Chapter 12: The Thing with Feathers.

The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.

Carl Jung
Swiss psychologist (1875 - 1961)

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul.
And sings the tune
Without the words,
and never stops at all.

Emily Dickinson
US poet (1830 - 1886)

- - -

"Eureka Maru has landed," Andromeda's voice woke Beka up. For a moment she was still lingering in that soft world between sleep and reality but it lasted only a short while. She jumped out of bed, quickly dressed up, and run towards the hangar.

Her ship has returned.

She stopped at the sight of Maru and then slowly approached. Once inside, she caressed the walls with her fingertips. Back in one piece.

"It's not scratched," Trance smiled, walking towards her. "How are you feeling, Beka?"

Beka shrugged. "Not bad," she lied. "I guess I'm back." She pretended to smile and spread her arms wide, so that Trance could hug her. Not the best acting, though.

If Trance noticed –and with Trance, that was certain as hell – she did not comment. She hugged Beka warmly, then moved away on the distance of extended forearms and looked deep into her eyes. "You seem a bit disappointed… You expected someone else here."

Oh, damn.

"Uh… I… I was wondering… Rhade. Where did he go?"

Trance tilted her head a little. "I believe he's speaking with Dylan right now… We've found something and…"

"Something," Beka closed her eyes. "Something connected with… me." It was a statement, not a question. Surprisingly, the coldness did not attack this time. Her heart did flicker, though. Softly, like a tiny bird.

"We have a lead, Beka," Trance spoke reassuringly. Beka shook her head, taking a deep breath. She was expecting that – no! – hoping for that. And now that she heard the words…

"Something solid?" she asked. "Will you tell me or do I have to wait for Dylan to announce it?"

Trance held her hand tightly. "Let's sit down, shall we?"

---

Andromeda told Rhade where to look for Beka, but even without the whereabouts he would be able to locate her. She was making a lot of noise.

He walked into the gym just in time to see her beating up the training mannequin. The poor guy did not stand a chance.

Beka was not holding back. Her style –if it could be called style – was chaotic but quite effective. She dealt powerful punches and kicks in no particular order, ducked and danced around the mannequin. Her hair let loose from a ponytail and now was flowing around her head like a halo. The sweat drops one her skin glistened.

And there was fury, there was frustration, anger. In her movements, in her cries. What was suppose to relax her, tensed her more and more.

She noticed his presence only when he coughed. Surprised, she stopped, hands rested on knees, bend in half, breathing hard. She threw the hair out of her eyes and looked up. Chewing on a sarcastic remark, no doubt.

"What?" she finally said, straightening up. "I've heard everything. Trance told me. Now, is Captain Perfect going to let me go?"

"And you're trying to strain yourself in order to prove him you're fully capable of going," Rhade gave out a slight smile.

Beka pouted her lips. "Something like that, yup."

Dylan asked Rhade to get Beka, however he didn't specify when. This meant they had some time… Rhade recognized that need in Beka; he did experience similar thing a few times before. The urge to let out the anger, to free oneself of the tension. It worked better with a real opponent. He took off the jacket. "Do you have your force lance with you?" he asked.

Beka's eyebrows arched. "Why? You want to stand in for the mannequin?"

"Something like that," he mimicked her.

She bit her lip. Beating the crap out of a Nietzschean sounds tempting. No, that's not it. Not it.

She took her force lance from the rack she left it and extended it into a staff. Not her weapon of choice. She preferred something substantial, like a nice gun. Light, with a nice grip and lethal. Her style.

"Ready when you are," she took the pose with the staff in both hands in front of her.

Maybe it'll help with the frustration.

He had the staff in one hand, it's point on the ground. Right. Here we go. Beka lunged herself at him, he parried with no effort at all and jumped aside, so she almost lost balance. Footwork. Again, she attacked, this time aiming at his head, once more he parried, then went into offensive and she had to brace herself against his strength.

She ducked, aimed for his shins, he jumped up, over her crouched figure, and landed not losing the balance. Damn Nietzscheans. Once again they were just moving back and forth, each either attacking or parrying. She had an impression he's just toying with her.

