Saloon. The company, minus Dylan and Harper, got settled around the table.
Telemachus: Interesting. Virgil's secret might be worth some money.
Beka: Huh. My secret, my money.
Telemachus: Or your funeral.
Trance: We'd really miss you.
Beka is bewildered, but has no time to ask the question, as Harper comes in with a tray of drinks, wearing a black armband.
Harper: Three hot bevvies, table 54.
Beka: Harper?
Trance: Seamus. Black armband means trouble.
Harper: Only for Sembler. For me, it means a steady job. Okay, there I was, minding my own business...
Doyle (smiling): Not likely.
Harper: My story, okay? So, road to Grunswick, I'm on foot, guy comes along in a cart, offers me a ride.
Beka: Sembler?
Harper: No. I say, "sure, why not?" I've got a bone spur on my foot. It's kind of gross. (Trance looks down.) You want to see?
Trance (disgusted): Oh, no.
Harper: Anyway, we're riding along, we come across a burning house. Guy out front, totally helpless.
Trance: Sembler?
Harper: No. But - all of a sudden, he runs in the house, two or three minutes go by, he comes staggering back out, dragging another guy who's out cold and half-dead.
Telemachus: That's Sembler.
Harper: No.
Doyle: Sembler's pulling the cart.
Harper: That's my girl.
All are looking at her with astonishment.
Doyle: Process of elimination.
Telemachus: Sembler's a horse?
Harper: No. However, after an experience like that, we became friends for life.
Beka: So what's with the armband?
Harper: It was a short life.
Beka: Very stylish. And now, we're busy, so run along and run a tab.
Harper: Speaking of short lives...
Beka: You don't think I'll live long enough to pay my tab?
Harper: I mean, don't take it personally. Tell you what. On the way out is fine.
Harper leaves.
Beka: Anyway, as I was saying, Virgil said something about a "timeless path."
Doyle: "Timeless path."
Trance (as if not giving it a much of thought): Could be the Route of Ages. (getting looks she corrects herself to being cute, mostly-clueless Trance) What is the Route of Ages?
Beka: It could be anything. He also mentioned a man singing this song at his daughter's grave.
Beka presses the device and it runs the melody. At the background, the door opens to let Dylan in.
Beka: The weird thing is, I know this song, from somewhere.
The door closes behind Dylan.
Trance: Knowing from somewhere... I'm familiar with that. It is your most important clue. (she is getting looks again) I think.
Beka: It's in my memory. I just can't quite place it.
Dylan (sitting down, lightly): Uh, that song, it's Vedran. My mother used to sing it to me.
Beka: That's right. Vedran. My dad used to sing it to me, too!
Doyle: It originally comes from a town on the other side of the planet, a place called Boyagen.
Beka: That's weird. How would my dad have known it?
Dylan (serious): So what is this place?
Doyle: Boyagen. All nine Seefran planets are the same, but more people disappear from Boyagen than any other location in the system. As a result, they are a very guarded people.
Telemachus (half-smiling): An understatement. (pointedly to Beka) They kill intruders on sight.
Dylan: Sounds to me like getting into Boyagen is, uh, going to take some doing, Beka.
Beka: Exactly. That's why I'm talking to you guys. Give you a free hauling of carboxite.
Dylan (with gesture): It's your secret... Not mine. (Beka looks at him open-mouthed) I don't like the odds.
Beka turns her attention to Trance.
Trance: I can't blame them. Nobody likes to have both buns on the hot seat.
Beka: Rhade?
Telemachus: Sorry. Gotta wash my hair.
Harper is sitting on the bar counter.
Harper: Hey, don't look at me. Seriously! Don't look at me.
Telemachus: Of course, for a piece of what Virgil's got for you, you could persuade me to let it go another week.
Dylan: Here we go.
Harper: Don't waste your time, big boy. A piece of nothing is nothing.
Doyle (slowly): And a piece of something... is something.
Beka: Smart lady. Five percent of whatever it turns out to be.
Doyle: Ten.
Telemachus: Each.
Beka: Great.
Dylan: Well, it's almost like you're a crew again.
Rhade looks at him and growls.
Dylan (defensively): Almost.

"Maru" in space. Beka piloting, Doyle and Rhade just hanging around. They are nearing the planet surface.
Beka: I'm going to go to half power. I'm going to drop you just outside of town. I'm laying low. RBarton's not been pleased with me. (cheery) Never mind. This is how you earn your percents.
Telemachus: Which is now 15.
Beka: What?
Doyle: Ditto.
Beka: What?!
Telemachus: If we can't find you a way into Boyagen by tomorrow morning, you don't have to keep our deal.
Doyle looks glad and satisfied.
Beka: Yeah, I'm going to hold you to that.
Telemachus: Okay.

