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Once again thanks for the reviews... this one is for Eljay and Nureek
I was trying to post before Jips...but I didn't make it...darn that girl is fast!! LOL
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Harper stood there unsure of what to do. The Magog stood silently as well but only he was staring at him. He wanted so badly to prove to the Captain that he could do this. Maybe they wouldn't send him away if ...
Harper licked his lips nervously. Alarms blared but neither of them made a move. After a moment the Magog sat down. Right in the middle of the floor. Okay now Harper felt really unsure of what was going on. Weren't they supposed to find the other's? Why wasn't the Magog doing anything?! The little voice in the back of Seamus's mind kept chanting. He's going to kill you. He's going to eat you. He's going to infest you.
He didn't move. Seamus felt has if had had super-bonded his feet to the floor.
"Intruder Alert! Intruder Alert!!" Echoed Rommie's voice through the corridors.
There were more explosions as the internal defences fired.
Harper let his eyes quickly flirt towards the door but in an instant they were focused again on the Magog.
He had no choice. He had promised the captain. He hunched down on his heels. Ready to run if he had to, but he wanted to meet this thing eye to eye. He cleared his throat. "I..." His voice squeaked. Harper winced and tried again. "I've never talked to a Magog before."
The Magog only nodded his head.
Harper tried to continue, "I... My cousins, and my uncle were killed by Magog." Harper pulled up the sleeve of his shirt to reveal a jagged scare on his shoulder. "I got this when I was little but my cousin Brendan saved me."
The Magog bowed his head. "I am truly sorry that happened to you. I am very glad that you are able to talk to me about it. I will ask the Divine for forgiveness."
The sound of his gravely voice sent shivers down Harper's spine. He unconsciously shuffled backwards a few feet. Beka seemed to trust this creature. Harper had thought he trusted Beka but now that she wanted to send him away he was unsure. Could he trust her judgement now?
Now for the big question that plagued his mind. "Are you going to eat me?"
The Magog bowed his head with sorrow. "No, I do not eat sentient beings anymore. I am a pilgrim of 'The Way'. I am seeking forgiveness for my past crimes and the crimes of my kind."
There was silence for a moment. The ship shuddered as it entered another slipstream portal. Harper put a hand out to balance himself.
Harper could still here the internal defences firing off in the distance. "I can fix that."
"Excuse me, to what do you refer?" Questioned the Magog.
"I can put Rommie's sensor's in to a manual diagnostic mode. Her internal defences wouldn't be able to work while she was running diagnostics."
"If you could do that it would make it easier for us to find the other's. How can I assist?"
Harper was slowly growing surer of himself as he spoke. "I just need to get to the panel in machine shop 17. It has a direct link to the diagnostic controls. We can probably access the machine shop through the conduits. "
"You are certainly as smart as other's have inferred."
Harper fidgeted with his shoelaces unsure how exactly to process a compliment from a Magog. "What's your name? Beka told me once but I don't remember."
"My name is Reverend Bohemial FarTraveller. Captain Valentine often refers to me as Rev Bem."
Harper let the words roll around his head for a while as he tried to adjust to the thought of a Magog having a name. "Rev Bem?"
"Yes, Master Harper?"
"Will you lead the way?" Harper still didn't trust Rev Bem enough to have him at his back.
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There was a loud whine and a screech. "Er... Hello. This is Harper, not Rommie. I guess you figured that out though. I have put Rommie's sensors in to a manual diagnostic mode. The internal defences should be inactive for the next three hours. Rev asked me to say that everyone should meet in command. If you're hurt you're suppose to stay put and we'll come get you. Ummm, okay thanks."
Beka couldn't help but grin. The ship was going insane and someone was flying it through the multiple unknown slip-portals and the boy to still managed to surprise her.
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"Really Master Harper we should follow our own advice. We should go to command now. I'm sure Technical Director Hohne will be able to fix whatever problems Andromeda is experiencing. Rev gazed in to the dimly lit conduit where Harper sat crossed legged not three feet away.
Harper did not reply right away. He was still engrossed in what he was doing. "I just wanted to see..." There was a loud zap of electricity and Harper leapt back with a yelp.
"Master Harper?!" Rev Bem called obviously worriedly.
Harper gazed at his hand frantically. There was nasty burn that rippled across the inside of his hand. He let out a small hiss of pain.
"Master Harper?" called Rev Bem again. Harper started to panic his hand was red and blistered but on top of that some blood bubbled to the surface. The Magog would smell the blood and he would turn on him. Vibrations of pain worked their way up his arm from his hand. "I'm fine. I'm good just stay away."
"Are you hurt? I know some first aid?"
"No!" Harper screeched back. "I'm fine. I'm fine!" The ship took that moment to betray him as it lurched in to slipstream again. Harper was forced to grab the bulkhead for support. He caught his sore hand on the edge of the open panel. He screamed in pain and the darkness descended with a crash.
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Harper groaned. He was down and he was hurt. On Earth that meant you were dead. Harper tried to bolt to a sitting position but a hand prevented him.
