When Talyn saw her transport pod approach, he leveled his flight so she
could land. She knew no one place was any better than another for speaking
with Talyn, but her Peacekeeper mentality had ingrained in her that command
was the center of everything. When she got there she began speaking,
"Talyn, I know you are scared and angry that Bialar was hurt. Individuals
who were after my source attacked us in the bar. He was knocked unconscious
and stabbed in the melee, but don't worry, I cut the assailant's hand off.
Zhaan tells me that he will be fine. He's just going to be unconscious for
a little while. I believe her. His stab wound was not near any vital
organs. You and I both know he is a tough man." It was hard to tell, but
Madina thought he might have calmed down some. He started chirping at her.
"Talyn, I'm sorry but I cannot understand you. I wish I could answer your
questions. I don't know if you care, but we did get the information we were
looking for." She held the chip in her hand as she listened to Talyn chirp
at her some more. She felt bad ignoring him, but she could not understand
him. She put the chip in the reader to look at the information stored on
it. The planet in question was fairly close to their current location, less
than two solar days travel, even without starburst. Aurick had even
included video of Crichton and his primitive ship. She was amazed it was
capable of sustained space flight. She entered the coordinates and had
Talyn transmit them to Moya and both Leviathans departed for the planet.
Madina was disturbed from her examination by Talyn's insistent chirping. She looked up, "Talyn, I'm sorry, but..." She saw a serpentine appendage coming out of the floor in the center of command. She approached it warily, "Talyn, what is this?" It hung there, motionless for her to inspect. She looked at it closely. "It's a neural transponder. Talyn, you already have a captain." He again sounded insistent. Madina backed away a little. "I don't know how much longer I will be staying here. I may leave after we locate Crichton. I don't think Bialar needs me. He has Jool." This last statement seemed to really upset Talyn. He began rocking and chirping angrily. Madina grabbed the console in an attempt to stay upright. "Talyn! Talyn! Calm down. Are you trying to tell me there is nothing between Bialar and Jool." Talyn calmed and dimmed the lights once. Yes. He then began insistently chirping again. "You want me to accept this?" Dim once. "Can you have two captains?" Dim once. "All right, Talyn. I will do this on the condition that you treat me with respect. That means you don't lie to me and you don't hurt me. Do you agree to this?" Dim once. Madina wasn't entirely sure this was the right thing to do, but Talyn was scared and apparently needed to talk to her. She didn't know what Crais would say, but she was almost positive he would not be entirely pleased. She took off her jacket, knelt on the floor, pulled her hair clear, closed her eyes and waited. For the first time in a long while, she was afraid.
The first thing she felt when the transponder was inserted was intense pain. Only tight control kept her from crying out, she fell forward but caught herself with her hand. When the pain dissipated she was left with hundreds of new sensations. Only now did she begin to fully understand the complexity of a Leviathan. Talyn was allowing her time to adjust. After a several microts she was able to sort through some of the sensations, finding interfaces for the sensors, weapons, hangars and countless other systems. Madina gained a whole new level of respect for the role fulfilled by a Pilot.
She tried communicating non-verbally with Talyn. She knew it could be done, but that Crais preferred to speak. Talyn, I'm ready to talk now.
I'm glad you accepted the Hand of Friendship.
I'm honored you chose me. Perhaps you could tell me why?
I needed to talk to you. I know that you care for Bialar very much and he cares for you very much. You are a piece of him that has been missing. The two of you complement each other. He needs you even though he won't admit it. Talyn paused. You hurt him yesterday with your accusation.
I realize that now. I was too angry to consider the fact that he was trying to tell me the truth. When he regains consciousness I will apologize. You do understand he will be upset when he realizes what we have done.
I think he will quickly forgive us. I will tell him it is for his benefit. Madina wasn't sure if Talyn was correct, Crais was very good at holding a grudge. She decided to spend the next couple of arns learning how to use the neural transponder. If Crais regained consciousness, someone on Moya would notify her.
Zhaan was sitting in the apothecary when pilot commed her. Zhaan, Moya reports that Captain Garrix has helped calm Talyn.
"That's good Pilot, though I never thought I would see the day that a Peacekeeper would be a calming influence."
Wait. Moya is now reporting that Captain Garrix has accepted a neural transponder.
"Are you sure, Pilot?"
Yes. Talyn has now shut down all external communications. Even to Moya.
"I think we will have to wait until they are ready to talk to us."
