The Hidden Agenda Chapter 1: Prologue, a farscape fanfic

The Hidden Agenda

(A Farscape FanFic by Beth A. Carpenter)

Author's disclaimer: The characters of Farscape belong to Henson Productions. I just borrowed them for a short time.

Authors note: Part four of what I have come to call "The Crais/Langtree Chronicles". And no, it is NOT the final one. As long as you keep asking for more, then you will get it!

Dedication: This one is for my mom and dad, who showed me the power of books and the imagination from a very young age and of course for Crais' Cohorts, you guys are family.

* * * * * *

Prologue

Crichton stared at the Peacekeeper command carrier floating just metras away. "I can't believe this. This is not happening."

"It's not Scorpius and they are transmitting a non-aggression message." Aeryn looked at him. "Crais and Morgan could be on that ship."

Crichton looked at his lover. "Pigs could fly too." He opened his mouth at her confused look to explain the saying, shutting it just as quickly when he realized it wouldn't do any good. Instead he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

They had been keeping watch on the edges of Peacekeeper space for the better part of four months, with no sign or word from his cousin and Crais. Talyn was getting restless and both Crichton and Aeryn were just getting plain fed up with the whole scenario, no one bothering them or paying any attention to the Leviathan gunship.

Until this morning.

"Do you want me to have Talyn signal them back?" Aeryn asked. She tossed her ponytail over her shoulder as she stared at the communications board.

"Might as well. What do we have to lose?"

Talyn opened the comm channel. "We're listening," Aeryn simply said.

The voice that came over the loudspeaker was familiar to the Sebacean woman. "Greetings, Officer Sun, Commander Crichton. I am requesting permission to come aboard."

Crichton and Aeryn exchanged glances. "Shantar?" Crichton asked curiously.

"That's correct Commander. Please, let me and a few of my associates come aboard and we will explain everything." He paused. "You are not in any danger."

They met Shantar's transport in Talyn's small landing bay. Aeryn was armed to the hilt, a pulse rifle in her hands, a pistol at her hip. Wynonna sat at Crichton's hip, waiting. He didn't see any sense in drawing it until necessary. The access ramp of the marauder lowered and Shantar strode down it, smiling.

"Crichton!" The Sebacean held out his hand, taking Crichton's and shaking it. He nodded to Aeryn.

"Shantar, what the hezmona is going on?" she asked.

He smiled softly at her. "I know where Crais and Morgan are."

Crichton waited. "And? You know this how? What are doing with a command carrier?" He looked at the other two men who had followed Shantar. It was then he realized they were dressed in civilian clothing.

Shantar ran a hand through his hair. "Look, there are a lot of things I need to talk to both of you about. But right now, there's someone who wants to meet you." He stepped back as another man walked off the shuttle.

He walked with an easy grace, a broad smile on his face as he stopped before them. He was about as tall as Crichton, dark hair, dark eyes, vaguely familiar. "You must be John Crichton. I have heard quite a bit about you." The man turned to Aeryn before Crichton could reply. "Hello Officer Sun."

Aeryn's face had gone pasty white and she couldn't speak.

"Aeryn? What's the matter?" Crichton asked seeing his lover's distress.

"John, just do whatever he asks," she said softly, her eyes locked with the other man's.

"Why?" he whispered.

Aeryn leaned closer to the human. "Because he will know where they are."

Crichton looked at the stranger, then to Shantar. "Alright. I'm listening."