Thank you for the reviews people. I apologize for being so slow in updating. I'll try to be quicker in the future.
Chapter 5
As Trance worked through the night she kept an eye on Harper for any sign of improvement in his condition. The golden woman eventually gave Harper a sponge bath, gently wiping the engineer's forearms. As she moved over to Harper's shoulder, Trance imagined what the engineer would say if was aware of what she was doing. Trance knew Harper would be quick with a come on.
After the sponge bath Trance leaned over and checked the machine that registered the engineer's vital signs. There was a slight improvement as Harper's blood pressure had risen slightly. Trance was grateful for the small improvement.
The golden woman checked the respirator that was still breathing for Harper. Satisfied that the respirator was doing its job Trance checked Harper's temperature. A small smiled creped across Trance's lips as she read the number; the Earther's temperature had gone down by a degree.
A medical officer eventually arrived and Trance took the opportunity to meet with Dylan and Rhade and gave them an update on Harper's condition. The two senior officers were on Command discussing a planet that had expressed interested in joining the Commonwealth. Rhade and Dylan turned around as Trance entered.
"I know you'd want to know that Harper's condition has stabilized," the golden woman announced. Dylan and Rhade' faces showed their relief at the good news.
"Good work Trance. Why don't you take a break; you've earned it." Dylan instructed after noticing the woman's tired look.
Trance looked up at the High Guard captain with appreciation. "Thank you Dylan, I think I'll check and see if I have any mail.
"Good idea Trance. I was expecting some mail. I don't suppose you'd mind some company?" Rhade asked.
The golden woman was grateful for the gesture. "Thank you Rhade I'd love to have some company."
Trance and Rhade left Dylan alone in his quarters to retrieve their mail. After retrieving their mail, Rhade and Trance chatted briefly as the walked the Andromeda's corridors. Once they arrived at Trance's quarters Rhade left Trance to go to his quarters to read his own mail.
Trance sorted through the mail which was mostly advertisements. Trance yawned as she put the mail on the nightstand next to her bunk. She suddenly felt tired and lie down and shut her eyes. "Andromeda I'm going to sleep so please wake me up in one hour." The golden alien didn't bother to change clothes as she wasn't going to be sleeping long. Moments later Trance was fast asleep.
An hour later Holo Rommie fizzled into existence in Trance's quarters and called out the golden woman's name.
Trance immediately opened her eyes and let out a yawn. "Thank you for waking me Andromeda."
The ship's holographic form tilted her chin forward in a small bow. "You're quite welcome Trance. I'm glad you were able to get some sleep."
"What's the status on Harper?' Trance asked as she returned to Medical.
The hologram materialized ahead of the golden alien. "Harper's condition is slowly improving. His fever has gone down by two degrees since you left him."
Trance was relieved at the update but remained guardedly optimistic at Harper's chance of fully recovering. "It's time I ran some more tests then."
"If I was superstitious I'd cross my fingers," Holo Rommie remarked.
"If you need any assistance I'd be happy to make my avatar available," the hologram offered.
"No thank you Andromeda, I can handle Harper on my own." Trance assured confidently.
"Very well. I'll be on my way. I have some data that I need to analyze," Holo Rommie informed before fizzling out of existence.
Beka landed the Maru on a dusty planet called Saskatchewan Drift. Beka walked down the Maru's ramp and looked around. It was a desolate place, just the kind of out the way place where Beka would expect to find vintage music CDs.
Beka coughed as strong gust of wind kicked up dust from the ground. The blonde was able to make out a building a couple hundred yards in front of her. As Beka got closer she could see that the building was a music shop.
Surprised to find such a shop on a planet in the middle of nowhere, Beka entered the shop. There was a young brunette woman who looked to be a few years younger than Beka standing behind the counter.
"Welcome to Kool Kat Music Store, are you looking for any particular piece of music?" the storekeeper greeted from behind the counter.
Beka figured she'd take a chance and mention a hard to find CD she had been trying to purchase. "I don't suppose you have any music from Old Earth would you?"
The clerk perked up at the question. "That kind of music is hard to come by nowadays. You know the Nietzschean pride that runs Earth has pretty much destroyed the music archives there? Most of my customers are Nightsiders so you can imagine my stock is more geared to their musical tastes."
"I didn't think you had any Old Earth music but I figured I'd give it a shot since I was here," Beka replied as she studied one of the CDs.
The young brunette clerk called to a coworker in a back room behind the counter and a middle aged man appeared. The clerk instructed the man to take over at the counter.
