“Harper, stop your incessant babbling or I will be forced to stop it for you,” Rhade threatened. The threat was backed up with a menacing glare.

Andromeda’s engineer paused only long enough to scrunch up his face as sat on a cot in the detention room. “So what do you expect me to do, sit and stare at the ceiling?”

Rhade remained unmoved. “I expect you to stop annoying me. If you are bored then do some mathematical calculations.”

“Bo-ring,” Harper shot back defiantly. “A genius like me needs more than a few mathematical problems to stave off boredom.”

The Nietzschean sighed as he punched his right fist into his left palm. “Harper I don’t care how you keep from being bored as long as it doesn’t annoy me.”

Harper crossed his legs in front of him and leaned his back against the wall next to his cot. “Okay how about I plot a way for us to give Earth even more protection from whatever danger it’s facing right now.”

“As much as it pains me to admit, that idea has certain possibilities,” Rhade retorted. “But I thought you already did that when you fixed that EDD machine of theirs.”

The engineer had a thoughtful, faraway look on his face. “Yeah, but now I’m not so sure what I did was enough to stop the threat, whatever it is.”

“You’re just being paranoid Harper,” Rhade argued as cocked his head to one side.

Harper narrowed his eyes as he studied his crewmate. “What’s the matter?”

Rhade remained still as he informed, “Nothing, maybe. I just caught a whiff of Lieutenant Tracy’s scent.”

The words were no sooner out of the Nietzschean’s mouth when the door opened and Gem appeared in the doorway. The brunette medic entered the room carrying a try of food and beverage. The tray was set down on the floor in front of Rhade.

“How is your leg feeling now Mr. Harper?” Gem asked in a cheerful, friendly tone.

Andromeda’s engineer absentmindedly ran a hand along the cast that covered his lower leg. “Fine I guess. I wish you guys had nanobots. They’re much easier to deal with then this contraption.”

Lieutenant Tracy offered a sympathetic smile. “I’m sorry if your cast is inconvenient, but we really are trying to give you the best care possible.”

“Yeah I know. It’s just that that I’ve developed an itch all over, especially around the cast,” Harper complained.

The medic’s eyes narrowed as her gaze traveled to Harper’s cast. She approached the engineer and looked at the area of Harper’s leg where the cast ended. She then placed a hand on Harper’s chin and tilted his head to the side. “You seem to be developing a rash where the cast touches your leg and you’ve got another rash around your dataport,” Gem informed.

The engineer features were now downcast. “See, I told you I was allergic to the pain killer you guys gave me. You wouldn’t listen and now I’m gonna be one big red rash.”

“I’m sorry Harper. We should have listened to you but we thought you were just being paranoid about needles,” the lieutenant explained with sympathy. “Perhaps we can give you a hydrocortisone shot. I’ll check with the doctor.”

Panic flashed in Harper’s eyes. “No, that won’t help. I’m allergic to cortisone stuff. I’ll end up puking my guts out if you give me a shot.”

The lieutenant gently began checking Harper for rashes on his arms. “I really am sorry this happened to you Mr. Harper. It looks like you have rashes on your arms as well. Let me take you to an exam room and we’ll see what we can do to get rid of those rashes.”

Andromeda’s engineer had a look of resignation on his face. “Say you guys might just want to reserve a bed for me in Medical if you aren’t going to listen to me about what causes me to have an allergic reaction.”

“Quit your whining and be glad you didn’t have a worse reaction to the shot,” Rhade reminded with irritation.

Gem gently guided Harper to the door as the engineer pulled a face at Rhade on the way out.

Inside Machine Shop 3 Rhekeeb and his team quickly went about procuring tools and supplies they needed to test hypotheses. Straker took a seat on one of the stools at the workbench and watched the Perseids buzz around the room. Rhekeeb eventually glanced over at Straker, looking as if he suddenly realized the commander was in the machine shop. “Colonel Straker, would you care to read my notes? I believe another set of eyes might be helpful.”

The commander took hold of the flexi and played the file. “Of course. “Time travel isn’t my specialty, but I’m willing to give it a go.

An interested expression crossed the Perseid’s features. “What is your specialty Colonel, ff you don’t mind my asking?”

“My field of study was astrophysics,” Straker answered nonchalantly as he studied the flexi’s information.

Rhekeeb‘s face beamed with delight. “Astrophysics? How fascinating. That is another of my favorite subjects. I’d be most interesting in hearing your thoughts on cosmic inflation. I believe it’s a relatively new concept in your time.”

