Episode Synopsis
The crew of the Andromeda Ascendant spots a Guard Station for starship service and repair that is within easy striking distance of the Dyhedra system. Although Dylan is excited about the discovery, Harper believes that the station is probably long gone since the entire Dyhedra system is infested with Magog. Since the ship's weaponry is badly damaged, Andromeda wishes to check out the guard station to possibly restock on parts. As the Andromeda Ascendant docks at the station, Dylan asks Rev Bem and Tyr to stay behind in case the beings they encounter dislike Nietzscheans and Magog.
When Dylan, Harper and Beka enter the station, they encounter an eerie industrial facility riddled with bullet holes, explosion damage and dripping pipes. As the crew stumbles upon a dead Magog lying on the floor, a barrage of bullets are fired at them. Dylan announces his title as Commander of the High Guard Starship Andromeda, and dozens of children emerge from behind the machinery. Wearing tattered and stained High Guard uniforms, the children chant, "Hail the High Guard." Nassan, a 20-year-old woman who looks like a sickly elderly lady, tells Dylan she is the oldest in the group. When she dies, an 18-year-old boy named Hayek will take over.
Hayek says that during the fall of The Commonwealth, many of the Guard Station's original crew were killed, and they have been continually plagued by Magog and Nietzscheans as they wait for the Day of Lightning. Thinking The Day has come and believing Dylan to be their Messiah, the children present him with gifts of Magog cheek horns.
Meanwhile, Beka tracks the source of radiation that is cutting the children's lives short to an area that can only be entered using the "Words of the Past." Dylan uses his High Guard Access Code to enter and discovers a vast hangar filled with Slipfighter planes. Suddenly, Hayek and another child warrior, Mapes, run to consoles, enter their keys and recite an activation code. Dylan realizes that he inadvertently provided the children access to Slipfighters with Nova Bombs, allowing them the ability to destroy two dozen solar systems.
Trying to rectify the situation, Dylan tells the children that he envisions a victory over revenge, war and barbarism. Although the children are confused by his speech, they convince Dylan to bless two of the warriors in order to have peace.
Dylan agrees and is promptly informed that the blessings authorized the warriors to destroy the Dyhedra system, which is inhabited by the Magog. Alarmed, Dylan pilots the Andromeda into the Slipstream to catch the Slipfighters. Andromeda launches a missile with cables and snares one of the Slipfighters, but is unable to capture the other plane. The remaining Slipfighter disappears into the sun, causing it to explode and engulf the solar system. Rev Bem is crushed when he realizes an entire solar system of his people are gone.
Despite the disaster, Rev Bem tells Dylan that the children might have potential if they are shown the face of good. Dylan tells Nassan that some of the Magog children destroyed may have been innocent, which Nassan believes is impossible. Rev Bem enters the room and convinces a reluctant Nassan to talk to him for an hour. Rev Bem tells her that if she can go an hour without killing him, there is a chance she could go a lifetime. Nassan speaks to the children about the possibility of peace and prepares to introduce Rev Bem. Hayek then crudely reveals Rev Bem hanging upside down from a chain. As the children begin to hit Rev Bem, Dylan realizes he must tell the children that he is the Messiah and orders them to cut Rev down. Satisfied that the nano-bots Trance has injected the children with will enable them to live full lives, Dylan nonetheless cannot forgive them and prepares to leave.
Without warning, Hayek and the other children enter command. Dylan tries to launch the Slipfighters, but Hayek has jammed their data link. Hayek announces that he has blessed 22 fighters that are now each flying toward a different Solar System. Nassan tells Hayek to order the warriors to return, but he ignores her and ties her up. As Hayek prepares to execute the crew, Andromeda steps in. For the first time, Andromeda, known as Rommie, is in human form. She maximizes the artificial gravity fields, causing the children to be slammed to the floor. The Slipfighters’ enclosed cockpits eject and send unmanned Slipfighters off into the Slipstream. The ships promptly explode.
"Rommie," in human form, causes quite a stir on the ship. While Harper's longing for Andromeda is clear, Rommie's tender feelings toward Dylan are equally obvious. As Dylan clarifies that her new "human" form won't change anything between them, Rommie feels a touch of sadness as she agrees they must continue to have a professional relationship.
Synopsis from AndromedaTV