Chapter Four

"You can't be serious?" Braca looked at Scorpius as if the scientist had two heads. He followed Scorpius into his quarters. "If High Command finds out we had Talyn within our grasp."

"They won't," Scorpius interrupted, silencing his second-in-command with a look.

Braca momentarily stared at Scorpius. "You mean we are going to let them go after we help them rescue Captain Crais?" His eyebrows drew down in confusion.

"Yes," Scorpius replied matter-of-factly. "I need Langtree to fix this," he said, pointing to his head. "That was the terms of our agreement. She is a shrewd one, Braca, not easily intimidated." He looked at him. "Do you wish to go against me?"

Braca shook his head. "No sir." He turned as a subordinate approached him. Braca nodded. "We have a visual on the dreadnaught."

"Good. Inform Commander Crichton that he may launch at any time." Scorpius watched as Braca marched out.



Crichton eased the Osiris out of Talyn's docking web, his hands wrapped around the familiar controls. "Osiris to Talyn," he said, slipping into the old training.

"Go ahead, Osiris," Morgan's voice answered.

"I'm rockin' and rollin'." He took the shuttle into a roll, smiling. "As soon as I clear this moon's gravity well, I'll initiate system's shutdown." The plan was to make the Osiris appear as if it was drifting, a fake signal having already been sent out to the dreadnaught. Talyn hid behind the moon, Scorpius' cruiser hidden within the planet's dark side.

"10-4 Osiris. Be careful," Morgan replied.

"I will be." Crichton cut communications, watching the displays as he moved further outside the moon's pull. If everything went right.no, everything would go right. He hoped.

The Osiris cleared the moon's gravity and the dreadnaught came into sight, alarms beginning to sound through the shuttle as he started the system's shutdown, unstrapping himself from the command chair and floating to the shuttle's modified electrical panel, waiting. The panel was the size of a small closet, bigger than the Farscape's, the cybernetic system Morgan had been developing once residing in it. Now it was bare, and as his cousin had promised, Crichton found the outside access panel. "You scare me, Morgan," he laughed to himself. He clipped his belt to a hook as the shuttle went into a free roll.

It didn't take long for the Scarren ship to take the bait and he felt the ship straighten out as it was pulled into the bay, the Osiris being reeled in like a fish on a hook. Although it was actually the other way around. Movement outside the hidden panel made Crichton hold his breath. I must be frellin' nuts, he thought, waiting until the footsteps faded. He counted to 500 and then popped the outer access panel, easing himself to the deck. Crichton looked around, sweat immediately breaking out on his upper lip from the warmth. He closed the panel and hurried across the empty bay to an outer corridor, the layout of the ship firmly embedded in his mind, his finger on the trigger of the pulse rifle he was carrying, ready for anything.



"Aeryn, you set?" Morgan asked.

"Yes. " She gazed at the system's displays on her Prowler, her hands tightening around the controls. "You do realize that if this doesn't work." Aeryn let the comment hang.

"Yup. Scorpius won't have to worry about his cooling system."

Aeryn smiled to herself. "And there will be one less Scarren dreadnaught in the Uncharted Territories."

Morgan laughed, her voice filled with menace. "That's going to happen anyway."



The Scarren that appeared on Scorpius' view screen was a female. He glared at it from his position out of sight, every inch of his being filled with hatred.

"This is Braca, senior officer of this Peacekeeper cruiser. You are trespassing in Peacekeeper controlled space. You have exactly one half arn to surrender peacefully or be destroyed."

The Scarren snorted. "We do not surrender to weakling Sebacean's. But we will discuss the terms of your surrender."

Braca smiled as two more Peacekeeper cruisers appeared, setting up an effective barrier around the dreadnaught. "I think not," he said. He moved his hand across his throat, signaling to cut the transmission and looked up at Scorpius.

"Get Captain Langtree on the comm," Scorpius barked.

"Langtree."

"Captain, in one half arn, you are to appear. We will begin our attack then." He turned. "Is Officer Sun ready?"

"She's standing by." Morgan fell momentarily silent. "Don't screw this up Scorpius. If you do, you're frelled."

The transmission ended and Scorpius nodded to himself. He looked at Braca. "When the escape pod is released, make sure we pick it up first."