It's night. "Maru" lands.

Boyagen street. The town-wide translation is filled with well-modulated female voice.
Boyagen Voice: Report all outsiders.
May be it is early in the morning, because there are no people here. Only hooded armed guards meet each other.
Guard 1: Security in silence.
Guard 2: In us all.
Boyagen Voice: Only together, we survive.
Doyle peeps from the hide. Then Rhade. Both are keeping their guns in readiness.
Telemachus: Clear.
Boyagen Voice: Mourn the disappeared.
The duo sees someone coming into small building with two suns, pictured on the street wall.
Doyle: This must be where they remember the dead.
Boyagen Voice: Be watchful.
Patrol finds Rhade and Doyle - right in the center of the street.
Guard: Intruder!
Rhade turns to him.
Guard: Stop right there!
Doyle has her own attacker.
Doyle: Don't shoot. Don't shoot. (Doyle raises her gun up and then swaps the ends so the guard could take it by the handle.) We don't want to hurt anyone.
Guard 2 takes her weapon. She starts the hand-to-hand combat and knockû him out in short order. Rhade gets in the same mode. Patrol is packed behind some barrels (cold-cocked, not dead).
Boyagen Voice: Outsiders mean death.
Doyle: Nice work. We think alike.
Telemachus: I wouldn't count on it. (He motions her to go to the possible sanctuary.) They won't be out forever.
Boyagen Voice: Stranger is a danger.
Rhade and Doyle enter the building.

Boyagen Voice: Strength in isolation.
The duo goes through weird hall.
Boyagen Voice: Be aware.
Turning around the corner they see hooded woman who touches the Remembrance Wall, pressing one of the name plates on one of many large wall tiles. Male's holo appears.
Boyagen Voice: Mourn the disappeared.
Woman is talking to the holo.
Doyle: Creepy.
Telemachus: Remembering the disappeared. Beautiful and dark.
Male's holo seems to be talking with a woman.
Rhade and Doyle continue their search.
Boyagen Voice: A friendly face is a familiar face.
Fat old man presses the plate.
Boyagen Voice: Isolation in strength.
The man sinks to the knee, so he is of one height with appearing holo of the girl. She is smiling.
Holo-Mala: Hi, daddy.
Avineri: Mala, you're still gone, and I still have trouble living without you.
Rhade and Doyle are watching from around the corner.
The girl looks a lot like kid Beka. And the large angel doll in her hands looks a lot like Beka's doll.
Avineri (sings): Two suns shining in the sky looking down on you and I. (girl giggles) Like the suns I'll always be...
Telemachus (whispers to Doyle): He's singing the song at his daughter's grave.
Avineri: Here for you and you for me.
Figuring that they've hit jackpot, Rhade records the old man singing. May be this was wrong thing to do, may be their luck just ran out, but alarm klaxon goes off.
Boyagen Voice: Intruder. Kill.
Rhade and Doyle are running.
Boyagen Voice: Security penetration.
Rhade and Doyle are leaving the sanctuary.
Boyagen Voice: Warning. Outsiders.
Alarm sounds.
Boyagen Voice: Intruder. Kill.

On the street Rhade sends Doyle left. He himself goes forward, right into the coming to consciousness guard from earlier. He hits him hard in the face, knocking him out again.
Boyagen Voice: Security penetration.
Before letting man to fall Rhade takes his hooded cloak. But he is discovered.
Guard 3: Hey! You!
Rhade runs with the cloak in hand.
Boyagen Voice: Warning. Outsiders.
Rhade is running down the street with no one in sight but the guard chasing him.
Guard 3: Hey!
As they run by a stack of barrels and crates, Doyle steps out and knocks the guard down.
Doyle: "Hey" yourself.
She takes his cloak and runs.

Saloon. Harper as the bartender. At the bar counter Beka is watching the record. All company around.
Beka: Perfect. He's my way in.
Telemachus: How? The girl we saw looked about seven when she disappeared.
Doyle: The date on the wall backs that up.
Dylan: She'd be about your age right now.
Trance (prompting): You could be Mala.
Beka: Exactly. Go in, gain the father's trust, find Virgil, get prize.
Trance: Virgil chose you, Beka. And he chose Boyagen.
Dylan: Just don't get yourself killed.
Beka: That's why I'm going in native.
Telemachus: Make sure you come back... So we can get paid, or (quick glance at Doyle) I'll kill you myself.
Beka (to Dylan): They're so cute at that age.
Dylan: I think he's trying to be scary.
Beka: Ah.
Rhade makes a face.

