Disclaimer: I don't own anything EFC. Tribune does. Although I think they owe me for pain and suffering caused by Season Five.

Perchance to Dream

By Cynmar

The man woke up in a real bed again, and was amazed at how new the sensation still felt. His last accommodations had not been ideal: blue tanks are not known for their comfort. He stretched out his long frame, luxuriating in the feeling that it gave him. Yes, it was good to be back in a bed. It was good to be back, period.

He thought back on the events of the last few months. He had been a bioengineered warrior, one of Zo'or's projects to fight the Jaridians. He remembered going to get the new recruit, the vague sense of recognition, the confusion of intruding memories that were so foreign, and yet seemed to be his own: not strong, but present. He recalled implanting this one as he had so many others, and remembered watching with detachment as the rage took hold. The one called Augur had seemed to be an ideal candidate for the program. Then came the testing. That's when he, Lazarus, Zo'or's pet project, began to fall apart.

He had seen the other Taelon in the arena observation area with his new protector, a man calling himself Liam Kincaid. Lazarus was doing the final checks before the match, when he casually looked up. Something riveted his mind when he saw that pale, graceful form standing there; something that was different, yet familiar. His mind was suddenly awash with a sense of kinship, a sense of connection to this Taelon. But it was when the Taelon spoke that the memories came flooding back, the melodic sound of his voice triggering a wave of almost unbearable response in the man. "I know him", he thought. "This is not my life. I am not who I seem to be."

Later, in the laboratory, unbidden memories still intruding, he had tried to put it all together, but the pieces of the puzzle remained scattered in the box.

"Your implants are failing, are they not?" That voice. He had to reach out, he had to find himself.

"Who am I?"

"Do you not know?"

Then came the sharing, the connection with a mind that he had so much wanted to know in another life, as another person. This sharing, this connection brought everything back: his life, his memories...his pain. But his mind was free now. He knew. He knew he was William Boone.

He remembered the rage he felt against Zo'or, and the tender forgiveness he extended to Da'an. He remembered the sabotage of the mothership; freeing Augur from his programming; standing on the bridge, an energy weapon pointed straight at Zo'or. He remembered this protector of Da'an's, this so-called "Liam Kincaid", entreating him to stop the sabotage because innocent lives were at stake.

This disturbed him now. William Boone would never have sacrificed innocent lives for the sake of revenge. But the rage programming had only recently been broken, and he, Lazarus/Boone, was reacting without restraint. He remembered Ronald Sandoval, calculating, watching for any mistake, any drop in defense. He remembered a distracting sound, and then, nothing but pain and darkness.

But just as the black of eternity was starting to engulf him, he sensed it. A presence...with him, in his mind, surrounding him. The darkness of impending death became flooded with a soft blue light; one that seemed so alien, and yet so familiar, so comfortable.

*Boone....Boone, come with me.*

*I cannot, Da'an. I'm dying.*

*That may be true of this body that is not your own. But you, William Boone, the essence of you, this does not have to die.*

*Please, Da'an. I'm tired. I just want it to be over.*

*Do you, Boone? Do you feel that you have accomplished all that you were meant to? In a similar situation, you told me that I was a bridge between our worlds. It would be my wish that you return to me, so that we might build that bridge together. But, if you cannot forgive us, return so that I might restore to you the life we have taken from you.*

*How? How can I return?*

*Give me permission to take you with me.*

*Where?*

*Where I go. Now quickly, Boone. We do not have much time.*

He had given his assent. Strangely, in spite of the pain and overwhelming fatigue, he knew his friend was right. There was still much to do, and he wasn't quite ready yet to give up the fight. And so his consciousness went with Da'an.

How long had he remained with Da'an? He wasn't sure...maybe months, maybe years; time had become irrelevant. But this time of sharing so closely with his alien friend, sharing experience, thought and feeling... this sharing had brought him to a new understanding.He knew the desperate situation the Taelons faced, and he knew humanity held the key. He knew that humanity was not alone in the universe, that there would be encounters with other alien races much more aggressive than the Taelons. He now knew, without any doubt, that Taelons and humans needed each other; that it was absolutely imperative that they work together for the survival of both species.

