Reviews:

Miikka: I am sooo sorry I didn't get back to you! SORRY, SORRY! I know what you mean; I love both Rhade's. When I finally find Rhade on E-bay, however shall I choose? :P

Prin69: how was my rhade evil? shows how much I know about my story: I had to go back and read chap2 to figure out what you were refering to! the whole nietzschean/slave thing, right? he-he, I had FUN with that, and also with figuring out really cool make up for Beka! Emmy says she's happy you liked her part about force-feeding Allison. LOL! PLEASE have a dream scene with that! that'd be AWESOME!

vampiregirl081: thanx! I feel so special :)

eris: SEASON 5 RHADE! YAY! ok, don't get me started. :P Ha-ha, double the Rhade... DOUBLE THE FUN! :D

Chapter 4

"So, how did you break your Slipstream drive?" Terla asked, motioning for them to sit on one of the beds on the Dusky Rose, the ship she had been forced to use on her undercover mission for the Collectors. The Rose's AI appeared on one of the viewscreens next to them, looking interested.

With some input from Telemachus, Beka explained everything that had happened on the Andromeda starting from when they exited Slipstream.

"The Collectors have PSBs," Terla said unbelievingly.

"Not only that, but they have found a way for it to follow us through Slipstream," Telemachus added.

"That is interesting news," Rose said. "There are some parties who will be very interested in that."

Terla was thinking. "The Andromeda has a Slip drive typical for a starship of her class, correct?"

"Yes," Beka said.

"I can get a hot one by the end of the week," Terla said.

Telemachus raised an eyebrow. "'Hot'?"

"Stolen," Beka said. She looked at Terla. "And how long would it take legally?"

Terla grimaced. "A month. Maybe less if you're lucky."

Beka mirrored the expression on Terla's face. "How much do you want for it?"

"40,000 thrones," Rose announced.

"Twenty-five," Beka countered.

"Thirty," Terla said with a tone of finality. "Take it or leave it."

"Done," Beka said, shaking Terla's hand. "And there will be no way to trace the stolen drive to us."

"Deal," Terla smiled and led them to the airlock.

"Whatever you do, don't double-cross us," Telemachus warned.

"Who, me?" Terla asked in her cute-innocent-little-girl Liara voice. "Don't worry; I owe you people my life. Life-debts mean a lot where I come from," she added seriously. "I can't betray you again until the debt is paid."

"You sound like you can't wait for that day to come," Telemachus pointed out.

Terla made a face. "I didn't mean it that way," she said. "Life-debts are heavy burdens; you wouldn't understand." The shapeshifter opened the airlock onto the busy, bustling street. "When I acquire the drive, I'll find you," she said, closing the airlock behind them.

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"-and we should be back in about a week. See you then." Beka finished recording a message for the Andromeda. She shut off the recorder.

"Message will reach the Andromeda in three days," the Maru's male voice said.

Beka turned in her chair to face Telemachus.

"So, what do we do for a week while we wait for our Slipstream drive?" Telemachus asked, leaning against the wall and crossing his arms.

"I'm sure you'll think of something," Beka said, moving past him to check on a monitor.

Several, thought Telemachus, watching Beka from behind. None of which have any hope of happening.

"I'm sure you can find something to do using your Nietzschean imagination," Beka continued, slamming shut a drawer.

Telemachus started guiltily like a little boy caught at some prank before he realized Beka hadn't actually read his mind. "You can't judge all Nietzscheans based solely on your experiences with Tyr," Telemachus said. He had tried telling her this once before, but he might as well try again.

"I'm not," Beka replied, just as she had before.

"Then don't judge me based on your experiences with other Nietzscheans," Telemachus countered.

"Why?" Beka openly confronted him. "All you Nietzscheans are genetically engineered to be selfish, self-serving bastards. What makes you any different? I know there is something you want from us on Andromeda; what is it?"

Telemachus sighed. "All Nietzscheans are not the same, Beka." He ran a hand through his thick brown hair. "Why am I even bothering?" he asked, more to himself than to Beka. He sighed, a short, angry exhalation and turned and walked back down the catwalk.

Beka satisfied that she had made her point, started to turn back to the monitor, but found herself distracted.

Beka! she ordered. Stop staring at Rhade's ass!

But it looks so good in the leather, the little evil voice in her head whispered.

No! He's a Nietzschean! Shut up!

And those biceps... the voice continued.

No! Stop it! Beka shook her head. Stop thinking that! Ah, hell. She didn't have anything else to do on the Maru anyway.

"Hey, Rhade," she found herself calling. "Let's go. I'll let you buy me a drink."