Disclaimer: I own none of these characters; various other people own them. I use them with love and respect, but I make no money off them.
Spoilers: Up to and including "Won't Get Fooled Again."
Rating: PG
Archiving: With permission
THESE ARE THE VOYAGES….
"Captain's Log Stardate 2005417.4, Captain John R. Crichton reporting. Starfleet Command has ordered the Moya to transport a renowned Federation ambassador to Novia VI to broker the former Imperial colony's admission into the Federation. I have been warned that the Empire has dispatched its own emissary to Novia VI in the hopes of convincing their wayward colony to return to the Imperial fold. None other than Admiral Jack Crichton himself, my father and a legend in Starfleet, had warned me to prepare for Imperial treachery. I told him the mission should go slicker'n snot."
* * *
The man whose image was broadcast on the forward view screen introduced himself. "Hail and greetings. I'm High Counselor Tyno, advisor and first adjutant to Her Royal Highness, the Princess Katralla."
John Crichton rose from his command chair and gave his formfitting gold Starfleet uniform shirt a tug. "I'm Captain John R. Crichton of the Federation starship Moya. We have the Federation ambassador."
Counselor Tyno inclined his head. "We have been awaiting your arrival, Captain."
Crichton made a quarter turn to his right and gestured toward the diminutive figure beside him. The Federation ambassador was a short being, barely a meter in height, and his mobility was normally attained by a hovering chair.
"May I present his eminence, Ambassador Buckwheat Rygel," the captain said.
"I look forward to a fruitful discourse with her highness, Counselor," Ambassador Rygel said.
"I am pleased," said Tyno. "You've been granted permission to beam down to the planet's surface with a small landing party."
The counselor's image vanished, replaced by the starry backdrop of space. Captain Crichton turned away from the view screen as the first officer approached. Commander Aeryn Sun was a striking woman, her figure accentuated by her curve-hugging gold tunic that showed a lot of leg. She kept her dark tresses in a ponytail, unlike the other women aboard who kept theirs up and held in place by a spray that seemed to polymerize their hair. The first officer was at her captain's side in a few steps, her luminous eyes looking upon him in pure adoration.
He grinned. "Aeryn, detail a landing party to accompany us to the planet's surface."
"Yes, Captain," she said.
Crichton watched the beautiful first officer walk off the bridge, then turned his attention to the alien manning the helm station. "Lieutenant Pilot, put the Moya in a geosynchronous orbit over the royal capital."
"Yes, Captain," the helm officer said.
The captain surveyed the bridge with pride. His crew was a good crew, capable of handling any situation. Characteristic of a good crew was confidence in their captain. Crichton inspired that confidence, for the crew knew their captain was always in complete control of every situation that came up.
"Mr. D'Argo," he said.
The tall Luxan in the red shirt, Lieutenant Commander Ka D'Argo, turned from his station to face his captain. "Sir."
"You'll have the conn when First Officer Sun and I are on the surface."
"Yes, Captain."
The young Nebari woman at the communications console, wearing a red tunic, put her hand to the device in her ear. "Captain, we're being hailed from the planet's surface again," Lieutenant Chiana reported.
"Counselor Tyno?"
"Yes, Captain. He says the Imperial delegation's ship has arrived in the Novia system. It's headed for the colony."
Crichton turned to face the view screen. "Pilot, on screen."
"Yes, Captain," said Pilot.
The Imperial ship's image suddenly appeared on the forward screen. Crichton marveled at the engineering that went into building the large arrowhead-shaped warship. The Imperial vessel could certainly give the Moya a run for her money.
"Status?" the captain asked.
D'Argo consulted his tactical console. "The Imperial ship's weapons and shields are powered down, Captain."
"Their intentions are peaceful. For now. Keep an eye on that ship, D'Argo. The Empire doesn't always play with a straight deck. Come on, Ambassador, we're meeting the landing party in the transporter room."
* * *
Counselor Tyno bowed at the waist. "Ambassador. Captain. Welcome to Novia."
"A pleasure," Rygel said.
"If you'll follow me to the royal chamber, Her Royal Highness is waiting."
"Lead on."
