Chapter TWO
Kira sped along the road towards the city of Roswell, Ozzy blaring on the stereo. She noticed Morgan bouncing her head in time with the heavy metal, singing at the top of her lungs and smiled. They had taken the t-tops off Kira's car, the wind rustling both women's hair. Some things never changed. But others did. Kira's mind was in turmoil, not knowing what to ask her friend first. She looked at Morgan again. She had definitely changed appearance wise. What else had changed? Kira slammed on the brakes, spinning the Camaro around before getting stopped on the side of the road.
Morgan looked at her. "What's wrong?" she asked, leaning over to turn the radio down.
Kira turned in her seat, reaching over to pull the scarf from Morgan's neck. She had seen something flashing on her friend and stared at the transponder. "What the fuck is that?!" Kira asked, pointing to it. She gazed at Morgan, her mouth wide open in shock. "What have you done?"
Morgan bit her lower lip and sighed, trying not to crack up at the look on Kira's face. "What I always do, Kira. I fixed a problem." She reached back and engaged the privacy mode on the transponder. "You would be the first one to notice it."
Kira leaned back in the driver's seat. "Hey, I know you and I know you didn't leave Earth with this." She looked at Morgan. "You sort of forgot to mention this." Kira leaned forward again, pushing her friend's head down roughly as she inspected the transponder that was lodged in the back of Morgan's neck. "What'd you say this was for?"
Morgan chuckled, pulling her hair to the side. "I didn't."
Kira gently poked the skin around the transponder. "The dang thing looks like one of your cybernetic toys."
Morgan shifted in the seat as Kira sat back. She pulled off her sunglasses. "That's because it is. It's a cybernetic neural transponder. It gives me a direct link to Talyn and Crais."
Kira simply blinked at her as she scratched her temple. "You know, coming from anyone else, I would think they were crazy. From you…" She let out a breath, gazing down the road. She turned back to Morgan. "Crais have one?" Morgan nodded. Kira rubbed her temples, trying to absorb the information. "So you can talk to Crais and control Talyn's systems?" she asked hesitantly, grasping at straws.
"Yup. The three of us work together." Morgan pulled her ankle up on her knee.
"This is like, so…so…Star Trek Voyagerish," Kira blurted.
Morgan chewed on the earpiece of her sunglasses. "Oh honey, this far surpasses that. If you could see what's out there…"
Awkward silence fell between them. A hawk spiraled above the scrub in the distance and Kira watched it as it flew in lazy circles. "You seem happy Morgan. Happier than I've ever seen you," Kira said softly. She let her eyes drift down the road, settling on the moon that still shone in the morning sky. "You always did look to the stars. You and John." She pulled the car back out onto the road.
Morgan still faced her, carefully wrapping the scarf back around her neck. She knew Crais and Talyn were probably concerned about her, but she really didn't want him listening in on this conversation. Especially since he had offered to remain on Earth with her. "Kira, I'm not staying. I can't speak for John and Aeryn, but as soon as Talyn is fixed and we figure out what to do with the dreadnaught, I'm returning to the Uncharted Territories with Crais and Talyn."
Kira nodded, pursing her lips. "I figured as much," she chuckled. "Especially after witnessing that kiss." She glanced at Morgan, noticing the blush that rose up on her friend's face. She swung the Camaro off the main road, slipping up a side street in Roswell, parking at a small café. "When?"
"A couple of days, week at the most." Morgan shrugged. "As long as the Scarrens don't try anything, we have time. But they won't sit still for long."
Kira tucked her tongue in her cheek for a moment. "Well," she said softly, her voice cracking, "let's make the most of it." She swallowed past the lump in her throat, thankful for the sunglasses perched on her nose. If Morgan had seen the unshed tears in her eyes, they both would've broke down. "It's obvious you love him. Does he love you?"
Morgan smiled. "Oh yeah. Outward signs of affection around others are not Crais' style. His military training has a lot to do with it and he's opened up more than I would have ever expected. But when we're alone…" She lowered her sunglasses, tilting her head and glancing at Kira, raising her eyebrows up and down.
Kira started to smile, breaking into laughter. She held up her hands. "I don't want to know."
Crichton and Aeryn walked onto Talyn's bridge, DK and Jack behind them. DK looked around in wonder, getting his first glimpse of the Leviathan. Crichton looked at Crais. "My boy Crais!" He looked around. "Where's your better half?"
