D'Argo, Rygel, Katie, and Counselor Crichton had already wished Zhaan a safe voyage and left the hangar. Lt. Marv said farewell to Ambassador Zhaan and watched her board the Marauder. "Officer Azez and Corporal Set, I am placing Ambassador Zhaan under your care and protection. You will do everything in your power to keep her safe. Is that clear?

And I don't think I need to remind you how important this mission is to the war effort," Marv told the two Delvian Peacekeepers.

"Understood, sir," they replied simultaneously, then boarded the Marauder.

Although he knew Zhaan was in no immediate danger from the calcivores, he was still nervous. As the inside hangar door closed, Marv thought back to when Ambassador Zhaan first approached Brigadier Sun and General, Lord Crichton with the idea of asking Em'Lee's people to provide a security escort for Katie. It was in Brigadier Sun's briefing room aboard the Zeuxis, and he felt honored to be included in the meeting. "It will work, John, we just have to make sure that we provide plenty of, um, calcium for them."

Crichton was less than receptive. "Zhaan, I don't want my daughter to be anywhere near a calcivore. What if one of 'em gets hungry and can't wait for lunch? What then? You're asking predators to guard someone they would ordinarily look upon as prey."

Brigadier Sun spoke next. "John, Em'Lee is grateful to you for saving her life. When Scorpious finally found out why his men were disappearing from his command carrier, he was brutal with Em'Lee." John clenched his teeth - he knew all too well how brutal Scorpious could be.

"Yeah, maybe so," Crichton conceded. "But I'd think she'd be more grateful to Zhaan-she's the one who found the settlement of calcivores on Karnore. I just can't go along with this plan, Zhaan. I'm sorry."

"I think you should let Zhaan finish," Brigadier Sun said quietly. "You should have all the facts before you decide. Don't let your fears make this decision for you."

Ambassador Zhaan nodded in appreciation at Aeryn. "I spent some time with Em'Lee on the transport to Karnore. She told me of a story handed down by her people. Their homeworld was invaded by a violent race, whose weapons were

not very effective against the calcivores; and in un-armed combat, the calcivores almost always won. In time, the invaders withdrew-they had finally met a race they could not easily conquer."

General, Lord Crichton looked blankly at Zhaan. "So?"

Aeryn picked up the narrative. "The Scarrans also have stories-thought to be nothing more than ghost stories-of a race of beings that the Scarrans couldn't defeat in battle. Zhaan has evidence that each story is describing the other race."

~ * ~

Area 51.

The Prowler candidates had finished their morning routine of calisthenics and a 3-mile run, and were now eating breakfast in the mess hall. General Crichton and Brigadier Sun, however, would have to wait for their breakfast. The Zeuxis had just commed Brigadier Sun. "Are you sure, Lt. Mira?" Aeryn said into her comm.

"Problems with the supply ship?" John whispered. Aeryn shook her head.

"We'll talk to Captain Crais ourselves. Please open a channel to Talyn, Lt. Mira."

~ * ~

Crichton spoke into his comm. "Fancy meeting you here, Crais." John's tone earned him a glare from Aeryn. He ignored it. "What brings you to this end of the universe?"

"Minister Carzenova relayed your plan to me, General, and hoped that Talyn and I would be of assistance," Crais replied.

"How so?" Aeryn asked.

Crais began. "For the past few cycles, Talyn has grown several pods--"

"Transport pods? Like Moya's?" Crichton interrupted. It never occurred to him that Talyn would grow transport pods as his mother did-he assumed that was a female function.

"Not transport pods," Crais replied. Talyn's pods resemble Prowlers more than unarmed transports." Aeryn and John could practically see Crais smiling like a proud grandparent. "Their speed, maneuverability and weaponry are almost double that of a Prowler. Even though there are only five of the "Vipers," I believe they will be of great use in your plan, General Crichton."

~ * ~

Eventually, the Pentagon gave Captain Bialar Crais permission to land at the classified military base. While Officer Bal, Officer Toya and Lt. T'al were putting the candidates through their paces, Crais, landed his Viper. Aeryn and John's reaction to the craft was akin to the trainee's reaction the first time they saw a Prowler: awe and wonderment. The Viper was sleek and powerful looking. It was slightly larger than the Prowler, to accommodate its canons. Where a Prowler had an extension either side of the cockpit for weapons systems, the Viper had three: one on each side and a third on its belly. The side canons were stationary, but the "belly canon" could rotate 360 degrees, and the barrel of the canon was also adjustable for aiming.

Aeryn Sun and John Crichton discussed the new development with Crais.

"Are you sure this can be done?" Aeryn asked. "We barely have enough time to train the pilots to fly Prowlers-now you expect them to learn a new craft?"

"Crichton, you said you only started simulator training a few days ago, correct?" Crais countered. Aeryn and John nodded. "Look, the control panels are almost identical to Prowlers, all we have to do is modify some of the simulators to reflect the increased speed and agility and the new weaponry. Give me the five best pilots in the program."

~ * ~

Aboard Moya

Jack Crichton stopped in the corridor and took in his surroundings. He was awestruck by Moya, by being so far from Earth, being on a living ship. He had to remind himself that he was not dreaming; that all of this was real. A lifetime ago, Col. Jack Crichton was one of only a handful of men who had walked on the moon. Now, he was the second human to travel beyond his own solar system. "This feels like a dream to me, but it must have felt like a nightmare to John when he first arrived," Jack thought to himself. Jack wanted to know more, and headed to Pilot's chamber.

