As Cali and D'Argo began letting their passions flare, Chiana was having the time of her life playing Tadek. She was sitting with her arm wrapped around the fat neck of the richest player, cooing and whispering naughty things in his ear. She'd already snurched half of his earnings while he was busy playing and dreaming of sexual fantasies involving her.

********
Cali paused in her fondling of D'Argo and raised her head, as if listening to something. He lay atop her naked body, doing things that were wonderful, but his ministrations couldn't make her miss this bolt of cold.

MALIGNAN'CI IS STILL ALIVE, she thought. HIS PRESENCE HAS BEEN SENT TO THAT INFERNAL DAGGER. HE IS TOO WEAK TO ESCAPE. THIS IS GOOD. WE CAN MILK HIM FOR INFORMATION AND USE HIS LINK TO THOSE LIKE HIM TO DEFEAT MAGEDDON AND CHAOS.

Satisfied, she returned her attention to D'Argo's warmth and embraced him strongly. "Show me how a Luxan makes love," she purred in his ear.

D'Argo growled in response.

What he did was joy.

******

Ooshati

Someone on the Bboard gave a light-hearted response on this, reminding that the RR was supposed to be PG.

_____

Meanwhile, elsewhere:

"See here, missie- No! Don't get up! Must I strap you down in titanium bonds?"
"With her? That you must," came the voice of a wit from across the hall.
"Hush, Master Lune, you aren't helping," the nurse called back.


There were several of the nurse's kind working -and a few staying- at the hospital. The easiest way to picture her kind was to build on the mold of a sebacian. Shift the skin tone to cinnamon, elongate the neck a little, have the hair grow like a mane down the neck. Add a small lion-like tail.
For the face, keep all features mostly normal, but squash the nose, and the eyes should be vaguely reminiscent of that of a sheep's. Otherwise just twiddle with the proportions of limbs and feet. They call themselves the Gabva; like any specie, they have individuality and differences.


This particular Gabva was an old nurse who was simply known as Mistress Faifu. To the appearance, she was slightly overweight, and kept an eye-aid handy.

That might have been why Aeryn was even more frustrated than usual.

Aeryn had not been having a good time. Word had reached her that John was apparently all right, but further communications had been lost. Wacha, of course, had long ago sped off somewhere. Probably to collect his precious credits. Zhaan was gone for the moment, to catch up on what was happening, and in her place was this . . . nurse.

Aeryn tried explaining again. "Faifu- "
"MIStress Faifu, Aeryn dear."
"Don't call me Aeryn dear."
"Then don't call me plain Faifu either, dear."
"....MIStress Faifu, I'm completely healthy again. I can see clearly, think clearly, my senses have returned to their optimum. If I stay any frelling longer in this frelling bed I'm fellin' going to-"
"Watch your mouth young missie!"

Aeryn could take it no longer, and tearing the sheets off, flew off the bed, landed on her feed, snatched her pulse rifle and gear, and was blocked by Mistress Faifu who was in turn immediately thrown out of the way, with a shout from Aeryn of, "Out of my way you tottering old maid!"

Aeryn was about to head for the hallway, when Mistress Faifu, like a bee flitting among the flowers, sped to Aeryn's side. Before Aeryn could slow down her pace and react, Mistress Faifu grabbed her arm and heaved her over her shoulder. Aeryn suddenly found herself flying through the air, then lying on the floor, looking at the ceiling. Mistress Faifu's face popped into view.

"How...?" began Aeryn, getting up. How had she just been thrown through the air by this old nurse who she had just knocked out the way, like a piece of crumpled tin, moments before?

Mistress Faifu gestured to Aeryn. "See? What did I tell you? If were completely rested, you wouldn't have been thrown through the air by a tottering old maid, hmm?"

"...Who are you?" asked Aeryn to Mistress Faifu.
"Name's Mistress Faifu!" came the voice of Master Lune. "And I'm Master Lune, in case you ever feel like giving me a call!"
"Master Lune, either make your appearance or hush," replied Mistress Faifu. Turning to Aeryn she continued, "Now, Officer Sun, I can see your never going to give this tottering old maid any peace-"
"Tottering old maid my tail-!" yelled Master Lune.
"Hush, Master Lune, or I shall be forced to hobble over there and clout you? Anyway, your obviously not planning to give up, so therefore if you ask nicely, I will go against the wishes of Zhaan and my better judgement to chaperone you to where ever it is you wish to go."

'Ask nicely? *Chaperone*?' thought Aeryn in disbelief, and decided Faifu- Mis-tress Faifu was completely insane.

In the silence that ensued, Master Lune's voice commented, "I'd step out to see your face, but I'm stuck in the vent-passage right now, so you know."

Aeryn began to wonder how Zhaan could have left her to be surrounded by lunatics.

AkaiHato

_____



=====

"Come it is time for us to leave." John will be back very soon now. D'Argo nodded and smiled at her. "You are very strange, but interesting." She laughed, getting up. "D'Argo don't you know, males should never try to understand females. It can drive you crazy."

They collected themselves and went out the door. They talked as they walked. "You like the farm, you felt very peaceful there." She said to him. "Yes, I enjoy the land. You were there yesterday." He questioned a look at her. "Yes, I had cast invisibility on myself, I followed you working most of the day." She laughed. "Why? Why did you not make yourself known then?" She looked a little embarrassed, but smiled. "I was interested in you, and I don't make a habit out of pursuing males." He laughed. "I had been told of your coming here several days ago. Probably before you guys even thought about it." She told him. "You knew we were coming here?" He replied a little shocked. How could she possibly know, before they did. "I said I was told of it. I can't tell the future. Somebody else told me." Cali replied. "Who told you." D'Argo asked. "That I must keep to myself for now." D'Argo could feel that something about this troubled Cali.

They continued to walk up the small rise towards the circle. D'Argo had took her hand to help her over some rocks and kept it.

"You spend much time on the farm?" D'Argo asked her. "Yes, a good bit. I love the magic of planting a little seed and watching a plant grow." She said, with a very soft look on her face. "I must show you something before you go, the water cascade, it is really wonderful." "Water Cascade I have not seen one of those in a long time." D'Argo replied.

