Crossing the Andromeda

Crossing the Andromeda

The EDF command is watching the Argo's escape.  Meanwhile, citizens in the city see the light from the exploding battle satellite.  Venture's little brother sits atop a crane and daydreams about his brother Mark.

Eager sees no sign of pursuit as Venture announces they're passing the moon surface station.  Fighters from the moon station approach the Argo.  Wildstar orders all hands to battle stations.  The gunners track the fighters as they make a pass.  The fighters come back around, and the lead fighter waggles his wings.  Wildstar gasps as he realizes who it is.  Conroy announces that the Black Tiger Squadron and the Moon forces request permission to join the Star Force.  As the pilots land in the hangar, Wildstar greets them personally.

The Andromeda, with Gideon in command, closes in on the Argo.  His first officer apprises him of the situation with the moon base flyers, and Gideon says his orders are to stop the Argo no matter the cost.

The crew is having a mixer on the rec deck, and Sane's cat M-mi livens up the enterprise.  Wildstar chases the cat down the corridor, and finds Nova has stowed aboard.  Wildstar urges her to leave, because she ignored regulations--but Dr. Sane points out that he's broken rules himself, even with a good reason.  Um, then Nova starts to undress--OH, she's getting into a spacesuit.  Wildstar relents and orders her to resume her duties as part of the Star Force.  He says that asking her to rejoin was too much to ask of her, but she says she is a member of the Star Force as much as anyone else.  Then they embrace.

The Andromeda gets one of Argo's beauty shots as it closes in.  Gideon orders his crew to intercept the Argo just before it enters the asterod belt.

Conroy opens a portal to bid farewell to the Earth--and sees the Andromeda closing in on the Argo's radar blindspot.  All hands rush to their battle stations again.  Eager updates Wildstar and Venture on the Andromeda's approach when Nova arrives on the bridge.  The rest of the crew celebrates her arrival.  Gideon sends a message for the Star Force to surrender.  Wildstar refuses to answer.  Sandor suggests they hide in the asteroid belt.  Gideon is determined to pursue them.

Venture pilots the Argo through the tight quarters of the asteroid belt.  The Andromeda tries to keep up, but the asteroids are giving them difficulties.  Nova leads Venture through a narrow canyon on a large asteroid.  Orion says he's getting too old for this shit.  The Andromeda can follow them no longer; Gideon orders his crew to circumvent the belt and catch the Argo when it emerges.

The rest of the crew celebrates when they lose sight of the Andromeda, but Wildstar isn't so sure.
The Argo emerges from the asteroid belt in sight of Jupiter's orbit.  Nova picks up the Andromeda again.  The Andromeda closes in very slowly.  Sandor suggests Wildstar talk to Gideon; Venture concurs.  Homer opens a channel.  Gideon orders him to return.  Wildstar tries to reason with him.  Gideon insists the Star Force has no authority to investigate the message.  Gideon apologizes, but he must follow his orders.  The Argo crew prepares for battle. 

The Andromeda's computer trains its cannon batteries on the Argo.  Wildstar aims the Argo's main shock cannons and prepares to fire.  The range between the two ships closes.  The crews wait tensely.  Gideon is surprised that Wildstar seems to really mean it.  The turrets track the Argo as it glides just over the bow of the Andromeda.  Gideon's XO orders the turrets to realign behind them, but Gideon orders them to stand down and hopes Avatar has taught them well.  Gideon tells the EDF he was unable to locate the Argo, and gives the Argo his regards and tells them he respects their courage.  The crew celebrates throughout the ship and salutes the Andromeda from the observation deck.  Gideon surmises that Wildstar will make a great captain.  And it would have been awesome if he had added "In whatever navy you end up serving." 

The Comet Empire tracks the Argo as it passes Jupiter.  They decide to leave the Argo to its own devices.  Then Desslok calls them and scolds them for discounting the Star Force.  The Comet Empire leaders are scornful of the Star Force and Desslok's obsession with them.