Author's Note: Sorry if this bit seems short, but next week, you get another twofer, so bear with me, read and review!
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Telemachus felt a sudden, almost painful pang of sympathy when he saw Beka's expression of helpless shock. Tyr must have noticed it too; their conversation died when she came into sight. Telemachus also saw that despite this, Tyr's hand never wavered from the small figure at his side.
He knew who Tyr was gently leading, one of a very few privileged with that knowledge. Many of Tyr's companions had guessed, and some might even have guessed correctly. In a very short while, they would all know, and that knowledge would be broadcasted throughout the Known Worlds in the next few days. This battle was re-drawing the lines of alliances, and reactions to this announcement would determine who was on which side for the upcoming war.
Tyr cast a sharp-eyed gaze around the room, and though he looked mostly at Dylan while he spoke, it was Beka whose eyes he met first. The faintest of grins crossed his face when he saw Harper's murderous expression, and only Telemachus a foot away heard him whisper, "Good boy." Rhade had guessed at Tyr's feelings for Beka, but he was beginning to see exactly what Tyr had left behind to build his future; he had never respected his fellow Nietzschean as he did at that moment.
Hate, respect, or admire Tyr, everyone in the room focused solely on him when he spoke.
"All gathered here today have taken the great risk to ally with me—now or in the past—and so I feel it would be... honorable of me that you be the first to hear my announcement. I promise you this will be an historic moment recounted for generations."
Right on cue, Beka and Harper broke the hold Tyr held over his audience to exchange glances and rolled eyes. Their familiarity at a time like this was reassuring for Telemachus, who had known them but a short while. These were among the very few people throughout the galaxies who were who they were without apology or change for anyone.
Tyr guided the hooded figure to stand in front of him, and a tiny sigh echoed through the room. "We stand in the presence of one foretold by the Nietzschean people, a legend as scientific as it is fantastic. Genetic material and its continuation are at the core of my people's destiny, and they have yielded to us this one. This boy, imy son/i possesses, as do many Nietzscheans, genetic material of the original Progenitor." His voice dropped from its booming baritone. "But my son is different from the others, for he is the Progenitor reborn."
With a father's tenderness and a flair for the dramatic, Tyr pulled the hood down from the figure to reveal a curly-haired boy with wide brown eyes and a caramel complexion somewhere between his father's and his blonde mother's. In a voice too high for proclamations of this sort, the boy spoke. "I am Tamerlane Anasazi out of Freya by Tyr, of no Pride and of all Prides. I will unite my people and return us to the state envisioned by Drago Museveni. No more will bullies and slavers impede our path to enlightened rule of the stars. No more will the Drago-Kazov Pride rob us of our potential for civilization, nor will cowards and politicians shape iour/i universe after this day!
"For three hundred years, the Dragans and their lackeys have beat our people... all of us... into submission, though we may be too proud to admit it. Now, on the starship Andromeda Ascendant, hope will live again!"
Many of the humans on board broke into cheers, and the Than chittered with what sounded like excited approval. The Nietzscheans looked very grave but determined. As for Andromeda's crew...
"So this is the genetically reincarnated Drago Museveni," Beka said, not really asking. She couldn't help a brief smile. "Cute kid. He has your eyes, Tyr. And hey, he's also the savior of the Nietzschean people. Convenient." Beka was admiring a child, not paying her respects to a messiah.
Tyr turned off what Telemachus thought of as his PA voice when he responded. "It would be easier for me if you were swayed by speeches, but I can hardly expect easy from Captain Beka Valentine. Your Andromeda may run genetic tests if you wish; I have the body of the Progenitor available."
The woman shrugged. "Nah, I believe that you could will your chromosomes and what's-her-name's to rearrange into the exact pattern of ol' Drago's. I'm just surprised you didn't will yourself the Progenitor reborn." She leaned against her console and forced a casual pose. "Why this grand declaration on the Andromeda, though? And what's with the entourage?" She grinned. "Need a little protection from our motley crew?" Her eyes fell on Telemachus, and her smile fell. "Speaking of our motley crew..."
Tyr looked from Beka to Telemachus and came to decision. "You've always proved loyal to your crew, Beka. Perhaps it will help to hear it from someone fortunate enough to still be a part of it." He nodded at Rhade.