Jool walked in and did not immediately see the look of concern on Zhaan's face. "Crais' status hasn't changed. What's wrong, Zhaan." Zhaan related what Pilot had told her. "What does it mean?"
"I don't know. I'm sure Talyn had his reasons, though we may never know them."
After three arns Madina returned to Moya. She went straight to the med bay. Zhaan was working on an experiment at the table and looked up when Madina came in. "How is he doing?"
Zhaan rose to stand next to Madina by the bed. "Unchanged. His life signs are strong, but we don't know when he will come out of the coma."
"It was a hard blow to the back of his head. He has a hard head, I'm sure he will be fine." Madina smiled as she held his hand. Zhaan decided to leave them alone. Madina fell asleep in the chair with her head on his chest. She was awakened from her slumber by Crais' stirring. She brushed the side of his face waiting for him to wake.
He found her hand and held it. "Madina, is that you?" he asked weakly.
She smiled and grabbed hold of his hand with both of hers, "Yes, it is. I'm sorry. I behaved poorly earlier. I should have trusted you" She handed him a glass of water.
"Thank you. I had never figured you for the jealous type," he tried to laugh but it quickly turned into coughing. He drank some water.
"I guess that I am. Perhaps it's that I am the possessive type. I never did like to share," she smiled.
"Yes, I do seem to remember that. I believe I can forgive you, but you must try not to do it again."
"I'll do my best."
"I guess we are even now. I saved your life and now you have saved mine."
"Only if we don't count anything from many cycles ago."
"True. How is Talyn? He must have been upset when I was knocked unconscious."
"He was. After I found out you were stable I went over to help calm him." She paused not knowing how to continue.
"Can I have my transponder so I can speak with him?"
"I think you should wait until you are fully recovered. I will make sure he knows you are fine. Let me go find Zhaan." She kissed him gently before heading to the apothecary. Once she was away from the med bay she let Talyn know Crais was all right. "Zhaan, he is awake. I think he is fine, but I would like it if you would evaluate him to be sure."
"Of course, I would be happy to. Have you told him?"
"Told him what?" Madina asked innocently.
"About the transponder." A look of shock crossed Madina's face. "Moya found out from Talyn and Pilot told me. You will find it is hard to keep secrets around here."
"I have not told him yet. I know I will have to before he is given his transponder back. I wanted to let him regain some of his strength before I told him."
"Perhaps it would be best to inform him when he is not strong enough to retaliate." Zhaan handed Madina Crais' transponder. Madina pocketed it. They walked back to the med bay. Zhaan examined Crais who was sitting up in bed. "I don't think you suffered any ill effects. You should be fine. I would still like you to remain here for two arns to ensure you are fine."
"Thank you for your assistance. Can I have my transponder back?"
"You are welcome. You have Jool to thank as well. I have given it to Madina. I prefer you not have it until you leave here, but if she feels you are ready before then she can give it to you." Zhaan returned to the apothecary leaving them alone.
"I know better than to ask you for the transponder. Was the information any good?"
"It looks like it. Aurick included video of Crichton and his ship. It's rather primitive, isn't it? We should be there in a little less than two solar days."
He finally noticed what she was wearing, "I'm surprised that you are still in uniform. I would have thought you would have changed by now."
"I had forgotten I was wearing it. I've had other things on my mind." She paused as if she were going to continue, but instead looked away.
He knew she was holding something back, "What things have you had on your mind?" She related what transpired while she was on Talyn.
Outside med bay Jool and Zhaan were waiting. Zhaan was almost positive Crais would react poorly when he found out Madina had taken the transponder. She wanted to be able to provide assistance if it was required. Jool broke the silence, "How do we even know she is going to tell him now? Or that he will react badly? I have other things I could be doing."
"Patience, Jool, she will tell him soon and I have no doubt he will be upset." Zhaan was correct.
"YOU WHAT?" Crais shouted. Zhaan and Jool rushed into med bay. Crais was standing in front of Madina, his face full of fury and his body quite naked. He didn't appear to realize it. "You can't be serious. What were you thinking?"
Madina tried to sound calm and rational and remain out of Crais' reach. "If you calm down and listen to me you would find out." She managed to put the table between them. "Talyn felt it was necessary and said you would understand once he explained it to you."
"Perhaps you should let him explain it to me." He still was not very calm.
"Not until you are rested."
"Crais, I believe it would be best if you would return to bed. The cool temperature of the room is not good for you," Zhaan advised. Crais looked down, realized he was naked and quickly grabbed the blanket off the bed. His face was no longer red from anger. The three women started chuckling, but tried to hide the fact.
