The Longest Day
Disclaimer: Hercules and Iolaus belong to Renaissance Pictures while the character of Dylan Hunt and other Andromeda characters belong to Tribune Entertainment. No profits are being made from these stories. No copyright infringement is intended. This story is written for entertainment purposes only.
Summary: Dylan Hunt aka Hercules grieves for the loss of his family and friends after a 300 year absence.
Author’s Note: I am going to establish the fall of the Commonwealth many centuries after what takes place in my Voyager stories. In my stories, since Hercules was responsible for founding Starfleet..then the Commonwealth..and then after being dumped in a black hole for 300 years..no civilization is left..that’s why Dylan Hercules Hunt wants to rebuild the Commonwealth.
NOTE: Think of this story as happening in an alternate universe. This story does not follow the Andromeda storyline, but merely draws its inspiration from the popular new science fiction series. This version of Andromeda is all fiction straight from the imagination of Skylark especially the Hercules is Dylan Hunt part. Perhaps in a parallel universe where this story takes place, Hercules is Dylan Hunt. I hope you all enjoy my rendition of the events of Andromeda and Hercules. What do you think reader?
CHAPTER 1
“You know Rommie, I can’t believe that I’ve lost 300 years. 300 years. My family. My friends. My fiancée” Dylan sighs.
“Dylan, if it’s any consolation, you still have the Andromeda Ascendant. And by all reports your crew survived their escape pods. And you survived. That’s what’s important.” Andromeda replies.
“I still can’t believe it. I mean the day started ordinarily enough. I took my shower. I sat in my command chair. I warned Commonwealth command about a possible Nietzchean invasion. The day started and ended 300 years later. Everyone I know is probably dead.”
Dylan continues.
“Didn’t you tell me that Iolaus is immortal? That he is Guardian of the Light? He still lives, Dylan.” Andromeda replies.
“Yes, but after 300 years where can he be? Iolaus and I have known each other since childhood and we’ve never been apart that long. Rommie, it’s dangerous if this new crew finds out that my true identity is Hercules. The Olympians made many enemies before they settled on Earth…I cannot run the risk of having anyone on the crew suspect that I am a half-God Son of Zeus.” Dylan “Hercules” Hunt replies.
“Hercules, you needn’t worry.. I doubt this crew will ever find out your true identity as long as they don’t look up old Starfleet records and make the connection.”
“Especially if they check out Janeway’s old time travel records then they will know for sure that if I lived into the 24th century..I could very well live many centuries after that. Unfortunately, Starfleet kept excellent records. With the Commonwealth gone, the Federation gone..Sarah’s gone..” Tears well up in Hercules’ eyes as he thinks of all the people he has lost over the last 300 years. Andromeda takes human form and allows Dylan to cry over the loss of Sarah.
“Sarah and I were to be married. I loved her so much..we were meant to be together forever..now she’s gone..300 years..in just 5 seconds..” Andromeda takes Hercules into her shoulders as he heaves and cries over the loss of 300 years.
“Sarah is in the Light. She’s waiting for you. You know that’s what Iolaus would say.”
Hercules feels relieved by Andromeda’s comforting presence. Rev Bem decides to visit Dylan and sees Captain Hunt crying in Andromeda’s arms. He sits by Dylan and hopes to comfort him.
Rev Bem enters the room and bows to Dylan and says “I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation with Andromeda. I had a vision last night which might comfort you. It is from what we Magog call The Divine or what you humans call The Light.” Rev Bem looks at Dylan and notices intense interest as he said the word “The Light”.
Rev Bem notices this intense interest of Dylan’s that verges on curiosity and continues his philosophical discussion. “Sometimes The Divine operates in mysterious ways. The Messenger of The Divine calls himself Iolaus. This Iolaus wants you to know, Dylan, that you are not alone. That the Light travels with you wherever you go. If you want to see the Guardian of the Divine or as you humans call it, the Guardian of the Light, you need only look into your heart.”
Dylan’s eyes well with tears as he remembers his life with Iolaus..his life as Hercules..in Greece..then in Starfleet..then as Commonwealth officer..always with Iolaus as his side..but now after 300 years..he wonders..what is Iolaus doing now? Where is he? Will he forgive me for being absent for 300 years? At least I’m not alone. At least I know Iolaus is still alive somewhere.