Tyno and Rygel took the lead. Crichton put a hand to the small of Aeryn's back as the pair fell in step behind the dignitaries. The other two members of the landing party walked behind John and Aeryn. Dr. Zotoh Zhaan, a striking Delvian woman in a blue Starfleet tunic, was the Moya's chief medical officer. Beside her strode one of Commander D'Argo's security people, Ensign Joe Redshirt.
"This palace is impressive, John," Aeryn said quietly. "The people on this planet must be quite wealthy."
"Novia VI is a rich source of dilithium, which is why the Empire wants it back so badly," Crichton said.
Tyno led the Federation people into the throne room. He strolled purposefully to the throne at the far end and bowed to the lovely woman occupying the royal seat. He gestured for Crichton and Rygel to approach. The captain gave his first officer's hand an assuring squeeze and complied.
The Princess Katralla stood and stepped down off the dais. Crichton and Rygel bowed before her. When she bid them to rise, they did.
"May I present Her Royal Highness, the Princess Katralla of Novia VI," Tyno said. "Your Highness, this is Ambassador Buckwheat Rygel of the United Federation of Planets and Captain John Crichton, captain of the U.S.S. Moya."
"A pleasure, Your Highness," Rygel said.
Princess Katralla's gaze hovered on Crichton. "The pleasure is mine."
Crichton smiled under her scrutiny. He confidently swept a hand toward his crew. "Shall I present some of my crew. Commander Aeryn Sun, my first officer. Dr. Zotoh Zhaan, my medical officer. And Ensign Joe Redshirt, my security detachment while on the planet."
"I shall have Tyno arrange quarters for your people while you are in the palace."
A messenger entered the throne room and bowed before the princess. "Pardon my intrusion, Your Highness. The Imperial delegate has arrived."
"Show him in," Katralla instructed.
The messenger stood and bolted out of the room. Moments later, the Imperial emissary walked in, and Crichton swore he could hear the distinctive notes of a marching score. The Imperial delegate was an imposing figure, dressed all in black with a flowing black cloak. His helmeted head was hidden by a sinister-looking mask, and his rhythmic breathing had a mechanical effect. His ebony accouterments were contrasted by the white armor of the two soldiers who guarded him.
The Imperial knelt on one knee before the princess, bowing his helmeted head. "Your Highness. I am Lord Vader, the highest emissary of His Imperial Majesty."
"A pleasure," Katralla said, more out of politeness than any real feeling.
Vader rose and turned to the Federation delegation.
"I am Ambassador Buckwheat Rygel of the Federation," Rygel said. "This is Captain John Crichton of the Federation starship Moya."
The Imperial inclined his head. "Ambassador." His masked face turned toward Crichton. "Your fame precedes you, Captain Crichton. You are a renowned adversary. You name is destined to outshine even that of your father's."
Crichton squared his shoulders. "I have a good crew behind me, Lord Vader."
Vader turned toward the princess again. "I bring word of the Emperor's dissatisfaction with your planet's secession from the Empire."
"My people are dissatisfied with the oppressive Imperial rule, Lord Vader."
"And why, then, would you subjugate your independence to the Federation?"
"We cannot survive alone, and the Federation will offer us both security and freedom."
"You must understand, Princess, the Emperor cannot allow the rich Novian mines to fall under Federation control."
"There is nothing the Emperor can do, Lord Vader." Katralla stood. "I will have that alliance with the Federation, and to strengthen our bonds I will have a wedding of alliance with a high-profile member of the Federation."
Rygel seemed taken aback by that news. "And who's the lucky groom, Your Highness?"
Katralla looked into Crichton's eyes. "Captain John Crichton."
"No!" Aeryn exclaimed.
* * *
John Crichton lay flat on his back on the examination table within the room that served as Zhaan's medical facilities. The Delvian moved across the room with a swish of her flowing robes and adjusted the bedside scanner. An expression of concern was etched on her face.
Aeryn Sun stood beside the bed, her hands clasped behind her back. Her face was neutral, but the sheen in her eyes revealed more than any facial expression. D'Argo was beside her, a comforting hand on her shoulder. She wasn't certain if it was more to comfort her or to comfort himself. Chiana hovered near Zhaan, responding to the Delvian's commands when she requested certain medical instruments.
"You said he's been comatose since you brought him up from the commerce planet?" Zhaan asked.
"Yes," Aeryn replied with an unsteady voice.
"Could it be Maldis again?" D'Argo asked.