Crais turned from the console, ignoring Crichton's jibe. "She went to secure the supplies we need to rewire Talyn."
Crichton stared at him and began to laugh. "Sounded like you said rewire Talyn," he remarked, wiping his eyes. Crais' scowl only made him start laughing again. "Whoa! How'd she talk you into that?"
The Captain stood firm on the deck, hands behind his back. It was all he could to not lash out and punch the human. "She didn't. Talyn's power fluxes…forced this course of action," he replied quietly, an edge to his voice.
Aeryn walked over to stand next to Crais, hands on her hips. "In other words," she stated, "Morgan told you she was doing it and that was that."
Crais actually had the nerve to look sheepish. "Essentially, yes." He peered at Crichton. "The DRD's have already started to pull the wiring on all non-essential systems." He turned back to the panel.
DK and Crichton exchanged glances. "Is that a good idea?" he asked.
Crichton nodded. "It won't hurt anything." He looked around the bridge, noticing the busy DRD's along the backside of the consoles. "With us being on Earth, Talyn can safely power down the life support systems."
"And we do not have much time," Crais added. He looked at DK and Jack, starting towards the bridge doors. "Which leads me to the next issue. Morgan and I will not be able to remain on Talyn at night. With the life support system shut down, he will not be able to maintain the heat necessary to keep Morgan comfortable." He noticed the glaring look coming from Jack. "We need a place to stay."
Jack stepped up to Crais, gazing down at the Captain. "Two rooms or one?" he asked, challenge in his voice. After all, Morgan was still his niece. They stood there, lover and uncle, eyes locked in a silent battle.
"Uh, Dad?" Crichton remarked, his face reddening slightly as he looked at Aeryn.
"You and Morgan can stay at my place," DK offered, nudging the older Crichton. Jack turned away and walked off the bridge. "You can have the extra guest room next to John and Aeryn."
Crais looked at Crichton, eyebrows raised, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Thank you, DK," he said, still gazing at his lover's cousin. Talyn chirped excitedly and he looked up. "Good. Morgan and Kira have returned." He strode off the bridge without another word, heading for the access ramp.
"Man, he's got an attitude," DK observed, shaking his head as he watched Crais stalk down the corridor.
Aeryn chuckled, looking knowingly at Crichton. "You should see Crais when he's in a bad mood."
Crais and Morgan stood in the kitchen of DK's home, the ex-Peacekeeper watching from the doorway as Morgan stood at the stove cooking. They were the only two still awake, Talyn's restlessness affecting them both. The Leviathan did not like being left alone on this strange planet, but he understood it was necessary. Morgan picked up a handful of onions, tossing them on the egg in the frying pan. "The conduits will be delivered tomorrow morning, the spools of wire sometime in the afternoon."
"And how do you propose to pay for the supplies, Morgan? I seriously doubt Peacekeeper credits or retri will be acceptable here," he commented, watching as she folded the egg over a colorful collection of vegetables she had been adding.
Morgan popped a piece of cheese in her mouth as she put everything back in the refrigerator. "Uncle Jack was the executor of my parent's will. He assured me that there was more than enough money left to cover the cost." She split the omelet in half, sliding it onto two plates, setting them on the table. Morgan turned and retrieved the two cups of coffee she had poured, sitting down across from Crais, watching as he hesitantly took a taste of the eggs. "Well?"
The look on his face was all the answer she need as she dived into her own eggs. "This is…very good," he said in surprise. He smiled at her. "Better than some of the food we have been forced to consume in the last cycle." He took another bite, motioning with his fork. "This…wire. Are you certain it will be strong enough to accommodate Talyn's systems?"
Morgan nodded, setting her coffee mug down. "Kira analyzed the power fluxes and the current wiring on Talyn now. It's a #12 wire in shielded cable. The conduit she's using is cathodic protected, so none of Talyn's internal fluids will harm it." She took another mouthful of egg.
"What about growth considerations?" he asked quietly.
"I thought of that too." Morgan sighed and leaned back in her chair. "I had Kira take Talyn's size into consideration and multiply by three. I realize he may never get quite that big, but I'd rather have excess wire hanging around than not enough," she answered.
Crais nodded approvingly. "Good work." He set his fork down on the empty plate. "And I was under the mistaken impression that you were a systems engineer and cybernetic specialist."
Morgan smiled, standing up. "I am. Kira's the electrical engineer," she remarked. "How do you think the two of us ever got the right amount of supplies?" She put the plates in the sink. "Quit worrying, Bialar. Everything's compatible." Morgan leaned against the sink, her brow wrinkled in thought. "Tell me about Furlough."
