…YET ANOTHER UNIVERSE….

"Transiting to normal space," Beka said. "These are the coordinates of that distress signal, which we are answering even though Pish still has a bounty on us."

"Yeah," Harper said. "Perfect time to go after a drift under siege from pirates."

"Strategically unwise," Rhade said from the *Andromeda's* tactical station.

"Thank you gentlemen and lady," Dylan said. "Trance? Care to add anything? Like how in a cryptic future this works out without explaining it?"

"Rule of Acquisition number 62," the gold-skinned warrior maiden said, "'The riskier the road, the greater the profit.'"

"'Rule of acquisition'?" Harper whined. "What's that?"

"I don't know," Trance said.

"We're half a light second from the drift," Rommie announced from her podium as a tactical graphic appeared on one of the big main screens. "It is under siege by Nietzschean attack craft." Then the graphic changed. "And both the drift and its attackers have turned their weapons on us. More fighters have come into position behind us, blocking our retreat to the slip point. We are surrounded and outgunned."

Dylan rubbed his eyes.

"I knew it," Beka said, "my last words will be 'Dylan, I told you so.'"

"Incoming transmission," Rommie said.

"On screen," Dylan said.

An elderly Nietzschean woman appeared on the central screen. She had dark hair and a gold chain around her neck, wearing a purple dress.

"Captain Hunt," she said, "thank you for coming. I am Olma Rajput, formerly of Orca Pride." She looked off camera and nodded.

"The surrounding spacecraft have powered down their weapons," Rommie said, "although they still have weapons lock on us."

"I apologize for the deception," Olma went on, "but it was the only way to get your attention."

"Since when does a Nietzschean apologize for being deceptive?" Harper said.

"Harper!" Rhade snapped. "The matriarch may be an enemy, but show some respect."

"It's quite all right, um…" Olma prodded.

"Telamachus Rhade, out of Majorum by Rhade."

"Ah, Terra Zed." She shifted her attention to Harper. "And you would be the famed Seamus Harper?"

Harper was surprised at the chance to promote himself, but didn't turn it down. "The one the only," he said.

"'Famed'?" Beka said. "She must want something to lay it on that thick."

"Captain Beka Valentine, is it?" Olma said. "Forgive me. Perhaps I should explain. I have been…part of Tyr's household for almost two years now. On many occasions, he has spoken highly of all of you. And as to Seamus' point, I had to arrange this to get Captain Hunt's attention because there is no direct communications method I could use. It was the only way to do it under the circumstances. Now that I have contacted him, antagonizing him further would defeat my purpose."

"Well, you have my attention," Dylan said. "So, what do you want?"

"To make your life easier," Olma said. "You are currently and constantly fending off attacks from bounty hunters sent by Pish Tryan. After a considerable amount of arm twisting, I have managed to persuade him to consider revoking the bounty on you. But you would have to do something for us in exchange. And the good news for you is, an attempt in good faith that ends in failure will count, considering the task."

"And what would that be?" Dylan asked.

"Help us rescue Tyr from the Abyss' universe."

"What!?" Harper said. "Ok, let's see: help rescue Tyr or fight out of a hopeless situation. Hmm. Hopeless situation wins."

"I'm with Harper," Beka said.

"No," Trance said. "I think we should hear her out."

"Trance!" Beka said. "I have N-O desire to go back to the Route of Ages. Sorry, but going out in a blaze of glory would be preferable."

"My crew doesn't seem to like that idea, Olma, Would you happen to have another idea?"

"No…Dylan? Dylan. But you don't have to go back to the portal you visited previously."

"Where would we go?" Dylan asked.

"The Bajor system," Olma said.

"What?" Beka said. "That's a dead world. Unless you're talking about the wormhole. Rode it once and it is boar-iiiinnnng."

"No, Beka, I'm talking about something on Bajor itself. May I come aboard? It will be easier for me to explain." She paused. "And Dylan can take the opportunity to buy time while he comes up with a plan to get you all out of this fix if he decides to refuse my offer."

"Yes…I could," Dylan said.

"As I said," Olma said, "Tyr spoke very highly of you. I will be aboard presently."

"See you soon," Dylan said.