Chapter 11

Crichton follows Aeryn and Kate to the bridge where D'Argo, Rygel and Chiana have assembled. D'Argo is at the helm, discussing their options with Pilot.
I have presented you with both options Ka D'Argo, it is up to you to decide our course of action.
Crichton stares at the portal window as a spark of light speeds toward them.
Aeryn approaches D'Argo's console.
What options did he give us D'Argo?
The Marauder has spotted us, but has not contacted us. Which could mean that the pilot is assuming that Moya's dead, or that he's coming straight in for an attack.
Marauders are not capable of destroying a Leviathan-
No, but we can't outmaneuver him and he can cause Moya significant injury. Our options are to starburst and hope that he hasn't reported us to a command carrier, or shut down Moya's biological functions and hope he has somewhere else to be.
Crichton approaches the console.
You mean play Possum? D, we don't have any weapons?
Leviathans are peaceful creatures, Moya doesn't have weapons.
Well this about screws the pooch.


D'Argo pulls Aeryn aside after seeing the fear on Chiana's and Kate's faces.
I didn't know that the Peacekeepers occupied this part of space.
They're colonizing space as fast as they can. Preparing for the Scarran invasion. He shouldn't be out this far on his own though, so I'm assuming there's a Command Carrier nearby.
I'd say that's a good assumption. So, what do you suggest we do?
Well, you know we can't shut down Moya's biologix, we would be vulnerable for a long time after that. What if he goes back to command and they investigate? No, we can't hang around here we may have to take a pulse blast or two until Moya can starburst.
Sounds like a good idea to me.
Kate steps toward D'Argo and Aeryn.
There is one other option. I could shoot him down.
D'Argo and Aeryn consider it for a moment. Crichton's heart lurches in his chest as he watches them intently. Aeryn unclips her gun belt and lays it on the console.
I'll do it. Give me a minute to suit up.
No Aeryn, let me, you know I'm an excellent shot.
Aeryn shakes her head and picks up a pair of gloves.
He won't be expecting a Prowler, I can catch him off guard. Aeryn takes Kate's hand. You're very brave you know. What's the first lesson?
We must be brave in the face of danger.
I'll be back and we can review the strategy, analyze the events. Wait for me in my quarters once this Marauder is destroyed.
Yes Ma'am.

Crichton watches Aeryn as she runs off the bridge. Kate is taking note of the arn and microt that the Marauder approached. A deep rumbling shakes the ship, and a bold streak of orange and white flame appears just ahead of Moya's view. Aeryn's radio crackles and they hear her engage the Marauder pilot. Crichton feels bile rise into his throat as a burst of flame explodes from the Marauder. Aeryn evades the blast and returns fire. The Marauder is vaporized in a flash of white light that washes over Moya. Crichton scans the viewer for Aeryn's Prowler and is comforted by the low growl that her ship emits as it docks with Moya. Kate heads for Aeryn's quarters, Crichton heads toward the docking bay.
Aeryn is climbing down from her Prowler as Crichton rushes in. He stands beside her waiting for her to remove her helmet. When she doesn't, he reaches out to her.
He hears a choked sob from behind the thick moon of glass, and he unsnaps her helmet. Aeryn begins to slip and Crichton tosses her helmet aside, scooping her into his arms as they slip to the floor. What happened? Are you all right?
I can't stand the killing anymore. That Marauder pilot, she--her name was Seridan. She was Maddia's best friend. I took care of her when she was a baby. She was assigned to find and execute Kate and me. She recognized my voice, and fired. I had to kill her Crichton. I had to.
I know, it's okay. He smoothes her hair as she stares out into space.
It's not okay. There's a Command Carrier less than an arn off our Treblin side. We have to leave here, Seridan was able to get a partial message out.
Crichton calls out to D'Argo to tell Pilot to starburst. They feel the ship heaving, and the star field breaks open in a prism.


Crichton assists Aeryn to her quarters where Kate is writing in her strategy book.

