Title: Prophecy's Child
Author: Artemis Luna Diana
Rated: R
a/n: hey peps! Sorry it took so long to get this part out. I was really struggling with parts of it. Not to mention my hectic life. Had to move out of my dorm and go back home for the summer as well as trying to make sure that the classes I'm taking over the summer will transfer back to my college and get a job. I finally got one. I'm so pathetic. I've never had a job before now. Anyway, hope you like it. Like I said before, this story is rather complicated, so updates are definitely spaced out. I'll try and work some on 'War is Only the Beginning' but I'm just not sure when I'll have time to make a serious update on it since I'm spending my spare time working on this one.
Thanks to Lucy for the excellent beta-read and the encouragement!
Oh, how are you all liking the new episodes? It's killing me to have to wait from Friday to Friday! I know I know… I'm pathetic, hehehe
***
PART TWO:
***
Aeryn and John carefully slipped into the docking bay and prepped the Farscape for launch. 'Chiana,' John called to her. 'We're ready.'
'I'm entering Pilot's Den now,' she replied.
Once the hanger doors were open, John flew the Farscape out of Moya. He ignored the frantic comms from D'Argo and Pilot and docked with Talyn. The microt they entered, Talyn Starburst.
***
"Where is he going?" D'Argo yelled. "Is Aeryn with him?"
"What's happening?" Rygel demanded.
"John and Aeryn left in the Farscape," Pilot replied anxiously.
"Chiana, where are they going?" D'Argo roared.
"D'Argo, calm down!" Jool shouted.
Chiana stood in silence, her head proudly raised, fearless. She hadn't flinched at D'Argo's anger. "They left Moya, docked with Talyn, and are currently on an intercept course with Scorpius's Command Carrier."
Chiana's statement shocked the whole room into silence. Stark entered the room and glanced around. He turned to Pilot. "Have you set course for Po'lir?"
"What?" Jool asked confused at the sudden change in topic.
"John wants us to go to Po'lir and wait for him," Chiana replied.
"That is the planet John was on. Where this all started. What's on that planet?" Rygel questioned nervously.
"Destiny," Stark whispered.
***
"We'll signal you when it's time," John said strapping on an extra pulse pistol.
"Scorpius won't let you keep your weapons," Crais said staring at the extra weapon.
"I've got a plan for that," John replied vaguely.
"Scorpius will be here in less than an arn," Aeryn said walking into the hanger. "This is where you should drop us."
"Once we're free, get out of here. Stay just outside of their sensors at all times," John instructed.
"What is the signal?" Crais asked.
"Trust me, you'll know when it happens," John replied.
***
They were completely silent. Even their thoughts were still. Scorpius had arrived. The module rocked slightly as it was caught in the Command Carrier's docking web. Scorpius hadn't tried to communicate with them. Aeryn's mind drifted, trying to control her apprehension. A quick glance at John revealed a face tight with suppressed tension. He had changed out of his white clothes and replaced Winona with another pistol. With vivid clarity, she remembered when he set the white clothes aside.
"I didn't think I'd ever wear any other color again," John said softly staring down at his attire. Aeryn smirked. John glanced up at her with a grin. "I feel kind of naked."
Aeryn's suggestive leer and lewd thoughts had taken his mind of his worries. As time passed, their link had grown stronger and the constant need to touch disappeared. They also learned how to keep their thoughts from one another, building walls to protect themselves. That's what they were doing now: hiding their doubts and fears from one another.
The module shook again as it landed in the docking bay. John gave a careful sweep of the room. 'Scorpius, Braca, and seven guards,' his mind whispered to her. He opened the hatch to the module and stood. "Scorpy!" he yelled grinning. He waved at the startled half-breed. "Come on, honey," he said and held out a hand to Aeryn. She stood confidently. They both climbed out of the module; the guards raised their weapons. "Scorpy, Scorpy, Scorpy. Is this anyway to treat a friend?"
"John. Your communication came as a surprise," was his only reply.
"You mean we aren't welcome?" John whined.
"Why are you here?" Scorpius prompted.
"I thought I told you that! Well, you see, I completely forgot about your birthday. So I was thinking, what does my buddy Scorpius want more than anything? Then it hit me! Wormholes! Happy Birthday, Scorpy! I'm here to solve your wormhole problems!"
"Why would you suddenly want to help me, John?"
John's expression sobered. "Because the Scarrans had wormhole technology until I destroyed it. I would rather the Peacekeepers had it than the Scarrans. It won't be long before they figure it out again." Scorpius couldn't prevent the surprise from showing on his features. John paused before continuing. "I also want myself and my friends taken off the Peacekeeper wanted lists."
Scorpius studied John carefully. He could see that he wasn't lying. "Fine, John." He turned and addressed the guards, "John Crichton and Aeryn Sun are under my protection, they are not to be harmed under any circumstance. Braca inform the rest of the crew."
"Yes, sir."
"You will give up your weapons," Scorpius informed them.
"No, we won't," John replied.
Scorpius stared at him in surprise for a microt. "John--"
"No, Scorpy. We stay armed in case one of your groupies can't follow orders. We have too much at stake to use them on you."
Scorpius studied him again. John listened to his internal monologue and pushed when he felt the half-breed begin to say 'no' again. "Fine, John. Though you will not have any use for them."
***
Two arns later, Aeryn sat in silence watching her lover debate with his enemy. She could tell that John was actually benefiting from the discussion. Other than himself, Scorpius knew the most about wormholes. The two combined would surely unlock the mysteries. Despite herself, she was rapidly growing bored. To entertain herself, she stared sifting through some of John's memories.
She could barely keep from laughing as she came across one of John performing in a school play, singing the lead part. She glanced at John, who looked up to meet her gaze and sent her a knowing smile. 'Try to keep from the more amusing memories, love,' he told her. 'I can hear you laughing, and it's distracting.'
She smiled and continued looking through his memories. She finally settled down on one of his college lectures. She listened carefully, absorbing the information. Three arns later, Scorpius and John stopped for the day. John scanned her as he walked up to her. 'Professor Trigg's Western Civilization class?' he questioned, amused.
Aeryn shrugged slightly, 'It was interesting.' They began walking to their assigned quarters. "So?"
"We are definitely getting somewhere."
"How long?"
"Four days."
***
"D'Argo, a transport is leaving the surface and coming towards us." Pilot paused. "I am receiving a communication from them. They wish to dock with us."
"Who the frell are they?"
"Pilot, let them in," Chiana interrupted. "I'll meet them in the docking bay and bring them to Command." Chiana took off before D'Argo or Pilot could respond.
"Get everyone else to Command," D'Argo ordered. "I'm going after, Chiana."
By the time D'Argo reached the docking bay, Chiana was already welcoming their visitors. He recognized the Delvian and one of the natives from the planet. The other he didn't recognize.
"It is an honor to see you again," the Delvian said bowing slightly to Chiana. "You met Lirin briefly," he said gesturing to the native woman D'Argo recognized. "Though I don't believe you met Arihe."
Chiana nodded and smiled. "Honor great," Lirin said with a deep bow.
"An honor, Lady Chiana," Arihe agreed with an equally deep bow.
"Chiana," D'Argo said breaking into the introduction.
Xohan ignored D'Argo's interruption. "He did not take you with him."
"He thought it best to take only Aeryn," Chiana replied. "Was he wrong?"