Their nice chat is interrupted. Some armed thugs throw a man to the floor. When he makes an attempt to stand up, one of the helmeted armed guys strikes him with a heavy boot. Dylan watches, dumbfounded.
RBarton: For your own safety, technology violations are not allowed in the Seefra system. We all agree on that, and that violators must pay.
Harper: I told you, Beka... RBarton and the tech police.
Beka closes her face, turning away from the policemen.
RBarton: My tech police caught this violator trying to sell an anti-proton generator that doesn't work. But still... it's a violation, correct?
Voice 1: That's right.
Voice 2: That's right.
The violator ahhs. RBarton kneels near him.
RBarton: So long...
RBarton delivers sentencing on the spot and electrocutes the man.
Dylan: Hey! What the hell was that for?!
RBarton stands up.
RBarton: And you... Dylan Hunt. (he comes close) You and your friends here show up out of nowhere with technology we can't explain. That's a violation. (meaningful) Unless, of course, you can explain it to me.
Dylan: Oh, you wouldn't understand. You see, it's a little too complicated, but we're all in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Dylan smiles coldly.
RBarton: Hm.
He turns to Beka, who is sitting near.
RBarton: Beka Valentine, you owe me money for transporting technical materials through police-protected territory, but I have a proposal.
Dylan: Sounds like a threat to me.
RBarton (quickly, to Dylan): Is there any other kind? (again to Beka) Virgil's secret's likely worth some revenue. I want half... The larger half.
Beka: No... Freakin'... Way.
RBarton doesn't lose his haughtiness.
RBarton: Guess I'll have to go over your head. (to Dylan) Let's you and I talk aboard that beautiful ship of yours that also came out of nowhere.
Dylan: Yeah.
He turn his back to RBarton and takes a seat at the bar counter.
Dylan: I'm, uh, I'm too busy for visitors.
Harper looks at RBarton with evident sneer.
RBarton: Doing what?
Dylan drinks.
RBarton: Regulations require an inspection for illegal technology.
Trance: But there are no regulations or laws here.
Dylan: Oh, I got one. No one boards my ship without... (he looks at Harper) an invitation.
Harper shows thumb up.
RBarton walks away from Dylan, gesturing to one of his men. Harper sees this clearly. He warns Dylan.
Harper: Uh, don't look now...
His phrase is too long. The policeman attacks. Dylan gets an appreciable blow in the face. He half-laughs and looks at Harper.
Harper: I told you.
Harper is glad and sorry at once. Beka takes her glass and makes a retreat to the table near the wall.
Dylan strikes back. Rhade puts his glass down on the counter.
Fighting goes on. No one is helping Dylan, though when he throws one guy on Rhade, the last pushes him to Doyle (who stands, folding her arms) and Doyle is happy to punch policeman hard. Beka drinks. Doyle pushes her guy to Rhade (his back, better to say, while he is folding his arms) and Rhade collides with the one who is attacking Dylan. Policeman, Dylan and Rhade going as one mass crush the table.
Harper: That table goes on your tab!
He and Trance are hiding behind the counter.
Rhade and Dylan are sitting up.
Dylan (angrily): Well, don't help or anything!
Beka: You're doing great.
Policeman starts to sit up and is twin-elbowed by Rhade and Dylan.
Telemachus: You're welcome.
Dylan and Rhade stand up.
RBarton comes to Beka.
RBarton (calmly): Glad you know your loyalties.
Beka: Yeah. I haul cargo through your zone. Doesn't make us buddies.
Doyle fights, all business. Harper and Trance are bravely giving one or two glances from their hide.
Dylan and Rhade are slowly returning to the main place (they seem to be thrown quite far...).
Telemachus (conversationally): Why don't we just use our guns?
Dylan: That's a good question. (He notices an attacker) Uh, Rhade? Behind you.
Doyle pushes small serving-table on the wheels and it puts the guy down, hitting his legs.
Harper: Dylan!
Dylan: Yeah?
Harper: Here!
He throws Dylan a large spoon. Meanwhile Rhade is fighting.
Dylan: Harper! What am I supposed to do with a spoon?
But the same moment Dylan is attacked by two policemen and actually uses spoon as a weapon but it get twisted. Dylan throws the spoon back.
RBarton gets it enough and drives himself into action.
Harper rectifies the spoon.
Harper: Eh...
He takes shelter again.
Rhade stretches his leg, kicks the weapon out of RBarton's hand and elbows him in the face.
Harper comes up with a gun and fires two shots upwards, into the air (or ceiling). And immediately clutches his right ear, been deafened.
Harper: Ah! Ohh... All right! Let's see who wants to keep fighting now!
Trance stands up from behind the counter, her hand raised.
Trance: Or... drinks for half price!
Harper: What?!
Happy customers run to the Harper. Rhade hits policeman, who stand near him - just because, as it seems. RBarton is moving out, but comes close to Dylan and is greeted with the force lance to his throat.
Dylan: You - I don't like.
RBarton (cool): But I like you. Want a job?
Dylan: Yeah. Sure. Does it come with a dental plan? (he jabs RBarton's jaw with his lance) Whoah!
Dylan is ready to become nasty, but Rhade intervenes.
Telemachus: How much?
RBarton: Enough even to make your sad face smile.
Dylan: Oh, I doubt that.
RBarton pushes Dylan's hand away.
RBarton: Think about it. See you... soon.
He leaves. Dylan and Rhade follow him with their eyes.
Dylan: That guy... (he waves the lance) That guy's toast.
Rhade doesn't argue. But he is worried... slightly. Dylan turns to the table still occupied by Beka.
Dylan: Beka, I'm in. (she smiles widely) But whatever I owe you, we're now even.