I'm really impressed by your execution of the Vessin strategy. That other pilot didn't even realize that you were setting up for it the whole time. He must have been relatively new not to recognize it. Do you think when he tried to draw you in to the Baolin technique that he anticipated you countering with the Preesha? She looks up and notices Aeryn with her head slightly bowed, Crichton holding her hand. Are you all right?
That pilot was a she. A little younger than you. I cared for her when she was a babe and now I've killed her. Aeryn unzips her flight suit and steps out of it, letting the coarse fabric pool on the floor.
You seem rattled by it. Aeryn, what is Defense 3?
I know the Defenses. You don't have to remind me. She pulls a cup from a cutout above a tiny water basin and fills it with a honey colored fluid. Her hands are shaking and she spills some before Crichton reaches out and steadies her hand. She pulls out of his grip, and drinks the liquid; quickly refilling her cup.
I've never seen you like this over a kill Aeryn. Why is this affecting you so? It was you or her, except you had the 5 of us counting on you. You were protecting us.
In her mind she was protecting the millions of Sebaceans that count on the Peacekeepers to protect them from beings like us. We are the enemy, and if I appear shaken to you...well there's just been enough senseless killing in my name.
Aeryn, you have always taught me that Defense number one was get them before they get you. She fired the first shot, she enacted Defense number one and you wavered. You hesitated and she got a partial message out. What do you want me to learn from this lesson?
Aeryn crosses the room to her clothing storage drawer and takes out a holographic image of Waru, Maddia and herself. She traces the outline of their images with her finger and tucks the image back into the drawer.
I want you to learn that- Crichton watches her as she carefully chooses her words. Aeryn bites her lip and he sees her straighten up, trying to regain her composure before her eager student. Crichton recognizes her posture and knows that she is about to lie.
I want you to learn that any hesitation on your part could cost you a great deal. You must always be prepared for the kill shot. You must not hesitate. Have clear judgment, have sound reasoning, then execute. Do you understand?
Yes, Ma'am. Then employ Defense 3: Do not linger over one's duty. Evaluate, Execute, Analyze, Forget.
Aeryn sits on the bed and looks at Crichton. He turns his back to her, shaking his head.
You have done so well this last cycle Kate, I'm sure you will make a fine warrior.
Because of you. Thank you for my lesson Aeryn. Kate bows her head to show Aeryn respect and picks up her strategy book. Dad, we had to leave the worm hole field when we starburst and D'Argo thinks a Command Carrier is squatting in the field. It's probably Scorpius doing experiments, so we can't exactly get you home yet. I hope you change your mind while we're delayed, I really want you to stay. I'll let you know if we can get closer without endangering Moya. She looks at Aeryn once again, and Aeryn sits up straighter. I'll see you at the evening meal. Kate rushes out, and Aeryn's shoulders slump.
That was some act you put on for her.
She needs to have faith in her teacher or she will not have faith in herself.
What about you? Don't you need to have faith in something?
What's the point? She begins unbraiding her hair. Crichton lifts her hair from her shoulder and winds the strands between his fingers. He sits beside her and looks into her eyes.
Make me stay, Aeryn.
I can't make you stay.
You came to me, you wanted me--begged me to need you. Well, I do need you Aeryn. Will you let me love you?
You don't know how badly I want that. But I can't. You are asking me to give up eternal life in Kiella. I must have an heir of my blood. When Kate took the bonding tattoos, she took my blood, she is my heir now and I must instruct her or I have failed in my duties to my Goddess, please don't ask me to forsake my beliefs.
Crichton takes her face in his hands and pulls her toward him. I would never ask you to betray your beliefs, I know how powerful religion can be, but Kate wants to marry D'Argo and start a family. She loves and respects you so she won't defy you, but I'm asking you to have faith.
Faith in what? She leans closer to him, brushing his lips with hers. He slides his tongue over her lips and tastes the sweet remains of the Barkash that she drank. Aeryn leans into his kiss, lifting her hands to his cheeks as he holds her face in his hands. He pulls her closer, drawing her into his arms and encircling her. She tries to pull away from him and he holds her tighter.
Crichton, I can't do this. Not if you're going to leave me. I don't want to need you, I don't want to long for you, please, let me go.

