A/N: Short Rhade-centric fic, flashes back-and-forth between Gaheris and Telemachus.
Setting: Pre-Season 1/Season 4Rating: PG
Summary: A dangerous secret from Telemachus's past will spell a new future for the Andromeda crew.
Disclaimer: Man, y'all know if in owned Andromeda I'd always have Rhade everywhere, so you know I don't really own it. I just like to pretend I do sometimes, and I DO know that Rhade talks to me. :P
Chapter 1
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And when all passes byAll that will remain is the night.
The night before the dawning.
Anonymous
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"Four moves until I win." Gaheris Rhade, Executive Officer of the Systems Commonwealth warship Andromeda Ascendant leaned away from the Go board, studying the other player's reaction.
"Do you have to do that?" Dylan Hunt was the captain, and Gaheris's best friend. "For the hundredth time, it's incredibly annoying." He held up one hand. "And don't say: 'I just thought you deserved fair warning' again, either."
Gaheris shrugged and smiled. "Would you rather me say 'four moves until you lose'? That would fit as well."
"Ha-ha," Dylan made a face as he moved his piece. "At least I have Rommie making sure you're not cheating."
"Right." Gaheris moved his piece and made sure to keep his amusement hidden. He had already made a deal with the AI. As long as she didn't inform Dylan of his... mmm... tipping the playing field, Gaheris would keep her updated on the latest Tarn-Vedra gossip, though what an AI wanted with gossip he'd never know. "Three moves until you lose."
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"Captain, incoming communication from Tarn-Vedra," Andromeda's viewscreen announced. They were all gathered in the Command Deck.
"Onscreen," Dylan ordered.
"Actually, it's for Commander Rhade."
Gaheris's eyebrows rose. "What does Tarn-Vedra want with me?"
Andromeda shrugged. "It's from Admiral Stark."
"And you're sure it's for me? All her messages are always for Dylan about his fiancée." Gaheris frowned. He didn't like it when unexpected events happened with no logical explanation. It made for a low survival rate. "Onscreen."
Admiral Stark appeared adjacent to Andromeda's image. "Commander Rhade," she said in short, clipped tones. "Enclosed in this transmission is a datalink for your eyes only. If necessary, tell Captain Hunt that use of any equipment and supplies you'll need is authorized by me." She reached offscreen and tapped something. "This is of the utmost importance, Commander. Do not fail." The transmission ended.
"Send the datalink to my quarters, then engage privacy mode." Gaheris ordered, more curious than concerned.
"Acknowledged," Andromeda replied.
"Permission to leave the bridge, sir," Gaheris requested, turning toward Dylan.
"Permission granted," Dylan responded.
Gaheris was already on his way out the door.
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There were two messages waiting for him. The first was from his first wife, Jaysella, saying that she was pregnant again. Her wry sense of humor made Gaheris grin. "I'll be home soon, Jay," he whispered, running his fingers through the hologram.
The second message was black-coded, and Gaheris played it after a moment's pause. The expression on his face grew more serious with everything contained in that transmission. He blinked and shook his head as the message ended and self-erased, trying to dispel the chill that had settled over him. "This will change everything," he muttered.
A/N: nope, I have no idea what that thing is as of right now, but the next chapter we will skip ahead to Season 4 with Telemachus. By then I should have figured out what the 'very bad thing' is. (Hopefully) :P I'll continue this when (and 'if'!) I ever finish Echoes of the Past. PLEASE SEND REVIEWS!! REVIEW EVERY CHAPTER IF YOU WANT!!