Title: Redemption
Author: Banshae, 2001
Rating: R (violence, implied rape, cussing)
Disclaimer: You know and I know that I don't own these characters. I'm just
borrowing them for my own little passion plays. However, I DO own the original
characters and places, so no snurching!
Spoilers: All of seasons 1 & 2, pretty much all of season three, up to IP:
Icarus Abides
Archiving: You actually want this?! Just let me know: morgayne@hotmail.com,
so I can jump up and down and do a happy dance.
Summary: Takes place after IP: Icarus Abides. Talyn's crew stops off at a commerce
planet and Aeryn turns up missing.
Special thanks to Felix, who argued with me and encouraged me and gave me
great ideas. This fic wouldn't have been the same without him. Thanks also to
Darkman., Intrepid Beta Reader.
Redemption: Part 10
"Do think you can walk? It's not far." Jaina hefted a cari-sak over one shoulder, eyeing Aeryn. Talyn had gone to the required debriefing, leaving Jaina to escort her to the medical facilities.
"I'm fine." Aeryn lied. She hadn't eaten in over 20 arns. She'd been assaulted, beaten, shot, and most shocking of all, recently learned her father was alive after cycles of believing him dead. Her head felt fuzzy, her whole body ached and nothing sounded as good as just lying down and sleeping for a long, long time. But despite everything, she shook off the other woman's offer of help and stepped out of the ship on her own two legs.
They slowly made their way out of the docking bay, Jaina keeping up a running commentary Aeryn only half listened to. "Eano actually was a mining colony fifty or sixty cycles ago, but by the time we found it, it had been abandoned and was in pretty bad repair. Most of the work to make it habitable again was done before I arrived three cycles ago. Now we do just enough mining to make a small profit and keep our cover...."
Aeryn nodded absently, more focused on putting one foot in front of the other than anything Jaina was saying. Once they were out of the docking bay proper, the walls had become rough-hewn rock. The slightly downward sloping floor was paved with textured plascrete and overhead lights hung from the low ceiling. They passed a handful of people in the corridor. Each of them greeted Jaina cheerfully and then looked curiously at Aeryn. Thankfully, it was a fairly short walk; Jaina soon drew up before a door clearly marked as the medbay.
"Here we are." She gestured for Aeryn to precede her. The medbay
was like all the others Aeryn had seen as a Peacekeeper: sterile, well lit and
manned by two male medtechs who immediately descended on her with bustling efficiency.
It was all so familiar, she relaxed completely and let them guide her to a scanbed.
She lay down and closed her eyes against the light. Exhaustion was making her
lightheaded. It was such a relief to be still....
One of the medtechs began methodically undressing her so they could perform the diagnostic scan. His hands on her body made her stomach tighten; her heart seemed to skip a beat and she was suddenly choking with panic and remembered fear. "Get off me!" She snapped at him, sitting up and batting his hands away.
"Calm down, Aeryn," Jaina stepped forward, "They've got to do the scan-"
"I don't need a frelling scan to tell me what's wrong!" Aeryn glared at the techs, who had the common sense to back off. She knew she was being unreasonable and that they were just trying to help her, but she couldn't help herself.
"Here, what's the problem?" A woman, dressed in the long green overcoat of a Medical Officer, strode into the room. She took in the scene and immediately dismissed the two medtechs before turning back to Aeryn. "I am Ithani Mekelia, chief Healer. You are-?" Her brows rose inquiringly over soft brown eyes.
"Aeryn Sun," Jaina supplied.
Ithani glanced sharply at her and then back at Aeryn. "I see."
"I don't need to be here," Aeryn said. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and started to stand, fully intending to leave. "I just need to lie down for a bit--"
"Easy, girl!" Ithani and Jaina each grabbed an arm as she started to collapse. They helped her back onto the bed, Ithani pushing her down with gently insistent hands. "What you need is to undergo a diagnostic scan and let us care for you."
Aeryn's head was spinning so badly she didn't argue; she simply lay there and let the other woman undress her. Covering her with a blanket, Ithani began working on the console at the foot of the bed. "Jaina, you go on. Thank you for the help, but I'm sure you're tired." She said.
Jaina smiled wearily, "Are you sure you don't need me?"
"Go on," Ithani insisted, waving her off. "I can handle this."
"Take care, Aeryn," Jaina said, heading for the door.
Ithani watched her go and then turned back to the console, humming a tune under her breath. She spent a few microts reading the display before going to one of the cabinets lining the walls. After gathering some supplies on a tray, she came back to the head of the bed. "Well, it's been some time since I've seen a pulseshot wound," she said. "I'll give you something for the pain in a microt, but I've got to look it over while you're still conscious."
"Get on with it." Aeryn said hoarsely.
Ithani gave her a small smile, "You don't need to show Peacekeeper stoicism to me." Her hands moved deftly at Aeryn's shoulder. "It must be bred into all of you..."
Aeryn was trying not to focus on the wet sound of the pressure bandage being removed and it took a moment for the other woman's words to sink in. "What?"