The commander nodded his head absentmindedly as he remained engrossed in the contents of the flexi. “Yeah I read something about it not too long ago. My forte isn’t the theoretical so I won’t be much of a conversationalist.”

“No matter, we can discuss another area of astrophysics. You pick the topic,” the Perseid suggested.

Straker laid the flexi on his right thigh and rubbed his chin, appearing thoughtful for a few moments. “Okay, how about celestial mechanics?”

The Perseid clapped his hands in his pleasure. “That’s a good choice I must say.”

A polite smile crossed the S.H.A.D.O. leader’s face before his expression turned serious. “May I ask you a question first?”

Rhekeeb quickly grabbed a stool and brought it over next to where the commander was sitting. The Perseid hopped up onto the stool and watched Straker with an earnest expression.

“Are you familiar with planets that would have been dying out about 3,000 years ago?“ Straker began asking. “I’m thinking of a planet where the inhabitants attempted to prolong their existence at the expense of the inhabitants of another planet?”

The Perseid paused to consider the question before answering, “That would require some research but I believe there would be a good number of such instances.”

Straker frowned and let out a sigh. “That’s a little bet tricky since there’s not much to go on as far as location, which is why I was hoping you could help pin down the location. The inhabitants of the planet would be sentient and highly intelligent by our standards. Their ships would have the ability to travel many light years. Their planet is similar to Earth.”

“That narrows it even more but still leaves a great number of planets. I‘m afraid I‘m not much help. I’m sorry Colonel,” Rhekeeb apologized.

A brief look of disappointment flashed across the Straker‘s pale features before quickly vanishing. “Perhaps Rommie will allow me access to some of her database files.”

“The Andromeda has a large amount of information stored away in her database. I’m sure you would find something there,” the Perseid suggested helpfully before returning to direct his scientific team.

“Good, I’ll ask Rommie,” Straker announced.

“No need to ask me Colonel,” Andromeda’s hologram informed as soon as she fizzled into existence. “I have already asked my captain and he has agreed to allow you to have access to certain, non confidential files.”

Straker cast the hologram a skeptical gaze. “Isn’t Captain Hunt the least bit worried about Squadron Leader Foster and me altering your timeline if we use knowledge gained here?”

“My captain took that into consideration but then realized that you and Squadron Leader Foster being here in our time could be an event that is supposed to happen. Assuming that is true it could also mean might also mean that it information you take back to your time is also part of the plan.”

The commander‘s eyes narrowed at as he watched the avatar. “That’s assuming a lot,”

Holo Rommie remained stock, her expression unreadable. “Yes it is. However, we do know for a fact that humans on earth survived up to our time and whatever you and Squadron Leader Foster are doing in your time is important in ours.”

Straker cast a skeptical look at the avatar. “How did you arrive at that conclusion Andromeda?”

“Trance has said as much and my captain trusts her judgment,” she replied with confidence.

The commander fixed an icy stare on the Rommie, causing the avatar to blink in response. “I would disagree with Captain Hunt on that issue. It’s not wise to put so much trust in one person.”

“I used to give Dylan that very same advice, but eventually resigned myself to the fact that he is not going to change,” the avatar countered. “I’ve found that tends to be a common trait among military leaders,” she added with a tinge of frustration in her voice.

A look of resignation crept into commander’s normally unreadable expression. “I’ve come to the same conclusion about military leaders.”

Holo Rommie cocked her head slightly to one side as she studied the blond S.H.A.D.O. leader. “It appears that we think along similar lines, Colonel Straker.”

“Yes it would seem so,” the commander nonchalantly agreed. “Would it be convenient if I went through your files after supper?”

The hologram didn’t hesitate in answering, “That would be acceptable. If you would let me know of any particular information you would like to see I can download the files onto a flexi which I will put in your quarters for when you ready to read the files.”

Straker flashed a brief, polite smile. “Thank you Andromeda. I’ll jot down on a flexi what I’d like to see. It will be rather interesting to use one of these things,” gesturing with Rhekeeb’s flexi for emphasis.

“Good. I was on my way to join Rommie in assisting Reverend Storm in teaching some of the children,” Rommie stated. “He does not want the children to miss their lessons while onboard.”

Straker offered the hologram a knowing glance before taking on a mildly perplexed expression. “Helping with school lessons doesn’t seem as if it would be among the duties of a warship.”

Holo Rommie frowned at the S.H.A.D.O. leader. “We will merely assist in supervising the children.”

“Ah Security detail. Now I understand,” the commander stated with a slight lilt in his voice.

