Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of the series Andromeda, but Tribune does.

Author's Note: This story takes place after.

"I existed from all eternity and, behold, I am here; and I shall exist till the end of time, for my being has no end." -Kahlil Gibran, "Anthem of Humanity"

Existing from the Beginning

Ilandere looked around the Council Chamber impatiently while the Elders talked amongst themselves on how to deal with The Incident. She closed her eyes trying to remember the being they where talking about. She was one of the Sun Children and was at times a little hard to restrain. Ciro said she was the destroyer of the Great Evil, and did not deserve this treatment. "Well, if she had just followed orders then this wouldn't be happening," She thought smugly. She heard the murmurings cease and opened her eyes. Sulwen was standing in front of the council looking nervous.

"Sulwen how is Synnove?" asked the Head Elder.

"Synnove claimed she was too young, but I was able to convince her that she was not for the responsibility that has been given to her. She has helped the Captain already without expending her energies too much. Let us not forget that she has spent time in her true form, and is still weak in many ways."

"Sulwen, thank you may sit down. We will now discuss the matter and convene later today." Said the Head Elder.

Ilandere started to move towards the exit when she felt a pull on her tail. She turned around to see Bardo standing behind her holding her tail. "Bardo, I haven't seen you in ages. How is it going?" she asked.

Bardo gave her a hug then said "Busy, being a Planet Child can take a lot out of you. I don't know how many planes, dimensions and universes I've visited in the past week." He smiled weakly and asked "How are you holding up?"

"I'm doing fine, I'm just worried that she might have done something wrong and we might need to fix it again for the Prefect Future. If you're going to ask how we should do that, don't. " Bardo held up in hands in defense, and said "How about we go for lunch?" Ilandere nodded in agreement, and they walked to dining hall.

Ilandere settled into her chair and wrapped her tail around her leg to keep to it safe. The Head Elder rose from her seat and spoke "We have discussed the matter and come to the conclusion that one of the Moon Children must be sent to council her. Ilandere, please step forward." Ilandere rose from her chair and walked to the front of the chambers. She held herself straight and tried to keep her tail from twitching.

"Ilandere, the Council of Elders gives you the mission of helping you Synnove in times of need. We selected you instead of the other Moon Children present, because we felt that you are more qualified to handle this situation."

"I am greatly honored that the Council would choose me for such a great mission. I shall do the best I can." Ilandere bowed her head and disappeared in a mist of silver and gray.

Beka looked up at the night sky and barely noticed an asteroid streaking through the sky.

"Beautiful night, isn't?' asked a voice behind her. Beka turned her head and Dylan leaning against the doorframe.

"I still can't believe that I'm in my home system and sometimes I feel like I need to be pinched," said Dylan as he stood next to Beka. Just as Beka was going to pinch Dylan the whole building shook from an asteroid hitting the ground not far from the building.

"What the hell just happened?" asked Beka as she dusted herself off.

"Just another asteroid hitting the planet, that's all. I'm surprised you haven't gotten used to it," said Rhade from the doorway smugly. Beka pursed her lips but said nothing.

Lev eyes opened as soon as he felt the ground shaking. "'Nother rock must hit close by," he thought. He rolled out of bed to check on his property and calm his nerves. He just couldn't stand it when meteors came crashing down on his property, and ruined his livelihood. He walked out and nearly fell into the gaping crater where his front lawn should've been. "Shit, this is gonna take forever to fill in, and by the time I've got that done another ones gonna come crashing down in the same spot," he thought glumly. He stepped into the creator and noticed a person lying in the center. He walked over to body and prodded it gently with his foot. He heard the person moan softly. He gently picked the body up and carried into his home. He laid the body his bed and covered it with blanket. He saw in the light that it was young woman with silvery-white skin and short silvery-blonde hair. She was wearing a tight silvery-gray leather shirt and pants. He sat in a chair next to the bed to keep watch over her. He felt like he was in the presence of stars themselves.