Aeryn shook her head. She had taken over the frantic search for him when he had disappeared, and she remembered her intense fear that Scorpius had found him again. Finally, after a long search, she had been the one who had discovered him sprawled out in the back alley on the commerce planet.
"He was still barely conscious when I found him," the Sebacean woman said. "He said one word before he passed out. 'Scarrans.' Could they have done something to him?"
"Wonderful," D'Argo snapped bitterly. "Now the Scarrans are after him?"
"Maybe the Scarrans don't want John for the same reasons Scorpius does," Chiana said. "The Scarran emissary on the royal planet knew Scorpius wants him, and the Scarrans and Peacekeepers are not exactly on friendly terms."
"Perhaps the Scarrans are curious about why Scorpius is so interested in capturing John," Zhaan said. "That explains the readings I'm finding."
"Which is?" Aeryn asked.
"His mind had been recently probed."
"Like the Aurora Chair?"
"No. Deeper, more intrusive. His memories were not merely extracted. Someone had toyed with his mind. Altered his perceptions. The procedure was even more invasive and damaging than what that Delvian enclave did to us." Zhaan laid a hand on Crichton's brow. "I can detect residual elements of the Aurora Chair effects, however."
"The Aurora Chair was Scorpius's project, from what I understand," Aeryn said. "I hadn't known of any such technology before the Gammak Base."
"Scorpius is part Scarran," D'Argo said. "Perhaps he obtained his Aurora Chair technology from his Scarran relatives. Can you do anything for him, Zhaan?"
Zhaan shook her head. "I don't know what to do. His mind seems to be at peace right now. He may not want to leave that."
* * *
"I appreciate the sentiment, Your Highness," Captain Crichton said, "but I'm afraid I can't. I'm in love with my first officer, and she's in love with me."
"You will be admitted into the Federation without requiring your marriage to a high-ranking Federation official, Your Highness," Rygel said.
Katralla sighed. "You're right. I can't force a marriage on a man who is so obviously in control of his own destiny."
"Then perhaps we shall discuss your admission," Rygel suggested.
"I will do all I can to prevent this union, Princess," Vader warned.
Crichton took his communicator from his belt. "Crichton to Moya."
"Captain," D'Argo said.
"The Imperial delegation isn't being entirely agreeable down here. Keep your eyes peeled up there."
"Yes, Captain."
Crichton returned his communicator to his belt. "Lord Vader, you can't stop the inevitable. Novia will join the Federation."
"You will do nothing to impede my plan," Vader warned. "Katralla will agree to return Novia to the Empire, and you will bow down before me, Crichton. It is your destiny."
Crichton laughed out loud. "No one controls my destiny but me, Vader. Your mind tricks don't work on me."
"We shall see, Crichton."
Vader spun on his heel and strode out of the throne room.
"That was pleasant," Crichton remarked.
Aeryn took his hands in hers. "I can't believe you stood up to Vader and his mental powers like that, John. I had always admired your mental focus, but he's got powers I don't understand."
"My thoughts are my own, Aeryn. No one will access them unless I allow them to." He grinned. "You, of course, have my full permission."
She smiled at him, kissing him full on the lips. Sure, the others in the room were watching this display, but he was Captain Crichton, hero of the Federation.
* * *
"I dare not attempt any stimulants on him," Zhaan said. "I can't predict how his physiology would react."
"Can you try that Delvian thing?" Chiana asked. "Unity?"
Zhaan shook her head. "Not until I know more about the malady that has done this to him."
Aeryn felt helpless, a feeling she didn't relish. All she could do was stand at Crichton's bedside and hold his hand in both of hers.
"We should go back to the frelling commerce planet and tear it apart until we find the Scarran hezmot who did this to him," D'Argo growled.
"That won't do any good, D'Argo," Zhaan said.
"Yeah, remember the last time you stood toe-to-toe against a Scarran," Chiana said, "and you had Scorpius on your side then."
The tall Luxan growled and left the room. Aeryn assumed he was going to take some of his frustrations out on her training equipment. She wanted to do that very thing herself, but she couldn't bring herself to leave John's side.
Rygel hovered into the chamber, moving to the examination table. His earbrow twitched as he peered at the motionless Human.
"Don't even think about taking any of his possessions," Aeryn warned in a low voice.
