"Angel Dark, Demon Bright" - Episode #106 (spoilers below!) (Click here for review)

The episode opens with Trance about to reluctantly attempt Slipstream transit. She feels better handling people or plants, but Beka and Tyr are adamant. When asked why Rommie can not do this she is told that only an organic pilot can instinctively make the right navigational decisions. Finally Trance goes ahead, but the rough ride puts Slipstream out of commission.

Dylan is upset about the unauthorized attempt and has Harper begin repairs. They identify their position as the Witchhead Nebula, where the climatic battle of the Nietzschean rebellion was fought. This battle supposedly involved 500 Nietzchean and 100 Commonwealth ships ended the Commonwealth and led to a devastating civil war among the Nietzschean's.

Shortly they see another Commonwealth warship! Dylan hails the captain and realizes that they have transited back in time to just prior to the battle. The other captain is a friend and surprised to see the ship since it was lost 13 months ago. Dylan says he was caught in a time anomaly.

The Andromeda's crew now debates what to do. They could warn the Commonwealth, but likely this would be futile with the Empress dead, the Vedran capital cut off and warlords carving up the Commonwealth. Warning the Nietzscheans of the civil war may prevent a chaotic 300 years (including Magog attacks on Earth and elsewhere), but leave repressive Nietzschean's in control.

Dylan decides to do nothing except reverse Slipstream transit to return home. Harper secretly prepares to use the Andromeda to fuse/explode the Nebula where the Nietzschean fleet will be. He is caught by Trance and confined to quarters by an angry Rommie (he bypassed her sensors).

An attempt to return to the future with the other High Guard ship is cut off when the arriving Nietzschean fleet destroys the other ship. The Andromeda fights and flees, but all are puzzled since the attackers number 1500, not 500 ships! Deducing that this means they were 'meant' to destroy 1000 ships, Dylan agonizes what to do. Rev Bem counsels that the Divine clearly has a role here for them and Dylan decides to release Harper and have him finish his preparations.

Meanwhile, Tyr in the Maru is trying to override the computer when found by Trance. Realizing Tyr might be considering warning the Nietzschean's, Trance knows he may now be forced to kill her and proceed. She convinces him she will treat this as a 'hypothetical' situation and not say anything to anyone. Believing her he lets her go and apparently decides not to try to leave.

Dylan orders an attack on the Nietzschean fleet to get them to pursue and position themselves for the Nebula explosion. As they do an awestruck Tyr recounts the Nietzschean legends of an overwhelming force at Witchhead decimated by an 'avenging angel'. Reluctantly Dylan gives the order and the Andromeda discharges a matter stream which ignites the Nebula and destroys 1000 ships, leaving the rest in a disorganized battle against the 100 arriving High Guard ships.

After transiting forward in time Dylan speaks to Tyr who is guilt stricken at failing to sacrifice his life (by destroying the ship) to save his people. Dylan believes Tyr must have known they did what they 'had' to. Tyr asks if Dylan believes they really had to do it and Dylan basically says he has no choice but to believe.

Synopsis 11/14/00 by Larry Kramer.       Updated 10/11/01

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