Destiny

Talis spoke in a calm voice, “I know you have a lot of questions that Chancellor Xhalax will be able to answer. I ask for a place to rest and some nourishment for my crew.”

Andromeda appeared on the large center screen. “We do not know anything about you or your crew. That would be first.”

“Andromeda….they are our guests.” Dylan scolded.

“No, your Intel is correct. I do not know what information you have on us but we are Ou’kaourians from Ou‘kaour in the Remy System. If you access to the Worlds and Systems Libraries…you will find information on Captain Talis Keres.” Talis explained, leaning against one the rails, exhausted from her earlier escapade.

“Accessing All Systems University Library Database…in CY 9786 at the last battle of the Commonwealth Civil War is fought at the Witchhead Nebula, there was a Captain Talis Keres on the ship Parcae; the ship and crew was destroyed as many ships were. That is all the information we have.” Rommie stated for the crewmembers.

"I am Chancellor Xhalax, this is Captain Talis, Commander Anic Rel, First Lieutenant Kaden Maddox, Second Lieutenant Draxlar Rylanar, and Lieutenant Radix Tenc." Xhalax said, going round to everyone as she introduced them.

“I would request a meeting, as I’m sure Commander Rel and I can fill you in on the situation at hand.” the Chancellor remarked as she looked over at Talis to see if she agrees; the captain did.

“What the freaKIN’ hell are you?” Harper asked skeptically.

"Harper, don't be rude." Rommie said, giving him a look.

“Ou’kaourians.” Commander Rel proudly stated.

The group stood together, Captain Talis leaning against a different military man wearing dark grey uniform underneath a black leather-like jacket, insignia on the sleeves and a band of medium grey on the shoulder and running down the front in a two-inch band. The asymmetrical front that at this moment was open. There were not much height differences between the four of the uniformed militia, the Chancellor a half of head shorter than the captain. Talis pushed her long dark hair out of her face and attempted to put the hair bach into its intricately knot the nape of her neck. Light to dark eyes watched the Andromeda crew. On the new comers face’s over the right eye are bands of different coloured lines, for almost all of the group the lines stopped mid-cheek the exception is the captain…hers ran down the right side of her face, down her neck and disappeared underneath the high collar of her uniform.

“Rommie would you escort our guests to the mess hall and Beka if you would take Captain Talis to the crew quarters on D deck. We will have that meeting Chancellor, Commander after you get your grounding.” Dylan directed.

“I’ll go with Beka and keep her company; Captain Talis might need medical attention.” She looked over at Talis whose face showed fatigue upon it. Chancellor Xhalax placed her hand on Talis’ arm; she gave the Chancellor a small tired smile.

“Come this way.” Rommie told the Ou’kaourians, while Trance and Beka took the one group of people. The other group walked off with Dylan.

The men fell into place on both sides of the female captain. Commander Rel continued to assist his captain, while they continued to make their way down to Sickbay. This action seemed to be a natural step for the Ou’kaourians, as both Beka and Rommie quietly observed. The group took a turn that brought them closer to sickbay.

“I do not need to see a doctor. All I need is some rest.” Talis quietly protested.

“You have had a major stress-related incident, coupled with a feat that most would consider highly improbable. It would deem that you would want a check-up, so that everything is as it should be.” Trance stiffly informed Talis.

Talis looked Trance straight in the eye, “Iatrophobia and Xenophobia. Now if you would please show us the way to the mess hall, we will be able to get some nourishment before having a rest period.”
“Hell of a thing to have, given your current career choice.” Beka sarcastically said.

“One must over come one’s fears.” Talis explained as she watched Beka chuckle and grinned.

“Well you found a way to do just that!”

*******
“Thank you for seeing me…since we don’t know each other.” Chancellor Xhalax said as she sat down.

“You’re welcome. I must admit you have my curiosity peaked.” Dylan said with a smile.

“I am a Chancellor as you know; my assignment was…is to bring together two more worlds, Dayci and Karri, both wanting peace, but they both have long histories of war with each other. Odd, considering they were once related to each other. Most of their value, moral, culture and ethnic systems are the same. But as it happens, whatever started it…has been forgotten.”

“Who knows…maybe it was Mrs. O’Leary’s cow.”

Chancellor Xhalax gave him a blank stare, as she did not understand the reference before continuing with the topic at hand, “I do not know of your governments policies, I do ask for your help. I will need transportation to the home worlds of Cadimus IV and Volurum of the Tanellius Systems. Commander Rel can fill you in on the specifics, if you don’t have the Intel.”

