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Chapter 12  

To Bell the Belle - Epilogue

Time: Day 16
Location: Andromeda Ascendant

"A toast," said Dylan to the guests sitting around the wardroom table. "To the Salvager's Guild's new anti piracy unit."

"And to the fact that Winnipeg drift is paying for repairs to the Belle so we can use it as part of the unit," added George.

Dylan and the surviving captains of the battle with Richard Bellamy were in Andromeda's officers mess celebrating the return of Winnipeg drift back to it's inhabitants and the creation of the Guild anti piracy unit which the FTA had made as one of their conditions for rescinding their decree of outlawry against the Salvagers' Guild. Conversation and wine had flowed freely until after the desert when Dylan tapped his wine glass with his fork to get everyone's attention letting them know that the meal was nearly over and it was time for his toast.

"I can hear Nikolay complaining already," said Beka after the laughter following George's comments had ceased. "Arguing that he needs more ships."

"I have good news on that front," said Dylan. "The Systems Commonwealth has decided to donate another Gazelle class corvette along with its landers to the Guild's anti piracy unit."

"I have some good news of my own," said George when the cheering died down. "The Takahashi family has agreed to relinquish their claim on the less damaged freighter we captured. It now officially belongs to the Abernathy family and the surveyors here on the drift have assured me that she can be made space worthy again." He held up his hand to stop the cheering. "There's more," he said. "Thanks to Beka's good offices, the family is gaining a new member and another new ship. Patrick and Carla have agreed to wed and as Patrick has broken from his family he will be marrying into our family, and bringing the Enchantress with him."

The dinner broke up shortly afterwards with everyone returning to their own quarters or ships. When Dylan entered his stateroom he poured himself a night cap and settled into his favorite chair, as he did so Andromeda's holographic self flickered into existence. "You look quite please with yourself Captain," she said.

"The pirates were put out of business, Winnipeg Drift is sending representatives to Sinti IV to discuss establishing formal diplomatic relations with the Commonwealth. The FTA has been given a bloody nose and the Commonwealth is rethinking their relationship with it. And we may have made some useful contacts with K-MAC so I would say that we accomplished a great deal," answered Dylan

"Plus we got our crew back," added Andromeda's core self as she appeared on the staterooms viewscreen..

Dylan raised an eyebrow at Core's comment. "I thought you didn't approve of them, Andromeda," he said.

"I can't say that I approve of them, Captain," corrected Core. " If this was 300 years ago the entire Salvagers' Guild would be serving time in a corrective rehabilitation center, but as my sister selves are constantly reminding me that was then this is now. As much as I hate to admit it, by the standards of this time and place our crew members are on the side of the angels."

Dylan gave the image in the view screen a wry smile. "There are times I tend to agree with you," he said. "But like your alter egos said, that was then and this is now. We do seem to have wrapped this one up quite nicely though. I'd call it a solid win for our side."

"It may not be that simple, Captain," said Core.

"I'm not sure I follow you," said Dylan.

"We've identified the two converted freighters that were captured along with the Belle," explained Andromeda's holographic self. "They were originally the Kinshan and the Patria both owned by the FTA's Dog Star corporation. Both ships were listed by the Fenree branch of the corporation as being scrapped."

"It sounds like someone in the corporation was on Richard Bellamy's payroll," said Dylan. "It will need to be looked into, but I don't see it as anything to be overly concerned about."

"There's more to it than that, Captain," said holo Andromeda

"What do you mean?" asked Dylan.

"At the same time the ships were reportedly being scrapped by Dog Star, Patrick Bellamy and the Enchantress were on Fenree negotiating with the Dog Star corporation about a cargo shipment to several Fringe worlds."

"That's....interesting," said Dylan. "Though I suppose it could just be coincidence."

"It could be," agreed Andromeda's core self uncertainty evident in her voice "Or..."

Dylan finished the thought for her. "Or it it might mean that the Abernathys have brought a viper into their family."

Chapter 12