Harper sat in the Maru…he could feel the sweat on the back of his neck. He was going back to Earth. He had to admit, he was scared. He hadn't been back there in 15 years. Not since he had escaped with Beka.

Beka had heard about a device that some of the slaves on Earth had been using. It was a smart silent weapon, and she knew something like it could make her a huge profit. When she got to Earth though, she was in for a surprise. She expected the inventor to be some older man. Instead he was just a young kid. He was alone, apparently the rest of his family had been killed, She quickly grew to like him. When her weapon idea feel through she was sad to leave Earth because she knew she would have to say goodbye to him. When she was about to leave though, he was shot, she took him with her, knowing she could get him better help somewhere else…away from Earth.

Now he was willing going back to the place where he had watched his whole family die. Because she was there.

He and Beka were going to fly in at the same time as the supply ship and land in the near by woods. They would meet Michael there. From there, he would help them track Sarah down. Everyone agreed Harper would be the perfect one to go. He would blend right in. Beka fought hard to accompany him on the mission. She knew this would be a hard mission for him, not just physically, but emotionally as well. She wanted to be there for him.

"Ready Harper…here we go. One…two…three…GO"

Harper braced himself as he felt the Andromeda propel itself through the Earth's atmosphere. After far too long a period of time for his liking, the ship landed…and not too smoothly, in the middle of a field.

"You okay Harper?" Beka asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Man, what a rush"

The two pulled themselves up, and with weapons ready made their way out of the Maru.

"Who's that old man…that can't be my friend Seamus. Seamus was actually a good looking young man."

Harper turned around and found himself face to face with his old friend.

"You're not exactly a teen yourself."

Harper embraced his friend. It was like no time had passed. They were still friends, that bond was still there. The two immediately began catching up, sharing old memories and generally teasing one another.

Beka watched as the two goofily hugged each other. She could see the joy in her friend's face. She cleared her voice loudly.

"Ohh…sorry boss. Michael, you remember my boss…Beka Valentine?"

"AHH yes. The one that got you off this planet. Have you been taking good care of Seamus over here?"

"Ohh yeah. We're taking good care of him."

Suddenly Harper became serious.

"So how far are we from where she is?"

Michael smiled at the determination in his voice.

"Just a couple of blocks…come on, I'll bring you there. First though we need to do something about this ship. It does stand out just a bit.."

"I'll cover that."

Harper pulled out a small remote device and hit a button. Michael's eyes went wide in disbelief as he saw the Maru vanish before his eyes. Harper, seeing his astonishment, smiled, showing he was pleased with himself.

Cool." Michael said. "Okay lets go, keep your eyes peeled though, I don't have clearance to be in this neighborhood so if we get stopped I'm screwed, and there will be no explaining you guys."

The three cautiously made their way out from the woods and into the busy streets of the city. Harper breathed in the old familiar air. He looked around. So many things had changed. As long as he could remember, everything around him was slowly falling down and his time away hadn't stopped that. Buildings that he remembered taller than the sky now stood at their knees. The streets were full of dirt and garbage. There was a general tone of chaos and dismay about the entire place. Despite the sadness in the scene though, Harper knew that there was also hope there. Hope inside the people. Tear had once told him that it was foolish for anyone on Earth to have hope. Harper knew he was right, but he didn't care. He understood that hope was believing in something even when you know it's impossible.

The group slowly made their way block by block through the city. They hung low in the shadows, weapons always drawn. Beka began to build an idea of what Harper's childhood must have been like.

"We're almost there you guys. Just a couple more blocks."

Harper's heart began to race. This was it, he was going to see his sister.

They ducked into an alley, maneuvering around puddles and old parts. Michael put his hand up for them to stop and motioned for them to be quiet. He pointed out to an open market where several chained humans were moving around large crates. In the corner a petite girl with brown hair had her data port linked up to a scanning device. She was pressing buttons on a remote device, a look of concentration on her face. Several Dragons loomed at every chance of exit around the entire compound. Looking annoyed one walked over to her.

"Well? Did you figure out what was wrong with it yet?"

"Calm down big guy…things like these take time. Don't worry, in no time I'll have your system up and running."

"Yeah, just hurry up okay?"

He loomed back over to where he had been standing.

Harper froze, staring at her. Michael was right; she did look like his mother. He was so caught up in her that he didn't hear Beka and Michael calling his name.

"Harper?...Harper? You with us man?"

"Ohh, yeah sorry. So what's the plan?"

"Well, once she finishes the job, two of the guards will escort her back to her quarters. She stays in the building over there. I'm thinking ambush…with only two guards it should be easier for us to take them down."

"Sounds good."

One she finished two large guards grabbed Sarah by the arm and started to lead her across the compound.

"Hey….watch the hands bud."

Beka, Michael, and Harper braced themselves as Sarah and the guards approached. Beka waited until they two guards had walked far enough that they were out of view of the rest of the group before she stumbled out in front of them/

"Oh, hey boys…sorry, didn't mean to startle you. Hey…you know… you're kinda cute."

Beka took the guard by surprise when see suddenly kicked him in the groin. As the other pulled his gun to shoot he was shocked to find Harper's gun against his head.

"Drop it uber."

The second guard dropped his weapon, and gasped as Michael punched him in the stomach.

Harper turned to stare at his sister. She had to come with him. He had t get her to listen to him.

"Look, we don't have a lot of time, so you just need to trust us."

"Hey bud, where I come from, they don't just hand our trust like that. Give me one good reason for me to trust you."

"I'm your brother."