"Listen, you've got to see this to believe me, Herb. She's got pointy ears and a tail. She's got to be some sort of freak of nature. She withstood an asteroid hitting her and there's not a broken bone on her. You've got believe that she's something, right?" Lev said.

Herb looked at the elderly man coolly before saying "Fine, Lev. I'll take a look at your mystery being. Where is she?"

"I've got her tied up at home, and she was out cold when I left to come get you."

Herb nodded as he rose from his chair slowly to ease his aching bones. "I wonder what poor Lev has got himself into this time," he thought.

Lev opened the door to let the gaunt man in before him. Herb gasped as he saw lying on the bed was a young woman who looked just like Lev described.

"It seems, Lev. You've stumbled upon a gold mine of sorts. How much do ya want for her?"

"I don't know sir. I just wanted to be sure that I wasn't going insane or something. I guess water to last me a couple of months will be fine, if that's all right with you sir."

"That's a good bargain, Lev. I'll have my men come by later today to pick her up. We'll finish the deal then." Replied Herb and he walked out of the door. Herb climbed into his awaiting land ship. He smiled himself and thought of all money he get from exhibiting this creature. "I've landed on a gold mine and Lev, doesn't even know it."

"Where to Sir," asked the driver.

"Home, no the office."

"As you say Sir," replied the driver.

"Ahh, Rhade, come in, come in my boy," said Herb motioning him to sit in a chair.

Rhade took a seat and said "So what do you need done, Herb? Another person starting to give you the willies, or do you need a competitor knocked off?"

"Not this time Rhade. I need to guard a little treasure will have in my care in a short while. I need you to make sure nothing happens to it, and you are not to kill anyone unless I give the ordered to. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yeah, you do, Herb."

"That's good to hear, 'cause I don't want to explain to the townspeople like I had to last time I used your services." Said Herb as he leaned over the desk and looked into Rhades' eyes. Rhade to a drink of alcohol before saying "I get it Herb, I am not dense. So when should I be here to watch the treasure?"

There was a knock on the door and Herb said "Come in." Herbs' personal guard commander strode up to Herb and whispered into his ear. Herb smiled from ear to ear. "It appears, Rhade that your job begins right now. Please follow me."

The trio walked through a maze of corridors final arriving at their destination a few minutes later.

"Mr. Bloughton, I would like to warn you that she did try and bite one of my men on the way over here. So I recommend you stay a few feet from her to ensure your safety. That goes for you too." The commander walked in first and said "I present to you, Mr. Bloughton, a very strange creature."

Herb looked at the young woman who was pacing back and forth in a cell. She was wearing a tight silvery-gray leather shirt and pants. Her silvery-blonde hair was cropped short and interwoven with strange looking gems. Her skin seemed to shimmer with silvery hues in the false light. He gasped when he saw a tail swinging behind the woman.

"Is that thing real," he whispered to his commander.

"As far as we know it is, Mr. Bloughton." replied the commander.

"Rhade, this is the treasure, you shall be guarding for the time being. Only my commander can let you out. So don't try anything sneaky."

Rhade looked at the young woman who continued to pace the cell. He took out his flask and was about to take a drink when it was snatched from him. "Not on this job, Rhade. You need to be sober and alert, this time," said Herb as he held the flask in his bony hand. Rhade reached out to strangle Herb, but was intersected by the commander.

"If you want to live and get payment, don't ever do that again. My men can and would kill you if any harm ever came to me," threatened Herb. Rhade backed off and took a seat on an overturned barrel. The commander and Herb left the room silently. Rhade watched the woman as she paced back and forth endlessly. After a few minutes of this it started to grate his nerves. "Would you just sit down?! You're not going anywhere soon!" he yelled.

Ilandere stopped and looked at the Nietzchean intensely then said "You miss her don't you? You drink to cover the pain that's there, but just doesn't go away, does it?"