Crais looked at her. "Furlough is…a so-called scientist who is in the profit business," he started. "She is an…unsavory individual who figured out how to make a stable wormhole with…" He stood up, pausing as he began to pace the kitchen. He looked at Morgan. "I don't know what Crichton called it. But it worked. She was planning on selling it to the highest bidder and…the Scarrens moved in on her, stealing the formula from her databanks before Crichton could destroy the computer."
Morgan listened, wondering where this Furlough was now. "John said he destroyed the dreadnaught."
Crais stroked his goatee. "He did. But not before they had sent out a data transmission with the formula."
"Then every Scarren dreadnaught and all of their allies could conceivably have the formula to create a stable wormhole." Crais simply nodded, a grim expression on his face. She poured herself another cup of coffee, walking over to the back door and looking out the window. "Well, I suppose we'll have to do this one dreadnaught at a time." Morgan sipped her coffee, gazing at the full moon.
Crais stepped up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Since there is nothing we can do right now, would you like to go outside?" he asked softly, his breath warm on her neck, his lips even warmer.
Morgan smiled, leaning back against him and tilting her head. "No," she answered, reaching up with her hand to stroke his face.
"Then…what would you like to do?" he whispered, trailing his lips down her neck to her shoulder, pushing the strap of her tank top aside. He couldn't get enough of her.
Morgan placed the cup of cooling coffee on the counter and turned in his arms. She leaned her hands on the counter, hopping up and pulling Crais to stand between her legs as she wrapped them around his hips. "Oh, I was thinking maybe we could…uh…"recreate" for a while," she answered mischievously." Morgan wrapped her arms around his neck as Crais kissed her, sliding her off the counter and carrying her back to their room.
Neither one of them noticed the shadow in the shape of a dreadnaught pass across the full moon.
The next morning dawned bright and warm. Morgan stared out the window of DK's office as he rummaged for something in his desk. She could hear Aeryn and Jack laughing about something and looked at DK. "You still have John's bike?" she asked curiously.
DK looked up at her oddly and stood, closing the cabinet he had been digging in. "Yeah. Why?"
She shrugged. "I have this urge to go for a ride." Her face grew wistful as she gazed out the window. "Okay, so I'm feeling a bit nostalgic."
"I'd say." He walked from the office, Morgan behind him. "Morgan, you haven't been out on a motorcycle since John disappeared."
"So?"
DK stopped outside the garage door, picking a set of keys off the rack. "You can borrow mine."
Morgan giggled and kissed DK, slipping past him and into the garage. She heard a noise from the back of the room and the huge door began to open on it's own. She looked from the door to her cousin, who was pushing his motorcycle towards it. "Great minds think a like," she commented, holding up DK's keys.
Crichton nodded. "You too, huh?" He squinted out the door as Crais came walking towards the house. "What's the chance we can talk the good Captain and Officer Sun into riding with us?"
Morgan looked at her cousin, a devilish twinkle in her eyes. "Leave Bialar to me," she purred, sashaying out of the garage towards Crais.
That evening, after much cajoling, begging and daring on Crichton and Morgan's part, they were speeding down the two-lane road towards Roswell, Crais and Aeryn holding onto them with death grips, Crichton and Morgan laughing like two teenagers, the motorcycles thrumming.
"Now I know you're frelling crazy!" Aeryn yelled to Crichton, thankful her hair was braided tightly. In a way, she was having fun riding the strange Earth vehicle.
"Baby, I've been telling you that for four cycles," he answered, turning his head just enough for his words to make it to Aeryn and not get lost in the whoosh of air. He peered over at Crais, reveling in the look of panic that was plastered on the ex-Peacekeeper Captain's face. "I don't think Bialar is enjoying the ride," he called. "I just don't think he is having any fun!"
Aeryn wasn't about to admit to Crichton how much fun she was having, how invigorating it was to have the wind in her face. "You call this fun?" she teased.
Crichton nodded, turning the throttle and speeding up, Morgan hot on his tail. They stopped at a small gas station outside of Roswell, gassing up the bikes and grabbing some snacks. He looked at Morgan. "You should feel guilty going out joyriding while Kira works on Talyn.
Morgan snorted, licking the last of her ice pop off of the stick. "Are you kidding? She'd have kicked me off of Talyn before she even got started. You know how she is."
