When they arrived at the planet everyone was assembled in command, arguing about who should go down to the planet. They agreed it should only be two of them, but that was about it. Crais had argued that sending Zhaan might be too much of shock for Crichton, he was sure to cause a scene. The reaction to Stark might be the same. Jool argued that Madina shouldn't go because Crichton didn't know who she was and would probably assume she was either a Peacekeeper or bounty hunter. Madina held fast to the belief that she should go because she was good in a fight and was not wanted not to mention the fact she was the one who had secured the information. Zhaan reminded her that violence was not always necessary, but Madina reminded them all that violence seemed to seek out the members of Moya's crew. The argument raged on for almost a quarter arn, with everyone talking and no one listening, except Noranti who was just watching.

Finally Pilot grew tired of the bickering and came over the clamshell, "Quiet!" Everyone turned to face him. "I will decide who is going to go. Joolushko will go since Commander Crichton knew she was onboard Moya. Captain Garrix will accompany her for protection and because she is unlikely to draw attention. Stark, Zhaan and Captain Crais will remain here. Commander Crichton believes each of you has perished. The DRDs are prepping the transport pod."

They stared at each other silently for a few microts. Zhaan broke the silence. "Now that our dispute has been settled, Jool, Madina good luck locating John." The others also wished them luck. After everyone had finished Jool and Madina headed for the transport pod.

"I don't think that you will need to take the entire arsenal with you," said Jool.

"I believe you are correct. My pulse pistol should be sufficient." Madina neglected to mention the knives hidden in her clothes. She was glad she had found the time to alter her jacket. Jool had been poised for an argument and appeared surprised to not get one.

When they landed at the spaceport, Madina led Jool straight to the shop where Crichton's module was being repaired. "Wait here, while I check and see if he's inside." Madina had no problem waiting outside. She had a good view of the street from where she was. Jool came back after a few microts, "He's not here right now, but the mechanics expect him back soon."

There was an open-air cafe a little way down the block, "Why don't we wait for him over there. We'll be able to see the shop entrance." They walked over to the cafe and ordered some sort of fruit concoction. Jool tried to convince Madina she needed to relax a little, that everything was going to be fine. "Jool, some of us live in the real world. When you let your guard down you die."

"Can't we talk about something more uplifting?"

"You are the one who started this conversation." That ended all conversation for the time being. Jool and Madina just did not have a lot in common.

They were at the cafe about a quarter arn before Jool spotted Crichton, "There he is. Let's go." Jool had jumped out of her seat and was rushing over to Crichton. Fortunately she hadn't yelled out yet. Madina moved quickly to follow, but not quick enough to draw attention to herself. By the time she arrived Jool and Crichton were locked in an embrace.

"Jools! I can't believe it's you. Is Moya here too?" John looked truly happy to see her.

As Madina approached she addressed them, "I believe it would be best if we proceeded inside before discussing any of that information."

"Who are you?"

"Madina Garrix. I'll explain later. How much longer until your ship is flight-worthy?"

"Oh, great. You're another ex-Peacekeeper aren't you? Does Moya have a sign that says "Wayward Peacekeepers welcome" or something?"

Madina had been forewarned about Crichton's odd sense of humor. "Yes, Crichton I was a Peacekeeper. Your craft, when can you leave?"

He could tell she possessed the same lack of humor he had seen in other Peacekeepers. He wondered what she was doing with Jool. "We're finishing up repairs today. Should only be couple more arns."

"We'll wait here." Madina took up position where she could keep an eye on the main entrance and good portion of the repair bay. Jool sat on a crate near Crichton's module and began filling him in on what had happened. Madina half listened and was surprised that Jool was proceeding chronologically.

"Whoa, wait a minute. You're telling me Crais, Talyn, Zhaan and Stark are alive? I can see Stark, but the others, that's pretty unbelievable."

"Well, I think you'll believe it when you see them onboard Moya. It's so good to see you again. I know the others will be happy to see you."

"Hey Garrix, what's your story?" he called over.

"My story?" Madina had a bewildered look on her face.

"Yeah, how'd you end up with the misfits of the universe on Moya?"

"I prefer to wait until we return to Moya. I do not like my attention divided."

"Well, I've been here for a couple of days now and haven't had any trouble."

"I've been told that trouble has a way of finding you. I prefer to remain alert."

Crichton shrugged his shoulders, "Whatever." It took another arn to complete repairs. Jool prattled on to Crichton about anything that came to mind while she waited.

"Okay. That should do it. Let me fire it up." Crichton got the engine to fire on the first try. "All right! I'll meet you gals up on Moya." Crichton arrived first and had to wait in his module for the transport pod to arrive. Once the bay was pressurized John ran for the door. He gave Zhaan and big hug and then moved on to hug Stark and even Crais. Crais appeared less than pleased. "It's good to see all of you, even you Crais. Let's get something to eat and you can fill me in on what's happened to all of you." He saw Noranti standing in the corner. He leaned over to Jool and asked quietly, "What's she still doing here?"

Jool answered equally as quiet, "We can't get her to leave." They all proceeded to the center chamber. They told their stories one by one, beginning with Crais, Stark and Zhaan went next with Madina going last. "Just what we need another ex-command carrier captain bonded with Talyn."