Braca nodded, looking at Scorpius for explanation. When none came, he asked, "Any reason why?"

Scorpius simply tapped his head.



Crichton heard the scream as he turned the corner. He quickly stepped back as two Scarrens walked from a cell, a limp body dragging on the deck. He saw the neural link blinking at the back of Crais' neck as he moved into the middle of the corridor, a pulse rifle in his hand. "Hey! Godzilla!"

The Scarrens turned at Crichton's voice and he fired as they dropped Crais' body, reaching for their own weapons, one of the Scarren's slamming into the bulkhead, the other getting off a shot. Crichton ducked and rolled, firing back as he moved to the other side of the corridor. The Scarren joined his companion as the ship shook beneath him. "Great timing, Harvey," he mumbled, running towards Crais' prone body. He knelt and felt Crais' neck, closing his eyes in relief that the Captain still had a pulse. Crais moaned as Crichton lifted him, propping him against the wall. He slapped his cheek. "C'mon Bialar. Time to wake up."

Crais surprised Crichton when he grabbed his wrist. "Don't.do.that," he croaked.

Crichton smiled. "Can you walk?"

Crais released Crichton's arm, opening his one good eye and staring at the human. "What.are you.doing here?"

"Saving your sorry ass, scary thought as that might be." He wrapped Crais' arm around his neck, half-carrying, half-dragging him up the corridor. Three Scarrens came barreling towards them, Crichton picking them off with the pulse rifle he clutched in his free hand. The rifle expired as the last Scarren slid down the wall, leaving a trail of blood in its wake. Crichton threw the rifle down, reaching around to grab his pulse pistol from the holster at his waist. He peered around the corner, spying the escape pod. "All I go to say is that you better be grateful. Morgan's made a deal with the devil to save you."

Crais grunted, leaning his head against the wall, trying to stay upright. "They.didn't get anything.from me."

"On the contrary, we got everything we wanted," a voice said behind them.

Both men turned, Crais slower than Crichton, to look at the Scarren who had been torturing the Captain. Crichton raised the pulse pistol to fire at the same time the Scarren fired on them, the bolt hitting the back of his hand. Crichton screamed in pain, dropping the pulse pistol, Crais barely catching him as he fell back.

"You see, Captain Crais, you told us all about Captain Langtree and her cybernetic knowledge as well as how you successfully bred a Leviathan and Peacekeeper ship. And now, we have Commander Crichton. You are useless to us." The Scarren raised the pulse rifle, aiming it at Crais.

It never had the chance to fire. With the last bit of strength he had left, Crais pulled the pulse pistol Crichton had tucked in the small of his back, wrapping his arm around the Commander and firing, hitting the Scarren between the eyes. The pulse pistol slid from his numb fingers as the Scarren hit the wall. The dreadnaught rocked and he felt Crichton push him into the escape pod. Crais watched as he pulled the release, his vision fading as he blacked out again, the escape pod spinning away from the dreadnaught as it came under full attack.



"Fire!" Braca yelled, Scorpius' cruiser moving in, sending salvo after salvo into the faltering dreadnaught.

Morgan's eyes narrowed as Talyn came around, all guns firing simultaneously as she and the Leviathan gunship took out the small Scarren fighters, running cover as Aeryn's Prowler closed in on the escape pod, shaking her head in annoyance as both the Prowler and escape pod were caught by the cruiser. The Scarren dreadnaught, and any information they had tortured out of Crais exploded in a brilliant blaze of fire, gas and metal. Morgan shielded her eyes as Talyn banked, flying away from the destruction.

Scorpius' image came over the clamshell as the other cruisers began to move away. "Captain Langtree, your cousin, Officer Sun and Captain Crais are safe aboard my ship." His stared at her, his eyes cold and calculating. "Now it's time for you to fulfill your end of the deal."



Morgan stepped off the transport pod, her knapsack of tools tossed over one shoulder. She walked over to the officer standing there to meet her. "You Braca?"

The Peacekeeper looked at her. "Yes."

She nodded. "Good. I want to see Crais."

Braca laughed. "You are not exactly in a position to be demanding anything. Your cousin, Captain Crais and Officer Sun are all wanted by High Command. You should count yourself luck that Scorpius agreed to allow Officer Sun to return to Talyn." He turned, starting towards the landing bay's entrance.