Rev Bem sees the emotional reaction his message has had on Dylan. He puts a comforting paw on Dylan’s wide shoulder and continues to speak. “Dylan, there’s more to the vision. This part of the vision I do not understand..it seems that the Messenger of the Divine, Iolaus, says something about a planet called Raisa” Rem Bem turns to Dylan and asks “What is Raisa?”
Dylan sighs with relief as he realizes that Iolaus is on Raisa. The name Raisa conjures up many happy memories for him..so many vacations with Iolaus on this lovely planet..the planet of love..the planet where all the Starfleet officers used to go for their vacations..a planet of lush vegetation..beautiful maidens..with statues of love..a planet where his half sister Aphrodite ruled supreme..a planet at peace. The perfect place for Iolaus to be..Dylan starts as he realizes that Rev Bem is still looking at him expecting him to answer his question.
“Raisa, is a resort planet where the Commonwealth officers used to go for vacation..it has a beautiful lake..where there are restaurants, casinos, hotels, beautiful white sandy beaches, scuba diving, mountain climbing, it’s a good place to go to rest..and have fun. It was on Raisa that I met Sarah…” Dylan’s eyes takes on a distant look.
“So Dylan, I take it that Andromeda Ascendant is now headed to Raisa?” Rev Bem asks expectantly.
Dylan looks at Rev Bem with mischevious eyes and replies “Only if the crew wants a vacation. I have no objections.”
Dylan sits in the command chair at the bridge of Andromeda and informs of the crew of their next destination.
“We are heading for Raisa. Full speed ahead.”
Andromeda responds “Slipstream ready.”
“On your mark go”
Andromeda travels through the slipstream to the beautiful planet of Raisa.
“Dylan, as this rate we will arrive at Raisa in two hours” says Beka Valentine, the strong independent blond female captain of the Eureka Maru, now second in command on the Andromeda at the navigation helm.
Dylan leaves the command chair and walks to his quarters and says to Beka “The bridge belongs to you. Call me when we arrive at Raisa.”
Tyr Anastasi, the Nietzchean mercernary with his muscular good looks, long braided hair, and warrior outlook comments on their planet of destination “ Raisa..that’s a special planet among Nietzcheans. It is the planet of fertility. A couple is assured of many children if they go toRaisa and is blessed by Aphrodite, the goddess of fertility. It is unusual for a Nietzchean to travel to Raisa unless he is married and is about to start a family. Then the ritual is to have the Goddess of Fertility bless the married couple.”
Rev Bem looks blank “We Magog have heard legends of Raisa but it is mainly a human planet. We hear legends that Raisa is a mystical place that predates humans and many supernatural occurrences happen there. That’s all I know.”
Harper, the only member of the crew to be from Earth comments “Raisa is supposed to be the planet of love. Anyone who goes to Raisa falls in love. Among Earth legends, Aphrodite is NOT the Goddess of Fertility, she is the Goddess of Love..if you believe in such crap…” Harper remarks with a cynical grin.
Trance Gemini, with her purple skin and tail is not of the humanoid race looks curiously at Harper and asks “Harper, haven’t you ever been in love?”
Harper gives Trance a dirty look “No,never had the time.”
Beka Valentine remarks “Raisa is a great place to trade. Many races go there. Because Raisa is such a peaceful beautiful planet, people are very relaxed and when people are relaxed, they are more eager to part with their money. I’ve been to Raisa many times and I’ve had my greatest deals and transactions on Raisa. It is a very generous planet..generous to the pocketbook if you know what I mean. Since we’re headed to Raisa, I’ll just do some business there. Make some money. Why do you think Dylan wants to go there?”
Tyr surmises “Since Dylan does come from Earth, and Harper does say that humans from Earth regard Raisa as the planet of love, perhaps Dylan wants to fall in love again.”