"I don't believe so. The Lady is with him. The Teacher trusts in his destiny," Xohan soothed. "I think it is time your companions learned of his path." Xohan stared at D'Argo.
"I'm taking you to Command. Pilot has probably gathered everyone there," Chiana replied.
"Then shall we go?"
Chiana nodded and began walking. When she reached D'Argo, he growled softly in displeasure. "Come on, D'Argo. All of your questions are about to be answered." He watched her as she passed him, then waited for their guests to pass before joining the march to Command.
Stark, Jool, and Rygel were waiting for them when the group arrived. "This makes things slightly easier," Xohan noted. "A Banik, an Interion, and a Hynerian."
"Stark already knows," Chiana told him. "He saw the tattoo."
The crew of Moya, minus Chiana and Stark, looked decidedly uncomfortable. "What does it matter what species we are?" Jool asked nervously.
"Because," Xohan pulled a piece of cloth from the pocket of his robe. "This symbol will mean something to you." On the cloth was a duplicate image of the tattoo on John's shoulder.
"You must be joking," Rygel said astonished.
"John is…" Jool trailed off staring at the symbol.
"Yes. I saw the tattoo on his shoulder," Stark said bowing slightly to the symbol on the cloth.
"John is…" Rygel stuttered.
"I've been living with…" Jool gasped.
"I yelled at…" Rygel whispered.
"What the frell is going on? And who are you?" D'Argo demanded.
"My name is Xohan," he replied.
"Does John truly have the symbol of the Messiah on his flesh?" Pilot asked quietly.
Xohan faced the clamshell, where Pilot's image awaited his answer. "He does."
"Moya is pleased to have been the home of the Messiah for so long, even if she did not know it," Pilot informed them.
"I would still like an explanation!" D'Argo growled.
"Then I shall endeavor to give you one," Xohan replied.
***
"I have been successful in keeping Scorpius from detecting your many lies. I think I deserve some gratitude. A pizza party at least!"
Aeryn and John looked up at that. "A pizza party?" Aeryn asked. "You must be joking."
Harvey flung himself down in one of the chairs. "John," he pleaded.
"I'm staying out of this," was John's amused reply. He lay sprawled out on the bed studying the results of Scorpius' last wormhole test.
Aeryn sat at the table listening to more of John's college lectures… or she had been until Harvey had dropped in complaining he was unappreciated. Despite the fact that Harvey looked like Scorpius, he did manage to entertain her… when he wasn't annoying the frell out of her. One of the side effects of their link was her ability to see and hear Harvey whenever he decided to make his presence known.
"Aeryn," he began.
"Harvey," she interrupted. "When I have pizza… you can have pizza." Harvey scowled. Aeryn shot a glance at John. "He's like a three-year-old on a rainy day," she said, pulling the phrase from his memories.
John smiled at their antics. He knew Aeryn was nervous and a little bored from inactivity. If Harvey managed to keep her mind off of the situation they had walked into, that was fine with him.
A knock on the door to their quarters interrupted Harvey's come-back. John rolled onto his side to see the door, and Aeryn and Harvey both stood. 'Scorpy… something's up,' he told her. "Enter," John called.
Scorpius entered the room, and the door shut behind him. "It appears we have a problem," he said and sat down in the chair Harvey had been in. He held a chip out to Aeryn. Aeryn hesitated before taking it. "Play it."
Aeryn glanced at John. 'He's locked up. I don't want to risk probing him. Play it.' Aeryn placed the chip in the console of the table. John stood and walked over to her as the chip began. Harvey also approached the table.
"Once the half-breed has given us the wormhole technology, I want him and the alien terminated."
"Yes, sir."
"High Command is placing these orders in your hands. Do not fail us."
Scorpius stood and removed the chip from the console. John stared at him. "Why did you show us this?"
"Because, I don't take kindly to betrayal. Peacekeeper High Command has done just that, and so has my 'loyal' Lt. Braca."
"I say again: why did you show us this?"
"High Command wants the wormhole technology. I don't want them to have it. I must get you and myself off this ship and destroy all the data I have collected. I am assuming you both want to live?"
"You are going to help us get off this ship?" Aeryn questioned skeptically.
"Yes. I cannot do this all on my own. I will need assistance."
'He's telling the truth,' John said, slightly shocked. 'Well I've finally heard everything…' John glanced at Aeryn, making sure she heard his comment. "What do you want us to do?"
***
Aeryn waited patiently for the guard to turn away from the door before slipping into the docking bay. She ducked behind a console and pulled out the chip Scorpius had given her.
'It contains a virus that will disable all the ships in the docking bay.'
She knew John was entering the second docking bay to prep the Farscape and to disconnect one of the prowlers from the network. Once she finished uploading the virus, she would join him and send the virus to the ships in that bay as well. The console gave a soft beep, and she removed the chip. She glanced around before quickly leaving the docking bay as silently as she had entered.
She calmly walked to the second bay. By now, Scorpius had begun locking out the weapons and shields of the ship. They had already destroyed the wormhole data. She boldly entered the bay and approached the guard on duty. A quick pantak jab knocked him out. She dragged his body behind the console and began up loading the virus. She stood at the guard's post, watching the few techs in the room scurry around oblivious to what had just happened.
John was already waiting in the Farscape, and Aeryn had her eye on the one prowler that was outside of the network. Scorpius entered and walked past Aeryn to the module. He would be riding with John. Aeryn walked to the prowler and climbed in.
'I'm sending the signal to Crais.'
***
Crais paced the length of Talyn's Command. He felt… apprehensive. 'Crais, it's time. Come pick us up. We have a prowler as well as the module.' Crais stopped pacing as soon as he heard Crichton's voice. "Talyn…"
'I heard it, too,' the young gunship informed him.
"Trust me, you'll know when it happens," Crichton's words came back to him. "Talyn close in on the Command Carrier's position," he ordered. "Let's just hope we're right."
***
"Crais is on his way," John said the microt Scorpius climbed in. "Time for you to open the doors."
"They will open in approximately 20 microts, when the weapons and shields go off-line."
"20 microts it is."
The docking bay doors opened, and Aeryn's prowler was the first to take off. John followed close behind her. Talyn appeared and began firing on the Command Carrier, at the same time allowing John and Aeryn to dock.
Crais was shocked when Scorpius stepped out of the module. Talyn's internal weapons immediately targeted him. "Whoa! Crais! Call the boy off, he's with us for the moment," John yelled.
Scorpius, John, and Aeryn ran to Command. "The Carrier is disabled, it will explode in less than 300 microts," Crais said as they entered. "Care to explain what he is doing here?"
"He helped us escape, seems that High Command wants him dead," John replied.
"Don't we all," Crais smirked.
"Charming, Captain," Scorpius said.
"Starburst now," John interrupted, "Argue later."
"Talyn, immediate Starburst," Crais instructed.
When they were safe away, Aeryn looked at the three men. "Not many managed to make it to the life-pods. Casualties were probably high."
John was silent a moment. "But at least we got rid of the wormhole data and any back-ups Braca made."
"It is possible he already sent the data," Crais commented.
"I doubt it. I would have noticed it and killed him," Scorpius smirked. "He knew better than to make me suspicious."
"No one better cross you, huh, Scorpy?"
"What are we going to do with him," Crais asked nodding towards Scorpius.
