Part 2 {5 weekens} The food was almost gone. They were sitting in the center chamber eating food cubes. Rygel complained, "Why is it we are eating food cubes again? D'Argo, you're captain, why can't you keep this ship supplied?"

Tempers were getting as short as the food supply. D'Argo retorted, "Perhaps if you didn't eat so much, we would still have some food left."

Sikozu was the only one unaffected by hunger. "I think that all of you eat too much. If you would let me help I could improve this Leviathan's sensors and improve the odds of locating a planet."

"If you think we are going to let you do *anything* to Moya." D'Argo began.

Crichton cut him off, "People, people, going after each other isn't helping the situation. I'm sure that Pilot is doing the best that he can. We've still got several days worth of food cubes, so we aren't in danger of starving."

Chiana asked, "Can't you use wormholes to take us somewhere we can get something to eat. I'm sick of food cubes." She threw her food cube back onto her plate.

"Doesn't work like that, Chi. If I couldn't use them to find Talyn, I certainly can't use them to find a planet."

"Can't or won't," Aeryn said as she walked past them. That was actually the most she'd said to him in the last monen.

Chiana looked at Crichton, "She's still not talking to you, huh?"

D'Argo replied, "I don't think she's really talking to any of us."

Crichton rose, "I don't wanna talk about it." He then left to continue his wormhole study.

******

The following morning Calla had regained consciousness, but was too weak to accompany them down to the planet. Crais and Visha had begun the navigational correlation. Talyn was assimilating the information quickly. He felt a little more confident now that he knew where he was. Once the information was transferred Crais and Talyn would plot a course to Moya's last known location.

Crais and Visha took the transport pod down to the surface. The regional capital was definitely more cosmopolitan than the outpost he had previously visited. As they made their final approach, Crais saw the pirate ship. "Visha, there is your pirate ship."

She looked out the viewscreen and shuddered. "I hope we don't run into them."

"You have nothing to be afraid of. If I find them I will ensure they get what they deserve," his voice was cold and unemotional.

"You mustn't hurt them," Visha implored.

Crais paused, "What?"

"You mustn't hurt them. If you do you are no better than they are."

"They have committed a crime. They must be punished. I am merely an instrument of justice."

"Peacekeeper propaganda. I can't believe you still buy that."

"Do not question my beliefs. I have seen more than enough crime in my lifetime. I have also come to realize that some regions of space are not policed as well as they should be. Interstellar travel should be possible without having to fear for your safety. If I can deliver that justice and make the galaxy a safer place to live, then so be it. Do not judge me until you know all the facts." He stormed off in search of vendors that had the supplies he was looking for. Visha followed him because she didn't want to be left behind.

They had been in the market for about an arn. Crais had secured most of the parts needed to repair Visha's ship. At first he had thought it might be nice to have some company onboard Talyn, after his earlier outburst he was beginning to think it might be best if he repaired her ship and sent them on their way. He heard her voice behind him exclaim, "You!"

He then heard another voice, male, reply, "Not you!"

Crais quickly spun around, pulse pistol drawn. He saw one of the pirates, presumably the leader. The pirate dropped his goods and ran when he saw the pistol pointed at him. Crais would have fired except there were too many civilians around. He gave chase. He was only remotely aware of Visha behind him yelling for him to stop. Crais was only paces behind the pirate and closing. The pirate turned down an alley, perhaps thinking to outrun his pursuer. This only gave Crais the opportunity to make a clean shot. He aimed for the leg and brought down the pirate. He could now take his time. The pirate was obviously someone not used to trouble and already had his hands held out to show they were empty.

Visha came around the corner and saw Crais pointing his pistol at the pirate's head. "Don't shoot him!" she yelled.

"I have no intention of shooting him. I intend to find out where the rest of your goods are and recovering them from the pirates. I then intend to turn him and his cohorts over to the authorities."

This statement took the steam out of the argument Visha had prepared.

Suddenly there was a voice behind them, "What's going on here?"

They looked up and saw two of the local constables. Crais set his pulse pistol down on the ground and held his hands in plain sight. Crais quickly explained what had happened.

One of the constables spoke into a comms device, "I will need all of you to accompany me. The spaceport has been locked down. If what you said is true the pirates won't be getting away. Crais got a distant look on his face. He reached back for his transponder and spoke, "Talyn, fire to disable only."