The color had finally returned to Crais' face and he watched the sun setting, casting purple and red hues on the clouds. "Talyn is welcoming the new system."
"I bet." Crichton looked at Aeryn. "You're awfully quiet."
She looked at him. "Sorry. I was just thinking." She swung her leg over the back of Crichton's bike. "Shall we head back?"
As soon as they pulled away from the station, the manager picked up the phone. "Hello, IASA? You'll never believe this, but I think I just saw your two missing astronauts. Yeah, I'll hold…"
"No. You're driver's license expired two years ago. I'll drive," Morgan laughed, grabbing the keys to Jack's car. She slid into the driver's seat, starting up the car.
"What's your point?" Crichton asked, slamming the passenger door. The pizza lay on the back seat, steam rising from the box, a six-pack of Coor's Light on the floor.
Morgan looked at her cousin. "Your driving scares me." She started the car and pulled away from the pizza shop, turning down the road that led back to the complex. They had been on Earth for three days.
Crichton's mouth dropped open. "Oh, this is coming from the woman whose mother wrecked five cars in five years."
Morgan glanced at him, an incredulous look on her face. "That was low, John." She was trying not to laugh. "And it was six."
"Six?"
"Six. She wrecked one the year after you disappeared, but it doesn't count. A deer ran out in front of her."
"It does too count. And you're flying scares me. You're a maniac in that Prowler. Crais should have never taught you how to fly it."
"You're just jealous," she laughed.
"No. Just honest." He looked over his shoulder at the headlights behind them. "Is it me, or are they following a bit too close?"
Morgan peered in the rearview mirror. "No, they're too close." The hairs on the back of neck stood up. "Something's not right."
Crichton turned back around. "Did you notice those two guys staring at us in the pizza shop?"
"The suits?"
"Yeah."
Morgan looked at Crichton. "You don't think…"
A blue and red light began to flash behind them as another car passed the first and Morgan pulled to the side. She fished in her back pocket for her driver's license, hoping no one recognized her name. The cop walked up to the car. "Driver's license and registration please."
Morgan handed the trooper the papers, her stomach clenching. She couldn't get a hold of Crais and Talyn since the comm systems were down. That was all they needed. She looked up at the cop as he stepped back up to the car. "Is there a problem officer?"
"Ma'am, could you and your companion please step out of the car?"
Crichton looked at her. "You should've let me drive. I could've outrun them," he whispered.
"Not in this thing."
Crichton and Morgan both got out, and they leaned against the driver's side of the car as the two suits approached them from behind the state patrol cruiser. The trooper looked at the men. "Are these the two?" he asked.
One of them nodded, pulling something from the inner pocket of his suit jacket. "Oscar Kramer, Air Force Military Police." He showed them the badge, Crichton and Morgan's stomachs dropping at the IASA logo in the corner. "Commander Crichton, Captain Langtree, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to come with us."
Crichton stood up. "What for?"
Kramer looked at his partner. "Well, sir. You are under arrest."
"What?" Morgan yelled as the trooper approached her.
The other MP approached Crichton. "What is this about?" Crichton asked.
"Absence with out leave, sir, and willful destruction of government property," the other MP replied, slapping a pair of handcuffs on Crichton. He pushed him towards their car.
Morgan lashed out at the trooped, taking him in the throat with the side of her hand, the cop dropping to the road gagging. She grabbed the handle of Jack's car, trying to open the door as Kramer's body slammed against her, the barrel of his 9 mm against her head. "Captain Langtree, please."
Morgan sighed and put her hands up, allowing him to handcuff her and lead her along. She slid into the seat beside Crichton as Kramer checked the trooper. Satisfied the man was okay, he slipped into the driver's seat, pulling the car back onto the road towards Roswell. "Mind telling us what the hell is going on?"
The other MP turned and looked at them. "You were positively identified by a contact in Roswell. We have reason to believe that both of you hijacked your own ships and somehow managed to return to Earth without being discovered. And you have been living in Roswell for the last 4 and one half years and ten months respectively," he answered, looking at Crichton and then Morgan.
"Where does the willful destruction of property come in?" Crichton snapped.
"You destroyed the Osiris and Farscape after landing," Kramer added.
Morgan glanced sideways at Crichton. "That's a bit thin, isn't it?"
"Well Captain, unless you have a better explanation, that's what IASA will charge you with." Kramer looked at them in the rear view mirror. "I would advise hiring a really good lawyer."
