"You keep saying that she kissed you Harper, but what led up to her kissing you?"
Harper told Becka about installing Andromeda's new solid holographic generators, and the conversation that led up to the kiss."
"Then she said thanks, hugged me again, and gave me a quick kiss on the lips."
"There you have it Harper." Becka said understanding the situation.
"Have what?"
"You said that, she saidyou were her best engineer and FRIEND." Becka emphasized the word friend. "I think she's just really worried about you and the others. You said she made you promise to take care of yourself and Trance and Rommie?"
"Yea." Harper agreed.
"Well, Being physical is still new to her Harper. It's possible that she wanted to express how much she cared for you as a friend and ended up choosing a less appropriate style of doing so. She may have a brain the size of a planet, but when it comes to emotions and expressing them, Andromeda and Rommie are still just learning."
"I guess that's possible." Harper admitted.
"It's either that, or Andromeda's madly in love with you and we both know how unlikely that is." Becka said as she and Harper began to laugh. Harper was finally feeling better about what happened.
"Wait a minute." Harper said, as he forced himself to stop laughing. "I think I've been insulted… again. First Dylan, and now you." Harper feigned anger.
"I'm sorry Harper." Becka said in false remorse. "But we both know that Andromeda has had a crush on Dylan probably since before they got stuck in the black hole. If she's madly in love with anyone, it's him."
"You're right again Becka. Thanks."
Becka ruffled Harper's hair. "Anytime Shorty."
Meanwhile, Andromeda's new solid hologram appeared on Obs Deck, and soon found Trance. She explained to her what happened, and how that she had perhaps chosen the wrong physical manner in which toexpress her emotions.
"I'm deeply sorry Trance. I don't want to cause any trouble between you and Harper. You are two of my best friends, and I can't bare to lose you. I'll understand, however, if you choose end our friendship."
"Andromeda." Trance said. "Is what you just told me exactly what happened?"
"I can show you video surveillance if you would like."
"That won't be necessary." Trance replied. "Believe me, I understand what it's like to exist without the knowledge or understanding of what it is to feel or express emotions. I existed a very long time before I decided to create this Avatar body you see me as now. It took a very long time for me to understand some of the simplest physical sensations. I can still remember my confusion and fear the first time I sneezed."
"I still regret my action Trance, but I'm happy that you understand and forgive me."
"Enough of this." Trance said. "There's a party going on, and you need to show off your new look."
"Do you like it Trance." The hologram said. "I hear it's what all the stylish AI's are wearing these days."
"You look great Andromeda, and just between you and me… Don't worry. We'll be back."
Andromeda didn't ask Trance how she knew. She just accepted it as fact.
Trance walked across the room where Rommie had joined Becka and Harper.
(Link with Holographic Matrix)
"That went very well." Andromeda said.
"Yes it did." Her hologram replied. "The longer I know Trance, the more she amazes me."
"Me too."
"They do make a beautiful couple, don't they?"
"Yes they do." Andromeda said. "You know that this is for the best right?"
"Yes." Her hologram replied. "I know. They belong together. We would just make things complicated."
(End Link)
In the middle of the Obs Deck Dylan got everyone's attention.
"Thank you." Dylan said. "Harper. I would like to say that when I first saw you, I thought that the best thing for me to do was to hide everything of value. I then realized that it wouldn't do any good because Trance would just find it. You, Trance, and Becka may not have been High Guard trained, but you are the best crew I've ever had. Harper, no engineer in the Commonwealth, old or new can match your skills.
Trance, if not for your guidance and medical skills we'd probably all be dead right now.
Becka, to be perfectly honest. You are the best pilot I've ever known and a fantastic first officer. You never failed to voice your own opinion, and when you believed I was making a mistake or choosing the wrong path, you let me know it,… sometimes very loudly.
Rommie, You have been the best friend I've ever had. Whenever I have needed to talk to someone about the past, you were there. You and Andromeda alone can truly understand what we had and lost prior to the black hole.
I realize that this may be sounding like a farewell speech, but that was not my intention. Instead I want to wish you three and Eternity the best of luck in your fight to free Earth."
The next morning everyone was gathered in the docking bay to say goodbye.
Dylan had some droids stow fifty crates filled with force lances in Eternity's cargo hold.