They reached the top. Adail came to greet them. Ebhaan, Dontain and Hul were sitting on the ground on the other side of the clearing. The clearing was approximately 30' wide almost square, a few large rocks protrude from the ground. In the center were the results of Adail's and the other's work.. A large circle about 15' wide, containing a pentagram. There were many markings within the circle, and on each of the star points was an object that looked like a flat stone. Each was a different color. White, Blue, Black, Green and Red. One side of the center was a large book.

"Greetings Cali, Greeting Ka D'Argo." Adail said top them both. D'Argo was surprised this female knew his name. "Greetings Adail." Cali replied. "How's everything?" she asked. "Fine, all goes well. We wait for the others." Adail replied to her. Knowing looks and smiles were going on between Cali and Adail. D'Argo was mystified, at their looks.

Cali smiled at him. "Adail knew of you yesterday. She is my best friend." And winked at him. He laughed catching what was going on.

"Are you ready to call the keepers?" Adail asked Cali. "No you go ahead. It matters not who." Cali moved to greet the others as Adail went into the circle. She said a few words and four warriors mounted on different beasts of burden appeared in the corners of the clearing. D'Argo went for the sword. "No, D'Argo." Cali ran back to him. It is OK, they are here for me. They will not harm anyone. They are the keepers of the four elements. Earth, Fire, Water and Air. They are here as representatives." He relaxed as she told him.


"Any sign of the others Adail?" Cali called to her. "No, but I feel it will be soon." Adail replied. "I am going to start this, time is running out." Cali moved to the center of the circle, she raised both arms straight up. Said some words, brought her arms level with her shoulders and slowly turned a full circle. As she did, the colored rocks glowed their colors very brightly. D'Argo was fascinated.

She left the circle and beckoned D'Argo to sit with her. D'Argo was getting a little restless, what was taking so long. Cali smiled and touched his face with her hand. "All will be well." Her scent still got to him, he couldn't understand this female, how she effected him and how calm she made him feel. "Don't start again. Cali." D'Argo warned. She chuckled and whispered something closely to him. He laughed and told her 'you'll find out later." "What are you two whispering about." Adail had came over and sat down with them. "Oh, this and that." Cali said smiling, as she turned to her friend.

"You and Dontain still arguing?" Cali asked her. "No we got it worked out." Adail replied. Adail raised her hand. "I forgot, I ran in to your biggest fan at the pod park."

D'Argo was looking puzzled "Does everybody talk Erp nonsense here. Cali laughed. "It's catching D'Argo. I am sure you'll pick some up along the way from John and I" She told him. "Biggest fan?" Cali looked puzzled. "Yes, Entallo. He's looking for you. Something about some tech. And as usual other things. I told him you were busy." Cali groaned and leaned back on D'Argo. Who was mystified as to what these women were talking about. Smelling Cali's scent so close to him was having its effect. "I really don't want to deal with him today. You didn't tell him where we are did you?" "Of course not, I told him you were busy. He should stay in town." Adail replied. "Who?" D'Argo asked. "Entallo Shade." Cali and Adail said at the same time. "Who the frell is he." D'Argo snapped getting agitated with ot understanding. "A Sebacean renegade Peacekeeper. With a criminal record as long as your arm, for miss-appropriation and illegal sale of PK tech mainly amongst anything that will turn a credit. And a total pain in my butt. Swears his undying love for me and any female he runs into. But he's alright." Cali told him. "He's your mate?" D'Argo questioned. "Argh! No! Good grief." Cali sat up. "Not in a millennia, he trades good tech. If he is behaving himself he's actually fun to have around, but he has a big problem of keeping his hands to himself." Adail was busting up laughing. "D'Argo you don't know Cali very well yet, she is very particular about male company she keeps." She told him. "Is that what your guard meant about you not being an easy prize to win?" Cali's eyes grew really wide. "Who told you that!" she asked D'Argo. "One of the guards on the rescue, the one we saw in town." He told her. "Petrien! I'll kill him. You wait till I get my hands on him. I don't believe he said that." Cali was getting agitated but laughing. Adail was almost rolling on the ground. "What?" D'Argo asked.

Cali's and Adail's joviality vanished in a flash. They both felt the coldness, getting stronger. The storms were rumbling closer all the time. Chaos was feeding. They felt safe as he could not come into the town because of the circle protecting it. That circle would not be removed until Cali had taken her power. Cali shivered and moved in closer to D'Argo to keep warm. "What is it?" he asked her feeling the chill of the air himself, but also the nervousness inside Cali. "Time is getting very, very near." She said to him quietly. He put his arm around her, looking worried himself. Thinking 'What the frell is going on. What was talking so long.'

*******

Chaos felt nauseous when he felt the power that dispersed Malignan Ci. 'What goes on. Here?"

He contacted his emissary on Rockne. "What is going on?" He asked.
His emissary answered him. "Nothing to concern yourself my Lord. The Mur Malignan Ci made a mistake of confronting the girl. He had not detected her presence, she shields herself very well. He was no match for her."
"What a fool." Chaos roared with laughter. "You are sure she is not ready?" He asked.
"Absolutely sire, she is a wild spirit. She has spent little time studying with me: most of her time has been spent with the Priestess from Neru." His emissary assured him the girl was not ready. "She does not know who I am, she does not even suspect me." Chaos laughed. "Did you finally find a warrior she would accept as her protector, after your other failures to find a suitable being." Chaos asked. "She has proven very difficult, there have been several that are suitable, but none she would accept. Her bonding with this warrior was easier than I could ever dream of they are very much attracted to each other." "Good, Good. I will dispense of Maggedon and then you can kill the girl when she takes her power. She will have no time to pass her power to another. But even so as she has no bloodline it will be a millennia before we will have to worry of this guardian line again. With the bloodline broken the power will be weakened. AND WE CAN RULE THE UNIVERSE HA, HA, HA. THIS SHOULD BE SO SIMPLE. IT ALMOST TASTES SWEET."



Elsewhere, Muldis felt an overwhelming nausea at Malignans dispersion. He was desperately trying to figure out what was going on. He has completely lost contact with Malignan Ci.