Copyright 2002, Beth A. Carpenter
Kira sped along the road towards the city of Roswell, Ozzy blaring on the stereo. She noticed Morgan bouncing her head in time with the heavy metal, singing at the top of her lungs and smiled. They had taken the t-tops off Kira's car, the wind rustling both women's hair. Some things never changed. But others did. Kira's mind was in turmoil, not knowing what to ask her friend first. She looked at Morgan again. She had definitely changed appearance wise. What else had changed? Kira slammed on the brakes, spinning the Camaro around before getting stopped on the side of the road.
Morgan looked at her. "What's wrong?" she asked, leaning over to turn the radio down.
Kira turned in her seat, reaching over to pull the scarf from Morgan's neck. She had seen something flashing on her friend and stared at the transponder. "What the fuck is that?!" Kira asked, pointing to it. She gazed at Morgan, her mouth wide open in shock. "What have you done?"
Morgan bit her lower lip and sighed, trying not to crack up at the look on Kira's face. "What I always do, Kira. I fixed a problem." She reached back and engaged the privacy mode on the transponder. "You would be the first one to notice it."
Kira leaned back in the driver's seat. "Hey, I know you and I know you didn't leave Earth with this." She looked at Morgan. "You sort of forgot to mention this." Kira leaned forward again, pushing her friend's head down roughly as she inspected the transponder that was lodged in the back of Morgan's neck. "What'd you say this was for?"
Morgan chuckled, pulling her hair to the side. "I didn't."
Kira gently poked the skin around the transponder. "The dang thing looks like one of your cybernetic toys."
Morgan shifted in the seat as Kira sat back. She pulled off her sunglasses. "That's because it is. It's a cybernetic neural transponder. It gives me a direct link to Talyn and Crais."
Kira simply blinked at her as she scratched her temple. "You know, coming from anyone else, I would think they were crazy. From you…" She let out a breath, gazing down the road. She turned back to Morgan. "Crais have one?" Morgan nodded. Kira rubbed her temples, trying to absorb the information. "So you can talk to Crais and control Talyn's systems?" she asked hesitantly, grasping at straws.
"Yup. The three of us work together." Morgan pulled her ankle up on her knee.
"This is like, so…so…Star Trek Voyagerish," Kira blurted.
Morgan chewed on the earpiece of her sunglasses. "Oh honey, this far surpasses that. If you could see what's out there…"
Awkward silence fell between them. A hawk spiraled above the scrub in the distance and Kira watched it as it flew in lazy circles. "You seem happy Morgan. Happier than I've ever seen you," Kira said softly. She let her eyes drift down the road, settling on the moon that still shone in the morning sky. "You always did look to the stars. You and John." She pulled the car back out onto the road.
Morgan still faced her, carefully wrapping the scarf back around her neck. She knew Crais and Talyn were probably concerned about her, but she really didn't want him listening in on this conversation. Especially since he had offered to remain on Earth with her. "Kira, I'm not staying. I can't speak for John and Aeryn, but as soon as Talyn is fixed and we figure out what to do with the dreadnaught, I'm returning to the Uncharted Territories with Crais and Talyn."
Kira nodded, pursing her lips. "I figured as much," she chuckled. "Especially after witnessing that kiss." She glanced at Morgan, noticing the blush that rose up on her friend's face. She swung the Camaro off the main road, slipping up a side street in Roswell, parking at a small café. "When?"
"A couple of days, week at the most." Morgan shrugged. "As long as the Scarrens don't try anything, we have time. But they won't sit still for long."
Kira tucked her tongue in her cheek for a moment. "Well," she said softly, her voice cracking, "let's make the most of it." She swallowed past the lump in her throat, thankful for the sunglasses perched on her nose. If Morgan had seen the unshed tears in her eyes, they both would've broke down. "It's obvious you love him. Does he love you?"
Morgan smiled. "Oh yeah. Outward signs of affection around others are not Crais' style. His military training has a lot to do with it and he's opened up more than I would have ever expected. But when we're alone…" She lowered her sunglasses, tilting her head and glancing at Kira, raising her eyebrows up and down.
Kira started to smile, breaking into laughter. She held up her hands. "I don't want to know."
Crichton and Aeryn walked onto Talyn's bridge, DK and Jack behind them. DK looked around in wonder, getting his first glimpse of the Leviathan. Crichton looked at Crais. "My boy Crais!" He looked around. "Where's your better half?"
Crais turned from the console, ignoring Crichton's jibe. "She went to secure the supplies we need to rewire Talyn."