"And what you know of about pain?" Rhade countered.

"I was there when the first being felt pain and I will be there when last being feels pain," she replied strangely. "Like the old Earth saying goes, I am the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end, the first born and the last born."

"You go on believing that, lady," he muttered under his breath.

"I shall, Rhade, I shall for all time," replied Ilandere.

"Has anyone seen Rhade lately?" asked Dylan.

"From what I've heard he's got a job guarding something for a Mr. Herb Bloughton. Rumor has it that Mr. Bloughton hasn't allowed him a drop of alcohol since he started the job," replied Beka.

"A sober Rhade! That's something I'd love to see," said Harper gleefully.

"Well here's your chance, Harper," said a voice behind Harper.

"He's behind me, isn't he?" asked Harper glumly.

Beka nodded her head yes and Harpers' face fell. "Uhh, sorry 'bout that, Rhade," replied Harper. "I was, I umm...."

"Just stop before you dig yourself further into a hole, Mr. Harper," advised Dylan. Harper closed his mouth and said nothing else.

"Where have you been for the past couple of days?" asked Beka.

"Working and counting the days 'till I could drink, again. Give me some of your best," said Rhade as he took a seat at the bar.

A hush fell over the crowd as a gnarled old man walked into the bar and over to Rhade. "You still want to get paid? Then I recommend you put the drink down and follow me, Rhade," chided Herb. Rhade slammed the glass and turned to face Herb. "Don't test my patience, old man."

"I've got the money which means I've got the power to tell you what to do. Remember that Rhade, if you want to work for me," countered Herb as he walked out the door. Rhade got up and followed Herb out of the bar. Dylan, Beka and Harper got up and followed Rhade out of the bar. Dylan stopped in his tracks when he saw sitting in a cage was a woman who looked an awful lot like Trance. Beka and Harper bumped into him and then noticed the woman sitting in the cage. Her face was silvery-white but appeared to be very pale. Her ears were slightly pointed. She was wearing a tight silvery-gray leather shirt and pants. Her blonde-silvery hair was cut short and interwoven with strange looking gems. Harper noticed a small flicking motion by one of the woman's legs.

"Beka, do you see that? She's got a tail just like when Trance was purple!" he whispered. "She's got be some sort of relative of Trances'. We've got help her."

"Harper, how can we help her? There are three of us versus Rhade and those guards. How are we going to get at her with out getting killed?" replied Beak in a whisper.

"We should take this discussion in a more secure place, alright," commanded Dylan. The trio walked to where the Maru was parked.

Ilandere looked longingly at the trio as they left the town square.

"Folks, what I have before you is a being never seen before. This is a genuine alien, not an imitation as some folks have been claiming. All it costs to see her up close is just a small price. I'm not asking for you to give up much to see this being up close."

A guard poked Ilandere with prod forcing her to get up. She heard gasps coming from the crowd as the realized she had a tail.

"You better start acting happy or it's gonna come down hard on ya later, missy," whispered a guard fiercely. Ilandere could feel a meteor coming close to the town. She stood still, and closed her eyes. She lifted her hands up towards the sky and concentrated on bringing the meteor closer to her. Her hands started to glow in a white-silvery light and then there was a loud crashing sound as the meteor hit the ground. The crowd became a confused mob of people trying to flee to safety.

"This is what you get for messing with an Avatar! I can create, preserve or destroy at my whim! Let this be a lesson to all of you, especially you Herb!" Ilandere screamed over the voices of the crowd. She climbed out of the wrecked cage and was about to run away when a hand grabbed her hand. It dragged her through the crowd into darkened doorway. When they reached the doorway, Rhade said "What the hell are you trying to do, get yourself killed?" Ilandere smiled and replied "I can't die; I'm everlasting like the Universe itself."