John and Aeryn turned to examine the half-breed. "You can't go back to the Peacekeepers, and you won't go to the Scarrans… I should just kill you. It would make the Universe a better place."
"I'll do it," Aeryn said drawing her pulse pistol.
"No," John stopped her.
"No?" Crais asked shocked.
"What do you mean, 'no'?"
"As much as I want to, we can't kill him. Take the prowler, Scorpy. Get out of here."
"I will remember this, John," Scorpius said cautiously. It wasn't a threat. He turned and walked back to the docking bay.
They stood in silence until Talyn informed Crais that Scorpius had left. "That was stupid," Crais said frustrated.
"Perhaps. I'll probably regret that," John replied and left the room.
"Do you agree with that?"
"I understand why he did it," Aeryn answered and left Command.
Crais cursed under his breath. "We let him go." He took a steadying breath. "Talyn, set course for Moya."
***
"John can't honestly believe this nonsense… or Aeryn!" D'Argo said irritated. "I can't believe that you accept this without hesitation!"
"D'Argo," Chiana began.
"We've been taught to wait for the Messiah, and how to recognize him," Jool interrupted. "If Stark saw the tattoo on John's flesh then John is the Messiah."
"It's just a tattoo!"
"The symbol is a holy one," Rygel explained. "It has never lasted more than two microts on someone without fading away. Only the Messiah can bare it."
"D'Argo," Jool said calmly. "We believe that there is a Plan for the Universe. The Messiah's coming is destined… preordained by the Universe to help complete that Plan."
"What surprises me," Rygel added, "Is that Luxans have never heard of the Messiah."
"I can answer that one," Xohan said, speaking for the first time since he had finished his explanation over an arn ago. "The Luxans were and still are a warrior race. They believe in honor and glory in battle. Of course they also believe strongly in family… but they have little use for religion. Delvians, Interions, Baniks, and Hynerians are among the more religious races. The Hynerians have changed somewhat in the 5000 years since the Prophecy, becoming more concerned with money and personal gain, but they still hold onto the belief of the Messiah. The Baniks have fallen, becoming a slave race. The Interions have become obsessed with knowledge. Only the Delvians kept their spirituality. The Goddess is the Universe. The Universe is the Goddess. However, the Peacekeepers have done their best to enslave us… our influence has also faded. The Leviathans and their Pilots believe, but are ignored. The Sheyangs have abandoned their beliefs altogether. The Sebaceans outside of the Peacekeepers tell stories of the coming Messiah, but they believe it is only a tale for small children. The Nebari weren't out in space at the time of the Prophecy and do not believe. And the Scarrans… ha!"
"Believe not first. Later will," Lirin said firmly.
"The Messiah already has followers, though they only know of him as John Crichton. The people already call his name," Arihe said reverently.
"How will they learn that he is the Messiah?" Stark asked.
"The Te'lah will spread the word, as they were meant to do," Arihe replied.
"It has been their task since the Prophecy," Xohan confirmed.
"We are in an age of darkness. The Messiah will guide us to peace and bring us into the light," Lirin spoke. It took a moment, but everyone stared at her in shock when they realized her language was no longer reversed. "It is the time of the Awakening."
***
"There's Moya… home sweet home."
Aeryn glanced up at John and frowned slightly. She quickly raised her mental shields… but not in time. "Earth is lost to me, Aeryn," he said without turning. "Moya is my home." He turned, smiling slightly. "And so are you." She smiled back at him, though it was a sad one.
John and Aeryn glanced over as Crais walked into Command. "Thanks for the lift, Crais. Had a blast. Let's do it again some time," John said as he and Aeryn began walking out.
Aeryn grinned as an idea popped into her head… probably planted by John. "Catch ya later, Bill and Ted!"
Crais stared after her confused. "Bill and Ted?"
***
John and Aeryn were greeted by a rather large group when they docked with Moya. John fidgeted slightly as his friends looked at him in silence. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that Xohan had told them. "I'm still John Crichton," he finally said. "I'm still the same guy you yell at when things screw up. I'd appreciate it, if you didn't change the way you act around me."
Jool nodded slowly. "Alright, we'll try." She hesitated before speaking again. "…may we see the tattoo?"
John slowly reached up and took a hold of the collar of his t-shirt. He pulled it down and to the side, stretching the material. The white tattoo was clearly visible. Jool nodded briskly. She had somehow become the spokesman for those left on Moya. "What are we going to do next, John?"
"I need to go down to the planet with Aeryn and Chiana," he replied.
John changed back into his white clothes and strapped Winona to his thigh. He met Aeryn and Chiana in the docking bay. Xohan and his group had already left. Aeryn piloted one of the transport pods while John and Chiana exchanged the events of the past few days. Upon landing, Aeryn and Chiana went with Xohan to wait, while John went to see the Teacher.
***
John stared at the scene of Scorpius holding the pulse pistol to Aeryn's head. "This didn't happen," he commented.
"I know. Did you expect the future to be written in stone?"
John smirked and glanced around at the paintings on the stone walls. "Isn't it?"
"The future is not always clear," The Teacher began. "There were three paths once you entered the Command Carrier. G'lahar wrote of all three. However, he believed that the Tortured One couldn't help you, that he would always remain your enemy, unable to assist you for any reason. It was possible, but I never believed it likely. He has been betrayed too many times to just give in."
"What was the third path?" John asked.
"You and the Lady died. The Peace never came."
"So the best possible future happened?"
"Yes."
"What is going to happen to him?"
"He still seeks his revenge, though he doesn't realize that it isn't necessary."
"What do you mean?"
"The Scarrans are dying, Messiah. The last child was born over thirty cycles ago."
"What happened?"
"Let's just say the Universe was not pleased with their behavior."
John smiled slightly. "What next?" he asked.
"It's time I met your Lady. Call her."
***
John stood staring down at the altar in silence when Aeryn walked in. "Hello, Lady." Aeryn turned towards the sound of the voice to see the Teacher. She nodded slightly in recognition. She looked back at John to see he had turned to face her.
"John?"
"I don't know," he answered her unspoken question aloud.
"Lady. Are you curious, Aeryn Sun, about why you are known as the Lady?" Aeryn frowned slightly but didn't respond. "John's people think of a lady as a delicate woman, cultured and gentle. You were a Peacekeeper, a murderer, and yet you are called the Lady."
John shifted his weight slightly. He didn't like anyone insulting or hurting Aeryn, and it seemed as if that was what the Teacher was doing. Aeryn straightened up slightly, her posture rigid. "Yes, I have wondered."
The Teacher walked up to her; she didn't flinch and met his gaze straight on. He reached out and touched two fingers to her temple. She froze, surprised. She felt dizzy and started to step back; the Teacher dropped his hand. "It is different with you, Aeryn Sun. Sebaceans will never have any telepathic abilities. You, however, do. John's mind reached out for yours. He had no control over it. It reached for you and changed you with the help of your Pilot DNA. You didn't even feel it, did you?" When Aeryn numbly shook her head, he continued. "But you feel it now, don't you?"
"Yes."
"Your mind has changed again. A gift, Aeryn Sun. The reason you are the Lady. You feel it pulsing in your veins, it begs to be set free. Do you know what it is?" The Teacher pulled out a dagger and slashed Aeryn's arm before she even registered he had pulled it out.
"Hey!" John yelled and rushed to them, yanking Aeryn back. "What the hell do you think you're doing!"
"Look at her, Messiah."