"Maru", cockpit. Rhade gives Beka a little device.
Telemachus: Beka... This locator beacon is real old.
Beka is in the pilot's chair.
Beka: Worked last time I used it.
Beka puts it into her pocket.
Dylan (leaning over her seat a bit): Yeah, but that was in another universe.
Dylan looks at Rhade, who shows understanding.
Beka: It'll work fine, okay? Just you guys, make sure you get the visual effect right.
Dylan (almost singing): Don't worry. We are here (glance at Rhade) to serve you, Beka.
Beka: That's right. That's what I like to hear.
There is no even a little bit of irony in her tone.
Rhade rolls his eyes and turns away. Dylan gets that taunting smile and looks down.

Boyagen street.
Boyagen Voice: A stranger is a danger.
Beka shows up behind the barrel. She looks around and changes her position to one more elevated. Squats down.
Boyagen Voice: A friendly face is a familiar face.
Beka (over comm): Okay, make it look good.

Maru. Rhade piloting.
Telemachus: The coordinates are locked.

Beka (peevishly): And in the right spot, please.

Dylan (with a short laugh): Oh, what the heck? (to Rhade) Uh... What do you say we boost the flash by, oh, I don't know, 16%? Give her a bigger entrance.
Telemachus: Dylan, I like the way you think.
Dylan presses something on the control board. He looks satisfied. Thumb up.
Dylan: Show time.

Boyagen street. As Dylan, the rascal, boosts the effect, the blast is quite pyrotechnic. Beka jumps out. She stands next to the explosion and coughs. She is quickly surrounded by unfriendly people.
Citizen 1: Intruder!
Citizen 2: Intruder!
They are around her and closing. Patrol is here too.
Beka: Thanks a lot, guys.
The guards takes aim.
Beka: Wait. Where am I?
Guard 1: This is Boyagen, and you are an intruder.
Beka: This is Boyagen? Wait. If this is Boyagen, then I'm not an intruder.
She is standing with her hands up. Another patrol take aim at her.
Beka: Let me show you. Take me to the wall.
The old man, Avineri appears in this little crowd. He looks amazed. Meanwhile Beka seems to become scared.
Beka: I'm on the wall. It's me! It's Mala Propina. I'm Mala Propina.
The crowd is silent. But Avineri comes into the circle and touches Beka's face.
Beka: Dad...
She sounds genuinely shaken.
Avineri (with tears): You are Mala.

Avineri's place. Dark, but almost cozy.
Beka: Sorry, my being gone was so difficult for you.
Avineri is cooking something.
Avineri: It's of no consequence now.
He brings the cup to Beka.
Avineri: Is it proper to ask... Can you talk about where you were all the years? What it was like?
He sits down near her. She drinks.
Beka: I'd rather not.
Avineri: Hm.
Beka: Not yet. But I'm here now, and that's what's important.
Avineri: No one has ever come back. Ever.
Beka: Avineri... (she smiles) dad.
Avineri smiles back.
Beka: I want to be honest with you... I'm not the same. But now, being here... I know that this is my life. I can't explain it, but somehow, I know that I'm home.
She is uncomfortable.
Avineri: You have returned, Mala, but you've come at a bad time. This place, our home, this planet, the failing sun... If it goes out, we will die.
Avineri is serious, though ready to smile.
Beka: If?
Avineri: Your return brings hope.
Avineri smiles.
Avineri: Gives me such joy.
He is looking at Beka as... a teacher who is waiting his student to come to understanding.
Beka (shaken): I missed you so much.
Avineri laughs softly.
Avineri (sings): Two suns shining in the sky (Beka laughs) looking down on you and I. (Beka joins him) Like the suns I'll always be here for you and you for me.
They both smile.
Avineri: I have something for you.
He stretches out his hand and gives her a large angel doll.
Beka is full of joy.
Beka: I had one of these!
Avineri: Of course! Your favorite.
Beka feels herself out of situation, but Avineri doesn't show any sign of any doubt. He looks at Beka and smiles.
Beka: It was my favorite. (The doll is identical to one she really had.) This is all so strange.
Beka turns to Avineri, as if for explanations.
Avineri: Strange isn't a bad thing... Only unexpected.
All of sudden he is gloom. There is a moment of silence between them.
Beka: What is it?
Avineri: Mala... I do have something, a secret, I want to tell you.