"Okay, Miss Mystery. I need to get you to Dylan. He'd know how to handle this stuff better than me," Rhade said. He pulled out a flask and took a drink to calm his nerves. "How am I going to get you to Dylan without attracting too much attention?" he thought aloud. He noticed some laundry laying on the ground from an overturned basket. He grabbed a long sleeve coat and scarf.

"Puts these on," he said.

Ilandere looked at him puzzled but took the clothes. She held them but did nothing.

"I said put them on now! Do you want go back to Herb?!" He asked fiercely.

Ilandere shook her head no.

"That's what I thought, so put them on now or I'll take you back to Herb."

Ilandere but the coat on and wrapped the scarf around her head, and wrapped her tail around a leg. Rhade looked out of the doorway and when it was safe walked out of the doorway pulling Ilandere along. She struggled to keep up with his pace and several times straggled behind him. He kept the same pace until they reached the edge of town. When they were out of sight of the town Ilandere collapsed onto the ground. Rhade walked for a few more paces before he realized that Ilandere was no longer following him. He turned around and saw that she had collapsed into a ball. He walked back and sat on his feet. He gently shook Ilandere but got no response. He sighed and shook his head. A part of him just wanted to leave her there and walk away. But another part of him kept whispering that the most honorable thing to do was take her to Dylan. He scooped Ilandere and realized that she was relatively light. He became so involved with the task at hand that he didn't hear a ship pass by and land. It was a few paces before he heard his name being called.

"Hey, Rhade, Rhade! Do you need some help?" asked a familiar voice. He turned around and saw Beka standing there with the Maru behind her.

"I think I can make it, Beka," he said with the strain showing in his voice. He carried Ilandere into the med bay and set her down on the bed.

"She just collapsed after awhile," he replied to the questioning looks from Beka, Dylan and Harper.

"She looks fine, maybe just got exhausted after bringing down that meteor into town."

"You think that was her?" asked Beka.

"Yeah, she looked pretty mad at being caged up and paraded about like prized pet or something. She said she was some sort of avatar," replied Rhade.

"Synnove, I need to help Synnove," murmured Ilandere and then everything went black.

Beka stretched in the chair to keep from falling asleep. The mystery woman had been asleep for about two days and hadn't moved a bit. She got up and started to walk and out of the corner of her eye she saw the woman trying to get up.

"You're not going anywhere, missy. You've been asleep for about two days, and besides Dylan wants to talk to you," ordered Beka as she gently pushed Ilandere down on the bed.

"You do not understand, I must find Synnove and help her. She could be in danger! I really must see her," Ilandere as she pushed Beka back and tried to stand. Beka backed off and let Ilandere stand on her own. She had only taken two steps before falling down.

"Here, let me help you," offered Beka as she rushed over to Ilandere side.

"I can do this myself. I am not a helpless, innocent purple child. I am an Avatar and I don't need help from anyone."

Beka backed away fearing that the woman might try and harm her. She edged toward the door and locked it once she out. She ran into the cockpit and found Dylan sitting there staring out the widow.

"Dylan, she's awake and has one hell of a temper. I locked her in the med bay; she tired to get up but was only able to take two steps. If she is some how related to Trance, how's Trance going to know her?"

"We'll find that out when they meet, but in the mean time I would like to talk with her," said Dylan as he rose from a seat.

The pair walked to the med bay in silence. Once they reached the med bay door, they heard sobbing. Beka opened the door and saw that Ilandere had not moved from her spot, but she was crying softly. Dylan walked in and sat on the balls of his feet.

"Is everything all right?" he asked. The woman shook her head no. "I've ruined everything. I shouldn't have lost my temper back there and now I'm too weak to find Synnove." She said and started to sob, again.

"Why don't we talk about what happened over some food?" offered Dylan.

"I would like that very much, please." She said between sobs.

Dylan got up and said to Beka "Why don't you go grab some food for our guest and I'll talk to her. Beka nodded in agreement and walked toward the kitchen.

Dylan offered his hand which Ilandere grabbed onto. He helped her up and guided her to an empty chair. She sat down and looked right in the eyes.