"Why didn't you ask?" talking while sparring was not the best idea but Beka has just reached the level she no longer cared and her anger wanted yet another way out.

"About what?"

"The Maru!" this time she got a hit. Finally. Just brushed his shoulder, but it's always something.

He turned, blocking her attack, then with a sudden jerk of hands threw the staff from her grip. Crap. She ducked in an instant, kicking him under the knee. They both ended on the floor.

"Would you let me take it?" he held her down. She grinned and suddenly arched forward, hitting him with her forehead. Holy shit, that hurt.

"No!" she yelled, rolling away.

"See? You have your answer."

She turned to him, panting. The damned bastard was not even breathing faster. Surprisingly, she did feel better. The tension she felt was slowly wearing off.

"Dylan wants to talk to us. You, in particular," Rhade stood up and reached down his hand to Beka. This time she took it, almost not giving it a though.

"I think I'll take a shower first," she admitted. Then realized she's still holding his hand. She let go, a bit too hasty. "And… I'll be ready… In fifteen minutes, fine?"

Damn, Valentine. There you go again.

---

Dylan didn't look too well. Having ignored the concussion he suffered on Venedo Drift, his recovery was not yet full. He felt best when seated, which frustrated him very, very much. Especially when there was an opportunity for action and he was about to be left out.

The senior staff gathered in the meeting room. Dylan was observing them as the information sank in.

"The Poe Nebula!" Harper exclaimed with excitement. "It's a… It's my dream cruise! The sights, the colors! Costs a fortune…"

Rommie send him a disgusted look. Nobody else bothered.

Beka was surprisingly silent. Dylan expected her to go rampage, order everyone around… And he got something diametrically different. No, she was not resigned. Rather calmed a bit. She was waiting for his decision. Rhade did tell Dylan – when they talked for the first time – what was his opinion on this matter. That was one strange conversation, thought Dylan. As if I was not talking with my weapon tactic officer, but the Tarazed Admiral.

"I've booked two tickets," Trance interrupted the train of thoughts Dylan was getting into. "The money Rhade won was just about enough…"

"Wait a minute!" Harper turned to the Nietzschean. "You're telling me he can bluff?"

"Technically speaking," Rhade raised an eyebrow. "We are genetically predisposed to bluff."

"Ha. Comforting," Harper chuckled.

"Mr. Harper," Dylan sighed. "Not now." As everyone's attention focused on him, he continued. "We have two tickets. I cannot go…" he cleared his throat. This was… humiliating. "Mr. Rhade. I'm sure you'll appreciate the opportunity to see the famous Poe Nebula." Rhade nodded slightly. "Beka…" Dylan started. Beka's head jolted up and there was hope in her eyes. Dylan smiled to himself, remembering Rhade's words and then repeated them: "Only you have seen the Perseid. That makes you the only possible candidate on this mission… However--" he couldn't help himself. After all he was responsible for them all, "I wonder seriously about your health condition…"

Beka's eyes widened. "I have fully recovered!" she snapped, angrily.

"I concur," Rhade cut in. "The last sparring match with Captain Valentine proves her excellent condition."

Beka shot him a puzzled glance and quickly focused back on Dylan. Harper opened his mouth. Then closed it. Then opened again. Rommie chuckled. Trance looked innocent as ever.

"Settled then," Dylan shook his head. He was beginning to feel tired. "The cruise launches the day after tomorrow. Andromeda will get you to the Poe system… It's a neutral space. We will follow in close range, but not to raise suspicion. Only specific ships are allowed to enter the Nebula… And Andromeda is not one of them."

"Yet," added Rommie with a smile.

---

Shorter chapter this time, sorry. I'm glad you liked the previous one. It was supposed to be a bit lighter in mood, maybe a bit funny. Good it worked that way.

Next time? The luxury cruise, Beka, Rhade... And another obstacle on the way.

Thanks -- as always -- for all wonderful reviews! And to those of you who are waiting for a Beka/Rhade moment... A substantial moment... The next chapter. I repeat: the next chapter. Working title: Love Boat. It will change (the title, hopefully...) but you get the picture...?