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"The Devil Take the Hindmost" - Episode #118 (spoilers below!) (Click here for review)

While meditating Rev receives a plea from his mentor Brother Thaddeus Blake (Mark Holden) on Serendipity, where the Hajira are threatened by slavers. He tells Dylan who is preparing for a mercy mission with a complement of mercenaries.

Dylan sends the Andromeda, under Beka's command, to deliver the much needed supplies to help the Than in the Pythian system, whose world is experiencing earthquakes caused by a comet hit. Rev and Dylan head off with a supply of force lances on the Maru to arm and train the Hajira, a race thrown back by Commonwealth's "fall" into low technology.

On the Andromeda, Beka feels useless and needs to remind Rommie to keep her in loop. Rommie replies that Beka might want to look into Tyr's mercenaries stealing the relief supplies.

Rev finds the Hajira , including Tiama (Maya OConnell) and her brother Arun (Darren Klimek), in awe since he of the same race as the "anointed" who founded Wayism. The conversation turns to the origin of Wayism, started when a Magog on earth infested a "holy man" with his brood. While waiting for the offspring to eat their way out, the man instructed the Magog about various human religious leaders (including "St. Jesus" and "St. Buddha"), which led the Magog to found Wayism. However, Rev envies non-Magog, who are not born as a result of the death of others.

As Dylan trains the villagers Thaddeus becomes upset. Rev finds out that this is because the Hajira have genetic memory and can remember their parent's memories up until their birth. Therefore, training them to kill will leave a vivid memory of this for all future generations, changing them forever. Dylan counters that the alternative is slavery. Even though Tiama and the Hajira want to stay and fight Thaddeus still destroys the force lances to protect "his flock".

Angry Thaddeus took away their decision, Dylan teaches the Hajira to build and use spears, bows and other weapons. In the Maru, Tiama is concerned Dylan's memories will be lost and offers to have his children to preserve them. He says to just tell her children one day about him. Shortly after this the slavers arrive, led by a man named Ursari (David Pallfy). They attempt to bargin with Dylan, offering to take only 15 villagers. However, seeing a Magog (Rev) they decide to withdraw.

Meanwhile, Beka confronts Tyr about the thefts, but he respond by offering her a percentage. Later she uses her command codes to have Rommie ignore anything in hanger deck 11, which is where Tyr has the stolen goods placed. When they arrive at the Pythian system Rommie finds that an orbital habitat was also damaged. Though concerned about leaving Dylan and Rev a longer time, Beka decides to use the Andromeda to help ferry survivors.

On Serendipity the slavers return that night and many are killed, including Thaddeus who relied on his faith to stop them. They are repelled, but bitter at the death of his lieutenant, Ursari tells Dylan this is not over. The next day the Hajira, led by Arun, remember their dead. Rev is contrite over Thaddeus, but Tiama is angry and focused on preserving their freedom.

Later Rev is drugged and kidnapped by Tiama. Dylan finds him chained and unclothed, near Tiama who used Thaddeus's medkit to infest herself with Rev's DNA. She will die when the Magog grow, but hopes her DNA will be passed along and give the Magog her memories, She hopes they will be protectors of the Hajira and 'remember' Dylan. While Dylan feels he must kill her before the Magog kill them all, Rev wants to see if Tiama is right and if this can result in "innocent" Magog.

Tiama dies and the new Magog rapidly grow to full size as they feed off sheep in the hills. Dylan has Rev monitor them while he helps the village prepare for attack. When this attack comes many of the slavers are killed when Dylan and the Hajira blow up the empty village. They eventually corner Dylan in a cave, but the Magog attack and kill the slavers.

However, hearing a cry from Rev, Dylan finds the Magog attacking the Hajira to infest them also. Arun and possibly others are spared, as the Magog (speaking with Tiama's voice) explain that this is to protect the Hajira. Dylan argues that turning them all into Magog is not the answer and they leave Arun as leader to teach the Magog about the Way.

On the Andromeda, Tyr finds hanger bay 11 empty and finds that Beka used the supplies to feed the Than, who will certainly name many offspring Beka or Tyr! Since he cashed out his cut early she insists on him buying dinner.

Dylan is upset and agrees he will need to talk it over with Beka, who he congratulates on a job well done. Tyr tells Rev he is jealous of Rev having spawned a race of warrior priests. Rev, well he has much to think about….

Synopsis 04/24/01 by Larry Kramer

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© 2001 Larry Kramer (See Copyright Disclaimer)