"My name is Captain Dylan Hunt of the Andromeda Ascendant, and I would prefer it if you called me Dylan. And what is your name?"

"My name is Ilandere."

"Ilandere that is a very pretty name," said Dylan.

Ilandere smiled and said "It derives from the Basque name meaning Moon Woman."

"I would like to know who this Synnove is. I might be able to locate this person for you."

"I would like to tell you but I am not sure I can trust some of your friends. They appear to have greed going through their minds, and might return to me to my captor at a moment's notice."

"I don't think they would do a thing like that especially if they know they'll have to go through me first."

"You are a kind man, Captain Dylan Hunt. I....." Ilandere stopped when she saw Beka peeking through the door. She put her head down and slumped in her chair.

"Ilandere, Ilandere is everything all right?" asked Dylan.

Ilandere remained mute and her tail started to twitch rapidly. Dylan turned around and saw Beka standing behind him with some food. She gave the plate to Dylan and walked out.

"I can't understand what her problem is," thought Beka as she walked out.

"Ilandere, would you like something to eat?"

"Is she gone?" asked Ilandere quietly.

"Yeah, Beka left. Is there a problem with Beka?"

"There are things only certain people should hear, and she is one who must not hear what I am telling you." Ilandere casually replied. "May I have something to eat, or is the questioning going to continue?"

Dylan handed her the plate and Ilandere ate silently. She set the plate on the floor, and looked right into Dylan's eyes.

"I must meet your friend, Trance Gemini. She is my friend Synnove," said Ilandere.

Dylan looked at her startled that she knew Trance's name out of the blue. "How do you know Trance is Synnove?" he asked.

"I could see it in your eyes that you thought since she is an Avatar and I resemble her then I must be an Avatar. Nothing, can escape you Captain Dylan Hunt."

"Can you prove to me that you are an Avatar?"

Ilandere nodded her head and her eyes flashed several moons circling a planet which in turn moved about a sun.

"Wow," was all that Dylan could say.

"It not as impressive as what the Sun Avatars can do. If you need more proof I can show you my tattoo."

Ilandere turned around to show Dylan a tattoo of a crescent moon on the base of her neck. He noticed above it something written in a very small script. He tried to see if it was in Common but the lettering was too small for him to see.

"What does it say it on your neck?" he asked.

"I am become Death, the shatter of Worlds. It comes from a sacred texts belonging to a religion found on Earth."

"That doesn't sound positive for such a gentle person, such as your self."

"Oh we are not always gentle beings." Ilandere chuckled. "Avatars can Create Preserve or Destroy as they are given orders to. Synnove Trance was granted greater freedom because the Elders knew she would be working with a Paradine. I was sent here to help her since she has lost so much in memory."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because out of everyone here, you are the most honorable person I have met. These people have no honor that is worthy of trust from an Avatar."

"What do you mean you can't find her? She's got a tail and pointed ears! There's no place for her to blend in and she doesn't know a single person here," yelled Herb at his commander. "Get out of here and don't show your face till you've got her."

The commander scrambled out of there nearly bumping into Rhade. "What are you doing here?" the commander sneered.

"I'm here to collect my payment."

"You aren't going to get anything cause you let her go. Mr. Bloughton is really mad, and it's your entire fault."

Rhade rolled his eyes and walked into Herbs' office and saw the old man was in rage. Rhade took a seat and looked at Herb.

"What the hell do you want?"

"I've come collect my money, Herb."

"You're not getting anything 'cause she isn't here. You didn't perform the duty I hired you for! I hired you to guard her and she got away! You'll get your fee doubled if you bring her back, alive."

"I want my payment Herb!"

"I'm offering you the original fee plus double that amount. Think about that Rhade."

Rhade got up from the chair and walked toward the door.

"Rhade, if you do agree to this, remember I want her alive and in one piece."

"Got it," Rhade said as he walked through the door.