Thanks for the reviews. This chapter is for Fwe who was kind enough to push for an update. I apologize for the delay.
Chapter 11
Harper was in Machine Shop 5 working on his latest project, figuring out a way to enhance Andromeda's holographic program. He was testing his theories with a smaller program into which he had input a character from a holo novel. The box that contained all of the holographic components sat on the engineer's lap. Harper wanted to see how the holographic image came out before trying it on Andromeda's holographic program.
The engineer was happy to have something to keep him busy but he was concerned about not hearing any word on Trance. The engineer's thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Andromeda's avatar.
To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" Harper casually asked as he continued to tighten a screw on the holographic devise.
"I was trying to see how you're coming along with improving my holographic technology," the avatar answered nonchalantly. She wouldn't admit she was concerned for her engineer and Harper's latest project provided a convenient excuse to check up on him.
"I'm almost finished Rom Doll. I just need to work out a couple more bugs and it should be a go. I was just going to give it another test," Harper informed without his usual enthusiasm.
The avatar noticed that lack of enthusiasm from her engineer and immediately knew the cause. "I know you're worried about Trance but Beka is going to find her. Just be patient."
Harper slammed the screwdriver down onto the workbench. "I've been patient Rommie and I'm tired of it. I just want Trance back here okay. There's no telling what kind of trouble she could get into. I know Trance has traveled around and seen things but she's still naive."
"We have to have confidence in Beka that she will reach Trance before anything bad happens to her," the avatar advised. "As you said Trance has been around
"That's easy for you to say Rommie," Harper grumbled. When the engineer saw a hurt look briefly flash across the avatar's face he immediately felt guilty. "I'm sorry Rom-Doll. I didn't mean it like that. I know you care about Trance too. Her running off like she did really has me baffled, and worried. It's just not like Trance. I mean she is a bit loopy at times but this isn't like her."
AI Rommie briefly debated with her core program and decided to tell Harper part of the reason behind Trance's abrupt departure. "I suppose I should tell you something that Trance had confided to me. I want your assurance that you will not let Trance get even a hint as to where you got the information I'm about to tell you."
Harper was momentarily conflicted about whether to agree to the deal but he desperately wanted to know what Trance had told the avatar. Harper sighed and nodded his head in agreement. "Okay Trance won't know you told me whatever it is you're going to tell me."
The avatar sat down on a stool next to her engineer. "Trance is acting odd, even for Trance, due to a change that is happening in her body. It's nothing serious, but it does cause her to behave more irrationally and emotionally than is normal for her."
"Are you saying that Trance is going through that thing that women go through each month?" Harper questioned in disbelief.
"Not exactly," AI Rommie corrected. "What Trance is going through is not exactly the same as a human female's monthly cycle. What Trance is going through is more life altering than that. It's something her species encounters as they mature."
Harper's expression softened. "Oh I didn't know. How come she never told any of us about it?"
The avatar removed the box from Harper's lap and carefully set it on top of the work bench. "Trance said she didn't want to worry any of us about her condition. It's not serious for her people but it is not something they talk about very often. She also knew there was no way humans could fully comprehend the changes she would be going through."
Harper frowned at the notion that Trance didn't trust him. "So let me get this right. Trance's condition causes her to have mood swings. Are there any other symptoms?"
AI Rommie nodded her head in affirmation. "Trance will also experience some nausea and her ability to "find" things will be heightened. Her skin should also briefly lighten and take on a slight golden tone.
A smirk crossed the engineer's face. "Just my luck. Trance runs off when she could possibly find us some hidden treasure."
The avatar rolled her eyes at the engineer. "Harper I thought you were worried about Trance."
The engineer suddenly had a worried look on his face. "I am but I'm glad Trance isn't ill or anything."
"I know. Your joke was just my engineer putting on a brave front for my benefit," AI Rommie informed. She knew her favorite engineer all too well.
Harper quickly hid his surprise at the avatar's frankness. "You think you know me pretty well huh?"