"Basically our ruling government, three-hundred years ago, was started by the Vedrans and by using their own homeworld as their capital, they set up their empire. They also developed and used the first known slipstream drive, which they shared with the Commonwealth government.” Dylan explained.

“The Vedrans built their empire through conquest, traveling from world to world and colonizing those worlds that weren’t inhabited. The Commonwealth was made up of systems, drifts, orbital stations, basically anything that they could. With this alliance, they made a type of federation of planets.” Andromeda filled the new chancellor in before shimmering off the desk view screen.

“Yes, I will need to speak with the Commander for the specifics.” Dylan said with an even tone.

“Thank you for the accommodations, considering the circumstances.” the Chancellor said with a polite smile.

A warm charming smile appeared on Dylan’s face. Chancellor Xhalax returned the smile, she explained. “It is my pleasure. I am interested in your governments’ policies. Our policies are simple and complicated at the same time, as I am sure, yours are. We bring the governments from all free planets for the understanding that all profit from them. The governments are based on the ‘One Voice, One Vote’ policy. With each planet having a major representative; with each habitable land-mass having a co-representative.”

“Well then, thank you for your help. The information on your government was very informative." Xhalax said as she stood up, preparing to leave.

"My pleasure, always glad to help out when I can." Dylan said, standing up to show her out, at the door, they exchanged goodbyes and she left.

Commander Rel was gathering the necessary information on their newest destination to show to Captain Hunt. When he had what he needed, he made his way down the hall.

After Rel walked to Dylan’s war room, he entered, sat down and began to give the missing information on Hgath and Kgro in the Chiaotzu system that is 200 parasect by a gas giant. Hgath, the third largest planet in the system, was well known for its vast amount of natural resources. Mining, another of the planet's main source of income, was the second highest grossing in the known galaxies. Kgro, on the other hand, was the total opposite. It did not have any resources for export, but rather, was a ideal place for relaxation. This beautiful red planet was known as the jewel of the system. People came from all around, to enjoy its lush scenery.

Andromeda shimmed her image on Dylan’s small console and together, began mapping out a course.

"Maybe this would be a good course." Dylan said, mapping out a route. Rommie looked at it, "It's good, but this one is better." She maps out a different path then Dylan’s.

After finally settling on the right course, they began their next part of their journey.

The Ou’kaourian were already in the mess hall when Chancellor Xhalax, Commander Rel and Dylan walked in, the Andromeda crew asking questions.

“Why is your face different from the rest?” Harper wasted no time asking the obvious.

“There appears to be a mask of some sort covering your face. Is it for protection? Or does it have some military aspect?” Tyr stated.

“What makes you think it is a military design?” Talis asked of him.

“You are in a militia; therefore it could be assumed it is worn for military as in a rank perhaps.” Tyr surmised.

“The other man….Sayid didn’t wear one nor did he have lines on his face either.” Beka noted.

“The mask designates me as a member of the ...” Trance placed a liquid-filled bowl by her, making Talis paused while Trance finished the sentence. “Shadowrychë.”

“Those of us, who are Shadowrychë, are from the original group of explorers that crashed landed on the planet Ou’kaour.” Talis explained, looking over the few dishes prepared. Tyr is nearby, preparing a dish; spices, meats and grains are being swirled in a hot pan making Harper drool, knowing it was a matter of minutes before he would be fed.

"The inhabitants didn't mind you settling there?" Rommie asked with interest.

“The native inhabitance happily accepted the foreign explorers and an allegiance were formed. Three hundred generations have passed since that day.” Talis explained while eating.

“Therefore, it separates you as an explorer-ancestor from the native. It does not explain the lines on your face or why yours are longer than cheek level.” Tyr said with open skepticism.

“The Shadowrychë have the lines to show the worlds who their ancestors were. Of the four-hundred crewmembers, only twenty had a single colour on their face. When they mated, their children would have two or more or in some cases, the lines would be thicker. After their arrival, the original inhabitants soon copied the Shadowrychë unique lines on their faces. The only difference was the coloring, and of course no houses.” Commander Rel informed them.

“The Captain’s are thick lines of the same colures.” Tyr pointed out.

“Yes, my ancestors had lines of red, blue, black, silver and grey.” Talis stated.

“That guy said something ’bout houses.” Beka asked.