~ * ~

Pilot's Chamber

Jack entered, and again was amazed by his surroundings. He cautiously made his way to Pilot's console. "I beg your pardon, Pilot; may I ask you a question?" he asked.

Pilot looked up from his console. "Certainly, Counselor Crichton. What is it?" he replied.

"I understand my son made some recordings when he first arrived on Moya. Do you know where I might find them?"

Pilot blinked at he human. "I do not know where the original data tapes are, Counselor, but your son did download a copy into Moya's databanks before he left to join the Royal Defense Force." Pilot manipulated a few controls, then handed a data spool and reader to Jack Crichton. "Counselor, here is a copy of the recordings your son made for you.

Allow me to show you how to use the data reader," Pilot said, sounding like a kindergarten teacher.

"Oh, I won't take up any more of your time, Pilot. I'm sure Katie can teach me how to use this," Jack said with a smile. "Thanks for all your help."



~ * ~

Area 51. Hangar 18.

The training had proceeded, with five pilots using the modified simulators. The retention rate was still higher than anticipated, but with the addition of the five Vipers, they would need all the pilots they could get.

Officer Reni Toya, the Nebari flight instructor, had heard the rumors of "The Roswell Grays," and she had requested more information. In between training sessions, Crichton tried to get more information, but was being stonewalled.

~ * ~

Everyone involved in the training program was assembled in the hangar- pilots, instructors, and military brass from all of the trainee's countries. The Prowler candidates stood at parade rest, and now wore the standard issue Peacekeeper pilot uniforms: sleek and black. As Crichton headed for the podium, he thought they looked like a unified team-not just in appearance, but in attitude and purpose as well. They had been briefed on the Nebari War, the Scarran War, and the Territorial Alliance. Some ignored the politics and only cared for flying Prowlers, others believed fully in the cause. Crichton joined Brigadier Sun, Officers Sontata and Toya, and Lt. T'al at the podium. After what seemed like endless speeches from Earth generals and politicians, Crichton was scheduled to speak.

"Congratulations, all of you. All sixty-four of you have completed 2/3 of a rigorous course of training. Now, the final phase of your training will begin. Most of you will take transports to the Command Carrier Zeuxis, where you will be paired with an experienced Prowler pilot and be issued your own Prowler" Crichton was interrupted by cheers from the pilots. "The rest of you will report to Talyn and train with Capt. Crais and continue your training on the Viper."

~ * ~

The politicians and generals were long gone. All the transports have left; only Aeryn and John remained in the hangar. Aeryn entered the hangar, and saw John working on the Prowler. He was doing something just under the canopy. "Is something wrong with my Prowler?" she asked with a frown.

John stepped away from the Prowler and swept his right hand at the Prowler, as if he were unveiling a work of art. "Well, Aeryn, what do you think? Crais helped me with the translation."

She read the caption John had painted on her Prowler, just below the canopy. "'The Sundance Kid'?" she said with a slight frown. "You called me that once before."

John smiled and said, "It's an Earth tradition, Sundance. Every fighter pilot has their nickname painted on their bird."

"Earth tradition, not Peacekeeper," she said, shaking her head. "But I like it. Are you ready to go to the Zeuxis, Butch?"

"Yeah, but there's one stop I'd like to make on the way."

~ * ~

The Moon.

John tried to give Aeryn directions. "Look for a flag? That's the best you can do?" she chided.

"Well, it's in the Sea of Tranquility," he offered.

Aeryn landed the Prowler. After hooking up a safety tether, they both got out and carefully walked to where over fifty years earlier Col. Jack Crichton had walked. "His footprints are still here," John said quietly. His voice was slightly distorted by the pressure suits' comm system

"And you wanted to follow in your fathers footsteps, didn't you?" Aeryn asked. John nodded. "So that's why you wanted to come here."

"Oh, that wasn't the only reason," John said. "Have I ever told you about a singer named Van Morrison?"

Aeryn shook her head. "Not that I recall."

John said, "Computer, play recording." He held out his hand to Aeryn. "Miss Sun, may I have this dance?"

Before Aeryn realized what was happening, John was leading her in a dance- as much as he could, anyway, given the bulk of the pressure suits and the low gravity. Van Morrison sang:

Well, it's a marvelous night for a Moondance

With the stars up above in your eyes

A fantabulous night to make romance

'Neath the cover of October skies

And all the leaves on the trees are falling

To the sound of the breezes that blow

And I'm trying to please to the calling

Of your heart-strings that play soft and low

And all the night's magic seems to whisper and hush

And all the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush

Can I just have one a' more Moondance with you, my love

Can I just make some more romance with a-you, my love

Well, I wanna make love to you tonight

I can't wait 'til the morning has come

And I know that the time is just right

And straight into my arms you will run

And when you come my heart will be waiting

To make sure that you're never alone

There and then all my dreams will come true, dear

There and then I will make you my own

And every time I touch you, you just tremble inside

And I know how much you want me that you can't hide

One more Moondance with you in the moonlight

On a magic night

La, la, la, la in the moonlight

On a magic night

Can't I just have one more dance with you my love