Rev Bem comes closer to the truth “No, I think..he’s trying to find his Way. It’s been 300 years. Dylan feels lost. I think going to Raisa will help him heal.” Rev Bem keeps to himself the real truth for Rev Bem suspects that Dylan is going to Raisa to see Iolaus, the Messenger of the Divine. Rev Bem keeps his word and doesn’t tell the rest of the crew his suspicions. The Magog are correct in their assumption that Raisa is a place of supernatural occurrences..seeing the Messenger of the Divine named Iolaus in the flesh qualifies as a supernatural occurrence in Rev Bem’s book. The wise Magog reverently bows and leaves the discussion to go into meditation in his quarters hoping to get more divine messages from Iolaus. Rev Bem senses a bond between this Iolaus and Dylan though he doesn’t understand why.
In another part of the ship….
Harper knocks on Dylan’s door and sees Dylan knee deep in PADDS. “Come on Harper, what can I do for you?”
“I see you’re studying on 300 years worth of history PADDS” Harper remarks as he sees the Eureka Maru’s database scattered all over Dylan’s desk.
“Well, you know 300 years is a lot to absorb. You know Harper, I do appreciate you and the rest of the crew for acting as my guide.”
“Our pleasure..I still don’t see how you are going to rebuild the Commonwealth..”
“No, Harper, that’s where you are wrong. I am not going to rebuild the Commonwealth. WE are going to rebuild the Commonwealth.”
“Dylan, how can you be so sure, it can be done?” Dylan hesitates to answer that question. Dylan knows that as Hercules he and Iolaus united Greece..helped end hunger and war on Earth..create Utopia with the assistance of Lois and Clark and their descendants..create a peaceful alliance of planets under the Starfleet banner and then help establish the Commonwealth many centuries after that…Hercules smiles at Harper and answers enigmatically “I just have faith..that’s how I know that the Commonwealth can be rebuilt. You must have faith too. I have to believe that I was dumped in that black hole for 300 years for a reason…for a cosmic purpose.”
At this Harper snorts “Oh yeah, let me guess..The DIVINE purpose right? You’ve been having way too many discussions with Rev Bem!”
Hercules looks at Harper and is reminded of a young Iolaus..back at Cheiron’s Academy when Iolaus was just beginning to believe in himself and in their legendary friendship. Here is another young man who needs someone to believe in him and something to believe in.
“Rebuilding the Commonwealth is a just cause..whether it be The Divine or not..are you with me on this Harper? Think of it as an adventure..an adventure of a lifetime and I tell you this..you won’t regret it..” Hercules pauses to look at Harper.
Harper replies “At least I get three square meals a day here on Andromeda that’s all I care about!”
Hercules laughs as he is truly reminded of Iolaus..Like Iolaus..Harper has had a rough childhood..and neither Harper nor Iolaus could ever turn down a good meal. “Tell me Harper, have we arrived at Raisa?”
“Yes, that’s it..now I remember why I came to see you. Beka wanted me to tell you that we have arrived on Raisa.”
CHAPTER 2
The temple of Aphrodite has many sculptures. Of course the main sculpture occupying this pink temple is of Aphrodite herself. There are many sculptures of Aphrodite all over the planet of Raisa. Each race and species who has ever visited Raisa has contributed a sculpture, a painting..a hologram..of Aphrodite in all her glory. Aphrodite..the Goddess of Love..of Fertility..of Coupling..of Lust..of Peace..you name it Aphrodite has been it. Iolaus yawns and stretches as he gets out of Aphrodite’s pink bed. Iolaus misses Hercules but after 300 years,he has become accustomed to life on Raisa. Mascarading as Cupid has been fun. Iolaus feels that old tingling of the hairs behind his neck and he realizes that something important is about to happen today.
“Aphrodite..I can feel him..Hercules..it’s been 300 years..but he’s here..at Raisa..do you feel him?” Iolaus asked excitedly.
Aphrodite is in the middle of painting her nails another shade of pink. “Yes, Sweetcheeks, I’’ve known for quite some time that Hercola is here. But he’s still into that whole secret identity thing. I can’t just pop in to see him. His crew on Andromeda doesn’t know that he’s Hercules.”
“I can’t wait to see Herc..it’s been so long!” Iolaus rushes out the door in excitement.