"I am glad to have provided you with some amusement. May I at least have my clothes back?" He tried to sound dignified and looked between the three of them.
Jool and Zhaan looked at Madina, "I think it more likely he will remain here if he does not have his clothes. You may have them back at the end of the two arns." Crais climbed back into bed a brooding look on his face. Zhaan and Jool turned to leave, both still trying to contain their laughter. Madina approached Crais and spoke quietly, "I will be back in a few microts." She left to catch up to Jool. "Jool. I'd like to thank you for helping Crais."
"No problem. I've found that my medical skills are in pretty good demand around here."
"I'd also like to apologize to you. I overheard you and Crais talking in the center chamber yesterday. I assumed there was something between the two of you. I took it out on Crais and if I was short with you earlier, that's why."
Jool considered her again for a few microts. "I thought there might be something between the two of you. Crais denied it when I asked, well actually he told me it wasn't any of my business."
"I first met Crais twenty cycles ago. We had a special relationship for three cycles. After that our careers went different directions I didn't see him again until he rescued me. It seems a lot of the old passions are still there."
"Perhaps you will provide him with a calming influence. You did a good job with Talyn." Jool sounded sincere.
"Thank you. That was the case in the past. His temper is not quite as bad as it once was, but it is still formidable. Again, thank you for helping Bialar."
"You're welcome."
By the time Madina returned to the med bay Crais had regained his composure and was willing to listen to reason. He still wanted to find out from Talyn what his reasoning was, but Crais had come to realize that this had happened and he was unlikely to change it. They talked to each other about how amazing it was being bonded to a Leviathan. As the end of the two hours neared they began to speculate what it would be like with both of them linked to Talyn. Aeryn had not had the transponder very long and the situation prevented her and Crais from exploring how much access they had to the other's mind. Madina held the transponder in her hand, "I guess it's time we find out. I think it might have been part of Talyn's plan to ensure that I stick around for a while." She handed him the transponder.
He took it and held it a few microts, "I have considered that possibility. His reasoning ability seems to have been completely restored." Crais inserted the transponder. He spend a few microts reassuring Talyn that he was fine. He then directed his thoughts at Madina. He couldn't read any of her thoughts or even her emotions. He attempted communicating, It appears we will not be able to read each other's minds.
She answered back, So it would seem, but I have found that as time passed I gained more access over Talyn's systems. Perhaps once we begin lowering barriers we will gain more access to each other.
It is possible. I look forward to finding out. Crais embraced her, all thoughts of his missing clothes forgotten. They had plenty of time before they arrived at Crichton's last known location. They quickly decided the med bay bed was too small and Crais gently placed Madina on the floor. Crais reached back and placed both transponders in privacy mode. Talyn would have smiled if Leviathans were capable of it. He asked Moya to lock the med bay doors. All thoughts of jealousy and anger were forgotten and replaced with those of pleasure and lust.
Madina was disturbed from her examination by Talyn's insistent chirping. She looked up, "Talyn, I'm sorry, but..." She saw a serpentine appendage coming out of the floor in the center of command. She approached it warily, "Talyn, what is this?" It hung there, motionless for her to inspect. She looked at it closely. "It's a neural transponder. Talyn, you already have a captain." He again sounded insistent. Madina backed away a little. "I don't know how much longer I will be staying here. I may leave after we locate Crichton. I don't think Bialar needs me. He has Jool." This last statement seemed to really upset Talyn. He began rocking and chirping angrily. Madina grabbed the console in an attempt to stay upright. "Talyn! Talyn! Calm down. Are you trying to tell me there is nothing between Bialar and Jool." Talyn calmed and dimmed the lights once. Yes. He then began insistently chirping again. "You want me to accept this?" Dim once. "Can you have two captains?" Dim once. "All right, Talyn. I will do this on the condition that you treat me with respect. That means you don't lie to me and you don't hurt me. Do you agree to this?" Dim once. Madina wasn't entirely sure this was the right thing to do, but Talyn was scared and apparently needed to talk to her. She didn't know what Crais would say, but she was almost positive he would not be entirely pleased. She took off her jacket, knelt on the floor, pulled her hair clear, closed her eyes and waited. For the first time in a long while, she was afraid.
The first thing she felt when the transponder was inserted was intense pain. Only tight control kept her from crying out, she fell forward but caught herself with her hand. When the pain dissipated she was left with hundreds of new sensations. Only now did she begin to fully understand the complexity of a Leviathan. Talyn was allowing her time to adjust. After a several microts she was able to sort through some of the sensations, finding interfaces for the sensors, weapons, hangars and countless other systems. Madina gained a whole new level of respect for the role fulfilled by a Pilot.
