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[majorum_pride]

[He's going to give this a try. He's in his black uniform but without any rank insignia on it at the moment. And he's going to be really careful what he puts out there.]

We're currently experiencing an anomaly in our communications system. If there are any Commonwealth vessels receiving this transmission I would like a response.

[Not the best

Comments

[hunt4comnwlth]

This is Captain Hunt of the Commonwealth starship Andromeda. What seems to be the problem?

[Pause, he knows that voice, and that face. He presses down the surge of conflicting emotions--the joy, the anger, the regret--at the sight of that face. This isn't Gaheris, he reminds himself.]

Telemachus? Telemachus Rhade?

[majorum_pride]

[And for a moment, Rhade comes very close to a "Nope, not doing this!" keyboard smash and flee. But he doesn't! He manages not to with... well let's not use that descriptor for the amount of strength it's taking.

Please don't hate Telemachus, Dylan. And also he sends a few regretful thoughts at his descendent for pulling this.]

Hello, Captain Hunt.

This may seem like a very unusual question, but when are you from? [Because he knows who Telemachus is he has to guess 300 years into the long night.] ...It's quite an unusual anomaly.

[hunt4comnwlth]

[His eyebrows raise at the question.]

I'll bet. Time disturbances as well? Watch out for those, they can really spoil your century.

The date here is [and he gives a date corresponding to just a few days after the episode "The Unconquerable Man"]. We saw you just a few days ago, when you came to pick up your ancestor's...body. [It's never stopped being difficult, knowing that he killed his friend, even though he also knows he had no other choice.]

[majorum_pride]

[He has to close his eyes for a moment. That answers a lot of questions. And he sighs out his nose. He can do this! And as far as it may look, "Telemachus" isn't looking forward to the dead body of the Commonwealth hero that looks just like him.]

Then you're after my time. Perhaps I shouldn't ask for specifics and threaten any timelines, but I'm curious. How has the reconstruction of the Commonwealth been progressing.

[It's real Dylan talking to him! Not a hologram! It's real Dylan and he's alive and well and he didn't kill him.]

[hunt4comnwlth]

That sounds like a hell of an anomaly. Do you need assistance? I can have the Andromeda at Tarazed in a few days. [He smiles a chagrined smile and shrugs.] A few days from my time. But the offer is on the table all the same.

Without going into any specifics, there have been a couple of bumps in the road, but the Commonwealth exists again and is slowly growing day by day.

[majorum_pride]

No need. It will be repaired soon. [That sounds like the universe of Harper and Tyr. And it's promising since Dylan seems healthy and happy.] But feel free to mention it when you see me again. [He has to warning drop, just in case he doesn't see through the ruse while they're talking.]

...What about the Nietzscheans. Have they returned many of the worlds that they acquisitioned? [Did someone finally punch Charlemagne Bolivar in the FACE!?]

[hunt4comnwlth]

They've returned some. The Nietzscheans are split right now. The Sabra-Jaguar Pride signed the charter but that means that the Drago-Kazov Pride isn't feeling friendly to us at the moment.

[Speaking across time isn't easy. Dylan isn't sure how much to say or what Telemachus already knows. And there's something a bit odd about the invitation to talk about this anomaly later. He knew Rhade long enough to learn to pay attention when Nietzscheans say odd things. It's usually a cover for something else.]

What time are you from?

[majorum_pride]

[Urge to ask how he can stand Bolivar is rising. Resistance will be implemented at full scale assault.

He names a date around the point that Harper's eggs were removed.] It sounds as though the state of the Commonwealth is still fragile. [Ever the cynic.] Take care of it. Especially in the face of what's coming. I believe if my ancestor had known, [So awkward. He doesn't let himself appear to be awkward.] he would have been very proud of you.

[hunt4comnwlth]

It will grow stronger. [Dylan: always the optimist. Although a shadow falls upon his countenance at the mention of Gaheris Rhade and he sighs softly.]

I just wish he could have been a part of it.

[majorum_pride]

[Is that almost being forgiven? Or almost forgiven? After everything he did he doesn't hate him entirely? How would Telemachus respond?] You have a capable crew now regardless, and I look forward to seeing what alliances you make. In a time sensitive fashion.

[hunt4comnwlth]

I wish I could tell you more about it. But you'll see it happen soon enough.

[During this entire conversation Dylan's intuition has been screaming at him that he's missing something. Something important. But he can't logic out what it is.]

It's strange that no one ever mentioned this anomaly. Something causing time fluctuations on this scale...I'd expect news to get around.

I will assume that this conversation has concluded before Santa comments.

[majorum_pride]

And it's never been mentioned?

[Yes, he'll just go with this for now.] Hm. [Slight brow raise.] That's concerning. Has any of your crew mentioned experiencing something similar to this. Or speaking with someone called the Admiral? [Do Tyr and Harper remember the Barge D:?]

Probably best, otherwise Dylan would *immediately* have all the suspicions

[hunt4comnwlth]

There was the incident with Harper's Tesseract, but other than that we've been thankfully time anomaly free over here. Some of the planets we've visited have admirals for their local fleets, but I don't think the crew have ever talked to any of them.

[Which could mean they don't remember. Or that they very carefully don't talk about it.]

Why? Who is this Admiral? Telemachus, what's going on? [Dylan is convinced that Rhade isn't telling him something, but he doesn't know what or why. Time. Time has something to do with it, he's sure of it.]

Strange. Strange suspicions. Likely that he's going mad.

[majorum_pride]

He's been related to similar communication issues. It seemed like, given Harper's particular talents and Tyr's connections, that he may attempt to find resources through them.

[A shrug.] If they've not mentioned it it may not matter. Theoretically, this conversation might not even have happened after the anomaly is gone. [Also Brax what are you doing? Chair squirm. We'll just make it look like we're adjusting in our seat here.]

Or kidnapped and drugged. How else could he see Santa talking to a dead man.

[hunt4comnwlth]

A terrorist code name, maybe? I'll keep an ear out for it.

Theoretically it may not have happened, but my experience so far has been that when the future effects the past, those effects stay. Although since we don't know why this is happening, I guess different rules might apply.

[But now there are better things to talk about than anomalies. His thoughtful frown is replaced with a teasing, lopsided grin.]

So, you speak highly of me.

"D: Is another black hole creating a fake world for me?"

[majorum_pride]

You're a well known and accomplished captain, and you've helped rebuild the Commonwealth. I may have my ideas about isolationism [Oh Telemachus, you still have those, right? Please still have those...] but that makes your work no less profound.

[I think.]