John turned and looked at Aeryn. She was staring down at the slice on her arm. The gash was becoming smaller, closing. "You're healing it," he said dumbly.
"The Lady is a healer." The Teacher walked up to Aeryn again. "You have much to learn about your gift, Lady, but there is time. A year will pass before the Messiah will be seen again. You have a year to learn your gift; as the Messiah has a year to study the Prophecies."
"A year?" John asked.
"The Te'lah must have time. The Awakening is upon us."
***
{1 monen later, 6th planet in the Selnet System}
"I've heard that there are some religious freaks going around, spreading word about some Messiah."
"I've heard that and more. I heard their Messiah is John Crichton."
"John Crichton."
"He took out a Command Carrier a month ago. Heard Scorpius was on it."
"Couldn't have been. Scorpius was seen a few weekens ago on Nefiri Three."
"That's impossible. It was Scorpius' Command Carrier."
"If John Crichton is their Messiah…"
"Yea… I wouldn't mind joining it either."
"He's the only one whose ever been able to stand up against the Peacekeepers or the Scarrans and come out alive."
***
{2 weekens later, Sebacean Royal Colonies}
"My Queen, you requested my presence?"
"I heard one of the guards talking. Care to explain to me what he is talking about."
"My Lady?"
"He was speaking of a Messiah."
"Oh." The Queen's Advisor shifted uncomfortably.
"Well? Why is that foolish children's story being whispered about by the guards?"
"A race called the Te'lah say they have seen the Messiah. That he has come to bring peace. They are… very convincing."
"Foolishness. I won't have those rumors undermining my authority. I want them stopped… now."
"Yes, My Queen." The advisor turned to leave the room.
"Wait. Who do they claim is the Messiah?"
"A man named John Crichton."
The Queen's cheeks flushed slightly in anger and irritation, before fading back to their usual color. "Leave."
"Yes, My Queen."
***
{6 weekens later, Peacekeeper High Command}
"It appears we have a problem growing within the lesser races."
"Explain yourself, Captain."
"It has come to our attention that a race known as the Te'lah is spreading word of a Messiah."
"Another religious figure? Why are you wasting our time?"
"Their Messiah is John Crichton."
"John Crichton!"
"That alien is causing more problems!"
"I want the Te'lah annihilated! I don't care how you do it, just destroy them! …AND SOMEONE CAPTURE JOHN CRICHTON!"
***
{2 monens later, Interion Senate}
"Gracious Senators, thank you for consenting to hear me today."
"Please, Governor. Tell us what is so important that we have gathered in such haste for."
"I have received word from a reliable source that the Messiah has been revealed."
"Surely, Governor, you do not believe in that ancient mysticism. We are an enlightened people."
"The mark stays on his flesh, Senators."
There was silence. An older woman, usually silent, spoke. "Who?"
"John Crichton."
***
{3 weekens later, Banik slave camp just outside Peacekeeper territories}
"The Messiah has been found. Spread the word! The Messiah is John Crichton!"
A shot is fired. The speaker falls to the ground, a pulse blast through the head.
"Back to work!" a Peacekeeper yells.
The murmuring begins, soft, so the Peacekeepers will not hear. "The Messiah has come!"
***
{3 days later, Pilot Homeworld}
"The Leviathan Alvar has lost her Pilot escaping Peacekeeper capture. She is requesting a replacement with unusual haste."
"She has a reason for that."
"Oh?"
"She spoke to me of it. The Leviathans are singing of the Messiah."
"The Messiah?!"
"The Messiah has come?"
"Yes. His name is John Crichton, and he lives on a Leviathan named Moya."
***
{4 days later, Hynerion Advisory Council}
"Should we tell the Dominar?"
"Even if we did, he wouldn't do anything. Nothing but a Peacekeeper puppet."
"The word is spreading among the people. They will rebel against the Peacekeepers to join the Messiah."
"If they rebel to soon…"
"The Hynerian race will be no more."
***
{1 monen later, Po'lir}
"You are making excellent progress, Lady Aeryn."
"Xohan, do not call me Lady."
"You are the Lady. It is your title." Aeryn glared at him. "This, however, is an argument best saved for another time. Are you feeling any pain?"
"I've a slight headache," Aeryn replied.
"It was your first major healing. That is to be expected. You should ease your pain."
"I wasn't sure if I should since it was caused from a healing." Xohan smiled and shook his head slightly. Aeryn closed her eyes, her brow pinching slightly in concentration. Her mind slowed, then searched for the source of her pain. Upon finding it, she soothed the ache; opening her eyes when she was done.
"Any pain?" Xohan asked.
"No."
"That is good. Matoth is completely healed because of you. He will return to his task in the morning."
Aeryn smiled slightly. "Just tell him to watch out for Peacekeepers. Next time he might not be so fortunate."
"AERYN!"
Aeryn and Xohan turned to see John running straight towards them clutching an old manuscript. They were surprised he hadn't communicated with her telepathically. He must have heard them, because he instantly explained upon reaching them.
"I wanted to see your face when I told you this," he said, slightly out of breath. "We are going to have six children!" He grinned happily.
Aeryn's mouth dropped open in shock.
***
{3 weekens later, Delvian Resistance Headquarters}
"The Peacekeepers have arrested Nelaiah. We must consider all information she possesses compromised."
"She knows the location of a resistance base and the names of seven fighters, including my own."
"This is bad. The seven must be taken off-world immediately."
"Where can we send them?"
"Tolvăi!" a young Delvian called bursting into the room. "The Awakening has begun! The Te'lah have left their homeworld!"
"The Messiah has come," an ancient Delvian spoke softly, bowing his head.
"Tolvăi, take the other six and go to Po'lir. Go to the Messiah. That is the safest place for you all."
***
{1 weeken later, Luxan War Council}
"We have received numerous requests for warriors, but they all require absolute secrecy."
"How many requests?"
"We've been quietly asked by the Interions, the Delvian Resistance, the Hynerians, …frell… even some of the smaller Sebacean colonies."
"What?!"
"Sebaceans?!"
"What the frell for?"
"They all are preparing for some messiah."
"Should we send warriors to any of them?"
"No… at least not now. I believe we should wait. We should find out more about their messiah before we send any Luxans to die for him."
"I agree."
"As do I."
Murmurs of agreement filled the room.
***
{2 weekens later, Zenitian Pirate ship}
"We 'aven't 'ad a good ship 'n monens."
"Should move the Flax."
"Tell 'hat t' 'im."
"I'd like to keep my head attached to my body."
The two men worked in silence for awhile.
"You 'eard 'bout 'hat Messiah?"
"Yeah. John Crichton, right?"
"Yea' 'hat's righ'. You believe 't?"
"When it comes to John Crichton, I'll believe anything."
***
{1 monen later, Earth}
"Hey, Dad! Look at this!"
Jack Crichton opened his eyes slowly. The voice of his dead son still ringing in his ears. He looked at the clock. 3:46AM. He tried to think of the last time he had slept the whole night through. Always, he dreamed of John. Sometimes, like tonight, it was dreams of John when he was small and still thought his father could walk on water. Other times it was dreams of the day he died.
He flipped back the covers and sat up. Rising from the bed, he shuffled to the kitchen for a glass of water. He was silent, DK had come over and fallen asleep on the couch. Jack didn't want to wake him. He wanted to keep his late night wanderings a secret. Then again, he thought, DK might already know. …after all, he was a shade of his former self too.