"Shhh, it's okay." Whispered the voice calmly and comforting. "You are well. Take some deep breaths. You're okay."
Harper slowly let the world come in to focus. The first things he saw were the concerned eyes of a Magog. A Magog! Harper bolted up again.
This time Rev Bem allowed it obviously seeing now he was fully awake. Harper heart raced with fright and it was more then a moment before he was able to catch his breath.
"Slow deep breathes." Encouraged Rev Bem.
Harper looked around as he remembered what happened. "I was in the conduit?"
"Luckily there is a medical kit in the machine shop. I pulled you out and bandaged your hand. When things calm down we'll have Trance take a closer look at it."
Harper glanced down at his hand. It still hurt. A small thin line of blood stained the white bandage around his palm. Harper stared at it in shock. The Magog hadn't killed him. His hands started to shake. Did everything he had lived through mean nothing?
Rev took him by the shoulders. Harper flinched but was too distraught and confused to pull away. Rev directed him to sit down.
"I, don't understand? Why don't you kill me?'
Rev sighed. "I do not wish to harm you, Young Master Harper. I only wish to be friends. I am afraid that we have both lived in existences where all things were black and white. Here on board the Andromeda there are many shades of grey."
Harper looked up at Rev Bem still confused. "So you really are one of the good guys?"
"It is my goal." Rev smiled a smile that really did look more like a snarl.
Harper suppressed a shudder. "We should go meet the other."
Rev Bem helped him to his feet. It was unnecessary, but Harper allowed it as the kind gesture it was meant to be.
Then a voice boomed over the intercom. "Boy! What is your status." It was Tyr.
"Rev and I were just leaving the machine shop. We'll be at command as soon as possible. I have a job for you."
"Is anyone else missing?" Harper called back.
"The Persied, the Android, Trance and you two. We are locked out of command and we are unable to tell who is in command. We need you to come here and open the door."
Harper didn't have time to contemplate the meaning of Tyr's words as all sounds were drowned out but large thuds. Harper and Rev both looked up. "That wasn't the slipstream drive." Confirmed Harper.
Dozens of more bangs vibrated through the ship's hull.
"Something is impacting with us!" Agreed Rev Bem.
Then there was a noise that stopped Harper heart cold.
A terrible, evil, rhythm pulsated through the ship's corridors.
Boom, boom, thud. Boom, boom, thud. Boom, boom, thud.
Harper then understood. His life would always be black and white.
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TBC
Once again thanks for the reviews... this one is for Eljay and Nureek
I was trying to post before Jips...but I didn't make it...darn that girl is fast!! LOL
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Harper stood there unsure of what to do. The Magog stood silently as well but only he was staring at him. He wanted so badly to prove to the Captain that he could do this. Maybe they wouldn't send him away if ...
Harper licked his lips nervously. Alarms blared but neither of them made a move. After a moment the Magog sat down. Right in the middle of the floor. Okay now Harper felt really unsure of what was going on. Weren't they supposed to find the other's? Why wasn't the Magog doing anything?! The little voice in the back of Seamus's mind kept chanting. He's going to kill you. He's going to eat you. He's going to infest you.
He didn't move. Seamus felt has if had had super-bonded his feet to the floor.
"Intruder Alert! Intruder Alert!!" Echoed Rommie's voice through the corridors.
There were more explosions as the internal defences fired.
Harper let his eyes quickly flirt towards the door but in an instant they were focused again on the Magog.
He had no choice. He had promised the captain. He hunched down on his heels. Ready to run if he had to, but he wanted to meet this thing eye to eye. He cleared his throat. "I..." His voice squeaked. Harper winced and tried again. "I've never talked to a Magog before."
The Magog only nodded his head.
Harper tried to continue, "I... My cousins, and my uncle were killed by Magog." Harper pulled up the sleeve of his shirt to reveal a jagged scare on his shoulder. "I got this when I was little but my cousin Brendan saved me."
The Magog bowed his head. "I am truly sorry that happened to you. I am very glad that you are able to talk to me about it. I will ask the Divine for forgiveness."
The sound of his gravely voice sent shivers down Harper's spine. He unconsciously shuffled backwards a few feet. Beka seemed to trust this creature. Harper had thought he trusted Beka but now that she wanted to send him away he was unsure. Could he trust her judgement now?
Now for the big question that plagued his mind. "Are you going to eat me?"
The Magog bowed his head with sorrow. "No, I do not eat sentient beings anymore. I am a pilgrim of 'The Way'. I am seeking forgiveness for my past crimes and the crimes of my kind."
There was silence for a moment. The ship shuddered as it entered another slipstream portal. Harper put a hand out to balance himself.
Harper could still here the internal defences firing off in the distance. "I can fix that."
"Excuse me, to what do you refer?" Questioned the Magog.
"I can put Rommie's sensor's in to a manual diagnostic mode. Her internal defences wouldn't be able to work while she was running diagnostics."
