the opportunity is too great to pass up," Rev told him.
"Take care of him," Dylan said putting his hand on Rev's shoulder. The Magog priest nodded his ascent and the Andromeda's captain left him alone.
Rev looked back out over Coruscant. Just coming over the horizon was one of the enclaves the Galactic Alliance had built, like a small island of hope amidst all the chaos of war and despair.
Dylan entered the Command Deck with a purposeful stride and took up his station. All eyes were on the Captain as he stood at his station, anticipating his decision.
"Give me ship-wide," Dylan ordered.
"Ship-wide," Andromeda responded.
"This is the Captain," Dylan began, "We know the future, we know the Magog are coming to our galaxies and we know what that must mean for this galaxy. Some will tell us that we cannot change history; we can only be a part of history. Our experiences tell us this is more then likely entirely true.
"This is however, all theory and if there is even a small chance we can defeat the Magog here and now we will have saved billions of lives. I know the consequences, but I cannot accept that we are here at this pivotal time with out purpose.
"We are staying, we have an opportunity here and we must take it."
Dylan cut the transmission and looked to his crew. As before, all eyes were on their captain but now with grim determination. Dylan's gaze came to rest on Tyr Anasazi, but in his eyes there was no grim determination, only a contained rage and a restrained desire to rip his console from its moorings.
"Dylan," Rommie reported, "Harper's transport is ready to depart." "Clear them," Dylan ordered, "And then prepare the docking bays for Galactic Alliance technicians, our new communication and sensor suits are waiting."
"Aye sir," Rommie responded. "Once they are installed we'll join the Alliance fleet gathering to assault Saccoria."
"Captain Hunt," Tyr's voice boomed out behind Dylan causing him to come up short in his walk down the corridor. Letting out a very heavy sigh, Dylan turned slowly around to face his Nietzschean friend.
"Tyr," Dylan responded, "What can I do for you?"
"You can explain to me why we are wasting our time on this DOOMED galaxy, when the Know Worlds still have a chance of being saved," Tyr demanded, "We know the Magog defeat this 'Galactic Alliance,' it is the only explanation that makes any logical sense. The Magog destroy everything they touch."
"Yes Tyr," Dylan replied coolly, "The Magog do destroy everything they touch, and every cell in my body is screaming at me to find a way to get Andromeda back home. But there is something about this place, you must feel it Tyr, though you have no doubt convinced yourself it isn't there. An energy, a power I don't think we'll ever understand."
"Is that why you sent Harper off to follow the path of the delusional zealot, Skywalker," Tyr asked.
"That is certainly one way to put it," Dylan remarked with a slight smile, "Tyr, you know the math doesn't entirely rule me out, we could establish a parallel timeline or change history all together."
"If it were that easy, Captain," Tyr called out as he turned his back on Dylan, "You would have found a way at the battle of Witch Head."
Space and time unfolded before the Andromeda Ascendant as she hurled herself from the otherworldly realm of Slipstream into the Duros star system. The Andromeda's new sensors reached out through space and began to detect instantly the hundreds of Galactic Alliance ships gathering in orbit of the industrialized world.
The Yuuzhan Vong had tried to Vongaform the planet to suit there needs, but the scale of pollution and planetary rot had held back the process leaving the planet much the same as it had been prior to the invasion. This world would be the launching point for the Alliance's first counter-strike against the Magog invasion.
"I'm detecting over three hundred Alliance capital ships," Rommie reported, "And thousand of starfighters. It is quite an Armada."
"Let's hope it's enough," Tyr snipped.
"Count on Tyr for boundless optimism," Beka countered.
"Don't forget that nearly every time we have faced the Magog, it has been an unmitigated disaster," Tyr responded.
"We didn't have three hundred excessively armed warships those times," Dylan interjected.
"Yes and we know nothing about those warships, or there particular loyalties," Tyr responded, "I would not place too much faith in them."
"Good advice, Tyr. I'll keep it in mind.
"Dylan, we are receiving a transmission from the Alliance fleet," Trance reported, "Admirals Pellaeon, Meduk and Sovv, wish to speak to you."
"On screen," Dylan said and the images of the three Admirals appeared on the monitors, "This is the Andromeda Ascendant, requesting permission to join the fleet."
"Permission granted, Captain," Admiral Sovv responded, "we are glad to have you here. I trust your new communication and sensor suites are working to your satisfaction."
"Our slipstream drive seems to be interfering with our sensors," Dylan reported, "But it doesn't seam to be overly damaging."
"Good," Meduk replied, "Captain, you'll be with Admiral Pellaeon and myself on the first wave."
"I look forward to fight beside you Captain," Pellaeon told them.
"We'll see you on the firing line Admirals."