Ar Maggedon had also felt the nausea. Not that he was overly concerned at activity on the planet his goal was Chaos. He had the Peacekeepers to toy with for now.

****

Shiwa

_______

John flew into Aerynn's room, the receptionist had told him where she was, and that Zhaan and the Doc had left earlier to go to Cali's circle.

"Thank goodness your OK." He said going up to her giving her a small hug. He was more than happy to see her. "Get off! What the frell is going on?" She retorted. "Zhaan took off and left me with this old maid." Nodding towards Mistress Faifu. "Humph! Old maid again. The name is Mistress Faifu." She retorted, straightening the bed. "Did you get that. It's Mistress Faifu." Came Mister Lune's voice. "Yeh, Yeh. Mistress Faifu and talking walls." Aerynn said crossly. "AS I was saying, Zhaan took off with this weird big Doctor. Chiani got kicked out for messing around. I heard D'Argo went off with that security female." She took a breath.

"Zhaan had been sprouting about dark forces, doom and gloom and Crais is around. SO WHAT THE FRELL IS GOING ON." She looked at John waiting for some explanation. "Come on I'll explain on the way." He said moving to the door. "It's one hell of a story." Aerynn tried to follow him, Mistress Faifu blocked their path. "I was told to keep you here." She said. "I haven't got time for this." And slugged Mistress Faifu knocking her out. "OOOooo You'll get in trouble for that." Came Mister Lune's voice. "Frell you." Aeryn retorted. "Ouch!" John looked at Mistress Faifu. "Where's Zhaan, and D'Argo." Aerynn asked John as they went quickly down the corridor. "Zhaan's gone off with this Doc guy. To go to Cali's circle. D'Argo is with Cali." John said. "What's Cali's circle? Someplace in town?" John smiled. "No, not even in the ball park." He replied. "What! Ball park isn't that some kind of game?" she had heard John talk about the ball park and some Erp game. "What the frell are they doing playing games?" she asked.

"No, No, No! This ain't a good game, the stakes are pretty high." John told her. "Stop your Erp nonsense Crighton and talk normally." Aerynn said getting a little agitated. "I do talk normally." He said. "What's SHE doing here." Looking distastefully at Gilina. Who gave a nervous smile back. "Rygel." Aerynn acknowledged his presence. "I rescued her from a dead Leviathan." John said making ready to take off. With Gilina's help. " A dead Leviathan, Moya is dead." Aerynn looked horrified. "No, Moya's fine. Cali said she is scared but Ok." Aerynn tried her Comm badge, "Pilot, Pilot." Silence. "No comm signal." She said. "The storms are frelling up communications. And screwing the directional instruments on the pod to." He was having great difficulty controlling the pod. Gilliana took over. "We better get this to the landing zone and find some other transport."

Between them they made a difficult, rocky trip to the landing area. Aerynn and John yelling out directions to Gillina. Looking out the ports on the pod. Rygel complained the whole way of the bumpy ride. He had been told to shut several times. "Phew, that was almost as good as a roller coaster ride." John remarked as they came out of the pod. Both Gillina and Aerynn looked at each other shrugging. They had no idea what a roller coaster ride was.

John wanted to take the Equinard's pleading cross-country would be faster. But neither Gillina nor Aerynn had never seen a horse as John called it, let alone ride one. Rygel flatly refused.

They took a land transport which looked very much like an Earth golf cart. John tried to explain with difficulty to Aerynn what was going on.

DerianKatan

_______

******


The gown Cali wore was little protection against the growing cold. "It's starting to bug me that John hasn't answered, and he's not back yet." Cali said with a worried expression. "We could have stayed inside longer." D'Argo replied kissing Cali's neck; her scent was getting him again. She giggled "Yes." She moved away. "Stop." She said smiling. "Trust Crighton to frell anything up." He was getting agitated. Cali turned and kneeled in front of him. She looked around to see Adail and the others huddled together talking, Hul doing most of the chattering as usual gesturing a lot with his hands.

She took D'Argo's face in her hands looking him deep in his eyes. "Calm, D'Argo be calm. I know what I must do." She was smiling at him gently but there was something odd in her eyes. D'Argo had been reading her eyes very easily before, she was looking at him very tenderly but there was something else there, almost like a shadow. "What are you going to do?" He asked her. She just smiled and put her hand on her chest, when she brought it off there was a tiny ball of red light, it pulsed. D'Argo watched it fascinated. Cali took D'Argo's hand and placed the little ball on his palm. "For you my brave warrior. Keep it or blow it to the winds." She spoke very gently to him. "I like you a lot. Ka D'Argo. Thank you." And kissed him, lingering for a moment. D'Argo closed his eyes allowing his reaction to Cali's kiss wash over him. He was puzzled as to what was happening. Cali got up and walked towards one of the keepers.

D'Argo had a strange feeling; he looked at the tiny light, and realized what it maybe. He smiled and closed his hand around it. It felt warm. He watched Cali as she honored each of the keepers, by going down on one knee and bowing very low to each of them. D'Argo did not know what this action meant. He stood up he was trying to figure out, why he felt strange. He had been feeling what Cali felt for some time now, and still couldn't figure out why, but right now the feeling had become very calm. He thought of her words, it was almost like she told him goodbye. He stood up.

Cali continued to honor each of the keepers in the same fashion. D'Argo walked over to Adail. Hul was still gesturing and talking. Cali was in the center of the circle. The others hadn't noticed Cali get up. She held her arms out straight and turned slowly.
"Adail, What is Cali doing?" D'Argo asked. Adail looked up just as Cali closed the circle. All the marking on of the circle and inside glowed a white light.

Adail leapt up. "Oh, My stars." Tripping as she ran towards the circle. "Yelling CALI NO, STOP. NO!" The rest of the group jumped up when they realized what she was doing. They all were yelling at Cali to stop. "CALI, YOU DON"T HAVE TO DO IT THIS WAY." Adail was getting frantic. D'Argo had no idea what the panic was, but realized something was very wrong. He ran to the circle but stopped as he met a solid wall of intense heat.