Holo Rommie gave a slight bow of her dark head in response. “Of course.”

“I won’t keep you then,” Straker announced as he punched a button on the flexi in his hand.

Without a word, the hologram disappeared from the machine shop as Straker intently studied the files on the flexi. The commander occasionally glanced up to watch he Perseids who were gleefully discussed aspects of time travel.

After an hour had passed, Straker finally set the flexi down on the workbench and folded his arms across his chest. “Sorry to interrupt Rhekeeb, but I’ve finished the flexi.

The scientist made a comment to one of his team members before walking over to the commander. “Excellent. Did you find the files interesting?”

“Yes they are very interesting reading,” Straker answered nonchalantly. “What kind of progress have you been able to make so far on our problem?”

Rhekeeb grinned broadly as he answered,” We are about ready to test our hypothesis. Would you care to watch while we put the finishing touches on the simulation program?”

The commander arched an eyebrow showing mild interest. “I’d be delighted.” Straker slid off the stool and followed the Perseid to where the scientific team was gathered on the other side of the shop.

With all eyes in the room watching, Rhekeeb pressed a flat button on the flexi in his hands. Immediately, a holographic image of the Andromeda and the Eureka Maru flickered into being in front of the group.

Straker flinched barely noticeably. “Impressive technology. I take it the other ship is the Eureka Maru?”

“Yes we used the coordinates the Andromeda was able to get from scanning the Maru’s last known location. We were able to obtain data from the Lunar Module as well,” the Perseid explained.

“Did Andromeda give that information as well?” the commander questioned.

Rhekeeb nodded his gray head. “Some of it. The rest we were able to get from your ship’s onboard computers. Bahron transmitted the information to me from the ship a short time ago and we were able to download the data and make a holographic representation of your ship.”

The S.H.A.D.O. leader’s expression remained calm and impassive. “That is intriguing how you were able to transmit the information using such small devices. I noticed the miniaturization of equipment while I’ve been onboard the Andromeda.”

“I can imagine that the Andromeda’s technology is most impressive to you and Squadron Leader Foster,” Rhekeeb remarked.

Straker’s eyes opened wider as the holograms of the Maru and Andromeda began moving. The ships floated in the air and darted about. Straker instinctively flinched as the Maru hologram headed directly for him.

Almost immediately, the commander relaxed, but sported an expression of embarrassment. Straker cleared his throat before responding. “Your holograms are very convincing. Now what about running your simulation?”

After pausing for a moment, the Perseid nodded his gray head. “Yes, quite right. I have both ships side by side now and will now begin the simulation.” The Maru and Andromeda both moved in a straight direction before both ships disappeared at the same instant. After pushing a button on a console, Rhekeeb smiled over at Straker. “What do you think Colonel?”

Straker stared at the Perseid with indifference. “I must say I’m unimpressed Rhekeeb. What was the simulation all about?”

Rhekeeb rubbed his long chin thoughtfully. “Oh dear, I apologize Colonel Straker. I forgot to mention that the simulation showed what our data show happened to the Maru’s before she disappeared. The hologram with the Andromeda simulates what should happen if the same situation happened to the Andromeda.”

“You’re going to attempt to duplicate the same damage to the slipstream drive and hope that takes us back to the correct time period,” Straker surmised.

“Yes, that’s precisely it. The Andromeda was able to get quite a bit of detail from the Maru’s last transmission. The Mayday signal included the Maru’s location, speed and other pertinent information.”

The S.H.A.D.O. commander showed renewed interest in the simulation. “Rather like the information contained in a black box in our time.”

The Perseid waved the flexi in his hand. “Yes, yes I am glad I made myself clear.”

Straker moved beside Rhekeeb and glanced down at the now still flexi. “What are chances of success in getting back to my timeline and what is the margin of error?”

Rhekeeb handed the flexi over to Straker, who studied the data. “The odds don’t look very promising, but I assume the other scenarios you considered had even less chances of success,” the commander stated coolly.

“I wish the data was more encouraging,” Rhekeeb said in sympathy.

“You and your team can’t change the facts Rhekeeb. Thank you for all of you help. You all did a good job with what you had to work with,” Straker replied in an attempt cheer up the Perseid. “

Rhekeeb still had a downcast expression as he took the flexi from Straker. “You are most understanding Colonel Straker. I will work some more with my team to see if we can increase the odds of a successful return for you and Squadron Leader Foster and Rhade and Mr. Harper.”

“I would appreciate you doing more research Rhekeeb,” Straker said as he left the machine shop.