Morgan dropped her knapsack and marched towards Braca, grabbing his upper arm and whirling him around. She swung, her right hand connecting with his chin, knocking the Peacekeeper back. She grabbed his uniform jacket and slammed him into the bulkhead, her hand around his throat. "You let me see him or else I will snap your miserable frellin' neck," she snarled.

"I'd let her see him, hoss," Crichton drawled as he walked in. He smiled at Braca as he walked up to stand behind his cousin. "The little lady isn't joking."

Braca's eyes darted back and forth between Morgan and Crichton. He looked at her, nodding. Morgan let him go, taking the knapsack her cousin handed her.

"You okay?" she asked, noticing his bandaged hand. She followed Braca, her back ramrod straight, only her eyes betraying the fury she was keeping carefully in check.

"Yeah." Crichton laid a hand on her arm, stopping her. "Morgan, Crais is in pretty bad shape." He tucked a stray curl behind her ear. "I wanted to warn you." Braca cleared his throat and they continued up the corridor. Crichton went to follow her, but Morgan looked at him, her eyes begging him to stay. He took the knapsack she handed him. "I'll be waiting for you with Scorpius. Take your time." He glared at Braca as he walked away.

Morgan stepped into the medical bay, following the nurse that was waiting to lead her to Crais' cubicle. She took a deep breath and stepped in, stopping, staring at him laying in the bed, bruised and battered. His nose had been reset, black and blue bruises around both eyes, scratches and cuts peppering his face like a road map. She moved towards him, wiping away the tears that had slipped onto her cheeks as she took his hand in hers, holding it to her chest.

Crais opened his eyes, the swelling in the left one having gone down. Brown eyes met blue. "Morgan," he whispered, his throat sore.

"Bialar," she said softly, her voice cracking with emotion. She caressed his cheek.

"Where am I?" He swallowed hard, turning his face into her hand.

Morgan bit her lower lip before answering. "Scorpius' cruiser." She laid her fingers on his lips as his eyes hardened. "You can yell at me later. Just rest, please," she said quietly.

"Morgan.I." he started.

"Captain Langtree, I hate to break up this tender moment," Scorpius said from behind her, "but the longer you remain on my ship, the more danger you are in."

Morgan leaned down, gently kissing Crais on the lips. "I'll be back. I promise."



"How hard is this going to be?" Crichton asked, gazing at Morgan over the edge of his mask. He glanced at Braca, who stood on the other side of the observation glass watching.

Morgan looked at the cybernetic net that ran Scorpius' cooling system. "This is going to be a piece of cake," she answered, gazing up at Crichton. She smiled. "It's just a long process to rerun the wires. Especially these. Titanium alloy." She held one of the thin wires up, showing it to Crichton. She bent it in half, the wire curving perfectly. "They are pliable and won't break and the chemicals in his brain won't decay them."

Crichton watched as Morgan ran the diagnostic scanner over Scorpius' exposed brain. "Mor, cous, do me a favor?" he remarked, taking the scanner from her.

"What?" she asked as she began to insert the alloy wires.

"Don't kill him."



Morgan sank in the chair, pulling off the surgical mask and rubbing her eyes. It had taken her almost ten arns to rerun and program the neural net in Scorpius' brain. She looked up at Crichton as he walked in, a smile on his face.

"I should've known in High School when you pulled the pig's brain and spinal cord out in one piece that you'd be doing something like this," he laughed. He plopped down in the chair beside her.

"How's our patient?" she asked quietly, leaning her head on his shoulder.

"I am much better, Captain." Scorpius walked in. "For once, I am actually comfortable." He looked at Crichton. "The other cruisers are starting to get suspicious, wondering why we haven't left the area. You better take Captain Crais and leave."

Crichton stood up. "You don't have to tell me twice. I spend too much time in the company of your neural clone as it is." He started out the door, stopping to wait for Morgan.

Scorpius looked at her. "Thank you. I know this was a great personal price to pay."

Morgan stared at him. "John, wait with Crais."

"Morgan?" Crichton started back in the room.

"It's alright, John. I won't hurt her," Scorpius remarked.

Morgan waited until Crichton was far enough down the corridor before she spoke. "You're welcome. I appreciate the help with Crais."