Sanctuary.
Boyagen Voice: Strength in isolation.
Avineri shows the way.
Boyagen Voice: A friendly face is a familiar face.
Avineri: I can't keep this from you, Mala, not if we love each other, not if you are who I think you are.
He makes some passes with his hands.
Boyagen Voice: Be wary.
Following his invitation Beka steps through the holo-wall.
They are in a small room.
Beka: It's a transmitting studio. Does this belong to Virgil Vox?
Avineri: Yes. (He shows her a crystal he took from the shelf.) These have been modified to carry his voice.
Beka: If I ask you a question, will you answer truthfully?
Avineri: Uhm.
Beka (whispering): Are you Virgil?
Avineri: No, but he comes from here. This is his studio. This was sent to me. Listen.
Avineri pulls out another, small, crystal and places it into a player.
Virgil Voice: Avi, be watchful. Someone will come. You will know her as your own. It is time to pass your secret to her. I left a message for only her.
Beka (muses): Virgil wanted me to be here.
Avineri: You are chosen, my daughter. An honor, a responsibility, a true path.
Beka: Chosen? For what?
Avineri types a code on a small wall panel and a part of the wall is driving out in a form of a couch.
Beka comes nearer.
Avineri: Designed for a specific organic composition. There is no danger. You are my daughter. (he makes a gesture for her to lie down) Please.
Beka: Well, then... Ahem.
Nervous, she sits down.
Beka: Only, uh... I'm not crazy about tight spaces.
Avineri: Confinement is temporary. I've given you my deep trust... And you, in return, must trust me.
Beka: I do. Of course.
She lies down. Very afraid.
Beka (under her breath): I think.
The thing slides her in.

Beka: Uh... Lights? Hello? Avineri? Dad? Dad!
There comes the light.
Virgil Vox: No reason to fear. Awareness has chosen you to watch.
Beka is on the street near the sanctuary. She looks around. No one.
Virgil Voice: Listen, learn... As you know more and more, you'll question more and more, which seems a paradox, but isn't.
The door opens and Beka enters the sanctuary.
Virgil Vox: So, are you ready now to receive my message? Millennia past, when everything is nothing, enigma realizes itself.
Beka sees the holo-Mala playing with the doll and laughing. A haunting melody is heard in the background.
Virgil Vox: The Vedran mind comes into being. It constructed planets and suns, the nonpareil of their manifold creations, a place of peace... Refuge from a universe caught in the chaos of selfishness.
An image of two suns, with space debris being sucked in and forming into planets, is floating before Beka in the corridor.
Virgil Vox: The Seefra system was born, and the Vedran separated it from the malevolence of all other things... Isolated it to flourish. But nothing can withstand the corruptions of desire. Inhabitants began fighting for what they already had...
Beka is on the Andromeda's bridge. All systems working (at least panels are alive).
Virgil Vox: The Vedran, almost all, left their creation behind to learn by their mistakes, which were many.
On Andromeda's forward view screen Beka sees giant starships entering Slipstream.
Virgil Vox: And the Vedran creators closed off all escape and entry, imbued the people with a fear of the very technologies which could free them.
The image changes to the twin suns, a giant solar flare lashes out from the lesser one.
Virgil Vox: Centuries later, now, the suns are failing. You are key to their salvation.
Beka: What? How can that be?
Virgil Vox: Because you're from this place, as we all are.
Now the view is of a single orange sun. Looks like it explode and either the ship is pulled nearer to it or the surge of the explosion reaches out to Andromeda.
Virgil Vox: You are to secure the Methus plate, original architecture of the twin Vedran suns. Give them to the one who led you here.
Virgil Vox: But to get the Methus plate, you must trust... Even in the face of your fears.
The entire view screen turns yellow-orange.
Beka: How?
Virgil Vox: Reveal who you are.
The panel become dark behind Beka. All the Andromeda's screen is bright yellow from the widening sun.
Beka: Who I really am? They'll kill me.
There is no response. The vision ends with the yellow view screen.
Beka: Virgil?
Close-up of Beka's eye. Then her face. She is aware of herself lying in a dark, closed chamber.
Beka: Oh, great.
She bangs on the ceiling.
Beka: Avineri? Avineri, can you hear me?

