The bridge rocked. Dylan stood up, "Rommie, what is it?"

Famira appeared at his side. "What was that?"

Rommie formed up beside them, "That was Onnika’s idea of a warning shot. Famira, did you tell Onnika that Caeilla was with us when we left?"

"No, of course not. She never forgets a thing. She already knew you were bringing Caeilla aboard. In fact, when I let her know that you were departing, she reminded me to tell Caeilla about dinner tonight." Famira replied looking at the screen, "Can you show a tactical simulation on here?"

"Of course," Rommie brought up a map of the system with what she knew of Beagle. "I see, Dylan we have a huge problem." Rommie stared at her Captain.

"What Rommie?"

"A Nietzschean’s greatest pride and joy comes from their children. Why would a sane Nietzschean threaten their child, their heir?"

"Ancestor, we have done you a disservice. Onnika must be mad! She knows Caeilla is on here and she’s firing. She knows you will not submit. She knows this! She will kill her child." Famira leaned over a console. "Ancestor, I will serve you. Onnika must be removed. Many will die but not as many as will die if she is allowed to continue." Famira knelt and held out her right hand, palm up.

Dylan reached out and grasped her wrist. With a tug, he brought her to her feet. "Thank you, now, we must convince those inside Beagle to fight. How do we do that?"

"Easy, sir. By showing them her madness."

* * *

"This is Captain Dylan Hunt speaking. I know many of you are doing very important jobs. So I ask you to keep working, while you listen. The shock all of you just felt was a ‘warning shot’ fired by Onnika on the Beagle. She fired on this ship, knowing that her daughter, her heir, Caeilla is aboard. From what I do know about Nietzscheans, this is incredible to many of you. In a few moments, you will hear a conversation between me and Onnika below. I intend for all of those on Beagle to ‘overhear’ us. If any of you wish to record a few words for your families, please do. In ten minutes, I begin the war."

Harper rolled out of the conduit. "Hey all of you, stop. Come here. Zygi, stand right here." Harper brought his youngest protégé over and stood him in front of the viewscreen. Setting it up to record, he turned back to the young man. "Say who you are and your message, you have a minute and then its someone else’s turn."

The young men and women lined up for their turns.

* * *

"Rommie."

"Yes, Tyr?" Rommie called down.

"My group’s messages have been recorded. Can you release the locks on weapon lockers A-24 to A-29?" Tyr asked, sending the messages to Dylan.

"Yes, good luck."

* * *

Trance faced her group. "Well, right now, all we can do is get sick bay ready for injuries. Anyone who wants to make a message follow me." Trance headed off. Once she got them set up, she told them to stay there and went off to find Raa.

Taking her time she went to Officer’s country and stopped before the first officer’s quarters. She knocked. The door opened to reveal Caeilla standing there.

"Hey, I found something I think Raa would like to see."

"Very well. How did you know that we were here?" Caeilla asked as she led the way.

"I didn’t. I just am very good at finding things." Trance followed. When she saw Raa, she pulled out the piece of writing film. "I thought you might like this. I found it right before we were recalled to the ship."

"Thank you, Trance." Taking the paper he read it. "Where did you find it?"

"In a room, a lot of the machines were dusty and they didn’t seem to work. But I think it’s where you were made. There were a bunch of tubes, big enough to fit you. Maybe four of them. Somehow I don’t think you were the first, maybe the first one that was good for them, but not the first."

* * *

"Captain. I’m detecting a transmission from within the ship. Wait... make that several transmissions. They all lead to one cabin." Andromeda informed him over his implant.

Dylan turned and pressing the implant at the base of his jaw, replied. "Tell Tyr and have him get whoever it is."

"Yes Dylan." Andromeda accessed Tyr’s link. "Tyr. Someone is monitoring several locations within the ship. I’ve tracked them down."

"Very well, Andromeda. We will take care of it." Turning to his group, he chose 3 of them to come with him. Angrily he set off.

* * *

Tyr tapped in the override code and waved his three people in. Closing it behind them, he crept over to the next doorway. Three people were in the room. One leaned over the shoulder of one seated, her tail waving.

"Trance." Tyr stepped into the light. "What are you doing?"

"Welcome Tyr. I’m doing my part. I don’t want Gryphon Pride to be forever shamed by Onnika’s greed. As soon as I’m finished culling bits and pieces of various conversations, I’m putting it into one packet. Then it shall spread across this sector of space. Perhaps this will help to purge some of the shame from this great clan."

"Tyr... do you love Dylan? Not as a lover but as a good leader, as a brother? Are you ashamed that he is Alpha, or do you see his victories as just another thing to be proud of? If this was your clan, and it is. For Dylan loves you as close a friend as you can be, this is your clan too. Would you dare to let them do this?" Raa stood and walked over. Carefully he lifted Tyr’s arm. Crossing their spikes, he leaned in. "Brother you are Kodiak and Gryphon, as much as I am and no better brother can I have than you. No better son can Kodiak or Gryphon have than you."

Tyr wrenched his spikes away, lifting them, he brought them down swiftly.

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