This is not fair, She stands and he holds onto her arm. You're forcing me to make an impossible decision.
I can't stay and watch Kate put her dreams on hold because the woman that I'm falling in love with is holding her back. She deserves to be as happy as you and I could be. But I watched the two of you together, and I saw how much she is learning from you. Whether I agree with it or not, you are teaching her skills that will save her life out here. For that, I'm grateful, but she is heart broken that she and D'Argo can't have a family. You may not see it, but I know my daughter and I know when she's following orders.
If I let her go, if you stay with me, what is to become of my soul? When you and I were together in your mother's cabin, you said that my existence robbed you of the very foundation that you had built your life on. I forced you to see infinite possibilities...
And I changed my beliefs because of you.
I didn't ask you to. Crichton,you say you love me but if you did, you wouldn't ask me to risk my eternal soul for you.
Damn you, Aeryn. I'm offering you the chance at a new heir.
What are you saying?
How much longer do you think it will be before you release Kate from her servitude?
Another 5 cycles or so, she's a quick study.
What would be the harm in allowing her to marry D'Argo?
She has to prove herself first. She cannot have allegiance to another before she has sworn allegiance to Sebacean ideals, sworn that any daughter of hers will be dedicated to a life of service for Kiella first.
What if you became pregnant, would Kate be released from service?
If the child was a girl, then yes, I could release her. Are you asking to impregnate me?
When you put it that way...
Crichton, is this about me, or about Kate?
I won't lie to you Aeryn, Kate's happiness is foremost in my mind. But the last few days with you...I don't want you to get the wrong idea. It was just a thought. I'll see you at the evening meal. He starts to leave.
No, Crichton, wait.--please? Aeryn puts her arm around his waist and pulls him back. Don't go. You asked me to make you stay. What do I need to do?
Let Kate marry D'Argo, choose to be with me and we'll have a baby. We'll keep trying until we have a girl child if that's what you need.
Aeryn stares up at him with tears in her eyes.
You would do that for me?
Don't think I'm being altruistic.
You don't even know me.
You're wrong. I've known you my whole life. You were every dream that I've ever had, every dream that I've ever lost, you have always been with me. You will always be with me, whether we're together or not. When I made love to you, when you made love to me, Aeryn we reached that place that we've both been looking for. I found in you everything that I was meant to be.
Will you be with me now? Aeryn stares into his eyes as Crichton takes her into his arms.
An affirmation of life?
You could say that.
Give yourself to me, Aeryn. He lifts her onto her cot and kisses her gently. She slides her hands down his back and pulls his t-shirt from his pants. He pulls it over his head and takes her mouth again. He gasps as she rakes her nails over the skin of his bare back. She pulls away from his mouth and kisses his neck, his cheeks, his eyes. He tugs at her tank top, pulling it over her head, her hair cascading onto the pillow in a pool of black silk.
His tongue snakes down to the hollow of her neck, and she lifts herself to meet his mouth, her fingers twisted in his hair. Crichton bites at her gently, watching her shiver beneath him. Aeryn pulls his mouth back to hers while unfastening his pants. He laughs as she struggles with the clasp, and he climbs off of her. They shed boots, pants and undergarments, falling together beneath the blanket Crichton brought. He lifts her on top of him and she settles onto him gracefully, purring as he enters her. Aeryn presses her forehead against his, and he feels her eyelashes flutter. He closes his eyes and rests his head between her breasts, imagining her heart pounding in her chest. She glides with him as he kisses the smooth skin of her lower jaw. Crichton pulls her closer and rolls her beneath him. He sees tears in her eyes again as he pushes himself into her. Aeryn clings to him and matches his every stride, staring into his eyes as he makes love to her. They climb together, rising higher and higher; gasping for air, breathing for each other. Each beckoning to the other. Aeryn opens her mouth to moan and Crichton closes his mouth over hers. She arches her back, pushing herself into his arms. They reach the edge, and close their eyes, not daring to look. He grabs her shoulders and pulls her over the precipice with him, spiraling down, down into oblivion.