Though Telemachus Rhade was not injured at all, he sat on the bed at the Med Deck of the Commonwealth star ship Andromeda Ascendant, surrounded by his friends, the crew, the people he has been together with for long time.
„I never thought that I would ever be happy to see that a Nietzschean is alive.“ Seamus Zelazny Harper said grinning. „Allright who is this guy?“ Telemachus asked his friends. „This is obviously not Seamus Harper. What have you done to him?“ He smiled
„I see, you're allright tough guy. How comes you're here? How did you manage to escape from Tarazed?“ Rebecca Valentine asked. The Nietzschean smiled. „It was still during the battle when the Andromeda was breaking through the invaders. The explosions could be even seen from down the planet. I knew it was you... 'cause who else is that insane and powerful, to attack that fleet?“
Rommie grinned with self satisfaction. Telemachus continued telling. „I realised, that I had to be on this ship here with you, so I made sure my family was safe and hurried to get a Slipfighter ready and I was just taking off when something really weird was happening. I watched you taking the Route Of Ages and while the Nietzschean fleet was regrouping, disorientated by the unforseen attack I suddenly felt greater than ever. It was for one moment, when all my bad feelings were somehow washed away... The hatred, the depression, the sadness I felt during my time on Seefra... They suddenly appeared to be ridiculous and so small...“ Telemachus hesitated... Everyone except Trance stared at him as if he was some kind of attraction. Rhade said „The Route Of Ages disappeared one moment after. My slipfighter's computer told me that there was a slipportal now. I realised you just destroyed the Abyss and...“ He was interrupted by Dylan Hunt, entering Med Deck with a big smile on his face. All the strain of the previous years of struggle after the black hole were disappeared.
„Rhade I'm glad you made it. But how, and why?“
So Telemachus told Dylan the story again and finally the Captain said: „Well it looks as if the destruction of the Abyss affected you. Somehow.“ „It's because you're Nietzschean“, a calm voice suddenly said. The voice belonged to Trance Gemini. „What the... What do you mean by that?“ Harper asked and in his face confusion was written. „Shhh“ made Doyle, the second android that Seamus ever build. She obviously wanted to know what Trance was going to say.
„Well...“ Trance began slowly, „ ... the Abyss has much influence on the events of the galaxy. It...“ But she was interrupted by Telemachus: „Do you want to say that me and all the Nietzscheans were possessed by the Abyss?“ Trance smiled at him and said „No of course not. Please let me explain it to you. The race of the Nietzscheans were created by Paul Musseveni. But no one but him knew that he got help by the Abyss. He offered Musseveni help for his researches and promised him the perfect race. For apparently no return service. Musseveni, blinded by his very only thought to create the Nietzscheans accepted the deal.“
„But why would the Abyss do so? I mean... his Magog fight the Nietzscheans and many of both sides died?“ Harper asked nervously. He didn't like that all-knowing Trance. He missed the childish cute naive one often but he never told anyone because he knew that wish was just weird. Besides if a return of the „old“ young Trance made the golden one disappear he would decline the exchange. He loved both like sisters, but he would never decide for one of both though he knew they are the same person.
Trance's voice wrenched him out of his thoughts. „The Magog on the worldship, though they're trillions, could never have defeated the Commonwealth by their own. So the Abyss waited until the Nietzschean race grew strong and provoked the War between the Commonwealth and the prides. The Commonwealth was gone, the Nietzscheans were weakened and not organized at all. They splitted up again into their prides and lived for themselves. Nothing would be able now to stand the Magog.“
„But why,“ Dylan asked slowly „didn't the Abyss just created more Magogs. Another Worldship or something like that?“
„First of all, the Abyss is not allmighty.“ Trance said. „Yeah thank goodness. If he was we would still be stuck with that bastard.“ Seamus muttered. „Well... and besides that there are more powerful forces holding this universe than just the Abyss.“ Trance added. „Speaking of your kind don't you?“ Dylan asked smiling. The sun's avatar nodded. „Due to me, you survived the Long Night. The Abyss neither expected nor he wanted this. He knew there was a crew, capable of defeating him.“
Dylan realised the immense weight of all this. It meant all the wars, the murders, the famines, the deaths, they were all created by the Abyss right from the beginning. „But...“ Dylan began but Trance said „It's enough for now. I told you a lot and under usual circumstances I had to kill you all for that knowledge.“
Harper gasped. „Sheeesh you're freakin' scaring me now.“ but there was a smile at Trance's face, what made the engineer relaxing. Dylan finally said „Okay now... The Abyss is gone – yes Trance?“ The avatar had opened her mouth but shut it promptly. „Nevermind“ she said then. „Allright. The Abyss is gone and I have an idea what to do next. First of all there are still the Magog and the invading Nietzscheans so we somehow need to get rid of them. But before we drive back the Magog we have to find Rev Bem. I need to know how the destruction of the Abyss affected him and whether he is allright. Well now let's bring it! Beka, Rommie, Trance, Rhade head to Command, Mr. Harper, I need you and Doyle repairing the ship. Allright come on then go go go!“
While the others left the Med Deck, Dylan waited a little there. He used the moment he was alone to think. The loads of knowledge he just recieved gave him headaches. He felt terrible when he thought that the deaths of billions of people have been the perverted plan of a monstrous force.