"I have been monitoring you since you arrived onboard me so I should have acquired some knowledge of my chief engineer," the avatar reminded with a smirk.
"You know Rommie I think somebody programmed you a bit too well," Harper replied facetiously.
The avatar smiled at the jest. AI Rommie determined that her engineer was handling the disappearance of Trance as well as could be expected. "I'm glad that you appear to be handling things well under the circumstances. I'm proud of you."
Harper offered the avatar a sheepish grin. "Thanks Rommie. It's been tough to just go about my work like nothing's happened, but I know Beka will do everything she can to find Trance and help the purple pixie through her situation."
"I should let you get back to work," the avatar announced. "I must say I'm rather anxious to see the results of your holographic improvements."
"I'll do my best to make it work Rom-Doll. You deserve it, even if it is for your holographic persona and not you," Harper assured.
AI Rommie resisted the urge to hug her engineer. Sometimes could really sweet, but it would do no good to make Harper's ego any bigger. "When you upgrade any one of my personas you are benefiting all three of us Harper. Thank you." With that the avatar turned and left the room.
Beka Valentine exited the next to the last slip jump before nearing the Deadelus System and none too soon as far as she was concerned. The blonde expected to hear the familiar blip of the tracking software following Trance's rental ship as soon as the slipstream closed. The grid on the monitor was blank causing the blonde's heart to skip a beat.
Beka slapped the monitor in a vain attempt to get the signal back. "Come on you piece of Nightsider garbage!" Beka growled in anger and fear. "Don't you get this far and die on me."
The blonde pilot turned on her map software and searched for the nearest place to land the Maru. Fortunately, there was a small inhabited planet named Crimea a half hour flight away. Beka cursed the delay she would be facing while she tried to find out why she could no longer locate Trance's rental ship.
As soon as she made it to Crimea Beka sent a message with a courier to the redheaded guard on Fargo Drift. While she waited for word from Fargo Drift the blonde went off in search of a bar. Right now Beka Valentine needed a non alcoholic drink.
There was only one bar in the area of the planet where Beka had set down. The blonde figured it was typical of the way her luck was going. Beka entered the bar called Bucket of Blood.
Why was every other bar named Bucket of Blood, Beka thought to herself. She stepped up to the bar and ordered a weissbrau. The bartender was a middle-aged man with a full beard. When the weissbrau was ready Beka saw a small table in the far corner that appeared to be empty.
As Beka turned her back on the bar she felt a hand pat her on the backside. Beka turned around to see a tall Nightsider facing her.
"Hello Blondie. Why don't we leave this place and have some real fun?" the Nightsider asked with a leer.
Beka grabbed the Nightsider's arm and swung the man around, putting him in a headlock. "No thanks. And if you ever lay a finger on me again I will teach you the meaning of pain. Got it?"
"Okay," the Nightsider choked out.
Beka released her hold on the Nightsider and turned to the human who had just arrived next to her. "The same goes for you too."
The human, who was a tall burly man, pulled out a knife and lunged at the blonde. Beka's genetically enhanced reflexes allowed her to sidestep the knife. While sidestepping, Beka grabbed the arm of her attacker that held the knife. The blonde pilot held onto the human's arm as she kicked him in the groin.
The blonde then turned to face the throng of people who had gathered around to watch the fight. Beka's icy blue eyes glared at the crowd. "Any of you want to be next?"
There were muffled grumbles from the crowd as they began to disburse. None of them were willing to take on the blonde pilot. Beka picked up the knife that was used to attack her and she put it in between her belt and her leather pants.
The blonde pilot returned to the bar and ordered another drink, which was on the house. The bartender said it was payment for providing some entertainment which would draw a crowd to his bar. Beka wasn't about to question a free drink; besides the bar owed her a drink to replace the one she lost in the fight.
Beka nursed the drink for the better part of an hour before returning to the spaceport to get an update from the redheaded guard from Fargo Drift.