At the same time the constables leveled their weapons at Crais and were yelling at him to put his hands where they could see them. Crais placed his hands up and explained that he had been communicating with his ship. Once it was confirmed that the ship in question had broken the spaceport lockdown, Crais and Visha got a little more sympathy.

It took a few arns for them to bring in the other pirates. It didn't take them long to verify that part of the pirate's cargo matched what was stolen from Visha's ship. The artifacts were returned to her as soon as proof of ownership was produced. Right before they left Visha asked, "What will become of them?"

Crais grabbed her by the arm, "Never mind her, Constable. She already knows the answer to that question. We really must be going. I am expecting a delivery at our transport." He then led her outside.

Once they were outside and down the block she shoved him away from her, "What was that about?"

"I wasn't going to have you make a scene. You know very well what will happen to them. Belittling other's laws and customs accomplishes nothing."

"This from the mighty Peacekeeper."

He forced himself to try to remain calm. Through gritted teeth he growled, "I am not now nor will I ever again be a Peacekeeper. If you wish to remain onboard Talyn I suggest you remember that fact." He stormed off for the spaceport leaving Visha to follow in his wake.

Crais looked at the artifacts as they packed them on the transport pod, "These are valuable?"

"To the right people. We have managed to make a respectable living doing this. I look forward to exploring new territory in Tormented Space."

Crais stopped what he was doing. "You intend to come with us?"

"Why not? We've done about all we can out here. Our ship can't go near as fast as Talyn. Do you not want the company?"

Crais wasn't sure how to answer. Talyn did enjoy the company of others, but Visha was beginning to grate on him. He didn't know if he could endure another of her lectures about the evils of being a Peacekeeper. He knew those evils. He had been their embodiment for almost his entire life. "It's not that. I just thought you would prefer to stay here."

She smiled at him, "I think it's time for a change of scenery."

"Be warned that this is not an archeological expedition. Talyn and I are searching for his mother. That will have first priority." They returned to Talyn in silence. Visha was left wondering what was so important that Crais was in such a hurry to return. He was keeping something from her. She intended to find out what it was. She stole a glance of him out of the corner of her eye. He really was quite good looking. It would be nice to be with a man again. If he was a former Peacekeeper, he should be open to recreating with her.

*******

{5.5 weekens} Pilot's image popped up on the clamshell, disturbing yet another meal of food cubes, "Attention, everyone, Moya has located a planet where I believe you can get supplies." Everyone except, Aeryn rushed to command, eager to see the readout on this new planet.

D'Argo took charge when they arrived. "It looks perfect, Pilot. Have you made arrangements for us to land yet?"

"I'm.working on it, Captain." Pilot was beginning to regret having them elect a captain. Of course if he hadn't he would still be taking orders from all of them. He was resigned to the fact that this method was better. After several microts his image reappeared on the clamshell, "I have made arrangements for you to travel to the planet. They have sent a copy of their laws for visitors. It is highly recommended that you read it before departing for the surface."

D'Argo looked around the room, "Since this is the only planet in the area, I suggest everyone be on their best behavior. I want everyone to read those laws and let me know when you have done so. We will depart for the surface in two arns."

D'Argo wasn't kidding about making sure that everyone knew the rules. He gave a quiz before deciding they could go. Chiana thought it was ridiculous. She had to go back and reread the rules. Finally everyone except Scorpius and Aeryn was assembled. D'Argo asked, "Is Aeryn coming?"

"I'll go find out," offered Crichton. He walked down to Aeryn's quarters and hit the door chime.

She responded, "Go away."

Crichton ignored that and entered anyway. "Are you coming down to the planet?" He saw Aeryn curled up on the bed, her back to the door.

"What part of 'go away' didn't you understand? I'm staying here. Someone has to keep an eye on Scorpius."

"It would probably do you good to get off the ship. You haven't left in over 5 weekens."

She stood up and walked over to him. She put her hands on his chest and pushed him out the door. "I want to stay here, why can't you leave me alone." She slammed the door controls.

Crichton stood there staring at the door for a few microts. He mumbled to himself in his best Greta Garbo, "I vant to be alone."

