Chapter 2


Marie waved Crichton in and pointed to the phone, as she continued screening a caller who wanted to interview him for a NOVA special on electro-magnetic pulse. EMP was the reason IASA had given the world for Kate's disappearance, but the lack of wreckage ruled that out for both John and Jack. Crichton crossed the well appointed office, and pushed open the frosted glass door. Dean Whittier stood, and thrust his hand forward, making John nervous.
Good to see you, John, how are you this fine day?
Same as ever. No disrespect sir, but I have a class in 10 minutes.
I won't keep you. But there is someone here to see you. I'll leave you two alone.
Alfred Whittier excused himself from his own office, and left John picking leaves from a dying ficus as he sat on the edge of a massive oak desk. The door that led to the faculty lounge opened, and D.K. entered with a solemn look on his face. Crichton stared at him, not wanting any part of this person who had been his friend, his confidant and partner. Science had all but forgotten the great doctor Crichton, but the world knew of the accomplishments of the famous astronaut Daniel Kemper.
What could you possibly want from me?
It's what I can give you. I have news...Crichton, it's about Kate.
Crichton stood and thrust his hands into his pockets. He did not want to hear that Kate's
body had been recovered because then there wouldn't be any hope at all. No body meant there was still the slimmest chance...however slim, that she would come home.
An unidentified craft was spotted entering the atmosphere around 1:30 this morning. Just after two, we had reports that a ship, fitting the description of the Farscape 5 module, crashed into the Pacific Ocean. Recovery efforts were begun and... we need you to come to claim the body if there is one.
So you're not sure it's Kate's ship yet, so you're still not sure if she's alive or d-
He began to slip and D.K. reached out to help him stand.
Don't you touch me. Don't. He loosened his tie and felt cold sweat running down his back. He squeezed his eyes shut and took a deep breath.
Can I get you something to drink, John?
His throat constricted, and he began to hyperventilate unconsciously, holding back a tide of emotions, the least of which was hatred for the man holding his daughter's life over his head. D.K. handed him a styrofoam cup filled with water that gurgled from the dispenser in the lounge. He sucked it down and noticed that his teeth had made indentations on the cup. His daughter's body. The waste of three lives.
When do we leave?
Now if you're ready. I have a car out front.
I'm as ready as I'll ever be. But Crichton knew in his heart that he would never be ready to accept the fact that the child he had given up his dreams for was dead.