Author's Note: In the earlier chapters, I misspelled the name of Beka's mother. It's spelled Talia, not Thalia. Please excuse that. In this chapter you finaly get to meet her. A friend of mine said that she was a very "Nietzschean human." See if you agree. Please review and tell me how I'm doing.

Chapter 3

They arrived in command a little late just as the middle screen lit up to display a young pilot. Dylan's back as turned to the door as he spoke to the man. He granted a docking request, and the pilot thanked him. Then the image disappeared and was replaced with that of a mid sized cruiser transport heading in their direction. Beka immediately recognized the markings even before Dylan turned in their direction and spoke.

"We're being hailed by the cruse ship belonging to the senator of Oedekirk, Talia," Beka folded her arms under her chest but said nothing. Telemachus, on the other hand, had trouble hiding his surprise. He scowled, grit his teeth, and released a low involuntary growl.

"Is there a problem?" all eyes feel on him.

"It's nothing," Telemachus quickly regained his composure and apologized.

"As I was saying," the captain continued. "Oedekirk is important to the Commonwealth. When I gave Tri-Lorn the star map, the Route of Ages, for further analysis, Oedekirk was one of the few planets whose scientists were charged with its analysis. The senator says she has some information for us regarding the star map so we are going to escort her to Tarazed where she'll present her planet's findings to the Council and the Triumvirs. Andromeda will receive the transport in a few minutes, and I'll personally greet..." Dylan was again interrupted, this time by the sound of Susan's voice over his personal com channel. He excused himself and spoke to his wife.

"Dylan, Trance and I had an emergency with one of the crew in the med bay, and Michael just woke up from his nap. Could you come and take care of him?"

What perfect timing, Dylan smiled to himself, but of course, family comes first. He turned back to his crew. "Okay, so it looks like I won't great her in person after all. Beka, would you mind..."

"Yes," she replied firmly. "I would." With that, she turned on her heal and quickly left command.

Dylan was surprised and annoyed. He knew full well Beka had very few diplomatic skills, but it seemed to him that she'd taken it almost personally this time. He turned a hopeful eye on the lieutenant commander. "Rhade?"

"I'll do it," he said simply and also went for the door.

"No!" Dylan was more than frustrated now. "I mean thank you for volunteering, but first tell me what's going on with my first officer."

Telemachus stopped in the doorway and sighed. "I share her bed, captain, not her secrets. Please, excuse me."

---

Beka quickly headed down the corridor towards the Maru. It was her safe haven, the place she retreated to when life got too difficult. Though she loved the Maru, she hadn't felt the need to run at any point after the fight with the Magog was won. Knowing that the mother who abandoned her all those years ago was going to be staying on the Andromeda for any duration of time and sharing her oxygen made Beka want to take the Maru and run to some isolated little drift or even planet to wait out the storm.

Without warning, she braced herself against the wall as a wave of severe nausea hit her. She quickly brought the back of her left hand to her mouth and took several deep breaths in order to steady herself. Very slowly the sick feeling passed.

"Beka," someone was calling her. The first officer turned to see a very concerned hologram, "are you alright?"

"Yeah I'm fine, Andromeda. It's just a little indigestion," she forced a smile. "Must be that stuff you served for breakfast this morning."

"There's nothing wrong with the food I provide," the AI frowned, a little indignant.

"I know. I'm just teasing," Andromeda didn't look convinced. "Really. I'm okay."

---

Talia was a woman whose very presence demanded respect. She held herself with unwavering dignity with a slightly haughty look on her elderly face. Though in her mid sixties, the woman appeared in no way withered or frail, but rather poised and confidant. Her face divulged surprisingly few wrinkles for her age and her faded red strands mixed with the gray as both came together in a harmonious style. Her elegant dress and air of nobility would have made an impression on most who saw her.

Yet when the dark thoughtful eyes of Telemachus Rhade fell upon her, there wasn't a single sign that the Nietzschean was impressed in any way. His features remained stoic, frozen in an emotionless expression that was quite common to his race but not to him. Had it been his choice, the woman would not have been allowed to even board the ship. Where others saw respect and power, all he recognized were disgrace and weakness.

He arrived in the hanger bay with four other crew members to assist in any way when the senator and her envoy stepped of the transport. She walked towards him, never losing her look of dignity. Coming to a full stop a good five feet away, she gave him an assessing look as if to determine weather he was worthy of being in her presence. Rhade scowled slightly. He knew the look very well for he had seen many other Nietzscheans regard humans in this manner. Despite the obvious prejudice, he had to remain diplomatic.

"Welcome to the Andromeda Ascendant, senator," Telemachus greeted her.

"I requested to speak with your captain," Talia sounded as if she'd been promised the Hegemon's Heart and instead received a little stone from one of the souvenir surf shops of Infinity Atoll.

"Unfortunately, Captain Hunt had to take an urgent lave," as much as he respected Dylan, Telemachus was not the least bit happy that he was left to deal with the visitor. But better me than Beka, he reasoned. "However, you may present your concerns and requests to me and I will pass them to Captain Hunt."

"Does this ship not have a first officer?" Talia asked in a tone that one would have used when speaking to a small child when asking something seemingly obvious.

"Yes," Telemachus replied slowly. Patience running thin, he took a deep breath to keep himself calm. He couldn't tell weather she actually knew who it was she was asking to see or if it was a purely coincidental remark. "However that person is currently ... indisposed. If you wish you may speak to me or wait until Captain Hunt returns."

The woman glanced at him one more time and her eyes once again fell to his forearms. "I believe I shall wait."

"Fine by me," he muttered, and turned to the young woman at his right. "Ensign, show the senator to the guest quarters."

"Yes, sir," the woman smiled. "This way please, senator."