Cali had stopped turning and had both arms straight up towards the sky. Doc's voice boomed into the clearing. "CALISTA, STOP AT ONCE." Cali paid no attention to any one. "CALISTA KAYLANA I ORDER YOU TO CEASE." Doc boomed as he ran towards them. He and Zhaan were just arriving. He was getting mad. He waved his hand. "ADAIL, BREAK THE CIRCLE QUICKLY." Doc shouted.

At this time:

John and company arrived at their destination just in time to see Doc and Zhaan making their way up the rise. John called out to them. Zhaan waved back. His eyes widened in disbelief when he saw Cali's house. "How did that get here?" he said in amazement. "Somebody built it. I suppose." Aerynn said. "I still don't get this stuff about power, Samantha witch, Muldis the Dark Lord, Legend. What is a frelling Samantha witch?" Aerynn went on at John.

He had tried to call Cali in his head a few times, but he said to himself 'I guess the lines are down' "Something is wrong I hear Doc shouting." Aerynn said listening. "Come on you two let's go." John said beckoning to Rygel and Gillina.

"I'mm staying right here, It's too ffffrelling cold." Rygel said shivering, pulling blanket around him that Gillina had found for him in the back of the transport.

"Stay outta trouble Spanky." John said as they started to run up the rise towards the shouting.

Adail went down to the ground and erased a piece of the outer circle. All the light immediately died, and Cali collapsed in a heap in the center. Adail rushed to her side calling her name. No response. She placed her hands on Cali's head. And looked very worried, Adail looked up at D'Argo. "Take her out of the circle D'Argo." D'Argo scooped up Cali; her body was totally limp. "What's wrong with her?" He asked looking a little worried. "She's done something pretty dumb. She may die." Replied Adail. She looked at D'Argo very sadly. D'Argo's eyes widened. "Die? Why?" He turned to carry her out of the circle.

As D'Argo carried Cali's body out of the circle, John, Aerynn and Gillina reached the top of the rise, and could see the scene before them.



=====

Adail was kneeling in front of D'Argo who had sat one of the large rocks, still holding Cali. She placed her hands on Cali's head, a worried expression on her face. "I cannot reach her she may have got to far." She told D'Argo. "What do you mean?" He asked. "The shock of breaking the circle. She may have crossed over too far. This body may die." Adail said to him softly. He did not understand all Adail was telling him. He didn't like what Adail was saying; he looked down at Cali and shook her "Cali wake up." She was breathing, but only very shallow.

John ran over "D'Argo what happened to Samantha?" Aerynn had also got to them. "Did you slug her too?" D'Argo growled at her. "No I did not." Doc pushed through along with Zhaan. He laid his hand on Cali. "You crazy wild child. What did you do a fool thing like that?" he spoke gently to her. She's still alive, barely. She is on the almost totally on the other plane. I cannot reach her." Adail said. "Yes you are correct." Doc agreed he turned and walked away. "What the frell is wrong?" D'Argo was not getting an explanation. He was totally confused. Adail crouched down in front of D'Argo. "Call her, D'Argo she may come back for you. We need her here. What she tried to do alone, would have worked but only for a short time." She put her hand on D'Argo's arm. 'Call her back." "I, Don't understand." D'Argo was very confused. "I think I do. Let me talk to D'Argo." Zhaan had heard what Adail had said to D'Argo. She spoke with D'Argo reminding him of things they had discussed before. She made him understand more. "I don't know if I can." He told her. "You can, just talk to her. We will leave you alone. Only Cali can hear you."

Zhaan ushered everyone away form him. Adail instructed Ebhaan and Dontain to repair the circle. Doc had gone off to the other side of the clearing and was pacing up and down.
Hul had gone into the bushes to do whatever. Zhaan tried to explain what had happen to John and Aerynn.

"What the frell is going on Zhaan, John tried to explain this nonsense to me. But I am even more confused." Aerynn asked Zhaan. "Patience, you will learn."
"What about Samantha witch are we going to get out of this without her?" John was getting jumpy. Trying to think up another plan.

"Quiet John, Doc and I talked a lot on the way here. He explained a lot more fully what is happening. And much of Cali's roll in it all." Zhaan was explaining gently to john. "Cali wasn't kidding about Tim Curry, big guys a dead ringer for the Dark Lord." John said nodding towards Doc. "Excuse me? I don't understand." Zhaan asked John. "Erp movie." John replied. Zhaan just said "oh." "Erp nonsense, gets it even more confusing." Aerynn said.


D'Argo called to Cali, telling her to come back and just talking to her. Everyone left them alone and did not pay any attention to them.

Cali moved on another plane while the others where in their discussion. She searched out the dark beings. Shielding herself carefully so they were unable to detect her.

She saw Chaos feeding, as he was talking with someone. She pushed further to hear.

"What is going on? You told me everything was working out well." Chaos said.
"The child started to cross over alone." His emissary told him. "WHAT ALONE!." Chaos fumed. "THIS IS NOT THE WAY WE NEED IT DONE." "I know Sire, I feel she may have been stopped in time." The emissary replied.

Cali knew the voice of the emissary, she now knew the traitors identity. The being that would kill her, and sell out life itself for the greed of darkness. It pained her to know the truth. She wanted to cry but pulled back..

"DID SHE CROSS?" Chaos asked. "No, master. Her body still lives. I do not detect her. Have you any feeling of her?" the emissary asked. "NO, NOTHING.' Chaos replied. "The warrior is at this moment trying to call her back." "Will he succeed?" Chaos asked. "It is very possible Sire, the child has accepted him entirely. I am unable to tell of him, she has shielded him also." The emissary replied. "GOOD. GOOD. THEN WE MAY PROCEED AS PLANNED."

