Dylan eyed the newcomer warily. “So you’re the reason I keep seeing things. Who are you, how did you get here, and why do you look like Sid? I want some answers, and I want them now!”

“Patience, mon Capitain. Really, you humans are far too easy to manipulate.” Q then looked over at Rhade, who was eyeing him suspiciously. “You, on the other hand…I am going to have a LOT of fun toying with you!”

Rhade growled at Q in response, which pleased Q even the more. “Yes, lots and lots of fun indeed!” Immediately, there was a flash of light and, to the surprise of all (but Trance Gemini), Q disappeared right in front of their eyes.

“How did he do that?” exclaimed Beka in surprise. “Uncle Sid has never disappeared like that before – though I have to say it isn’t a bad trick.”

“He’s not your Uncle Sid, Beka”, answered Trance. “He’s something far more powerful….and much more sinister.”

“What could be more sinister than my Uncle Sid? Except maybe the spirit of the Abyss, or the Magog.”

“Q may be far more dangerous than even the Abyss. I fear all of us are going to be in for a lot of trouble really soon.”

Rhade sniffed in contempt. “You mean that miserable excuse for a man? How dangerous could he be? I could snap his neck in two with one hand tied behind my back!”

“Don’t let his looks deceive you, Rhade”, answered Trance with a warning. “He can take on any form he chooses, manipulate time and circumstances to his whim, and will play games with your mind until you can no longer tell which is real and which is imaginary. And the worst part about it is, he ENJOYS doing it for no other reason than sport.”

“Sick hobby”, replied Dylan. “Why doesn’t he take up something more productive?”

“Like basket weaving…or…hey, I know…android building! He could help me rebuild Rommie!” shouted Harper from behind the bar, but was quickly silenced when the others looked at him with annoyance. Doyle in particular turned around sharply, and shot a narrow eyed stare at Harper which, had he fitted her android eyes with laser beams, would have bore right through him in an instant. Harper quickly picked up a cloth and nervously began drying glasses.

Trance continued. “The Q are a very powerful species…but very unhappy. They’re bored with themselves and their pointless lives, so they try to achieve their fulfillment by abusing their power and toying with the lives of others.”

“Sounds sorta like you, Rhade,” replied Beka smugly, as she shot a sidelong glance at the glaring Nietzschean.

“You love me, and you know it,” retorted Rhade and blew a kiss at her.

“That’s enough!” shouted Dylan. “Be quiet…I need time to think.”

“That’s just it, Dylan. You have however little or much time Q chooses for you to have.” And with that remark, Trance walked out of the bar.

“Where is she going?” wondered Doyle. “Should I go with her for safety purposes?”

“Don’t worry about Trance. She can take care of herself,” answered Dylan. “I’m afraid it is we who are going to need the protection.”

Rhade huffed. “Well I don’t know about you, but I’m going home to bed. No bug eyed, toad faced, funny looking clown named Q is going to keep me shivering in fear with the lot of you!” Rhade reached inside his vest and took out his flask of whiskey, drinking down another shot.

“Hey, he may be a Q, but he resembles my Uncle Sid, and that’s my family you’re insulting! Don’t talk about him and his looks like that!” Beka replied in indignation.

“Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree look-wise, does it sugarpie?” replied Rhade with a sarcastic grin. Before Beka could respond, immediately Rhade gave her a wink and mouthed “I love you” with a smirk before stumbling out of the bar and to his place of abode. Once outside and out of view of the others, however, Rhade stopped and looked around warily. He immediately reached inside the front of his tight leather pants and pulled out his weapon, cursing to himself as he realized Dylan’s forcelance was much more effective than the piece he was carrying.

Inside the bar, Beka was still fuming at Rhade’s latest insult.

“Drunken Nietzshcean idiot!” muttered Beka. “He’ll get what’s coming to him!”
 

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