So, here's the last part...

53 – Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again – Part 13

The days after Anath's birth passed and life on Andromeda slowly returned into its usual track. But the atmosphere on the ship changed and everyone felt happier than before. Andromeda couldn't remember a day in the past when her crew was that happy as they were now. There were no bad moods, no overheated discussions; it seemed as if they were all sharing the parents' happiness. Dylan stayed almost uninterrupted with Rommie and Anath. The ship itself was resting in a secure area, where there was no danger of unexpected attacks, close to Elyan. Andromeda grinned slightly at the thought that she returned to the place where everything began. Place, where Rommie's and Dylan's life changed so dramatically. From today's point of view, she could see the events from almost a year ago in quite different light and she suddenly understood why Trance did what she did. Why she literally forced Rommie into human life. Since then they have accomplished almost impossible things: they defeated the most deadly enemies, they succeeded in completely changing their lives. And this was undoubtedly a change for the better. She sank so deep in her thoughts that she almost overheard Dylan's call. Slightly ashamed she appeared as a hologram and smiled at him shyly: "I'm sorry Dylan; I just computed some tactical variables and didn't hear you immediately."

Dylan smirked at her: "If you believe me or not, I am almost sure you're lying. I am positive that you were thinking about us and our crew. And I'm absolutely delighted about it. There's no danger and you are more than capable of multitasking."

Slightly reddened cheeks of the hologram proved him that his assumptions were very close to the truth. "So, what did you called me for?" She tried her best to keep the professional voice, but didn't succeed completely.

"Do you know where Brigens is?" Asked Dylan.

"Of course I know!" Answered Andromeda slightly offended. "He's on the bridge with Trance."

"Well, I'll pay him a visit then. I have to tell him about my decision that he can remain with us. Would you please look after Rommie and Anath while I'm gone?"

"Of course, with greatest pleasure," answered Andromeda proudly. Since Anath's birth she really began to like the small girl and couldn't even think of life without her on board. Saying that she loved Rommie's and Dylan's daughter would be perhaps a bit too far stretched, but it wasn't far from the truth. She would ever watch over Anath and Rommie, even if Dylan wouldn't ask her.

Dylan now turned to Rommie, who was lying on the sofa, leaning on cushions and watched her little daughter. In her mother's happiness she looked more beautiful than ever. She blinked from Anath to Dylan and smiled: "Go to him, we'll be both OK. You won't be far away and it will not take you long to tell him what you have to, so you'll be back in no time." He went over to her, took her face in his hands and kissed her tenderly. "Most definitely! Every minute spent away from you two is lost!"

"Even though you wake up during the night every few minutes because Anath cries?" Asked Rommie and grinned at him. Her face showed clearly that she didn't get much sleep, for Anath requested very much attention. Rommie sighed: "I've read that out of 100.000 children, who sleep 20 hours a day and spend 4 hours awake, there is one, who needs only 4 hours of sleep, and 20 hours requests the attention of their mother. Why did we have to get exactly this one child?" But her dreamy smile witnessed just the opposite of her words. She would never exchange Anath for a calmer baby.

"You should also know, that all great persons in the history fall in this category," answered Dylan lovingly.

"Have you been like her? I mean… did you also sleep so little?" Asked Rommie and looked carefully at Anath. Such moments, as the little girl slept peacefully, were rare enough and she wouldn't want to wake her under any circumstances.

"I don't really know. But my mother once said that I've been a real plague as a kid. I always wanted to force my will to everyone and no one was able to convince me otherwise." Dylan smirked at this explanation of his childhood.

Rommie sighed heavily and smiled: "Well, at least now I know who's responsible for this."

"Don't be so sure Rommie. I'm absolutely positive that you would be exactly like Anath, have you been born as a human child, " teased Dylan. Then he straightened up and said: "It's really time to go to Brigens. The sooner I go, the sooner I'll be back with you."

As he entered the bridge, he saw Brigens, talking to Trance, while they were both working on their consoles. He looked relaxed, but Dylan knew that he has been waiting for quite a long time for Captain, to tell him about his decision. They both noticed him immediately and turned to face him. Dylan smiled at them and closed in on Brigens. "Mr. Brigens, I believe there is something I still have to tell you. I promised you, I would make a decision concerning your further stay on Andromeda. I'm really glad to tell you, that I decided to ask you, to stay in our company for as long as you deem necessary. Of course, if you don't have any other plans."

Brigens smiled relieved: "No, Captain, I have absolutely no different plans. I have been hoping you would make such a decision. In this time aboard I really came to appreciate everything you offered me and I feel like a member of this wonderful crew. It would be difficult for me, should I be forced to leave you." He offered Dylan his hand and both men shook their hands resolutely. "Thank you, Captain! I'll do everything to assure you, you've made the right decision."

"Of that I am absolutely sure," answered Dylan and turned to leave the bridge as he heard Trance: "Dylan, I'm sure you've made the right decision." He turned to her and looked into her eyes. A small smile showed on his face and he nodded affirmative. He already turned towards the hatch again as he decided to ask her one more question: "Trance, how is it possible, that you and Xzander told us we would become a son, while it was in fact a daughter?" His eyes gazed at Trance questioningly.

Trance smiled mysteriously: "Another evidence, that sometimes everything goes beyond control."

Dylan smirked and shook his head: "I should have known better you wouldn't give me any useful answer. Nevertheless, I am absolutely happy and love Anath deeply." Then he left the bridge with burning desire to return to his daughter and Rommie as soon as possible.

After Dylan left them, Trance turned again to her console. She smiled happily, thinking of Anath, who would become so important for the future of the universe. She too was questioning herself why Dylan and Rommie became a daughter, for it had been predicted, they would have a son. After a while she decided to drop the subject and dedicated herself to her work.

