Deep Midnight's Voice
As the Andromeda escorts a convoy of Commonwealth commercial vessels through space, fleets of high-tech ships are detected moving in their direction. Rommie reports the ships are battle cruisers and Geruda Fighters of which Dylan realizes some are Nietzscheans and Drago-Kazov. The crew watches as the Dragans begin to attack a smaller fleet of Nietzscheans. Realizing the convoy is not being targeted, Dylan instructs Rommie to keep them out of harm's way and prepare the entire group for Slipstream. The display shows three ships have suddenly sped off from the battle with one on a collision course with the Andromeda as it's being chased. Dylan instructs Rommie to hail the ship but there is no response. As the crew plots an intercept course and cuts in front of the Nietzschean fighter being chased, it halts for a moment and then fires on them. The Andromeda.destroys the fighter while the other ship continues towards them. Cables lock the vessel as it approaches and Dylan requests that the pilot be brought in for questioning.
The pilot, Gaiton, looks up at Tyr as he enters and notices that he, too, is Nietzschean. Gaiton explains the Dragans were attacking his fleet because they believe the Nietzscheans have Deep Midnight's Voice — an old Nietzschean Slip-scout device. Supposedly, before the Fall, a fleet of them existed and mapped every meter of the Slipstream. Reluctant to believe Gaiton, Tyr explains the rumor amongst his people of a project that could map the cosmos. Together, Dylan and Tyr both realize the danger of the Dragans finding the probe.
Harper presents to the crew information on a 3-D schematic of a Slip scout and celestial map. A Slip scout's ability to choose the correct route on a Slipstream is 50-50. An Organic's intuition raises that ability to 85% and the navigational chart recorded in the probe pushes the predictability to 99%, making a valid map of the Slipstream.
The Andromeda rides the Slipstream rails as Rommie searches for the location of Deep Midnight's Voice. Not alone, Dylan sees a fleet of enemy ships following them on the strands of the Slipstream. Harper launches the GFG's from the Andromeda which rips apart the rails making the enemy think they simply took a wrong turn.
The Andromeda is spit out into a remote system with various glowing planets including a nearby gas giant. Rommie discovers that Deep Midnight's Voice crashed into a tiny planet. The signal detected is a pre-Fall signature on the planet which she believes is the probe's transponder. Rommie reports that humans inhabit the planet. They believe they are alone in the universe. The crashed probe is understood to be an "alien myth" that claims the probe crashed in a remote backcountry region on an isolated shelf remaining undiscovered.
Dylan prepares the Eureka for their search and Rommie explains to him the risks of a First Contact mission. One miscommunication could send things into chaos. Harper has made passports and papers for Dylan, Beka, Tyr and Gaiton stating they are from the country of North Sodzee and equips them each with an emulator patch that can translate the language.
The Eureka arrives on the tiny planet where Dylan, Beka, Tyr and Gaiton begin the search. Two humans emerge from the brush and are greeted as "friends" by Gaiton. Beka fakes an injury as Dylan asks the woman, Tori, for their assistance. She informs him the man with her is Dr. Henry Semel, who is familiar with basic anatomy. Dylan explains to Tori they are adventure tourists from North Sodzee as the good-looking Dr. Semel works on Beka's leg injury. Tori invites them back to the conservatory so that Beka can get some water and medicine.
Tyr and Gaiton slip away and move toward the probe. Gaiton studies Tyr and chastises him for "serving" a Kludge. Gaiton reveals he is a spy for the Drago-Kazov who has been sent to find Tyr and give him their simple answer — "yes."
In the Observatory Dylan is introduced to Amory Sutton, the resident government grouch. Suddenly his bracer glows with information and Dylan notices Tori looking at him, shocked. It's obvious the bracer isn't familiar technology. Off to a corner, Dylan informs Beka that Nietzscheans are in the system and that Tori saw his Bracer.
Dylan attempts to quietly explain the Slipstream to Tori and she wants to know more. He demands that she tells no one but unbeknownst to him or her, Sutton is listening to every word.
Whispering into the phone, Sutton explains he needs immediate containment. Unexpectedly, Dylan is handcuffed and two soldiers surround him and Beka. Sutton tells Dylan that he must stay to answer his questions and Dylan and Beka fight back. Sutton now finds himself handcuffed to a desk. Tori runs out with Dylan and Beka.
Later, Tyr and Gaiton are staring down the remains of a crashed Slip scout. He suggests to Gaiton that they bury their brothers' remains. As they finish burying the bodies; both men give the Nietzschean salute. Out of nowhere, four soldiers appear with guns raised. Tyr sets down the carefully wrapped probe after which he and Gaiton fight the militiamen.
Dylan, Beka and Tori arrive at the scene where Tyr and Gaiton just battled the soldiers. Beka receives confirmation on her bracer that Nietzscheans are headed to the planet. Dylan wonders if Gaiton tipped them offŠ.or someone else. They immediately head back to the Eureka as Tori persistently begs Dylan to help and explain what is going on. Beka alerts Dylan that Tyr has sent her a coded transmission that he and Gaiton are waiting at the Eureka.
Gaiton discusses a rumor of the existence of genetic reincarnation of Drago. As he acts truthful to Tyr and explains that the fighting must stop between their Prides he begins to preach about collaborating together. If he and Tyr possess the map inside the probe, they can resurrect Drago under their control and conquer the universe; in other words, they could be gods. Tyr advances towards Gaiton with hands moving to grab his neck.
Trance and Harper are on the Andromeda as it faces off with a small Nietzschean battle cruiser. On the comm, Trance suggests the cruiser not go near the planet or it will signify that war has been declared on the Commonwealth and its allies. No one replies on the other end and as the cruisers seem to be moving toward a transit point, it quickly changes course and heads toward the planet. Trance assumes they have detected the probe.
When Beka, Dylan and Tori arrive at the Eureka, Tyr and Gaiton are gone. Beka wonders if they are hiding something. Dylan's bracer lights up and Trance informs them a Nietzschean battle cruiser is closing in on their location. Dylan will not leave without the probe. He tells Trance they must wait. Finally, Tyr appears holding the wrapped probe. Gaiton is nowhere in sight and claims he went "native." They prepare for launch as Dylan hands Tori a flexi before leaving, suggesting she become familiar with it.
The Eureka arrives safely on the Andromeda and the hologram informs Dylan that he isn't the first person to make contact with the probe. Someone has made a copy. According to reports, the Drago-Kazov have already made three First Contacts to establish bases in case of war.
Meanwhile, Tyr is in his quarters studying the same hologram that he copied when alone with the probe. Dylan stands in the doorway, seeing this, and suggests a chat.
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