Where's Harper?

Part 3

Having nothing else to go on a search team was sent out in Slipfighters to all the nearest habitual systems. Beka of course insisted on heading the mission, and was a little surprised to find Rhade had also volunteered. For a man who was reportedly enjoying the peace, and quite, he seemed to be an awful hurry to get Harper back.

So far the search was not going well they had yet to find any sign of Harper at all. Beka wasn't sure whether it was a good, or bad thing that there were few habitable systems around. On the one hand it would shorten their search, and they would find Harper quicker, critical if he was injured. On the other hand if the search was unsuccessful, the quicker she returned to despairing.

When their search proved fruitless Beka once again returned to the ship in state of hopelessness. Not knowing why really she found herself at the machine lab were Harper had vanished. She told herself it was to look for clues that might have been missed, but she knew full well this room had been gone over numerous times with a fine tooth comb already.

She flopped down on the small cot Harper kept in the corner of the room, and tears began to trickle down her face. She wiped them away angrily, Valentines do not cry, not over anything, she hadn't even cried at her dad funeral; get a grip of yourself, Valentine; Beka irately told herself. Nevertheless the tears refused to stop falling.

Beka noticed a can of Sparky laying on the counter top, hesitated for a second, a thought coming over her, before grabbing the can, popping it open, and taking a swig. She nearly chocked on its sickly contents, but still she downed the whole can in one anyway. "Here's to you Harper" she said slamming the can back down. Suddenly she realised that wasn't very Harper'ish, and instead picked up the can, and tossed it to the floor. It landed among a assorted pile of junk with a satisfying clunk.

She realised that the activity made her feel slightly better, and looked around for something else to hurl. She located a suitably heavy looking component of some kind, and flung it against the wall with all her might; it made a satisfying 'thunk' before shattering to pieces. The destructiveness felt good, and soon Beka was soon hurling any object unfortunate enough to be within reach around the room.

Andromeda had been monitoring the situation since privacy mode had not been engaged, she wanted to comfort her friend, but had no clue how to deal with the situation herself, and her avatar was also appeared consumed with her own grief. Not knowing what to do, and feeling it best not to startle Beka with her sudden appearance; she quietly informed Dylan of the situation.

As Dylan approached her location Beka continued her wild rampage. The device in the centre of the room that Harper had been working on before, had now become her main target. She slug everything a sight at it, but so far it had taken minimal damage much to Beka's irritation. She picked up a long heavy looking object, and swung it has hard as she could at he object; when that didn't work she swung it again, and again finally a piece broke off the object, and it's light began to flicker. Still that didn't satisfy Beka, and she continued her onslaught against the object.

Dylan was almost there now; he could hear the sound of destruction assaulting his ears. While he feared for his friend, he also hoped she hadn't destroyed anything too critical.

Beka showed no signs of stopping her violent rage however, she continued to beat the object before her, finally she smiled with satisfaction, it seemed to be taking damage as it sparked wildly. Just as Dylan stepped though the door she took another brutal swing at the object. This time it exploded in a blinding flash, and shower of sparks. Beka smiled in satisfaction, but shielded her eyes from the light.

When she turned back she saw Harper standing in the smoke.