He knew that Da'an was trying desperately to be that bridge they had so often spoke of in the quiet after hours at the Washington Embassy. He also saw what a lonely and difficult task it was. He saw his friend assisting the Resistance in their attempts to stop Zo'or's manipulations. He saw him protecting Lili, Augur, and others from the Synod's discovery, and protecting Zo'or and the Taelons from the Resistance. He saw him going to great effort to be mentor, friend and guardian to his new protector, Liam Kincaid; who wasn't Kincaid at all, but was the product of Ha'gel's presence on Earth. He felt his friend's pain at deceiving his own species, at deceiving his own child. And in spite of all, he knew Da'an's resolve to see his vision through, for both their kind.

He also knew this: he was bonded to Da'an in a relationship that no other human and Taelon had ever experienced. Like members of the Commonality, they were separate, yet one. And just as human and Taelon fates were completely intertwined, so were his and Da'an's.

The Taelon had a secret research facility on the mothership that few knew of. He had occupied his spare moments working to replicate Boone's physical self, using DNA records from the mothership and technology modified from the Jaridian probes. It took some time, but, at last, a suitable replacement was available. Finally the day arrived for Boone's consciousness to be transferred into it's own home.

It had been somewhat unnerving to be looking through Da'an's eyes at his own form floating in the blue stasis fluid.

*What will happen?*

*You will be restored to your self. You will once again inhabit William Boone's physical form.*

*What if I won't go?*, he teased, but only in part. The closeness he and Da'an were now sharing was unlike anything he'd ever known, and a part of him was reluctant to sever the relationship.

*Confusion* *What do you mean?*

*I kinda like it here.* *Affection*

*Warmth. Mock Censure* *But of course, such a thing cannot continue.*

The Taelon approached the tank, looking intently at the still form within.

*We are ready. You will be transferred back into your physical self. I will then reverse the stasis procedure and William Boone will be returned to the world. You will be able to resume the life that I and my kind have stolen from you. *

Da'an slowly and gracefully pressed his delicate hands against the glass of the tank.

*Da'an. Whatever happens, I want you to know that you have come to mean a great deal to me.*

*I also feel for you, William Boone.*

Boone had felt the energy shifting within Da'an's form, becoming concentrated into the conduits in the palms of the Taelon's hands. The human felt his mind and soul separating from the one who had been his constant companion for months now, and felt a momentary sense of terror at being ripped away from the one he had grown to love as a part of himself.

*Da'an!*, his mind screamed out, trying to regain his hold on his friend's presence.

*Da'an!*

*Shhh. All is well, my friend. Do not fear. I will always be your Companion.*

*And I swear, Da'an...I will always be your Protector.*

That had been their last shared thought, as his mind left the soft violet-blue world of Da'an, and reentered the darkness of William Boone.

Boone's next conscious awareness had been of a young male Volunteer talking incessantly. The Protector was now showered and dressed, although he was not sure how or by whom, and was receiving instructions that he was barely able to follow. Through the disorientation and daze he searched for his Companion, but Da'an was not present, in body or in mind. Boone felt a keen sense of loss at this realization.

"Sir, are you listening?"

"Hmm? Oh, yeah. What were you saying?"

"I was saying that you have your choice of identities to use, as well as any number of addresses from this list. Entire backgrounds, falsified records and DNA files have been established for each identity. Select one. It's up to you."

"Why can't I just be William Boone?"

"Sir, you know that is not possible. For your own protection, William Boone must appear to be dead. Zo'or can't know the truth."

"You're not an implant, are you? Nevertheless, aren't you being just a little oppositional to Zo'or for a Volunteer?"

"I'm on Da'an's staff, sir. I am loyal to him."

"Really loyal, or 'I serve all Taelons' loyal?"

"Really loyal. I joined the Volunteers because of Da'an. He promised us a chance to change. I'm not the only one. Lots of kids off the streets found a way out by becoming Volunteers. I'm here because I wanted to make a difference, just like Da'an said on the recruiting tape."