When he entered Command Beka was already waiting for him. „Uh Dylan?“ She recognized his absentmindedness but her words threw him back into the reality. „May I have a question?“ Dylan looked at her then nodded slowly. „Before we're heading for Tarazed, we should talk to the Vedrans that just returned.“ The Vedrans! How could he forgot? All the things Trance just told him washed the Verdans' arrival completely away.
Just in time Andromeda said „Recieving a hail from one of the Vedrans ships. It's called the Samuin.“ „On screen“ Dylan replied.
The blue head of a female Vedran appeared. Dylan tautened himself and saluted. She spoke fast with a strong but friendly voice. „Captain Dylan Hunt of the Andromeda Ascendant, this is Captain Metis of the Samuin. I'm very proud of what you've done. We can return home now thanks to you. We learned from our scouts what you've done for the Commonwealth and for the safety of the universe. We are very grateful and it is an honor for the High Guard, to have you as one of it's captains. The Vedran fleet will support you as soon as possible. But first we have to rebuild Tarn Vedra. Some of us will take care of the Collectors. We know they are dealing trouble to the young Commonwealth. I'd prefer to talk to you directly but there is much to do. And I know, you also have important tasks to complete. The Hemera, a Vedran cruiser will provide you with further informations during you're out there. Metis out.“
Harper notified via the com-channel. „Now that was ... strange. She spoke as if it's usual that a more than 300 years old High Guard captain and a quite chaotic crew destroys a big angry red guy who wants to crush the whole universe, and that a more or less mystic civilisation returns from out of nowhere. This universe is officially weird.“
„Yeah...“ Dylan muttered. He felt strange. During five years he just met a single real Vedran and now they were approaching by hundreds through that slipstream portal as if nothing ever has happened. Though the strange feeling persisted, Dylan felt good. The Vedrans were back. Now, he was sure, the Commonwealth will gain back it's former strength and order. He remembered what Metis said. „Some of us will take care of the Collectors“ He could not prevent a grinning.
Dylan gave a quck order, Beka took her place at the slipstream controls and the next moment they headed towards Tarazed. When they left slipstream the Nietzschean fleet was still above the Planet but the attack was ceased. „They're hailing us“ said the familiar voice of the Andromeda. Dylan said „Allright, let's see what they have to say.“
It was Elssbett Mossadim-Bolivar from the Sabra-Jaguar pride, appearing at the screen. „Dylan“ she said with her slow snooty voice. „This is Elssbett. The whole fleet will hear this conversation. We know the Matriarch is on the Andromeda Ascendant. Release her or we will free her with violence. You have one hour to deliver her into our hands. So what it is going to be?“
„Give us a second.“ Dylan said and turned around. „She obviously thinks we're holding the Matriarch as a hostage. Why don't we correct her?
„Allright then... Hey, Mossadim!“ Beka barked and walked right in front of the screen. „You.“ the Nietzschean woman answered condescending. „What do you want?“ „I tell you. I am your Matriarch and you will listen to me now.“ „Don't you dare“ Elssbett replied slowly. „You told us already. This is ridiculous how can you be the Matriarch? How do you want to proove?“ „I will provide you with a DNA-sample from myself this should be enough for you, Über.“ Beka answered. That arrogant Nietzschean women began annoying her.
„And how do we know that this is not a fake?“ answered Elssbett with her trudging voice.
Beka hesitated, then sighed and finally said „Okay we have to end this. I will take the Maru and enter your ship. You take a DNA-sample and you will see that I am the Matriarch. Then you will cease any hostility against the Commonwealth and follow my order allright?“
„No“ the Sabra-Jaguar leader smiled. „We enter your ship and take the sample. Because if you are bluffing we can still look for our Matriarch on the Andromeda.“
„You are free to come aboard.“ Dylan said and a few minutes later a Nietzschean ship docked the Andromeda Ascendant and Elssbett appeared together with some other of her race, heavily armed and obviously willed to sacrifice themselves for their Alpha-Mother.
„So where is she?“ Elssbett asked when Dylan welcomed her. „Allright I'm here. Start your scan or whatever you're going to do.“ Beka said stroppy.
They headed for Med Deck and began. When the Nietzscheans saw the result they gasped. „Look at this.“ one of them said to Elssbett and when she watched the display her eyes widened. „You... No! This is impossible!“ But then she accepted it and somehow she lost her pride, nodded and then said to Beka. „Forgive my mistrust please. The Nietzscheans will follow your command, the result of the test will be transmitted to the fleet. It is an honor to follow you. Please allow me to head to my ship and to get ready for your command.“ Beka smiled. „Allright lets go. You will recieve further orders soon. We have some things to do and I need your strength for this but first of all you will attack the Commonwealth fleet and all it's worlds no longer.“ Elssbett nodded and left the ship and Beka went to the Command Deck, where the rest of the crew was awaiting her arrival.
„Well“, Harper said. „My Romdoll is fully functional and you are the boss of those kick-ass-guys, boss. And last but not least the Abyss has left the building. Dunno how you feel but this is somehow creepy. Everything works that... fine. Don't you think there's something wrong?“