"A Rose in the Ashes" -Episode #109 (spoilers below!) (Click here for review)

 Harper reads part of a "constitution" for the new Commonwealth which Dylan apparently wrote. Meanwhile, on a nearby planet, Dylan and Rommie (the humanoid form of Andromeda's AI) testify before red-hooded men about the benefits of joining the Commonwealth.

Unfortunately there is bitterness toward the Commonwealth due to the Nietzschean and Magog invasions which followed its demise. Therefore Dylan and Rommie are sent to a penal colony as punishment for 'sedition'.

At the prison they are processed in by an warden avatar (an android in this case) of the prison's AI. Released into the prison compound, Dylan is forced by their leader Kae-Lee to fight a Magog to keep his food ration disk. He prevails, but then finds that Rommie is imprisoned (and weakened by low energy), awaiting the 'fun' that the prisoners have in store.

The crew of the Andromeda loses contact with Dylan and Rommie and attempt to contact the planet's council with no success. Tyr and Beka squabble over how to handle the situation, but are ultimately forced to retreat by missiles launched by the planet. They had determined that their comrades were sent to a penal colony, but find that there are over 300 to search in several galaxies. Fortunately, Trance has a 'hunch' and they decide to follow up on it.

Meanwhile, Dylan and Rommie are 'rescued' by people living outside the prison compound during a riot caused by flying robot drones which Jessa (an outsider leader) sent in.

Dylan talks with Jessa and finds she is technically talented, but believes (as Kae-Lee had) that those who are born there (like her) deserve to be there due to their genetic makeup. When he suggests they try to escape she allows a robot drone to be destroyed to demonstrate the low level missile defenses which the planet has. She seems jealous of Rommie, but begins work on a crude battery to help recharge her.

The Andromeda arrives at the planet and detects Rommie's faint radio beacon amid much interference. They launch the Maru to retrieve her, but the ship comes under heavy fire as they near the planet.

Dylan goes back into the compound and persuades Kae-Lee (Jessa's sister) to attempt to "break" the system. However, she is killed by the 'warden' android and Dylan is only saved by a newly recharged Rommie's timely intervention at the prison's controls. Using these same controls they are able to allow the Maru to land safely.

Jessa bids a regretful goodbye to Dylan, looking forward to perhaps seeing him again. Back on Andromeda Dylan questions Trance on her "lucky guess" with little success.

The episode ends with Trance tossing a coin in the air and "guessing" the result correctly each time.

Synopsis 12/06/00 by Larry Kramer.

© 2000 Larry Kramer (See Copyright Disclaimer)