Cali was very upset at what she heard but continued. She visited Moya and Pilot. She spoke to Pilot and Moya, the great ship calmed with Cali's touch. Pilot was surprised to hear her voice. "Who are you?" he asked. He felt Moya calming down, which was good, her fear had been getting very bad. "I am Cali." She told him. "I do not believe I know of you." Pilot replied checking his sensor readings and finding nothing.. He was very puzzled. "I am a friend, I want to let you know your crew is all well." She said to him. "I have been worried. I have no comm. Signal or sensor readings." Pilot said. 'Yes, It is caused by the darkness coming. We are working to drive it away." Cali said to him. "Good." Pilot said. "I will go now. I hope to get a chance to meet you properly. Blessed Be." Cali left. "How strange." Pilot said. But happy for the visit, Moya was calm and able to continue cleansing her systems. She had stopped when the fear gripped her. Which would extend the length of time needed to finish. Cali smiled to herself, she always felt better if she could help calm another's fears.

She visited Crais's ship next. She was very tempted to talk with Crais but did not, Maggedon was enjoying Crais's crew one by one. They could deal with Crais later.

She heard D'Argo talking to her and calling her back.. She paused to listen to him. And smiled.

Cali searched for Muldis but could not find him, he must be a long way off. Perhaps we need not to deal with him this time. He is weak. I can feel it. I wonder if he figured out what he stirred up. And giggled to her self.

She listened to D'Argo for a little while longer. And felt she must go back. Yes she wanted to go back.

D'Argo's voice became louder, she could feel the sensation of him holding her.


He still had his head on hers, holding her close talking to her.
"Cali wake up. Come on Cali we need you here." He said. D'Argo sighed. He was beginning to think he was wasting time. He looked up at the others deep in discussion with Doc.

"Wake up. We want you to come back." He said to Cali. "Do you?" Cali spoke softly. D'Argo started, he looked down into her face, she had a very distant almost dreamy look in her eyes. But she was smiling at him. "Cali." D'Argo said. "Answer my question D'Argo." "What?" He gave her an odd look at first, then a smile crept onto his face. "How can I ……" He whispered the rest in her ear. She giggled her eyes sparkled. "Make that a promise. And we got a deal. I feel you are true to your word." He looked at her then took her chin and kissed her. "You know you must never break a promise that is sealed with a kiss." She slid her arms around his neck and curled into him. "Hold me close D'Argo. I have an ugly task to perform. I don't know if I can do it." She told him.

"What are you talking about." He asked. He felt her tense up, he felt a deep sadness within her. "Cali. What is wrong?" He pulled her away from him, to look at her. But she turned her head so her hair hid her face. "No don't look at me." And pushed her self back into his neck. "Cali tell me." "I can't not yet." He could tell she was trying not to cry. He did not understand what the problem was. He felt her take a deep breath. "You know D'Argo you have a great hug." She clung on to him hard. "Hey, Do you have two hearts or just one hell of an echo." Came the muffled question. "I have two." He said. "Cool, double time. You got a pretty good rhythm there."

She sat up. "I have been sitting around too much. I will explode soon." D'Argo's eyes widened. "Explode!" She saw his look. "An expression. Not for real. I have energy to burn. I can't stay so still for so long." She told him. "I know of a good way to burn energy." He said pulling her close. She giggled. "I know." She got up and pulled him up. "Do you like music D'Argo, Dancing and stuff?" Cali asked him, twirling under his arm. "Yes." He wondered what she was doing. "I love music all kinds, we have loads of different kinds of music, dancing, singing here." She danced around, turning in circles.

Aerynn looked up at this time and saw Cali dancing around. "What is she doing?" Everyone looked around. "Cali." Most of them said, and started towards D'Argo and Cali.

She ran back towards D'Argo saying, "Catch me." She jumped D'Argo caught her. "You are crazy." He told her. She looked down at him. "Crazy Huh," she laughed. "Thanks friend." She told him. "Am I your friend" D'Argo asked her. "Ka D'Argo we got kinda intimate this afternoon, I think we should at least be in the category of friends." He laughed "yes agree." She hugged his neck. As she slid back to the ground.

"D'Argo what are you doing?" Aerynn asked. 'Leave them alone Aerynn." Zhaan said. "But he's……." Aerynn started. "It's non of your concern." Zhaan told her gently. "Cali are you well." She asked gently. "Yes, Zhaan great. How are you doing?" She gave Zhaan a concerned look. "Holding on." She tried hard to smile back at Cali but found it hard. "All will be well." Cali told her putting her hands on Zhaan's arm.

*********

Shiwa

______

The others sat down in a room adjacent to where D'Argo and Cali were occupied. ZHaan sat in her lotus-like meditation position on the floor, Aeryn sat in a chair and John slumped down on a couch. Doc leaned against a wall and sighed.

ZHaan looked at Doc, speculating. "What exactly is she supposed to do?"

Doc turned to her, "She's apparently going to use her mental energies to combat these monsters. This is the 'destiny' that she's been waiting for all her life. To be candid, I'm just as much against it now as I was when I first found out."

Aeryn, the soldier, asked him, "But if she's the only one who can fight this threat, why shouldn't she be allowed to do so?"

"Because it's not right, frellit! She's a young and impetuous little...", he grinned slightly before continuing. "She hasn't experienced life yet. She's never fallen in love or raised children or whatever she's wanted to do. All she has done is defend the lives of complete strangers. Strangers who'll only be concerned with Cali the Defender rather than Cali the Person!"

John spoke up, "Well, she seems to be fulfulling that 'love' requirement right now. Besides--"

Doc cut him off, "That's not love, that's sex! And now? THat's not experiencing anything! That's trying to beat the timer! She's not doing for real want, she's doing it because she may die soon. Do you think she really loves your shipmate?"

Zhaan fielded this one. "No, but an attraction may lead to love given time. This may--"

Doc cut her off, too. "And do you honestly think she's going to live long enough for it to go that far? Do you think that any of you are going to stay here for that when you've got Peacekeepers hounding your ass?" Zhaan had no answer for this.

"You're all going to go soon, you'll have to. It won't break her heart to see D'Argo leave. She won't live long enough to be heartbroken." In his eyes, anguish warred. He'd grown fond of her like a father. And now, it seemed that his "daughter" would die for a greater good that he just hadn't the heart to care for.

He turned on them. "Don't you understand? I'm a DOCTOR, frellit! I save lives! And now, it seems I have to let her march willingly off to an ugly death to save even more lives. If she somehow wins, they'll erect statues in her name. BUT A STATUE ISN'T THE PERSON IT SO POORLY WILL TRY TO ECAPSULATE!"