"Are there many more like you?"

"A number of Volunteers feel the same way. Why?"

"Just wondering. It might be useful to know, that's all. What's your name, son?"

"Shannon. Shannon Bailey."

"Okay, Shan. So I pick a personality, get a sparkley new wardrobe and identification, and then what?"

"That's entirely up to you. I am to take you where you want to go, and assist you with whatever you need in order for you to reclaim your life."

"Reclaim my life? As in 'it's all my own'?"

"Yes, sir. Da'an is not placing any requirements on you. You have your life back in full, no strings attached. He has even requested that he not be notified of your new identity, and that all information relating to your restoration be destroyed after you leave the mothership."

Boone had smiled. So his Companion was trying to make amends, trying to do as he promised and give him back the life the Taelons had stolen. A fine and noble idea, but Da'an was overlooking one thing: their connection would not allow them to live separate lives for long. But Boone loved him all the more for trying.

So here he was, several months later, waking up in a brand new bed, in a brand new apartment, with a brand new identity. He stretched again, as the morning sun broke through the window, opening the wrapper on a new day. The time had come to stop looking back, and begin to plan for the future.

****

Volunteer Shannon Bailey was feeling very satisfied. He had not often felt that way in recent months. Being stationed on the mothership, he had frequently found himself questioning if he had, indeed, done the right thing in joining up. Zo'or's obvious disdain for the human race, and his constant manipulation of humankind for Taelon goals seemed to be in sharp contrast now, with the bright vision that originally moved him to become a Volunteer.

When he had heard Da'an's words on the recruiting video, it had been as if he was transported into a dream of what could be, and he wanted to be a part of making that dream happen. If, as Da'an had said, Earth was going to need defending, then he wanted to join with the Taelons to protect his world. For the good of humanity. For the good of the Taelons.

But in recent months, he had become less concerned with assisting the Taelon agenda. Oh, he stayed at his job; it was still better than being on the streets. But the bright dream of the future had faded, and, he had thought, was quite possibly lost. Until now.

Looking at the coded message on his global, he smiled. The recruitment process was going quite well on his end, and he would have a great deal to report to his superior. Yes, he was satisfied. The dream was not dead yet.

*****

William Boone stopped in his work to breathe in the rich, moist smell of freshly tilled earth. Pulling an old handkerchief from his pocket, he mopped his brow and gazed out over the brilliant emerald green countryside before him. It was spring, time to plant the garden. He had bought this large tract of farmland a few months ago, and was enjoying being out in the country, away from the tensions that city life brought. Just being out here brought back truck loads of memories; thoughts of lazy childhood days, of footraces with his sister, and fishing with his father. Regardless of where he went or what he did, Boone had always considered himself a small-town boy.

"Will! Will, come on in and have your lunch, why don't you? You don't have to plant the entire crop in one day!"

He looked up to see his sister, Sara, waving from the back porch. Their reunion had, needless to say, been an emotional one. But, after the initial shock, Sara had begun to accept his new persona, and his new role in life. In fact, she had come to the farm to live with him, partly to further her own healing, and partly to assist him and lend her support. He waved back to her, and gathering up the tools he had scattered around him, headed for the neat, white farmhouse.

Giving his sister a hug and accepting the ham and cheese sandwich she offered him, he headed down to the basement, a room that was heavily shielded to prevent any attempt at scanning or tracing transmissions. This was William Boone's new life, the one he had chosen. In those dark moments on the mothership, when the rage of Lazarus had overcome him, Boone had hated the Taelons for coming and shattering his world. And not only his, but many others, his dear sister included. At that moment he wanted nothing more than their wholesale destruction. But in the months that followed, the months he had shared with Da'an, William Boone came to realize something: his involvement with the Taelons began with his desire to know the truth, and now he knew it. A sacred text says "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." William Boone was now free. Free to choose this life, this vision, this dream.

