Jool couldn't believe what had just happened. When they returned to Moya, Aeryn and John briefed everyone on exactly what had happened. No one could believe that Crais had willingly sacrificed himself.
Now, she definitely felt lost and alone. She had no idea what she would do. There was no reason for her to remain on Moya, but where we would she go? It had been twenty-two cycles since she had been frozen. Longer since she had left home. Surely, her family had grieved for her. A part of her thought it would be best if she didn't return home. She would have to explain her absence and what had happened to her cousins. Her family was sure to be disappointed that the three of them had turned to theft, no matter how noble their intentions. They would ostracize her, so there was no returning home.
Perhaps she could find some other Interions. Her race had academics conducting research on many worlds. They would not be as likely to ask questions about where she had been, and she would be amongst those who appreciated her intellect.
She had been wandering aimlessly since her conversation with Pilot, barely remembering to sleep or eat. Time had lost all meaning. She didn't feel like sitting in her quarters, and she didn't really want to be around the others. While they had been shocked at what Crais had done, they were mourning the gunship more than the man. It pained her that no one appreciated Crais and the magnitude of his sacrifice.
"Joolushku, do you have time to join me in the Den?" asked Pilot over her comms.
She wondered what Pilot had to tell her. Could he possibly have found her people already? "I'll be there shortly." She tried not to run, but hurried nonetheless. "What is it, Pilot? Have you found my people?"
"No. Moya has received and decrypted a message. A message for you." He handed her a datachip.
Tentatively, she took it. "For me? From who?"
"It is from Captain Crais," he said sadly. "The DRD will lead you to someplace private where you can view it."
"Thank you, Pilot."
Once she was left alone, she fumbled with the datachip, not quite sure what to do with it. If Crais had survived, surely Pilot would have been more excited and Moya would be on her way to their location. Instead, they were heading for the Leviathan's sacred space to bury what little they had found of Talyn.
Finally, she inserted the chip.
A small holo-image of Crais appeared on the table and began speaking. "Jool, if you are receiving this message, it means that we were successful. I regret that I was not able to speak with you personally before I acted. No one could know of my plan. I could not risk Scorpius discovering what was about to happen.
"I know that you will question my decision. As I told you before, Scorpius cannot be allowed to have control of wormholes. The only way to do that is to destroy the command carrier. Conducting starburst inside the hangar is the best way to accomplish that. It will allow most of those onboard to escape. I could not have the lives of those who were once my crew on my hands.
"I will truly miss the opportunity to travel with you. I came to enjoy your company and learned that we are more alike than I thought. I believe we could have learned much from each other, and I have no doubt that Talyn would have shared your intellectual curiosity. I wish you the best of luck in your travels. I do not know if you will remain on Moya, but they are good beings. They are misunderstood and naturally distrustful, but they are good and honorable. You could ask for no more loyal companions.
"Goodbye, Jool. And thank you for saving my life when Talyn and I were injured."
As the holo-image disappeared, she found that tears were streaming down her cheeks. None of the others had told her thank you. And he had sent her a message. She had never expected and explanation from him, but he had given it to her.
"Pilot," she said to her comms.
"Yes, Joolushku?"
"Does Moya have sensor records from the destruction of the command carrier?"
"Yes."
"I'd like to review them." She had to know if there was a possibility that Crais and Talyn could have survived. Moya's databanks had to have information and starburst and recorded sensor readings from the many starburst that she had conducted over her life. With all that information, she was sure to find out if it was at least possible that the two of them had survived. After all, they had not found much of Talyn. While they had found one of his fins, it was not a main structural member. Surely Talyn could survive without it.
And if they had survived, she was going to find them, even if it might take cycles and she searched alone, she would find them.