Crichton stared at him and began to laugh. "Sounded like you said rewire Talyn," he remarked, wiping his eyes. Crais' scowl only made him start laughing again. "Whoa! How'd she talk you into that?"
The Captain stood firm on the deck, hands behind his back. It was all he could to not lash out and punch the human. "She didn't. Talyn's power fluxes…forced this course of action," he replied quietly, an edge to his voice.
Aeryn walked over to stand next to Crais, hands on her hips. "In other words," she stated, "Morgan told you she was doing it and that was that."
Crais actually had the nerve to look sheepish. "Essentially, yes." He peered at Crichton. "The DRD's have already started to pull the wiring on all non-essential systems." He turned back to the panel.
DK and Crichton exchanged glances. "Is that a good idea?" he asked.
Crichton nodded. "It won't hurt anything." He looked around the bridge, noticing the busy DRD's along the backside of the consoles. "With us being on Earth, Talyn can safely power down the life support systems."
"And we do not have much time," Crais added. He looked at DK and Jack, starting towards the bridge doors. "Which leads me to the next issue. Morgan and I will not be able to remain on Talyn at night. With the life support system shut down, he will not be able to maintain the heat necessary to keep Morgan comfortable." He noticed the glaring look coming from Jack. "We need a place to stay."
Jack stepped up to Crais, gazing down at the Captain. "Two rooms or one?" he asked, challenge in his voice. After all, Morgan was still his niece. They stood there, lover and uncle, eyes locked in a silent battle.
"Uh, Dad?" Crichton remarked, his face reddening slightly as he looked at Aeryn.
"You and Morgan can stay at my place," DK offered, nudging the older Crichton. Jack turned away and walked off the bridge. "You can have the extra guest room next to John and Aeryn."
Crais looked at Crichton, eyebrows raised, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Thank you, DK," he said, still gazing at his lover's cousin. Talyn chirped excitedly and he looked up. "Good. Morgan and Kira have returned." He strode off the bridge without another word, heading for the access ramp.
"Man, he's got an attitude," DK observed, shaking his head as he watched Crais stalk down the corridor.
Aeryn chuckled, looking knowingly at Crichton. "You should see Crais when he's in a bad mood."
Crais and Morgan stood in the kitchen of DK's home, the ex-Peacekeeper watching from the doorway as Morgan stood at the stove cooking. They were the only two still awake, Talyn's restlessness affecting them both. The Leviathan did not like being left alone on this strange planet, but he understood it was necessary. Morgan picked up a handful of onions, tossing them on the egg in the frying pan. "The conduits will be delivered tomorrow morning, the spools of wire sometime in the afternoon."
"And how do you propose to pay for the supplies, Morgan? I seriously doubt Peacekeeper credits or retri will be acceptable here," he commented, watching as she folded the egg over a colorful collection of vegetables she had been adding.
Morgan popped a piece of cheese in her mouth as she put everything back in the refrigerator. "Uncle Jack was the executor of my parent's will. He assured me that there was more than enough money left to cover the cost." She split the omelet in half, sliding it onto two plates, setting them on the table. Morgan turned and retrieved the two cups of coffee she had poured, sitting down across from Crais, watching as he hesitantly took a taste of the eggs. "Well?"
The look on his face was all the answer she need as she dived into her own eggs. "This is…very good," he said in surprise. He smiled at her. "Better than some of the food we have been forced to consume in the last cycle." He took another bite, motioning with his fork. "This…wire. Are you certain it will be strong enough to accommodate Talyn's systems?"
Morgan nodded, setting her coffee mug down. "Kira analyzed the power fluxes and the current wiring on Talyn now. It's a #12 wire in shielded cable. The conduit she's using is cathodic protected, so none of Talyn's internal fluids will harm it." She took another mouthful of egg.
"What about growth considerations?" he asked quietly.
"I thought of that too." Morgan sighed and leaned back in her chair. "I had Kira take Talyn's size into consideration and multiply by three. I realize he may never get quite that big, but I'd rather have excess wire hanging around than not enough," she answered.
Crais nodded approvingly. "Good work." He set his fork down on the empty plate. "And I was under the mistaken impression that you were a systems engineer and cybernetic specialist."
Morgan smiled, standing up. "I am. Kira's the electrical engineer," she remarked. "How do you think the two of us ever got the right amount of supplies?" She put the plates in the sink. "Quit worrying, Bialar. Everything's compatible." Morgan leaned against the sink, her brow wrinkled in thought. "Tell me about Furlough."
