"Apparitions" Time: Twenty-five cycles after Fractures

Disclaimer: I didn't create Farscape, didn't create the characters and don't make a plug nickel off of it.

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Part Eight: From A Different Point Of View. (Mattis...)

I watched Lhatan analyze the quills he had pulled out of Vanessa, trying to figure out how to save her life. He seemed to be in his own world, as usual when he's working. Normally, that would be amusing. It wasn't funny right now.

I stepped up behind him and leaned close. "Pliable roots," he said. "Tensile fiber stalk. The venom tip is metallic? Fascinating." He glanced back slightly. "Mattis, if you get any closer, Tashina may have something to say about it."

"Sorry. Didn't mean to crowd you."

Lhatan nodded slowly. "No need to apologize. It's quite understandable. You and Vanessa have grown close in the three cycles since you came onboard Moya." He worked for another microt then leaned back in his chair. "The poison isn't very sophisticated. It's a basic organic neurotoxin."

"So you can come up with an antitoxin?"

"Oh yes. I can synthesize a workable antibody serum from the quills that were imbedded in Vanessa's coat. The problem is the amount of toxin that was pumped into her system and the amount of time it took to get her back up here. I'm afraid my efforts may be for nothing."

"We had to fight our way out of the house then across town. The transport pod only goes so fast, even with the engines wide open. And if I'd been paying attention, maybe this wouldn't have happened."

Lhatan stood and faced me. "Mattis, none of you encountered these Pathfinders before. How were you to know they had the ability to produce poison quills?"

"Chiana and Stark were on Moya the last time these Pathfinders showed up. Maybe we should have risked comming." I pinched the bridge of my nose and turned away from Lhatan. "I'm the former Peacekeeper. I may have only been a Tech, but I have training Vanessa doesn't have. As soon as I saw an alien I didn't recognize, I should have."

"Tashina has training that I'm sure you don't have. Did she suspect anything?"

"Tashina is the only person I know that lives in a constant state of suspicion."

Lhatan considered for a microt and nodded. "You're right, she is. Be that as it may, blaming yourself for some imagined failure to notice a detail you all missed, including our all-powerful friend Jack, will not help Vanessa. I'll have the serum synthesized in a few microts. After that, it'll be up to her."

I looked back at the bed. Vanessa looked almost frail, her skin pale. I watched her for a microt then nodded and walked out of the medical bay. Standing there, driving myself further into depression, wasn't going to help. There wasn't much I could do to help.

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I stopped in the Central Chamber to help console Chiana. I failed miserably; seeing her sitting at the table, crying, Stark's arms around her, only made me feel worse.

"Can Lhatan do anything," she asked between sobs.

"He says he should be able to synthesize a serum to combat the poison. He should have it ready in a few microts."

Chiana inhaled deeply and closed her eyes. "I said I'd take care of her." She massaged her bloodshot eyes. "The last time we crossed paths with the Pathfinders, I was shot by one of their quills."

"But you were shot in your leg, Chiana," Stark said in a quiet voice. "And, unfortunately, Zhaan didn't have time to write down the formula for her serum before she.she." His voice trailed off into painful silence.

I leaned on the table. "The serum's not a problem. There were a few quills that were stuck in Vanessa's coat, so he had samples of the toxin to work with. The problem is, we.I.may have taken too long getting back up here."

Stark stepped around the table to my side. "You did everything you could, Mattis."

"Except that it wasn't enough." I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself. "Did Vanessa tell you she had an idea where her parents might be?"

Chiana nodded slowly. "I think we should go."

Stark nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes, yes! I agree! Now that we have an idea where John and Aeryn may be."

I nodded and started for the door. I knew Chiana and Stark would agree with me. Tashina and Lhatan wouldn't disagree, and I could care less what Jack has to say about it. That only left Crais.

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I could tell by his tone of voice what Crais thought of my decision. "I believe this is an ill-advised move, Mattis."