Aeryn pondered before answering. "But she may win AND survive. There is a chance--"

"Slim at best." Doc interrupted. "Frankly, if I were a gambler, I wouldn't lay odds on Cali living."

That reminded Zhaan of something, and she tapped the comm-badge on her wrist. "CHiana?"

The response was slightly garbled due to intense background noise. "Yes, ZHaan?"

"We need you to come to Cali's place immediately. Time is short."

She could hear petulance in the answer. "But I haven't used up my bidding cred, yet."

"And you won't. It's unlimited, remember?"

"Dren, I was hoping you'd kinda forgot."

"No I haven't, child. Now hurry please, time is short and I want all Moya's crew in one place."

Chiana's sigh was full of disappointment, "Yes, mother."

ZHaan cut off the link. They all looked at her wonderingly. John spoke up first, "Zhaan? What are you planning?"

"Cali is supposed to deal with this threat, but I don't intend to let her do it alone."

Aeryn parried this, "But she won't. We'll all be right here to support her."

Zhaan looked at Aeryn crossly. "That is good, but it's not right. We must do more to help than just hold her hand. We must join the battle."

Aeryn was nonplussed. "But how can we join the battle? It's on a whole other plane. We can't fight spectors and ghosts like she can."

"With her power and mine linked, we can. She intends to use all of her strength to kill a monster. I intend to use her power as a conduit for OUR GREATER COMBINED STRENGTH to fight this same monster."

John interjected, "But can you focus all our minds together at once?"

"Not by myself. I'll need Pilot's multitasking capabilities as well as any similar abilities in Aeryn. We shall use Cali's power to enter the plane where battle is to take place, then use our own power to do all the fighting."

John turned this over in his head before continuing. "But what about your dark side? Won't it take over?"

"I'm hoping not. But the risk must be taken. Besides, with all of your minds mingled with mine, I should be able to resist. Remember how your own help pushed my inner demons at bay during our Unity, John?"

"That was different. That was your own darkness by itself. Now we'll be attacking something that is nothing BUT darkness. We might not be able to protect you."

Zhaan nodded, "I appreciate your concern, but there seems to be no way to avoid this."

Doc looked at her almost in awe. "Her destiny didn't say anything about this."

Zhaan shrugged, "Future tellers don't know everything."

Doc grinned. "I'm in."

Zhaan returned his smile. "I thought you might be." Zhaan liked his smile. SHe realized that he was kind of cute.

Suddenly, the door from the next chamber opened and Cali and D'Argo stepped out. SHe looked at Zhaan and whistled. "Zhaan, you amaze me. What chutzpah!"

John said, "Gesundhiet!" and Cali gave him a mock-dirty look, trying not to laugh. Zhaan, meanwhile, hadn't understood anything that the humans had said. She stood and walked over to the young warrior and her Luxan partner.

"It's not shameful to ask for help."

The words hung in the air. Cali's face tried to hide her emotions, but they could all see that she was profoundly touched. "I-I can't ask--"

"The hell you can't.", said John. "It's not entirely your decision, kiddo." Squaring his shoulders, he said, "I'm in."

Aeryn stood and spoke, "I'm 'in' too." Then she muttered something about incomprehensible Erp nonsense. Both Cali and John laughed.

D'Argo crossed his arms and said, "There was never any question. I am also 'in'." Then he turned to Cali and said, "I'm starting to understand your strange language. that is frightening." He grinned and she blew him a raspberry, to which he threw back his head and laughed.

ZHaan spoke softly, "I'm 'in', too."

John said with a sideways grin. "You've got us, kiddo. You might as well use us."

Cali's lip quivered. Finally, she said a meek, "Thank you." before a lone tear of gratitude slipped down her face.

Doc shook his head, smiling. "You've always wanted to take on a threat by yourself. You never realized that you didn't have to. We won't let you take on this beast without our aid."

She smiled at him warmly and hugged him fiercely. D'Argo would've objected, but he recognized the Doc as a friend and not a rival for Cali.

When she let Doc go, she turned to them and spoke. "While I went on the other side, I saw that Choas had an accomplice."

"Who was this accomplice? Malignan'Ci?", asked Aeryn.

"No, that foul demon is imprisoned in the dagger that CHoas provided. We'll need his ugly-ass life force to battle another of his own kind. We'll also need his knowledge to know just what it is we're fighting."

"But don't you know? Didn't your 'destiny' tell you?"

"No, Aeryn", she said drily. "'A great Darkness' isn't really all that descriptive, you know."

"So who is this 'accomplice'?", persisted Aeryn.

"His name is..."

Ooshati

____

"No it's no good yet." Cali said.

Cali caught John by both shoulders. "Listen to me……." She felt a blow from Aerynn's Pk rifle on her shoulder. Aerynn had thought that she attacked John. "Get off of him." Cali used John's shoulder for balance and kicked Aerynn in the stomach sending her backwards; she ended on her butt. "Tell your girlfriend to back off John. I have no time for this." Aerynn had jumped up. Cali had let John go. "Aerynn no, wait." Aerynn stopped. "She attacked you." She said. "If I attacked him he wouldn't be standing." Cali replied angrily. "Back off Peacekeeper. I care little for the Peacekeeper beliefs and barbaric ways. But I believe anyone deserves a second chance. I caution you not to over step the line." Cali said coldly. "You dare to call me barbaric. You dare to threaten a Peacekeeper soldier." Aerynn was getting agitated at Cali's nerve. "Stop, Stop Ladies. Come on. This is not going to solve anything." John got in between them. "Keep her out of my way John." Cali told him. "I'll try." He replied. Guiding Cali away from Aerynn.

"We have to do this quickly, there is no danger to me. Or you guys. But it will allow us to bring the dark forces on our plane. When we form the circle move D'Argo behind the traitor. You guys must kill him when I push him out. Do not hesitate.." She told John quietly. "What! Oh yeah!" He looked around who was it. He thought. "Hey Cali what happened I called you didn't answer." He asked her. "Someone cut the lines." She replied.

