Chapter 4: Go Home



Sheba was now up in the Command area, just staying out of everyone's way. After apologizing to Crichton for laughing at him, he and the others did finally agree to take her back to her ship.

Aeryn and Chiana were manning the console station, while John and D'Argo were monitoring some complex 3-D holograms on the strategy table. They were trying to watch out for hostile ships, as well as her fleet.

It was hard for Sheba to believe that she was on a living ship, called a Leviathan but everything on this ship did look more grown than constructed. It had golden curved walls and structures and it pulsed and hummed with life. The way it moved and operated made the Galactica or any vessel they ever built before look crude and clumsy in comparison. Moya seemed to function so easily in her natural environment of space.

Sheba finally decided to approach John and D'Argo. They both looked up as she moved beside John.

Did you find anything yet?

Nothing on long range scans so far," D'Argo grunted. Are you sure this is the correct course your fleet is on?

Yes, they have to be out there unless they encountered the aliens and changed their heading.

Sheba saw the doubtful looked on D'Argo's face he gave her before he stood up and walked away.

He doesn't like me. Sheba said quietly to John.

Oh, D'Argo likes you but he doesn't trust as easily, John assured her. Give him time, he'll warm up to you.

Not if I find my fleet first. Sheba joked, then she said something unexpected to Crichton.

Why don't you come with us?

It took John and everyone else in the Command area by surprise who overheard Sheba's offer. Aeryn glanced over with the look of panic in her eyes and face but managed to look back down at the console before anyone one could see it.

With you? John asked with a hint of disbelief. I thought you said you didn't know where Earth was.

Well, that's not true. We have a rough course in which to travel which was gained from an usual source but believe me, it's not a matter of if' but when' we do find Earth. I thought you would want to go home?

I do but... It could take years... I mean yahrens.

Maybe so but we'll get there." Sheba explained. But consider it, you'll be welcomed among us, the first real contact with a person of Earth, proving it really does exist. You could be a teacher, to help us understand the Asgards recorders, and be treated as an honoured guest. As for your worm hole technology that you mentioned to me about, we have teams of scientists that could help you to solve it and maybe use it get us to Earth much sooner.

John hesitated for several seconds. Could you let me think about?

Sheba stared at him in puzzlement. Of course.

Then, John turned and left the Command area. A moment later, Aeryn followed after him.

***

John knew Aeryn was behind him and he barely got 50 feet down the corridor before he heard her.

Crichton, what are you doing?

Sighing, he turned to face her. It's called taking a walk, Aeryn.

She moved up, stopping within a few feet of him. You know what I mean, if this Sheba is telling the truth, then they're your best hope in getting home. Isn't that what you want?

Frankly, Aeryn, I don't know what I want anymore. John said angrily then his expression soften as he looked at her.

No, that's not true... He couldn't finish the sentence.

Aeryn looked away for a second, closing her eyes. Fighting her emotions she knew what she had to do. If you're staying, hoping that something will happen between us, then let me make it easy for you. I want you to go with Sheba.

It would have been more merciful if Aeryn struck him with her fists than to hear her say that. However, he wasn't going to give up without a fight.

Then look me in the eye and say that, John gently challenged.

Drawing in a breath and all the courage she had, Aeryn's eyes locked with his.

I want you to go home. Go back to Earth, Crichton and be safe with your own kind... What I had with my John won't happen with you!

Without waiting his reaction, Aeryn quickly pushed pass him, leaving Crichton in the corridor in stunned silence but she didn't got far.



She stopped, not looking back, not knowing what to expect. Maybe he had enough of her behavior against him but as she always did with the Human named John Crichton, she underestimated him. His voice was still gentle and understanding.

I'm sorry that he died.

Aeryn fought back her emotions, struggling to keep them in check. So am I.

Could he had seen right through what she was trying to do? That she was giving him a kick in the ass to at least seriously consider Sheba's offer as the only possible real chance for him to go home?

Slowly, she continued on down the corridor, leaving Crichton behind. Aeryn tried to convince herself that it's for Crichton's own good and for herself as well. She wanted him to be safe and far as possible from here. Every moment, she was afraid that something tragic might happen to him and she would have to relive that pain a second time.

Ever since she had laid eyes on John Crichton again after returning to Moya from loosing her John, she experienced nothing but painful memories. Every time she saw him, heard his voice, or even when she was close enough to smell him, he constantly reminded her of what she lost.

It was probably why a part of her hates him, for being a living reminder of her loss but also grateful that something of him will live on. Try as she might, she couldn't stay away from Crichton, she needs to see him even from a distance, but at the same time discouraging him from getting close.

Aeryn couldn't go on like this or it would probably drive her insane. She couldn't go on wanting him and not wanting him at the same time. She had to decide eventually, but Sheba's sudden appearance helped out on that decision. If John went with Sheba, it would make everything simple and she would not have to worry about him being aboard Moya anymore. She had to face the truth, Moya is not the safest ship to be aboard when travelling around in the Uncharted Territories. He would be safer with his own kind.

It was for the best but Aeryn had a hard time convincing herself of that. She wiped a tear running down her cheek. She hurried down the corridor, looking for some place to be alone for a while and to pull herself together.

***

In the Command area, Crichton walked back after his painful encounter with Aeryn just in time to hear Pilot saying.

I'm detecting multiple ion trails up ahead.

How many, Pilot? D'Argo asked.

Impossible to determine but perhaps in the hundreds.

Sheba almost jumped for joy, grabbing D'Argo's arm in her excitement but she didn't see the surprised look the towering Luxan warrior gave her.