Scorpius nodded. "The Scarrens do not need the information he has. Or the information you and your cousin have." He paused. "I on the other hand."

Morgan shook her head. "Goodbye Scorpius." She walked out of the room, her heels clicking on the deck.

Scorpius smiled to himself. "Until we meet again, Morgan Langtree," he whispered.



Crichton walked from the landing bay towards command, his cousin behind him. "I'm not discussing this, Morgan."

"Like hell you're not. Neural clone? Don't you think that was something you should've mentioned?" She grabbed Crichton's arm, swinging him around to face her.

"I would've Morgan. Eventually." He stared at his cousin. "Look, I'm tired, you're tired and we have to get out of this sector. You and Talyn take care of that and we'll talk later. I promise." He continued up the corridor, knowing that he was going to have to tell Morgan about the neural clone. And about the other John Crichton that had been lurking around. He stormed into his quarters, Aeryn right behind him as she came from the bridge.

"Morgan and Talyn are going to find some commerce planet a few sectors away where we can pick up supplies. She said she'd." Aeryn stopped, noticing the look of frustration on Crichton's face. "John, what's wrong?"

He shook his head. "Morgan found out about Scorpius' neural clone."

Aeryn crossed her arms, leaning against the doorframe. "And?"

He looked up at her, turning. "How do I explain to her about another me?" He paused as Aeryn looked away briefly, the reminder painful. "Aeryn, I'm sorry. I just."

Aeryn shook her head, walking over to him. "She doesn't have to know about your "twin". But you should explain the neural clone to her." She took Crichton's face in her hands. "Don't let her try to remove it, John. I can't lose you twice."

Crichton wrapped his arms around Aeryn. "No, once was more than enough," he whispered, leaning his chin on her shoulder.



The light of a sun filtered in through the view port above Crais' bed. He slowly opened his eyes, his entire body aching. He sat up, surprised to find Crichton sitting at his desk, his feet propped up on the console. "Crichton."

"Crais," Crichton answered. He stared at the Captain. "You owe me one."

Crais reached back to rub his neck. The transponder was still intact, the privacy mode engaged. He looked at Crichton. "Thank you for saving me."

"Thank Morgan."

Crais threw the covers back, slowly swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. "You do not seem your usual self," Crais observed. He tried to stand, falling back. "How long have I been asleep?"

Crichton stood up. "About three days. We're orbiting a commerce planet. Morgan and Aeryn went to get supplies." He turned towards the ex- Peacekeeper. "And no, I'm not myself. I've got a bit of a problem that I don't know how to handle."

Crais looked up at Crichton increduously. "And you're asking me for advice?"

Crichton rolled his eyes, sighing. "Yeah."

A smile played at the corners of Crais' mouth. "And what would this problem be?" He tried standing up again, this time with success.

"Morgan found out about the neural clone. I opened my big mouth and of course she jumped right on it." He leaned on the desk.

Crais turned and looked at Crichton. "And what do you expect me to do about it?"

"Well," Crichton scratched the back of his neck. "I thought maybe you could tell her about it. And.uh.maybe skip the whole part about the other me."

Crais' eyebrows rose in shock. He watched Crichton pace the room. "I believe that would be the least I could do."

Crichton stopped pacing. "Thank you. I just." He shrugged.

Crais walked over to Crichton. "Although, if your cousin does not like what she hears, do not blame me."



Aeryn and Morgan walked slowly among the stands on the commerce planet. Most of the supplies had been loaded on Talyn's transport pod and now the two women were just waiting for the last of the needed supplies to be gathered. Aeryn handed Morgan a flask of water. "I can not believe Scorpius backed off so easily," she commented, stopping to look at a stand containing ship parts, wondering if any of them would be useful.

Morgan nodded. "That makes two of us. But a deal was a deal and I doubt he really wanted Talyn to blow him to kingdom come." She took a drink from the flask, replacing the plug. "At least the cybernetics took. He'll have to get used to the new configuration."

Aeryn glanced at her, a smile on her face. "Poor him," she said sarcastically. They moved on, slowing at a stand of clothing. "Have you talked to Crais?"

Morgan looked away from Aeryn's gaze, pretending to be interested in an azure blue scarf of some silky material. "No."