The clerk came from behind the counter and approached the blonde pilot. "I didn't say I didn't have any Old Earth music but what I have is not cheap. Most people that come here can't afford what I'm asking for the CD."
Beka glared at the clerk with annoyance. "I'm not your average customer. What music do you have and how much do you want for it?
"I have a CD of music by an old group called The Beach Boys. The CD isn't original. It's a reissue from some years back but it's still rare. It's going to cost you 500 thrones to take it off my hands."
Beka hid her excitement at hearing the name of the musical group. The blonde had been trying to get hold of that music for years, ever since Harper first began surfing. Harper had heard that the Beach Boys sang about surfing and decided he had to get hold of some of their music. "Beach Boys huh? You're asking quite a bit. I hadn't planned on spending that much on a CD. What kind of condition is the CD in?"
The clerk went on to boast how the CD was in near perfect condition, having been carefully preserved for years. "So shall I show you the CD?"
Beka figured it couldn't hurt to look at the CD. It sounded intriguing at least. "Sure why not?"
The clerk left the blonde to retrieve the CD. Beka browsed around the store, examining the other CDs while she waited. The music store had only a few customers right now Beka had plenty of room to meander about.
After a few minutes of browsing Beka found a new CD that she had been hoping to buy for the past two months. The blonde smiled inwardly as she pulled it from the rack.
"I see you enjoy the newer music as well," The clerk commented from behind Beka.
The blonde pilot turned around and held up the CD. "Yeah I've been trying to get this CD since it came out."
"That is a popular CD. That's our last copy," the clerk informed as she pointed to the CD in Beak's hand.
"Tell me about it. Every place I've checked has been out of stock," Beka acknowledged.
Beka examined the reissue CD, checking for defects such as scratches. "Can I listen to a song to hear how it sounds."
The clerk shrugged her shoulders before answering, "I guess so. We have a listening booth towards back. I'll put the CD in and let you have a listen."
Beka followed the clerk to the booth and listened to the music. The blonde pilot liked what she heard. "Would you take 250 Thrones for this relic?"
"Are you serious? I can't sell this antique CD for 250 Thrones. That'd be like giving it away," the clerk retorted.
Beka was not intimidated by the shorter clerk. "Look ma'm I'm not rich. I have a friend who will be celebrating a birthday soon and I wanted to get him a present. He's into Earth music, especially the old stuff."
"Well I'm not totally heartless and I'd hate to see your friend miss out on a terrific birthday present so I can go down as low as 400 Thrones," The clerk offered.
Beka maintained a calm demeanor. The blonde pilot tried not to let the clerk or anybody else in the store see how pleased she was at getting the clerk to lower the price of the CD.
"That's still quite a bit of money, but since you came down on your price I'll take it."
The store clerk nodded politely and made her way back to the counter with Beka close behind. Beka waited for the clerk to ring up the two CDs before handing over the thrones. Then the clerk put the CDs into a plastic bag and handed them to Beka, along with the change.
Beka turned around and left the music store with a smile on her face. She excited that she had found the perfect present for Harper. She hoped the CD would make up for the engineer having to deal with contracting the Malakan Virus.
Beka wandered around the town doing some window shopping. Most of the stores were closed, having been abandoned years before. As she strolled down the streets of town Beka felt someone bump into her from behind. The executive officer's instincts went in to gear as she spun around to face the person, sending a side thrust kick into the potential attacker's midsection.
The slight man bent forward, clutching his midsection as he tried to catch his breath. After a few deep breaths the stranger stood up and frowned at Beka. "Hey Blondie what was that for? I didn't do nothin'."
"You made the mistake of bumping into me from behind. That's enough. How am I supposed to know you didn't have a knife?" Beka reasoned.
The stranger scowled at the blonde woman. "It was just an accident lady. You seem kinda nervy lady. I got somethin' that should take the edge off."
Beka immediately knew the stranger was referring to Flash. "No thanks, I don't use the junk you're talking about."
"Oh you're one of them people who are all righteous," The stranger mocked. "Well excuse me your highness."
Before Beka could respond she felt a sharp stabbing pain in the back of her shoulder. She whirled around, assuming the pain was the result of an attacker. Moving so fast made Beka's head spin and she had trouble focusing on the person in front of her. Beka tried to kick at the second stranger but lost her balance in the attempt and fell to the ground in a heap.
"Looks like we got a feisty one," the second stranger remarked as he stood over Beka.
Beka tried to get on her knees and stand up but just fell backwards in the attempt. Beka heard the two attackers mumbled to each other over her prone form before she blacked out.