Boone entered an access code into a computer system that Augur would have sacrificed a hand for, and read the reports that were being downloaded for his review. He frowned slightly. The situation on the mothership was heating up. They would have to be ready to act fast if needed. He uploaded some encrypted instructions into the computer, then went back upstairs to finish his lunch.

*****

Da'an sat on the floor of a holding cell on the mothership. Not the best of accommodations, but under the circumstances, the only ones he could expect. Zo'or's "state of emergency", the action with which he had excused his destructive acts against the Resistance movement, had resulted in his own arrest. He had expected it. He knew Zo'or suspected him of assisting and harboring the activities of the Resistance, and assumed that he had sufficient proof against him. Otherwise, he would never have presumed to arrest such a high-ranking member of the Synod.

Of course, the outcome was clear. Zo'or would present his proofs to the Synod, and Da'an would be brought before them to explain his actions. It would not matter to them that he was acting on behalf of the future of the human and Taelon races. No, Zo'or's influence was too strong; they would not be able to see things the way Da'an did. He would be found guilty of treason, perhaps interrogated, and when Zo'or was satisfied with the result, Da'an would be ordered to embrace the void.

That outcome, however, was not the one that disturbed the Taelon. Since his kidnapping at the hands of Major McIntyre and his subsequent near-death, he had come to understand this passage, and did not fear it. No, when the time came, he would enter into it without dread. Da'an's concern was with his species--and the humans. Without his presence to counter Zo'or's radical activities, there would be no balance, no alliance of the two worlds, and no hope for a future.

That thought recalled memories of his former protector; the one who, in that very kidnapping incident, had called him back from the void with a simple, yet powerful image...a bridge between two worlds. Those words had awakened a longing in Da'an, a vision. A dream, the humans would have called it. One that he could not ignore, and that had become the driving force in everything he did. He wondered if William Boone even realized how this simple thought of his had now become the Taelon's passion, the very reason for his existence. He had hoped to share the realization of this vision with a human partner; first Boone, then Liam Kincaid. But fate seemed to dictate otherwise, and now it seemed the vision would be lost to eternity.

Da'an leaned his head against the soft purple-blue walls of his cell. Closing his eyes, he began to focus his mind and spirit to prepare himself for what was ahead. As his meditation deepened, he heard the barrier that separated him from the world deactivate. They had come...it was time. His eyes remained closed as he attempted to gather the last of his energies to himself. He sensed the man's presence in his cell, and heard him move toward him, but to Da'an's mild surprise, instead of taking him into custody, the human sat down on the bioslurry floor beside him.

"So...what ya' in for?"

In shock, Da'an's electric blue eyes flew open, only to be locked in the warm brown gaze of his former protector.

"Boone! What are you doing here?!"

"Well, I should think that was obvious. I'm visiting a friend in jail."

"You cannot remain. If Agent Sandoval or Zo'or were to find you here..."

"If Sandoval or Zo'or so much as sneeze in this direction, I'll know it before they do. Don't worry. I'm perfectly safe. Which is more than I can say for you at the moment."

Da'an tilted his head to regard his friend. Boone was smiling warmly at him, with a faint hint of mischief in his soft, brown eyes.

"It would appear that I find myself in something of a situation, Boone."

Boone laughed. "That, my friend, is a typical Da'an understatement! So, we got in a little deep with the Resistance, did we?"

"Yes. Zo'or has been gathering evidence against me for quite some time."

"Well, I guess the Hollywood thing to do would be to stage a jail break. You up for it?"

"I do not see the advantage in it."

"Neither do I. That's why I've got another plan."

"Boone, I would rather you not involve yourself."

"Oh, it's too late for that. You should have thought of that before you went fishing and pulled my mind out of the abyss." The former implant's expression suddenly changed and the lines of his face became serious. "Listen Da'an, I'm here to tell you not to worry about anything. Zo'or's information will never reach the Synod. In fact, they'll be releasing you soon, with apologies. We've got it all under control."

"I do not understand. You said 'we'. You are not alone?"

Boone smiled softly at his Companion. Taking the Taelon's small, pale hand into his, he raised it and gently held it to his heart.

"No. And neither are you."