Confronting the evil now. That's what they had to do. The fleets would need nova bombs. Lots of them. More then Harper could produce on his own. So, other engineers were enlisted. There were of course, risks. The Worldship had it's own defenses. It was considerably weakened but not impotent.
"Well, we are at our moment of truth now", Andromeda pointed out to him.
"Yes, we are. It's all or nothing. And if it's nothing, then at least we didn't just stand by and do nothing." Andromeda looked at him strangely. "What?"
"Nothing. Well, it's just that you almost reminded me of Captain Hunt for a minute there. That's something he would have said."
Rhade looked pained. "If only I hadn't--. Well, no sense in wallowing in regret."
"I'm sorry, Captain."
"No, it's O.K. I think it's good to remember Dylan at this time. I miss
him, even if you don't believe me and I'm honestly sorry about what I did."
"You may not believe this, Captain but I do believe you."
Rhade sighed. "If Rev is right and there is an afterlife and I'm lucky enough to get there and meet Dylan, do you think he'd forgive me? I don't think I would if I were in his place."
"Well, you're Neitzschean. That makes a difference, I think. As to your question, I couldn't say. I think he might but I don't know. I guess a lot would depend on how things have gone and what you have done since then to make up for it."
Rhade thought that over. "As if I could." However, what Andromeda said
did make sense. That's who Dylan was. Although, if they ever did meet
again, he knew he'd have a lot to answer for. Right now, though, it was
time to get ready for the battle.