“Whoa there..you can’t just see Hercules either or else his crew will put it all together. No, you’re going to have to go as Cupid, that’s your secret identity..remember Sweetcheeks?”
“Oh yeah..these past three hundred years have seen the fall of the Commonwealth. No one trusts each other anymore. Poor Herc is going to have quite a time trying to rebuild the Commonwealth. I wish I could be at his side..you know like when we founded Utopia and Starfleet..” Iolaus looks sad.
“Don’t worry Sweetcheeks..we’ll find a way to see Hercules..hmm..well you know..this is the planet of Love..maybe we can make his crew believe that Hercules is here to see his long lost Sarah..”
“Yeah, I guess Michael owes me a few favors..I guess I can have Herc visit Sarah. It’s a real shame you know..they were about to be married before Herc disappeared into that black hole..”
“Herc never really got a chance to say goodbye to her. I think seeing Sarah in the Light will help Herc get over her..just like he had to see Deiandera in the Light before he could let go of her..Poor Herc..losing the ones he loves has always been the hardest part of being immortal for him..he cares so much…besides I think that that Magog on his ship already knows too much..”
“Yeah, but he hasn’t guessed that Dylan Hunt is Hercules, has he?”
“No, Aphrodite, Herc’s secret is safe. Earth is too much in chaos. For now, Herc’s safer that no one knows that he’s a half-God. Those Olympians made way too many enemies. Enslaved too many humanoid planets before they came to Greece. As far as his crew is concerned, I’m Cupid..and he’s poor Dylan Hunt coming to Raisa to say goodbye to Sarah one last time.”
Beka Valentine transports herself to Raisa. She looks around this lush planet and sighs “I can’t wait to make some serious money!” Immediately, Beka Valentine sees her clients in the distance sitting at an elegant café. Beka waves to her clients. Yes, she thinks. My clients look fat and rich. This will be a most profitable trip. Dylan should make more stops to Raisa. Beka heads off to the café to make some serious cash.
Harper heads off to the white beautiful sandy beach in search of surfing and beautiful girls. Trance explores the mountains and magical caverns of Raisa as she decides to take an ecology tourist trip..climbing the mountains of Raisa while exploring its untamed scenery.
The only person who chooses to remain onboard Andromeda is Tyr Anastasi. For a Nietzchean to visit Raisa without a mate to be fertile with is totally embarrassing. Tyr does not want to face the Goddess of Fertility without first having a mate. Tyr mists up as he thinks of Freira, the woman he had mated with to get back at the Pride that had betrayed his. Tyr remains onboard Andromeda making any necessary repairs.
Rev Bem heads for the nearest monastery. A wayist colony has settled on this planet of peace. Rev Bem heads in the most cloistered part of the monastery to begin his meditations. He prays to the Divine..I hope Dylan finds what he is looking for..that this Iolaus..the other half of Dylan’s soul can help repair the damage of 300 years worth of lost time.
THE REUNION
With his crew safely occupied, Dylan wanders around Raisa. He sees Iolaus dressed as Cupid in the daily love and/or fertility mating ritual. The maidens raise their love statues and the expectant males walk over to the maiden to mate with her. Any maiden holding a love statue wants to make love. Any maiden holding a fertility statue is looking to bless a married couple with fertility. Iolaus (Cupid) stands on a terrace overlooking the countryside. His blond hair blows in the wind. Iolaus is dressed in a white toga. He catches sight of Hercules walking aimlessly around the various cafes. Hercules sees Iolaus for the first time in 300 years.
“Iolaus..it’s so good to see you again..my friend..” Hercules gives Iolaus a big bear hug.
Iolaus returns the hug “It’s good to see you again..Herc..after 300 years..it’s been such a long time.”
A brunette walks up behind Hercules and Iolaus. Iolaus introduces Hercules to the brunette. No introductions are necessary as Hercules’ mouth drops..as he recognizes Sarah…
“Sarah..is that really you?”
“Yes, my love..Michael let me come to Raisa to see you.”
”Sarah I have never stopped loving you”
“I know, Dylan..”
“Sarah, I’m so sorry about the black hole.”
“At least we had that moment in time. I mounted a rescue operation. We knew you had fallen into a black hole. When you ordered your crew to abandon ship, most survived because of your sacrifice.”