"Humor me, Crais." I glanced at Pilot, who was watching me with interest. "I think it might be a good idea to let the heat die down a little. You and Talyn can remain here to monitor the situation on Bia'thera. Talyn's better equipped for it than Moya. And if things go pear-shaped and the Peacekeepers move against you."

"Don't try and talk like Vanessa. You don't have her father's gift for turning a phrase." Crais sighed heavily and I could hear him pace around Talyn's bridge. "Need I remind you that this may very well be a waste of time? For all you know, Aeryn Sun and John Crichton have been dead for ten cycles."

"What about the module? Except for the locket Vanessa found, there was no sign of them in it. If they're dead, what happened to their bodies? That's enough for me."

"Given her current condition, Vanessa may be dead soon. The serum Lhatan synthesized might not work."

"And it could save her life. Besides, Crichton has the wormhole knowledge. If we're going to be dealing with wormholes, I want an expert I can trust."

"You have some misgivings about the Ancient?"

I laughed. To say I had misgivings was an understatement. "Just that Peacekeeper indoctrination, Crais. So, are we in agreement?"

Crais sighed again. "Isn't there a certain illogic in asking advice on things you've already decided about?"

"It gives me emotional security. We'll contact you as soon as we can." I turned to Pilot. "What do you and Moya think, Pilot?"

"Moya and I are in agreement on this, Mattis. If there is a chance that Officer Sun and Commander Crichton are still alive, then we must find them."

"All right then. Let's get underway. Keep our speed low for a little while, at least until we're clear of Bia'thera. No sense making things harder for Crais and Talyn." I started out of the den.

"Agreed. Where will you be?"

"Talking with an old friend I haven't known for very long."

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Apparently, I wasn't the only one blaming himself for what happened to Vanessa. Considering how Tashina was trying to beat Furlow to death, she was feeling a little responsible as well.

Jack stood to one side, calmly asking questions, waiting patiently while Tashina.reasoned with Furlow. I watched for a microt then called her off.

Furlow lay face down on the deck, breathing heavily, moaning in pain. I walked up to her and knelt down. "So, are you going to tell us what's going on, Furlow?"

She pushed herself up to her knees and wiped blood from her mouth and nose. She took another deep breath and shook her head. "Am I supposed to be concerned? Threats ain't gonna work with me, kid. Compared to what I've had to deal with, you people are amateurs. Ever deal with Scarrans?"

I stared at her and stood. "You've survived the Scarrans? Yeah, you're a tough one." I turned from her and glanced at Tashina. She looked like she was barely holding back. (While they don't have the same tendency to go into hyper-rage like their genetic cousins, the Luxans, it's generally not a good idea to irritate and Ilanic.) I gave her a small nod and glanced back over my shoulder.

"So that's it, then? You're not going to tell us anything?"

"I didn't say that. What are you offering, kid?" Furlow got to her feet and made a show of brushing dust from her coveralls. "I take all kinds of currency."

"All right. How about this." I spun, drew my pulse pistol and clubbed Furlow on the side of her head. As she tumbled to the deck, I took aim. "Let me explain a few things to you, Furlow. The group of people currently living on this Leviathan aren't the same people you know. Chiana puts up a tough front, but she wouldn't kill unless she had no choice. Stark would probably pray you to death and Lhatan is a scientist. As much as I like him, he doesn't have it in him to take a life."

"Now, I'm a former Peacekeeper. Sure, I was a Tech, but I'm very good with pulse weapons and Prowlers. And while I'm not sure what she did before she came to Moya, I know for a fact that Tashina's been trained, and death really doesn't mean much to her. So, if you're as smart as you think you are, you'll get the point I'm making and tell us why the Peacekeepers are working on wormholes again, what your Pathfinder friend has to do with it, and anything else that's even remotely relevant."

Furlow stared at my pulse pistol, a defiant look on her face. "Or what? You'll kill me? I've lost track of how many people want me dead."