Aeryn took Morgan's arm. "Morgan, it's been five solar days since we left Scorpius and the cruiser. How much longer do you plan to avoid him?" she asked quietly.

Morgan licked her lips nervously, her eyes meeting Aeryn's. "I don't know." She turned back to the alien behind the stand, handing it enough retri to pay for the scarf. She picked it up, folding it neatly into a square and tucking it into her pocket. Morgan readjusted the pulse pistol strapped to her leg, not used to wearing it and very conscience of it's weight. They began walking again, heading towards the transport pod. "I guess I'm just a bit scared to face him. I know he's not exactly pleased with the fact that we accepted Scorpius' help."

Aeryn nodded. She thought about the time she returned to Moya and faced Crichton, not the Crichton she had just buried in space, but his exact duplicate. "I have found that the best thing to do is face your fear and get it over with," she said softly. "You may be surprised by the results."



Morgan walked into Crais' quarters, stopping just inside the door. "Bialar?" she called softly. She heard his footsteps coming from the shower and she turned on one heel, getting set to leave when Crais walked into the room.

"Morgan," he simply said, moving towards the bed.

Morgan turned slowly, her stomach in knots. She gazed at him, his chest still damp. A pair of tight black pants was all he wore. "I.uh.just wanted to see how you were doing," she commented, trying not to look at him.

Crais walked towards her. "Back to my usual self, thanks to you."

"Good. Um.you're busy, so I'll.uh.talk to you later." She turned back towards the entrance, wanting to flee.

"Your cousin asked me to talk to you about Scorpius' neural clone."

Morgan's back stiffened. "Aeryn and I have already discussed it."

Crais nodded, although Morgan didn't see it. "You have been avoiding me." His voice was soft as he made the simple statement. Morgan turned back towards him, her eyes darting across the room. She refused to look at him. Crais took her chin in his hand, gently tilting her face towards him. "Why?"

Her eyes searched hi, looking for anger, annoyance, recrimination, anything except the affection she saw there. "I didn't want to bother you. You needed your rest."

Crais smiled, that small action still hurting his healing face. "I am grateful for what you did. You took a risk that I am not sure I could've taken."

Morgan looked at him, her eyes hardening with fury. "Well, I wasn't about to let them torture you to death," she snapped. She tried to pull away, but Crais wouldn't let go, wrapping his arm around her and pulling her towards him.

"That is not what I meant. I am talking about the deal you made with Scorpius," he replied.

Morgan could feel the heat radiating from him as their eyes locked. "I don't expect him to stay away," she replied. "He does not strike me as the type who would keep his end of the deal for long."

"He won't. But for now." Crais shrugged, his lips meeting Morgan's. She laid her hands on his chest, and then her head, closing her eyes as he held her. "I couldn't stop thinking about you, how to protect you." He stroked her hair, wondering when he had let his guard down enough to fall in love. "I am afraid they may have gotten the information they wanted."

Morgan looked up at him. "And now they will be looking for me as well."

Crais' eyes grew dark. "Yes."

She nodded, reaching up to cup his face in her hand. "Let them look. I suppose we'll deal with it when the time comes."

Crais took her wrist in his hand, kissing her palm. "And in the meantime?"

Morgan blushed. She could feel his heart beating against her other hand. "You finish teaching me how to work with Talyn," she whispered.

Crais laughed. "I don't think I can show you anything else. You have learned Talyn's systems faster than I expected. Your cousin has been singing your praises since we came back." His face sobered slightly. "Morgan, I hope you meant what you told Talyn."

She looked at him confused. "About what?"

"About staying with us."

She nodded. "I knew I would never go back to Earth. There's nothing left there except a family that is now grieving for two lost loved ones. And Uncle Jack knew." Morgan sighed, slipping out of Crais' arms and moving to stare out the view port. "I have always been close with John and finding him still alive has given me a new outlook." She smiled back at Crais. "Besides, I like to explore. And there's the whole Uncharted Territories for me to play in." Crais stepped up behind her, laying his hands on her shoulders. "I'd never have taken the transponder if I hadn't planned on staying."

