Author's Note: Yes, I know I'm pure evil for leaving it off there, but I couldn't help it! :P Mr. Smuggles is refusing to turn out the way he's supposed to, that's why it doesn't look remotely like a face! Sorry, I just realized that now! (I think it's the font on the webby.) If you're ever really bored, if you request it in the reviews, I can tell you how to make Mr. Smuggles. :) Send me ideas, plz! I'm running out! (Which is why this and the last were such short chapters!)

Chapter 5

Dylan stared in shock as the mist continued filtering in the Command Deck, not moving, not speaking.

Telemachus took charge. "Captain, sensors show four cargo ships docked at the station. Request permission to open a comm channel." He crossed his arms over his chest, as Dylan said nothing. "Captain, we have to find some way to cure it, and our best bet is in that station. We also need to tell the crew what's happening."

Dylan snapped back to himself. "The crew... Andromeda, ship-wide."

"Ship-wide," she repeated.

"This is the Captain," Dylan said. "There is a blue mist floating through the corridors. It is a biological weapon used by the Collectors. I'm offering all of you the chance to take an escape pod and go to Terazad to see if they can cure you, or, you can stay here." He paused, "The station in front of us is where the bio-weapon was developed; I believe we will have a good chance of finding a cure there." He paused again. "I won't think any less of you if you decide to leave. You'll have ten minutes to get to an escape pod; then we're heading toward the station. Hunt out."

Rommie smiled slowly. "Ship-wide," she said.

"Capt. Hunt, this is Ensign Karaki," a female voice announced over the ship-wide. "Sir, I speak for the rest of the crew when I say: we're with you to the end. Karaki, out."

"You got your answer," Beka said, smiling.

Dylan felt an immense swelling of pride that no one in his crew had left. "Andromeda, open a comm channel. All frequencies."

"Aye," she responded. "Comm channel open."

"This is Captain Dylan Hunt of the True Commonwealth Starship Andromeda Ascendant."

Four images came onscreen; the captains of the four ships. A dark skinned woman grinned. She seemed to be the leader of the convoy. "Capt. Hunt? Is that really you? You gonna get us out of this damn creepy cargo haul?"

"As long as you dump any Omega Blue you're carrying, you're free to go as you please," Dylan responded.

"Sounds good to me," the woman said. "We're outta here. Guys, let's go." She reached and hit a button off screen, cutting off the transmission from all four ships.

"Dylan," Rommie said. "Three of the four cargo freighters are dumping their cargo and leaving the system. The fourth hasn't dumped its cargo and is heading into Slipstream."

"Rhade, target that freighter!" Dylan ordered.

"Missile tubes one through six, fire!"

"It's opening a Slip portal," Beka warned tersely. "it's gonna jump!"

Harper gripped the sides of his console. "Come on, come on," he urged, as if that could physically make the missiles go faster.

"It's jump-"Beka started.

The missiles reached the freighter, blowing it into glowing particles. "Yeah!" Telemachus whispered harshly. "That's for Liara."

"Good shooting, Rhade," Beka complimented, turning to flash a smile at him.

Telemachus felt a rush of heat run through his body, and tried to shrug it off.

"Beka, take us in," Dylan ordered.