"Hmph," the Hynerian snorted. "What do you take me for?"
"A greedy little toad," the former Peacekeeper responded.
"I'm insulted."
"If the shoe fits, frog-boy, wear it," Chiana said.
"That sounds like one of Crichton's inane expressions," Aeryn said.
The Nebari girl smiled. "It is. I kinda like it."
The former Peacekeeper pressed her lips together to suppress the quiver that threatened. She wondered what was going on inside Crichton's head.
* * *
"This is the royal gardens," Katralla explained to the Federation delegates as they strolled across the walkway. "We have every variety of plant life in this region of the galaxy in this garden."
"Impressive," Aeryn said as she bent down to smell a flower that looked like a blue rose.
Crichton grinned. He found his first officer even more impressive than the garden. Looking from Aeryn's form to the trees overhead, he noticed a glint from one of the branches. He scowled as he recognized what he was looking at.
He lunged at Katralla. "Get down!"
As he bore the princess to the sidewalk and covered her with his body, Ensign Redshirt stepped up to defend his captain. An energy bolt erupted from the trees, transfixing the hapless crewman through the chest. He was dead before he hit the ground.
Crichton, meanwhile, was on his feet with his own phaser in his hand. One blast dropped the assailant from his perch. Crichton approached the cloaked figure and turned him over onto his back, revealing a soldier in white armor.
"One of Vader's men," the captain said.
Aeryn was at his side, slipping her hand into his. "Was he trying to kill you, John?"
"Not me. The princess. He thought if he killed her he could put a puppet in her place who would be friendly to the Empire."
"What are you going to do?"
"Confront Vader once and for all."
"Well, be careful, John."
He kissed her. "I will. I always am."
"I know. You're John Crichton, hero of the Federation and in control of your own destiny. But does your destiny include me?"
"Of course it does, babe."
* * *
"This isn't good," Zhaan said, her hand on John's brow with her eyes closed.
Aeryn had insisted Zhaan try her Unity to learn more of what was happening to Crichton. The Delvian was unable to complete a full Unity with John unconscious, but her Unity with him on the Delvian enclave had given her a bond with him. A bond that Aeryn at times felt some jealousy over.
Aeryn's heart seemed to jump into her throat at Zhaan's comment. "What? What's not good?"
"This malady that's affecting him is coming from within John."
"What do you mean?"
"It's his own mind fighting what has been done to him."
"You mean he's doing this to himself?"
"It would seem so. Aeryn, no matter how strong one's mind is, it can only take so much probing over a certain amount of time before it has finally had enough. His behavior has been erratic enough since his experiences in the Aurora Chair, and now this recent bout with a mind probe. I'm surprised he has any of his sanity left."
"Is there nothing you could do?"
"This battle he must fight on his own. I must tell you, Aeryn, that I am detecting no desire from him to leave whatever world he's created in his mind. He may not want to return to the tumult of the real world, and he will remain comatose. Eventually his body will waste away, and his organs will fail."
Aeryn gripped his hand tighter.
* * *
"You wanted to speak with me?" Vader asked.
Crichton turned around and faced the menacing Imperial. Good, Vader had come alone.
"Yes," Crichton said. "I think we should settle this once and for all."
Vader stepped closer, holding out a hand. "This is pointless, Crichton. Join me, and together we will rule the galaxy together."
"I told you, your mind tricks don't work on me."
Lord Vader took a cylinder from his belt, and with a hiss of energy a red blade formed. "Then you shall die."
Crichton laughed. "Do your best, Vader."
The Imperial lunged, and Crichton sidestepped the blow. He grabbed Vader's arm and flipped him over his shoulder. The energy weapon clattered across the floor, out of reach. Crichton lifted Vader up by the shoulders and slammed him against the nearest wall.
* * *
"We're losing him," Zhaan said. "His mind is retreating further into the recesses of whatever secure world he had created."
"Do something," Aeryn cried, trying to control the panic in her voice.
"I can't. It's all up to him."
* * *
Captain Crichton delivered a blow to Vader's face, amazed that the face mask didn't hurt his knuckles. He pounded time and again, and the towering Imperial was weakening under his blows. Captain John Crichton, hero of the Federation, was winning another battle against a hated adversary. If he could defeat Vader once and for all, he could retire from the Federation, marry Aeryn, and settle down to have children. The last obstacle to a well-deserved life of quiet bliss was this hated enemy.
