12. The Dark Backward

Complete story — includes the ending

Trance sees a probable future that results in the deaths of the entire crew and the destruction of the Andromeda. She trims a bonsai tree, resetting the scenario to try a different approach. An object approaches the Andromeda and is not swayed from its intended target, even by Andromeda ' s defenses. A mysterious man in black armor appears before Harper, damaging systems he had just finished repairing then disappearing. He reappears on the bridge and kills Beka before disappearing again. Trance again trims her bonsai, again resetting the incident. She runs through a series of possible outcomes in order to save the crew from a deadly intruder.