Yesterday is but today's memory, and tomorrow is today's dream. - Kahlil Gibran

Memories and Dreams

"Where has my mysterious creature gone to? How is it possible for such a strange looking creature to disappear into thin air? I must find her!" thought Herb as he drummed his fingers on the desk. He heard a knock on the door and shouted "Come in." Commander Dentson came in and stood in front of Herbs' desk.

"Did you find her?"

"Not yet Mr. Bloughton, but we do have someone who would like to talk with you."

"Show 'im in."

"Yes, Mr. Bloughton."

Commander Dentson walked out and in came a hunched hooded figure that walked slowly. Herb waited until the figure had sat down before speaking.

"Would you like anything to drink before we begin?"

"No, I'm fine Mr. Bloughton." The figure croaked.

"I here you have information about the mystery creature that was in my belonging."

"Yes, I saw the creature along one your guards board a ship not far from town. The guard was carrying the creature."

"Thank you, my dear."

The figure got up and stopped at the doorway and turned around.

"If it's any help, I think heard the guard was called Rhade by a woman," said the hooded figure. The figure turned and walked out. Herb started to fume once the figure had left.

"How dare he do that? I offered a great source of income and he turns it down!? I'm going to get that SOB for betraying me like that. He is going to pay!" yelled Herb as he threw items from his desk across the room.

"Did you find the creature?" asked Commander Dentson as he poked his head in.

"It seems Rhade has taken her, but I don't know where. I want you to contact Aradastea; she'll help me find this traitor."

The hooded figure walked hunched over until reaching a dark alley way. It turned and walked down the alley before finding the hidden door. It looked over its shoulder and then knocked on it. The peephole slide open and the guard asked "What's the word?"

"The word is good, my good Sir," the figure replied softly. The guard opened the door and the figure walked in. It continued through a maze of corridors before reaching the heart of the building. It keyed in a code and the doors opened automatically. The figure walked in and took off the cloak revealing a middle aged woman with red hair streaked with gray, green eyes and a face deeply scarred.

"I shall have my revenge against you, Rhade. When I found out you killed my best spy and only child I swore I would get revenge and now I will. I shall have your body dragged through town until it is torn to pieces," she thought as she took a seat in the darkness. "Herb has taken the bait so well. I wonder how long it will take for him to contact me?"

Aradestea had little time to indulge in her glee before a knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in."

One of Aradestea maids stepped in and said "Mistress Aradestea Macha F'ynn, you have a guest waiting for you."

"Show the guest in, please. Have some food ready, too."

The maid bowed her head and walked out softly.

"It appears that Herb has come here quicker than I thought. This shall be very interesting indeed." Aradestea smiled internally at that thought.

The maid appeared with food on a platter and Herb following behind. The maid set the food down and announced "Mistress F'ynn, here to petition you a Mr. Bloughton."

"Mr. Bloughton have a seat, please."

Herb took a seat and the maid offered him food which he declined. She took some food and offered some to Aradestea which she took. The maid hurried out of the room locking it behind her.

"What can I do for you Herb?" asked Aradestea as she played with the food.

"Well, this is very embarrassing; it appears that one of my guards has made off with something of value. I...I..."

"And you need my help retrieving it the object and finding the guard?"

"Yeah, Aradestea," Herb replied.

"I need more information than what you have given me, Herb. Or do you expect me to know what you are looking for?"

"I'm surprised you haven't heard the rumors, Aradestea."

"What rumors?" she asked feigning surprise.

"Recently, I purchased from Lev Horton, a being of rarity. It has some how disappeared with the help of one my hired help."

"Who is this person, Herb? I can't help you unless you tell the persons' name."

"Rhade," Herb said softly.

"I did not catch the name, please say it louder."

"Rhade, the person who helped her escape is Rhade. He's disappeared along my creature. I know I should have followed your advice and used your services but he appeared so trustworthy."

"Oh my dear Herb, you really should stop beating yourself up for this. You had no idea what he was planning. You must not forget that I at one time trusted him too. But he turned and killed one of my best spies. I feel I must help you out of sympathy for what has happened. If only I had pushed for him to be punished, but instead I believed it when he said it was a mistake. It seems the old saying is true, you can not trust those from the outside because they bring only evil."

Herb nodded his head in agreement.

"Remember Herb, you can come talk to me any time, but right now I have some business to attend to," said Aradestea. Herb rose and knocked on the door. The maid on the other side unlocked the door and Herb walked out. The maid signaled a guard to show Herb the door. She walked back in the room and took cleaned up the dishes. She left her mistress sitting in the dark room.

"So it appears the rumors are indeed true about the alien being. It is only a matter of time before Rhade slips up and one of my spies finds him. The first thing I shall cut out will be his tongue for all the lies he has spread, and then I'll have his fingers cut off one by one for murder of my daughter, Morgan. I promised my daughter I would get revenge, and I shall have it. I will also see that his friends are punished, too."

Ilandere stepped off the Maru and saw a redheaded woman standing there as if she was waiting for her. Ilandere looked at Trance and smiled. She knew she had found Synnove. Ilandere walked over to Trance and stood before her. She cupped her hands and they started to glow a silvery-gray hue. Suddenly there was a small moon floating in her hands. Trance frowned when a sun did not appear in her golden-orange glowing hands. Ilandere smiled understandingly and placed the moon into Trances' hands where it turned into a sun. Ilandere created another moon. The two women let go of the orbs which floated above the women and disappeared into a bright white light.

"Ilandere," Trance said.

"Trance," replied Ilandere.

The two women walked out of the hanger matching each others' steps.