"John, Tim's the one." John looked at her shocked. "No way!" Cali dropped her head. John walked over to her. "Are you sure?" She nodded tears almost showing in her eyes.
"What the frell are they talking about. I don't understand." Aerynn said. "I do." Zhaan said lowering her sadly head also. "Come lets move. Cali said.


"Ready Samantha." John put his arm around Cali's shoulders. "Let's get the show on the road." John said. "First off. Get off of me." She shrugged Johns arm away. D'Argo gave a low growl and moved in between Cali and John. "OK Big guy. I didn't mean nothing." John said backing away from them. "Possessive isn't he." He muttered to Aerynn. "Don't interfere with a female a Luxan has claimed as his. You will have a big trouble." She told him.

"OK Folks." Cali sighed. "Do not fear anything you see there is nothing that will cause harm to you. Aerynn, John, D'Argo Do not cross the circle until one of us tells you. You will be fried."

Aerynn, John and D'Argo waited while the others honored the four keepers. As Cali had earlier.

"They look like the four horsemen of the apocalypse." John said. "Apoca what!" Aerynn said. "Apocalypse. Part of Erp beliefs." John replied. "What the frell are they doing?" she asked. "Looks like they are honoring these guys." John said. "Cali did that before." D'Argo said. Watching the others move from the last keeper.

Cali and Dontain came over to the group. Dontain was holding two amulets in his hands.
One of which he gave to D'Argo, and told him to place around Cali's neck. The other's had taken up places within the circle, each on a colored stone.

"What's that for?" Aerynn asked. No one answered her. They watched D'Argo place the amulet around Cali's neck and pull her hair through. "This is it. D'Argo." She said to him softly then kissed him.

Cali took D'Argo's right hand and went down on one knee and pressed his hand on her forehead. "I honor you Ka D'Argo." D'Argo bowed his head to her in acknowledgement.
"What the frell is she doing, this stuff is weird I don't understand." Aerynn said. "Just hush, and watch. You might learn something." John told her. Cali smiled at John. 'Bid Kahuna's about to spill his soda also." John laughed. "Break a leg Sam." He told her. "Big Whuna, Why should she want to break a leg?" Aerynn was getting frustrated. John and Dontain laughed. "It's an expression that means good luck. On Erp." Dontain told her. "Erp dren again."

Cali moved off to the center of the circle. "Come on D'Argo, our position is over here." John said to him. 'Behave yourself." John told Aerynn. "Stay right here with me. Out of the way." Dontain told her. D'Argo and John took up the position Cali had said to.

Cali turned saying an incant they could not hear, and activated the circle and the stones once more. "Do not cross the circle. It now lives and will burn those on the outside."

The ceremony began.

***********

Shiwa

____

CHiana had finally arrived at Cali's place with all of her winnings. The casino had been fun, but now she felt as if time was running out. This didn't make any sense, but it made her uneasy.

She entered, and was presented with a bizarre tableau.

John, Aeryn, Zhaan, and Cali were standing in a strange circle. All of them had their eyes closed, and Dontain stood nearby. Unnerved, Chiana approached and Dontain hurriedly waved her off.

"Don't enter the circle!", Dontain whispered fiercely. "You'll be burned!"

Chiana stood there, flummoxed.

Then, something warm began to touch her mind.

************

Rygel felt something warm touch his mind.

He had no idea that Doc, Petri, Hul, and the other billions that populated Rockne were also feeling this warm brushing against their conscience minds.

************

On Moya, Pilot and Moya both felt a warmth that was gentle. Having felt it before, Pilot knew that Cali channeling.

Ooshati
____



======

Cali spoke quietly to Zhaan. "You ok. With all this." "Zhaan yes, there are still questions I my mind." Zhaan answered. "Have no doubts. All will be well." They smiled at each other. Zhaan could feel there was something wrong, but wasn't totally sure as to what.

Cali started. " Keepers of all that is good of life. Keepers of the elements hear me."
Cali had her arms bent her hands level with her shoulders. "I am here. Calista Kaylana, direct blood lineage of the first. Andovar Kaylan. Bring unto me the powers that were his."

The colored rocks seemed to burn their colors, and their light surrounded each person on them. A red glow was glowing on Cali's hand opposite to where John and D'Argo stood they could not see it, Neither could the traitor.

"First I deal with the traitor in our midst." She turned sharply as she said this and threw the red glow at Doc, it hit him square in the chest. Flinging him out of the circle backwards.

"Be gone from me false friend of mine. I bind your powers till the end of time."

Cali had tears running down her face. John went for Doc first, he had managed to scramble up on to his feet. And started to run, D'Argo caught him and socked him. John came up behind and plunged the long dagger into his back. "His head D'Argo." John yelled at him. D'Argo drew the sword and swung it at Doc, he managed to duck. D'Argo got him with the second blow. Doc roared in agony. His body burst into thousands of fragments, which formed into a ball and flowed into an amulet that Dontain was holding. Dontain had one hand on Aeryn to stop her getting into the fight. Cali had crouched on the ground covering her ears; she did not want to hear Doc's dying scream.

Zhaan went to her. "Cali Are you alright. That a very hard thing you had to do, but it needed to be done." She said to her gently. Cali nodded. "Let us continue." She said as she stood up, wiping her face with her hand.

Dontain had taken Doc's place. He knew he was brought for this purpose. Aerynn was stupefied. "She just, You just killed the Doctor." She said to Jon. 'He was the traitor. Cali couldn't explain everything. He may have found out." John said. They watched the rest of the ceremony I silence.

Cali started where she had left off, the rest of the summoning would not be heard by others. Only those who had the power were to know. The colored light once more encompassed each of the beings. It flowed in an upward motion to almost the tops of the trees. Then came back down around Cali, when it reached her the glow was white.

D'Argo and John were checking out, Zhaan's silhouette. The light showed her every curve. Everyone except Cali took three steps backwards so they were outside the circle. Zhaan came over to John and D'Argo. "That was interesting, very exciting feelings." She was exhilarated Neither one of them was listening. They were watching Cali. With the others out of their view they could see the effect on Cali's gown. John nudged D'Argo. "My boy D'Argo." D'Argo laughed. "Oh. You two are impossible." Zhaan said.