***
{2 weekens later, Nebari Homeworld}
"Are you finding everything to your liking?"
"Yes. It is more than acceptable."
"Good. How long do you estimate it will take to reconstruct the data lost?"
"At least three monens to reconstruct the basic equations, the more advanced will come with time. Then I will have to determine the errors in the equations and correct them to produce a weapon."
"How long?"
"At least a cycle. But likely more."
"Do not feel pressured, Scorpius. Take as long as you need to perfect the weapon. We can wait."
Scorpius watched as the Nebari woman exited his new lab. Having been raised by the Scarrans and having served in the Peacekeepers, he thought there was nothing that could make him fear. He was wrong. The Nebari were patient and sly… he was beginning to have second thoughts about continuing his quest for vengeance in this manner.
***
{1 monen later, Scarran Dreadnaught}
"Sir."
"Yes?" the voice hissed.
"We are receiving an incoming transmission from Homeworld."
"What does it say?"
"All ships are being sent standing orders to capture the alien John Crichton. We are ordered to cease the monitoring of the Peacekeepers in this area and begin the primary search for him."
"Will another ship be sent to take over this area?"
"No, Sir. Homeworld says the capture of John Crichton is more important."
"Alive or dead?"
"Alive, if possible, though dead is acceptable."
***
{2 monens later, Po'lir}
John stood next to the altar. He glanced up as the Teacher left. This was to be a private moment. The prophecies said this was a significant event, but G'lahar had not described what he saw. John sighed and climbed on the altar. He laid down and closed his eyes.
"Hello, John."
"Zhaan."
The Delvian Priestess smiled at him. "Were you expecting someone else?"
John smiled slightly and was silent a moment. "Did you know?"
"Did I know?" She asked, her smile never leaving her beautiful face. "Did I know you were the Messiah? …Not at first, but towards the end… yes, I knew."
"Why didn't you tell me? Warn me?"
"Dearest John, would you have believed me?"
He smiled wryly. "No." He stared at her, soaking in her comforting presence. "I miss you."
"I know."
"Why am I here? Why me?"
"The Goddess had her reasons."
"Yeah, but what were they?"
"John Crichton, the dashing knight on a white horse." Her smile softened from one of amusement to one of affection. "You are so innocent, John."
"Innocent?" he snorted. "Right."
"Even though you have taken a life, more than one, you are still pure. It hurts you, but you carry on helping others, even if it puts you in a position to take another life. Always for the good of another." Zhaan's smile turned to one of amusement again. "Never give up, never surrender?"
John smiled again. "Have you been to Earth?"
"I suppose you could say that."
"Did you like it?"
"It reminds me of you. Strength, kindness, and such beauty."
"Are you saying I'm a hunk?"
"I must admit I was strangely attracted to you," Zhaan replied, her sense of humor shining through.
John grinned. It faded slightly as his thoughts returned once more to his task. "Zhaan, what was your task?"
"It was an easy one. I had only to love and care for you, to be there when you needed me. I would have done that for you anyway, John."
His eyes misted over. "I love you, too, Zhaan. You were our mother."
A tear slipped down her face. "And you were my children."
"Can I see you again?"
"I am always here for you, John."
"Yes, but can I see you again?"
Her smile turned sad. "Only in your memories."
"So this is it?"
"Yes."
"When do I have to leave?"
"You can stay here for awhile longer before you must return."
John smile matched hers, sad and happy at the same time. "So tell me a tale of your misspent youth."
Zhaan laughed.
***
{2 arns later}
John walked down the main tunnel of the underground complex. Xohan watched him walk past, oblivious to his surroundings. Those living in the complex knew that today had been one of the events painted on the walls in the Shrine, and they knew it had been a private moment. Xohan studied him as he walked away. Whatever had happened had made him sad, and yet, more at peace with himself.
***
{the next day}
"Home sweet Moya."
"Tired of living underground?" Chiana asked.
"Hell yeah. I was beginning to think I was a mole or something," John replied.
"John!"
John and Chiana stopped and turned. D'Argo was coming towards them. "Hey, Heavy D!" The two embraced.
"We have much to talk about," D'Argo said with a smug grin.
D'Argo, Jool, Rygel, and Stark had been on Moya for the cycle that John, Aeryn, and Chiana had spent on Po'lir. They had been ferrying the Te'lah to different planets as well as searching for map fibers.
"Did you manage to find all those map fibers we need?"
"Yes," D'Argo replied.
"Great, let me take all this stuff to my quarters, and I'll meet you in the central chamber?"
D'Argo nodded and John continued down the corridor, leaving Chiana and D'Argo staring at each other. "I am pleased to see you again, Chiana," D'Argo said gently.
"Me too," was her soft reply. "Walk me back to my quarters?"
"Alright."
They walked in silence. Chiana smiled slightly at him when they reached her quarters and went inside. D'Argo stood outside for a microt before walking to the central chamber to join John.
***
"It will take us 20 solar days to reach the Interion homeworld," Pilot informed Aeryn.
"Well then I suppose we should get stared then," she replied.
"Right. Initiating Starburst."
Aeryn stayed in Pilot's Den awhile, catching up with him and Moya.
***
"It's finished."
"We need to test it on a subject."
"I have ordered six subjects to be injected with it."
"When will it be administered?"
"They have already begun."
The two women walked from the lab and into a holding area where their six 'subjects' were strapped sown to tables. The subjects made no sound.
"There doesn't appear to be any change."
"There isn't an immediate one. It will take two weekens for the first symptom to appear. By the time they realize something is truly wrong with them, it will be too late. They won't last a monen."
"You've injected all six, I assume it is not air-born then. How will it be transmitted?"
"We can infect the first victims with an infected knife, a scratch would have enough of the virus to successfully infect the subject. They will infect the others by sexual contact."
The women laughed. "After these six are dead, begin spreading the virus."
"Yes, Sir."
The Scarrans won't die alone, the scientist thought. The Peacekeepers will die with us. The six Sebaceans test subjects stared at her in hatred. She smiled.
***
"How far is the object from our atmosphere?"
"It will reach us in ten seconds."
"Do we know where it is going to land?"
"Yes, it's trajectory indicates that it will land around Florida's Everglades."
"Send--"
"That has already been done, Mr. President."
"Are we sure this is a ship and not an asteroid?"
"Yes, Sir."
"It has entered the atmosphere."
"Do we have a visual?"
"Yes, Sir. Patching it in now, Sir." The President, his cabinet, and a few military personnel watched as the ship plummeted to Earth.
"Confirmed. It has crashed in the Everglades, Sir."
***
"Tolvăi, are you alright?"
"Yes, what about everyone else?"
"A few injuries, but Relai is dead."
"Did we escape the Peacekeepers?"
"Yes, we escaped their sensors, but that first hit took out our guidance system. It will have to be repaired before we can figure out where we are."
"How much damage did the ship suffer in the crash?"
"We lost the hetch-drive."
"Has anyone left to investigate where we landed."
"No."
"Then let's go see."
***
"Nothing has left the ship, Sir."
"Sir!"
"Just a moment, there is an opening. Two figures are emerging."
***
Tolvăi and his companion walked out of their ship to find it surrounded. "Peacekeepers!" he cried and pulled out his pulse pistol.
"No!" Tolvăi yelled and knocked down his arm.