"Thanks Boss." Harper told Dylan. "You're sure you won't be needing them?"
"We've got plenty Harper." Dylan said. "I only wish the Commonwealth would allow Andromeda and I to help in a more direct manner. I will keep trying to convince them."
"I know you will Boss. Thanks."
"You take care of yourself Shorty." Becka said.
"Hey!" Harper cried, "It's captain now."
"Sorry about that, Captain Shorty." Becka said, then gave him a clumsy salute.
"Hey!" Dylan said. "You never saluted me."
"Jealous?" Becka teased.
"Just a little." Dylan replied.
"Trance, make sure Harper doesn't get his tail blown off, or any other part of him for that matter." Becka said.
"Don't worry Becka," Trance said. "We'll watch out for each other."
Trance and Becka hugged each other as they said goodbye. The last time Becka embraced her purple friend like this, she was certain that she would be destroyed in the process of destroying the Abyss's black hole. This time, she somehow knew that they would see each other again. How many times has Trance nearly been killed only to make a miraculous recovery? If there was something about her being a star's Avatar that made her nearly invincible, Becka hoped that Harper was the same way.
"I'll take care of them both." Rommie told Becka.
"Thanks Rommie." Becka said.
Andromeda's hologram appeared to say goodbye. Harper was a little nervous. He still remembered the kiss and was afraid that a similar incident may occur.
"I wanted you all to know before you leave, that you will all three be greatly missed. I hope that Earth's freedom will be won quickly, and that you will return safely." She then embraced each one starting with her own Avatar.
"Take care of them and yourself. It won't be the same here with you gone."
"I'll miss you too." Rommie said.
"Trance, once again I'd like to apologize…"
"Andromeda." Trance interrupted. "We've already taken care of that. It's all in the past."
"Then all I have to say is watch Harper. I've noticed that he's still having problems with staying properly balanced every now and then. Perhaps you can help him work on that on the way to Earth."
"I'll do that Rommie. I should have been helping him more, but he's been so busy ever since we discovered Eternity. It'll take us one week to get to Earth. That should give me enough time to help him."
"Harper."
"Andromeda." Harper said.
"I loaded five crates of Sparky onto Eternity for you. I thought it might be hard to come by on Earth."
"Thanks Andromeda."
After saying their goodbyes, the three boarded Eternity and waited for Andromeda to clear them for launch.
"Captain Seamus Harper, of the Starship Eternity," Andromeda said. "You are clear for launch. Good luck."
"Thanks Andromeda." Harper said. "Tell Lena not to get to comfortable as chief engineer, cause I'm coming back. Oh yeah, by the way, ask her not to touch anything in machine shop 5. In fact it might be best if you put a lock down on it and not let anyone in."
"Harper." Andromeda said sternly. "What have you been working on?"
"Don't worry. It won't explode or nothing. I was just trying to work something out on a flexi, and I forgot to put it away. I'd prefer it if nobody saw it, please."
"Alright Harper. I'll lock down machine shop 5."
"Thanks. Well, next time you see us, Earth will be a free planet."
Harper placed his hands on the link imprints next to his command chair and once again he was linked with Eternity. He discovered that Eternity responded to his thoughts, not his commands or physical hand movements. He didn't need to have quick reflexes, only a quick mind. Lucky for Harper he was a genius. The information that her sensors detected, he instantly knew. Eternity exited Andromeda's docking bay, entering the vastness of space once again, but this time, she would be leaving the asteroid field which had been her prison for three thousand years. She finally had a captain, and two other crew members.
Once they had put enough distance between themselves and Andromeda, Eternity engaged her FTL Drive, launching them faster than the speed of light toward Earth.
"Coordinates locked in." Eternity said. "Harper, you may end the link now if you wish."
Harper removed his hands from the link imprints.
"That was amazing!" Harper said. "I could feel everything."
Andromeda scanned machine shop 5, just to be on the safe side. She located a flexi laying on a work bench and accessed it.
ENTRY ONE:
Trance, You know I really care about...
Entry Two:
When I look into your eyes I...
ENTRY THREE:
Trance, I love you. Will you marry me?
Andromeda smiled, and hoped that Harper would some day get the chance and the boldness to finally propose to Trance.