I have to say, as much as I love college, it is such a pain not being able to write as much as I used to. Very annoying. But here is the next chapter, so please enjoy and of course, let me know what you think!

The Impercipient

Chapter 7: Why joys they've found I cannot find

Elena spent the next hour nervously pacing her room, trying to decide what she should do. Her every instinct screamed at her to stay as far away from the planet as she could, but her mind and heart were telling her otherwise. There were innocent people on that planet, not to mention children that had done nothing to deserve the horrors that were brought upon them. If she could do anything to help those that were under the Taherians' power, she would.

But every time that the courage swelled within her, it slowly faded as she thought back on Colus and her life on the planet. The rage she had felt within him scared her. She knew what he was capable of. Her life had been filled with constant physical and emotional pain until now, all of which was caused by Colus. But now this new trader he spoke of could do things to her that made her blood run cold. She had to do something not only to save those on the planet, but also to protect her own well-being.

Elena had to remind herself that she wasn't going to be alone in this venture, far from it. She had a feeling that Rhade would be with her in the very least. The Nietzschean had come as a surprise to her. Living in a place of anguish had made her reluctant to trust, yet she warmed right up to him. He had been nothing but kind to her in her time on the ship, tending to her along with the golden Trance. He had willingly offered himself to her, something that no else had ever done before. The deep affection that she had felt was like a balm to her soul. She only wished that she knew who the affection was directed towards.

Elena shook her head. She should not be thinking these thoughts! She was about to put her life in danger and she could not waste time on useless ideas. Coming to a halt in the middle of the room, she looked up at the ceiling uncertainly. "Andromeda?"

Andromeda's holographic form appeared before her, startling the woman. "Yes?"

Elena swallowed, a little disconcerted by the idea of talking to a ship. "Um, could you please tell me where Rhade is at the moment?"

"Rhade is currently in his quarters," responded the hologram promptly, her expression not changing.

Elena stared at the woman for a second. "Could you tell me where that is?"

A small smile seemed to cross the hologram's features, but it could have been nothing. "Go down the hallway to your right. His room is up the ramp and three doors on the left."

"Thank you." Andromeda went as quickly as she appeared, something that unnerved Elena to say the least. Knowing what she had to do, Elena followed the ship's directions to Rhade's quarters. Once there, she took a deep breath and touched the panel next to the door, letting him know that she was there.

The door slid open a few moments later. Hair still wet from the shower, Rhade stood in front of Elena. His eyes widened slightly at seeing her there, not expecting her to come to a decision so soon. "Elena?"

She didn't smile at him, just bit her lip before speaking. "Telemachus, I want to ask you something first before I make a final decision."

He nodded, trying to ignore the small thrill that ran through him at the sound of his first name. "Of course. Let us go somewhere that we may speak." She nodded and trailed behind him as he led the way to the observation deck.

They found the observation deck to be thankfully empty. Rhade closed the door behind them and called out, "Andromeda, engage privacy please."

"Privacy mode engaged."

Elena walked over to one of the benches and sat down, her eyes focused on the green planet of Taher. Rhade moved to sit next to her, concerned by her silence. "Elena, what is it?" She was silent and continued to stare out the viewport. "Tell me what you are thinking."

She glanced over at him briefly, the uncertainty in her eyes evident. She sighed and turned her body so she was facing him. "Telemachus, I need to know what is going to happen if we go back to Taher."

Rhade nodded. "Well, I would be posing as this slave trader Colus spoke of. You would come with me and I would claim that I had recaptured you. I would gain as much information about their slaving habits as I could while hopefully you try to gather the slaves together for a rebellion of sorts. Trance would also be with us, to help heal some of the more gravely injured and gather information as well.

"Dylan, Rommie and Harper are going to land in one of the more barren areas while Beka stays here on the ship. They are going to try and contact these rebels and organize a siege of sorts. We hope to coordinate the efforts on both fronts, which would increase the chances for success."

He paused so he could lean closer to her. "Elena, I know this is hard for you. But you are the only one that the slaves would trust. You do not have to fear anything, I will make sure that you do not come to any harm."

Her eyes remained locked with his once he finished speaking. She could see the sincerity in them. She sighed and turned her head back to the view of the planet that had been her home and her prison for so many years. An old memory crept to the surface, prompting her to speak.

"Back on my home planet," she began, knowing she was straying from the main topic, "the first trip through slipstream was a long time in planning. There was great risk involved, but the rewards appeared too great to pass up the opportunity. Every person on board that ship was a volunteer; every man, woman and child understood what they were doing.

"We were celebrated as heroes even before we left. I could not see myself as a hero or even worthy of being talked about. I thought the trip was an adventure, a way to meet new people and make allies across the universe. Almost my entire family volunteered for the mission, sharing my ideas.

"My brother, however, wanted nothing to do with it. He had been married for less than a year and had just had his first child. He did not want to leave the only place he had known as home, especially to a place so uncertain. He was wary of the idea of traveling across the stars and meeting others. He said that no matter how loving and peaceful we may be, there were others filled with hate and malice that would not receive us well.

"The day before I left, he came to speak with me, ask me to stay. When I told him I could not he said one last thing to me. He told me, 'If things ever go horribly wrong remember this. Sometimes the hope in the stars is dim and the sparkle of tomorrow is faint. Your heart may cry out from fear and desolation while your mind despairs. But know that your pure intentions will save you. And know that they can save others. Your will is strong and it can change your fate for the better. Never forget the hope and love your people give to you, for it will give you strength in the darkest of hours.'"

Elena stopped speaking. She stood and walked over to stand in front of the viewport. A tear fell from her eye to trail down her cheek. "I remember my home, even though it is probably gone now. These are the darkest times I have known, but the memories of joyful people long dead give me strength. I despair for the people on that planet. And even though I am scared beyond reason, I know I can help them. My pure intentions will save them."

Rhade stood, his heart silently going out to the woman before him. He stepped up behind her and carefully turned her to look at him. "I understand your fear. But your brother is right. You have a gentle soul, the likes of which I have never seen. It is this pureness that will help those on that planet." He paused, waiting until she raised her eyes to meet his own. "I wish for you to trust in me. I will do everything I can to make sure no harm comes to you."

Hesitantly, she leaned forward until she was leaning against Rhade, his arms almost automatically going around her. For once in her life she felt safe. No one had actually defended her before, not even herself. But things seemed to be changing now. She had come across someone that actually cared for her well-being. It made her decision that much easier.

Rhade didn't want to let her out of his arms, but released her anyway once she pulled away. The woman had awaken something in him he didn't know he could feel. He wasn't sure he was ready for the experience.

Elena stared up at him once she pulled away. "Tell me what I need to do."

TBC

And there you have it. I hope that was a good chapter. I'm really going to try and get the next chapter out quicker. I really am. Though I have to admit, I have been besieged by another plot bunny that involves an Andromeda/Stargate crossover, a response to a Steve Bacic challenge. I hate when I'm writing one story, and the idea for another comes up. Anyway, please let me know what you think so I can get started on the next chapter!