“Yes, each one of the Dragon crew had their own house…Felis catus, Canis familiaris, Panthera tigris and so forth.” Lieutenant Tenc explained.

“You know…she sounds like a Nietzchean.” Harper remarked, as he nudged Tyr with his hand and waved his fork in his direction after swallowing part of the nutritious meal.

"Harper, do you mind? Your spilling food all over the place." Rommie said, giving him a stern look and going back to listening to Talis. Tyr was leaning against the counter, continued to listen after dishing the remaining food onto Harper’s plate. The Andromeda crew had noticed Talis’ use of the word dragon; the same word they and their worlds used for the Drago-Katzo pride.

“Geez, Rom-a-lious, I’ll clean it up…so, come on big guy….do your whole Ubër line on her.” Harper teased.

“Ubër? Nietzchean? These words I am unfamiliar with.” Talis commented as she looked around to her crew to confirm that they also did not understand the terms.

“Nietzcheans are genetically enhanced humanoids.” Beka explained casually.

“It does sound like my world people.” Talis turned her attention fully to Tyr and smiled. “Should I ask you to ‘do your whole Ubër line’?”

“Yea Anasazi, go on do the whole Tyr line.” Beka joined in the teasing, “Before we do.”

“I am Tyr Anasazi out of Victoria by Babarossa, son of Temujin, Kodiak Pride.” one could hear the arrogance in Tyr’s sentence.

“Talis Circe out of Talis Ibette by Anthony Richard, son of Michael Fredrick, direct descendent of Talis Keres, house of Unicornus-Pegasos.” With the same amount of arrogance as in Tyr’s.

“Odd house-name. I don’t believe I know it.” a cautious Tyr noted out loud.

“I am the first in a new house; Unicorn crossed with a Pegasus hence the true name. I would be the same as first in my pride, a Matriarch.”

“Not for nuttin’ but it sounds very Nietzschean to me…..is she? Trance?” Harper.

Trance looked up with a stunned look on her face, “Its possible.” she suddenly drifted off.

“What are your personal relationships like? Ya know…marriage, sex and the like.” Beka wanted to know.

“Consensual for the unmatched. Some marry for love, others for political reason.” Lieutenant Rylanar.

“How can you marry for political reasons?”

“It isn’t unusual that two houses or people would decide to have stronger ties so they arrange a marriage between the people, regardless of gender. Political reasons.” Lieutenant Tenc explained between sips of his drink.

Trance moved closer to the conversation as did Tyr. “Which did you?” Trance asked in a serious tone. Talis gave her a look that meant something….what no one knows.

“I married for love and Destiny.” Talis explained.

“How can you marry for destiny?” Rommie asked, her curiosity peeked

“Among my people, there are a few with the gift of Foresight. They are able to see my destiny, my life. So, laws and the like were written so that one day, I could achieve and surpass all they saw.” Talis explained.

“Wait…your whole life?” Beka shocked.

“Yes… my growth, inventions, mates, children…all.”

“That would suck.” Harper commented.

“Since they already saw your whole life, and made sure that you followed the path…the destiny. It doesn’t leave you any choices in life.” Dylan said, as he drank his cup of hot black hazelnut coffee.

“Except that they failed to tell Talis everything.” Trance interrupted.

“Incorrect, they did tell me everything, and my Destiny is written down, as it in accordance with our laws.” Talis replied, before giving Trance a look. She continued in a strange, sharp cadence in her voice. “Had you bother to look, read and gone over Instructor Tashi’s head and gone to Master Xristos; who would have gone over the facts with you, showing you all the documations yourself. Maybe your destiny would have been different Trance Gemini.” Talis walked out of the room. The remaining tension in the room slowly dissipated.

“Ummm…wow! She doesn’t have any issues nor the ability to not express her anger. What’s her deal?” Beka asked, surprised by Talis' sudden departure.

Commander Rel spoke up angrily. “Try the simple fact, she spent time on…”

Chancellor Xhalax interrupted, “Captain Talis' personal life is private, Commander. The issue is closed.”

“Why? What happened to change Talis so…to make her so closed off, so different?” Trance asked, more than a touch of worry in her voice.

“You would have to ask the captain.” Lieutenant Rylanar stated, a little harshness in his tone.

Trance looked at the Ou’kaourians, “You know, all of you know and not one will tell me.”

“Yes we know, we all have been with the captain since the academy days. You do not put your life into another’s hands without knowing them.” Lieutenant Tenc said with obvious pride and respect.