Suddenly she felt how something crept through the ship. Something unknown, like an energy wave. She instantly became goose bumps. She shuddered and asked herself what could have it been. She hastily tried to find out if Andromeda's sensors have registered it, but there was absolutely no sign of anything unusual. But she knew for sure, something happened. She turned to Brigens, who was obviously unimpressed working at his console and asked a bit unsure: "Did you feel it too? The…"

Before she could finish her question, she stopped in middle of the sentence and remained there with open mouth. Brigens turned to her and his eyes radiated in bright white light. She hastily made few step away from him and stuttered: "You… you… you are one of us!" As she looked into his eyes, she almost forgot to breathe. His eyes were completely white, shining like two stars in the night sky.

Brigens smiled at her: "Yes and no, Trance Gemini. I am one of you and yet not. The truth is, I am one of your and Magog's creators."

Trance was unable to think coherently and continued to stare at this creature, which she up till now thought were a human. She couldn't understand why she didn't recognize him sooner. "But you… your species… you disappeared!"

Brigens, or whatever this being was, shook its head smiling: "Wrong. We didn't disappear. We just retreated, went in hiding. We waited that someone would appear who could bring peace to the universe once again. So we noticed Captain Hunt. No, he's no superman, but he and his wife incorporate exactly that what we were looking for: love, determination, courage, loyalty, faith. So we decided to help them."

Trance gazed at him still deep in shock: "Does that mean… does… I mean… do you control my people too?"

Brigens nodded: "Yes, we helped a bit here and there to channel everything in the right direction."

"But… how can you look like a human? You looked completely different before."

"Correct. But we are also able to coexist in foreign body, without significant influence on the consciousness of that being. We only steer them subconsciously sometimes, so that our interference seems to them as their own decision. It's not exactly nice, but in such cases it is sometimes the only way. This body, you know as Brigens, is in fact still his body, his soul, his consciousness, just under slight influence from me. Why did I do it? Because my mission is to protect Rommie, Dylan, Anath and Tamerlane, without them knowing it. Therefore I chose this human, knowing my real appearance would disturb everyone aboard. But you should have no fears. I will never again appear to anyone and all you will see in the future is the real Brigens."

Suddenly Trance understood: "So it was your work that Dylan and Rommie got a daughter instead of a son."

Brigens nodded: "Exactly. It's better for the future of the universe." Suddenly his eyes began to glow even brighter, a ray of blinding white light dissipated from his head and hit Trance, who had to close her eyes. Momentarily she felt dizzy and collapsed on the floor.

As she opened her eyes again, she saw Brigens, hovering above her with concerned face. "Thanks God, Trance, you're conscious again. I was scared and just wanted to call Andromeda for help." With his help she stood up a bit insecure and grasped at the console for support. In this moment, Andromeda's hologram formed and she asked worriedly: "Is something wrong with you Trance?"

"I'll be fine," shook Trance her head and asked still a bit shaken: "What happened?"

"You suddenly collapsed, just like that, as if you were struck by lightning," explained Brigens with still concerned eyes. "Are you sure everything is OK?"

Trance felt almost normal now and she grinned at Brigens: "Believe me I won't go down so easily. I died quite a few times but always managed to come back." Then she turned to Andromeda, who was looking at her concerned. "How's Anath doing?" She didn't even know why she asked it, but she felt the urge to know how the baby was.

Andromeda's face lightened: "Perfect. She woke again and screams her lungs out. I guess Rommie is going to despair sometime soon." She giggled quietly.

"I don't think so. She's soooo in love with the baby," answered Trance and returned to her work.

Andromeda contemplated for a second, but as she saw that Trance and Brigens both returned to their work, she decided to better take a look at the Hunt family instead of disturbing the work on the bridge.

In the meantime, Dylan returned to his family and smirked as he saw Rommie, trying to calm down now completely awakened and very loudly screaming Anath. She rocked her in her arms, paced to and fro and tried everything she could to sooth her baby. But Anath didn't take any notice and cried with undiminished intensity. As Rommie saw Dylans grinning face, she looked at him sulkily and a bit irritated: "Why wouldn't you try to do it, huh?"

Dylan stepped to her and took Anath out of her arms. Suddenly it was completely quiet in the room. Perhaps was Anath so shocked to be torn away from her mother, or she fell asleep exhausted. Only serenity mattered and Dylan looked at Rommie, standing there like a statue with her mouth open triumphantly: "THIS is how you have to do it Rommie, see!"

Rommie closed her mouth slowly and amazement in her eyes slowly turned into something else. Suddenly she looked at him mischievously and grinned widely: "Perfect! Now I can get a little sleep, seeing how you are completely in control of the situation!" She turned on her heel and disappeared into the bedroom.

Dylan continued to look after her, triumph clearly written all over his face. But, as it has to be, this situation was more than short lived, for just few moments after Rommie closed the door to the bedroom, Anath began to scream even louder than before. Completely confused, Dylan looked at his daughter and tried to sooth her, but failed miserably, the only result he achieved was even louder screaming. Finally he gave up.

"Rommie! Rommie! Please, come back! Please! ROMMIEEEEEEEEEEE!"

END

So, this is it! My longest atory, which started as simple 5-6 chapter story evolved in something completely different, took its own course, which I was simply forced to follow. Yes, it took me extremely long to finish it. Life interfered in many occasions, also for few years consecutively.I hope that there are still some readers ou there and that they are satisfied that I didn't leave the story hanging. I once wrote I don't like unfinished stories and I did my best to fulfill my words.

I still have one other story to finish and I will do my best to really do it.

I'd like to thank to all who gave their feedback, comments etc. It helps if you know that someone values your work.