Chapter 8 – So Near and Yet So Far
Chapter 8 – So Near and Yet So Far

Aeryn's initial reaction to scramble for the surface was stopped by two firm hands at her waist.  It only took her a moment to realise that it was Crichton swimming above her but by the time she had processed that information she was in the tunnel.  She became painfully aware that there was no going back now.  She froze.  Concentrating on holding her breath, her eyes searched the tunnel roof for the air pockets that Hailen had promised.  Those who had gone before had left yellow lights behind spaced out on the tunnel floor giving the place an eerie feel.  She could see Rygel up ahead and she could feel that Crichton had a handful of her vest, dragging her along.

Her heart was beating loudly in her ears.

Where was the air pocket?  She couldn't wait much longer.

She could feel her lungs straining to expel the used air in her chest and take in a fresh breath. 

She could still see Rygel ahead.  He showed no sign of stopping.

She suddenly realised that she wasn't going to make it. 

It was happening again. 

Her arms and legs began to flail wildly and she felt Crichton lose his grip on her.  She tried desperately to get through the tunnel roof, not registering that it was solid stone.  She started to scratch at it, the air beginning to leave her lungs.  She could feel the skin being torn from her fingers as she struggled uselessly.  Her lungs were heaving in her chest; she would not be able to resist the need to take a breath for much longer.  She felt Crichton grab her again and drag her away from the tunnel roof but she continued to struggle.  She closed her eyes with the effort of not taking another breath.

Suddenly her face felt cold.  She wondered whether this was the effect of the lack of oxygen.  She didn't remember this from the last time, but maybe it meant that she was dying again.  She squeezed her eyes tighter shut.

"Jesus, Aeryn, breathe!"  She felt hands on her face and heard the voice, Crichton's voice, again. "Aeryn, come on."  He slapped her gently on the cheek.  She opened her eyes slowly to see Crichton's face right in front of her.  "You gotta take a breath, baby.  Please.  Come on."  She did as she was told, immediately sending her into a coughing fit.  But the next breath was easier, as was the next.

Crichton smiled at her.  "See, I told you.  Easy!"

She gave him a look that suggested otherwise, but it just made his grin wider.  "Where's Rygel?"  She rasped.

Crichton was looking at one of her injured hands.  "He's gone on to the next air pocket to make sure he knows exactly where it is.  He'll be back." 

As if on cue, Rygel appeared.  "The next one is around the same distance, but the tunnel is wide.  Crichton will be able to swim alongside you all the way."

"You just need to stay calm, Aeryn.  And it wouldn't hurt to kick your legs a little.  You'll go faster.  OK?"

She nodded.  She felt a wave of panic overtake her when Rygel took the rope from Crichton and disappeared under the water again, but she pushed it to one side as she saw Crichton begin to take a deep breath.  No sooner had she taken a deep breath of her own than she found herself underwater again.

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"OK, Aeryn.  This is the last one.  You've been doin' real good, darlin'.  We're nearly home and dry."  He shifted his hold on her to keep her head above the water.  This space was cramped for two; there was nothing to hold onto so Crichton had to tread water for both of them.  "Rygel will be back in a microt and then we can be on our way.  I can't wait to get back to Moya and get dry.  What about you?"

She smiled a little at him.  "Hmm.  A change of clothes and then a beaker of really hot tea.  I'm frelling cold."

"Do we have any tea left?  If we do then I'll join you."   

And so they continued.

They had fallen into a pattern when they reached each air pocket.  Rygel would go ahead to check the distance and the tunnel and Crichton would stay with Aeryn, talking incessantly to her about anything, trying to keep her calm and take her mind off the actual swim.  She was getting better and better with each stage.  Although she relied heavily on Crichton, she was kicking her feet and they were making good progress. 

"Hey, Ryg."  Crichton greeted the Hynerian as he appeared by Aeryn's right shoulder. "Is it all plain sailing ahead?"

"Well, the good news is that it's a shorter distance than the last." 

"And the bad news?"

"The tunnel gets very narrow and rocky from here onwards.  It twists sharply up and down as well as from side to side.  You'll need to use your hands a lot to help you and we'll all have to swim in single file."

Aeryn couldn't stop a look of panic passing over her face.

"This is going to be alright, Aeryn.  You've been doing great and this is a shorter distance.  I'll take the rope this time and pull you along; I'm stronger than Rygel.  You just remember to keep kicking your legs where you can to help you go faster and tug on the rope if you run into trouble.  OK?" 

"You'll have to try to stay close, Aeryn.  The current is strong and it will be difficult to get to you if you fall behind or if you panic."  Rygel added. " There's not much room to manoeuvre."

"OK, thank you, Rygel."  Crichton gave him a despairing look.  "Stop spreading good cheer and tie the rope around my waist, will ya?"  When the Hynerian disappeared below the water, Crichton grinned at Aeryn. "Never mind Mr Doom and Gloom, Aeryn.  This is the last one and we're finished.  Then it's showers, dry clothes and hot tea all round." Rygel reappeared briefly before heading off down the tunnel.  "OK, here we go.  Last one to Moya's a stinky Hynerian."

Her smile was weak, but it was there.

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"I wish they'd hurry up."  Chiana said, huddling under D'Argo's arm, watching the pool.  "I'm getting really cold, sitting here."

D'Argo gave her a little squeeze. "I am certain that they will be here soon."    Looking up he saw his son walking towards them.

"The transports are not far."  Jothee said tossing Chiana and his father some blankets. "Where are they?"  He said looking down into the pool.  "Shouldn't they be here by now?"

"Maybe they ran into trouble."  Chiana said. "You barely made it through the narrow parts of that last bit and you are a Luxan."

"Chiana, I had trouble because I was too big to fit comfortably through some of the tighter parts of the tunnel, so I took longer.  You and Jothee had no trouble and the others should have no trouble either."

"Rygel!" Chiana leapt to her feet when she saw the Hynerian swim into the pool, a microt later he surfaced.  Chiana picked him out of the water and wrapped him in a blanket.  "Where are Crichton and Aeryn?"

"They're right behind me."  He said.  "Brr.  By the Hynerian Gods!  I forgot how cold water could be."

"I thought you were aquatic?"

"Only in warm climates, girl."  He shivered. "Where are we?"

"Ah, Jothee says that the cave mouth comes out close to the transports." 

"Where are Girott and the rest of them?"

"They are already up above.  We're going to have to make at least two journeys to get all those people on board Moya plus the extra food we'll need."

"Here's Crichton." Jothee announced.

D'Argo knelt by the poolside and dragged his friend from the water gasping for air.  Chiana put a blanket over his shoulders as he lay coughing

"Where's Aeryn?"  Rygel asked Crichton.  "She's meant to be on the end of the rope."

For a microt the human was unable to answer him. 

D'Argo pulled the empty rope out of the water.  "John!  Where's Aeryn?"  The Luxan demanded.

Crichton looked up at him with hopeless eyes.  "I lost her."  He rasped.

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 To Be Continued.