TITLE: The Unintended

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing from the Andromeda series, I'm just borrowing.

NOTES: Thankies to jenben, Feebeefi, SoBlonde, Zork the Unbearable and everyone who has taken the time to read and review so far! You guys rock my socksxxx Have two more chapters.

CHAPTER TWELVE - Pain of Retribution

"I will have my vengeance and collect the debts

owed. And it will be the sweetest thing."

- Grema Trist 56:2

"You can't just take my ship," Taylor protested, although he really shouldn't have. He was ridiculously outnumbered, most of his crew had been slaughtered and only Rayne remained by his side.

"I find that quite amusing coming from you," Luthor returned. "Of course, I'll need the codes you used to regain your command when you stole the ship back from the Commonwealth. I presume they will work just as well in making the ship obey me."

"I'm not giving you anything," Taylor sneered.

Luthor stared at him coldly. "I'm going to take it anyway."

"The mudfoot, the one with the virus. He's got a dataport," Rylisa mentioned. "He's probably Andromeda's engineer. He'll know about High Guard ships."

Luthor considered this fact. "Without knowing exactly how far the virus has been developed, it's too risky," he said, glancing at Taylor and Rayne. "However, we are relatively hidden here..." he pondered. "When you find out what information they have, let me know," he told Rylisa. "Take the kludge with you. I'm sure you'll enjoy having three new pets to go with your new ship."

Rylisa nodded and left, nodding at three of her men to follow. "That kludge may seem pathetic, but until I say otherwise, he's potentially dangerous," she told them as they made their way back down to the lower levels. "When we get there, we'll sedate him and make the transfer. You," she gestured to one of them. "Collect all the files you can find. This is going to be fun."

"Dylan, we have just received an encrypted message," Andromeda reported..

"Someone finally responding to our message to High Guard Command?" Dylan asked. They had reported the situation in the hopes that maybe they could get some help apprehending The Barbell.

"Unknown," Andromeda replied. "It's origins have been carefully masked. And it requires your access codes to play."

Dylan raised his eyebrows. That didn't sound like High Guard protocol. Anyone who took that much care either had something incredibly important to say, didn't want to get caught, or both. "Play message, authorisation Beta Charlie 241."

Andromeda's image blinked off the screen and a man appeared. Dylan recognised him. "Daniels...he's part of the High Guard command over on Gedran," he explained to the others. They hadn't spoken in a while, so Dylan had no idea what the message was about to tell him.

"Dylan, I'm sorry I couldn't go through official channels to get this to you," Daniels began. "But this is strictly off the record. Command knows about your situation, they got your message. I am telling you what I'm about to tell you against my orders, and even my better judgement, but you need to know. Taylor was discharged by High Guard Command when it became apparent he and his lieutenant were conducting illegal experiments."

"Why would that information be common knowledge?" Beka wondered aloud.

"The experiments Taylor was conducting were sanctioned by the Commonwealth authorities, in secret," Daniels continued, conflict evident on his features.

"Ah," Beka said. That would be why. They were covering their backs.

"Taylor was more than a little annoyed at having to take the fall. He hired a mercenary crew and stole The Barbell back. That's all the information I have. The Commonwealth has washed its hands of this matter. I'm sorry I can't give you better news. Good luck, Dylan."

The message vanished from the screen and Andromeda's image returned to face a seething Dylan. "There are no words," he said in disbelief. He looked as if he was going to explode at any minute.

"Unbelievable!" Beka exclaimed, echoing his thoughts.

Trance was gripped by sadness and anger. How could the Commonwealth, the one thing she hoped could save this universe house this kind of corruption? "This won't do much for faith in the Commonwealth."

Dylan sighed. "It doesn't do much for my faith either."

"Arion Rayne," Rylisa declared as she entered the interrogation room. Rayne was secured to the chair in the centre of the floor.

"I've been reading up on you. It seems Taylor couldn't have survived without you pulling his strings. You're reputation is even more...colourful than his. I could use a man like you on my side. It would be highly beneficial."

Rayne wasn't fooled for a second. "For who?"

"Well, considering you'll undergo agonising torture if you refuse...you," Rylisa explained with pleasure.

Rayne replied with a cold stare, then turned away from her, or as much as the chair would allow.

Rylisa was moderately upset by his refusal, until she realised it meant she got to have her fun. "Very well. Then why don't you make this easier on yourself and tell me how far the 246 research has come."

"You're better off asking someone else. I won't answer your questions," Rayne replied calmly.

"They're dead. It might be a little difficult."

"Taylor?"

"He's alive. But he will not be extended the opportunity to answer my questions. All he will know is pain, there is no escaping that. You, however, have the power to ease your suffering by telling me what I want to know. How far has your research taken you?"

Rayne was not talking.

"What about the kludge?" Rylisa continued. "I saw the doctors' research."

Rayne laughed despite his situation. "Let me guess, you can't read it. You Nietzscheans aren't known for your scientific prowess, are you?"

Rylisa's anger rose. "I'm glad you're deciding not to co-operate. I'm going to enjoy breaking you Arion Rayne," she said, moving closer to him, until he could feel her breath on his skin. "I'll be sure to take it slow."

End of Chapter 12