He threw Vader against the wall again and drove his fist squarely into the center of the face mask. The mask cracked. Crichton struck again, and again, and now the face mask shattered. When the captain hurled Vader over his shoulder, the helmet-face mask ensemble fell off.
Crichton rolled Vader over to finally look at the Imperial's face. The visage staring back at him was completely unexpected. For the first time in his memory he was taken by surprise. More unsettling, he actually recognized a face he didn't remember meeting.
"Scorpius?" Crichton sputtered.
Scorpius stood, still wearing the Vader cloak and armor. "Really, John. If you must choose a villain for your fantasy, why come up with someone so obviously overblown as this Vader character?"
Uncertainty settled into Crichton's gut. "Who-what…."
Scorpius pinched the material of John's shirt. "You're falling into oblivion, John, and I can't have that. What good is your knowledge if it is locked up forever in a fantasy world? I thought pulling you out of that Scarran's world of insanity was enough, but perhaps you are weaker than I had expected."
"I don't understand. I'm Captain John Crichton, hero of the Federation."
"You're John Crichton, insignificant human with significant wormhole knowledge running away from me with a band of insignificant fugitives."
"I-I don't believe you."
"Think, John. Can any of this truly be real?" Scorpius put a gloved hand on Crichton's forehead. "Let me show you your true world, your true self."
Unbidden, images assailed Crichton's mind. He saw a strange-looking ship, a living ship, very different from his own U.S.S. Moya. Yet with the same name. He saw members of his crew in attire very different from the Starfleet uniforms they usually wore. And Aeryn…Aeryn was there too. Only she did not shower him with the adulation that she did now. Worst of all, in the world Scorpius was showing him he had very little control over his life. Events dictated him, he didn't dictate events.
"Why would I want to return to that world?" Crichton asked.
"That world is real. This world is a fiction."
"I don't care."
Scorpius smiled serenely. "Someone does care, John."
Aeryn's image returned. As if he was an unseen observer, he watched her frantically try to revive him with the CPR techniques while in the Flax. He watched as she followed him into the "wormhole" to the false Earth, and the intimacy they shared while there. She infiltrated the Gammak Base to rescue him, even though she was still recovering from her own injury. And when he was ejected from that blob that had cloned his past and future selves, she covered him with her own body, keeping him warm when the effects of the blob chilled him.
"You must ask yourself, John. Do you want this fantasy world where nothing is real, for the short time you can maintain it until your real body dies? A false world with a false Aeryn Sun showering you with false adoration? Or do you want to take the risk of living in the real world with all its lack of control, but you will have the real Aeryn Sun who has real feelings for you, even though she shows those real feelings in a manner that frustrates you? Choose, John. Life or oblivion. Reality or fantasy."
Crichton bowed his head. "You know, I'm getting real sick of you being a mental buttinsky, Scorpy."
* * *
Aeryn found Crichton on the terrace, staring out at the backdrop of stars. He had the round metal ball that he used to play something called golf, tossing it into the air and catching it. He seemed not to notice her presence, and she watched his back quietly. He hadn't said much of anything since coming out of his coma. She understood someone's desire to keep his or her private thoughts private, but that was out of character for John.
Crichton caught the ball and held it in his grip. "Hey, Aeryn. Are you lurking for a reason?"
She moved to stand beside him. "I don't lurk, John. Chiana and Rygel lurk. I don't."
"Uh-huh."
"Are you all right?"
"No." His blunt answer surprised her. "I'm tired of getting mind-frelled every time I turn around. First it was the Delvians. Then those ancient bastards with their false Earth. Then Scorpy and his damn chair. Now the frelling Scarrans. I'm sick of it, Aeryn."
"I know. Zhaan said you retreated into someplace where you felt more in control."
"I was in control, Aeryn. In that fantasy world I was in control of everything that affected me."
"Why did you return to a world where you have little control?"
"I was reminded that this is the real world, no matter how much it sucks." He looked at her, a slight smile touching his lips. "And I was also reminded that the land of the living and the breathing isn't all that bad. Some parts of it are pretty damn good. Or just plain pretty."
Aeryn returned his smile.