Crais looked at her. "Furlough is…a so-called scientist who is in the profit business," he started. "She is an…unsavory individual who figured out how to make a stable wormhole with…" He stood up, pausing as he began to pace the kitchen. He looked at Morgan. "I don't know what Crichton called it. But it worked. She was planning on selling it to the highest bidder and…the Scarrens moved in on her, stealing the formula from her databanks before Crichton could destroy the computer."
Morgan listened, wondering where this Furlough was now. "John said he destroyed the dreadnaught."
Crais stroked his goatee. "He did. But not before they had sent out a data transmission with the formula."
"Then every Scarren dreadnaught and all of their allies could conceivably have the formula to create a stable wormhole." Crais simply nodded, a grim expression on his face. She poured herself another cup of coffee, walking over to the back door and looking out the window. "Well, I suppose we'll have to do this one dreadnaught at a time." Morgan sipped her coffee, gazing at the full moon.
Crais stepped up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Since there is nothing we can do right now, would you like to go outside?" he asked softly, his breath warm on her neck, his lips even warmer.
Morgan smiled, leaning back against him and tilting her head. "No," she answered, reaching up with her hand to stroke his face.
"Then…what would you like to do?" he whispered, trailing his lips down her neck to her shoulder, pushing the strap of her tank top aside. He couldn't get enough of her.
Morgan placed the cup of cooling coffee on the counter and turned in his arms. She leaned her hands on the counter, hopping up and pulling Crais to stand between her legs as she wrapped them around his hips. "Oh, I was thinking maybe we could…uh…"recreate" for a while," she answered mischievously." Morgan wrapped her arms around his neck as Crais kissed her, sliding her off the counter and carrying her back to their room.
Neither one of them noticed the shadow in the shape of a dreadnaught pass across the full moon.
The next morning dawned bright and warm. Morgan stared out the window of DK's office as he rummaged for something in his desk. She could hear Aeryn and Jack laughing about something and looked at DK. "You still have John's bike?" she asked curiously.
DK looked up at her oddly and stood, closing the cabinet he had been digging in. "Yeah. Why?"
She shrugged. "I have this urge to go for a ride." Her face grew wistful as she gazed out the window. "Okay, so I'm feeling a bit nostalgic."
"I'd say." He walked from the office, Morgan behind him. "Morgan, you haven't been out on a motorcycle since John disappeared."
"So?"
DK stopped outside the garage door, picking a set of keys off the rack. "You can borrow mine."
Morgan giggled and kissed DK, slipping past him and into the garage. She heard a noise from the back of the room and the huge door began to open on it's own. She looked from the door to her cousin, who was pushing his motorcycle towards it. "Great minds think a like," she commented, holding up DK's keys.
Crichton nodded. "You too, huh?" He squinted out the door as Crais came walking towards the house. "What's the chance we can talk the good Captain and Officer Sun into riding with us?"
Morgan looked at her cousin, a devilish twinkle in her eyes. "Leave Bialar to me," she purred, sashaying out of the garage towards Crais.
That evening, after much cajoling, begging and daring on Crichton and Morgan's part, they were speeding down the two-lane road towards Roswell, Crais and Aeryn holding onto them with death grips, Crichton and Morgan laughing like two teenagers, the motorcycles thrumming.
"Now I know you're frelling crazy!" Aeryn yelled to Crichton, thankful her hair was braided tightly. In a way, she was having fun riding the strange Earth vehicle.
"Baby, I've been telling you that for four cycles," he answered, turning his head just enough for his words to make it to Aeryn and not get lost in the whoosh of air. He peered over at Crais, reveling in the look of panic that was plastered on the ex-Peacekeeper Captain's face. "I don't think Bialar is enjoying the ride," he called. "I just don't think he is having any fun!"
Aeryn wasn't about to admit to Crichton how much fun she was having, how invigorating it was to have the wind in her face. "You call this fun?" she teased.
Crichton nodded, turning the throttle and speeding up, Morgan hot on his tail. They stopped at a small gas station outside of Roswell, gassing up the bikes and grabbing some snacks. He looked at Morgan. "You should feel guilty going out joyriding while Kira works on Talyn.
Morgan snorted, licking the last of her ice pop off of the stick. "Are you kidding? She'd have kicked me off of Talyn before she even got started. You know how she is."