On the Maru, Dylan and Rhade are monitoring Beka.
Telemachus: She hasn't moved for some time.
Dylan: She could be sleeping. (Rhade gives him a skeptical look.) It is that time.
Telemachus: Or dying.
Dylan: Beka can take care of herself.
Rhade doesn't argue. He waits. They watch the screen with unmoving orange dot for a few seconds more.
Dylan: Let's go see if she's... sleeping.
Dylan leaves in all haste.
Telemachus: Sleeping. Hmm.
He follows.

Beka's still in the dark chamber.
Beka: Avineri, are you there?
She pushes something on the ceiling and falls down.
Beka: Ah!!!

Boyagen street. Dylan and Rhade are here in the hooded cloaks of the guards. As patrol come along, they answer in a proper manner.
Guard 1: Security in silence.
Boyagen Voice: Be watchful.
Dylan + Telemachus: In us all.
Guard 2: Security in silence.
Dylan + Telemachus: In us all.
They even make a small bow.
Boyagen Voice: Only together do we survive.
This time the street is not uninhabited like the first day. There is a lot of people. Dylan and Rhade come to the sanctuary. The door shut open.
Telemachus: Dylan.
He comes in, Dylan follows.
Boyagen Voice: Mourn the disappeared.
Inside the sanctuary they throw the hoods back. Dylan surveys the place. Rhade goes forward, all business.
Telemachus: This way.
Boyagen Voice: Report all outsiders.
Rhade finds Mala's plate.
Telemachus: Dylan.
He touches Mala's the activation button on the plate. Dylan turns to see the holo.
Boyagen Voice: Only together do we survive.
Holo-Mala: I love my dolly.
A few seconds and it is over.
Boyagen Voice: Mourn the disappeared.
Telemachus: Now what?
Dylan: I don't know...
Dylan fiddles with his scanner, turning around to lean back on the wall.
Dylan: But she sure is close by.
He falls backward through the holo-wall.
Dylan: Oah!
Dylan, bumping into the furniture, finds himself in a room.
Telemachus: How the hell does he do that?
Rhade follows Dylan right away without any problem. His question has to be about the way Dylan found the entrance, not the way he entered...
Telemachus: Somebody was here.
Dylan: I'm getting a faint reading... Right here.
Telemachus: May be Andromeda can break the code.
Rhade examines the lock of the chamber.
Dylan steps back.
Dylan: Rhade.
He waves with his force lance.
Telemachus (knowingly): That'll work.
He gets out of the way. Dylan shoots, the chamber opens. With no Beka, of course.
Dylan: She was here.

Beka falls and rolls down an incline.
Beka: Heeelp!
She is falling. Down and down. And it IS dangerous.
Beka: Ah-ouch!
She lands in a rocky cavern.
Beka: That is one hell of an emergency exit.
She puts out the comm.
Beka: Dylan, come in. Rhade, do you read?
No answer.

Avineri, obviously suffering from torture and exhausted, is in the hands of RBarton and his band.
RBarton: Where is Beka Valentine?
Avineri: I don't know who that is.
RBarton: How about Virgil Vox. Where is he?
Avineri: I can't tell you. Please...
RBarton: Can't... or won't? (he gestures to his man) It's a distinction pain eliminate.
One policeman holds their victim in place, another takes red-hot poker from the furnace and stabs Avineri with it. He screams in pain.
The poker is taken away.
RBarton: Virgil's transmission is on this, isn't it?
He holds up that small crystal on which was recorded the message from Virgil Vox to "Avi".
RBarton: His secret knowledge. How do I read it?
Avineri is silent.
RBarton: Please understand, I don't want to drag this out.
He really doesn't seem to enjoy what he is doing... still he orders his people to proceed. The poker burns Avineri again.