"What?! They are Peacekeepers!"
The Humans had no idea what to do. One draws a weapon, the other knocks it down. Enemy or not?
"Look at them! Feel this heat! They are not affected by it!" Tolvăi took a step towards the Humans, ignoring the many weapons pointed at him. "What species are you?" he asked calmly.
Private William T. Knapp, an avid sci-fi watcher, glanced at his commanding officer and seeing the indecision on his face, stood up from his crouched position and approached the alien.
"Private Knapp!" He ignored his commanding officer and continued forward.
"Hello," he said cautiously.
"Hello," Tolvăi responded, unsure why the young Sebacean had not answered his question.
"Can you understand me?" he questioned.
"Yes," Tolvăi said nodding.
William smiled. "I figured you would. We can't understand you." His smile turned into a grin. "Welcome to Earth."
Tolvăi's mouth dropped open in surprise. "Earth? This is Earth?" He turned to his silent companion. "Go find some translator microbes, quickly!" He dashed inside the ship and returned momentarily with the microbes. He handed the slim injection to Tolvăi.
Tolvăi stepped towards the young Sebacean and held out his hand. William frowned slightly. Tolvăi beckoned to him, and William hesitantly held out his hand. Tolvăi took a hold of it and immediately injected him with the microbes.
"Ow!" William couldn't help the yelp of surprise, and stepped back. The other Humans tightened their grips on their weapons, watching William in fear, wondering what was happening to him.
Tolvăi waited patiently for a few microts before speaking again. "Is this truly Earth?"
William stared at him a moment before replying. "Yes… How can I understand you?"
"Translator microbes." Tolvăi turned once more to his companion. "We have found Earth," he said in utter astonishment.
"We're you looking for Earth?" William asked.
"No, we were going to Po'lir…" Tolvăi suddenly started laughing. He grabbed William and hugged him. William stiffened in surprise, but Tolvăi didn't notice, letting him go to grab his friend in a similar embrace.
The Humans looked on in confusion. The aliens were celebrating?
***
The President flew to Florida to meet with the aliens. The government was unable to keep the arrival of the aliens quiet, so it was a media circus when he landed. The aliens and their ship had been taken to the Navy Training Base in Orlando. It had been shut down when the US had consolidated and closed many of their military bases, so it was the perfect place to take the aliens.
Private William Knapp, the only one able to understand the aliens, had also been taken to the base to wait. Doctors and scientists were studying him while they waited for the President to arrive. The other military personnel that had taken part in the securing of the alien spacecraft were isolated in one of the empty barracks. As there wasn't an empty hanger for them to store the ship, it was kept under guard outside.
Once the President arrived, the six aliens and Private Knapp were gathered in a briefing room. The President was slightly taken aback by the tall, blue-skinned aliens.
"Hello," he said after studying them briefly. "My name is Adam Walker, President of the United States."
"Greetings," Tolvăi replied.
"He said 'hello,'" William translated.
"What did you do to Private Knapp?"
"We gave him translator microbes. The microbes colonize at the base of the brain. Every child is given them at birth. It enables us to understand each other."
President Walker listened as William translated. "Will these microbes have any side effects?"
"No. They have had no side effects on any species, including Humans, as far as I know."
"What?" William asked shocked.
"What did he say?" President Walker demanded.
"He said it hasn't any side effects on any species including Humans," William replied.
"We've never left our planet, how could you have any contact with Humans?"
"The Messiah is Human," Tolvăi replied, bowing slightly and moving his hands in a gesture that would have reminded Moya's inhabitants of Zhaan. "Earth is the homeworld of the Messiah. It is why we were so pleased when we realized where we had landed."
"The Messiah?" President Walker asked after William translated.
"The Messiah will bring peace to the Universe. The Awakening has begun. We were traveling to Po'lir, the homeworld of the Te'lah, because it is said the Messiah will wait there during the Awakening."
"Who is the Messiah?"
"John Crichton," Tolvăi said bowing and moving his hands.
"John Crichton died four years ago in the first test of the Farscape Project," the President replied shortly.
Tolvăi smiled. "Perhaps that is the death spoken of in the Prophecies. It was said by the Prophet G'lahar in the Wars of Fire… 'And the Messiah will come. He will suffer and die. And the Messiah will come. He will live and suffer. And the Messiah will come. He will lead us to peace to find his own. And the Messiah will come. And the Messiah will come.'"
The President frowned slightly. The whole situation was rather confusing. "Is there anyway to contact him?"
"We could send a message to Po'lir," Tolvăi said slowly, "But it is possible that the Peacekeepers would intercept it. If they did, they would know the location of the Messiah as well as our own."
"Are you running from them?"
"All weaker species run from them," Tolvăi replied.
"Tell me about the Peacekeepers," the President instructed.
***
"Tell me about the Peacekeepers…"Chiana woke and rubbed her forehead. She had a blinding headache. Pushing back the covers, she started to speak to Aeryn when her headache intensified. "Okay," she said slowly. "Do this the old-fashioned way." She stood and walked out of her quarters. "Pilot, where is Aeryn?"
"Aeryn is in Command," came the instant reply.
"Thanks, Pilot."
Chiana walked into Command. "Aeryn?"
Aeryn turned. "Chiana? What were you doing?" she asked, sensing her headache and recognizing the cause.
"I was sleeping. I had this dream about some Delvians and Earth," she said while Aeryn eased her headache. "I think that Earth has been contacted."
"Was it intentional? How did they find Earth?"
"I think they crashed on it."
"If they crashed, it's possible that Peacekeepers were involved," Aeryn said and immediately contacted John.
"Pilot! Change course," John said through the comms as he ran towards Command.
"Where are we going?"
"Head for Earth."
***
"All of the subjects are dead. The last one died 26 days after exposure."
"Begin spreading the virus."
"Yes, Sir. We will send an operative to the Sebacean Royal Colonies as well as allowing some of our people to be captured in different areas of Peacekeeper space."
"Oh, yes. I almost forgot. Will the virus effect other races?"
"No. Even if it mutates, it cannot jump species."
"A pity."
***
{Peacekeeper Command Carrier: Devlia System}
"He managed to knife seven of us before we got it away from him."
"Scarrans!"
***
{Sebacean Royal Colonies}
"Stupid Scarrans!"
"What?"
"He scratched me!"
"Be glad he didn't breath on you."
"You should get it checked out, who knows what kind of diseases you might get."
"It's just a scratch."
"Are you even sure the Scarran gave it to you."
"I got it while I was walking past him."
"Doesn't mean he gave it to you."
"Just get it healed and forget about it."
***
{Peacekeeper Marauder: Selnet System}
"He's unconscious, but we've all got some serious knife wounds. We need to return to the Command Carrier to get patched up immediately. We won't be able to search for any other Scarrans."
"The Captain won't be pleased."
***
"Scorpius?"
"Yes?"
"Would it help if we captured John Crichton and brought him to you?"
Scorpius hesitated before replying. "He brings destruction where ever he goes. He'd be more trouble than he's worth."
"We could cleanse him." The Nebari woman smiled. "We will bring him to you."
***
"We will reach the Sol System in three solar days," Pilot said.
John smiled. "Who told you that's what we call our system?"
"Aeryn."
"My one true love," John said grinning. "Have you ever been in love Pilot?"
"Yes."
"What was she like?"
"Calm and kind. Able to sooth my spirit with a word."
