Reviews:

Callie-Cat–I'll keep writing, don't worry! it might be a while before I update again because skool will be starting. :( About the effects... I made Harper the first one to be affected since he has the crappy immune system, but who will be next... Muh-ha-ha... :P

Iara–Thanks! You'll see. :P

Oenone–I think Rhade would be much better with a six pack than bones, but whatever makes a good story!

Author's note: the leader of the Collectors is Pish, right? I dunno, so I'm making a semi-educated guess. (And later in the chapter, you'll be able to tell I just watched Episode #208, Home Fires!)

Chapter 7

"Good work, you two," Dylan said.

Beka shrugged. "I didn't-"

Telemachus interrupted her. "It was a group effort," he told Dylan.

"Hmm." As Dylan walked farther down into the hallway, Beka turned to Rhade.

"I didn't do anything," she whispered. "You know that."

Telemachus shrugged and turned away.

"Well," Dylan said. "This must be where they developed it." After walking down the abysmally long hallway, they had come to a large white room, filled with large viewscreens, monitors, test tubes, vials, and other assorted medical gear.

"Why isn't there any of that bio-weapon floating around?" Harper asked. "I mean, if it infected and killed the researchers, wouldn't it still be like, hanging around?"

"The Collectors probably vented the station," Telemachus said, "Before they came on board."

"So... where do we start looking for the cure?" Beka asked. "Go through the memory banks of the computers?"

"Yeah, that's a good idea," Dylan said, walking over to one of the long, metal examination tables and crinkling his nose.

"What is it?" Rommie asked, walking up beside him.

Dylan wordlessly pointed. Polished bones were scattered all along the table. They looked to be human, but there were a few other species as well.

"Dylan!" Harper called. "I found something!" He brought something up on the viewscreen. "Looks like they discovered a cure, but it was too late for them."

"Too late for them, but not for us," Telemachus said. "Where is it?"

Harper frowned, scanning the screen. "There's a shitload of medical mumbo-jumbo," he muttered. "Blah, blah, blah- there! There should be a small green vial in there!" he pointed in triumph at a small medical cabinet.

Dylan quickly walked over, and opening the cabinet doors found... empty shelves.

"Looking for this?" a suave voice asked from the doorway, holding up a green vial.

"Pish," Dylan said in contempt. "Reduced to using bio-weapons on cargo ships."

The leader of the Collectors smiled. "I do what I can," he said modestly. "But look at this. I am holding your life, and the lives of your crew in the palm of my hand."

"What do you want, Pish?" Beka demanded.

"Simple," Pish replied. "I give you the antidote, you are free to go as you please... then you give me known criminal Telemachus Rhade."

"Known criminal?" Harper snorted. "Didn't we settle this last time? You know, when you put us on trial and fractured the Commonwealth into two pieces? For the last time, we ain't givin' the big man over."

"Oh, I think you will," Pish responded. "It seems you are already being affected by the bio-weapon, Mr. Harper. And remember, if Rhade was in your place, he would have no qualms about handing you over to save his own Nietzschean life."

Beka quickly looked over at Telemachus to see a face graven in stone, completely void of all expression. Deep in his eyes however, she could see the anger he was hiding.

"Let me talk with my crew," Dylan responded after a moment of silence.

"Take your time," Pish replied. "I am in no hurry. You however, should be."

"Dylan motioned everyone over. "Any ideas?" he asked in a low tone.

"Yes," Telemachus said. "Hand me over to him."

"What?!" Beka exclaimed, before remembering to keep her voice down.

Telemachus looked at her levelly. "Hand me over and save everyone on the Andromeda, or refuse to hand me over, everyone dies, including me." He looked at Dylan. "As cost-benefit ratios go, it has a lot to recommend it."

"And do you remember what I told you last time you told me that?" Dylan asked, remembering back to when he had first met Rhade on Terazad.

"On Terazad you only had to wait another year for a primary election," Telemachus said softly. "Now, there will be no second chance." He turned around. "Pish," he said firmly. "I am prepared to turn myself over in exchange for the antidote."

Beka raised an eyebrow. "Noble self-sacrifice from a Nietzschean," she whispered, quiet enough so only Telemachus superior hearing could hear her, though he pretended he didn't.

"Excellent," Pish said smoothly as Telemachus walked over. The leader of the Collectors waved a hand and eight guards walked in from the hallway. One of them fastened binders on Telemachus and began leading him away. Pish casually tossed the bottle to Harper, then followed his guards.

Author's note: R & R! Your reviews will determine what will happen to Rhade! :P