Beka opens a very massive door. She makes it to Avineri's place which is ruined mess now.
Beka: Dad?
She doesn't care to close the door.
The angel doll is still there, but its hairs are in some disorder.
Beka picks up a poker as she hears someone coming. In a second she is in fighting position, but it's Rhade and Dylan.
Telemachus: Easy...
Beka inhales sharply, relieved to see them.
Beka: Someone's got him... Avineri - we've got to find him.
Dylan: Well, we all know who has him... RBarton.
Telemachus (to Dylan): He probably followed her here from the start. Is Virgil's secret worth this much trouble?
Beka: I know Virgil's secret. He told me in a message.
She is holding the doll. Rhade turns to her.
Telemachus: And? Is it worth anything?
Beka: My father's life?
After the quick glance at Rhade Dylan asks in a rather demanding manner.
Dylan: So what's the secret?
Beka sits down.
Beka: This entire system... Your home planet, Dylan. (Dylan isn't surprised) The Vedrans built the eight other planets, the suns, everything, piece by piece.
Telemachus: And now it's falling apart, piece by piece.
Beka: Except there's something, it's called the Methus plate. It's supposed to outline the architecture of the suns.
Telemachus: To fix the blinking sun.
Dylan (dryly): And you have this plate?
Beka: No. And Virgil said nothing about where I'm supposed to find it. Although...
Telemachus: Although?
Beka: Although... If I come clean about who I am, this Methus plate is supposed to drop into my lap.
She is puzzled. Rhade is waiting for Dylan's decision. Dylan takes device from his pocket under the cloak.
Dylan: Well... We need that plate, Beka, but first, let's find your dad. RBarton has him 'cause he wants Virgil's secret, so let's give him what he wants. (he presses the buttons) RBarton?
RBarton appears on the small screen of the comm.
RBarton: Any luck, captain?
Dylan: I want to make a deal. Virgil's secret in exchange for the old man.
RBarton: If I had what you want, I'd make a deal.
Dylan laughs.
Dylan: You... You're really a funny guy. This is a three-second offer.
RBarton: Meet me in Boyagen in one hour.
Dylan: Hunt out.
Beka stands up.
Beka: Dylan, no. We can't tell him Virgil's secret.
Dylan looks at Rhade with "you get it" smile. Turns to Beka.
Dylan: We won't have to.
They go out.

Boyagen street. Dylan, Beka and Rhade walk toward the sanctuary. Now Beka is covered with cloak too.
Boyagen Voice: Strength in isolation. A friendly face is a familiar face.
Beka sees first and shows the partners little girl with the angel doll. The girl looks real, not holo and seems to me more red-head then Holo-Mala.
Girl: I love my dolly.
She looks at Beka, greets her with a hand-wave and enters the sanctuary. Beka is bewildered.
The three of them enter the sanctuary.

In the middle of the corridor they see Avineri.
Avineri: Mala... Mala.
Beka: Avineri... Dad!
Beka is ready to run to the old man, but Dylan restrains her.
Avineri: I didn't reveal a thing. Nothing.
RBarton walks out, his weapon aiming at Avineri's head.
RBarton: Don't you just love a family scene?
Dylan and Rhade immediately point their weapons. Dylan is still holding Beka's hand.
Three policemen make a semicircle behind Avineri.
Dylan: Don't even think about it.
RBarton: Then give me Beka. She knows Virgil's secret, and I want it.
Beka: You tortured my father!
Beka throws herself forward - to RBarton.
Dylan: Beka!
Dylan grabs her with free hand, not letting to go.
RBarton: I didn't lay a finger on him. And he is most certainly not your father. (to Avineri) You know that, don't you? She's not Mala. Her name's Beka Valentine.
Avineri only winds his head slightly. RBarton's weapon is two inches from him.
Dylan: Let him go - and maybe... I'll let you live.
No reaction. Dylan for a moment turns head to Rhade. And then nods to RBarton.
Dylan: Okay, go ahead. Kill him. (Beka looks at him, shocked) But I guarantee you'll be next.
RBarton stays even closer to Avineri. The opposing sides have a standoff. Rhade smiles to himself.
Beka: Dylan... Dylan, this is no good. The only way out is for us to make the trade. Me for Avineri.
She is standing face to face with Dylan, her back to the police and their victim. Dylan doesn't look at her, his full attention is on RBarton.
Dylan: Can't let you do that. He'll kill you.
Beka (almost whispering): Dylan... He's my father. I don't have a choice.
Dylan: Nope.
Beka (in a low voice): Come on. This will work. You'll figure something out. And when you do, I'll haul four loads of carboxite for you, for free. (Dylan seems interested.) It's practically enough to power up the Andromeda.
Dylan: Make it six, and it's a deal.
Only now he meets her eyes - with his lance firmly aimed at RBarton.
RBarton is getting impatient.
RBarton: Let's go, Valentine.
He put his gun down.
Beka: Six. Done. Six.
Dylan nods, again entirely focused on the enemies.
RBarton: Take him.
Beka walks forward. RBarton throws Avineri - forward but to the side. The old man hits the wall and slides to the floor somewhere between the two groups, closer to RBarton's. Beka dashes over and crouches near him.
Dylan: On second thought, Beka... (he changes the mode of the lance) Put it on my tab.
With a last word he shoots RBarton in the left shoulder. From the impact RBarton falls down.
RBarton: Oh!
Rhade approves.
Dylan: Next one won't be a warning shot. Now, get lost!
The police are not moving. Dylan and Rhade are waiting... more likely - for the opportunity. RBarton stands up with a cry, drawing his weapon. His men follow suit. Dylan in a moment has a second force lance, and Rhade - a second gun. Dylan makes a Christmas tree from RBarton. Beka is bend down near Avineri. RBarton and his three thugs get ventilated.
Dylan: Should've done that a long time ago.
Telemachus: I won't argue with that.