“Sarah, can you ever forgive me?”
“Dylan, know this. No matter where I am, I will always love you. You will always be in my heart.”
“Sarah..oh Sarah..it’s so good to see you again.”
Hercules falls into Sarah’s arms as they make love one last time. Iolaus wisely leaves his old buddy to Sarah.
“You know Aphrodite, I think for the first time in 300 years..it’s good that Sarah and Herc are finally together again.”
“I have sent Rev Bem a message. I told him that Dylan
is now with Sarah. He will tell the rest of the Andromeda crew that that’s
the reason for Dylan’s visit to Raisa. Dylan’s cover is safe. Hercules can
rebuild the Commonwealth as Captain Dylan Hunt of the High Guard, Captain of
the Andromeda Ascendent.”
”Don’t worry Sweetcheeks..someday when Dylan has rebuilt the
Commonwealth..you can fight by his side again. After all, you are
immortal..you have all the time in the world.”
“Herc will be alright as long as he knows that you are with him in spirit wherever he goes.”
“All I want is for Herc to be happy.” Iolaus sighs and he opens the window to the Elysian Fields and sees Hercules happily making love to Sarah.
CHAPTER—Epilogue
“I take it the visit to Raisa was a profitable one for you Beka” teases Tyr.
“Oh I made a bundle. You wouldn’t believe what I made in information technology alone. That information in the medical bay of the Andromeda is worth its weight in gold. There’s this guy who says that because of that medical information, I saved his planet from some plague!”
“The surfing was great. The girls were great. Here’s my surfing trophy. I won first prize. Here’s my love statuette. Next time I come to Raisa, all I have to do is raise this love statuette and a beautiful maiden will come by and make love tome and then we can go to Aphrodite’s temple and be blessed. My only regret is that on this trip I didn’t get to meet the great Aphrodite. I hear she’s a babe!”
Rev Bem comes back on deck looking fully rested “My prayers were answered. Dylan is still with Sarah. They are saying their goodbyes as we speak. It breaks my heart that he will have to leave his precious Sarah again. I’ll have to say that the loss of Sarah is Dylan’s greatest loss when he went into his 300 year sleep. He’ll have to lose her all over again.”
Harper asks “Why can’t he just visit Sarah every time we come to Raisa?”
Rev Bem answers “Sarah has been dead for 300 years. The Divine is giving Dylan this one last chance to say goodbye to her. And then once Dylan’s time comes like all living beings..he can be with her again in the Light when his time comes..that’s The Way..Iolaus..The Messenger of the Light made this reunion with Sarah possible for Dylan..but it’s a one time deal..”
“Sarah..I have to go soon. I can feel it.” Hercules puts his arms around his fiancée and cuddles next to her naked body. He looks at her deep brown eyes reflecting love and devotion to the fiancé that she lost to time.
“Hercules, I will always love you. Take my love with you wherever you go.” Sarah gives Hercules one last kiss before Hercules disappears in a sparkle of pink.
Hercules finds himself dressed in his High Guard uniform standing in front of Iolaus and Aphrodite.
“I’m sorry Herc..Michael says it’s time for you to rejoin your ship. I’m not coming with you this time to fight by your side..not yet..for now..let your crew be your guide..”
“Iolaus..I’m going to miss you..it’s been 300 years..how can I ever make that up to you? How will we ever have time to catch up with each other?”
“Herc..you need to catch up on 300 years of history..for you 300 years passed like 5 seconds..I lived those 300 years..I watched in horror as the Commonwealth fell..I lost so many friends to the attacks of both the Magog and the Nietzcheans during the last three centuries..I came to Raisa because without you at my side..I just didn’t have the heart to fight anymore. It just wasn’t the same. We were no longer a team. My heart felt empty.”
“I understand Iolaus..like the seven months when you died in Sumeria and left me alone..I wandered Sumeria, Eire and Norway aimlessly..I fought the good fight but without you at my side..it just ..well I understand”
“Herc, I knew you weren’t dead. I didn’t feel you in the Light..but I didn’t know what happened to you or your ship..all the Commonwealth ships were destroyed. I had already ordered my crew to abandon ship..I was injured and dying on the bridge..the Nietzcheans were killing us all..suddenly Aphrodite appeared in the midst of battle. Through the haze of pain, she took me here to Raisa. She nursed me back to health and I’ve been here ever since.”