John smiled at him. "You are talking about Moya."
"Yes. She is, as you say, my one true love."
"If you hadn't bonded with a Leviathan, would you have married and had little Pilots?"
"Pilots do not marry. The only kind of 'relationship' we truly have is those of Pilots and Leviathans. When the time of mating comes, those that are most compatible mate together."
"No love involved?"
"No, there is respect, but no love." Pilot paused. "I am fortunate to have bonded with Moya. She does not find my love for her unusual." He looked up at John. "Tell me of your customs again."
John explained once again the customs of Humans when it came to marriage.
"Will you ask Aeryn to marry you?"
"I want to, but I'm not sure she will agree."
"Why?"
"Because Peacekeepers do not marry."
"But Aeryn is not a Peacekeeper."
John looked over at Pilot, and a slow smile spread across his face. "You are absolutely right. I'll talk to you later, Pilot." He stood up and walked out of Pilot's Den.
***
"Aeryn?"
"John."
"How can you stand to listen to that stuff? I dozed through most of those classes," John said sitting down across from her at the table in their quarters.
Aeryn was once again, listening to some of his college lectures. "I decided that since we were going to Earth, that I should prepare myself. I know everything that has happened to you, and I have access to all the information you have ever come across, but I haven't had time to really learn it all."
"Take a break from it, I want to talk to you."
"Yes?"
"Have you really thought about us?"
"What do you mean?" she asked, curious at the obvious nervousness of her mate.
"I mean," He stood, unable to stay still. "You know I love you, and I know you love me. We know that we will eventually have children together," John said trying to work up the nerve to ask her.
Aeryn began to understand what it was he was trying to ask her, and she smiled. "John."
"Yeah?"
"Sit down."
"Okay." He sat back down.
"Are you trying to ask me to marry you?"
"And if I was?" he asked cautiously.
"Well, if you were, I'd say yes and have wild, crazy sex with you. If not, I'd kick you out of this room so fast your head would spin."
John grinned. "Damn, I love you."
"Well?"
"Aeryn, will you marry me?"
"Yes," she replied smiling and leaned across the table to kiss him.
A few arns later…"Where's my ring?"
***
'It should be Zhaan marrying us,' Aeryn thought.
'I'm sure Stark will do fine,' came John's comforting reply. 'And in a way, Zhaan is marrying us… through Stark.'
'Are you ever going to tell me what happened in the Shrine? I know it had something to do with Zhaan.'
'Yes, just… not today.'
'I love you, John.'
'I love you, Aeryn.' Their thoughts were silent a moment. 'So… what are you wearing?'
"John!" Aeryn yelled both mentally and aloud.
Chiana and Jool started laughing. The three women were standing in a small room not far from Pilot's Den where the ceremony would take place. John, Rygel, D'Argo, and Stark were already in the Den waiting for them. As Earth tradition dictated, John hadn't seen Aeryn all day. She had also kept her thoughts close to herself so he could not figure out what she was wearing. Chiana had blocked her thoughts from him too, and the two women were shielding Jool from the curious Human. Other than Moya and Pilot, no one had seen the three since they closed themselves up early that morning.
When the three women finally entered the Den it was to the sound of Zhaan singing. Pilot had recordings and was playing them at the request of John and Aeryn. Aeryn's dress was the traditional white of Earth but cut in the style of the Sebacean Royal Colonies. There was no train, no flowers. John's engagement ring sparkled on her hand.
He had given it to her the day before. He had spent hours forming the small band and inserting the gem. She knew he had also created their wedding bands. The metal in the rings was made from spare parts of Moya, and the gem was 'procured' from Rygel.
The ceremony itself was a blend of Human, Sebacean, Delvian, and Banik customs. When the bride had been kissed and congratulations received, John and Aeryn retreated to the Terrace for the Banik custom known as 'Jo lath' which roughly translated meant something like 'celebration of joy.' John termed it the 'one-day-honeymoon.' The couple was to be isolated from everyone so they could bask in each other's presence, and come to a true spiritual understanding.
While the two lovebirds were getting cozy on the Terrace, everyone else was in the Central Chamber partying. They all seemed to realize that this was going to be one of those rare happy times. The coming cycles would be hard on everyone, and doubly so on John and Aeryn. So they were doing their best to 'live it up' and 'party hardy.'
The crew stayed up half the night drinking and toasting the new couple. Chiana found a crystal with some funky music on it, and they danced in their crazy drunkenness. As usual, Stark and Jool passed out first, then Rygel, followed by D'Argo and Chiana.
The coming days would be dark, but they would have this small bit of happiness to look back on and smile about. They were on a quest to bring peace, and the darkest time is always right before dawn. They were ready for it.
'I love you.'
'I love you, too.'
***
{3 days after alien arrival}
"I just don't know how much I believe. They say that John Crichton is living out in space, and he is their Messiah, but they don't know anything about him or Earth."
"It's possible they picked up our television broadcasts."
"What do the Russians think?"
"They are leaving it to our discretion since the aliens landed here."
"Great. That way if this turns out to be a trap, they can blame us."
"Gentlemen," the President interrupted. "I asked for your opinions, not a Russian-bashing session."
"Sir. With such little information, it is basically impossible to arrive at any reasonable conclusions. It is a simple matter. Do we believe them or not?" the Secretary of Defense said.
"I think that the whole thing is rather coincidental," the National Security Advisor added. "I don't trust them."
"What do our scientists say about Private Knapp?" President Walker questioned.
"It is in perfect health, the microbes aren't having any side effects on him. He is able to understand any language."
"It is a point in their favor. These translator microbes appear to do exactly what they said they would."
"Mr. President," a young aide said bursting into the room. "We have another spaceship coming in on radar, Sir. It is very big."
"An invasion?" the President demanded.
"We don't know, Sir."
"Get Tolvăi and Private Knapp into the Situation Room," President Walker ordered, leaving the briefing room to go there himself.
Tolvăi and Private Knapp enter the room at the same time. President Walker immediately called them over. "What kind of ship is that?" he demanded.
Tolvăi glanced at the primitive sensor readout and frowned. He turned the readout upside down. "Oh!" he said, recognizing the ship's design. He looked up at President Walker. "It's a Leviathan."
"What is that?" he asked exasperated at William's translation.
"It is a bio-mechanoid ship. It has no weapons," Tolvăi said in an attempt to calm the jumpy Humans.
***
"I am hailing the Delvian ship, but am not receiving a reply," Pilot informed them.
"Frell," John muttered. "Where is it?"
Pilot brought up a map of the Earth and zeroed in on the location of the Delvians. "I am unable to separate the life-signs of the Delvians from those of the Humans."
"I can't locate them either," John replied. He glanced over at Aeryn. "I'm going to have to go down there."
"Not alone you won't," was her reply.
***
"Sir, a smaller ship has left the Leviathan."
"A transport pod, most likely," Tolvăi informed them.
"Where is it headed?" President Walker asked.
"Right towards us. ETA five seconds."
"I suggest we go outside and meet them," Tolvăi told the shocked room, and William translated absent-mindedly.
President Walker, Private Knapp, Tolvăi, and a few others left the building and ran to the landing site of the second alien craft. Military personnel already had the ship surrounded. The door to the ship opened, and a woman became visible. She carried what the Humans now recognized as a pulse pistol, only it was white, as was her clothes. Her hair was black and pulled up into a pony-tail. She stepped out into the heat and sunlight, and a flash of light was reflected off of a ring on her left hand.