Avineri's place.
Avineri lies on the bed. He is very weak. He is dying, and Beka holds his hand.
Avineri: I feel the sun.
Beka: You know, I'm not your daughter.
Avineri: Trust goes beyond facts.
Beka: I wish I were.
Avineri: How do you know you're not? There... Behind the picture. Something there for you.
Beka kisses his hand, stands up and walks over to the picture.
Beka: This?
Avineri: Take it off.
Beka removes it from the wall and then looks back at him.
Avineri: The wall itself. It's Vedran technology. Put your hand on it.
She does.
Avineri: Now... Tell me who you really are.
Beka: Beka Valentine.
Nothing happens.
Avineri: Tell me... who you are.
Beka: Rebecca Valentine.
She is on the verge of tears.
Beka: I don't know what you want me to do.
Avineri is silent. His gaze is insistent.
Beka turns to the wall.
Beka (desperately): I'm Mala Propina.
The wall fades, revealing the chest.
Avineri: The Methus plate is yours.
Beka touches what seems to be hologram and the chest appears to be real thing.
Beka: What do I do with it?
Avineri: That was never told. It was my fate which told me you were the one. Your fate... must take it the rest of the way.
Beka puts the chest on the table and sits down near Avineri.
Beka: I came here for a prize... And I found... (she sings) Two suns shining in the sky looking down on you and I. Like the suns I'll always be here for you...
Avineri is dead.

Andromeda. Command. The crew studies a complex display of a solar system with twin suns, and a portion of the ring with symbols on it.
Dylan: It's a fragment. Now if we only knew what to do with it.
Beka is standing on his left. Trance appears.
Beka: I still don't understand why I was chosen.
Rhade listens from his station.
Trance: Because you were born there.
Dylan: And born somewhere else as well.
Trance: Believe me, you'll get used to it.
Beka: I thought I had a weird childhood before. The angel doll, the children's song, all of that. Was that my childhood here, or my childhood on the Maru?
Dylan: We've all seen too much to believe there's only one truth or one set of facts.
Trance: It will all be revealed if we're patient.
Telemachus: I'm not good at patience anymore.
He leaves.
Beka: Me neither.
Dylan: No one said you have to be good at it.
Beka sneers and leaves. Trance leaves too. Dylan watches what is on the screen.

Seefra street with someone on the ground near the saloon doors.

Saloon. Harper is here, with Doyle hanging around.
Virgil Voice: Seefra citizens, this is Virgil Vox, with the music that rocks while my conscience talks. (Harper pours himself a drink and gives Doyle an empty glass.) This one's for all of those born before their time, going out to those who pay a price (They clink glasses.) for good and vice. Which is all of us, after all... (Rhade cheerily walks down the street in the white scarf, with his arms around two laughing women.) 'Cause everybody's got demons. (Trance is on the bridge, pressing something on the console. Andromeda appears on screen, surprising her.) All I can say is... (Beka is on the Maru, holding the angel doll.) Do whatever gets you a good night's sleep. (The hidden transmitting studio.) It's up to you and me, each of us, to do what needs doing, and we don't have to fool ourselves. There's plenty needs doing... (The hooded figure is speaking... and the voice is female and very Trance-like - before it is changed by a voice modulator.) But, and here's the thing, you can't look for someone else to show you the way. No, sir. So, my listeners of my heart, this is Virgil Vox giving you my blessing.

On the Andromeda's bridge, panels are working, Dylan too. There is beep sound.
Dylan: Hunt here.
Virgil Vox (in his usual male's voice): Captain Hunt.
Dylan: Captain Hunt? Haven't heard that in a long time.
Virgil Vox: What's time in a place like this? Or rank?
Dylan is moving around the bridge.
Dylan: Hey, you're the one who called me "captain." So, where are you, Virgil?
Virgil Vox: Here, there, everywhere. Nowhere, my man.
Dylan: Do you ever not talk in puzzles?
Virgil Vox: Not yet.
Dylan: Well, then puzzle me this - why Beka? Why all of this here together but apart?
No response. Dylan shuts down the bridge systems.
Dylan: So now I get the silent treatment? Yeah! Look. You're the one who contacted me, so what can I do for you?
There is still no response. Dylan half-sighs half-sneers shaking his head.
Dylan: I'm going to bed.
Virgil Vox: Sleep tight.
Dylan: How about something smooth to take me there?
Dylan walks off Command.
Virgil Vox: Already done. Virgil Vox, back on your box. This ray of sunshine goes out to all of us who are castaway, like the late great crew of Andromeda Ascendant.