21. It Makes a Lovely Light

Complete story — includes the ending

For Dylan's birthday surprise, Harper overrides some of Andromeda's protocols to spring a surprise party. Beka gives him a unique gift; the map to Tarn-Vedra, the Commonwealth capital of legend, which is where Dylan was born. Beka attempts to pilot the Andromeda to Tarn-Vedra, the old capital of the Commonwealth which was cut off from the slipstream in the war. The stress of prolonged slipstream navigation causes her to become stressed and exhausted, but she seems addicted to the idea of succeeding. In desperation, she starts taking the psycho-stimulant drug 'Flash', but she succumbs to its effects and nearly dies from an overdose before Dylan and Harper can stop her.