"Why do you drink that stuff?" Rafe asked, walking into the Eureka Maru's bridge.

"It just happens to be the elixir of life," Harper replied quickly, chugging down another can and then tossing it behind him. It landed with a clink on the metal walkway.

"So, the plan?" Beka questioned from her perch in the pilot's chair.

"Yes," Rafe smiled and brought his hands together in front of him, cracking his knuckles excitedly. "I have a remote-controlled star fighter out there, just waiting for my signal." He waved a small grey controller in the air, and gave smile #157, the 'I'm proud of myself' smile.

"Haha, that's funny," Beka faked a laugh, her face becoming serious. "I give the orders. This is my ship. So I say when your brainless buddy flies." She raised an eyebrow as if to say 'are we clear?'

"Right," Rafe said, nodding almost imperceptibly. "I forgot." He handed the small remote to Beka sheepishly.

"And where are we going from here, Mr Forgetful?" Harper chimed in, popping the top of yet another sparky cola. It fizzed violently for a second.

"Bearing 120 degrees for a light minute. Beka, as soon as we start that we gotta send the star fighter out." He tilted his head forward and attempted puppy-eyes. "Of course, it will be easier for you if I control the drone…" He looked up slowly and met Beka's glare with smile #37, the 'I'm going to get what I want and you know it' smile.

"Fine. Just don't do anything stupid." Beka maintained her glare and tossed him the remote. She swivelled in her chair and clicked her seat belt. "Off we go," she said, more sarcastically than usual.


Ding, the door chimed softly, letting Dylan know that someone was outside. "Come in," Dylan said through the pillow that his head was presently buried in. The doors slid open and Rommie's android avatar walked in, immediately turning around to face the door. Captain Dylan Hunt was half-asleep on his bed, wearing only his pajama shorts.

"Um, Dylan- I- I was just-" Rommie stammered, trying to give her Captain privacy.

"Coming to check on me?" Dylan asked, now sitting on his bed, pulling on a long-sleeved shirt.

"Actually, not this time Dylan." Rommie said, turning around now that her Captain was dressed. "I was just coming to tell you in person that we're being hailed. By the High Guard."

Dylan dropped the food he was pretending to eat, and gazed blankly at the wall. "What do you mean?" He asked, turning his gaze to Rommie.

"I mean," Rommie smiled, her hair swishing back and forth, "That the High Guard is hailing us." She could feel how happy Dylan was at the news.

"But they don't-" Dylan trailed off.

"Yes, they do." Rommie nodded softly, her hands clasped behind her back.

"Can you… Can you patch it through to my quarters?" Dylan asked, still at a loss for words. The thing he had finally given up hope of finding had just contacted him. He had lost sight of his goal, but now it was clear again. He wasn't the only person who believed in the Commonwealth. His dream was achievable again.