She tried communicating non-verbally with Talyn. She knew it could be done, but that Crais preferred to speak. Talyn, I'm ready to talk now.
I'm glad you accepted the Hand of Friendship.
I'm honored you chose me. Perhaps you could tell me why?
I needed to talk to you. I know that you care for Bialar very much and he cares for you very much. You are a piece of him that has been missing. The two of you complement each other. He needs you even though he won't admit it. Talyn paused. You hurt him yesterday with your accusation.
I realize that now. I was too angry to consider the fact that he was trying to tell me the truth. When he regains consciousness I will apologize. You do understand he will be upset when he realizes what we have done.
I think he will quickly forgive us. I will tell him it is for his benefit. Madina wasn't sure if Talyn was correct, Crais was very good at holding a grudge. She decided to spend the next couple of arns learning how to use the neural transponder. If Crais regained consciousness, someone on Moya would notify her.
Zhaan was sitting in the apothecary when pilot commed her. Zhaan, Moya reports that Captain Garrix has helped calm Talyn.
"That's good Pilot, though I never thought I would see the day that a Peacekeeper would be a calming influence."
Wait. Moya is now reporting that Captain Garrix has accepted a neural transponder.
"Are you sure, Pilot?"
Yes. Talyn has now shut down all external communications. Even to Moya.
"I think we will have to wait until they are ready to talk to us."
Jool walked in and did not immediately see the look of concern on Zhaan's face. "Crais' status hasn't changed. What's wrong, Zhaan." Zhaan related what Pilot had told her. "What does it mean?"
"I don't know. I'm sure Talyn had his reasons, though we may never know them."
After three arns Madina returned to Moya. She went straight to the med bay. Zhaan was working on an experiment at the table and looked up when Madina came in. "How is he doing?"
Zhaan rose to stand next to Madina by the bed. "Unchanged. His life signs are strong, but we don't know when he will come out of the coma."
"It was a hard blow to the back of his head. He has a hard head, I'm sure he will be fine." Madina smiled as she held his hand. Zhaan decided to leave them alone. Madina fell asleep in the chair with her head on his chest. She was awakened from her slumber by Crais' stirring. She brushed the side of his face waiting for him to wake.
He found her hand and held it. "Madina, is that you?" he asked weakly.
She smiled and grabbed hold of his hand with both of hers, "Yes, it is. I'm sorry. I behaved poorly earlier. I should have trusted you" She handed him a glass of water.
"Thank you. I had never figured you for the jealous type," he tried to laugh but it quickly turned into coughing. He drank some water.
"I guess that I am. Perhaps it's that I am the possessive type. I never did like to share," she smiled.
"Yes, I do seem to remember that. I believe I can forgive you, but you must try not to do it again."
"I'll do my best."
"I guess we are even now. I saved your life and now you have saved mine."
"Only if we don't count anything from many cycles ago."
"True. How is Talyn? He must have been upset when I was knocked unconscious."
"He was. After I found out you were stable I went over to help calm him." She paused not knowing how to continue.
"Can I have my transponder so I can speak with him?"
"I think you should wait until you are fully recovered. I will make sure he knows you are fine. Let me go find Zhaan." She kissed him gently before heading to the apothecary. Once she was away from the med bay she let Talyn know Crais was all right. "Zhaan, he is awake. I think he is fine, but I would like it if you would evaluate him to be sure."
"Of course, I would be happy to. Have you told him?"
"Told him what?" Madina asked innocently.
"About the transponder." A look of shock crossed Madina's face. "Moya found out from Talyn and Pilot told me. You will find it is hard to keep secrets around here."
"I have not told him yet. I know I will have to before he is given his transponder back. I wanted to let him regain some of his strength before I told him."
"Perhaps it would be best to inform him when he is not strong enough to retaliate." Zhaan handed Madina Crais' transponder. Madina pocketed it. They walked back to the med bay. Zhaan examined Crais who was sitting up in bed. "I don't think you suffered any ill effects. You should be fine. I would still like you to remain here for two arns to ensure you are fine."
"Thank you for your assistance. Can I have my transponder back?"
"You are welcome. You have Jool to thank as well. I have given it to Madina. I prefer you not have it until you leave here, but if she feels you are ready before then she can give it to you." Zhaan returned to the apothecary leaving them alone.