"All you Peacekeepers are alike. You think showing weakness is a vulnerability, something to be hidden so others can't take advantage of you."
"You're a Medical Officer, but you're still a Peacekeeper," Aeryn said, her attention completely on Ithani.
"Just because I'm here, doesn't mean I'm a Peacekeeper." She replied. "I'm not a Medical Officer, I'm a Healer. And I've never been one of you."
Aeryn tried to digest her words, a task made more difficult by her fatigued mind. "I don't understand--"
Ithani paused for a moment to capture her gaze, "I'm free-born. Never been on a PK ship, never had any training, never killed anyone...not that the thought hasn't crossed my mind!" And she bent back to her work.
"How-" Aeryn winced and the other woman murmured an apology, "If you were born on one of the breakaway colonies, how did you end up here?"
"Oh, I was young and silly and fell in love with one of your compatriots. He persuaded me to go with him when he left my homeworld, and I was foolish enough to follow him." Ithani replied. She seemed satisfied with the temporary repairs she'd made to Aeryn's shoulder and straightened, patting her arm. "I'll get you those pain meds now, Aeryn. I'm going to sedate you for a bit. You need to spend some time in the revitalizer to allow your body to heal." She went to rummage in another cabinet.
Aeryn only nodded, still mulling over what the Healer had said. Maybe...maybe there's a place out there for someone like me. It was her secret hope, a wish she'd carried with her for the past three and a half cycles: that she could find a place to fit in. A place where others wouldn't look at her with fear or loathing; where they wouldn't ask her if she was a Peacekeeper. She had thought she'd found that place with John, who'd understood her longing when Namtar frelled with her DNA so long ago...John, who never looked at her with anything other than acceptance...
"How are you feeling, Aeryn?" Talyn's voice cut through her train of thought and she glanced up, quickly pressing tears from her eyes. He approached, concerned, "Are you in pain? Where's Tani?"
"Here," Ithani said, closing the cabinet door and coming back to where her patient lay. She checked the readout and began measuring the hypo dosage.
Talyn glanced back down at Aeryn, "A few days in the revitalizer and you will be as good as new."
"So I've told her." Ithani put in.
He rolled his eyes at the Healer, "I hope she hasn't been telling you tales about me," he said to Aeryn. When she looked uncomprehendingly at him, he raised his brows at Ithani, "Haven't you told her?"
The other woman shook her head, "She's been through a lot in the last couple of days, Talyn. I thought the news might wait."
Aeryn looked from one to the other and sighed, "I'm not unconscious yet, you know. Will someone tell me what is going on?"
Talyn seemed hesitant, then gave Aeryn a bemused smile. "Tani is my wife."
************
"Finally!" D'Argo stood, brandishing the control collar so both John and Crais could see it. "I thought I'd never get this frelling thing off."
"What'd you use, big guy?" John asked, examining it from a safe distance. His one and only experience with the collar had been more than enough to keep him from touching it.
"It's harmless now, Crichton. As soon as the slaver's ship was destroyed, the activation signal was cut off." Crais informed him and went back to reading the medical console.
D'Argo proffered the collar to John, who shook his head. "No thanks."
"I was able to get it off with these," the Luxan said, holding up a large instrument John instantly recognized.
"Huh, bolt cutters must be a universal tool," he said. D'Argo shrugged, hefting the cutters onto a clear counter top and then tossing the control collar into a refuse bin.
"Her life signs seem to be normal," Crais said, studying the display over the Singer's head. "Of course, I am not sure what the nominal readings are for her species."
"Great. So you don't know if she's coming around or if D'Argo's tongue thing is gonna kill her." John said.
Crais gave him a long-suffering look, "I never claimed to be a medical officer, Crichton. And if the venom was lethal to her kind, she would most likely be dead already. Her life signs have stayed constant since we came aboard Talyn."
"Well, she doesn't look like she's going to wake soon," John retorted. "Let's head back to the planet and check it out. We've wasted enough time already." He started off to Command, "I'll send Stark down to monitor her."
"Wait-" Crais' fingers worked quickly on the medical console. "She seems to be regaining consciousness."
John came back into the medical bay and glanced at the display. He didn't have much experience with the med-scanner, but it looked like Crais was right. The Singer stirred slightly on the bed and made a soft sound of protest. John put a hand on her shoulder in reassurance, "Hey, you're safe, you're alright, Alaethe."
Her huge black eyes opened slowly, focusing on him, "John Crichton."
"Yeah, that's me," John helped her sit up slowly. She seemed dazed, but none the worse for the wear.
"Drink this," Crais offered her a container of liquid. "It should help your body recover from the affects of the venom."
Reaching for the beaker, her fingers brushed against his and she jerked back violently, "Bialar Crais!"
John's brows came together and he met the other man's gaze questioningly, "Did you--"
"None of us said his name on the station. How did you know?" D'Argo asked the Singer.