"If you could do that it would make it easier for us to find the other's. How can I assist?"
Harper was slowly growing surer of himself as he spoke. "I just need to get to the panel in machine shop 17. It has a direct link to the diagnostic controls. We can probably access the machine shop through the conduits. "
"You are certainly as smart as other's have inferred."
Harper fidgeted with his shoelaces unsure how exactly to process a compliment from a Magog. "What's your name? Beka told me once but I don't remember."
"My name is Reverend Bohemial FarTraveller. Captain Valentine often refers to me as Rev Bem."
Harper let the words roll around his head for a while as he tried to adjust to the thought of a Magog having a name. "Rev Bem?"
"Yes, Master Harper?"
"Will you lead the way?" Harper still didn't trust Rev Bem enough to have him at his back.
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There was a loud whine and a screech. "Er... Hello. This is Harper, not Rommie. I guess you figured that out though. I have put Rommie's sensors in to a manual diagnostic mode. The internal defences should be inactive for the next three hours. Rev asked me to say that everyone should meet in command. If you're hurt you're suppose to stay put and we'll come get you. Ummm, okay thanks."
Beka couldn't help but grin. The ship was going insane and someone was flying it through the multiple unknown slip-portals and the boy to still managed to surprise her.
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"Really Master Harper we should follow our own advice. We should go to command now. I'm sure Technical Director Hohne will be able to fix whatever problems Andromeda is experiencing. Rev gazed in to the dimly lit conduit where Harper sat crossed legged not three feet away.
Harper did not reply right away. He was still engrossed in what he was doing. "I just wanted to see..." There was a loud zap of electricity and Harper leapt back with a yelp.
"Master Harper?!" Rev Bem called obviously worriedly.
Harper gazed at his hand frantically. There was nasty burn that rippled across the inside of his hand. He let out a small hiss of pain.
"Master Harper?" called Rev Bem again. Harper started to panic his hand was red and blistered but on top of that some blood bubbled to the surface. The Magog would smell the blood and he would turn on him. Vibrations of pain worked their way up his arm from his hand. "I'm fine. I'm good just stay away."
"Are you hurt? I know some first aid?"
"No!" Harper screeched back. "I'm fine. I'm fine!" The ship took that moment to betray him as it lurched in to slipstream again. Harper was forced to grab the bulkhead for support. He caught his sore hand on the edge of the open panel. He screamed in pain and the darkness descended with a crash.
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Harper groaned. He was down and he was hurt. On Earth that meant you were dead. Harper tried to bolt to a sitting position but a hand prevented him.
"Shhh, it's okay." Whispered the voice calmly and comforting. "You are well. Take some deep breaths. You're okay."
Harper slowly let the world come in to focus. The first things he saw were the concerned eyes of a Magog. A Magog! Harper bolted up again.
This time Rev Bem allowed it obviously seeing now he was fully awake. Harper heart raced with fright and it was more then a moment before he was able to catch his breath.
"Slow deep breathes." Encouraged Rev Bem.
Harper looked around as he remembered what happened. "I was in the conduit?"
"Luckily there is a medical kit in the machine shop. I pulled you out and bandaged your hand. When things calm down we'll have Trance take a closer look at it."
Harper glanced down at his hand. It still hurt. A small thin line of blood stained the white bandage around his palm. Harper stared at it in shock. The Magog hadn't killed him. His hands started to shake. Did everything he had lived through mean nothing?
Rev took him by the shoulders. Harper flinched but was too distraught and confused to pull away. Rev directed him to sit down.
"I, don't understand? Why don't you kill me?'
Rev sighed. "I do not wish to harm you, Young Master Harper. I only wish to be friends. I am afraid that we have both lived in existences where all things were black and white. Here on board the Andromeda there are many shades of grey."
Harper looked up at Rev Bem still confused. "So you really are one of the good guys?"
"It is my goal." Rev smiled a smile that really did look more like a snarl.
Harper suppressed a shudder. "We should go meet the other."
Rev Bem helped him to his feet. It was unnecessary, but Harper allowed it as the kind gesture it was meant to be.
Then a voice boomed over the intercom. "Boy! What is your status." It was Tyr.
"Rev and I were just leaving the machine shop. We'll be at command as soon as possible. I have a job for you."
"Is anyone else missing?" Harper called back.
"The Persied, the Android, Trance and you two. We are locked out of command and we are unable to tell who is in command. We need you to come here and open the door."
Harper didn't have time to contemplate the meaning of Tyr's words as all sounds were drowned out but large thuds. Harper and Rev both looked up. "That wasn't the slipstream drive." Confirmed Harper.
Dozens of more bangs vibrated through the ship's hull.
"Something is impacting with us!" Agreed Rev Bem.
Then there was a noise that stopped Harper heart cold.
A terrible, evil, rhythm pulsated through the ship's corridors.
Boom, boom, thud. Boom, boom, thud. Boom, boom, thud.
Harper then understood. His life would always be black and white.
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TBC