“Iolaus..I too ordered my crew to abandon ship..there were Nietzcheans everywhere. I was fighting my first officer who had betrayed me and had somehow sabotaged the Andromeda. I stabbed him. Iolaus..he was my best friend..he was going to be best man at my wedding..Andromeda was drifting into a black hole..I figured I could hide Andromeda in the black hole and then when the Nietzchean ships left the area, I could retrieve my crew in their lifepods. But that’s not how it happened.” Hercules takes a deep breath before continuing his story.
“My first officer and I fought for our lives. Meanwhile, Andromeda was hurtling through space into the black hole. I overpowered the first officer. For the first time in centuries, I used my full Olympian strength to my advantage and I killed him. I was still in shock that he would betray me after 3 years of friendship. Five seconds seemed to pass. Next thing I knew..Andromeda was telling me that 300 years had passed and that we had intruders on board.”
Iolaus interrupts from here as he guessed the rest of the story “Those intruders turned out to be your present crew. I know the rest of the story from my meditations with Rev Bem. It seems that the crew of the Eureka Maru wanted to salvage Andromeda and sell her to the highest bidder. Only Beka Valentine had no idea that YOU were alive on the ship. And the rest shall we say is history.”
“You keep in constant contact with Rev Bem?” Hercules asked curiously.
“Rev is a devoted follower of the Light. He sees me as some kind of Messenger of the Light. He’s a very wise man. Herc. He knows that we are friends. He knows that we are close friends. He doesn’t know you are Hercules.” Iolaus says.
“You know Iolaus, I want to keep my identity a secret for now.”
“Herc..I think Rev Bem suspects that you are more than just a mere mortal because of our friendship. I also know that Trance Gemini knows the truth. I think she knows you are Hercules. I don’t know how she knows. Michael won’t tell me much about her species except that she is also some kind of Guardian of the Light.”
Hercules raises his brows incredulously at this news “Trance knows I’m Hercules..and she’s a Guardian of the Light like you?”
“I’m not sure Herc..I don’t know much about her species. I just know she is of the Light. So that’s why I think you’re in good hands. Let the crew of the Eureka Maru be your guide. When you catch up on what has happened in the last 300 years, I’ll come back and fight by your side. For now, your destiny is in the hands of your crew. It’s time I return you to the bridge of your ship before they worry about you.”
Iolaus turns to Aphrodite who snaps her fingers and before Hercules could utter another word. Dylan Hercules Hunt finds himself on the bridge of the Andromeda Ascendant.
At Dylan’s miraculous return, Rev Bem says “You see the Magog are right. Raisa is a place of supernatural happenings. Did you notice the pink sparkle when Dylan appeared on board the ship?”
Beka Valentine gets out of the Command chair and concedes it to Dylan “Captain is on the bridge. Welcome back Dylan.”
Harper always curious asks “So how was your time with Sarah?”
A sad look shadows Hercules azure eyes as he says “Thanks to Aphrodite and others, I was able to say goodbye to Sarah..I will miss her..” Hercules thought to himself and I will miss you Iolaus. I promise I will rebuild the Commonwealth and learn my history and then you, Iolaus can fight by my side. In the meantime, I carry your brotherly love in my heart. Someday Iolaus we will fight the good fight again side by side. I’m so sorry I lost 300 years of time and made you feel lonely without me. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do so old buddy..be patient with me. Someday..for now, this crew will be my guide to the future. Dylan settles into the command seat and confidently looks at his destination PADD and asks Tyr at navigation..
“So what’s our next adventure?”
“Two alien races in the next quadrant are squabbling over a peace treaty.”
“Let’s head over there and interest these races in joining the Commonwealth. So what are we waiting for?”
“Beka, Tyr..full speed ahead”
The Andromeda sets forth in slipstream drive and heads off onto its next adventure with Captain Dylan Hercules Hunt on his way to rebuilding the Commonwealth.
THE END