"I know better than to ask you for the transponder. Was the information any good?"
"It looks like it. Aurick included video of Crichton and his ship. It's rather primitive, isn't it? We should be there in a little less than two solar days."
He finally noticed what she was wearing, "I'm surprised that you are still in uniform. I would have thought you would have changed by now."
"I had forgotten I was wearing it. I've had other things on my mind." She paused as if she were going to continue, but instead looked away.
He knew she was holding something back, "What things have you had on your mind?" She related what transpired while she was on Talyn.
Outside med bay Jool and Zhaan were waiting. Zhaan was almost positive Crais would react poorly when he found out Madina had taken the transponder. She wanted to be able to provide assistance if it was required. Jool broke the silence, "How do we even know she is going to tell him now? Or that he will react badly? I have other things I could be doing."
"Patience, Jool, she will tell him soon and I have no doubt he will be upset." Zhaan was correct.
"YOU WHAT?" Crais shouted. Zhaan and Jool rushed into med bay. Crais was standing in front of Madina, his face full of fury and his body quite naked. He didn't appear to realize it. "You can't be serious. What were you thinking?"
Madina tried to sound calm and rational and remain out of Crais' reach. "If you calm down and listen to me you would find out." She managed to put the table between them. "Talyn felt it was necessary and said you would understand once he explained it to you."
"Perhaps you should let him explain it to me." He still was not very calm.
"Not until you are rested."
"Crais, I believe it would be best if you would return to bed. The cool temperature of the room is not good for you," Zhaan advised. Crais looked down, realized he was naked and quickly grabbed the blanket off the bed. His face was no longer red from anger. The three women started chuckling, but tried to hide the fact.
"I am glad to have provided you with some amusement. May I at least have my clothes back?" He tried to sound dignified and looked between the three of them.
Jool and Zhaan looked at Madina, "I think it more likely he will remain here if he does not have his clothes. You may have them back at the end of the two arns." Crais climbed back into bed a brooding look on his face. Zhaan and Jool turned to leave, both still trying to contain their laughter. Madina approached Crais and spoke quietly, "I will be back in a few microts." She left to catch up to Jool. "Jool. I'd like to thank you for helping Crais."
"No problem. I've found that my medical skills are in pretty good demand around here."
"I'd also like to apologize to you. I overheard you and Crais talking in the center chamber yesterday. I assumed there was something between the two of you. I took it out on Crais and if I was short with you earlier, that's why."
Jool considered her again for a few microts. "I thought there might be something between the two of you. Crais denied it when I asked, well actually he told me it wasn't any of my business."
"I first met Crais twenty cycles ago. We had a special relationship for three cycles. After that our careers went different directions I didn't see him again until he rescued me. It seems a lot of the old passions are still there."
"Perhaps you will provide him with a calming influence. You did a good job with Talyn." Jool sounded sincere.
"Thank you. That was the case in the past. His temper is not quite as bad as it once was, but it is still formidable. Again, thank you for helping Bialar."
"You're welcome."
By the time Madina returned to the med bay Crais had regained his composure and was willing to listen to reason. He still wanted to find out from Talyn what his reasoning was, but Crais had come to realize that this had happened and he was unlikely to change it. They talked to each other about how amazing it was being bonded to a Leviathan. As the end of the two hours neared they began to speculate what it would be like with both of them linked to Talyn. Aeryn had not had the transponder very long and the situation prevented her and Crais from exploring how much access they had to the other's mind. Madina held the transponder in her hand, "I guess it's time we find out. I think it might have been part of Talyn's plan to ensure that I stick around for a while." She handed him the transponder.
He took it and held it a few microts, "I have considered that possibility. His reasoning ability seems to have been completely restored." Crais inserted the transponder. He spend a few microts reassuring Talyn that he was fine. He then directed his thoughts at Madina. He couldn't read any of her thoughts or even her emotions. He attempted communicating, It appears we will not be able to read each other's minds.
She answered back, So it would seem, but I have found that as time passed I gained more access over Talyn's systems. Perhaps once we begin lowering barriers we will gain more access to each other.
It is possible. I look forward to finding out. Crais embraced her, all thoughts of his missing clothes forgotten. They had plenty of time before they arrived at Crichton's last known location. They quickly decided the med bay bed was too small and Crais gently placed Madina on the floor. Crais reached back and placed both transponders in privacy mode. Talyn would have smiled if Leviathans were capable of it. He asked Moya to lock the med bay doors. All thoughts of jealousy and anger were forgotten and replaced with those of pleasure and lust.