When he got back down the maintenance bay everyone looked up, "She wants to stay here. Says she needs to keep an eye on Scorpy."

"Pilot and the DRDs are capable of doing that," D'Argo replied.

"You tell her that. She shoved me out of her quarters. If she wants to come down she'll do it on her own."

Chiana whined, "Come, D'Argo, I gotta get off this ship for a little while."

D'Argo reluctantly agreed to leave her behind.

About an arn after the others had left, Aeryn had a visitor. "Officer Sun, I believe we need to talk."

She was instantly alert and had pulled the pulse pistol out from under her pillow, "What are you doing here, Scorpius?"

He moved to sit in the chair, "Come now, Officer Sun, we are friends. There is no need for weaponry. I have merely come to talk with you."

"Scorpius we are not now, nor have we ever been friends.

"Come now, we have each saved each other's lives, that must count for something?"

"It means we're even. Go away," she replied coldly.

"I'm afraid I can't do that. I'm concerned about your well-being. I assume this is the first time you have been pregnant. It must be a frightening experience to endure alone and without any knowledge about the physical effects of pregnancy. I could provide you with some information to help you get through this. I.assume that you have been experiencing nausea?"

"How did you know that?" she asked suspiciously.

"You see my knowledge is not limited to science. I also possess a great deal of information about medicine."

"What do you want in return?"

"Nothing. I merely wish to continue my existence here, where I can protect John and the knowledge he possesses. If something were to happen to you, I would lose that ability."

"What do you mean if something were to happen?" She was beginning to lower her guard.

Scorpius rose and began circling her, "It is rare, but occasionally a pregnancy involves complications. I could monitor you to ensure that you do not experience any of these complications. It is true that you have not been examined since the fetus was released, is it not? And without Pa'u Zhaan or Joolushku, there is no one here with any medical training. Other than, of course, me. I suggest we proceed to med bay," he gestured towards the door.

Aeryn could see no flaw in his reasoning. In fact she was eager to follow him. Scorpius had played right to her fears. She lowered her weapon, "All right, but then you go back to your cell."

"Agreed." He was quite pleased with himself, but she didn't notice.

Once everyone was on the planet they split up. The planet was safe and had an excellent law enforcement record. About six arns after everyone had left D'Argo received a comms signal from Pilot, "Go ahead, Pilot."

"Captain, I am relaying a message from Crichton and Chiana. It seems they have been arrested. The authorities are asking that you come retrieve them and escort them back to Moya."

D'Argo growled, "I'm on my way." D'Argo notified the others to meet him at the pod. Rygel began to argue, but stopped when he heard a snarl come through his comms badge. Once D'Argo had liberated the two of them they returned to the pod in silence.

Sikozu quipped once they arrived, "Is it possible for you to go somewhere without causing trouble?"

Everyone ignored her. D'Argo began dressing them down, "Didn't the two of you understand the importance of following the rules? Did I not make it clear enough to you? What could you have possibly done to get arrested?"

The two of them stammered and glanced at each other. Chiana spoke up, "Nothing. We didn't do anything."

Rygel looked at the two of them suspiciously, "Well you must have done something. One doesn't get arrested for doing nothing."

Crichton tried to save face, "It was a misunderstanding, that's all. Hey, it couldn't have been anything serious, they let us go."

"As long as you were escorted off the planet," D'Argo finished.

"Just a minor detail," Chiana offered.

D'Argo did not look pleased at them. "You know how difficult it is to find planets where we can purchase supplies. Fortunately I purchased supplies before I thought of myself. We will not go hungry."

"They're kicking us all off the planet?" Chiana asked.

"They didn't specifically say so, but they suggested it would be best if we all left." D'Argo looked at Crichton and dressed him down, "I would have thought you were responsible enough to stay out of trouble." They rode back up to Moya in silence. Chiana and Crichton were left with the task of unloading their supplies.

~Aeryn, the transport pod is on it's way back to Moya,~ Pilot reported.

Aeryn responded automatically, "Thank you, Pilot." She was sitting in her quarters wondering what had happened to cause them to return so soon. She had expected them to be gone for several days.

Scorpius rose, "I think it best if I returned to my cell. If you have any further questions, you know where you can find me."

She found it odd that the one person she could confide in was the one she had the least cause to trust.