See Prologue for Disclaimer and Ratings.

Was going to wait until Friday, but it was done so I figured "why not?" There will be another update before I leave Saturday morning, but after that I can guarantee anything. The plan was to upload on the weekends when I go into town, however the Belizean hydro works have been threatening to strike, so there's a chance there won't beany power (doesn't affect me at site, but will make it a tad difficult to get internet access). So far they haven't, but we'll have to wait and see.

Thanks to all who have reviewed! Love to know people are enjoying it. Any and all mistakes are mine alone.

PART FOUR - Beholding the Eye

Rhade followed Beka onto the Maru after she'd deactivated the security codes, and they made their way to the crew quarters. He lowered himself down to one of the bunks with a contented sigh, resting his head against the metal wall, eyes closed.

She gave him an amused look from her chair, opposite the bunk. "Didn't enjoy our little adventure?"

He opened his eyes and the ghost of a smile settled onto his features. "Several hours spent haggling with Vyshiian merchants? Not my idea of fun."

She played along. "I thought admirals liked to haggle?"

He just shook his head, the grin widening. "No Vyshiians on Tarazed."

"Right."

A long silence followed. Rhade leaned back once more, while Beka's gaze wandered around the living quarters, attempt to amuse herself. It didn't work.

"So," she said loudly, causing the Nietzschean to open his eyes, "What should we do?"

"Do?"

"Yeah," she replied, standing up and supporting the wall with her back, arms crossed in front of her. "Harper and Trance said they'd be another couple of hours, and we have to wait here while Minos--"

"Mikos."

"Right, Mikos…wait for him to deliver the supplies, otherwise he'll take them back and then we're screwed. So…" she let the thought hang.

"…So," he picked it up, "What should we do?" Beka nodded, awaiting a suggestion. He thought for a moment, then spoke with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Actually, what Mikos said was that someone needed to be here…and since it's your ship…."

Beka scoffed. "Please. You don't want to spend another minute with those whiny little creeps anymore than I do." The Vyshiian spoke with a high-pitched nasal tone, which was especially grating to sensitive Nietzschean auditory centers. They were also known for the annoying habit of making numerous cryptic statements to tourists for the sheer pleasure of it.

Rhade have a small nod. "That's true," he replied matter-of-factly, while he relaxed back against the wall and closing his eyes yet again. "I'd much rather get some rest."

Beka rolled her eyes. "Bor-ing…."

His eyes flickered open again, and he stared at her for a couple of seconds. Then he shrugged and started to get up.

"Alright, alright," she sighed, stopping him from leaving. "You win. Go sleep." She sat back down at the small mess table, staring at nothing in particular.

Rhade sat back down on the bunk with a look of triumph. After a few long moments of silence, however, in which his normally restless crewmate remained seated, drawing invisible designs on the table with a nail, he gave in.

"Beka?" he asked in an obvious fake-sweet voice, "What do you want to do?"

She turned to him with a wide grin. "I don't know."

He sighed. "Well, this is productive."

"Hey," she retorted, "I asked you first."

Rhade just shook his head, and another heavy silence descended over the Maru. This time, though, it was he who took the initiative.

"Do you have the copy of The Will to Power I lent you?" After an argument several weeks ago where he'd accused her of being ignorant of Nietzschean culture and beliefs, she'd challenged him to 'enlighten' her. He'd accepted.

"Uh, I think so…."

"Get it."

-o-0-o-

Seamus Harper had had many run-ins with Nietzscheans over the years, but never in his wildest dreams did he expect what he saw next.

He was walking briskly toward Medical when he intercepted his crewmates on their way back from the Maru's hangar. Trance was ahead of the others by several meters and was widening the distance, hurrying to her domain to ensure her patient would not have to wait. She sent him a worried look, but didn't stop to chat.

Beka came next, an arm wrapped around Rhade's back and side, while the other held onto his own arm, flung around her shoulder. The Nietzschean, while leaning heavily on the first officer, was still able to walk upright…sort of. He was hunched over, his free arm clutched to his torso, knees looking like they were ready to buckle; miraculously, they managed to keep him upright. But that wasn't what caught Harper's attention.

Rhade's head hung and he was staring at the floor, but Harper managed to catch a glimpse at his face, his eyes - inside them he saw emptiness. No pain, no rage, no relief…nothing. He'd never seen a Nietzschean in that state before, not even when he was younger and he'd snuck a look at the Über the adults had managed to capture and beat for information, back on Earth. This was entirely different.

As they approached closer, Harper shook the thoughts from his mind. Noting the dark splotches standing out from the lighter shade of her EV suit, he gestured and asked, "Boss?"

"Not mine," Beka managed, breathing heavily. It was obvious the strain of Rhade's larger frame was getting to her. He wondered why Dylan, who was two steps behind, didn't help her to support his officer.

As they reached him, Harper fell into step on the other side of his battered crewmate. He shot a weird look at his captain and reached for Rhade's side, saying, "Here, let me hel--"

"No, Harper!" Dylan commanded sharply, just as he heard a menacing growl rumble low in the injured man's throat. Beka and Rhade abruptly stopped.

Harper jumped back and caught another look at Rhade's eyes. He was still staring at the floor ahead of him - he didn't so much as look at him - but rage flashed through them momentarily, leaving as soon as the engineer had moved away.

Beka didn't look at her long-time friend, instead she looked at the Nietzschean - or rather, the side of his bloodied head. "Rhade," she spoke calmly and gently, "Relax."

After a few tense moments, the low growl subsided, and he and Beka resumed their huddled walk down the corridor.

Harper watched them, wide-eyed, as he took a few steps to stand by the captain. He turned to Dylan with a disbelieving look on his face.

"Beka found him, he was the only one left alive," Dylan explained, turning to his engineer only after the two in question were no longer in sight. "She seems to be the only one he recognizes, but I don't think he's taken a good look around him yet."

Harper's tone turned from disbelief to concern. "What happened to him?"

"I don't know," he sighed, "But I intend to find out."

Harper nodded, and looked back down the empty corridor, as if he could see through the bulkheads.

"Get back to command," Dylan continued, "And get a team together - engineers and medics. I want them over there as soon as possible, you and Rommie too. I'll be up in a few minutes to go over everything." Harper saw the look of determination on the man's face - Captain Hunt was very protective of his crew, he was taking Rhade's condition personally.

He watched as Dylan turned and walked off, presumably going to his quarters. Harper took one final look in the general direction of Med deck, then hurried back the way he had come.

To Be Continued...