"I would not let you go anyway," he commented, kissing Morgan's neck. He pulled her against him, his hands sliding down her arms to rest on her hips. "I tend to get what I go after," he remarked, his hand slowly moving up from her waist, caressing her through her shirt.

"So I noticed," Morgan whispered, her back arching at his touch.

"Oh, you have not seen just how determined I can be," he answered, his lips against her neck.

Morgan smiled, closing her eyes and leaning her head back on Crais' shoulder. "Really? Sounds like someone else I know."

Crais turned her around. "I hope you not referring to your cousin."

Morgan's smile grew and she put her hands on his shoulders, hopping up into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist. "No, Bialar. I'm talking about myself," she answered, passionately kissing him. Her movement caused Crais to lose his footing and the two of them fell backwards onto his bed. Morgan ran her nails down his bare chest. "You Sebacean's don't give us humans half the credit we deserve," she commented as she popped the button on his pants. "As a matter of fact, you think we're all rather stupid."

"I never said or insinuated such a thing," Crais objected, trying to sit up.

Morgan pushed him back on the bed, leaning over him. "I wasn't talking about you, in particular." She kissed him again, this time dragging her lips down his chest. Crais moaned and Morgan smiled. "But, you see, we can be very bright when we want to be."

"Morgan," Crais warned, his voice husky.

She sat up, stopping when her lips reached the top of his trousers. "You just can't handle not being in control, can you?" she whispered, slowly unbuttoning her shirt. Crais tried to sit up again and she pushed him back on the bed.

"Morgan." Crais said again through clenched teeth. The smug smile on her face was infuriating him.

"Can't you just sit back and enjoy letting someone else take the initiative for a change?" she asked her hand slipping beneath his waistband.

"You will be the death of me, woman," he moaned, closing his eyes.

"Then you'll die happy," Morgan responded.



Crais never expected Morgan to be as passionate a lover as she was. She surprised him in every way, and in a few new ways. He gazed down at her sleeping face, her body curled up against his, her back to his front. She looked so young and innocent. Crais leaned his head on his hand, running his finger down the curve of her neck to trace the small dragon tattoo on her shoulder. "Yes, Talyn. She is constantly surprising me as well," he said softly.

"Good. Someone needs to keep the two of you on your toes," Morgan mumbled quietly. She turned towards Crais. "Especially you." He smiled softly at her, the smile reflected in his eyes. "Wow. Here's a side of you not many people have ever seen."

Crais kissed her. "And only you will ever see it," he answered. He sighed. "And you were right. I cannot handle not being in control. The last few cycles have been hard for that reason."

"You didn't have anything to work for," Morgan replied. She matched his position, turning to face him, their eyes meeting. "When Crichton disappeared, I was lost. He was the only member of my family that ever understood me. John and I could talk to each other and not have to worry about explaining what we were saying to someone." She smiled wistfully. "And then when my parents were killed, I sunk about as low as I could get. Uncle Jack was afraid I'd never snap out of it."

"So he suggested building another module and trying to determine what happened to Crichton," Crais finished.

Morgan nodded. "I had a goal, a purpose, a direction in my life." She laughed softly. "That direction in my life led me here."

"Tell me about them," he said, reaching out to stroke the line of her jaw with his finger.

"My parents?" Crais nodded. "Well, Dad was from a country called England. He was a scientist, a genetics engineer. Mom was a computer engineer." She chuckled, laying her head on her arm. "There was a joke in our community that if the Langtree's couldn't fix it or solve it, then it didn't need to be fixed or solved." Her smile faded a bit. "They were always busy, and yet they always found time to spend with me. I knew what I wanted to be by the time I was 10." She shrugged. "I guess I got my sense of self and direction from them."

Crais gazed at her. "The memories of my parents have faded. Tauvo and I were young when the Peacekeepers conscripted us. We were lucky we were allowed to stay together." He pushed the memories away. "And now what direction do you have? Now that you completed your mission?"

Morgan smiled. "To explore. And to get to know how to control Talyn with the man I have fallen head over heels in love with."

Crais found her smile infectious. "It won't be easy. I made the mistake of trying to control him by myself, with mixed results."

"Well, now you don't have to worry about it, Captain Crais."

Crais kissed Morgan. "No. Now I just I have to figure out how to deal with both of you."

Copyright 2001 Beth A. Carpenter