"Crichton, I assure you that I do not fit the mold of the average Peacekeeper. You obviously missed the part where I told you I had lost favor with High Command. I have a lot to offer you. My command codes are still valid and I can get intelligence reports from High Command. I can also find out what ships are employed where. I might even be able to help you locate Aeryn Sun."

"How?" Crichton seemed to forget any distrust he might have had for the ex- captain.

"My previous command was of a cruiser that's primary mission was to track down deserters. I still have several contacts here in the Uncharted Territories that track renegade Peacekeepers for me. That's how we found you; perhaps we could find Aeryn the same way. Talyn's starburst system is repaired so we could have two ships searching."

"Okay, I've got no problem with you helping search for Aeryn, but I don't know about us splitting up. I almost trust Crais, but I know next to nothing about you. I'd kinda like to keep you where I can keep an eye on you."

"As you wish. I can assure you that I no longer have any loyalties to the Peacekeepers. Moya can verify that through Talyn for you."

"All right, so you don't have any loyalties to the Peacekeepers. Why help us?"

"Why not. I have nothing else to do. I know nothing of life outside the military. To me this is just another military operation, a way to hang onto something familiar. Perhaps later I will discover a life outside the Peacekeepers."

"Oh, great, another Peacekeeper on a journey of discovery. Well, if you can help find Aeryn, I'll let you get started. How long do you think it will take?"

"I couldn't say. There are a lot of factors involved in a search of this type. If we are able to find out where she is, making contact with the renegades will be difficult. Most of the deserters I was able to apprehend had not yet made contact with any organized group. Any renegade group will be wary of me due to my reputation. Bialar may provide our best chance at establishing contact. We will have to be careful of false leads though, Grayza has put out wanted beacons on most of you."

"I never should have pointed the gun at her," Crichton said remorsefully.

"That was not the smartest thing you could have done. She has a tendency to take things personally."

"Learned that the hard way." Crichton got up from the table and moved towards Noranti. The others left with the exception of Madina. She wanted to talk to him privately. He spoke to Noranti quietly, "Why didn't you tell me about the baby?"

"It was not my place to tell you. How did you find out?"

"Doesn't matter. Is it real or just magic fairy dust?"

"Do you want it to be real?"

"It doesn't matter what I want. What matters is what's real. Is. It. Real?"

She rolled her head, "Hmmm." Noranti then got up and left.

John shouted after her, "What does that mean?"

Madina had been watching from the other side of the room. She approached Crichton, "I don't think she knows how to give a straight answer. I've had a couple of conversations with her that have not made any sense. I almost wonder if she exists in the same universe as the rest of us."

"Yeah, good point. I assume you wanted to talk to me, so I'm listening."

"Jool told us what happened onboard Moya at the sacred burial place. I know that Aeryn left you and a little bit of the why. If we find her, she may not want to come back."

"I realize that. I just need to talk to her one last time. There's something important that we didn't discuss. It's really important to me that we find her," Crichton was almost pleading.

"I will do what I can, but you will need to trust me. At least until I prove otherwise. I am not like other Peacekeepers."

"I guess I can do that. Okay, I gotta ask. What do you see in Crais?"

She smiled, "I have known him for nearly twenty cycles. I think I know him better than anyone else, other than perhaps Talyn."

"So, I can blame you for what he became?" Crichton was smiling. Madina assumed he was trying to make a joke.

"He may have served under me, but his ambition made him what he was. Now that he has been freed from that ambition, I see the real Bialar Crais returning."

"The real Crais?"

"You only knew the Crais shaped and molded by Peacekeeper training. I first met him when he was younger and still believed in the Peacekeepers. There was a time, many, many cycles ago when we were dedicated to peace. Personal greed and ambition ruined it and slowly we became over glorified mercenaries. You pay us to help you maintain the peace and we take over your planet and destroy your way of life. I didn't believe in this. They trained me too well as a child to believe in what a Peacekeeper should be. As captain of the cruiser I came to see and understand the horror of what the Peacekeepers had become. I was lucky to have been assigned to command my carrier. I was removed when I became a little too vocal in my dislike for the path we were taking. I know I was not the only one, just the one brave enough or possibly stupid enough to speak out."

"If you could help the Peacekeepers change, would you?"

"I don't know. Most of the lower ranks don't really care who is in charge. I know many officers who have no political aspirations and only do as they are told. I have no idea how many share my sentiments. I'm not foolish enough to risk my life on a pointless crusade. I guess that's as good an answer as you're going to get."

"Well, at least I know you don't have a death wish."

"Those are the most dangerous people out there. And you John Crichton, what do you want in life? Are you still trying to get home?"

"I don't know. I'd like to see my dad, my sisters and DK again, but I've seen and done so much out here. I've made friends out here that I don't want to leave either."

"I have learned life is full of tough choices. When you make a choice stand by it. Let me see what I can do find Aeryn." Madina got up and left. Crichton found himself sitting there amazed that he had just had a civil conversation with a Peacekeeper. Maybe they weren't all maniacs.