The color had finally returned to Crais' face and he watched the sun setting, casting purple and red hues on the clouds. "Talyn is welcoming the new system."
"I bet." Crichton looked at Aeryn. "You're awfully quiet."
She looked at him. "Sorry. I was just thinking." She swung her leg over the back of Crichton's bike. "Shall we head back?"
As soon as they pulled away from the station, the manager picked up the phone. "Hello, IASA? You'll never believe this, but I think I just saw your two missing astronauts. Yeah, I'll hold…"
"No. You're driver's license expired two years ago. I'll drive," Morgan laughed, grabbing the keys to Jack's car. She slid into the driver's seat, starting up the car.
"What's your point?" Crichton asked, slamming the passenger door. The pizza lay on the back seat, steam rising from the box, a six-pack of Coor's Light on the floor.
Morgan looked at her cousin. "Your driving scares me." She started the car and pulled away from the pizza shop, turning down the road that led back to the complex. They had been on Earth for three days.
Crichton's mouth dropped open. "Oh, this is coming from the woman whose mother wrecked five cars in five years."
Morgan glanced at him, an incredulous look on her face. "That was low, John." She was trying not to laugh. "And it was six."
"Six?"
"Six. She wrecked one the year after you disappeared, but it doesn't count. A deer ran out in front of her."
"It does too count. And you're flying scares me. You're a maniac in that Prowler. Crais should have never taught you how to fly it."
"You're just jealous," she laughed.
"No. Just honest." He looked over his shoulder at the headlights behind them. "Is it me, or are they following a bit too close?"
Morgan peered in the rearview mirror. "No, they're too close." The hairs on the back of neck stood up. "Something's not right."
Crichton turned back around. "Did you notice those two guys staring at us in the pizza shop?"
"The suits?"
"Yeah."
Morgan looked at Crichton. "You don't think…"
A blue and red light began to flash behind them as another car passed the first and Morgan pulled to the side. She fished in her back pocket for her driver's license, hoping no one recognized her name. The cop walked up to the car. "Driver's license and registration please."
Morgan handed the trooper the papers, her stomach clenching. She couldn't get a hold of Crais and Talyn since the comm systems were down. That was all they needed. She looked up at the cop as he stepped back up to the car. "Is there a problem officer?"
"Ma'am, could you and your companion please step out of the car?"
Crichton looked at her. "You should've let me drive. I could've outrun them," he whispered.
"Not in this thing."
Crichton and Morgan both got out, and they leaned against the driver's side of the car as the two suits approached them from behind the state patrol cruiser. The trooper looked at the men. "Are these the two?" he asked.
One of them nodded, pulling something from the inner pocket of his suit jacket. "Oscar Kramer, Air Force Military Police." He showed them the badge, Crichton and Morgan's stomachs dropping at the IASA logo in the corner. "Commander Crichton, Captain Langtree, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to come with us."
Crichton stood up. "What for?"
Kramer looked at his partner. "Well, sir. You are under arrest."
"What?" Morgan yelled as the trooper approached her.
The other MP approached Crichton. "What is this about?" Crichton asked.
"Absence with out leave, sir, and willful destruction of government property," the other MP replied, slapping a pair of handcuffs on Crichton. He pushed him towards their car.
Morgan lashed out at the trooped, taking him in the throat with the side of her hand, the cop dropping to the road gagging. She grabbed the handle of Jack's car, trying to open the door as Kramer's body slammed against her, the barrel of his 9 mm against her head. "Captain Langtree, please."
Morgan sighed and put her hands up, allowing him to handcuff her and lead her along. She slid into the seat beside Crichton as Kramer checked the trooper. Satisfied the man was okay, he slipped into the driver's seat, pulling the car back onto the road towards Roswell. "Mind telling us what the hell is going on?"
The other MP turned and looked at them. "You were positively identified by a contact in Roswell. We have reason to believe that both of you hijacked your own ships and somehow managed to return to Earth without being discovered. And you have been living in Roswell for the last 4 and one half years and ten months respectively," he answered, looking at Crichton and then Morgan.
"Where does the willful destruction of property come in?" Crichton snapped.
"You destroyed the Osiris and Farscape after landing," Kramer added.
Morgan glanced sideways at Crichton. "That's a bit thin, isn't it?"
"Well Captain, unless you have a better explanation, that's what IASA will charge you with." Kramer looked at them in the rear view mirror. "I would advise hiring a really good lawyer."
Copyright 2002, Beth A. Carpenter