The light ceased and Cali turned towards them. She was looking very sad. Adail came over to her and hugged her.

Cali came towards the scapers. "Almost as good as 4th of July Sam." Said John. She smiled but not completely. "Tis done. We have the ace in the hand, soon we can play." She had a very strange look on her face. D'Argo was looking at her closely. He could feel she was fighting something back. "It is safe to talk freely now." She put her head down.

"Ar Maggedon is playing checkers with Crais. Crais is losing real bad. He has lost half of his players. Moya and Pilot are fine; I gave her protection from the dark ones. She is behind with her work. But is now re-starting. Muldis is far away; we will have to go find him. On the other plane. Chaos is now very UN-happy with his movie; his allegiance here is gone. He is still feeding but will come. His plan has been ruined. It was seeing The Dark Lord that I found out the identity of out traitor. Until then I had not been sure." She took a breath.

"Adail and the others will help you for a while. She knows how. With the storms that Chaos has created there is no communication to space, and no flights back and forth. The peacekeepers cannot come down here until Chaos is dealt with. Your stuck here like it or not." She spoke in a very odd tone, not her usual bouncing way. John was about to say something to her. She put her hand up. "Not now John."

"Cali." Zhaan put her arm around her. "It is alright to cry." Cali pushed Zhaan away. "I will not, No one will see me cry. Thank you for your concern." Cali did not look up at anyone as she spoke. Adail came over to her. "Cal, You are not Ok. Let someone help you." "Adail you help them get information about Muldis from Malignan Ci. Transfer him to an amulet you will have more control." D'Argo came over to Cali. And put his hand on her head stroking her hair. And pulled her to him. She pulled away from him. "No." she started to move away from the group. "I will be back later." And lifted the hem of her gown and took off running.

"Where the frell is she going now." Aerynn said. "None of you know Cali well. Doc has filled your head with a lot of nonsense. Doc and Hul were appointed as her protectors, after all were gone from Erp." Adail said.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN ALL WERE GONE." John said panicking; thinking that Earth had been destroyed. "No John, all Cali's people. Her parents as a young child, her guardian died a natural death not long after she married. He was the one who trained her as a warrior. Her husband and child were killed in an accident that was meant to take her life also. She still has the scars."

"Derian, her son." D'Argo said. "Yes. She told you. That I am surprised. The dark ones have always tried to destroy the guardians. Her ability as a guardian is passed down through the bloodline. There are many such as her in many races, and species." Adail paused. "She is a guardian of life. I have heard of them." Zhaan said. "Yes. They have the knowledge to draw on the essence of life, to restore a balance. Passed down through many generations, Cali's is strong. The Dark Lord has to destroy a guardian at the moment of them taking the power. In Cali's case it would have been almost permanent as her heir is gone. Her power would go to one she has chosen, no one but Cali will ever know who that is. She needed all of us to focus the different forces, what she did before would have taken care of them temporarily, but at the sacrifice of this life. Doc wanted her to take the power fully so he could destroy her and the power for a very long time. Nothing would be left to save, had he been successful." Adail paused.

"So why the frell has she run off." Aerynn asked. "You ever had destroy somebody you care about?" Adail asked her. "She is feeling a great deal of pain right now. Can you understand that?' she waited for an answer. "I guess." Aerynn said, not sure if she did. "He was a traitor and deserved to die." She said.

"'Tis true, but he has looked after Cali for over 10 cycles as his own. Only these past few months has she been feeling the doubt. She knew you were coming, some time before you arrived. Doc caused you to come." Adail said. "You mean we were brought here?" Zhaan asked. "Pretty much. Doc has tried for many cycles to find a warrior Cali would accept. To push this day forward. But Cali is very resilient, she would not accept anyone she did not like." Adail sighed.

"She is pretty upset at what Doc aid to you all about how she feels towards D'Argo. He makes her out to be a very shallow being as far as feeling go. But that is far from the truth. She would probably take my head for what I am about to tell you. Please I trust you to keep it to yourself." Adail looked around at them all. Everyone was pretty much nodding.

"I don't know what you will think, I know not your feeling." She said looking at D'Argo "D'Argo I know what transpired between you and Cali earlier. I have known her for 10 cycles; we are very close friends. Since being here after her husband was killed, she has not been that close to a male." D'Argo was embarrassed and shocked. "Are you nuts." John said. "No I am not 'nuts' as you put it." Adail retorted. "I know most males will have no understanding, also a lot of females. But it is the way Cali is. She loves everybody, they love her to. She regards them as 'her' people. Her family. She has plenty of offers. But keeps males at a distance. That nonsense about beating the clock, is what it is; nonsense." She looked at them all.
"I didn't think you could understand." She said. "I do. Remember talking about how things can change in an instant once before D'Argo And about living each day as if it was the last?" He nodded. "Your telling me she's in love with me?" he was very confused. " No. She cares about you a lot." Adail said. "What is meant to be will be." She added. "It's nothing she planned, you planned. Nature takes it's own course sometimes. Adail said. "She is right. Sometimes things are just meant to be." Zhaan added.
"Don't fight it. Fly it." John said. "What?" they all said. "Never mind." John said.

"You should go to her D'Argo." Zhaan said. "I can tell you where she went. If you want." Adail said, putting her hand on his arm.
--
"But we must work on these other problems. Fighting on one plane is not enough. We can together dispose of these being for a millennia. Combining powers to force them on to our physical plain. They can be killed, trapped really into something like the amulets.
We will need Cali's help for the bigger guy, but can take care of the lesser ones ourselves." Adail smiled. "You all ready?"

"Alright. Let's party." Yelled John. "Of course." Zhaan said. "I'm in." Aerynn said.

D'Argo pulled Adail to the side. "Do you need me also?" He asked her. "No, there is plenty here to take care of what we need. Do you want to know." She replied. "Yes."

"Come I will show you." She pointed the way for D'Argo to go to find Cali.

Adail clapped her hands. "OK Zhaan who shall we play with first?" She laughed.rubbing her hands together.


======