"What the hell just happened?" asked Beka once Trance and Ilandere were out of sight.

"I don't know," replied Dylan. "But from the looks of it Ilandere just introduced herself to Trance."

"Mistress F'ynn, the man you seek frequents a bar not far from here. He is friends with the bartender and several others who frequent the bar. As of right now he is alone in the bar," said a kneeling woman.

"Runa, I want you to take a group of my best guards and seize this man. You are to bring him to me once he is in your custody. Do you understand?"

"I understand, Mistress F'ynn."

Runa rose up and backed out in a bowing position.

"Do not forget Runa, I want him alive!"

"Yes, Mistress F'ynn," replied Runa.

Rhade stared into his half drunken glass and wondered if he was ever if he was ever going to get payment from Herb.

"Hasn't been your day, has it?" asked a voice beside him. He turned his head and saw a tanned woman with long braided brown hair and a strange tattoo on her neck.

"Nope, it seems I can only get one drink here and according to the bartender I've already had my drink."
"Why don't you let me buy you one?" asked Runa.

"That sounds good," replied Rhade.

"I'd like to buy a drink please," said Runa smiling sweetly at Harper. Harper poured the drink and set it in front of Runa. She was about to hand to Rhade when shouts distracted him.

"You still owe for the game I won!" yelled a burly looking man.

"You didn't win the game 'cause you were cheating! I saw you change cards several times!" replied an equally burly man.

"Then why didn't you challenge me when you had the chance," retorted the first man.

"You just kept playing them cards like crazy so I couldn't," said the second man as he shoved the first man.

"Hey, take the fight outside, please," ordered Harper. Both of the men eyed each Harper but stopped shoving each other. One of the men from the fight stormed out, overturning a few tables as he left.

Runa saw that everyone was distracted and poured a liquid into the drink. She tapped Rhade on the shoulder and said "Here's your drink, enjoy handsome." Rhade took the glass and chugged the drink down. After a few seconds he started to sway in his seat.

"Are you okay?" asked Runa in a concerned tone.

"Musta drank that too fast," replied Rhade.

"Why don't we go for a walk?"

"I don't think that's such a good idea, Rhade," interrupted Harper.

"I can take care of myself, Harper so butt out," said Rhade as he shakily got up from the stool.

"I can take care of your friend, you can trust me," said Runa as slipped of the stool. She stood next to Rhade and helped him walk out of the bar. Harper couldn't shake the feeling that Rhade had just walked into a trap and some how he had helped.

Runa helped the now drugged Rhade into a waiting vehicle.

"Where to Ma'am?" asked the driver.

"Home," Runa replied. She shoved Rhades' head to other side. "Such filth living in this part of town, and they seem to have no end to them." Runa thought as she looked out the window disapprovingly.

"What do you mean Rhade isn't here?" asked Beka.

"He left with some lady just a little while ago. He seemed a little out of it," replied Harper.

"What did the lady look like, Harper?" asked Beka.

"She looked really tan, had long brown hair in a braid and had a funny looking tattoo on her neck."

"What did the tattoo look like Harper?" demanded Beka.

"It was a snake with blood dripping from it, I think."

Rhade opened his and tried to get up but found himself chained to a chair. He heard a door open and someone walking close by. He heard a click and bright light shone on him.

"Well, the great and powerful Rhade has awakened from his nap. I have a little present for you," said Aradestea as she nodded at unknown person. Rhade felt a sharp pain in upper arm. He tried to bite at the woman but she jumped out of the way.

"What you now have flowing through your bloodstream are nanobots designed to attack certain cells in you body. I had these designed specially for you because someone like you deserves special things. " taunted a voice in front of him. Rhade tried to get up and lunge at the voice, but the chains held tight. The voice laughed and it was then Rhade realized who was taunting him.

"What the hell do you want, Aradestea?"

Aradestea laughed and said "Never one for chitchat are you, Rhade? Always to the point. I want to know where the creature is."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Fine, if do not want to talk then I think a couple of hours without the antidote will make you talk."

Aradestea walked out of the room leaving Rhade to ponder his fate.

Dylan walked into the Hydroponics Bay expecting to see Ilandere and Trance there, but only Trance was present.

"Where's Ilandere?" asked a confused Dylan.

"She said she must commune with the Universe in a dark and quiet place." Trance replied not looking up from her gardening. Dylan turned around and wondered where Ilandere would be. He wandered the halls until he came upon the command deck. He thought he heard voices in there. He readied his force lance and stormed in, but all he saw was Ilandere sitting on the floor cross legged. He knelt down next to her.

"Ilandere," he whispered. He tapped her shoulder and could feel that her skin was ice cold. But just as he was going to say her name again, her eyes snapped opened, and she turned her head to face Dylan.

"Rhade is in trouble," said Ilandere. "You and Beka must help him. He may give up on the dream of tomorrow, and the memories of yesterday."

Ilandere turned her head forward and closed her eyes. Dylan tapped her shoulder but got no response. He got up and walked out of the command deck.

"He may give up on the dreams of tomorrow and the memories of yesterday," Dylan mulled. "What's that supposed to mean? What is with the cryptic remarks and Avatars?"

"Dylan! Hey Dylan, we've got a problem," yelled Beka as she ran down the corridor.

"Rhade is in trouble, isn't he?" asked Dylan.

An out of breath Beka nodded her head yes.

"Come on, we've to got to find him."

Rhade felt like a thousand nova bombs were going off in his body. He willed himself not to give in just yet. As his eyes started to close and head drop he felt like someone was trying to comfort him. Out of the corner of his eye he thought he saw a silvery object hovering close by, but he fell unconscious before he could get a better look.