That's the fleet. We found them! Sheba knew that all they had to do was follow the trail until it led them directly to the fleet.

Crichton crossed the Command area to Sheba's side, glad that someone was having a happy moment. He congratulated her.

Looks like you'll be heading home sooner than expected.

Thanks to you and your friends, John. Sheba smiled.

And I being accepting your offer to join you. He added, even though he still looked less than excited about the prospect of leaving. D'Argo and Chiana gave sad glances but they remained quiet, respecting his choice.

Pilot was continuing to monitor his sensors when he suddenly said. I'm detecting a ship up ahead now and some debris.

Sheba's smile faded, and John stepped closer to Pilot's holo-imagine. Can you identify the ship?

No. It is of unknown design with severe battle damage. No power or life signs.

Bring it up on the strategy table and let Sheba take a look at it. John said, as they gathered once around the tactical table.

A blue image of a fairly large ship appeared as it hung at an steep angle, dead in space. The side of it was blown outward by a powerful explosion. Sheba went pale as she stared at it.

That was the freighter ship McDell. It had no weapons and carried over three thousand refugees. We called her the space turtle because she was the slowest in the fleet.

Lt. Sheba, Pilot said gently. I am afraid that I have more bad news. I am detecting more debris up ahead and two more ships.

With a brave face, Sheba nodded. Let me see them.

As soon as the two ship images appeared, Sheba gasped quietly, gripping the side of the table. They're the Rimbee, a medical ship and the Treana, an ore carrier. Together, they carried almost five thousand people.

D'Argo was beside himself with rage at the apparent slaughter.

Chiana just stared in horror. There are no survivors on either ship?

Pilot said simply, then he paused and sadly looked to Sheba. I am reading more debris in our path and more ships.

Sheba almost collapsed at the news, her worse fear were being realized. There was little that Crichton or the others could do to comfort the Colonial warrior as Pilot found more destroyed ships.

As Moya pressed on, they found a total of ten wrecked ships with plenty of evidence of a massive running battle. As Crichton and the others manned the consoles, Sheba remained close by, even though she wished to be somewhere else. Her stomach was in knots at the possibility of what else they might find up ahead.

We are still on the ion trail but it has changed course to a nearby Nebula. Pilot said.

What kind of Nebula? Sheba asked urgently.

Type C nebula and class 10 in size.

What the frack is that supposed to mean! Sheba was growing increasingly frustrated after counting destroyed ships and slaughtered people in the last half centar, and being unable to understand Pilot's technical terms.

He said basically it's a large radiation nebula measuring one year light across. John explained softly, placing a hand on her shoulder, trying to calm her down.

A glimmer of hope returned to Sheba. Commander Adama would have tried to use the Nebula's radiation to mask their trail and to loose their attackers. That nebula is big enough for them to come out anywhere they wish.

That is correct, Pilot agreed. The ion trail is becoming more difficult to detect the closer we approach. Sensor efficiency is also dropping off.

I guess the next question is how do we find your people? Chiana asked. They could be anywhere within a single light year and that's huge.

At least we know that most of them made it, including the Galactica. Sheba at least had that to cling to that her friends were alive. Adama could get the fleet to safety, she knew that he can.

I'll worry about finding them for later. She finally admitted.

Pilot was still scanning the nebula when he looked up in alert. I am detecting three large vessels coming out of the nebula with multiple attack crafts that match the description from Lt. Sheba's Viper data recorder.

John watched three massive alien ships and perhaps one hundred fighters flooding out of the nebula on a direct course for Moya. He'd seen usual spaceships out here in the Uncharted Territories but these three huge vessels were quite unique. They had a large outer structure roughly saucer shaped in design and they moved without any detectable engines. What puzzled John the most was the centre structure of the ships. They looked like a pyramid!

Okay, boys and girls, John rushed over to the main command console. We're getting our asses out of here. Pilot, a starburst would be nice about now!

Moya did a one-eighty degree turn and accelerated away with the alien ships moving in even faster than the Leviathan's top speed.

Defense screen up. D'Argo announced from his station.

John watched the alien fighters moving up on them quickly. Pilot, I don't mean to sound like a broken record but we would like to starburst now!

With the pace of a speeding snail, Moya's wings folded outwards as she powered up to starburst. As she did the alien fighters continued to close in, with their three big capital ships not far behind.

They're locking weapons! Chiana yelled with her dark eyes glued to her console in fright. A LOT OF FRELLING WEAPONS!!

Sheba looked to D'Argo and Crichton. Our weapons?

Do curses and hand gestures count? D'Argo growled, watching the closing warships on the monitor.

Pilot, I hate to keep bugging you but speed it up if you can! Crichton pleaded.

Pilot hurriedly feverishly, finally setting the last of his controls. Engaging starburst now!

A blinding energy field built up behind Moya and the huge Leviathan and passengers jumped safely into subspace and out of reach of her pursuers.

Sheba breathed a sigh of relief as Moya moved through subspace now. When can we go back?

Go back? Chiana exclaimed. We barely got away!

It'll be too risky and those ships will be waiting for us. D'Argo added.

Sheba knew they were right but she couldn't just give up. I understand what you're saying but I have to know if the fleet made it to safety.

And we will but not now. John assured her, placing a gentle hand on Sheba's shoulder. Not while there's something the size of Darth Vader's Imperial Fleet sitting back there.

She knew they were right but Sheba didn't have to like it. For now, until she finds the Galactica and the fleet, she was as homeless as they were.