Crichton had no illusions about what might have happened to Aeryn break her communication with Talyn. He was eerily quiet. Chiana looked over at him.

Chiana: "Crichton, there is a chance that she is still alive."

John: "I know Scorpius almost as well as I know myself. If she is alive, she may be wishing for death."

Chiana: "She was different when we were on Talyn. She wasn't constantly in that Peacekeeper mode she was in when she came back after the other Crichton…died."

John: "Probably because she was away from me."

Chiana: "No, I don't think that was it. I think she was beginning to find an inner peace."

John looked over at Chiana.

John: "I miss her, Pip. I miss talking to her about things and working with her. I just miss her."

Chiana: "She was born and raised a peacekeeper John. She is not familiar with all of these emotions. Give her a chance, she must feel like an overloaded circuit."

John turned back. They were approaching the base. He commed D'Argo and Crais. They 'set their watches' so to speak.

*****

The shift landed Aeryn in the lower tiers where the atmospheric controls were. She saw a couple of techs and on further inspection saw coolant suits hanging on the wall. She smiled to herself. She had a plan.

*****

Pilot chimed in.

Pilot: "Commander, Moya has located Aeryn on the lower tiers of the base."

John: "Is she alive?"

Pilot: "Yes but Moya is also picking up a thermal change on the base."

Chiana: "What kind of change, Pilot?"

John: "The temperature is rising. It is up to +13."

John looked at Chiana and grinned.

John: "Nice move Sundance! Crais, did you read about the temperature?"

Crais: "I did. I will set as many charges as I can. I will only be able to stay on the base for 100 microts at that level."

John: "Aeryn must be raising the thermal to boost our odds. How long can she sustain at that temperature?"

Crais: "May be 80 microts before that level of heat begins to effect her."

John: "D'Argo, Moya has her in the lower levels. She must have heard Talyn's strikes and knows we are here. She will try to make it to a pod. Look for her while you are setting your charges."

D'Argo: "We are on it John."

John: "Chi and I are landing now. Good luck everyone."

John landed the transport.

******

When D'Argo and Jothee landed, they were met by PK fire. Jothee wasn't very proficient with a pulse rifle but he was holding his own. D'Argo couldn't help feeling a sense of pride. They made their way through the docking bay after killing the PKs. As they moved through the base, D'Argo set charges.

Aeryn had to find her way to a transport. The Sebeceans were succumbing to the heat. Aeryn donned a pulse rifle and made her way through the levels. She headed for the lab. Techs were trying to override the atmospheric conduits. Aeryn fired the pulse rifle at their console. When it blew, it ignited some of the surrounding chemicals. The explosion had knocked Aeryn off her feet and thrown her hard against the wall in the corridor. The coolant tank on the suit was damaged. Aeryn was knocked unconscious for several microts.

John and Chiana were setting charges when they heard the massive explosion.

Rygel: "John, Moya indicates that a marauder is leaving the base at a high speed."

John: "Scorpius. Pilot, where is Talyn?"

Pilot: "According to Moya, Talyn has sustained systems damage from flying to close to the base during the strike. He is unable to give chase."

John: "Damn it! Crais, D'Argo, Scorpius has gotten off the base. Set your charges and get off. I am going to look for Aeryn."

D'Argo: "John, we only have less than 100 microts left."

John: "I am not leaving her here D'Argo. Chiana, you go back to the transport. If I am not back in 50 microts, take off."

Chiana: "I am not leaving you here to die."

John: "If Aeryn dies here, I die here. Now go!"

He pushed her toward the direction of their transport.

John: "Pilot, where is Aeryn?"

Pilot: "Moya shows her on tier 2. Commander, according to Moya her body temperature is at dangerous levels."

John ran off. Pilot told him she was near the lab.