The search for sanity

By Natta

Summary: When all the male members of Andromeda are drugged to act strangely, Rommie, Beka and Trance has to take matters in their own hands and get their sanity back. Set in the beginning of the second season.

Disclaimer: I wouldnt claim that I owned them. The series wouldnt be as good if I did.

Rommie had a hard time seeing anything through the small holes of the Seka. It was a traditional thing for women to wear on the Mandera homeworld. She hated it already, but didnt take it off for Dylans sake. She didnt want him to get into anymore trouble, getting ambassador Kylin to understand how great things would get if they joined the commonwealth had been really hard, but he finally seemed to soften a bit. Rommie smiled under the thick garments when she thought back to when an uncertain Dylan was going to tell them about the tradition.

Um, you know this Mandera homeworld were going to, he had said extremely carefully after asking the three of them to join him in his office/quarters. Rommies android memory recalled everything perfectly. He had looked as if hed rather be light-years away, and maybe even a little frightened.

Well he didnt really know how to say it.

Spit it out, Beka had said, We dont have all day. Dylan had made a silent prayer and then looked at them pleadingly, more helpless than Rommie had ever seen him before.

Well they have this tradition that all women needs to wear a Seka. Its a garment that covers up your whole body and leaves a hole only for your eyes. Rommie had raised an eyebrow and even Trance looked a bit taken aback.

I suppose thats okay, the purple girl had said and smiled, maybe a little forced but still a smile. Rommie of course didnt object, shed never do that to anything Dylan told her.

Never, Beka had said. No one was really surprised. She even refused to wear a dress or a skirt, it was highly unbelievable that shed ever put on something like a Seka.

Please Beka, said Dylan. Its not that bad, and its only for a few hours.

I wont do it, she said and Rommie saw in her face that she wouldnt change her mind on this one. You can leave me behind or Ill take the Maru somewhere. But Im not wearing that. Dylan sighed.

You cant go away. They demand that all the crew are present. Beka frowned. Rommie had followed the conversation/argument very closely, she had a big interest in how humans behaved.

Why?

They seem paranoid, and I dont want to risk an important member. I think theyre afraid that well plan an infiltration or something. Beka had snorted and looked away.

Well, Ill come then.

And youll wear the Seka? Dylan looked hopeful.

Most certainly not! had Beka said and stormed out of the room, mumbling something about supporting oppression of women.

Rommie shook her head and smiled a bit at the memory, it had been interesting (and though shed never admit it, a bit amusing) to watch. She looked over at Beka, who sat between her and the covered-up Trance, and wondered if she had any regrets about her decision. All the Manderas in the room stared at her with despise, and she seemed a bit troubled. She wouldnt turn down her gaze though, to Beka that would be like a defeat, so her blue-green gaze was staring them out. Trance looked as if she was about to fall asleep, from what Rommie could see, at least. Her eyes were half-closed and the tail that came out from a hole in the Seka hung limply down to the floor. The ambassador suddenly rose and looked happy.

Well captain, Im glad we could come to an agreement. I hope our cooperation will work well. Beka snorted loudly and the ambassador looked slightly disturbed but pretended not to hear.

You are now welcome to have a little party with me before you go back to your ship.

Um, well actually, started Dylan but the ambassador interrupted.

I insist. Your women can wait here in the mean time, it wont be long. Dylan shrugged and raised an eyebrow to his women before he left. Tyr just looked utterly bored and didnt look at anyone when he left. Rev looked like Rev always looked and Harper seemed far from his happy self. When they all had left Rommie was going to take off her Seka, but saw two guards remain at the door. She sighed and dejected fell back in her chair. This was going to be a long evening.

Dylan was standing at the window, looking out at the Andromeda that stood outside. He was mostly just waiting until they could leave and the others looked as if they thought the same. The Mandera seemed to enjoy themselves though, especially ambassador Kylin who apparently was very happy about being a part of the new commonwealth.

Would you like another one of these sir? a covered-up women asked. Her garments were even worse than the Sekas Rommie and Trance wore. The holes in front of her eyes were smaller and covered with several transparent fabrics. The garment also looked at least twice as thick and when she held out the plate toward him he saw she wore thick gloves. Altogether, it had to be unbearably hot in the already warm room. He shook his head and smiled at her. When she turned away, his smile disappeared and he felt very troubled. Suddenly, he began to understand Bekas refusal to wear the Seka. This wasnt only a matter of clothes, the women here were clearly thought less of than dogs, or even insects!

Come on captain Hunt and join us for a toast, said a smiling ambassador Kylin and Dylan tried to hide what he thought. Tyr, Harper and Rev had already been served a glass each and the ambassador first gave him one and then took the last one himself. He raised his glass and the others followed his example.

To the commonwealth, he said and everyone took a sip. Dylan was startled by the taste of it, it didnt taste as anything he had ever tried before. Not that it wasnt good, actually it was very good, but it had something in it that felt strange. He shrugged it off and though that it was just him who wasnt used to the tastes of this species. He approached the ambassador.

Im terribly sorry, but I think its time for us to leave. The ambassador looked surprised.

Already? Cant you at least stay and finish those drinks? Its one of our specialities. Dylan decided to humour him, so he quickly finished it and the others did the same. Just as they were going to leave, he felt dizzy and the world started spinning. He started falling backwards but someone caught him.

Dont worry, a voice whispered in his ear. Everything will be just fine. Finer...than it ever was.

~TBC~