"You are--" Alaethe swung her gaze at him, "--Ka D'Argo." Closing her eyes, she continued, "And there are others....I sense them..." She shiver, hand going to her neck in sudden realization. "The collar is gone?"
"Yeah, we figured you didn't want to keep wearing it." John told her.
"I thank you for the kindness, and I am in your debt."
"How do you know who I am?" Crais asked warily.
"My people call themselves the Ka'rhau; we are a peaceful, space-faring species. Some of us are gifted with the ability to See what is in the minds of other beings when we touch them. We are called Singers. That is how I learned your names- you, John Crichton, touched me and I Saw the names of these others."
"Umm....just how much can you find out from just touching someone?" John asked nervously. He wasn't sure he liked her ability to peek in on his thoughts whenever he bumped into her. It could prove mighty inconvenient, not to mention embarrassing.
"Do not be anxious. I am prohibited from touching the minds of those who do not wish it. My gifts are to be used only to heal and make whole. I ask your pardon for intruding upon you....I was still somewhat befuddled. I will not act in such a manner again unless you request it."
"Apology accepted. No offense, but can we save the small talk for later? How about you tell us where they were going to pick up Aeryn, so we can head back there and you can get some rest."
Alaethe nodded and rattled off the coordinates. She seemed to be fading a bit: her skin seemed even more translucent than it was just moments before and the hand holding the beaker of liquid was shaking slightly.
John hardly noticed. He more focused on getting back the planet in time. The longer they waited, the more likely something would happen to Aeryn. He was afraid that if they took too long to get back, whatever trail she'd left would be so cold they wouldn't be able to follow it. I won't even think about that right now. We will find her.
He started to the door, "Let's go, Stubby. D'Argo, you mind staying down here for a few microts till we send Stark?"
"Do it quickly. I am not a nursemaid." The Luxan reminded him.
"Yeah big guy, I know how great your bedside manner is." John said over his shoulder.
Crais caught up to him in the corridor, matching him stride for stride. The ex-PK glanced at him, "This is foolhardy, Crichton. We do not know if the Reaver has left the system. They may still be laying in wait for us."
John fought down the urge to punch him just to shut him up. "Talyn's got guns, we can deal with the Reaver and whoever else shows up. Or are you telling me you aren't going to back me on this one, Crais?" He snapped, stopping suddenly and turning to the other man. "Are you saying you don't think Aeryn's worth putting your butt on the line? Is that it?"
Crais faced him, infuriatingly calm as always. "I must always account for Talyn. Whether you believe it or not, I have committed myself to protecting and guiding him as a parent would a child. His kind live for over 300 cycles; it would be dishonorable to put him at risk if there are other alternatives."
"Omigawd, you talk about honor?" John was incredulous. "You chased me all over the damn galaxy because you wouldn't admit you were wrong, even when you knew I was telling the truth! God only knows how many innocent people you've killed, Crais, and all the evil things you've done. You could write a book on backstabbing!"
"Crichton." Crais suddenly seemed weary; his shoulders sagged and he rubbed his forehead with one hand before meeting John's angry eyes. "I cannot help what I was before. It shames me to look back at the things I have done, but I cannot change the past.
"Tauvo's death...He was my little brother. I protected him and sheltered him and when you struck him and he died...I went mad for a long time. I had lost something and I did not find it again until I shared the Hand of Friendship with Talyn. I cannot excuse the pain I have caused you; I cannot make living again those I killed under orders even when I knew it was wrong; I cannot make right all the dishonorable things I have done. But I have pledged to guide Talyn to peace in an effort to repay my moral debts. I cannot change my past, but I can make my and Talyn's future full of honor."
John was momentarily stunned. He'd always looked at Crais the same way he'd looked at a pitbull: warily and waiting for the damn thing to bite him when his back was turned. It was Crais' fault he'd ended up on Moya in the first place, and if Crais hadn't lit up the whole Peacekeeper chain of command by chasing him all over the place, Scorpy probably never would have heard of him. There never would have been an Aurora Chair, or a neural chip, or Harvey.
Then again, he never would have met Aeryn, or Zhaan, or D'Argo, or Chi... And who knows where I would have ended up? Probably drifted in space till I starved to death, or crash landed on the nearest rock with gravity. I might be dead by now. Maybe the man was truly turning over a new leaf...He'd kept his word as far as Talyn was concerned, even if he did have his own agenda. For a fleeting moment, John had a weird vision of Crais and the Other John hanging out and knocking back a couple of raslaks.
"I am telling you this because I want you understand that I am not your enemy, Crichton. I agree with you: Aeryn must be found and quickly. Every moment we delay lessens our chance of discovering her whereabouts. However, let us act without taking unnecessary risks. Can we agree on that?"
John shrugged, "Yeah." He was willing to give the other man the benefit of the doubt, at least for as long as it took to find Aeryn. After that...
"Excellent. Let us contact Moya and inform them of our plans."
"Sounds good." John agreed and they both headed toward Command again. Maybe Crais is telling the truth for once, he thought. A lot of weirder things have been known to happen in the UTs...
TBC...
**************