"Peacekeeper!" Tolvăi yelled. The Humans had confiscated his pulse pistol but perhaps he could use one of their weapons. He grabbed one of the rifles from a nearby Human and raised it at the woman.
She raised her pulse pistol. "Drop your weapon!" she yelled and shot the ground at his feet.
He jumped back and hesitated. "Peacekeepers do not hesitate to kill," he said coldly. "What are you doing?"
The Humans, minus Private Knapp, had no idea what was going on. Should they shoot? If so who should they shoot? William was trying to quickly translate for President Walker as well as help keep him protected. Tolvăi had stepped forward away from the Humans so they were unable to disarm him.
"That is my question. Why have you come to Earth?" Aeryn responded.
"We crashed here."
"Leave. Now."
"Why?"
"This is John Crichton's homeworld! It's not ready for alien contact!" Aeryn yelled, sweat was beginning to pour off of her as she struggled to maintain a cooler body temperature with her mind.
"What does a Peacekeeper know of the Messiah?" Tolvăi yelled back.
"I am no Peacekeeper!" Aeryn replied. "You don't belong here! You have come to them at the beginning of war! Their location should have been kept secret until they were no longer in danger!"
Tolvăi didn't know what to say. "Who are you?" he finally asked.
Aeryn holstered her pistol. "Lady Aeryn Sun."
Tolvăi instantly dropped the weapon and fell to his knees bowing his head. "Forgive me, Lady!"
Aeryn looked at the Humans for the first time since opening the door to the transport pod. She switched to English. "I'd like to speak to the President."
The Humans stared at her. "You speak English," William said dumbly.
"I am President Walker," he said after he had recovered sufficiently.
"I ask for sanctuary for myself and the others aboard the pod until we leave."
"Granted," he replied after a moment's thought.
Aeryn nodded and fell to her knees, her mind unable to counteract the heat any longer. Her skin was covered in sweat. Before anyone could approach her, someone else stepped out of the transport.
"Aeryn!" He was at her side instantly. "I knew this was a stupid idea," he cursed and dragged her to her feet. He lifted her into his arms and looked up.
The Humans standing around recognized him as did Tolvăi. He turned back to the transport. "D'Argo!" he yelled inside. "Go back to Moya!" He then ran towards the closest building. The Humans were too stunned to even try and stop him. The door to the transport closed, and the ship took off.
"What the hell?" President Walker said.
Tolvăi rose and quickly explained. "Sebaceans are sensitive to heat." He ran to the building after John Crichton; the Humans following close behind.
***
The air-conditioning and Aeryn's abilities had her back under her own power by the time everyone had come back inside. John quickly scanned the President and led the way to the briefing room the Humans had started off in.
John didn't waste any time. "Tolvăi, once you realized where you were, you should have left immediately. What were you thinking?"
"I apologize, Messiah. In my excitement, I was not thinking clearly. Also… the hetch-drive is broken."
"Frell," John cursed. He glanced at President Walker. "How many people know?"
"Everyone."
John cursed viciously. "You are going to have to stay here. I can't risk Earth's location getting out."
"I understand."
"How many survived the crash?"
"Six."
"All resistance fighters?"
"Yes. Our identities were compromised when the Peacekeepers captured one of our operatives. We were on our way to Po'lir."
"Any Pa'u?"
"One."
"What level?"
"Third."
John sat down at the table, propping his elbows up on the table and rubbing his hands against his face. Aeryn was seated next to him, watching the occupants of the room. "Since Earth knows, you will need to prepare them for what is coming," he said, not taking his hands from his face. He dropped his hands. "We can supply enough translator microbes for everyone on the planet."
"We'll also take your ship," Aeryn added.
"I don't want the Peacekeepers detecting it or any idiots trying to fly it away from Earth," John confirmed.
The Humans in the room bristled at that comment. While they weren't able to understand Tolvăi, they were able to understand John and Aeryn, who continued to speak in English.
"How do we know you are John Crichton?" the Defense Secretary interrupted.
"DNA test work for you?" John asked.
***
A few hours later, the results of the DNA test were in. The DNA of the man who had landed with the alien woman, was an exact match of the DNA of John Crichton. Still uneasy, the President ordered Col. Jack Crichton and Daniel Kirkland to the base. As both were living in Florida at Cape Canaveral, it wouldn't take too long to reach the base. Until they arrived, President Walker decided to join those watching the aliens. They had been placed in a holding cell as soon as John had given them a blood and skin sample.
***
"Jack… do you think it's really John?"
"I don't know, DK." Jack Crichton stared down at the paper he held in his hand. DNA analysis confirms the subject has the exact DNA of Commander John Crichton.
"What has he been doing all these years? Why didn't he come back sooner?" DK wondered aloud.
Jack looked out the window of the helicopter. 'What had his son been doing? Why hadn't he come home? If this man wasn't his son… he'd kill him for putting DK and himself through this.'
"I wonder if he still has my puzzle ring…" Jack said softly.
"If it is John… I don't know what to say to him…" DK said continuing his own train of thought. Neither one of them was paying much attention to the other. Each was so wrapped up in their own thoughts, the helicopter could have crashed, and they wouldn't have noticed.
Jack snapped out of his own thoughts when he heard DK whisper. "I wonder if he blames me…"
"DK, John would never blame you," Jack said sternly. "We both need to pull ourselves together. We are acting like idiots. If it's John, then I am sure he will be happy to see us."
***
John and Aeryn sat in a holding room with a mirror on one wall. They both knew what that mirror meant. Tolvăi and the other five Delvians were brought into the room, presumably to see how they would react to John and Aeryn. Upon seeing John, the response was immediate. They dropped to their knees. John told them all to get up and sit down. Then he switched to Sebacean, as did Aeryn. While John asked them for information, Aeryn went to each of them and analyzed their injuries, healing as she went.
On the other side of the mirror, Private Knapp, President Walker, and his advisors watched and listened to William's translations. Apparently, John didn't realize that William had been given translator microbes. Of course, this was false. John did know, just as he knew who was behind the mirror.
"What is that woman doing?" the National Security Advisor asked watching Aeryn. By this time, Aeryn had reached Zojil whose fibers had been ripped apart in one arm. They had bandaged it, but it would take time to heal and even then she would not retain full use of it. Aeryn unwrapped Zojil's arm, and the Humans saw it was healed. Zojil flexed her arm and looked up at Aeryn smiling.
"I'm pretty sure she healed it," was William's reply.
"With what? We searched them; they don't have any items," the Secretary of Defense said gesturing to the table behind them. On it sat John's and Aeryn's pulse pistols and comms.
"Maybe she's a telepath," William said watching as Aeryn moved on to the next Delvian.
"Let's see," General Matthews said and walked to the door to the holding room. He opened it and walked in. Everyone looked over at him. He caught Aeryn's gaze and held it. He thought of every insulting thing he could think of and directed them at her.
John instantly stood up. "Watch what you think, General Matthews, or find yourself on the wrong end of my pulse pistol."
General Matthews looked at him in surprise and then his eyes narrowed. "I don't care what that DNA test said. You can't be John Crichton. Humans don't have any telepathic abilities."
***
END PART TWO
TBC
WELL... what do ya think? Please review or send me an e-mail!
~Artemis Luna Diana~