I had to admit, this Furlow was a cold one. "There are plenty of ways to die, Furlow. Ever see someone get spaced? There's that moment, as the airlock is opened and the atmosphere escapes when the victim tries to take a breath. But there's nothing there to breath. Then the gases in the bloodstream begin to boil. Then the organs burst.it's not a pleasant way to die. That's your immediate future unless you tell us what the frell is going on down there."

She considered. "Guess the kid learned to negotiate from you. All right, I'll tell you. Why are the Peacekeepers working on wormhole technology again? Because it's a weapon they don't have. They aren't worried about the Scarrans, the Nebari or anyone else. It's a weapon system that no one else has."

"And thinking like most militaries, the Peacekeepers just can't live with the knowledge there's a weapon they don't have." Tashina shook her head slowly. "Military minds are all the same."

I had to admit that it did make a certain amount of sense. "Jack," I said in a tightly controlled voice, "can you tell if she's telling the truth?"

"My mental capabilities aren't."

".aren't strong enough to do that. That's really no help at all, Jack. All right, Furlow. You get to live a few more days." Tashina and Jack followed me out of the cell.

Vanessa's DRD was rolling up as the door closed, his mini pulse cannon out and ready. "Keep an eye on her," I said to him. "She blinks at the wrong time, you know what to do." His eyestalks bobbed and he chirped quietly.

As we walked away from the cell, I told Tashina and Jack what I decided to do. She must still have been on edge from dealing with Furlow; Tashina looked annoyed that I didn't consult her first.

"I would have liked to stay on Talyn to monitor what's going on down on Bia'thera," she said.

"Sorry. You were busy. It's only a few days, Tashina. Once we find out whether or not Vanessa's parents are alive, we'll be back. What do you think about that, Jack?"

"We'll need an expert on wormholes, so John's presence will be needed. Assuming, of course, that he's still alive."

"That's what I was thinking. Besides, it'll help Vanessa." I didn't mention that it would only help Vanessa if she managed to survive.

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I stepped into the medical bay as Moya went to starburst. I looked around, made sure Lhatan wasn't there and crossed to Vanessa's bed. I wanted to spend some time alone with her.

Her color was better; she wasn't as pale as she had been a few arns ago. I guess the serum worked. But she was still unconscious, which probably wasn't a good sign.

I sat on the edge of the bed and brushed dark hair away from her face. "I don't know if you can hear me, Vanessa, but I'm sorry. I should have been paying attention to that Pathfinder. I should have trusted Tashina to get us out, and I should have stayed closer to you."

"It looks like the Peacekeepers are working on wormhole tech simply because no one else has it. Of course, that's no reason to create new weapons. At least the last time, there was the threat from the Scarrans. Who's the threat now? The Nebari? They aren't a military force. Maybe Talyn will be able to dig up some information on that."

"I know you feel it's your responsibility to watch over Moya, Pilot and all the rest of us onboard her. From what I've seen, you've done a good job. But.if the worst happens, don't worry about it. I'll protect them."

"Protect who from what?"

I turned, not believing what I'd just heard. Vanessa stared at me through half-open eyes, her mouth turned into a faint smile. "Vanessa?"

"What's the matter? You look like you've seen a ghost."

For a microt, I couldn't say anything. Then I slapped my comm. "Lhatan! Get in here! Vanessa's awake!"

Vanessa yawned and sat up. She looked around and frowned. "We're in starburst? What's going on?"

"We're going to see if we can find your parents. Crais stayed behind to monitor the Gammak base. I thought it might be a good idea to slip away for a little while, let the heat die down."

"Oh great." Vanessa smiled at me and slipped her arm around me. "You'll like my father."

"I'm sure I will. Quiet now. Let Lhatan check you out again. Pilot?"

"Yes, Mattis, I heard. Moya and I are glad you're awake, Vanessa. We'll be arriving at Acquara in a few arns."

"Good, Pilot." I let Vanessa lay back then took her hand. As we waited for Lhatan and the others, I couldn't help but think things were already looking up.

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TO BE CONTINUED